Medicinal plants and plant-based medicines are widely used in traditional cultures all over Ghana and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern society as natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals. In view of this, this project studied the ethnobotany of medicinal plants through socio-economic survey, their propagation and conservation in Ghana. It was found that herbal medicine industry is a major source of income for over 80% of the respondents. Almost 50% of the respondents were women with majority of them involved in marketing of the medicinal plant products. Out of 160 plant species marketed in Ghana, 129 are collected in Ghana with Kumasi and Accra being the major marketing centres. Most of the species have multiple curative properties with over 46 diseases being cured by herbal medicine in Ghana. Due to the high demand, over 100 species were reported as being scarce or unavailable. Some of the major causes are lack of cultivation, unsustainable harvesting, deforestation, wildfire and urbanization. Studies on seed germination showed that seven species out of the ten selected species had good germination, ranging from 40-74% with an average of 63.3%. This suggests the possibility of cultivating medicinal plant species on commercial scale. Based on the results, it was suggested that, linkages between all stakeholders be strengthened in order to promote conservation and commercial production of medicinal plants. Furthermore, improving the knowledge-base of scientists, traditional herbal medical practitioners, policy makers and the public on the relevance and safety of traditional plant medicine could lead to the sustainability of medicinal plants industry in Ghana.
CIFOR-ICRAF aborda desafios e oportunidades locais ao mesmo tempo em que oferece soluções para problemas globais para florestas, paisagens, pessoas e o planeta.
Fornecemos evidências e soluções acionáveis para transformer a forma como a terra é usada e como os alimentos são produzidos: conservando e restaurando ecossistemas, respondendo ao clima global, desnutrição, biodiversidade e crises de desertificação. Em suma, melhorar a vida das pessoas.
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O CIFOR-ICRAF publica mais de 750 publicações todos os anos sobre agrossilvicultura, florestas e mudanças climáticas, restauração de paisagens, direitos, política florestal e muito mais – em vários idiomas..
CIFOR-ICRAF alcança impacto baseado na ciência. Conduzimos pesquisas inovadoras, fortalecemos a capacidade dos parceiros e nos engajamos ativamente no diálogo com todas as partes interessadas, trazendo os insights mais recentes sobre florestas, árvores, paisagens e pessoas para a tomada de decisões globais.
CIFOR-ICRAF aborda desafios e oportunidades locais ao mesmo tempo em que oferece soluções para problemas globais para florestas, paisagens, pessoas e o planeta.
Fornecemos evidências e soluções acionáveis para transformer a forma como a terra é usada e como os alimentos são produzidos: conservando e restaurando ecossistemas, respondendo ao clima global, desnutrição, biodiversidade e crises de desertificação. Em suma, melhorar a vida das pessoas.
CIFOR–ICRAF achieves science-driven impact. We conduct innovative research, strengthen partners’ capacity and actively engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, bringing the latest insights on forests, trees, landscapes and people to global decision making.
CIFOR–ICRAF publishes over 750 publications every year on agroforestry, forests and climate change, landscape restoration, rights, forest policy and much more – in multiple languages.
CIFOR–ICRAF addresses local challenges and opportunities while providing solutions to global problems for forests, landscapes, people and the planet.
We deliver actionable evidence and solutions to transform how land is used and how food is produced: conserving and restoring ecosystems, responding to the global climate, malnutrition, biodiversity and desertification crises. In short, improving people’s lives.
