A survey in the UK revealed that 25% of people regularly purchase over the counter herbal remedies. It is widely, and falsely, believed that if collected from the wild rather than a cultivated source, the plants will have an increased healing effect. This myth encourages producers to collect their plants from the wild and display terms like “wild harvesting” on their products to indicate this as an advantageous feature. As a result, many plant species from all over the world are now at risk. It is thought that in Europe, at least 150 plant species are at risk from over-collection in the wild.

Research projects, like the Silphion Project that was set up to research and develop the cultivation of northern temperate medicinal plants, are trying to ensure the survival of these species. Their aims are to reduce harvesting of wild plants and increase cultivation of the desired species. Not only does cultivation maintain genetic diversity, but it also allows natural populations to regenerate. There are companies that claim their products are from cultivated stock and by supporting these companies you aid the preservation of wild plant stocks. However, as yet there is no legislation to ensure that these companies do actually cultivate their plants.

A knowledge of the plants ecology and environment is necessary so collectors can safely harvest without damaging the plants or over-collect. Harvesting and production of ethnomedicinal remedies needs to be carried out using ethically and environmentally protective methods.