Medicinal Plants: Can Utilization and Conservation Coexist? (Advances in Economic Botany Vol. 12)

People of many cultures have long relied on plants for their medicinal value. Demand on a large scale, however, sometimes leads to degradation of these valuable resources.This study by Sheldon, Balick, and Laird examines the cases of several plant species valued in traditional and contemporary medicine, and the ramifications of their over-harvesting. The authors explore the impact of discovery and utilization of these and other medicinal plants by the herbal and pharmaceutical industries, and make recommendations for using these resources wisely.