if we want to compare herbal drugs with precious metals, are there any references?
I have searched many research papers on medicinal plants but the such type of references didn't see. You can visit the websites of such type of drugs manufacturing companies.
While I cannot yet answer which is the most expensive plant 'extract', there are already a few very very expensive medicinal plant- or fungus-related supplements. Two examples here:
(1) The wild-grown Ginseng (see attachment #1): "The most expensive Ginseng plant ever purchased, costs $400,000!" this three hundred years old wild ginseng is the most ever paid for any ginseng. It weighs just 366 grams. [http://sunfoodhelp.com/expensive-supplements-2]
(2) The Caterpillar fungus or Yartsa Gunbu (see attachment #2 and #3):
It can cost a whooping $50,000 per pound. It is called caterpillar fungus because part of it is a mummified caterpillar and part of it is the fungus (Cordyceps Sinensis). It is better known throughout Asia by the Tibetan term, yartsa gunbu, which means "summer grass, winter worm."
The fungi invade the specific caterpillar and use it as a host insect and ultimately killing and consuming it. The fungi stay inside and then in the spring this tissue erupts out the mummified caterpillar heads.
As far as I know, periwinkle (Catharathus roseus) leaves yield anti-cancer chemicals vincristine and vinblastine which cost in international market more than US $ 50000/kg. Other anti-cancer plants also yield expensive chemicals e.g. Taxus (Taxol TM), Podophyllum (podophyllotoxin and its semi-synthetic analogues), Camptotheca (camptothecin) species etc.
As far as aromatic plants are concerned, essential oils isolated from the phytomass are used in pharmaceutical industry and aromatherapy in addition to flavor, fragrance and many other industries. I am attaching a report on important essential oils.
thanks, i am a researcher. but i can help you for marketing in Iran as an agent. what is your plan?
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