Of the 250,000 species of flowering plants that populate the globe more than 20,000 are recorded as herbs. Certain mosses and fungi as well as seaweeds have herbal properties. For centuries herbs have been harvested from the wild and used as part of daily rituals and ceremonies. Knowledge of where to find herbs and how to harvest them have been handed down from generation to generation. Traditional healers successfully controlled the balance between supply and demand, but commercial pressures from modern living have resulted in many wild herbs being put into commercial production.

As the need for alternative medicinal resources increases the over exploitation of wild herbs is becoming a serious problem. Many herbs have been taken to near extinction in the wild. Protecting herbs from over-exploitation needs co-operation from ecologists, plant breeders, health professionals and traditional healers as well as governmental policy makers. Many herbs are protected under the following categories: rare, vulnerable, endangered and extinct. Collecting from the wild certainly has an impact on the ecosystem if the harvested plants fall under the endangered and extinct heading.

Herbs with a slow growing rate and or a low reproduction rate, naturally having few leaves and flowers and endemic species with localized distribution are always at risk of becoming extinct. Picking the whole plant or in the case of trees cutting them down also plays a large role in over-exploitation. Bark stripping and sap milking if not controlled has an enormous impact on trees especially in rainforest areas.

Protecting herbs and plant life starts with the individual, and common sense is always required. Do not pick or uproot protected species. In some countries it is illegal to harvest any wild plants without the landowners permission. Do not transport plants and seeds across country boarders whether they are legal or illegal quarantine regulations are in place in many countries to prevent the spread of pests, diseases and weed (a herb in one country may be considered as a weed in another and may upset the natural balance).

Andrew Smit

The illuminating history and power of Herbs have been a passion of mine for many years. My name is Andrew Smit and i am a herbalist in Sunny South Africa. I have always used herbs as an integral part of my day to day living. Five years ago i decided to fulfill that last phase of my herb journey and started growing herbs commercially, in doing so it has really completed my basic training so to speak. For the last 20 years herbs have been part of my life in one way or another. I still consider myself a junior in the field, a field that has a heritage of over 6000 years hence my statement. Hopefully I will be able to share some of the enigmas and findings that have showed themselves to me. In my opinion herbs have proven themselves time and again. One bit of advice i can offer about herbs is this:- to reap the benefits of herbs one must make herbs a part of your life, you will see the difference that i guarantee you.