Here is one prime example showing why we should conserve natural forests

Natural forests, particularly rainforest are a treasure trove of medicinal plants. Many discoveries are waiting to come to light. Sadly many are gone forever before we even study them. Currently less than 5 percent of the world's tropical forest plants have been tested for medicinal properties.

  

Spilanthes extract (Acmella Oleracea) is a plant traditionally used by Peruvian indigenous people Keshwa Lamas, for toothache. Now scientists from Cambridge University headed by Dr Françoise Barbira Freedman have discovered that this is a potent anaesthetic that could put an end to some injections in the dentist’s surgery. The medicinal gel is currently in trials and is expected to be in the market by 2014 or 2015.