Scientists warn of medical herb extinction; urge growing plants

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Mongolia is home to over 7,700 species of lower plants that coexist with fungi, 3,100 of which are flowering plants, with medicinal herbs comprising one-third of the total.

Scientists, however, have raised the alarm that the medical herb resources have been depleted as a result of manmade and natural factors, not the least of which are mining and urbanization.

Ochgerel, a scientist and academic, said that most medical herbs would go extinct within 20 to 50 years if there is no serious response to the mishandling and exploitation of herbs.

He added that the continued depletion of the herbs will exacerbate the issue of desertification and drought.

Ochgerel urged the need to use the herbs available in a responsible way by properly picking them and preparing them. He also called for planting herbs whenever possible.

“The reason for the depletion of medicinal herbs is that people and businesses directly use natural resources. Resources are diverse; biological and operational resources. The resources available for us, in particular, are extremely limited,” said Science professor M. Urgamal.