자원식물의 이용현황과 전망 - 기능성 정유성분을 중심으로 -

Natural resource plants have been useful and helpful materials for human to against diseases and Prevention since ancient Egyptian and Roman times. However, according to recent survey, its habitat and indigenous are continuously decreased and almost extinct some valuable species, as Adonis vernalis, Digitalis lanata etc., especially in Eastern Europe and east Asian countries due to radical political and social reforms. ESCOP and FAO have already initiated to protect the endangered species for conservation, protection and propagation technology but it is not easy tasks without global concerning. Most natural resource plants have volatile components in essential oils and its consumption and demanding is increased every year, which contained certain compounds have no side effects and good properties for biological activities. Essential oils of natural resource plants are also well known for medical purposes, such as Central Nervous System (CNS, linalool), anticancer (d-limonene, perillyl alcohol, etc.), microbial and fungicidal activities (menthol, borneol, etc). Essential oil also used for natural therapy to prevent and increase immune systems instead of chemical synthesis drugs. With this, researchers of natural resource plants are ultimately faced to develop and optimal technology for increasing the Korean farmer's income by high added-value herbal products in present and future.