Research for Cultivating the Renewable Resources of our Forests

Indigenous peoples around the world have known the medicinal
properties of their regional plants and forest trees since the
beginning of time. From roots to bark, leaves and flowers, every
green plant in the world has some beneficial effect as food and for
various types of diseases and illnesses. It is thought that even a
plant that is overall poisonous to humans has varying individual
properties that, when extracted from the whole plant and processed
correctly, will only poison the particular disease or damaging
bacteria leaving the good DNA cells to repair and replenish as
needed to correct the problem.

"Much of the traditional knowledge of plants and the environment is
handed down through living practice from elders to younger
generations. The development of ethno-botanical gardens can aid in
transmission of this knowledge by providing a representative and
accessible source for the sustainable harvest and use of culturally
important plants." Global Forest Science

This is why we are very adamant about keeping our forests around the
world in good solid condition. How else can we humans, also made of
the earth elements, even begin to keep up with the thousands of
diseases and influenzas that come about each year without Nature's
abundant supply of healing agents just waiting for discovery at each
turn of event? Are we creative enough to stop harvesting the
forests for paper, buildings, etc? With the need for trees to
process the CO2 emissions for clean, fresh air; and now
understanding that the ecosystem of the forests can be beneficial to
our health, can we afford to use our forests so irresponsibly? Can
we afford to watch developing countries with a wealth of rainforests
continue to log down and slash burn for unsustainable short term
economic benefits?
OR Can we step up to new ways of thinking and new vocations for
research in cultural economies, biology, botany, and sustainable
forestry?