At the end of this week I attended the inaugural Natural Products Futures Forum, hosted in Ballina and Lismore by Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine. I was attending as a representative of Torrens University, providing an educational perspective to what turned out to be a very successful weekend of brainstorming.
Natural Products in the health care arena encompasses many complementary and truly traditional medicines, especially those derived from plants and fungi. This event aimed to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and experts in natural products – including laboratory researchers, manufacturers, regulators, ethnobotanists, and educators – to discuss the global objectives and obstacles in this area.
Over two days we participated in a number of presentations, panel discussions and workshops, covering a wide range of topics. And of course the unplanned meetings and discussions over lunch and dinner were also amazingly productive.
I was fortunate to not only meet, but also have dinner one-on-one, with one of my herbal heros, Professor Michael Heinrich, from the School of Pharmacy, University College London (UCL). Professor Heinrich has had – and continues to have – a massive influence in the field of herbal medicine, through his contribution to research, education, and policy within the realm of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. It was great to share a meal and amazing conversation whilst watching an amazing sunset in Ballina.
According to Professor Jon Wardle who organised it, the aim is to hold similar yearly events to foster greater collaboration across the broad field of natural products. I look forward to seeing what the future holds!