I've just read an interesting article from Africa entitled Growing Use of Herbal Medicine Threatens Plant Life. Here in the West, we're familiar with the plight of Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) and Panax quinquefolia (American Ginseng). And here in the Southwest, we're keeping a watchful eye on stands of Anemopsis californica (Yerba Mansa) and Eridictyon californica (Yerba Santa).

The report from Africa shows us that things are tough all over. It also lends insight into some interesting ratios between "orthodox" or conventional medical practitioners to practitioners of traditional medicine. Definitely worth a read.