Researchers begin to inventory herbs
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The interest in domestic herbs has been growing strongly for many years.
First the potted fresh herbs that appeared on the shelves of supermarkets got cooks excited, and the popularity of cooking at home has awakened an interest in organic food, wild vegetables, and herbs.
An interest in alternative treatment methods is also reflected in the popularity of herbs.
For example, according to a recently published survey on health issues, 45 percent of Finnish women consider the providers of alternative treatments and products to be quite or extremely important sources of health-related information. Finns want to promote their health with natural products and with different types of herbal products, whether there are published studies on their effectiveness or not.
Herbs are also of interest in agricultural politics. Herbs could be added to the range of cultivated plants, and herbal gardens could attract visitors.
Domestic medicinal herbs are also under the spotlight of researchers. Herbs are currently being inventoried by MTT Agrifood Research Finland.
The herbal team of the MTT ecological production unit is headed by senior research scientist Bertalan Galambosi. The aim is to discover the number of herb species, their economic significance, and possible endangered status.
It was discovered last year that there are 35 collections of medicinal herbs in Finland. These are held by municipalities, agricultural schools, universities, private citizens, and research institutes.
Some 60–250 species are documented in the collections of universities, and 17-120 species in the collections used for teaching.
These collections form a part of Finland’s cultural history. It is possible that in the future they will be utilised in genetic research.
A project aimed at farmers called Boreal Herb Center will continue in Mikkeli until September. It distributes researched cultivation information on culinary and medicinal herbs that are suited for Northern environments, as well as information on the market value of herbs. The herbal team of the MTT ecological production unit supports the project work.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 16.5.2005
More on this subject:
 The seductive power of herbs
Links:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland
Helsingin Sanomat
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