ABSTRACT
In recent years, we have witnessed a growing interest in traditional or indigenous knowledge. Some of this interest is purely academic. Some of it is spurred by the promise of possible applications of this knowledge. The knowledge of traditional and indigenous communities concerning characteristics of plants and herbs, particularly medicinal plants, is considered useful in promoting the sustainable use or exploitation of biological resources. As the use or exploitation of biological resources has become much more feasible as a result of evolutions in biotechnology, the exploration of biodiversity for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical resources is seen by some as a possible key to biodiversity conservation. Agreements are being promoted between indigenous communities and industries, mainly pharmaceutical industries, in the hope that some of the knowledge held by indigenous peoples may lead to commercial applications. What is often ignored, though, is that indigenous knowledge is not only “useful”: it is of critical importance to the survival of indigenous communities. Knowledge about biodiversity and agricultural practices is often the basis of their food security, their health care, their livelihoods.
