Did you know one-third of all tropical trees on Earth can be found in the rainforest? That includes over 2,500 different species. Indigenous populations have used at least 1,300 different species of plants native to the Amazon Rainforest to aid a wide spectrum of health conditions for many generations.1 What conditions provide such a fertile ground for plants in this region of South America?
Many believe the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The term, “biodiversity,” was introduced in 1985 as a contraction of “biological diversity.” While the meaning is simple: biodiversity represents the wide variety of plants and animals inhabiting an area; the importance of the condition is a bit more philosophic: it represents the learned ability of species to evolve and survive over millions of years in challenging conditions.2 Biodiversity creates survival of the fittest, and as a result, the conditions present in the Amazon have created plants with intriguing chemical compositions—many of which have shown benefits to human health to one degree or another.
What conditions in the Amazon create such biodiversity?3
- Hot and humid climate. Scientists have found a positive correlation between the diversity of plant and animal species of an area and its exposure to sun and warm temperatures.
- Climate stability. In areas with uniform climate throughout the year, plants and animals have more time to adapt to physical conditions and develop strengths to address specific environmental needs than if they had to adapt to periodic changes in the climate such as to cold and frost.
- Habitat size. A larger area provides greater space for plants and animals to live, thrive, and adapt—creating a bigger spectrum of diversity. Today, conservation efforts focus on preserving larger and larger plots of land to encourage biodiversity.
- Fertile soil. Interestingly, approximately 70% of the Rainforest sits on poor acidic soil. However, the soil becomes fertile due to nutrient recycling and other processes. In areas where the soil is particularly poor, plants have adapted strategies to diminish pests that seek to eat them. For example, one such tree produces bitter tannins in its leaves that bugs don’t like to taste.
Shamans and indigenous populations in the Amazon realized early on that the conditions responsible for the biodiversity of plants not only gave strength to help plants survive the unique conditions, but these chemical compounds had health benefits for the human body as well. Scientists around the world continue to study the unique properties of Amazonian plants in search of new ways to help people improve their health.
Discover what makes the botanicals of the Amazon so special for yourself.
For more information about the botanicals of the Amazon Rainforest, visit us at Herbs America, Inc. We work directly with botanists, tribal leaders, universities, and laboratories to cultivate and research traditional medicines found to be beneficial for both humans and the land. You’ll find only the highest quality herbal supplements and products available in our online store. Your journey to healthier living begins here.
“Saving What Remains: Medicinal Plants,” Mongabay. July 22, 2012. Published online at: https://rainforests.mongabay.com/1007.htm. ↩
Carrington, Damian. “What is biodiversity and why does it matter to us?” The Guardian. March 12, 2018. Published online at: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us ↩
Butler, Rhett A. “Why are rainforests so diverse?” Mongabay. April 1, 2019. Published online at: https://rainforests.mongabay.com/03-diversity-of-rainforests.html. ↩
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