Growing and Marketing Woodland Botanicals

Medicinal herbs are increasing in popularity across the world. Consumer sales of herbs and botanicals reached $4.41 billion in 2005 (Nutrition Business Journal 2006). Many medicinal herb products are made from native woodland botanicals that are wild-harvested from natural stands. Most, if not all, of these woodland botanicals can be cultivated commercially. This is beneficial for the conservation of native plant populations, good for farmers looking for new crops, and attractive to manufacturers looking for reliable sources of high quality material. I have led a medicinal plant research and extension program for over 18 years, but in the last three years my staff and I have made a special effort to develop the North Carolina medicinal herb industry. We thought the time was right to do this for three reasons: (1) our state already has a reputation for being a source for high quality plants with exceptional potency; (2) we have growers who are ready and willing to grow herbs; and (3) the region is well suited for the development and expansion of the agricultural and processing sides of the industry. My role in this effort is to conduct research on how to bring these native woodland botanicals into commercial production; determine the economics of production; explore the markets that are available; educate extension agents and growers; and raise awareness among the public, government, and non-profit sectors of our society about this industry. Since 1989, we have conducted research on many native botanicals including goldenseal, bloodroot, black cohosh, and false unicorn. Here’s a brief overview of each of these. All are herbaceous perennials, meaning the above ground parts of the plants die down each autumn and a new plant arises each spring from buds on the perennial underground rhizomes. A short review on our Medicinal Herbs for Commerce Project is also included.