Medicinal plants can be categorized as those that have therapeutic, hallucinatory and curative properties. More than 400 are found in Panama and are used in traditional folk medicine. This knowledge has been passed down for generations due to its continued importance. Their safe usage requires absolutely positive identification and knowing their toxic or dangerous properties. Traditional folk medicine is the knowledge of medicinal plants, their preparation and administration.
One quarter of modern medicines come from plant species that were first used as traditional remedies. It is estimated that half of modern biologically manufactured drugs, depressants, tranquilizers, stimulants, hallucinogens, allergens, including poisons are derived from, or contain botanical ingredients. Over fifty percent of the common prescription drugs originate from plants, animals, fungi and bacteria.
About seventy percent of all new drugs introduced in the U.S. in the past twenty-five years have been derived from natural products. Over sixty percent of anti-cancer and anti-infective agents developed between 1984 and 1995 are of natural origin. Despite all their promise, fewer than 5 percent of tropical forest plant species have been examined for their chemical compounds and medicinal value. The rain forests' indigenous tribes that use these plants are rapidly disappearing. Seventy percent of the plants identified as having anti-cancer characteristics by the U.S. National Cancer Institute are found only in tropical rain forest.
One quarter of modern medicines come from plant species that were first used as traditional remedies. It is estimated that half of modern biologically manufactured drugs, depressants, tranquilizers, stimulants, hallucinogens, allergens, including poisons are derived from, or contain botanical ingredients. Over fifty percent of the common prescription drugs originate from plants, animals, fungi and bacteria.
About seventy percent of all new drugs introduced in the U.S. in the past twenty-five years have been derived from natural products. Over sixty percent of anti-cancer and anti-infective agents developed between 1984 and 1995 are of natural origin. Despite all their promise, fewer than 5 percent of tropical forest plant species have been examined for their chemical compounds and medicinal value. The rain forests' indigenous tribes that use these plants are rapidly disappearing. Seventy percent of the plants identified as having anti-cancer characteristics by the U.S. National Cancer Institute are found only in tropical rain forest.