The Forest Buddies      
Save The Forests, Save Our Lives
   
 
Medicine
Introduction

Drugs that originate from the products of rain forests make up a large proportion of the world's economy.

Sources of Medicine

Illnesses such as malaria, hypertension, heart disease and cancer can be treated with biological extracts from the forests. Malaria can be treated with quinine that is obtained from the cinchona plant, while the extract of the citronella plant can repel mosquitoes. Aspirin, a pain-killer and an anti-platelet agent used for vascular diseases, has its origin in the bark of the willow tree.
 
Rainforest plants are rich in alkaloids which protect plants from disease and insect attacks. Many alkaloids have medicinal value. A quarter of Western drugs are derived from rainforest extracts.
 
Research on forest plants

Many plants from the forests can fight cancer cells. Vincristine, extracted from the rainforest plant, periwinkle, is an example of such a plant. The survival rate for acute childhood leukemia has improved dramatically following its discovery.
 
Currently, plant research projects are being carried out on rainforest products in an attempt to find possible cures for viruses, infections, cancer, and even AIDS.
 
Sources:
Lonner, J. (Jan. 2007). Cimicifuga racemosa – PCAwiki. Retrieved December 28 2007 from "Cimicifuga racemosa." Plant Conservation Alliance-Medicinal Plant Working Group. Arlington, Virginia. Website: http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants/cimicifuga_racemosa.htm

Cascara Sagrada (4/4/02). MPWG: Frangula purshiana (Cascara Sagrada). Retrieved 28 December 2008 from Medicinal Plant Working Group (MPWG). Website:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants/frangula_purshiana.htm

Lomatium (4/4/02). MPWG: Lomatium dissectum (Lomatium). Retrieved 28 December 2008 from Medicinal Plant Working Group (MPWG). Website: http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants/lomatium_dissectum.htm

Eyebright (4/4/02). MPWG: Euphrasia spp. (Eyebright). Retrieved 28 December 2008 from Medicinal Plant Working Group (MPWG). Website:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants/euphrasia.htm

Leslie Taylor. Author: The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. Retrieved on 28 December 2007 from http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm