Medicinal And Aromatic Plants

This book reports the proceedings of an international panel of specialists that explored the agricultural, commercial, ecological, legal, pharmacological and social future of medicinal and aromatic plants at a conference organized by Frontis – Wageningen International Nucleus for Strategic Expertise in Wageningen, The Netherlands. This book reports the proceedings of an international panel of specialists that explored the agricultural, commercial, ecological, legal, pharmacological and social future of medicinal and aromatic plants at a conference organized by Frontis – Wageningen International Nucleus for Strategic Expertise in Wageningen, The Netherlands. During the three-day conference, members of the panel presented and discussed a variety of facts, thoughts and opinions on research needs and potential importance of medicinal and aromatic plants among developed and developing societies. Hopefully, the information and particulars brought forth during presentations and discussions by panel members and summarized in these proceedings will initiate continued dialogue about the role and prospect of growing, collecting and processing medicinal and aromatic plants with pharmacological and industrial applications. As the reader will note, these proceedings represent a wide collection of views, reflecting the diversity of disciplines and interests of panel members that enabled thoughtful deliberations from a range of perspectives. The panel highlighted the necessity of continued and integrated research on plant sources, conservation, bioactivity, analysis and marketing in examining future scenarios for application and sale of medicinal and aromatic plants. Of special concern was the need for proof of efficacy and safety in drug development and the need to recognize societies contributing plant materials.

Before the concept of history began, humans undoubtedly acquired life benefits by discovering medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) that were food and medicine. Today, a variety of available herbs and spices are used and enjoyed throughout the world and continue to promote good health. The international market is also quite welcoming for MAPs and essential oils. The increasing environment and nature conscious buyers encourage producers to produce high quality essential oils. These consumer choices lead to growing preference for organic and herbal based products in the world market. As the benefits of medicinal and aromatic plants are recognized, these plants will have a special role for humans in the future. Until last century, the production of botanicals relies to a large degree on wild-collection. However, the increasing commercial collection, largely unmonitored trade, and habitat loss lead to an incomparably growing pressure on plant populationsin the wild. Therefore, medicinal and aromatic plants are of high priority for conservation. Given the above, we bring forth a comprehensive volume, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Healthcare and Industrial Applications”, highlighting the various healthcare, industrial and pharmaceutical applications that are being used on these immensely important MAPs and its future prospects. This collection of chapters from the different areas dealing with MAPs caters to the need of all those who are working or have interest in the above topic.