Table 4.

The characteristics and advantages of organic farming of medicinal plants

Subjects	Characteristics and advantages of organic farming
Medicinal plants	To produce material in optimal quality and sufficient quantity
	To increase growth rate and biomass yield of medicinal plants
	To enhance the biosynthesis of efficacious substances
	To maintain the genetic diversity of medicinal plants
	To protect medicinal plants against pests and disease
Environmental effects	To prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
	To promote sustainable use and proper care of production systems
	To enhance plant diversity and biotype conservation
	To protect wildlife habitats (e.g. micro-organisms, soil fora and fauna)
	To enhance soil rich in macro and microelements
	To conserve soil properties, fertility, productivity and system stability
	To use organic fertilizers and renewable resources to minimize all forms of pollution
Economic prospects	To increase market opportunity
	To maintain high market price
	To achieve optimal quality and economic returns
	To secure economic growth and social stability

Information from Rigby and Cáceres [59], Macilwain [60] and Suresh [61]