Herbal Remedies Threaten Plants – Time to start to grow Ayurvedic herbs in a more organized, effective way

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Herbal Remedies Threaten Plants

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BBC News

1-9-4

 

"With demand and commercialisation growing fast, the future of the wild plants

that have helped most of humanity for centuries is now more uncertain than it

has ever been."

 

The growing demand for herbal remedies is threatening to wipe out 10,000 of the

world's 50,000 medicinal plant species, conservation group WWF says. In Europe

alone, more than 1,300 medicinal plants are used commercially, and about 90% are

taken from the wild.

 

A report released on Thursday by the Plantlife International group urges

suppliers to ensure ingredients are cultivated or harvested responsibly. The

British Herbal Medicine Association says the problem has been exaggerated. But

Plantlife International says the plants are harvested wastefully far too often.

 

They say the bearberry - used to treat kidney and digestive problems - has

become rare in much of Eastern Europe because whole plants are uprooted even

though only the leaves are used.

 

Other threatened plants include tetu lakha - a tree found in south India and Sri

Lanka and used for anti-cancer drugs in Europe, saw-wort - an Indian root used

for skin disorders, and tendrilled fritillary - a Chinese plant used to treat

respiratory infections.

 

Study author and World Conservation Union Medicinal Plant Specialist Group

member Alan Hamilton told New Scientist magazine: "It is an extremely serious

problem."

 

The market for herbal remedies in North America and Europe has risen by 10%

every year for the past decade, research indicates. It is now thought to be

worth at least £11bn.

 

Plantlife's Martin Harper told New Scientist: "With demand and commercialisation

growing fast, the future of the wild plants that have helped most of humanity

for centuries is now more uncertain than it has ever been."

 

"It is time for the industry to join forces with environmental organisations to

ensure herbal harvests have a sustainable future."

 

© BBC MMIV

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3377985.stm

 

from: http://www.rense.com

 

 

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