Jan. 8, 2004 – The ever-growing popularity of natural health products would threaten the survival of the very plants from which they are derived, says report to be released soon by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)1.
WWF estimates that the herbal medicine market is growing at around 10% per year in Europe and North America, and is currently worth US $ 20 billion.
Consequently, continues the WWF, the habitat of the plants from which these products are extracted is under untenable pressure, and 4,000 of the 10,000 known wild medicinal plants would be threatened with extinction in the more or less long term.
About two-thirds of plants known to have medicinal properties are wild plants. Threatened species include: the tetu lakha (Nothatodytes foetida), a small tree found in India and Pakistan, from which anti-cancer drugs are obtained in Europe; the dyers’ serratula (Serratula tinctoria or saw-wort), an Indian herb used in the treatment of skin diseases; and the Chuan bei mu (Where Fritillaria chirrosa), a Chinese herb used to treat respiratory infections.
The problem also affects Canada. Of the 2,000 plants found in the country, between 200 and 400 could have medicinal properties. The vast majority of these are found in the southern Prairies and southwestern Ontario, where they are seriously threatened by urban development (on this topic, see our coverage of a conference on biodiversity held in Ottawa).
The World Health Organization also estimates that plants are the only source of medicine for about 80% of the world’s population.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters; January 7, 2004.
1. WWF Canada. www.wwf.ca
