Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Diversity in Greece and Their Future Prospects: A Review

Abstract

The Mediterranean, a biodiversity hotspot, is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants covering an extensive area with different environmental conditions. The geographical position of Greece, its geomorphology, the presence of flora of past geological eras and the coexistence and interplay of biotic and non biotic factors have defined it as a region of high plant diversity and endemism, a fact that also impacts the category of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). The past 30 years there has been a rapid growth of interest in MAPs as a result of the vital contributions these goods make to large numbers of rural communities. At the same time there is a shift within many developing countries from subsistence to commercial usage. MAPs are important factors in sustainable development, environmental protection and public health. In Greece, they are expected to play an important role in the country's agricultural profile due to quantitative and qualitative advantages. MAP cultivation can help small-scale farmers strengthen their livelihoods and as a result, greater access to a wider range of assets can be achieved, and a capacity to build these into successful and sustainable activities. This review aims at profiling the current state of MAP cultivation in Greece, as well as their future sustainability prospects.