24 - Medicinal Plants Market and Industry in Africa

Abstract

Medicinal plants have evolved over the centuries as essential parts of African civilization and are widely recognized today as representing its rich cultural and scientific heritage. The increasing demand for medicinal plant products has renewed interest in the pharmaceutical industry in the production of herbal health care formulations, herbal-based cosmetic products, and herbal nutritional supplements. Thus, in addition to serving medical and cultural functions, medicinal plants in Africa have economic importance. Global and national markets have been growing for medicinal herbs, and significant economic gains are being realized through the sale of medicinal plant products. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the medicinal plant trade in some African countries and to explore its use by local companies. It focuses most of its attention on broad trends, tendencies, and the most common situations in the production and marketing of medicinal plants in African local markets.