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

Abstract

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.

Traditional medicinal plants and plant products sold in open markets in Africa for COVID-19, their uses, medicinal properties, trade and sustainability: A review

“…7This author noted similar price increases in the Merkato in Ethiopia between 1973 and 2014. Even though medicinal plants are minor crops in comparison to staple crops, their values are among the highest among traded plant worldwide [47] .…”

Extraction and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in the Homestead Farm “Dunduri” of Ludza Municipality

“…29 Tirdzniecība ar ārstniecības augiem pasaulē pieaug un, lai gan tie tiek uzskatīti par maznozīmīgiem kultūraugiem, salīdzinot ar galvenajām pārtikas kultūrām, to vērtība ir viena no augstākajām pasaulē tirgoto augu sarakstā (Mofokeng, 2022). Ārstniecības augu audzēšana ir viena no iespējām Latvijas lauksaimniekiem, īpaši tiem, kuri saimnieko bioloģiski, jo lielākoties ārstniecības augi ir mazāk prasīgi, daudz ir daudzgadīgu augu.…”

Plant Tissue Culture for Medical Therapy: Unlocking the Potential of Medicinal Plants

“…Herbal-based pharmaceuticals produced through tissue culture hold significant promise in providing alternatives to synthetic drugs, with potentially fewer side effects and a reduced ecological footprint. As a result, they offer a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern medical science, providing a rich source of therapeutic agents that can contribute to the development of more natural and personalized approaches to healthcare [34].…”