Medicinal Plants and Dietary Supplements

The US Department of Agriculture and the authors make no claims about the healing properties of these plants and/or their curative abilities. This information is presented to summarize traditional and folkloric medicinal uses of herbs, and is not intended to take the place of a professional medical opinion or to serve for self-diagnosis or treatment. Some of the plants listed here are toxic and should only be used by licensed professionals who can process them properly. Additionally, some of the traditional uses for these herbs have since proven to be ineffective. If you have a medical problem, consult your physician to discuss any alternatives.

Forest plants used for their therapeutic value are marketed either as medicines or as dietary supplements. Plants that have been tested for safety and efficacy and meet strict U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards are marketed as medicines or drugs. According to Farnsworth and Morris (1976) 25 percent of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States contain active ingredients extracted from higher order plants. Plants and plant products that do not meet the strictest FDA standards are marketed as dietary supplements in the United States. These products are legally considered food items and product labels can make no claims about their medical benefits.

The number of plant species classified as medicinal and dietary supplements that are found in Southeastern United States is incredible. Krochmal and others (1969) identify more than 125 medicinal plant species specific to Appalalchia. Forest Service botanists estimate that approximately 35 species of medicinal plants are collected for commercial sale from the forests of North Carolina (USDA Forest Service 1991). Through discussions with industry representatives, we estimate that more than 50 forest species are commonly collected for their medicinal value. The tables categorize these species by perceived demand, which may change as knowledge is gained. The burgeoning interest in bio-prospecting for medicinal products could result in collection of even more species.

For definitions of medicinal properties and actions used in the plant descriptions, visit the Glossary of Medical Terms by the National Library of Medicine.

The following tables outline some of the more common plants that are marketed either as medicines or as dietary supplements:

• Table. Some Forest Species Collected and Marketed for Medicinal Values.

• Table. Medicinal Plants Collected from Southern Appalachian Forests, But Not in the Quantities as Those in the Previous Table.

• Table. Forest Species with Medicinal Value, But Not with the Demand of the Species Listed in the Two Previous Tables.