IMPORTANCE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN HEALTH & ECONOMY د. طلال أبورجـــــيع أستاذ النباتات الطبية و العقاقير كلية الصيدلة-الجامعه الاردنيه

WORLD IN 21st CENTURY 100% increase in World’s population (12 billion by the year 2035). 50% reduction in forests cover. Life expectancy close to 100 years in most parts of the world. World resources of fossil fuel will be totally consumed.

PLANT AND PEOPLE Patterns of international trade in rubber, opium and quinine have altered the fates of entire nations. Medicinal herbs, possessing aphrodisiac properties and longevity have resulted in immense biodiversity loss and continued global smuggling.

PLANTS AND HUMAN HEALTH CURRENT PERSPECTIVE Plant products are used as Foodstuffs Flavoring agents and spices Perfumes and cosmetics Pharmaceutical and biological agents Recreational substances

Over 120 compounds from 90 plant species are available as prescription drugs. Over 80% of world’s population (5.3 billion people) relies on plant-based medicines. Approximately $ 5 billion were spent in USA on phytoceuticals (1998).

MEDICINAL PLANT USE WORLD PERSPECTIVE China about 40% of total medicinal consumption is attributed to herbal medicines. Thailand- Annual sale of herbal medicine is US$ 2.5 billion. Japan- Herbal medicines are more in demand than mainstream pharmaceutical products.

Abut 1400 herbal preparations are widely used in Member States of the European Unions. 60% of North Americans use herbs as cures for common ailments on a regular basis. High percentage of Jordanians (~50%) use herbs as cures for common ailments on a regular basis.

WORLD TRADE OF BOTANICALS World Trade of Herbal Raw Material US $ 8 Billion 1. Global Consumer Sales Value Over US $ 40 billion 2. Annual Growth Rate for Botanical Europe 10% USA 20% 3. World Trade in Medicinal Plants Approx. 0.5 million tones 4. European Market of Functional Foods Over £ 900 million 5.

IMPORTANCE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE JORDAN SCENARIO An estimated 60% of population of Jordan depends on traditional medicines. There are around 2500 species of wild pants in Jordan According to the studies about 485 plant species are medicinal and used in traditional medicines.

MEDICINAL PLANTS IMPORT AND EXPORT OF JORDAN Export 0.4 million $ Import 10 million $ Source: 2005, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

VALUE-ADDED PRODUCT RANGE BOTANICALS VALUE-ADDED PRODUCT RANGE 1. Standardized Plant Extracts. 2. Phytopharmaceuticals. 3. Nutraceuticals/Herbal Teas / Multivitamins-Minerals-Herbs. 4. Personal Care Items (Cosmetics, Soaps, Shampoos, etc.). 5. Recreational Chemicals (Fragrances, Aromatherapy, etc). 6. Functional Foods.

IN HERBAL-BASED PRODUCTS VALUE-ADDITION IN HERBAL-BASED PRODUCTS   30 + Fold Increase in Value Through the Chain Fresh Plants > Dried Plants > Tinctures > Extracts > Standardized Extracts > Phytomedicines

Economic Value of V.Oils Chamomile oil $ 2500/kg Eucalyptus oil $ 1000/kg Grapefruit oil $ 1200/kg Lavender oil $ 1500/kg Peppermint oil $ 1600/kg Rosemary oil $ 2300/kg Thyme oil $ 1800/kg

Examples:   (1)         Ortica dioica القريص Raw material / US $ 5 / kg Finished Product US $ 1,500 per kg (2) Nigella sativa حبة البركة Raw Material US $ 1.0 / kg Finished Product (oil) US $ 30 / kg

(3) Cucurbitae massimo بزر القرع Raw material / US $ 0.5 / kg Finished Product (Tablets) US $ 2000 per kg (4) Melissa officinalis المليسه Raw material / US $ 1.0 / kg US $ 12000 per kg

(5) Trigonella foenum-graecumالحلبة Raw material / US $ 1.5 / kg Finished Product (Tablets or Oils) US $ 1000 per kg (6) Lavendula officinalis لافندر Raw material / US $ 0.5 / kg Finished Product (Cosmetics) US $ 2000 per kg

(7) Alhagi marorumعاقول Raw material / US $ 1.5 / kg Finished Product (Tablets) US $ 1000 per kg (8) Colchicum autumnale Raw material / US $ 0.0 / kg US $ 25000 per kg

(9) Hypericumعرنة Raw material / US $ 0.0 / kg Toxic Finished Product (Hypericine) US $ 150,000,000 per kg

(10) Arbutus andrachne قيقب Raw material / US $ 1.5 / kg Finished Product (cosmetics) US $ 9000 per kg (11) Rosa damascana Raw material / US $ 10 / kg Finished Product (cosmetics, oil) US $ 50 000 per kg