Plant biodiversity has been source of myriad forms of natural substances utilized in similarly multiple ways.The history of medicinal and aromatic plant(MAP)utilization dates back to the beginnings of mankind.Our fore...Plant biodiversity has been source of myriad forms of natural substances utilized in similarly multiple ways.The history of medicinal and aromatic plant(MAP)utilization dates back to the beginnings of mankind.Our forefathers used plants they could find in nature,to ease,cure their sufferings,illnesses,or heal their wounds.This type of approach has survived in the traditional medicinal(TM)uses,until today,since nearly 80% of the world population still relies on MAPs in their medications(Akerele,1992).Especially rich are the traditions in China and India,where TMs have been used for thousands of years.The use of TM,however,goes well beyond these countries.It has been estimated that more than 1.5 billion people all over the world are trusting in the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine(Wang and Franz,2014).The renaissance of MAP-use in the high-income countries has brought about different types of use i.e.:in the form of Herbal Medicines(CAM=Complementary and Alternative Medicine).MAPs have become″industrial products″with versatile and innovative new concepts in phytotherapy and veterinary medicine,aromatherapy,nutraceuticals,cosmeceuticals,animal welfare,etc.New,innovative,value added applications include MAP use in functional foods,animal husbandry,as well as plant protection in agriculture.The versatile utilization of essential oils is most promising.MAPs are sourced from both wild-crafting and cultivation,where quality is primarily determined by the genotype,the environment and the conditions during the life cycle of the plant.Processing to preserve/isolate their active principles is an additional precondition for the safety and efficacy in use.Current areas of utilization constitute powerful drivers for the exploitation of these natural resources.Increasing demands,coupled with the already limited availability and potential exhaustion of natural resources,make it necessary to take stock of both our resources and our knowledge regarding research and development,production,trade and utilization,especially 展开更多
文摘Plant biodiversity has been source of myriad forms of natural substances utilized in similarly multiple ways.The history of medicinal and aromatic plant(MAP)utilization dates back to the beginnings of mankind.Our forefathers used plants they could find in nature,to ease,cure their sufferings,illnesses,or heal their wounds.This type of approach has survived in the traditional medicinal(TM)uses,until today,since nearly 80% of the world population still relies on MAPs in their medications(Akerele,1992).Especially rich are the traditions in China and India,where TMs have been used for thousands of years.The use of TM,however,goes well beyond these countries.It has been estimated that more than 1.5 billion people all over the world are trusting in the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine(Wang and Franz,2014).The renaissance of MAP-use in the high-income countries has brought about different types of use i.e.:in the form of Herbal Medicines(CAM=Complementary and Alternative Medicine).MAPs have become″industrial products″with versatile and innovative new concepts in phytotherapy and veterinary medicine,aromatherapy,nutraceuticals,cosmeceuticals,animal welfare,etc.New,innovative,value added applications include MAP use in functional foods,animal husbandry,as well as plant protection in agriculture.The versatile utilization of essential oils is most promising.MAPs are sourced from both wild-crafting and cultivation,where quality is primarily determined by the genotype,the environment and the conditions during the life cycle of the plant.Processing to preserve/isolate their active principles is an additional precondition for the safety and efficacy in use.Current areas of utilization constitute powerful drivers for the exploitation of these natural resources.Increasing demands,coupled with the already limited availability and potential exhaustion of natural resources,make it necessary to take stock of both our resources and our knowledge regarding research and development,production,trade and utilization,especially
