If you are like most people, you cannot devote the time it takes each day to prepare and consume the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits needed to support, repair, and renew your body systems. Not only is preparation time limited, but those of us who live in industrialized countries are consuming food grown in soils deficient in nutrients. In many cases for over 50 years these soils are revitalized only with chemical fertilizers. Daily we consume food that has been pasturized, fumigated, and irradiated, and which contains chemical preservatives, dyes, high fructose corn syrup and other additives. We consume fruit that has been picked green, gassed and stored. Like the weakened and chemically laden plants and animals we eat, our bodies lack pep and become susceptible to bacteria, virus, parasites, fungus and molds, leading to degenerative diseases. To meet the challenges of a fast paced lifestyle, and a faulty diet, would you agree that we need food that is pure, nutritious and easy to use?
Over the past 15 years increasing numbers of people turning to herbal supplements. During this same time period, herbs and herbal formulas from the Amazon Rainforest are becoming more accessible to the rest of the world. Rainforest plants growing wild in the richest concentration of life energy on the planet can easily supply the missing nutrients in our diet. However, many users of herbs do so on faith as they lack basic understanding of their history and of their special qualities. For those others who want to know more about an herb or herbal blend before you purchase it. The following is a quick overview of herb basics with reference to those from the Amazon river basin.
Like the herbalists in Europe, the Middle East and Asia at an earlier date, it was the herb doctors of the Amazon rainforest who discovered which plants are effective in combating such foreign diseases as syphyllis, malaria, and yellow fever. Rainforest dwellers have been wild-harvesting some rainforest plants for shipment to Europe since the 1500's. From them are derived 80% of our modern medicine. When in the laboratory active ingredients are identified and extracted for medicine, they are sometimes found to be either toxic or ineffective. Also, as extracted and concentrated chemicals, our pharmaceuticals need to be managed under a doctor's care since they have side effects. However these same chemicals in their original whole-food form have a long history of benefit without side effects. Recent scientific studies have validated their traditional uses. Clinical studies with Amazon herbs are further defining their benefits.
During millions of years of unbroken genetic history each plant species has evolved an efficient design and defense system for its environment. Such defense systems include anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties. In order to survive, an environment of concentrated life energy and diveristy, Amazon rainforest plants are especially rich in nutrients which fight infections and infestations.
Under an equatorial sun, photosynthesis is an intense process producing much of our oxygen. To control the unstable oxygen molecules which inevitably develop in the intense sunlight, jungle plants have high levels of anti-oxidant protection. For example, an orange generally has 90 units of the anti-oxidant vitamin C, the Camu Camu cherry which grows along the Amazon river has 1,000 units. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables traditionally formed the major part of the human diet. When exposed to air and heat, or when stored for long periods, anti-oxidants dissipate.
Some of the most highly valued Rainforest herbs, such as Suma are adaptogenic. "They are capable of either toning down the activity of hyperfunctioning systems or strengthening the activity of hypofunctioning systems. Adaptogenic herbs build stamina and resistance to stress by balancing the hormone system. Sometimes such herbs are called "para todo" meaning they seem to be good for everything.
When two or more items enhance each other and produce something more beneficial than the sum of those items, we call the phenomenon synergy. The art and science of herbalism lies in the discovery and preparation of synergistic blends. One such blend, a tea of Pau d'Arco and Yerba Mate, sweetened with Stevia leaf, has a history of fighting infections going back 2,000 years. Each ingredient contributes to a formula that cleanses while it supports the organs and builds strength for an overall balanced effect that can be used safely for the very ill.
It is sometimes stated that herbs are too weak to be effective, yet many herbalists, doctors, clinics, and societies rely on their health benefits. The answer is in the source and handling of the herbs. 40 countries now employ irradiation and fumigation of imported produce. Some companies choose to protect the purity and efficacy of their herbs by submitting them instead to on-sight inspections. Another way to ensure the potency of herbs is the spagyric process. In spagyric processing the herbs are soaked in alcohol and water for approximately two weeks. After the herbal extract is pressed out, the mark is not thrown out, but is burned to ashes in a kiln. The resulting mineral-rich ash is returned to the extract. Spagyric processing preserves the whole plant profile in concentrated form.
If you have ever read of the experiments related in the book, "The Secret Life of Plants" by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Byrd, you understand the vibrational harmony or chaos plants emmit depending on how they are handled. Plants transmit their powers to humans when havested by herbalists trained in selection and harvesting methods.
At this point in time, nowhere is the eco-business of sustainably harvested wild plants more important than in the Amazon rainforest. An area once larger than the United States, the three-tiered jungle canopy of living plants supplies one fourth of the world's oxygen. The Amazon Rainforest is vital to planetary climate stability. An acre of rainforest cut down and converted to pasture yields $60. annually. Harvested for timber this same acre yields $240. annually. When instead the acre is sustainably harvest for herbs, it yields $2400 annually and the ecological integrity of the land is maintained.
By Judy Morris, jem@realamazontreasure.com
