earticle

영어

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. This article provides a brief of the Korean herbal medicine propagation and some of the glocalized medicinal plants in the Korea herbal market. In fact, there is a heavy reliance on herbal medicinal plants in traditional medicine. However, due to the increasing demand in the glocal market and change in the climatic conditions, the use of improved propagation technology is inevitable to enhance mass production of these important medicinal plants. A number of studies are being undertaken to develop the in vitro propagation protocols for a number of the important medicinal plants. The steps undertaken during the in vitro propagation process of the medicinal plants at KIOM were outlined. Botany, ethnophamacorlogical uses, and chemical composition of medicinal plants under study in Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) have also been outlined. Based on the literature review, we obtained information on Panax ginseng and Harpagophytum procumbens; some of the major glocalized medicinal plants in Korea market. The robust in vitro propagation of plants in KIOM involves the process of sterilization, shooting, rooting and acclimatization with the maintenance of the environmental conditions. P. africana, P. multiflorum, R. glutinosa, A. kusnezoffii, T. kirilowii, and Pinellia ternate are some of the important medicinal plants under in vitro propagation study at KIOM. Increase in the glocal use of P. ginseng and H. procumbens has further strengthened the demand for them both for research purpose and therapeutic application. Through advanced in vitro propagation technology, not only can the increasing glocal demand for herbal medicinal plants be met but also the climatic effects on medicinal plants can be mitigated.