Plants that Heal: The Sustainable Exploitation of Medicinal Resources in Brazilian Forests

All plants that contain substances with therapeutic action are considered medicinal plants. The use of these plants to treat diseases is one of the oldest human practices, and these species are widely used to manufacture phytotherapics. In Brazil, healing practices involving plants are popular due to the country’s great biodiversity, with plants that are adapted to the different characteristics of each region of the country. However, the exploitation of these plants without adequate management can cause population reduction or increase the risk of extinction of endangered species. Thus, we gathered information on some of the best-known medicinal plants and their classification regarding risk of extinction and analyzed the conservation status of those plants. In addition, we gathered information from the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia on 85 species of medicinal plants, and found that of these only 25.9% are classified as native. Besides various existing threats, such as deforestation and other land use changes that directly impact these plants, for some species overexploitation in the medicinal trade is also of concern. Thus, to establish conservation strategies for the species, studies of medicinal plants have considered several socio-environmental issues, including the sustainable use of natural resources. However, research is advancing slowly compared to the quantity and potential of medicinal plants found in Brazilian forests. Thus, technical and scientific research on the species and their use by the local population is fundamental to guarantee the discovery of new phytotherapic compounds that can prevent or treat diseases. Based on this information, there is a need to assure the sustainability of extraction and cultivation, including through legislation to prevent uncontrolled exploitation and preserve associated traditional knowledge.