Researchers
looking at Bioprospecting - the sourcing of drugs from traditional medicines -
have found that three geographically separate cultures, including Maori, use
similar plants for the same healing purposes.
The research has also found that closely related plants
often share therapeutic properties. The study published in the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences collated information on medicinal plant use from Aotearoa,
Nepal and South Africa.
The co-director of the Indigenous Bioresources Research
Group at Macquarie University in Sydney, Joanna Jamie says the study highlights
the benefit of developing strong relationships with custodians of traditional
knowledge.
Associate Professor Jamie says there is a shift towards
engaging with customary knowledge.
She says natural products are still where the majority of
new remedies start and folk medicine plays a big part in identifying those
organic materials.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand
Data: 13.09.2012
Link: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/115800/separate-cultures-use-similar-plants-for-medicine-research
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