AHPA's Tonnage Survey of Select North American Wild-Harvested Plants, 2006–2010

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has completed its seventh survey quantifying annual harvests of selected North American plants that are subject to harvest from wild, uncultivated populations. This survey report includes data for harvest years 2006–2010 and covers 26 botanical commodities derived from 22 plant species, with data on both fresh and dried quantities of wild-harvested and cultivated materials. Recognized as a vital index of native U.S. botanicals consumption, this report includes data from the six earlier surveys dating back to 1997. This view of long range trends shows the continuing story of the use of these important botanical commodities. AHPA's data come from botanical raw material suppliers with a vested interest in ensuring that plants are harvested in a manner that assures their use by generations to come. By working together in this manner, AHPA and the community of companies in the business of herbs gain valuable information to help plan for ongoing sustainable use and supply stability of these plants. The most recent survey indicates that black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) root, cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) bark, and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) bark remained high volume commodities in 2010, with about 170 dried tons each reported. Golden seal root (Hydrastis canadensis) reported combined wild and cultivated harvests ranged from about 34 to 44 dried tons for years 2006–2010. Acknowledgements: The companies that contributed their individual data to this compilation are also acknowledged. Because their data was submitted confidentially they are not named, but the trust that they exhibited by their participation is sincerely appreciated.