Medicinal and aromatic plants in generating new values for the 21st century

The population is growing exponentially. The needs for food and medicine is increasing. Regional, and global poverty is increasing. A way to reduce the galloping growth of poverty is sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). Especially in countries in transition [1,2].

The biggest global market of MAPs is China, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. The International Council for MAPs has announced that global growth during 2001. and 2002 was 8–10% per year. The world market was estimated at 60 billion U.S. $ in 2003. Europe is a major world trader of MAPs. Today at the market are at least 2000 species of MAPs, of which 1200 to 1300 species are associated only to the European continent [3,4].

In current situation needs for herbal products at the international market is increasing. It is high opportunity for generating of sustainable benefit using of natural resources. There are more chances for regional and global economy to improve. Particularly it is great opportunity for global poor (especially in the Third and Fourth World).

For the sustainable use of MAPs, it is necessary to develop programs of organic certification [5]. In addition, it is necessary to apply international law, particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity and the CITES Convention. Sustainable use of MAP is a prerequisite in generating ecologically sustainable benefit. MAPs are a great opportunity for new medicines and bio-materials [6] in both, developed and developing countries.

References: 1. Redzic S (2006) Proc.1st IFOAM Intern. Conf. Organic Wild Production, 117–141. 2. Redzic SS (2007) Coll Antropol 31: 869–890. 3. Redzic S (2010)J Med Plant Res 4(11): 1003–1027. 4. Redzic S (2008) Planta Med 74: 1143–1144. 5. Redzic S et al. (2009) Planta Med 75: 902–902. 6. Barudanovic S et al.(2009) Planta Med 75: 938–938.