ENVIRONMENT REPORT - Medicinal Plant Conservation

ENVIRONMENT REPORT
—
April 12, 2002: Medicinal Plant Conservation

By Mario Ritter

This is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.

Throughout history, people around the world have used traditional medicines made from plants. Today, these
medicines made from plants have gained new acceptance¹ in the United States. However, the popularity² of
medicines and products made from plants has caused concern that some of these valuable plants may disappear
from the wild.

Americans spend more than three-thousand-million dollars a year on herbal
medicines. About sixty-million Americans use these medicines. More and more
doctors are suggesting herbal medicines for their patients. However, there is little
research on how best to use these resources without destroying natural populations of
the plants.

Some medicinal plants are harvested in huge amounts. For example, thirty-four
million ginseng plants have been harvested each year from eastern forests in the
United States. Now, the National Park Service is trying to do more to discover how to
preserve herbal medicines that may be disappearing from America’s forests.

The Park Service helped organize the Plant Conservation Alliance³. This group includes more than one-hundredforty
government agencies⁴, private groups and educational organizations.

Some members of the group gathered with business leaders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in February. Scientists,
business representatives, as well as American Indian tribal⁵ leaders met to discuss the use of medicinal plants. The
meeting explored concerns about medicinal plants that have not been dealt with before. The meeting did not
produce a statement on policy. However, it did show why efforts are needed to preserve wild medicinal plants.

At least one -hundred-seventy-five different kinds of plants are harvested for use as medicine. Some are very
common and are found in many areas. However, some medicinal plants are becoming rare. These include
ginseng, which is used to increase energy, and echinacea, which is used to fight infection.

Concern for medicinal plant populations may have a wider effect. Some delegates⁶ to the conference noted⁷ that
industries that use herbs in their products are now interested in preserving forests and natural areas. They say that
undeveloped forests can be more profitable⁸ than developed land.

This Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by Mario Ritter.

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1 acceptance   

n.接受，接收，验收，接纳；承认，认可

参考例句：

• The new laws gained widespread acceptance.新法令受到广泛赞同。
• It took years for Einstein's theory to gain acceptance.爱因斯坦的理论经过多年才被人们接受。

2 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

3 alliance   

n.同盟，同盟国，结盟，联姻

参考例句：

• China will not enter into alliance with any big power.中国不同任何大国结盟。
• The new alliance was very much in evidence.新的联盟上星期很引人注目。

4 agencies   

n.代理( agency的名词复数 )；服务机构；（政府的）专门机构；代理（或经销）业务（或关系）

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations. 联合国有许多专门机构。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The project is funded by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. 这项计划由世界银行和其他多国机构资助。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

6 delegates   

代表，代表团成员( delegate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The conference was attended by delegates from 56 countries. 此次会议有来自56个国家的代表出席。
• Delegates expressed strong opposition to the plans. 代表强烈反对这些计划。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 profitable   

adj.有益的，能带来利益的，有利可图的

参考例句：

• That business became profitable last year.那项生意去年变得很赚钱。
• The convention business is very profitable for the hotel industry.承办会议业务能给旅馆业带来很高的利润。