Concious Commerce

Our Goals & Beliefs

Many drugs have been derived from the shared knowledge of tribes in the Amazon. Many of the elder shamans who provided information for the development and extraction of drugs were never compensated. While trans-national global corporations pocket big bucks through peddling drugs, native people have found their land and life less than graced by this enormous benefit to western society. In fact their lands have been encroached upon, and their knowledge captured like pirate booty. "Genetic resources were removed and synthesized in labs of the First World, without establishing agreements to ensure to the communities that hold the traditional knowledge the due participation in the researches’ resulting benefits."

We also believe that the current pharmaceutical cartel would like to perpetuate ignorance regarding the effectiveness of traditional whole plant medicinal remedies (the basis for many modern medicines). Many studies refer to the tremendous benefits of whole plant medicines, opposed to derived “active compounds”. In a case study entitled "Medicinal Plants vs Pharmaceuticals for Tropical Rural Health Care" by; T. Carlson "The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 80% of people in the world use medicinal plants as their primary health care medicines".

We know that friends, family and strangers want to get to know these medicines. As the modern global economic web descends upon indigenous people like the Shipibo, it's important for those that care to invest in their Traditional work. It's time for the stewards of the forest to receive their fare cut, it's not going to be doled out by the pharmaceutical corporations. For in their book, a pack of cigarettes, a blanket or a small sum of money to an individual is significant exchange for the Indigenous Intellectual Property Rights of an entire plethora of people living in balance with the forest. We have to see to it, so that these very complex eco/knowledge systems survive into the future.

We are providing the business framework, communications, marketing and inspiration for non-timber forest industries. We will purchase and provide financial benefits to individuals, tribes and groups who produce Textiles or harvest with the principals of fair-trade, sustainability and social responsibility in mind. We accompany harvest campaigns to ensure that our products are compliant with our aims.

The support of our clients is vital to our success. We intend to provide unremarkable service and compassion to all who come to us with their health care needs. We hope that doing business together will be beneficial to all parties involved. Next

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Reference:

Thomas J. Carlson, Case Study "Medicinal Plants vs. Pharmaceuticals for
Tropical Rural Health Care" Department of Integrative Biology,
University of California, Berkeley. As Retrieved on 02-14-05 from:http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/tectran/356.htm

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Copaifera sp. Ucayali Peru 2004

www.AmazonMedicinals.com

Media; Michael Sonn (Unless otherwise indicated) © A.M.2004 - all rights reserved.