http://www.fao.org/3/i2473e/i2473e.pdf
Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) play a valuable and important role in economic, social, cultural and ecological aspects of local communities the world over. Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) can be defined as botanicals that provide people with medicines - to prevent disease, maintain health or cure ailments. In one form or another, they benefit virtually everyone on Earth through nutrition, toiletry, bodily care, incense and ritual healing (Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Working Group, 2010). Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) grow in almost all terrestrial and some aquatic ecosystems around the world. However increasing demand on plants and their habitats are threatening many species harvested from the wild. Cultivation of MAPs is thus a feasible diversification enterprise for many small-scale farmers as demand is high, trade opportunities are increasing and the income generating potential is good.