TEHRAN –The expansion of lands for the cultivation of medicinal plants by 300,000 hectares is one of the set goals in the seventh five-year national development plan (2023 – 2027).

“In the sixth national development plan, the medicinal plants expanded by 491 thousand hectares which exceeded the set goal of 250 thousand hectares,” IRIB quoted Tarahom Behzad, an official with the natural resource and watershed management organization, as saying.

The expansion of lands for the cultivation of medicinal plants through implementing multi-purpose pasture management plans using biological and biomechanical methods and preventing any change in the use of pastures is also considered in the seventh national plan, the official added.

Over 1,500 tons of medicinal plants were harvested, and more than 961 tons were exported in the past Iranian calendar year (which ended on March 19), Behzad further noted.

In July the official said 14 natural climates are known in the world, Iran encompasses about 11 of these climate types and the country is the breeding ground of all kinds of medicinal plants.

So far, about 8,600 plant species have been identified in Iran, of which 2,300 species are medicinal and are directly used in the field of medicine, health, and food supplements, the official added.

He said benefitting from a special climate and the area of about six million hectares of medicinal plant habitats is a very suitable opportunity for proper utilization, serious investment in processing, creation, and employment opportunities as well as more specialized exports in the field of processed products, and earning foreign currency.

Over 300 drugs being produced from medicinal plants

More than 300 medicines are made out of 1,200 medicinal plants in the country. The production of medicines from plants in the country dates back to 1980.

About 4,400 natural products and over 2,000 traditional products are being supplied by domestic companies to the market.

So far, about 30,000 plant species have been identified in the world, with Iran's share of about 8,000 species which is more than the whole of species found in Europe.

The per capita consumption of medicinal plants in Iran is about one kilogram of dried plants, in other words, 83,000 tons of medicinal plants worth 1.2 trillion rials (around $4 million) are consumed in the country, while in Europe this amount is 900 grams and in the United States is 2.5 kilogram.

Iran holds some 40% share of market

In October 2023, an official with the Ministry of Health said that Iran holds some 40 percent share of the market for medicinal plants in the neighboring countries.

“A large volume of pharmaceuticals, supplements, food products, and beverages are exported to Iraq, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Afghanistan,” IRNA quoted Hamidreza Banafsheh as saying.

Iran is among the leading countries in the field of medicine and health technology, supplying 98 percent of pharmaceutical items to the domestic market, the official noted.

“Nearly 450 out of 1,400 knowledge-based companies are active in the field of herbal medicines, biotechnology, and food industries.”

He went on to say that the National Institute for Medical Research Development aims at expanding exports of medicinal products.

Since most of the raw materials for the production of herbal medicines are native to the country, these products can internationally compete with those of the other countries, he added.

Besides, some 15 to 20 percent of Iran's herbal medicines are unique in the world. Iran has the capacity to introduce new herbal medicines to the world, he highlighted.

Producing and commercializing pharmaceutical plants are the best ways to introduce the rich resources of herbal medicines which, in addition to making foreign currency revenues for the country, will lead to the scientific authority of Iran in this field, he concluded.

MT/MG