<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">The latest NWFP Digest is available!
It's a big document, so I'm just forwarding the articles concerning
medicinal plants and some NTFPs (mostly in the U.S.). I included
the full table of contents with an asterisk next to the articles whose
summaries are included; you can see the full newsletter at the website
mentioned below.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">-Patricia</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<br>
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority<br>
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group<br>
US Fish & Wildlife Service<br>
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110<br>
Arlington, VA 22203<br>
703-358-1708 x1753<br>
FAX: 703-358-2276<br>
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural resources.<br>
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><br>
</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#800080 face="sans-serif">----- Forwarded by Patricia
De Angelis/ARL/R9/FWS/DOI on 06/05/2008 09:09 AM -----</font>
<br>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"Etherington, Tina
(FOIP)" <Tina.Etherington@fao.org></b> </font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">05/09/2008 05:43 AM</font>
<td width=59%>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">nwfp-digest-L@mailserv.fao.org</font>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
<td>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">NWFP-Digest-L No. 4/08</font></table>
<br>
<table>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<td></table>
<br></table>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">NWFP-Digest-L</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">No. 4/08</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Welcome to FAO’s NWFP-Digest-L, a free e-mail
journal that covers all aspects of non-wood forest products. Back issues
of the Digest may be found on FAO's NWFP home page: </font><a href=http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en target=_blank><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en</u></font></a><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">You can take part in contributing to the
continued success of this newsletter by sharing with the NWFP community
any news that you may have regarding research, events, publications and
projects. Kindly send such information to </font><a href="mailto:NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org"><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">:We
also appreciate any comments or feedback.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">A special thank you to all those who have
sent me links to information.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">==============================================================</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>IN THIS ISSUE</b>:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#product><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>PRODUCTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">1.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#one><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo:
Dell develops an ecological bamboo computer</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">2.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#two><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo
'silk' protects against UV and bugs</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">3.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#three><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Ginseng
helps cancer patients reduce fatigue, increase energy</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">4.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#four><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Medicinal
plants in Ethiopia: Ethnomedicinal plant knowledge and practice of the
Oromo ethnic group</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">5.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#five><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Medicinal
plants in India: Valley medicinal plants hold employment potential</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">6.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#six><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Medicinal
plants in USA: Native medicinal herb could become New Mexico cash crop</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">7.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><i><u>Moringa
oleifera</u></i><u>: Student researchers study natural water purifier</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">8.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><i><u>Moringa
oleifera</u></i><u>: Body Shop launches a Moringa bath and body range</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">9.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><i><u>Moringa
oleifera</u></i><u>: ‘Malunggay better oil source’</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">10.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#ten><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mulberry
juice drink unveiled</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">11.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eleven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mulberry:
Indian silk board weaves new mulberry breeds</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">12.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twelve><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mulberry:
Silkworms give Philippine farming town a makeover</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">13.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mushrooms
in South Africa: New giant mushroom causes a stir</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">14.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fourteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mushrooms
in Ukraine: Mushroom prices are 1.5 times as high as in 2007</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">15.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fifteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Pine
bark extract's osteoarthritis potential expanded</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">16.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#sixteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Rattan
in Indonesia: Artificial rattan gains favour</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">17.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seventeen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Seabuckthorn:
Clinically proven treatment offers help to rosacea sufferers</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#COUNTRYINFO><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>COUNTRY
INFORMATION</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">18.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eighteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Brazil:
Plans to control access to Amazon</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">19.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nineteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Canada:
Season not so sweet for maple syrup producers</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">20.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twenty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Ghana:
Government taking action to reduce pressure on forests</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">21.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Guyana:
Forest investment deal boosts Guyana conservation</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">22.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Bamboo industry eyes slice of $7.5 bn world mkt</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">23.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Chinese technology likely for State bamboo sector</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">24.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Cane and bamboo project launched for North East</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">25.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Bugs to boost Assam’s muga silk production</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">26.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India
Lac farming boost to tribal families</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">27.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Indonesia:
The sweetest way to save forests</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">28.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twenteight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Namibia:
Community Forestry Project in Omaheke</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">29.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Portugal:
A revival of the region’s cork producing history</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">30.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Sri
Lanka: Ceylon cinnamon a money spinner</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">31.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>UK:
Campaign to save forest reptiles</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">32.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>USA:
Untapped resource – maple sugar</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">33.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Vietnam:
Ecological tourism development to protect forest biodiversity</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">34.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Vietnam:
Fragments of grace</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">35.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Zambia:
Two tree crops provide Zambians with nutrition and fuel</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#NEWS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>NEWS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">36.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>American
Botanical Council announces Peruvian Amazon and Andes Ethnobotany Ecotour</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">37.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Biodiversity
key to fighting climate change</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">38.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>CMS
Gorilla Agreement enters into force</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">39.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>E-discussion
forum on underutilized species</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">40.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#forty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>How
is a tree valued?</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">41.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Is
the answer to HIV-associated diarrhea found in South America's rain forest?</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">42.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>The
buzz on energy drinks</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">43.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>World
Challenge 2008 (Deadline: 31 May 2008)</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#RECENTEVENTS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>EVENTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">44.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>IBRA
International Workshop on Queen rearing and artificial insemination</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 color=#666666 face="Arial">45.</font><font size=1 color=#666666 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>2008
International Scientific Conference on Tropical Rainforests and Agroforests
under Global Change</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">46.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Provoking
Change: Strategies to promote forest users in the Amazon</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#REQUESTS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>REQUESTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">47.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Request
for funding: Participatory forest management for herbal medicinal production
in Peru</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#literature><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>LITERATURE
REVIEW AND WEB SITES</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">48.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Indigenous
and traditional peoples and climate change</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">49.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Introducing
'Journal of Medicinal Plant Research (JMPR)</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">'**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">50.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fifty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Quality
and adulteration problems in certain raw medicinal plants of central India</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">51.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fiftyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>The
Tropical Agriculturalist – Beekeeping</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">52.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#otherpubs><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Other
publications of interest</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">**</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">53.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#websites><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Web
sites and e-zines</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>3.
Ginseng helps cancer patients reduce fatigue, increase energy</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Natural News.com, AZ, USA, 23
April 2008</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">American ginseng may reduce fatigue and increase
overall psychological well-being in cancer patients, according to a study
conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, N.Y., and presented
at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"We hope that Wisconsin ginseng may offer us a much-needed treatment
to improve our patients' quality of life, and we look forward to further
evaluation," said lead researcher Debra Barton of the North Central
Cancer Treatment Group.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Researchers treated 282 cancer patients with a daily dose of either a placebo
or of 750, 1,000 or 2,000 milligrams of Wisconsin ginseng. They found that
treatment with the placebo or the 750-mg dose caused very little improvement
in measures of fatigue or physical or psychological well-being. Treatment
with the higher doses, however, led to an improvement in overall energy
and vitality levels, a decrease in fatigue and an improvement in overall
emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Extreme fatigue is a common symptom among cancer patients, one that often
cannot be remedied by increased rest or sleep.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Ginseng has a long history of use in Asian and indigenous American cultures.
In modern times, it is most often used to increase energy levels and stamina
and to reduce stress or fatigue. It also reportedly can aid in the treatment
of cancer and diabetes and can reduce obesity risk.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
All of these purported benefits have led ginseng to become the second best-selling
herbal supplement in the United States, at $62 million annually. It has
even been incorporated into mainstream energy drinks, albeit usually in
subclinical doses.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Barton shied away from advising cancer patients to take ginseng supplements.
The researchers hope to begin clinical trials by 2008 to find safe ways
to incorporate ginseng into cancer treatment.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.naturalnews.com/023089.html><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>http://www.naturalnews.com/023089.htm</u></font><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>l</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<div align=center>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">BACK TO </font><a href=#top><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>TOP</u></font></a></div>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>6.
Medicinal plants in USA: Native medicinal herb could become New Mexico
cash crop</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: El Paso Times, USA, 21 April 2008</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Alcalde. Through the centuries, settlers
in the Southwest have discovered the medicinal benefits of the native plant
yerba del manso (<i>Anemopsis californica</i>)<i>,</i> commonly called
swamp root or lizard-tail. With the renaissance of medicinal herbs in the
United States, a New Mexico State University agronomist believes the plant
could become a cash crop for New Mexican organic farmers. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A feasibility study conducted by the NMSU College of Agriculture and Home
Economics indicates that some herbs, depending on market demand, could
provide an above average per acre gross income for small-scale farmers.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Native Americans first introduced the native herb to Spanish settlers.
The Europeans learned that the plant's antiseptic and antibiotic properties
had many uses. One explorer wrote in his dairy, "Of all the plants
we gathered none was endowed with so much magic as the yerba del manso."
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Yerba del manso's benefits have been passed down from generation to generation.
The plant with the large white flower spikes found in riparian habitats
of northern Mexico and the Southwest in the United States can be used as
a remedy for colds, sinus infections, gum diseases, toothaches, ulcers
and upset stomachs. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Traditionally, people dig up the roots or harvest the crown of the
plant from wild stands in high water table areas, such as river bosques.
But with the riparian areas in New Mexico shrinking because of urbanization,
the habitat for this useful plant is rapidly disappearing," Martin
said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Since it has been plentiful and easily available to the traditional medicinal
herb community, it's never been commercialized or thought of as a commercial
crop. But Martin said times are changing. "Because it is so useful
as a medicinal herb and with the growing medicinal herb market, New Mexico
growers have a real advantage at turning it into a cash crop. It has potential
commercial sales outside of the Southwest. So just imagine the potential
market when herbalists on either coast or in large Midwestern cities discover
its benefits." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Since 1998, Martin has worked with the plant to determine how to transplant
the native species into a cultivated environment. His findings have been
published in NMSU's Research Report 758, "Cultivation of <i>Anemopsis
californica</i> under small-scale grower conditions in northern New Mexico."
A copy of the report may be obtained at </font><a href="http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/research/agronomy/RR-758.pdf"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/research/agronomy/RR-758.pdf</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Martin anticipates a need for commercial cultivation of this plant in the
future as yerba del manso becomes popular to herbalists. "With the
knowledge we have from this research we hope to avoid what happened to
other popular herbs, such as echinacea, where there was so much over-harvesting
from native stands that the stands were depleted and became threatened
or even endangered." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_8996664?source=most_emailed"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_8996664?source=most_emailed</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> <b>NEWS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>36.
American Botanical Council announces Peruvian Amazon and Andes Ethnobotany
Ecotour</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Market Wire (press release), USA,
11 April 2008</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Austin, TX - Two nonprofit educational organizations,
the American Botanical Council (ABC) and the Amazon Center for Environmental
Education and Research (ACEER), have announced their 2008 annual Botanical
Medicines from the Amazon and the Andes workshop tour. This year's trip
will take place September 26th - October 5th, 2008 in various locations
in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains, including the
famous, ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. Continuing education credit
is available for certain healthcare providers. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Amazon activities will focus on the edible and medicinal plants of the
Peruvian Amazon, including visits to markets where local herbs are sold,
explorations of the Inkaterra Field Reserve, the Useful Plants Trail, and
the Garden of Medicinal Plants. A literal highpoint of the Amazon portion
of the trip includes traversing the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway that soars
100 feet above the forest floor, allowing people to view plants and animals
that dwell in the upper canopy. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Andean activities include a workshop by a traditional Incan shaman in the
sacred Urubamba Valley, the Pisac traditional crafts market, and the inspiring
"lost" mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Each stop of this trip
will focus on the native ethnobotany of the area and ways the indigenous
Inca people traditionally used and currently use local medicinal plants.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Space for the Peru tour is limited. Full itinerary and registration forms
can be found online at the ABC website: </font><a href="http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Ethnobotany_Tours"><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Ethnobotany_Tours</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
ABC published a short article by former ABC Pharmacy intern, Codi Scarbrough
Triesch, sharing her experiences on the trip to Peru a few years ago. The
article can be found at: </font><a href="http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2902"><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2902</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Links to photos from last year's ecotour can be seen at: </font><a href=http://www.stevenfoster.com/photography/subjects.html><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>http://www.stevenfoster.com/photography/subjects.html</u></font></a><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=842775"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=842775</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>37.
Biodiversity key to fighting climate change</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Mongabay.com, USA, 29 April 2008</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Scientists from Brown University have discovered
that an ecosystem's productivity is directly linked to its diversity of
plant species. The discovery has granted biodiversity new importance in
the fight against climate change: the more productive the ecosystem the
more carbon it captures. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"It's a double whammy," Osvaldo Sala explained. "We not
only are disturbing our planet by putting more carbon into the atmosphere,
but we're reducing the ability of ecosystems to capture and store it."
Sala is the director of the Environmental Change Initiative and the Sloan
Lindeman Professor of Biology at Brown. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Brown scientists conducted their study for six years in Patagonia.
They divided an area into ninety plots then began to systematically remove
native species from each plot and chart the changes in the plot's productivity.
Productivity dropped as species were removed. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The scientists believe that productivity is linked to the diversity of
species because of "niche complementarity". In other words, in
an intact environment each species has evolved its own niche without interrupting
other species' niches. This harmony between species allows them to positively
interact with each other and fully utilize the resources of a given space.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In the experiments "the water is the same, the nitrogen is the same,
the sunlight is the same, what is different is the diversity of the plants,"
said Sala. Artificial landscapes proved far less productive than natural
ones. According to the paper: "In contrast [with artificial landscapes]
natural ecosystems presented mature individuals, populations, and species
coexisting for long periods of time in natural soils without chemical treatments
and low artificial disturbance regimes." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The findings appear to have important ramifications beyond plant species,
since high biodiversity of plants depends on non-plant species. Insects,
birds, and bats are major pollinators for plant species; some plant species
depend on a single insect or animal species for pollination. Therefore,
to have a truly productive ecosystem all of the region's biodiversity must
be retained. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
According to the paper, "this result supports previous findings and
also suggests that the effect of biodiversity in natural ecosystems may
be much larger than currently thought." The findings give wildlife
conservationists a new powerful argument for species protections. Many
biologists believe that we are currently entering a mass extinction, entitled
the Holocene Extinction Event, estimations range from 20-50 percent of
species becoming extinct within approximately hundred years. The reasons
are varied for species extinction but include climate change, habitat loss,
pollution, the bush-trade, invasive species, and the trafficking of species
for medicinal products. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>Citation</u>: Pedro Flaumbaum and Osvaldo
E. Sala (2008). "Higher effect of plant species diversity on productivity
in natural than artificial ecosystems". Proceedings of the National
Academy of Science in the United States of America, April 22nd 2008.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0429-hance_biodiv.html"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0429-hance_biodiv.html</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>43.
World Challenge 2008 (Deadline: 31 May 2008)</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized
Species,</b></font><a href="http://www.underutilized-species.org/"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>www.underutilized-species.org</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">World Challenge is BBC World's global competition
for sustainable enterprise and its back for its fourth season. Once again
we're looking to highlight and reward small businesses or projects that
have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. We would love
to hear from you about social entrepreneurs who are making a difference
without costing the earth. It could be you or someone you know.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
So if you know of an initiative that's making a difference, go to </font><a href=http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.theworldchallenge.co.uk</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
and fill out the simple nomination form<b>.</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>
</b>The 12 best nominees - chosen by a distinguished jury - will be featured
in the 7-part series on BBC World.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For more information, please contact:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The World Challenge team</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Saskia Roskam</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Assistant to Robert Lamb</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">One Planet Pictures</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">20 Eastcastle Street</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">London W1W 8DB</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">UK<br>
+44-0790 48 47 207/ 0207 580 1211</font>
<br><a href=http://www.oneplanetpictures.co.uk/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.oneplanetpictures.co.uk</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>REQUESTS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>47.
Request for funding: Participatory forest management for herbal medicinal
production in Peru</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: Charles Veitch, Environmental Change
Institute, UK</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Having finished the first phase of the project
in December 2007, a book on the use and preparation of medicinal plants
has been published in four languages for the use of the communities, and
a model management plan has been made available for others involved in
similar work. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The management plan can be downloaded in Spanish – see </font><a href="http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/humaneco/peru-medicinal.php"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/humaneco/peru-medicinal.php</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
We are currently looking for funding in order to start the second phase
of the project, which will focus on two communities who have expressed
an interest in putting the management plan into practice, and who have
the commitment to establish and run community enterprises for the sustainable
production of medicinal plants.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For more information, please contact:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Charles Veitch at </font><a href=mailto:charlesveitch@yahoo.co.uk><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>charlesveitch@yahoo.co.uk</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>LITERATURE REVIEW AND WEB SITES</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>49.
Introducing 'Journal of Medicinal Plant Research</b> <b>(JMPR)'</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: JMPR Medicinal Plants Research [jmpr.acadjourn@gmail.com]</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The Journal of Medicinal Plant Research (JMPR)
provides rapid publication (monthly) of articles in all areas of research
in Medicinal Plants. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts
that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence.
Papers will be published approximately one month after acceptance. All
articles are peer-reviewed. The following types of papers are considered
for publication:</font>
<ul>
<li><font size=2 face="Arial">Original articles in basic and applied research.
</font>
<li><font size=2 face="Arial">Critical reviews, surveys, opinions, commentaries
and essays.</font></ul><font size=2 face="Arial">
Our objective is to inform authors of the decision on their manuscript(s)
within four weeks of submission. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Instruction for authors and other details are available on our website
</font><a href=http://www.academicjournals.org/AJBM><font size=2 color=#0000cc face="Arial"><u>www.academicjournals.org/jmpr</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
Prospective authors should send their manuscript(s) to </font><a href=mailto:jmpr@academicjournals.org><font size=2 color=#0000cc face="Arial"><u>jmpr@academicjournals.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Open Access</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">One key request of researchers across the
world is unrestricted access to research publications. JMPR is fully committed
Open Access Initiative by providing free access to all articles (both abstract
and full PDF text) as soon as they are published. We ask you to support
this initiative by publishing your papers in this journal.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Invitation to Review</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">JMPR is seeking for qualified reviewers as
members of the review board team. JMPR serves as a great resource for researchers
and students across the globe. We ask you to support this initiative by
joining our reviewer's team. If you are interested in serving as a reviewer,
kindly send us your resume to </font><a href=mailto:jmpr@academicjournals.org><font size=2 color=#0000cc face="Arial"><u>jmpr@academicjournals.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Publication Alert</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">We will be glad to send you a publication
alert showing the table of content with link to the various abstracts and
full PDF text of articles published in each issue. Kindly send us an email
if you will like to receive publication alert.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For more information, please contact:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Donatus Owa</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Editorial Assistant</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Journal of Medicinal Plants Research (JMPR)</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#000080 face="Arial">E-mail: </font><a href=mailto:ajbm@academicjournals.org><font size=2 color=#0000cc face="Arial"><u>ajbm@academicjournals.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><a href=http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR><font size=2 color=#0000cc face="Arial"><u>http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR</u></font></a><font size=2 color=#000080 face="Arial"><u>
</u></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<div align=center>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">BACK TO </font><a href=#top><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>TOP</u></font></a></div>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>50.
Quality and adulteration problems in certain raw medicinal plants of central
India</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: Manish Mishra, India, </b></font><a href=mailto:manishm@iifm.ac.in><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><b><u>manishm@iifm.ac.in</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Recently during the survey of different areas
of central India (i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh & Maharashtra) it
was observed that due to increasing demand of Ayurvedic medicines &
raw materials, the traders as well as Ayurvedic manufacturers are using
substandard medicinal plant material (raw) to manufacture crude/ bulk medicines.
During the survey of the traders, collectors etc. in Malwa region (Indore,
Ratlam, Neemuch) and Mahakaushal region (Katni, Jabalpur, Seoni) and Nagpur
(Vidarbha region), it was found that peoples are using substandard
raw material for making Ayurvedic medicines. There were no strict rules,
policy, Govt. check etc., in this regard. Ayurvedic industries are manufacturing
huge quantity of medicines to meet the increasing market demand without
considering the quality. Most of the people involved in the trade are substituting
costly Safed musli (<i>Chlorophytum borivillianum</i>), Baibidang (<i>Emblia
ribes),</i> Kali haldi (<i>Curcuma caesia</i>), Satawar (Asparagus<i> racemosus</i>)
etc. with other similar type of inferior medicinal plants. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Due to lack of correct identification, similar looking plants are collected
from the field site along with the genuine medicinal plant by mistake.
But many times similar looking (inferior) cheap alternatives are intentionally
mixed along with some quantity of genuine plant. This may be due non-availability
of the genuine medicinal plant in the large quantity. Generally the soil
gets adhered with the medicinal plant or its useful part at the time of
collection from the field. This renders the medicinal plants adulterated
by soil. Due to lack of proper post collection care, the collected medicinal
plants loose their pharmaceutical efficacy. After collection from the field,
the medicinal plants are sold in local markets/middle man, ‘mandi’ sooner
or later. The collected plants are kept in direct sun/rains, in sub-standard
godown, having dust, fungus, termites and rats etc. which adversely affect
the medicinal properties. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It was also observed that the adulterators not only mix similar species
but also cheap and inferior quality produces such as rotten or substandard
products which can be procured at very cheap rates. Like safed musli being
adulterated with lesser priced <i>Asparagus</i>, rotten aonla powder in
triphala, and so on... and as a result, the Ayurvedic drugs lose their
efficacy. Adulteration is taking heavy toll on the credibility of Ayurvedic
system and medicines. The safety and quality of raw medicinal plant materials
and finished products depend on intrinsic (genetic) or external (environment,
collection methods, cultivation, harvest, post-harvest care, transport
and storage practices) factors. Inadvertent contamination by microbial
or chemical agents during any of the production stages can also lead to
deterioration in safety and quality. Medicinal plants collected from the
wild may be contaminated by other similar looking species or plant parts
through misidentification, accidental contamination or intentional adulteration,
all of which may have undesirable consequences. Taking into consideration
to the above issues, the Indian Institute of Forest Management have started
a project on raw medicinal plant quality, adulteration and related problems
in central India. The research project suggests appropriate ways and means
to combat the problem of adulteration & substitution in selected medicinal
plants. It will also suggest measures to maintain the quality/standards.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">(Source: Executive Summary of a recent research
& development project on Quality of raw medicinal plants of central
India is initiated at IIFM, Bhopal. These observations are the part of
the on going project conducted in three markets of central India, in 2007
by Dr. Manish Mishra (Principal Investigator) and Prof. PC Kotwal, Indian
Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal (M.P), India.)</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>52.
Other publications of interest</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: FAO’s NWFP Programme</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Fyhrquist, P.</b> 2007: Traditional medicinal
uses and biological activities of some plant extracts of African <i>Combretum</i>
Loefl., <i>Terminalia</i> L., and <i>Pteleopsis</i> Engl. species (Combretaceae).
Doctoral thesis. Helsinki University Printing House. 183 pp.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Harvey, C.A. and J.C. Saénz (editors).</b>
2008. <i>Evaluación y conservación de biodiversidad en paisajes fragmentados
de Mesoamerica</i>. INBio, Heredia, Costa Rica. 620 pp.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Laurance, W.F.</b> 2007. Forest destruction
in tropical Asia. <i>Curr. Sci.</i> 93(11):1544-1550.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Lenaerts, Marc and Spadafora, Ana María
(eds.).</b> 2008<i>. Pueblos indígenas, plantas y mercados. Amazonía y
Gran Chaco.</i> <i>V Congreso CEISAL de Latinoamericanistas, Bruselas 2007
/ Abril 11-14. </i>Zeta Series in Anthropology & Sociology: 3. ISBN:
978-973-88632-7-9. (Languages: Spanish, Portuguese & English)</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Indigenous people from Amazonia and Gran
Chaco are not living apart from national or international markets, but
take part in it according to their own patterns, which sometimes appear
quite surprising. Plants and trees are their main source of income. It
does not mean nevertheless that they are managed as simple commodities
or as mere objects of knowledge. Rather, they are often viewed as partakers
of large relational networks, bringing together human people as well as
animal and vegetal beings: in many cases, plants and animals are even considered
as true Persons. That was the reason why we decided to organize a symposium
with a clear emphasis on this relational dimension. We present here eight
selected papers from this panel. The topics are diverse, but all of them
enlighten how such an approach opens new ways for the analysis, concerning
everyday management of plants and ethnobotanical knowledge, as well as
commoditisation, which is anything but a question of strictly economic
rationality.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Tewari, D.D.</b> 2008. <i>Management of
Nontimber Forest Product Resources of India: An Analysis of Forest Development
Corporations. </i>Lucknow, International Book Distributing Co., 2008, xvi,
152 p., tables, figs., $33. ISBN 81-8189-223-2.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">In this book, Professor Tewari reviews the
management of nontimber forest products of India under the control of Forest
Development Corporations during the last 30 years or so. Overall, Forest
Development Corporations are not functioning as efficiently as they were
expected to do initially. Most of them are showing losses and depend continually
on taxpayers' money to survive. Thus, there is a need for new institutional
innovations. The author suggests a new approach towards managing this economically
important resource so as to reform the functioning of ailing corporations
in the interest of tribal communities. A cooperative framework, which entrusts
the management of nontimber forest products to the tribal communities,
along with a support price program and effective coordination of market
forces, is recommended for sustainable and socially rewarding management
of nontimber forest products. Thus, a more decentralized management of
nontimber forest products and nationally coordinated marketing framework
is to be developed.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Wadt, L.H.O., Kainer, K.A., Staudhammer,
C.L., and Serrano, R.O.P.</b> 2008. Sustainable forest use Brazilian extractive
reserves: natural regeneradon of Brazil nut in exploited populations. <i>Biol.
Conserv.</i> 141(1):332-346.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
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