Five Plants Hidden in Our Everyday Lives

Across Africa from Uganda to Senegal, shea nuts are collected and converted to shea butter, a cocoa butter equivalent. Shea butter is used widely both in cosmetics and in the food industry, in the manufacturing of chocolate as one example.

Supporting the sustainable use of shea and its conservation can protect ecosystems and improve livelihoods. In West Africa, for example, shea nuts are primarily collected and processed by women, contributing to the incomes of an estimated three million women.

3)    Baobab

Baobab fruit, rich in Vitamin C and fibres, is turned to powder and consumed as a food or beverage whereas its seed oil is added to cosmetics. In Africa, parts of the baobab trees such as the leaves and flowers are consumed locally, and the roots and bark are used for medicine.

Currently, changes in land-use are a threat to the baobab tree species. However, when responsibly sourced, they can, not only meet its growing demand in the food and cosmetic industries, but also support women who are vital in the production process of baobab.

Conservation of baobab trees can also help protect a range of other species. These include bats, and other pollinators such as the bluebottle fly and nocturnal moths who pollinate the baobab flowers.

4)    Liquorice 

Liquorice is a wild species traditionally used medicinally or as a sweetener. Native to Eurasia, liquorice harvested from the wild most often comes from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Rural communities depend on liquorice harvests for their livelihoods and therefore better resource management and sustainable sourcing are crucial. Due to land conversion, liquorice plants have declined globally.

However, as it can regenerate easily through its roots and rhizomes, liquorice is less vulnerable to extinction than other wild pants. Liquorice plants can even help land restoration by improving soil nitrogen content.

Primarily used in medicinal products, the goldenseal plant is native to North America. Domestic and international trade of the goldenseal’s rhizomes and roots are either in whole or powdered form. The plant is both wild-harvested and cultivated.

Habitat loss, unsustainable wild harvesting and land degradation are amongst the biggest threat to this plant species. However, overharvesting of wild-collected goldenseal is of particular concern. Consumers should seek out cultivated plant options, as responsible purchasing decisions can support the sustainable use of goldenseal.

Despite their ubiquity and relevance to our everyday lives, many wild plant ingredients go unnoticed. So how can you help? Exploring and understanding the traditional uses of wild plants, such as argan and others in the Wild Dozen, can be a good starting point in the conversation.

Get informed about trends in wild plant use and purchase certified products. This can help support broader conservation efforts. And, of course, spread the word!

*SOURCE: FAO. Go to ORIGINAL. 2022 Human Wrongs Watch