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Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are plants that have various uses for human health, nutrition, and well-being. They are sources of herbal medicines, dietary supplements, cosmetics, fragrances, spices, and other products. However, the production and utilization of MAPs also pose challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability and economic viability. This work offers a wide-ranging review of the sustainable practices and circular economy approaches for the valorization of MAPs. The review discusses the importance and value of MAPs, as well as the principles and benefits of the circular economy, a sustainable model that aims to minimize waste and make the most of resources. The review identifies and analyzes various circular economy approaches for valorizing MAPs, like resource optimization through sustainable cultivation, waste minimization in harvesting and processing, closed-loop supply chains, product diversification and upcycling, circular design thinking for MAP-based products, recycling and reusing MAP-based waste, eco-certification and consumer awareness, and collaborative networks and knowledge sharing. The review paper provides examples and case studies of successful implementation of these approaches, as well as the challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to study the use of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) farmers’ networking activities to overcome challenges in the development of their business. MAPs are mostly cultivated in small farms located in rural territories. This presents many challenges in different dimensions of business development through the value-chain, namely in commercialization. That is why networking and collaboration with other actors may have an important role, by providing the scale and critical resources towards business success and value-chain sustainable development. The paper draws on a purposefully collected set of data on a network of Portuguese producers of MAP, organized under the EPAM project. The data was collected through a questionnaire and quantitatively analyzed in order to understand: i) how MAP farmers perceive the importance of networks for the development of their businesses? ii) How are networks enabling farmers with different profiles to develop their businesses? The results confirm the importance of networks for the development of these businesses, namely with other firms. However, it is possible to identify some diversity in the assessment of the role of those networks, both by taking into consideration the location of the farms and their positioning in the value-chain. The study contributes to a better understanding of how networking contributes to overcome barriers in the sustainable development of an agri-food value-chain, by stressing a variety of networking proposes and partners and the existence of differences across types of firms.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without a Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) system, the growing demand for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) can also lead to a considerable increase in the waste generated by the industry. Since MAP residues have a notable potential to be valorised, the implementation of Circular Economy (CE) solutions can play a central role in converting waste into economic opportunities, while fostering a sustainable planet. CE helps to mitigate environmental and social risks caused by the accumulation of biomass by turning waste into valuable products. A systematic review was conducted, aiming to identify potential applications for the valorisation of MAP residues under a sustainable approach. A total number of 47 studies were analysed, providing a novel compilation of possibilities for decision makers in the MAP industry to develop new products for crop management or new businesses in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, chemical, paper, or building industries. Researchers in this field have focused more on the industrial value of MAP residues than on the empirical assessment of environmental and economic benefits. Further investigation should be undertaken to present empirical applications and to develop a decision support system to assess the sustainable performance of valorisation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are a globally important resource for the treatment of disease and improvement of human health, and the only form of healthcare used by millions of people. Currently, the status of many medicinal species is threatened by overharvesting caused by increasing demand. While many species have been cultivated in soil, the resulting material often contains lower levels of medicinal compounds than that of wild-harvested plants. Hydroponic cultivation of medicinal plants may provide sustainable access, with research demonstrating increased secondary metabolite content in some species compared to both wild and soil-grown plants. There are a variety of hydroponic systems and techniques available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. As medicinal compounds are often localised within specific plant organs, selecting hydroponic systems that maximise the yield of the desired organs and metabolites is necessary. However, as of yet there has been no attempt to examine the literature with regards to the cultivation of specific plant organs of medicinal plants in hydroponics. This article explores the use of different hydroponic systems to cultivate medicinal plants and how the choice of system differs depending on the desired plant organ, as well as highlighting studies with novel outcomes that may provide value to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Traditional cropping framework in Surgana Tehsil Primary Crops Grown in Surgana Tehsil crop rotations in tribals of Surgana mixed cropping framework in Surgana obstructions of Traditional cropping framework in Surgana sustainability enhancement by Integration of Heterogeneity in crops through MAPs-based intercropping pattern Materials and Methods: Selection of study area, visits were organized to tribal farmers and farming area and field data collection was carried out during the whole cropping season. Results: From decades ago, there has been 5-30% drop in mountain farming in hilly and tribal areas of Maharashtra. Only selected varieties of cereals, pulses, amaranths etc. are important cash crops in the hilly areas of Surgana Tehsil. In conventional cropping pattern, proso millet, finger millet, rice, pea, chick pea, pigeon pea, amaranth etc. were used by farmers of Surgana for mixed cropping system. This conventional cropping patterns are not found much profitable and unable to fulfil the demands of growing population. In such tribal and hilly areas of Surgana, turmeric, hemp, stevia, Tinospora, Asparagus, mint, long pepper, isabgol, lemon grass, ginger, Chlorophytum (safed musli) etc. medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) can play extraordinary role in improving the sustainability of the tribal farming. Nevertheless, these crops yet are not a part of the cropping pattern in Surgana. MAP based intercropping with conventional cropping will obviously enhance the yields of main crops and make extra income to the tribal families. The topography and climatic condition of Surgana is convenient for growth of these crops and incorporation of MAPs with main crops is another choice to boost the agril production in Surgana. Conclusions: The present study concludes in the direction of development in socioeconomic circumstance of Surgana farmers through advent of MAPs as intercrops in the current cropping System. Crop Diversification in present cropping framework including MAPs may be helpful to satisfy the needs of the tribal farmer's family in addition to improve the standard of living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are a globally important resource for the treatment of disease and improvement of human health, and the only form of healthcare used by millions of people. Currently, the status of many medicinal species is threatened by overharvesting caused by increasing demand. While many species have been cultivated in soil, the resulting material often contains lower levels of medicinal compounds than that of wild-harvested plants. Hydroponic cultivation of medicinal plants may provide sustainable access, with research demonstrating increased secondary metabolite content in some species compared to both wild and soil-grown plants. There are a variety of hydroponic systems and techniques available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. As medicinal compounds are often localised within specific plant organs, selecting hydroponic systems that maximise the yield of the desired organs and metabolites is necessary. However, as of yet there has been no attempt to examine the literature with regards to the cultivation of specific plant organs of medicinal plants in hydroponics. This article explores the use of different hydroponic systems to cultivate medicinal plants and how the choice of system differs depending on the desired plant organ, as well as highlighting studies with novel outcomes that may provide value to the field.

This study examines the value chain of Uttarakhand's medicinal and aromatic plants and herbal and herbal healthcare products sector, the roles of different stakeholders, and their contribution to sustainable commercial development and value generation. Organized and unorganized paths in the chain are identified, as is the significant role of middlemen and the need for policy attention to the unorganized parts of the chain, with a view to establish a chain that is pro-farmer, adds value, and promotes sustainable growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) may represent interesting, environmentally friendly crops for the Mediterranean environments. Among MAPs, Passiflora incarnata L. (maypop) represents a very promising crop for its wide adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, low input requirements, and high added-value due to its unique medicinal properties. The main problem in P. incarnata large-scale cultivation is the poor seed quality with erratic and low seed germination, due to its apparent pronounced seed dormancy. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate different chemical and physical treatments for overpassing seed dormancy and enhancing seed germination rates of P. incarnata. The effects of (i) different pre-germination treatments (pre-chilling, gibberellic acid—GA3, leaching, scarification, non-treated control), (ii) light or darkness exposure, and (iii) temperature conditions (25, 30, and 35 °C constant and 20–30 °C alternating temperatures) have been examined in seed germination percentage and mean germination time of three P. incarnata accessions (F2016, FF2016, and A2016) grown in field conditions in Central Italy. Data showed that the pre-germination treatments generally stimulated faster germination compared to the control, with the best results obtained in the dark and with high temperatures. These findings are useful for the choice of the most suitable seed pre-germination treatment that can facilitate stable, high and agronomically acceptable germination rates in P. incarnata.

Realizing the sustainability and competitiveness in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) resources of north India is challenging due to lack of participation from the primary producers (growers and harvesters). This is credited to their unawareness of sustainable resources management practices caused by the lack of a marketing information system (MIS) in the trade. The introduction of a MIS can supplement sustainability in the sector, while improving competitiveness. Through a qualitative research approach, this study investigates the need for marketing information among the primary producers of medicinal and aromatic plants of Uttarakhand, and offers a comprehensive framework for a provincial MIS and strategies for the MAP trade. The proposed MIS would be helpful in linking the MAP trade with sustainability and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop production in mountain agriculture is in steady decline (5%-30%) over the past few decades. Only few species of cereals, pulses, potato, amaranth, etc. are important cash crops in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, India. In traditional hill cropping systems, framers grow sesame, black soybean, corn, proso millet, amaranth, Brassica spp, etc. as mixed crop. These types of traditional cropping systems are not much advantageous and do not meet the requirements of the existing population. In the hilly regions Perilla, Hedychium, turmeric, industrial hemp, lemon grass, citronella, lavender, belladonna and other medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have immense potential. However, they are still not a part of the cropping system. Introduction of these MAPs as intercrops with traditional crops will not only improve the production potential of main crops, but also generate additional income to the farming family. Besides immense cash value, these plants also have less/no threats from wild animals. Similarly, introduction of medicinal and aromatic crops with horticultural crops is one of the key options to enhance agriculture production, as topography and climate of Uttarakhand is suitable for growth of these crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a promising medicinal and aromatic plant for Mediterranean agroecosystems given its positive agronomic attributes and interesting quality features. It has both food and pharmaceutical applications, since its leaves contain sweet-tasting steviol glycosides (SVglys) and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamins. We evaluated the agronomic and qualitative performances of nine stevia genotypes cultivated, in open field conditions, for two consecutive years under the Mediterranean climate of central Italy. Growth, biomass production, and accumulation of bioactive compounds (SVglys, polyphenols, and their related antioxidant activities) were evaluated, considering the effect of harvest time and crop age (first and second year of cultivation). The results showed high variability among genotypes in terms of both morpho-productive and phytochemical characteristics. In general, greater leaf dry yields, polyphenol accumulation, and antioxidant activities were found in the second year of cultivation, harvesting the plants in full vegetative growth. On the other hand, total SVglys leaf content reached the highest values in the first year when plants were at the beginning of the reproductive phase. On the other hand, although the SVglys profile (Rubusoside, Dulcoside A, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A, C, D, E, and M) remained stable over harvest times, it differed significantly depending on the crop age and genotype. Our findings provide useful information on the influence of crop age and harvest time in defining quanti-qualitative traits in stevia, with PL, SL, BR5, and SW30 being the best performing genotypes and thus suitable for breeding programs. Our study highlighted that stevia, in the tested environment, represents a promising semi-perennial crop which offers new solutions in terms of cropping system diversification and marketing opportunities.

Rural communities in mountainous areas face distinct challenges in integrating traditional sustenance and emerging market uses of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). In Swat District, Pakistan, communities use MAPs for local medicinal purposes and for domestic food consumption. In addition, MAPs are traded in urban markets to generate income. This paper reports on a project aimed at capacity building through awareness raising, training, exposure, and developing market linkages to promote the sustainable use of MAPs. The project comprised a series of consultation and coordination meetings with the local Forest Department, focus group discussions in each village with MAP traders and collectors, and ethnobotanical field surveys guided by community members. The study reports twenty MAP species that had high market value and were used in indigenous medicine systems by all ethnic groups. These species were traded through formal and informal trade networks, including cross-border smuggling between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Additionally, the project included a range of interventions to foster sustainable use and livelihood improvements, such as local awareness campaigns, capacity-building training, community mobilization for conservation of threatened species, and exposure visits to link local communities to processors and buyers to maximize net income. Capacity building was the main intervention undertaken to achieve the overall objectives of the project. These ongoing interventions are successfully achieving all planned targets, and although it is too early to measure the impact of these activities, it is expected that the project will serve as a strategic investment for income generation through sustainable harvesting and marketing of MAPs for rural communities in remote northern parts of Swat District, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye is one of the rare countries in the world with natural resources, with a significant part of medicinal and aromatic plants endemic to our country. A lot of plants species constitute the herbal sources of culturally and commercially important functional foods from past to present. It is known that about 400 plant species produced in our country are used in the sector for food and similar purposes and traded in the R&D studies carried out in recent years. In recent years, "natural food products" has also shown a very rapid development trend in the world and in our country. Especially with the widespread use of natural compounds such as food supplement, functional and medicinal foods in healthy lifestyle, medicinal and aromatic plants have started to attract attention. Influenced by this rising trend in our country, studies on development of new medicinal and aromatic plants based raw material and products have started to draw attention in the functional foods sector. In this process, it is predicted that the demands for functional foods products used in the natural products sector may continue to increase. It is important for the sustainability of the innovative food sector of functional food raw materials obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants Türkiye's endemic. In this study, the domestic/national raw material to product have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koprulu Kanyon is one of the largest national parks with a high diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Turkey. Local communities gather MAPs to provide for their subsistence needs (e.g. food and primary medicine) as well as to generate cash income to lift their lives out of poverty. However, the lack of a comprehensive management mechanism for controlling the wild-collection of these species threatens their long-term sustainability. However, the sustainable wild collection of these species is necessary to meet the needs of present and future generation - the essence of sustainable development. In view of this desired goal, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors and also interrelationship among those factors that directly and/or indirectly affect the sustainability of MAPs in Köprülü Kanyon National Park. The conceptual framework for sustainable use of natural resources developed by the World Conservation Union Sustainable Use Specialist Group was adapted to the study to assess the factors affecting the sustainability of MAPs in the national park. The results of this analysis revealed that population, institutional (formal and informal), and economic factors and interrelations among them directly and/or indirectly influence the sustainability of MAPs in the national park. Assessment of the factors showed that a powerful management plan and permanent monitoring mechanism are needed to achieve the long-term conservation and sustainability of MAPs. Finally, possible conservation options and instruments are examined for promoting and ensuring the long-term sustainability of MAPs in the national park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) may represent interesting, environmentally friendly crops for the Mediterranean environments. Among MAPs, Passiflora incarnata L. (maypop) represents a very promising crop for its wide adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, low input requirements, and high added-value due to its unique medicinal properties. The main problem in P. incarnata large-scale cultivation is the poor seed quality with erratic and low seed germination, due to its apparent pronounced seed dormancy. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate different chemical and physical treatments for overpassing seed dormancy and enhancing seed germination rates of P. incarnata. The effects of (i) different pre-germination treatments (pre-chilling, gibberellic acid—GA3, leaching, scarification, non-treated control), (ii) light or darkness exposure, and (iii) temperature conditions (25, 30, and 35 °C constant and 20–30 °C alternating temperatures) have been examined in seed germination percentage and mean germination time of three P. incarnata accessions (F2016, FF2016, and A2016) grown in field conditions in Central Italy. Data showed that the pre-germination treatments generally stimulated faster germination compared to the control, with the best results obtained in the dark and with high temperatures. These findings are useful for the choice of the most suitable seed pre-germination treatment that can facilitate stable, high and agronomically acceptable germination rates in P. incarnata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a promising medicinal and aromatic plant for Mediterranean agroecosystems given its positive agronomic attributes and interesting quality features. It has both food and pharmaceutical applications, since its leaves contain sweet-tasting steviol glycosides (SVglys) and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamins. We evaluated the agronomic and qualitative performances of nine stevia genotypes cultivated, in open field conditions, for two consecutive years under the Mediterranean climate of central Italy. Growth, biomass production, and accumulation of bioactive compounds (SVglys, polyphenols, and their related antioxidant activities) were evaluated, considering the effect of harvest time and crop age (first and second year of cultivation). The results showed high variability among genotypes in terms of both morpho-productive and phytochemical characteristics. In general, greater leaf dry yields, polyphenol accumulation, and antioxidant activities were found in the second year of cultivation, harvesting the plants in full vegetative growth. On the other hand, total SVglys leaf content reached the highest values in the first year when plants were at the beginning of the reproductive phase. On the other hand, although the SVglys profile (Rubusoside, Dulcoside A, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A, C, D, E, and M) remained stable over harvest times, it differed significantly depending on the crop age and genotype. Our findings provide useful information on the influence of crop age and harvest time in defining quanti-qualitative traits in stevia, with PL, SL, BR5, and SW30 being the best performing genotypes and thus suitable for breeding programs. Our study highlighted that stevia, in the tested environment, represents a promising semi-perennial crop which offers new solutions in terms of cropping system diversification and marketing opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Climate change jeopardize the suitability of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). • Ensemble model delineated the Central Nepal as the core hotspot of six MAPs. • Proportionally, six MAPs will expand their suitability in future 2070. • The mixed cultivation can combat the increasing pressure from international trade. • eSDM is crucial for conceiving the adaptive measures for the conservation. Climate change poses significant challenges to the conservation of highly traded prioritized medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) from the Greater Himalayas. It is therefore essential to understand, 'how' and 'where' the plantation of MAPs can be effectively implemented for dealing with conservation-related issues. However, the ensemble species distribution modelling (eSDM) approach could be best to determine the climatic space of six highly traded MAPs for plantation in Nepal. Meanwhile, the current suitability was projected to the future (2070; RCP 4.5) scenario using a global circulation model (GCM), BCC-CSM1.1. The model delineated climatic space of six highly traded MAPs in the highlands altitudinally ranging from 1800 to 4200 m a.s.l. (meter above sea level) with the core hotspot in the central region of Nepal. Under the current and future scenarios, Nardostachys jatamansi 'Spikenard' and Aconitum spicatum 'Aconite' are projected to have the highest (ca. 15% and 17%) and lowest (ca. 3% and 9%) suitable areas respectively. The climatic zone in the hilly region (ca. 3000 m) can be suitable for mixed cultivation of all six MAPs in combination with Paris polyphylla 'Love Apple' whereas, middle mountainous region (ca. 4000 m) is more suitable for Nardostachys jatamansi. Therefore, the appropriate climatic space of the highly traded MAPs suggests the great possibility of their mixed cultivation to combat the increasing pressure from international trade, thereby benefiting the local farmers or collectors. This approach is crucial for conceiving the adaptive measures for sustainable management concerning the conservation of the highly traded MAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]