“Nature itself is the best physician.” said the father of medicine (Hippocrates).
Knowing that Hippocrates is believed to have died in 370 BC.: This statement truly shows how old medicine is. Natural medicine has been a part of human civilization since the beginning of humankind, would we even be here today without medicine? To this day, humans still use herbs and plants for medicine. What we as humans have taken for granted is that we take relentlessly. But we have forgotten that what was once taken is no longer. Therefore, as a future apothecary, I would strongly love to start an initiative for each plant that is used to be replanted. It would be an immense disappointment to see our trees and plants gone. Along with it, all natural medicines. Since it is a $73 billion industry in the U.S.A. (Anthony Raeside, 2015) I would expect pharmaceutical companies to also step in on this initiative. Especially if they want any chance for their company to continue thriving and making a huge profit. Recycling medical electronics will keep hazardous chemicals from pouring into our soil and water supply. (David Ewing Duncan, 2011) Protection of our tropical forests is very crucial, due to most medicines come from plants found in tropical forests. This literature review considers what steps can be used to help the medical department contribute to the environment, these are the steps:
1.Replanting every plant that is used.
2.Recycling medical electronics.
3.Protection of the tropical forests.
Understanding the importance of these steps helps us know what steps we can take to further help sustain our environment.
Replanting every plant that is used.
There is an estimated 50,000 plant species that are used medicinally, with the pharmaceutical industry pushing the demand for these plant species. Without careful management the medical market’s demands make a huge threat to many of these species. (Emily Beech, 2009) Many of these species are used everyday but they are never truly replanted. For some people, I know this may seem difficult to plant a tree, luckily, there are organizations that you can donate to that will plant a tree for you. One of the most popular organizations is The International Tree Foundation. Even by doing communities service with environmental organizations, you will be helping fixing the mess, us humans have made.
Every year we cut down more than 50,000 square miles of trees, that is the size of Alabama! (Dawn Gifford, 2015) This is cut down every year, yet, no effort is made to replant these trees by business corporations who cut them. The fact that disturbs me the most is that us, humans, have cut down half of all the trees on the planet so far. (Maddie Stone, 2015)
Recycling medical electronics.
The second-largest waste producers in the United States after the food industry is the medical industry. In operating rooms, some items that are never even used are thrown away.
(John Hopkins University, 2010) Due to this recycling medical electronics has become an option. Before this, hospitals would throw away tools and equipment that were still useable by other hospitals and organizations. This will not only help hospitals and medical offices save money but, it will have a greater impact by decreasing this huge waste to tolerable amounts.
Protection of the tropical forests.
Each day, 80,000 acres of rainforest are lost forever. Sadly, it’s because it is worth more cut down than the way it is. The medical/pharmaceutical business is a main contributor to this problem (Tara, 2012). Due to this I’ll be mentioning five steps to help this problem. Here are five basic steps on how to save rainforests, the acronym T.R.E.E.S. is used to help people remember them easily. (Rhett Butler, 2012) T stands for teaching others about the importance of these rainforests and how they can be saved. R is for restoring damaged ecosystems by replanting trees that have been cut down. E represents encouraging people to live in a better way that doesn’t harm or hurt the environment. The other E is for establishing parks to protect rainforests and wildlife. Now, S to support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment and ecosystem. The most effective letters to use in the acronym are T, E and S.
Now that you have learned what can be done – from small to big ways – you now know the severity of this problem. While these forests and tress are being cut every day there a organizations trying to fight back these major issues that affect our, living quality, health and future. I strongly urge you to spread what is happening to friends and family, we must stop this issue.