Responsible Use of Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics

Medicinal plant extracts are widely used as active ingredients in cosmetics. Plant material can come from a variety of sources, including commercial production horticulture and wild harvest in developing countries. Sustainably produced plant material does not threaten biodiversity, release pollution, compete with the food supply, or exploit local people. International treaties like the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity and CITES (Washington Convention) and regulations like Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) have been established to guide sustainable sourcing and production of plant material. Non-profit organizations like the Round Table Sustainable Palm Oil have been organized to create sustainability standards. Once a reliable and sustainable supply chain has been established, cosmetic companies must be aware of regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and international regulatory agencies that guide the marketing of cosmetics with medicinal plant ingredients. Efficacy claims should be supported with evidence and cannot state that the product treats medical conditions. In the end, responsibly sourced medicinal plants can bring economic benefit to producers, processors, and marketers.