Protecting Africa's medicinal plants

Monday, 28 May 2012

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Protecting Africa's medicinal plants

Janice Limson

Source: Science in Africa

19 June 2002 | EN

Traditional healers and South African hunter-gatherers have long known that the root of the plant Pelargonium reniforme can cure stomach ailments.

But the unsustainable and indiscriminate removal of indigenous plants, such as Pelargonium, and the export of these plants abroad, is threatening their survival.

New laws are needed to protect traditional knowledge and indigenous plants in South Africa — and to allow Africa to harness its biodiversity for Africa.

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