Description

Ephedra nebrodensis, a source of ephedrine used in orthodox medicine to treat bronchial asthma, high fever and as a heart stimulant. Some species are over exploited while many others are under exploited. The present study area represents unique and enormous diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) within a relatively small geographic area due to variation in topography, altitude and climate. The MAP species have supported livelihood of many people in the area. They are being collected for export both to national and international markets. The high dependency of rural people on MAP for subsistence and unsustainable harvesting practices has resulted over exploitation of resources in different areas of the country. The study also revealed that the availability of important MAP species is decreasing and the number of rare and threatened species among the MAPs is increasing. Recommendations are, therefore, given in the spheres of training in identification, sustainable collection, value addition, trade monitoring and cooperative system of marketing.