Medicinal Plant Trade Research Articles

Market Profile Analysis of Medicinal Plant Products Trade in Margibi County, Liberia

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in African traditional medicine, particularly in Liberia, where they are used alongside Western medicine. For generations, traditional knowledge about plants utilization has empowered locals to develop a wide range of plant products to address the medical needs of their communities. Over time, this development has led to the emergence of trade in medicinal plants and plant products. The trade of medicinal plant products (MPP) significantly contributes to the local economy by providing income opportunities for many. This study was conducted in Margibi County with aims to profile the trade of MPP, their origins, peak sale times, and the socio-economic characteristics of traders. The research identified key participants in the supply chain as collectors, wholesalers, and retailers. Qualitative data was analyzed using narrative analysis. The study revealed that 34.375% of MPP originates from rural Margibi, 28.125% from Montserrado with the rest being from Bong, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Lofa counties. Women are the predominant traders in the MPP trade; representing 78.125% while men represent 21.875%. Businesses along the MPP supply chain earn low profit margins from the sale of these products due to several contributing factors. These factors include limited investment and inadequate record keeping of transactions. The study suggests policy initiatives should be put in place by relevant authorities to formalize the trade, and provide access to financial resources and services which are necessary to improving income levels and creating opportunities for greater investment in the MPP trade.

Biodiversity, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Potential of Medicinal Plants of Mozambique

Mozambique possesses great biological diversity, with approximately 5500 plant species. Around 90% of its population uses natural resources for food and traditional medicine, being miombo forests serving as key providers for rural communities. The trade of medicinal plants also constitutes a significant economic activity for both rural and urban households. This study aims to review ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies on medicinal plants in Mozambique and explore their agricultural and conservation potential. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 were included and identified 472 medicinal plant species, 400 of which were classified to species or genus level, spanning 277 genera and 93 botanical families. The most cited families include Leguminosae (61 species), Euphorbiaceae (20), and Combretaceae (17). Notable species are Momordica balsamina, Sclerocarya birrea, Annona senegalensis, and Cassia abbreviata. Sixteen in vitro studies explored medicinal plants’ antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antimalarial properties. Prominent results were shown by Maerua edulis (tuberculosis), Tabernaemontana elegans (malaria), and Momordica balsamina (cancer). This work underscores the critical role of natural resources in Mozambique’s primary healthcare system and highlights their agricultural and economic potential. As the first comprehensive compilation of commonly used medicinal plants in the country, it calls for sustainable cultivation practices and further research to enhance their use and benefits.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL BASIS OF STATE SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MARKETS

This study explores the economic policy and legislative frameworks that underpin government support, highlighting the importance of regulatory mechanisms, financial incentives and strategic partnerships. It examines how these measures improve market access, ensure quality standards and promote sustainable practices. The study also examines international trade dynamics and focuses on how domestic policies align with global market trends and compliance requirements. Areas of focus include subsidies, tax incentives, certification processes, intellectual property rights and trade agreements. By providing comprehensive information, this topic aims to shed light on the important factors affecting the medicinal plant trade and the ways in which government support can stimulate the development of the industry.

Feasibility and sustainable development of the medicinal plant sector in the Republic of Moldova

The medicinal plants sector is one of perspective in the Republic of Moldova, which in the past had a good development (1980-1995) and which is currently in a recovery phase with increased interest from agricultural producers and regional markets. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the international trade in medicinal plants, budgeting of income and expenses for their cultivation, which allows understanding the main players in the target markets and being able to integrate domestic products emerging from international trends. Based on the research and analyses conducted, prominent deficiencies have been identified that extend to the modernization of production and processing technologies of raw materials, marketing strategies for products derived from medicinal plants, the creation of added value, the implementation of ecological systems for production and processing, as well as the practical management of business operations. These are essential for the development of an efficient operational management system, the increased competitiveness of products and enterprises to ensure access to markets. Additionally, strategic conclusions have been formulated for the sustainable development of the medicinal plant sector, necessary for implementation by value chain actors in the industry.

Study on Medicinal Forest Plants in Ifo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and Factors Shaping Usage Patterns

The utilization of medicinal plants in Nigeria is not solely associated with availability and accessibility but also reflects cultural heritage and local knowledge regarding natural resources. This research addresses the pressing issue of the medicinal utilization of selected forest plants in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Commencing with a succinct presentation of the identified problem, the study aims to explore solutions to formulated research questions and test hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05 alpha. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study involves one hundred respondents randomly selected from Ifo Local Government Area, including forest and herbal operators, civil servants, and farmers. Five communities, i.e., Alagbole, Lambe, Ibogun, Onihale, and Igbusi, were purposively sampled, with 20 randomly chosen respondents. Data collection utilized a self-structured questionnaire to gather pertinent responses on the variables central to the study. Analysis methods included simple percentages, tables, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC), and independent Student's T-test statistics, applied to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The research findings highlight, among other insights, the frequent use of forest plant-derived herbs for treating or preventing various health issues in the study area. As a recommendation, the study suggests the need for effective legislation to regulate the harvesting and trade of medicinal plants.

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Poisonous Medicinal Plants in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon

Local communities of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) have a long history of traditional use of medicinal plants. However, such use has sometimes been accompanied by toxicity symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to document the ethnobotanical knowledge about the toxicity of medicinal plant species used by local people. Ethnobotanical information was collected during 2019-2021 using semi- structured questionnaires and personal interviews involving 133 local informants (68 women and 65 men with an average age of 58 years). The Frequency of Citation (FC) index was calculated from the data collected during the interviews, which allowed the generation of a list of poisonous plant species used to treat different diseases. The toxicity of highly cited species was discussed according to phytochemical profiles reported in the literature. The findings resulted in a list of 31 plant species from 22 botanical families, with Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Solanaceae being the most dominant. The most toxic plant species were Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich (FC 11%), Sambucus ebulus L., Ricinus communis L., and Arum palaestinum Boiss. (each of FC 10%). Herbs were the most dominant life form of the cited species. The most toxic parts were the leaves (22% of citations), followed by whole plants and seeds (each 17%), and fruits (11%). Oral ingestion and skin contact were the main routes of toxicity. According to the published literature, toxicity can be primarily attributed to biochemical compounds, such as cucurbitacins, proteaceous glycoprotein, ricin, tropane alkaloids, atropine, cyanogenic glycosides, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, among other compounds. This work highlights the importance of the traditional knowledge of poisonous plants used in folk medicine and the need for phytochemical and toxicological research. The development of regulatory measures on the use and trade of medicinal plants as well as raising awareness of practitioners and public are also deemed necessary.

The Phytochemical Landscape of Herbal Plants: Insights and Implications

In recent years, traditional plants and herbal products have gained considerable attention within the scientific community due to their reliable pharmacological properties and affordability. These attributes make them effective in managing various diseases. These plants have significantly contributed to rural livelihoods, with many people, including traditional healers, involved in the collection and trade of medicinal plants. The global demand for herbal medicines has increased, leading to the development of advanced new medicines. Many communities in developing countries rely heavily on medicinal plants due to high poverty rates, necessitating scientific support to validate their efficacy in treating diseases. Phytochemicals in pure compounds or standardized plant extracts offer unlimited opportunities for new drug development due to their unmatched chemical diversity. Key natural products, such as tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, are known for their anticancer activity. This review discusses the available reports on the phytochemicals found in commonly used herbal plants

Potential Role and International Trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the World

Before the dawn of civilization, humans have hunted and gathered, and the only trustworthy sources of medicine were plants and herbs. The needs for traditional medicine, which are present in both local and international markets, are met in large part by medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Due to the abundance of medicinal plants, people in many tribal and rural parts of Bangladesh, like many other nations, have traditionally relied on nature and natural remedies to heal themselves and avoid ailments. The market is flooded with items made from medicinal and aromatic herbs. Plants can be used to produce specialty materials like biocides, cosmetics, medicines, essential oils, dyes, and colorants. Most of the species of MAPs are produced for such industrial uses, but most of them are still wild collected. The increasing demand in botanicals results in a great trade from local to international level. Identifying the significant role played by MAPs in serving health and well-being security, it is very important for the countries to utilize the need to conserve, sustainably use, and commercialize the MAP biodiversity resources responsibly throughout the world. The total trades in MAPs have increased from 2.4 billion USD in 1996 to 6.2 billion USD in 2013 with annual growth rate of 5.4% in past 18 years, and growth rate of 10.7% is noticed in recent years. By 2023, it will be expected that the market for herbal medicines would develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.88% and reach USD 1,29,689.3 million. Nowadays, roughly 80% of the world’s population gets their healthcare mostly from plants and plant extracts. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) forecast, the worldwide herbal industry would reach $5 trillion by the year 2050. China, India, Hong Kong, USA, Germany, Republic of Korea, Canada and Poland are the top export countries while top destinations include USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, France, Republic of Korea, China and Singapore. The study suggests five major trade centers of MAPs worldwide viz. USA, Hong Kong, Germany, Republic of Korea and China. A number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Governmental Organizations (GOs) and International Non-Governmental Organization (INGOs) have been working on improvement and expansion of commodity-wise value chains for selected MAPs throughout the world. For commercial developments of MAPs sub-sector, it is required to gather experiences of technical, socio-economical, institutional and policy inputs.

EVALUATION AND CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY OF PLANTS USED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSE

India is a very rich hub of plant biodiversity, many of those are therapeutically and medicinally useful. The rich resources are disappearing at an alarming state because of over-exploitation. Some of the endangered medicinal plants are Saussaurea lappa, Picrorrhiza kurroa, Swertia chirata, Holostemma annnularis, Rauwolfia serpenti-na. Normally there are two methods of conservation: in situ and ex situ conservation. Many techniques were also followed in ancient times to conserve or cultivate plants. There is a need to conserve the medicinal plants to prevent their total extinction from the natural flora. The expanding trade in medicinal plants has implications for the survival of several plant species. Growing demand for therapeutic products from indigenous medicinal plants, itself has positive effect of increased interest in cultivation, which seems a perfect option for improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, as well as sustaining the availability of these resources for future generations. Cultivation of medicinal plants provides feasible solutions to pharmaceutical organization, while effectively con-serving threatened indigenous biodiversity. The purpose of this paper is to justify and emphasize the need for the evaluation and cultivation of medicinal plants.

Ghana's herbal medicine industry: prospects, challenges and ways forward from a developing country perspective.

The herbal medicine industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. However, no detailed assessments have been undertaken on how to achieve the benefits of this industry for developing countries. This study examined the herbal medicine industry in Ghana, with a particular focus on its prospects, challenges and ways forward. The prospects of the medicinal plant trade are huge, and include reducing the national health budget, being a source of foreign and domestic income, as well as creation of employment and poverty reduction. However, the industry is currently inundated with several challenges, such as registration of herbal medicine products and practitioners, a lack of clinical trials for herbal products, standards and quality control issues, shortage of raw plant materials for production, and insufficient scientific research to support traditional claims on the pharmacological effects of medicinal plants. I propose a number of interventions to address these challenges: increased government support, capacity building initiatives, improved regulation of herbal medicines, application of modern technology in the manufacturing of herbal products, large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants, and improved packaging and branding for herbal medicines. Both the national government and the private sector have crucial roles to deliver in the development of the herbal medicine industry in a country like Ghana.

ПРАВОВОЕ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЕ ТОРГОВЛИ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННЫМИ РАСТЕНИЯМИ В ИНДИЙСКОЙ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЕ

Issues of legal and trade regulation of the market of medicinal plants are relevant in the modern economy of India. The increasing demand of medicinal plants in the world is causing an adverse impact on Indian medicinal plant resource. There is an urgent need to organize medicinal plant trade sector by sustainable use 
 of wild population of plants, increased cultivation of medicinal plants and moving to export from unprocessed raw material to finished drugs suitable for international standards. Besides this conservation of Indian medicinal plant wealth is utterly necessary to favour the international trade.

Authenticity study of commercial samples of St. John's wort by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry and chemometric tools

AbstractHypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort) is one of the world's most consumed medicinal plants for treating depression and psychiatric disorders. Counterfeiting can occur in the medicinal plant trade, either due to the lack of active ingredients or the addition of substances not mentioned on the labels, often without therapeutic value or even harmful to health. Hence, 43 samples of St. John's wort commercially acquired in different Brazilian regions and other countries were analyzed by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PS‐MS) and modeled by principal component analysis. Hence, samples (plants, capsules, and tablets) were extracted with ethanol in a solid–liquid extraction. For the first time, PS‐MS analysis allowed the detection of counterfeit H. perforatum samples containing active principles typical of other plants, such as Ageratum conyzoides and Senna spectabilis. About 52.3% of the samples were considered adulterated for having at least one of these two species in their composition. Furthermore, out of 35 samples produced in Brazil, only 13 were deemed authentic, having only H. perforatum. Therefore, there is a clear need to improve these drugs' quality control in Brazil.

Does higher demand for medicinal plants lead to more harvest? Evidence from the dual trade of Nardostachy jatamansi and Fritillaria cirrhosa and Tibetan people’s harvesting behavior

IntroductionAs the demand for herbal medicines is surging worldwide, regions of medicinal plants are vulnerable to large-scale and unsustainable exploitation for commercial trade and use. Yet, we still lack the understanding about the relationship between indigenous people harvesting and trade practices of medicinal plants and their influencing factors for possible intervention measures.MethodsHere, we combined qualitative and quantitative methods to survey traders (N = 20) and local harvesters (N = 923) from nine Tibetan townships in Hongyuan county, Sichuan Province, on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in China. Specifically, we elucidated the local value chain of medicinal plants trade and harvest of Nardostachy jatamansi and Fritillaria cirrhosa, and explored the factors influencing harvester’s willingness to harvest these plants. Furthermore, we empirically tested the constructs of the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation -Behavior) in predicting the sustainable harvesting behavior of medicinal plants.Results and DiscussionOur results revealed that the trade characteristics of N. jatamansi and F. cirrhosa were contrasting, and the sustainability of the former species was largely dependent on the latter one. Importantly, the traders’ practices were affected by the supply, while the harvesters’ willingness to harvest were mainly influenced by harvest incomes, past harvesting experience, and grassland tenure. Finally, though motivation was not directly affecting harvesting behavior, the harvesters’ ecological worldview indirectly affected their harvesting behavior, particularly through the mediation of the level of compliance of village rules and customs. Overall, our results provided crucial insights for the conservation and sustainable management of the valuable wild medicinal plants.

Ethnobotanical Survey and Pharmacological Screening of Medicinal Plants Used as Antihypertensive in Sefrou Province (Middle-North of Morocco): Benefits and Challenges

Herbal medicine was used since the old time in the treatment of different types of diseases in Sefrou province, Morocco. However, few studies have been carried out to identify local medicinal flora and to scientifically document the knowledge of the traditional use of these medicinal plants by the population. This study aims to investigate the medicinal plants in Sefrou province, record their usage in folk medicine by the population and evaluate the hypotensive effect of selected plants using in vitro vascular activity. For that, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted among the Arabs and Amazighs population of Sefrou province from January 2017 to December 2018. The survey was conducted through oral interviews with a structured questionnaire. It covered those who knew and/or used plants for medicinal purposes, retailers, and wholesalers, and also included ecological repartition as well as the mode of administration. Then we selected some plants to evaluate the antihypertensive activity based on the in vitro bioassay. A total of 134 medicinal plants belonging to 52 families were identified; 61% are wild species, 49 (36%) are cultivated and 4 (3%) are cultivated as well as spontaneous. Medicinal plants used in Sefrou folk medicine have been investigated for their antihypertensive activity. They were selected based on their usage as cardiotonic, diuretics, and other uses related to the symptoms of hypertension. Most of the plants tested in this study were found to be more sensitive to relaxing contractions induced by noradrenaline. Out of 32 species examined, 14 (44%) showed more than 50% inhibition in isolated rat aortic rings, the vasorelaxant activity of these plants used for the screening was mostly inhibited by pre-treatment with N-ω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOArg). The plants inventoried are alleged to be active against 104 therapeutic indications. Nine common symptoms are widely treated in indigenous pharmacopeia: gastrointestinal (19 plants), renal (27 plants), broncho-pulmonary system (7 plants), skin (13 species), diabetes (12 plants), cardiovascular (13 plants), eye, ear, nose, teeth, and throat diseases (5 plants); gynecological disorders (6 plants); rheumatism and gnawing pain (11 plants). 14% (19 species) of the plant inventoried are traded on a large scale and scope and more than 90 percent of the medicinal plants purchased from Sefrou go to big cities for export. The expansion of unregulated trade and commercial use of medicinal and aromatic plants poses a major threat to biodiversity in the region. Overall, people in Sefrou hold rich knowledge of herbal medicine. The vasorelaxant activity proved for the documented plants will provide a basis for other preclinical and clinical investigations.

Evaluation of drug standards, quality control, and trade in medicinal plants

This article is about the importance of medicinal plants in the manufacture of Ayush formulations or exported as raw drugs. Granting a license to manufacture, conducting quality control tests, and enforcing the legal provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics (D&C) Act 1940 are the responsibilities of the relevant statutory regulatory bodies. The main stakeholders responsible for ensuring the products' quality, safety, and effectiveness are licensed manufacturers who have to follow the standards prescribed under the statutory regulations. The widespread interest in Ayurvedic drugs and other plant-based products led to this appraisal of the achievements and challenges of the regulatory bodies and those responsible for accelerating the organised cultivation of medicinal plants for domestic use and for export.

DETERMINANTS OF THE LACK OF INTEREST IN CULTIVATING MEDICINAL PLANTS IN WONOGIRI, CENTRAL JAVA

Indonesia is among the countries producing medicinal plants (TO) for domestic and foreign demand. Nevertheless, Indonesia keeps importing a variety of TO kinds. One reason for this is farmer's lack of interest in cultivating medicinal plants, which is interesting to observe considering that, in terms of market share, ecology, and geography, all of them support the development of medicinal plant cultivation. This cross-sectional study with observations and interviews aims to get primary data to identify the factors causing the lacking interest of farmers in cultivating medicinal plants. In October 2018, we conducted our data collection. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) provided secondary data on the production and trade of medicinal plants from 2009 to 2020. We did descriptive data analysis. The results showed several factors caused farmers to be less interested in cultivating medicinal plants. Expense fluctuations, the length of the planting period, technology, and access to marketing, until the government's attention has not been optimized are the contributing factors. It should make efforts to increase the interest of farmers in cultivating medicinal plants. There are ways to encourage people to grow medicinal plants as their primary source of income, including stable prices, market accessibility, efficient cultivation, and post-harvest technology.

Tracing the Supply Chain of Medicinal Wild Yam Species (Dioscorea spp.) in Cundinamarca, Colombia

Tracing the Supply Chain of Medicinal Wild Yam Species (Dioscoreaspp.) in Cundinamarca, Colombia. Wild yams (Dioscorea spp.) are widely distributed non-timber forest products that are traditionally used as medicine in Cundinamarca, Colombia, and represent a source of income for rural families in the region. The market for these native medicinal species has been growing due to their increasing popularity as a remedy for circulatory and blood problems; however, the supply and demand dynamics of this plant in the forest have not yet been documented. Through qualitative research methods, this study identifies the links and distribution of the wild yam supply chain in Cundinamarca and considers the implications for conservation and sustainability of the resource. Tuber collection was documented in forested areas in 14 municipalities in the Department of Cundinamarca. The tubers are destined for wholesale markets in Bogotá and are purchased by retailers from all over Cundinamarca, even those based in the municipalities from which the tubers were extracted. The collection, distribution, and consumption of Dioscorea species in Cundinamarca respond to growing demand and rely on extraction of the species directly from forest remnants within the Department; these could be at risk of overharvesting if management measures are not taken, or if participatory propagation programs that benefit harvesters and sellers are not implemented. This is the first study of the supply chain in an emerging new market for wild yams in Latin America. It highlights the dynamic, evolving nature of the medicinal plant trade from the local to the national scale, and beyond.

Medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable use and commercialisation of high-value crops

Many traditional healing systems are based on natural biological resources, and there is a general shift in most parts of the world towards natural medicine, with direct implications on the demand and supply of medicinal plants. This review highlights the economic importance of medicinal plants, their contribution to healthcare systems, and potential opportunities for rural economic development through cultivation. A systematic literature review with specific search terms related to medicinal plants was used to collect scientific and non-scientific information from peer-reviewed literature and grey literature databases. The findings indicate that trade in medicinal plants is increasing, and although they are considered minor crops compared to major food crops, their value is among the highest in the list of traded plants globally. The trade also serves as a revenue source for many rural livelihoods, with women playing a significant role. Medicinal plants contribute to primary health care in many developing countries, and they are also an essential source of modern drug discovery. Cultivation of medicinal plants offers emerging rural farmers an opportunity to grow these plants as new and alternative crops, thus reducing unsustainable wild harvesting and competition with established commercial farmers who mostly focus on food crops. Furthermore, medicinal plant cultivation should be promoted as one of the options for local economic development and sustainability through job creation, the revival of the rural economy, and income generation for small businesses, such as the transport businesses, involved in the value chain. Land accessibility, financial resources, and direct market access for rural communities can elevate their contribution to the industry. Formalisation of the lower levels of the medicinal plant trade is also recommended. Significance: Cultivation is a viable option for biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and ensuring a goodquality supply of plant materials. Cultivation of medicinal plants – a source of natural products used in product development – can contribute to job creation, income generation, and rural economies in developing countries. This review underlines the importance of medicinal plants in product development, the contribution of the industry to economies of different countries, and the potential for cultivation.

Determination of Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Different Thyme Species Grown in Çanakkale Conditions

Turkey is one of the leading countries in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants due to its geography, and while exporting many medicinal plants, it also imports many plants. Thyme is often used as a spice in meat, fish and many other dishes due to its aromatic properties. It is a scientific fact that the essential oils in thyme have a strong antimicrobial effect. Thymol, which gives the distinctive smell of thyme, is an advanced antimicrobial agent. For this reason, it is recommended by many scientists to use thyme in the preservation of ready-made foods and disinfection of foods. It is an important plant for the country's economy, as it is an important medicinal aromatic plant and meets a large part of the thyme used in the world. Thyme, which is obtained by collecting from nature and cultivating in our country, has been an important research topic for scientists and many positive results have been obtained and continue to be achieved. This research was carried out at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Agriculture in 2021 in order to reveal the effect of essential oils obtained from 3 different thyme grown in Çanakkale conditions on 4 different bacteria. As research material, essential oils of Izmir thyme (Origanum onites), Istanbul thyme (Origanum vulgare) and medical thyme (Thymus vulgaris) were obtained by hydro-distillation method, and the anti-bacterial activities of these essential oils were determined against the determined bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacaurmicium, Salmonella typhimurium. The antimicrobial activities of essential oils were determined by the disc diffusion method. As a result, according to the data obtained from all thyme essential oils, while all of them showed an antimicrobial effect on bacteria, the most antimicrobial activity was seen in O. onites and O. vulgare essential oils, while the least antimicrobial activity was seen in T. vulgaris essential oil. It showed the best activity in Origanum vulgare, especially on S. aureus (42 mm) and S. typhimurium (39 mm) bacteria. In the study, T. vulgaris had low activity against P. aeruginosa with an inhibition diameter of 19 mm.

The Politics of Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in India: Corporations, Collectors and Cultivators as Constituents

This article seeks to understand one of the most important problems in the contemporary discourse of modern development, that of management, control, collection and trade of medicinal plants in India. The tremendous growth in the market for herbal medicines since the 1990s has prompted large-scale industrial production of these medicines by big pharmaceutical corporations. This relies on medicinal plants mostly derived from the wild, and while their market has grown enormously, it has also led to their over-harvesting, without any concomitant efforts at regeneration. This article offers to analyse the political aspect of the existing market supply chain of medicinal plants in India. This study specifically focuses on problematizing the complex power structures in the market supply chain of medicinal plants, with reference to the knowledge of production that guides the corporations. In order to manufacture herbal products on the basis of large-scale centralized production systems, the corporations privilege their ‘knowledge’ of harvesting, production and distribution over that of the collectors. The collectors are usually part of communities that have built up their knowledge of accessibility and medicinal properties of these medicinal plants over centuries of care, experience and innovation. It is when these two knowledge systems clash, in the larger context of political economy of development and the public policies of the state, that the degradation of nature becomes inevitable.