[MPWG] Herbal remedies 'threaten plants'

[Patricia_Ford at fws.gov]

Herbal remedies 'threaten plants'
BBC News

The growing demand for herbal remedies is threatening to wipe out 10,000 of
the world's 50,000 medicinal plant species.  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.  "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", says Plantlife's Martin Harper.

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."

SOURCE:  BBC NEWS.