The United Nations on Friday issued six commemoratives promoting medicinal plants that contribute to health care in the Third World.
The designs show the plants, the words ”Medicinal Plants” in English, French and German and the values in U.S., Swiss and Austrian currency. The designs also include the scientific names of the plants.
The U.S.-currency issues depict the plants Catharanthus roseus, 25 cents, and Panax quinquefolium, 90 cents. The Swiss values depict the Plumeria rubra, 90 centimes, and Cinchona officinalis, 1.40 francs. The Austrian values are Bixa orellana, 4.50 schillings, and Momordica charantia, 9.50 schillings.
The U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been helping developing nations with research and technology in the production of herbal medicines.
UNIDO estimates that two billion people lack regular access to essential drugs, and that half the prescriptions dispensed originate in wild plants. Medicines from plants can provide a low-cost alternative to more costly, chemically derived products, according to UNIDO.
The U.S. Postal Service continued its Historic Preservation Series of postal cards on Friday with a 15-cent card depicting the Isaac Royall House in Medford, Mass.
