Study Shows Herbal Medicines Endangering Plants

FOX ^ | 1/22/04 | Trace Gallagher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

A new study by Global Environment Network World Wildlife Federation and World Conservation Union reveals that up to 20 percent of the earth's most important medicinal plants might now be endangered because of over-harvesting.

"It's been an issue that's been on the back burner and only recently has it come to the forefront...There's lots of progress that needs to be done," said Mark Blumenthal, founder of the American Botanical Council (search).

[RippleFire]

bump

[trebb]

And cows and sheep and rabbits endanger grass supplies. We're doomed...

[r9etb]

Hmmmmm. Seems to me that the herbal medicine industry would be much better advised to grow the things themselves. Except, of course, that it's such a fad-driven industry that they couldn't recoup their profits when the current crop was no longer in fashion.

[q_an_a]

This is crap, build a greenhouse or a hydroponic center and you can grow any plant you want. To get them started you need a cutting and some rotone or seaweed solution. Harvesting in a greenhouse is cheaper than in the forest.

[Roughneck]

>>>The herbal medicine industry has turned roots, leaves and berries into an $11 billion annual business<<<<

Thus, the complaining begins. . .

[Some hope remaining.]

up to 20 percent of the earth's most important medicinal plants might now be endangered

So what good are they as medicine if we can't use them?

[keats5]

Hopefully, we'll also be running out of broccoli soon.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

---

If this is taxes with reprsentation
Give me taxes without representation
I much prefer a tax on tea!
Instead of everything else.

[The Great RJ]

But wasn't that the reason why we were all told we had to save the rain forest because it would be the source of future medical break throughs?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[capt. norm]

I, personally, admit to endangering tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and corn among numerous others.