The Necessity of Protecting Public Health by Monitoring the Production of Medicinal Plants with Emphasis on the Implementation of Biological Defense

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Medicine, Quran and Hadith Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: The implementation of inactive and biological defense can play a major role in reducing the vulnerability of public health. Therefore, this study aimed to institutionalize the system for monitoring the production and supply of raw materials for herbal medicines for the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases.
Methods: This study has 6 stages: 1) determination of the region's climate; 2) determination of physico-chemical characteristics of the soil; 3) comprehensive review of the plant's requirements; 4) selection and cultivation of selected plants in the green spaces; 5) introducing medicinal properties of medicinal plants; and 6) production of organic and safe medicinal plants.
Results: The findings of this research showed that the climate of Tehran city varies from dry to wet conditions, and a wide range of medicinal plants can be cultivated depending on the conditions of each region. In the climatic region of the studied area, plants such as Aloysia citrodora, Hypericum perforatum, Hyssopus officinalis, Valeriana officinalis, Nigella sativa, Melissa officinalis, Borago officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Portulaca oleracea and Salvia officinalis can be cultivated.
Conclusion: Although this study was performed on a small scale, it could be a model for larger-scale centers such as universities and organizations. This study can also simulate the cultivation of medicinal plants, change the pattern of common green space design and make better use of marginal and inert areas and in long-term, offer substitutes for some of the chemical drugs by medicinal herbs.

Keywords