Aromatics and Medicinals
Medicinal, aromatic, and dye plants (MADPs) can be either cultivated or harvested in the wild under the organic standards. These plants have uses ranging from edible herbs and spices to medical and cosmetic applications, as well as uses such as botanical grain protectants. The emergence of the organic cosmetic sector, coupled with the revival of traditional and alternative medicines (US$30 billion annually in the USA alone), has created an enormous demand for plants free of chemical residues, whether cultivated or harvested in the wild.
Many of the 700 species commercially used by the herbal industries are harvested under pressure for other uses and are frequently exploited without any particular management strategy. As a result, many species are overexploited and are diminishing if not disappearing. Management methods for these areas and increased cultivation and domestication of some of the species are needed to assure future required supplies of those species. The sustained availability of aromatic and medicinal plants is of high significance to the millions of households and health practitioners, especially in developing nations. However, very few plant species have been sufficiently tested in the laboratory to indicate their usefulness for wider use.
Nonetheless, the research and development sector for MADPs is rapidly expanding around the world. Organizations which focus on phytotherapy, pharmacology, and the aroma and spice trades are particularly active.
More information
Institutions
- FAO.org/OrganicAG: Institutions that undertake research relevant to the topic of aromatics and medicinal plants in the ORCA database at FAO's organic farming pages