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Introduction

Plants continue to be a major source of medicines, as they have been throughout human history. Some medicinal plants, such as the opium poppy, have long been recognized and widely used, while others, such as the Pacific yew, the original source for the cancer drug, Taxol, are relatively new arrivals to mainstream medicine. In addition to providing the basis for between 30 and 40 percent of today’s conventional drugs, the medicinal and curative properties of various plants are also employed in herbal supplements, botanicals, nutraceuticals and teas.

Drug discovery, ethnobotany, and traditional and indigenous medicines have long been basic to medicinal plant research. As new uses for medicinal plants have been discovered and popularized, sustainability has become increasingly an issue; concern over the growth in biopiracy goes hand in hand with the critical need for conservation of both species and habitat.

List of some commonly used medicinal plants

Aloe Vera                           Clove                                  Mate                                    Sage

Anise                                   Garlic                                  Olive                                   Sesame

Basil                                    Ginger                                Parsley                               Tarragon

Belladona                          Jasmine                             Patchouli                            Tea Tree

Benzoin                             Laurel                                 Pepper                                Thyme

Calendula                          Lemon                                Radish                                Verbena

Celery                                 Malva                                  Rose                                    Ylang-Ylang     

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   click to view Philippine Medicinal Plant