Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years for their health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancerous effects. They help to prevent health issues and diseases like cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the global population relies on traditional medicine as their primary form of healthcare. These plants contain bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, which help prevent chronic diseases. However, breeding medicinal plants is challenging because it requires balancing yield, active compound levels, and plant strength. Breeding techniques like mutation breeding, polyploidy induction, and molecular marker-assisted selection have shown success in improving plant traits. New genomic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 and transcriptomic analyses, help identify important genes related to beneficial compounds. Despite challenges, the future will be promising with biotechnological advances combined with traditional methods, creating opportunities for developing plants with enhanced medicinal properties. Continued research and sustainable methods are essential for unlocking the full potential of medicinal plants to improve global health.
Medicinal plants, Secondary metabolites, Heterosis breeding, Mutation breeding, Plant tissue culture
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