This article was written by Samuel Phineas Upham
The Amazon rainforest is a natural habitat for many of the Earth’s plant and animal species. The forest canopy in the Amazon is one of the most densely populated regions on the planet, but there is more to cherish than just the plant life. Without these forests, we would be without many important cures that our society relies on.
Quinine
This naturally white, crystalline alkaloid is useful as an anti-inflammatory and a fever reducer. Thus, quinine is an important part of the treatment regiment for diseases like malaria. It’s easy to synthesize in labs, and is widely distributed in impoverished nations because it is so cheap to produce.
Curare Lianis
There is a poisonous tree in Latin America with a bark that has incredible healing properties. Scientists have synthesized alkaloid d-turbocuarine, and used this medication to treat multiple sclerosis. Aside from treating muscular disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, the alkaloid also helps anesthetize patients for tonsillectomies and abdominal surgery.
Rosy Periwinkle
The rosy periwinkle from Madagascar is useful as an anti-tumor agent. One of these agents has a ninety-nine percent success rate against tumors resulting in lymphocytic leukemia. The other agent offers a fifty-eight percent chance at remission in patients suffering from Hodgkin’s disease. This plant generates over $160 million in drug sales from use of its derivatives.
Wild Yams
Wild yams from Mexico, up until recently, were the only source of diosgenin and cortisone. These are the active ingredients in birth-control pills.
About the Author: Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Samuel Phineas Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Samuel Phineas Upham on his Samuel Phineas Upham website.
