Saving the rainforest

I've recently been in touch with a vegan agroforestry expert in Brazil. He trains farmers in sustainable methods of rejuvenating forests and growing products that are both profitable and compatible with the ecosystem and the forest. His goal is to buy a piece of property about 100 possibly more acres, which is relatively affordable in the location he is at, to start a farmers training center. 

This is crucial for South America as many farmers are in fact dairy and cattle farmers that are ruining the environment and the soil. His wisdom and his trainings help enable Vegan farmers who essentially promote and protect the rainforest. I'm in contact currently with someone in California about visiting his land next year to hopefully put together more information about his land, the farmers and the products. I wanted to reach out to the community to see if anyone else might be interested in a project like this, feel free to email me (esther.shanti1@gmail.com). 

Skills that could be very useful to this project:
Passion for the issue
Herbalism
Portuguese and or Spanish
Familiarity with South America/Brazil, avenues to sell valuable medicinals/ tropical goods
Experience in media relations, film, editing, marketing and fundraising. 

Goods that are for sale by the ton:

PEACH PALM
"Some of the best health benefits of peach palm include its ability to boost energy levels, protect vision, prevent the development of cancer, improve the health of your skin, optimize your digestive system, reduce blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, protect infant health, speed up growth and development, and aid in weight loss.
The fruit is considered so valuable because it provides a storehouse of energy, which can replace common culinary staples that provide carbohydrates, like potatoes. In fact, the consistency and texture of cooked peach palm is similar to a sweet potato. Peach palm is usually not eaten raw, as it has a rather strong, acidic taste, but when cooked, it can be dried into meal or flour to be used at a later time. The raw fruit does not stay ripe for very long, and should be eaten or cooked soon after being picked. Economically, it is important both as an export crop, but also because it can replace some of the other overexploited species of exotic fruits that have received global attention in recent years, such as acai. The rich combination of nutrients in peach palm makes it very beneficial for our health in a variety of ways.

Besides being a delicious addition to a fruit basket, peach palms are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that make it an ideal component of a healthy diet. Peach palms contain significant levels of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin C, E, A, B, and K, as well as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc.

Energy Booster: Peach palm is perhaps best known for acting as an energy reserve. This energy-boosting fruit packs a whopping 37 grams of carbohydrates in every 100 grams. Carbohydrates are the building blocks of our energy supply, and by breaking down these carbohydrates, our body is able to refuel itself very quickly. For this very reason, peach palm is often turned to as a quick energy booster in South American countries, and this very effective carb-loading tool is becoming more popular in other countries as well.

Digestive Health: As with most fruits and vegetables, peach palm is a very good source of dietary fiber, which impacts our body in a number of ways. When it comes to digestion, fiber facilitates the smooth digestion of food and eliminates constipation. It can reduce excess gas and bloating as well, while also helping to prevent more serious gastrointestinal conditions, like gastric ulcers and colon cancer.

Heart Health and Diabetes: Fiber continues to serve the body in terms of diabetes, as it can help to regulate the insulin and glucose production activities by affecting those levels in the bloodstream. By slowing down the release of glucose into the bloodstream and optimizing the functions of the pancreas, peach palm’s fiber can help to reduce the effects of diabetes, or prevent it from developing in the first place. When it comes toheart health, fiber clears out excess cholesterol from the blood vessels and arteries, thereby lowering the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Vision Health: One of the most important vitamins found in peach palm is vitamin A, as well as other carotenoids that help protect the body. Carotenes are essential for vision health, as they act as antioxidants to reduce or eliminate cataracts, while also preventing macular degeneration in the ocular cells.

Skin Protection: When it comes to keeping our body’s largest organ protected, vitamin C, vitamin A, and a healthy fluid balance in the body can be very effective. Peach palm possesses both of those antioxidant vitamins that can stimulate the regrowth of new skin cells and protect the ones that are there, while the potassium levels in peach palm ensure a proper water balance in the body and facilitate the exchange of fluid to cells to keep them functioning at an optimal level.

Growth and Development: Peach palm is especially recommended for children, as it is ideal for spurring proper growth and development. Aside from its balanced composition of vitamins and minerals, peach palm also has proteins and other organic compounds that are essential for growth. Furthermore, for pregnant mothers, the folic acid levels in peach palm make it great for protecting against neural tube defects."

Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/peach-palm.html

Protium heptaphyllum

It is extracted an oil and amorphous resin, the general applications ranging from the manufacture of varnishes and paints, to have light yellow color and be solidifying in contact with air; the caulking boats to cosmetics and insect repellents. On the therapeutic side, the species presents as an expectorant and wound healing, as well as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. In folk medicine, this resin oil plant gums are used for various purposes such as, for example, stimulating, antiulcer and antiinflammatory. In religious rituals, it is used as incense to have such aromatic resin.

Source: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protium_heptaphyllum

BARU

 "The taste of almond baru, like the peanut, leads the region's population to attribute aphrodisiac properties: it is said that at the time of baru, increases the number of women who become pregnant. What we do know is that baru has a high nutritional value. The chestnut has around 23% protein, higher value than the brown-of-cashew and Brazil nuts-and-stop.

The seed can be stored in a burlap sack, indoors, for a period of one year, without any damage to the quality of the kernel. Out of coconut, almonds can also be stored for the same period, provided they are stored in plastic bags in the freezer.

The preparation of almonds for consumption is simple. After drawn from the pulp, just toast. They can be eaten alone or used in the preparation of foot-brittle, brown sugar and peanut candy.

The oil extracted from the almond is of excellent quality, and is often used by local people as a flavoring for tobacco and as antirheumatic. Despite all its qualities, the baru is not yet commercialized, being very rare to find it in the cities of Southeast fairs. It is common, however, in free-trade and health food stores in Goiás and the Federal District.

The baruzeiro qualities have been researched since the late 1980s by Embrapa and its properties make it a relevant plant. The baruzeiro because it is a fast growing tree and the quality and strength of its wood, is a plant of great interest and suitable for reforestation companies" Source: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baru

Cachaça (Portuguese pronunciation: [kaˈʃasɐ]) "is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice. Also known as aguardente, pinga de tuto, caninha^[1] or other names, it is the most popular distilled alcoholic beverage in Brazil.^[2][3] Outside Brazil, cachaça is used almost exclusively as an ingredient in tropical drinks, with the caipirinha being the most famous cocktail.^[4]"

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacha%C3%A7a}

Cumaru:

CUMARU
HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS
Main Actions	Other Actions	Standard Dosage
·  stimulates	·  reduces fever	Seeds
·  thins blood	·  aids digestion	Infusion: 1/2 cup twice daily
·  supports heart	·  promotes perspiration	Tincture: 1-2 ml twice daily
·  calms coughs
·  reduces inflammation

WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES
Amazonia	contusions, coughs, cuts, earaches, fevers, rheumatism, snakebite, shampoo
Brazil	as an antispasmodic, emmenagogue, cardiotonic, and antiasthmatic; for asthma, coughs, digestive complaints, hair loss, heart conditions, mouth sores, pain
Peru	as an antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, perfume

http://www.rain-tree.com/cumaru.htm#.VrouD5MrKRs


Guarana:

GUARANÁ
HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS
Main Actions	Other Actions	Standard Dosage
·  stimulates	·  relieves pain	Seeds
·  increases energy	·  enhances memory	Decoction: 1 cup 1-3 times daily
·  dilates blood vessls	·  mildly laxative	Tincture: 1-3 ml 2-3 times daily
·  increases urination	·  increases libido	Capsules: 1-2 g 2-3 times daily
·  soothes nerves	·  kills bacteria	Standardized Extracts:
·  fights free radicals	·  thins blood	follow label directions
·  reduces weight

WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES
Amazonia	for arteriosclerosis, blood cleansing, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fasting, fatigue, fever, headache, heart support, intestinal gas, malaria, obesity, and as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and astringent
Brazil	for constipation, convalescence, central nervous system stimulation, depression, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, exhaustion, fasting, fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal problems, headache, heart support, heat stress, intellect, intestinal gas, jet lag, lumbago, malaria, memory enhancement, menstrual problems, migraine, nervous asthenia, nervousness, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin disorders, stress, water retention. weakness, and as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, appetite suppressant, and stimulant
Canada	for fever, libido enhancement, nervous disorders, and as a stimulant and tonic
Europe	for depression, diarrhea, exhaustion, fatigue, heart support, headache, migraine, nervous disorders, neuralgia, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as a stimulant and tonic
Latin America	for diarrhea, fatigue, hangovers, headaches and as a stimulant
Mexico	for diarrhea and as a stimulant
Peru	for cellulite, convalescence, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, fever, heart support, hypertension, migraine, nerve support, neuralgia, obesity, paralysis, rheumatism, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic
South America	for arteriosclerosis, bowel problems, diarrhea, fever, heart support, nerve support, pain, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
U.S.	for appetite suppression, athletic enhancement, concentration, diarrhea, endurance, exhaustion, fatigue, headaches, mental depression or irritation, migraine, nerve support, obesity, PMS, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
Elsewhere	for convalescence, diarrhea, debility, dysentery, headache, lumbago, migraine, nerves, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic

http://www.rain-tree.com/guarana.htm#.VrotqJMrKRs


Andiroba:

"Andiroba oil is an anti-inflammatory oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids that promote skin healing from cuts and may slow the growth of skin cells in psoriasis and age spots. It promotes normal circulation to the skin and relieves pain and swelling. Andiroba oil is used in heated massage to relieve arthritis.,¹

The Northwest Amazons use the bark and leaves for fever-reducing and worm-inhibiting tea, and externally as a wash for skin problems, ulcers, and insect bites, and as an insect repellent.^2"-- http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail413.php

1.     Bell, Stacey; Balch, CNC, Phyllis A. (2012-04-03). Prescription for Herbal Healing, 2nd Edition: An Easy-to-Use A-to-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies (p. 22). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.

2    Andiroba oil may accelerate healing of skin damage by providing myristic acid, one of the chemical building blocks of an enzyme that links together the proteins that form the skin�s protective outer layer. One of the fatty acids found in andiroba oil, linolenic acid, was shown in a laboratory study to slow the growth of skin cells in psoriasis and age spots.

COPAIBO:

COPAIBA
HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS
Main Actions	Other Actions	Standard Dosage
·  relieves pain	·  increases urination	Resin
·  reduces inflammation	·  expels worms	Internal: 5-15 drops 2-3
·  kills germs	·  reduces acid	times daily
·  kills bacteria	·  supresses coughs	External: apply diluted resin
·  kills fungi	·  expels phlegm	on affected areas
·  inhibits tumor growth
·  dries secretions
·  heals wounds
·  protects gastric tract
·  mildly laxative
·  sooths and softens
·  disinfects

WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES
Amazonia	for coughs, excessive mucous, flu, gonorrhea, incontinence, inflammation, psoriasis, skin sores, syphilis, urinary tract disorders, wounds, and as a diuretic and disinfectant
Brazil	for bacterial infections, bladder infections, bronchitis, cancer, cough, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, dermatosis, diarrhea, dysentery, flu, gastric disorders, gonorrhea, hypertension, incontinence, inflammation, intestinal parasites, kidney inflammation, lung disorders, pain, pneumonia, psoriasis, respiratory problems, sinusitis, skin disorders, skin ulcers, sore throat, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, tumors, urinary infections, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge, wounds, and as an antiseptic
Europe	for bladder irritation, bronchitis, chilblains, constipation, cystitis, diarrhea, excessive mucous (bladder, vagina, respiratory tract), edema, gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, intestinal gas, itch, stimulant, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge, venereal diseases, and as an antiseptic and diuretic
Peru	for bronchitis, excessive mucous, diuretic, edema, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, herpes, incontinence, inflammation, intestinal gas, insect bites, leishmaniasis, muscle pain, pleurisy, syphilis, tetanus, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary infections, vaginal discharge, venereal disease, wounds
U. S.	as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant
Elsewhere	for constipation, dermatitis, eczema, gonorrhea, urinary insufficiency, venereal diseases, wounds, and as a massage oil

Source: http://www.rain-tree.com/copaiba.htm#.VrotKpMrKRs

Other Items available:
Arrowroot
Cassava
Moringa
Ora Pro Nobis

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