The MAPs information system has been designed to facilitate and access ICS databases on MAPs and related information in
a quick, simple and user friendly manner. Two databases (Selected Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and
Essential Oils) are currently available on this system. There are links to information on
National Focal Points, ICS publications,
events and
projects. The listed databases have been developed in collaboration
with the National Focal Points, which represent a network of institutes and scientists working on medicinal and aromatic
plants among developing and emerging countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The plants are selected on the basis of their economic and scientific importance.
The country specific and literature based scientific information on each plant has been compiled for each plant in the database
on a common uniform format. The database on essential oils from plants of African origin provides basic information including gas
chromatographic profile, chemical structure of important components and important literature references.
These are valuable sources of information in particular to entrepreneurs, traders, and scientific community working in
the area of MAPs.