Medicinal Plants in North Africa

About 70% of the wild plants in North Africa are known to be of potential value in fields such as medicine, biotechnology and crop improvements (UNEP, 2002).

Since 1994, the North Africa Biodiversity Programme (NABP) has aimed at promoting the conservation of biodiversity in North Africa; developing the sustainable use of natural resources; empowering local communities, in particular women, in biodiversity conservation; as well as creating a platform for sharing experiences and exchanging knowledge and information.

Local communities, such as the Bedouins in Egypt, possess an invaluable knowledge of nature. A compendium, containing scientific information on more than one hundred plant species in North Africa, focused on endangered and economically useful medicinal and aromatic plants. It aimed at promoting their conservation through the promotion of indigenous knowledge and the equitable participation of people in their management.

more at:

http://uicn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/iucnmed/iucn_med_programme/species/medicinal_plants_in_north_africa/

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