HEALTH: If You are Blue, Go Green

By Sanjay Suri Reprint | | Print |

Sanjay Suri

LONDON, Dec 30 2002 (IPS) - Christmas and New Year are not always days of cheer, are they? Or had too much? Spent too much? If you are feeling blue, WWF suggests you think of going green.

Christmas and New Year are not always days of cheer, are they? Or had too much? Spent too much? If you are feeling blue, WWF suggests you think of going green.

"Herbalists have traditionally used kava kava as a remedy for nervousness and headaches," says WWF, the global environment network. This could be as good a time in the year as any for this.

Coming down with something? Echinacea is commonly used today as an immune tonic to relieve and shorten the duration of infections such as colds and flu, WWF reminds you.

Or just ready for more? Ginseng is renowned for improving physical and mental performance. It enhances the natural responses of the body to stress by increasing resistance to infections and improving energy metabolism.

About a quarter of all prescribed medicines are derived from plants but WWF fears many other lifesaving plants will be lost before science discovers their uses.

"Use of plants in the wild for medicinal purposes is a growing industry, and we need to make sure it is well supported," Anita Neville from WWF told IPS. "A lot of local communities depend on these plants, and they need to benefit from use of these plants. We also need to manage them well so that they are not exploited into extinction."

Arnica, she says, commonly used for treatment of infections, is sourced from the wild. "But we could lose this plant if it is harvested excessively," she said. "We are working with local communities in Nepal and in other places to harvest this plant in a more sustainable way."

Strong action is being taken in some cases. American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has now been recognised as a species of special concern and is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Exports of both wild and cultivated ginseng from the U.S. now require government approval, obtained through the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"Thousands of plants have already become extinct as forests across the globe are destroyed – potentially taking with them cures for illnesses such as cancer, AIDS and heart disease," WWF says in a report released Monday (Dec. 30).

WWF has now issued new guidelines on ways to help reduce damaging impact on the world’s forests and their lifesaving plants.

An example of how vital these plants are in medicine is that of the unassuming rosy periwinkle, found on the island of Madagascar. "This pink flowered plant contains the chemical Vincristine that is used in combination with other drugs to treat children suffering from acute lymphocytic leukaemia – saving the lives of four out of five patients," the WWF report says.

The benefits of plants like Ginkgo, Ginseng, St John’s Wort and Thyme are well established. But WWF points to other medicinal plants like Black Cohosh and Yellow Pheasant’s Eye whose uses are less well known. WWF points to the dangers to such plants, and to what can be done to preserve them.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have been used for centuries for health and for the flavouring of food and drinks. In recent years, the interest in MAPs and their use in the West, but also in places like India and China, has dramatically increased.

Most MAP species are harvested from the wild and as a result of the dramatic increase in demand some species have become over-harvested and are becoming threatened.

WWF lists 14 medicinal plants by way of showing the benefits from plants growing in the wild. The plants are briefly listed below. But WWF cautions people to always consult their doctor before taking any medicinal or herbal supplements.

– Black Cohosh found in the eastern part of North America, which treats rheumatism, arthritis and asthma

– Yellow Pheasant’s Eye found in central Europe, Sweden and Western Siberia strengthens the heart

– Arnica found in Europe and in Asia treats injuries and infections, and is used in Germany for treating heart conditions

– Echinacea grown in the U.S. is an immune tonic and disinfectant

– Gingko Biloba found in China, Japan, Korea and France helps with circulation and neurological disorders as well with memory loss and fatigue

– American Ginseng grown in America enhances physical and mental performance

– Liquorice grown in the Mediterranean region, China and India helps with sore throats and gastric inflammation

– Devil’s Claw grown in southern Africa, Namibia and Botswana has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties

– Goldenseal grown in Canada and the U.S. treats stomach complaints and ulceration

– St. John’s Wort grown from Europe to central China is used to treat depression

– Kava Kava grown in the south Pacific islands fights fungal infections, and brings relaxation and sharpening of the senses

– African Cherry grown in Africa and Madagascar is used widely in prostate gland disorders

– Thyme grown in Eurasia and the Mediterranean treats coughs, gastritis and infections

– Himalayan Yew grown in the Himalayas and the Philippines is an anti-cancer drug which has shown significant results in treatment of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.