Abstract: Novel compositions containing at least one biologically active component derived from peat or similar composition, methods for their preparation and therapeutic uses for a variety of diseases, injuries, and conditions, including wound healing, pain, itch, inflammation, abnormal cell proliferation, or infections caused by fungal, bacterial, rickettsial or viral agents, psoriasis, allergic and other dermatitis, pruritis, eczema, actinic keratosis and similar conditions. In addition, the compositions can be used as diuretics, antiarrhythmics, and cardiac-stimulating agents, as well as for the treatment of mammalian diseases and disorders, including multiple drug resistance, cancers, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, pain, wound healing, fungal disorders, and other inflammatory disorders. The compositions are derivable from peat or peat-related substances and may alternatively be synthetically produced.