The European Society of Ethnopharmacology was founded on March 23 1990, during the First European Colloquium on Ethnopharmacology which took place at Metz (France), from 22 to 24 March 1990. It comprises national European associations having a common interest in the study of traditional pharmacopoeias and representing more than 1500 specialists (medical doctors, pharmacologists, botanists, anthropologists, historians of medicine and pharmacy, etc.).

The project was initiated at an international meeting held in Metz (France) in July 1989, following a suggestion by the French Society of Ethnopharmacology. Officers of several associations present at this meeting considered it opportune to unite their efforts and to contribute to the development of Ethnopharmacology by creating an European network comprising the organizations interested in the study and improvement of traditional pharmacopoeias.