Sustainable Agricultural Practices for the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Evidence and Recommendations

Abstract

As the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) increases, so does the pressure to intensify production, increasing the risk of overexploitation of these natural resources. Therefore, both consumers and companies must commit to sustainable practices. Since sustainable practices in MAP production are scattered in the literature, this study aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of agricultural practices to improve sustainable performance in productive activities. This study collects recommended practices for cultivation, harvesting, drying, extraction of essential oils, and packaging, based on guidelines published by the World Health Organization, the European Herb Growers Association, and the European Medicines Agency, and presents complementary information from scientific papers and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Since the circular economy is considered one of the solutions to foster sustainability, the potential for valorising residues from MAP processing is also highlighted. This study allowed us to identify a set of key parameters that should be monitored in MAP production, which may be a starting point for designing a sustainability assessment tool for the sector. By presenting examples of circular economy approaches, this research can help producers to identify new business opportunities.

Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential

“…Medicinal plants allow personalized healthcare considering genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. They support livelihoods, particularly in rural areas where they are grown, bridging cultural, scientific, ecological, and economic dimensions [ 20 , 21 ]. Advancements in nanotechnology, pharmacogenomics, and phytopharmaceutical formulations offer promising avenues for enhancing their therapeutic potential [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Advancements in nanotechnology, pharmacogenomics, and phytopharmaceutical formulations offer promising avenues for enhancing their therapeutic potential [ 22 , 23 ]. Recognizing and capitalizing these natural resources are essential for advancing healthcare, sustainability, and preserving cultural knowledge [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Farming of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Italy: Structural Features and Economic Results

“…This crisis threatens the future of younger generations, making it more important to explore alternative industries like MAPs. Italy enjoys an enormous heritage of plant biodiversity [16], which can be enhanced and protected through the growth of an innovative and sustainable Italian MAP supply chain [17]. In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined the term "sustainability" as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" [18,19].…”

“…This implies that to preserve the conditions and vital resources necessary for the survival of future generations, a commitment to the adoption of sustainable practices by both consumers and companies is essential. To achieve this goal, the adoption of sustainable practices throughout the entire supply chain, including the careful selection of cultivation sites based on species needs, embracing conservative agriculture, and incorporating innovative techniques like hydroponic cultivation [20], as well as leveraging new technologies in post-harvest processing, can markedly diminish the sector's environmental impact, thereby positively influencing biodiversity conservation [17,[21][22][23][24][25]. To this end, the cultivation of MAPs in Italy is regulated, as of 2018, by the Testo Unico in materia di coltivazione, raccolta e prima trasformazione delle piante officinali, pursuant to the Legislative Decree 75/2018.…”

Biopotential of rhizobacteria to improve growth and phytochemical content in Javanese ginseng (Talinum paniculatum) herbal plant

“…Javanese ginseng may also reduce the effects of contractions (Sukwan et al, 2014). Developing organic herbal plants is desirable because they produce chemical-free herbal plants that are safer and healthier for consumption (Marcelino et al, 2023). Consuming organic herbs is very beneficial for health when compared to inorganic herbs, such as functioning as anti-imflamacy; the main health benefits mentioned included anti-inflammatory properties (45.0%), prevention of cardiovascular diseases (41.6%), and prevention of high cholesterol (39.9%), safe for the body because it does not contain chemical substances that are chemical pesticide residues (Mendes et al, 2023).…”