Medicinal Herb Production in Great Britain

Abstract

A SHORT memorandum, presumably a preliminary one, has been issued by the Ministry of Health declaring its policy regarding the domestic cultivation of medicinal plants and outlining the arrangements which have already been made in respect of belladonna, digitalis, henbane and stramonium. These four potent drugs are to be made the special care of the Ministry, and it is understood that the owners of established herb farms have undertaken to extend the acreages under cultivation. Outside effort is not discouraged; but, as the memorandum states, “Farmers and owners of large private gardens who wish to engage in the cultivation of herbs are recommended to operate in close association with commercial firms to ensure that the crop is properly harvested and dealt with”. This is sound advice, and if followed will help amateur gardeners to avoid pitfalls, which are not a few in number. It is hoped that the deficiency of supplies of these four important drugs, which is due to the cessation of imports from Continental sources, will be made up by greatly increased home production. The Ministry has given no guidance with regard to the many other herbs which, although of lesser medical importance than the four specifically named plants, are of considerable commercial interest as household remedies. The matter might perhaps be taken up by the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Board of Education might give official advice about the collection of herbs by school children.