The aim of the book is to provide scientific, technical and socio-economic data on ten medicinal plants that have been successfully commercialised in the SADEC region and which the authors believe offer considerable further scope for wealth creation and employment. These profiles provide concrete examples of the ‘green gold’ that lies waiting to be developed in Southern Africa. There are many other plants awaiting similar development.

Medicinal plants and plant-derived medicine are widely used in traditional cultures all over the world and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern society as natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals. It is a fact that many cultures throughout the world still rely on indigenous medicinal plants for the primary health care needs.
To date, 25% of modern medicines are derived from plants that have been used by traditional medical practitioners.

This unique publication has been prepared by the Association of African Medicinal Plant Standards (AAMPS) in collaboration with its regional partners CRIAA in Namibia and ASNAPP in South Africa. The aim of the book is to provide scientific, technical and socio-economic data on ten medicinal plants that have been successfully commercialised in the SADEC region and which the authors believe offer considerable further scope for wealth creation and employment. These profiles provide concrete examples of the ‘green gold’ that lies waiting to be developed in Southern Africa. There are many other plants awaiting similar development.