Cures May Become Extinct Before They Are Ever Found

Cures May Become Extinct Before They Are Ever Found. Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com. Background photo © Shutterstock 549416533 (under license)

Did you know? Over 50% of prescription drugs are derived from substances first identified in plants.

There are more than 300,000 plant species known. Of these, the IUCN has evaluated only 12,914 – and found that around 68% of the ones evaluated are at risk of extinction.

If we do not stop destroying the environment, in addition to hastening our research and evaluation of plant species, we very obviously reduce the possibility that plant-based cures for serious diseases such as cancer and HIV may simply become extinct before they are ever discovered…

How to protect plant species from going extinct? Here are some tips.

1. Learn About Plant Species: One way you can commence the process of saving endangered plant species is by starting to learn about them. You can visit botanical gardens, wildlife refuges and arboreta to know about plants – in addition to online research of course.

2. Plant Native Trees: You should plant more native trees which are key in maintaining natural ecosystems. Native trees have the potential to improve the natural ecosystem allowing endangered plants to thrive. [1]

3. Do Not Harm Endangered Plants: Endangered plant species should not be harvested as this is illegal to harm any endangered species.

4. Stop Buying Tropical Hardwoods: Due to the huge amount of illegal logging driven by the extremely high price of tropical hardwoods, the black market of these products is now so rife that it has been stated that there can no longer be certainty as to whether tropical hardwoods were legally harvested or poached. It’s time to turn to other sources for timber and simply forego the use of rainforest hardwoods.

5. Avoid invasive plant species: Invasive plants can damage the endangered plant species as they compete for nutrients. Studies have shown that invasive plant species have an impact on biodiversity. [2] An example is Eucalyptus – which is being planted worldwide because it is fast growing; however this is not a sound policy as Eucalyptus does not support biodiversity in the regions in which it is being imported. It is also very prone to forest fire and extremely difficult to eradicate. It has caused many problems in the places it has been imported to.

6. Avoid Herbicides And Pesticides: Chemical pesticides and herbicides are hazardous environmental pollutants and can damage the natural ecosystem.

7. Use Recycled And Sustainably Sourced Paper: Use recycled / sustainable paper to limit the harvesting of more plants for making paper that can endanger extinct plant species. Recycling paper can reduce waste pollutants in the environment that harm the environment. [3]

8. Use Already Built Houses: When you are looking to buy a new house, try to purchase the house that is already built. This is because new houses are one of the most resource-intensive products a person will buy in their lifetime. Another option is to use recycled materials in new builds and ‘green’ building materials such as bamboo, hempcrete and cob.

9. Don’t Destroy Natural Habitats: Do not destroy the natural habitats of animals and plants as natural habitats are vital for the growth of these plants.

Learn More: https://herbshealthhappiness.com/the-amazon-rainforest-could-it-contain-cures-for-cancer/