Journal Article About The Medicinal Uses of Plants
A discussion of the medicinal uses of plants is sure to draw interest and ire. Medicinal herbs are a $3 billion industry in the United States. A journal article about their uses must address the complexity and the risks of medicinal plants. Estimates are that 25 percent of prescription drugs used in the United States contain at least one plant derivative, making use of medicinal plants an assumed risk.
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History
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Evidence of the medicinal uses of plants goes back 60,000 years, making it the earliest form of health care.
Current Use
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According to the National Park Service, more than 175 native American plants are used in the non-prescription drug market.
Prescription Drugs
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Examples of common prescription drugs derived from plants include digitalis for treating heart disease and quinine derived from the cinchona tree, used to treat malaria.
Regulation
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Medicinal use of plants and herbs is regulated by more than 100 countries, according to the World Health Organization.
Endangered Plants
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Despite regulation, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International reports that more than 400 medicinal plants are in danger of extinction, including the yew tree and magnolia species, sources of important cancer drugs.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of rachfog
