Abstract
Since the dawn of history, mankind has been actively experimenting with a variety of available plants as means for food, alleviation of pain and to safeguard its health and promote improved quality of life. Over the years, traditional knowledge, science and technologies have accumulated to form a rich background of cultural heritage.
In Africa, over 70% of the population depends on traditional medicine (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, 1985) because the rich resources of traditional remedies and practitioners are available and accessible.
However most Government/policy makers and financial investors do not pay much attention to herbal medicine as a means of creating wealth and transforming lives, especially for the poor people living in these countries. As the medicinal plants in use are neither classified as food or cash crops of health concern. Also no policy is in place to ensure the sustainability of traditional medicine and the protection of the environment.
This essay is focused on the role of medicinal plants in creating markets and transforming lives. In Nigeria so much emphasis has been placed on revenues generated from crude oil to the detriment of other revenue sources like herbal medicine.
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Osunderu, O.A. (2009). Sustainable Production of Traditional Medicines in Africa. In: Yanful, E.K. (eds) Appropriate Technologies for Environmental Protection in the Developing World. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9139-1_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9139-1_6
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