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PLANTING THE FUTURE:
SAVING
OUR MEDICINAL PLANTS
Article by herbalist
Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
With the
continued increase in the use of herbal medicine sweeping
the nation and globe, the concerns about over harvesting
botanical species in the wild are becoming critical. We are
fortunate to be living in a former temperate rain forest in
the Appalachian Mountains.
We have more variety of species of plants that have been
used for medicines than any other area in the United States.
We don’t notice
the destruction of our forests and how it affects the
underlying herbs and what it would mean to us if we no
longer have these powerful medicinals to rely on.
The U.S. Market
for herbs has more than doubled since 1985 to a 1.3 billion
a year business in 1993 and it has been growing at a rate
of 15 percent yearly. Where does the raw material for these
products come from? They come from the earth and many are
being lost.
During my
travels last month I attended a local herb conference
conducted by a relatively new non profit group called UPS
(United Plant Savers) not the shipping company. The entire
weekend was about what we as consumers, farmers, herbalist
and concerned folks can do to help elevate awareness to the
growing concerns about our loss of plants. UPS was the
brainstorm of nationally known herbalist Rosemary
Gladstar.
She with the
help of many well known herbalist
in this country formed UPS and it has been growing for the
last two years. UPS is multifaceted in it approach and has
several projects underway. They are:
·
To
identify what medicinal plants are at most risk.
·
To
identify which nurseries are ethically propagating
medicinal plants.
·
To
communicate via the media and through conferences with all
concerned, from the wild harvesters, to manufacturers of
herbal products, to retailers, to consumers about the
critical nature of the issues facing our medicinal plant
communities.
·
To
provide consulting services for those wishing to grow
medicinal plants whether commercially or for personal use.
·
To
identify and secure botanical sanctuaries, where medicinal
plants flourish in their native habitats.
·
To work
at the local level to facilitate planting projects with
civic organizations, schools, scout troops, gardening
clubs, etc.
·
To
secure funds for operations by membership drives, corporate
grants and conferences.
The past year
has been very busy for UPS many of the goals mentioned
above have begun to come into place. The first sanctuary
has been established right here in south eastern Ohio. Equinox Farms is the first of
potentially many sanctuaries that will serve as teaching
areas for the use and propagating of plants in their
natural habitats.
Another project
of UPS is the goldenseal project.
Goldenseal is
fast becoming an endangered species and will at some time
in the future become protected like our local ginseng. It
is estimate that approximately 60 million roots are being
harvested yearly.
Goldenseal is
one of those plants that can be woods grown or with the use
of shade cloth. The goldenseal project educated wild
crafters and farmers how to grow it and is even providing
seed or roots stock for the price of shipping. Contact UPS
at the address at the end of this article if interested.
We just have to
remember that goldenseal is just one of the over 400 herbs
used medicinally. The European market has been working for
centuries on the propagation of medicinal herbs and it is a
good model for us in the U.S. to follow.
Many people are
concerned with this issue. So what can you do to help
protect American medicinal plants?
·
Join
your local native plant society and gather information
about your local plant communities.
·
Research
local plants that are herbally
at risk.
·
Find out
where logging and development are planned and rescue plants
for replanting and medicine making.
·
Replant your back yard with medicinal plants
·
Contact
local groups and give presentations about UPS.
·
Educate
your local health food store, herb shop and local
practitioners about endangered herbs.
·
Create and manage a botanical preserve
·
If you
are involved with herb in your business donate a percentage
of your profits to UPS.
·
Stop using at risk plants
·
Support
organic farmers by buying organics.
·
Limit
your consumption, have less impact and leave more land
wild.
·
Above
all, assume responsibility and educate yourself.
·
Paul
Strauss the owner of Equinox Farms, who is a organic
farmer, herbalist, manufacturer, and land steward offers
these following suggestions:
Go stick your
head in a patch of mint.
·
Plan an
herb garden.
·
Consider
bee keeping.
·
Take a
child into the woods.
·
Make an
herbal product and give it away.
·
Spread
some manure to improve soil.
·
Find out
about endangered plants and ecosystems.
·
Give
away seeds.
·
Laugh
often and pass it on.
Due to the
importance of this issue with our medicinal plants, it is
all of our responsibility to become aware of the impact we
are having on our earth. Plant medicines have been used for
millions of years and are part of our heritage. A few years
ago the FDA was trying to prevent you from taking herbal
products. They had a hit list of over 30 botanicals that
they wanted to restrict. Garlic was one of those herbs.
My belief is
that if a plant has been used for hundreds or even
thousands of years and has been shown to be effective,
without side effects and if we know how to use it correctly
then we should not be restricted to its use. One way to
protect our freedom is to grow that plant in your own yard
or garden. Learn how to harvest and prepare your own
medicines. Then no one can tell you what you can and can’t
do.
Anyone
interested in UPS (United Plant Savers) contact them at
PO Box 420, East
Barre,
Vt.
05649
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