I've recently started a new blog, documenting my new journey in Brazil. Working with the forests and the environment....
http://protectingforests.blogspot.com.br/
http://protectingforests.blogspot.com.br/
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Permaculture/sustainable/organic demo site Maharashtra
Recently I was contacted by someone who is interested in creating a 5 acre demo site for his village.
It's about 7 plots, that he would like to convert to include the following:
Food forest, kitchen garden and sustainable/organic demo plots of the kinds of crops other farmers in his village grow.
Arriving at the land, which is about a 3-4 hour drive depending on road conditions, one can immediately notice the dry state the soil and land is in.
They haven't had a decent monsoon season in over 2 years.
However, the land itself is beautiful with distant hills surrounding the area.
It's the midst of summer here in Maharashtra so the heat of course was obvious and was needed in large amounts.
I was shown an example kitchen garden which had some castor plants, and few other herbs, but overall the quality and vitality of the plants were less, this ultimately seemed to be an issue of water availability.
All farmers in this village use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, although a few farmers are progressive in the sense of trying new techniques on their crops to see if the use of the chemicals could possibly be mitigated.
One farmer we visited, used a netting over his crops to help keep the insects out. He saved a significant amount of money in the process of using this net. However, he will need to remove the net in order to allow for the pollination of the crops. And at this time he mentioned he may also need to use a little bit of pesticides.
In my mind water retention is the main priority, followed by improving the soil quality.
They mentioned that there is a free soil testing service provided by the government, called KVK. According to their website they test, pH, electric conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, exchangeable sodium, calcium and magnesium.
This would of course be a good place to start for many of these farmers who have never taken a soil test. As manure and urea is often a main source of fertilizer, tests are needed to ensure that the balance of nutrients are in order.
Unfortunately in this region, farmers have been taken advantage of in the past in terms of products. They mentioned a story that someone had spent 80,000 rupees for someone to manage their fields organically for 1 year. And the result was that the produce did not fair well.
Anyone should be very skeptical of those who say you can become organic in 1 year, especially after years of chemical use on soils. Generally it may take about 3 years to switch to organic practices while maintaining productivity, and another 3 years of being organic in order to be called organic. In total it's more of a 6 year process. Sure anyone can go organic overnight, but that doesn't mean that it will be financially viable for the farmer. It could take him another 3 years of organic in order for that crop to show any positive change, and for someone who lives off of the income from a farm, it's not a solution in becoming organic.
They spoke about the increasing problem of pest resistance, and mentioned a few of the issues that they had seen such as downy mildew, mealybug (often attracted to plants with an over application of fertilizer and overwatered), karpa and blight (can be mitigated with plant rotations, avoid watering from above, and water early in the day).
On our way back to Pune we spotted this guy::
It's about 7 plots, that he would like to convert to include the following:
Food forest, kitchen garden and sustainable/organic demo plots of the kinds of crops other farmers in his village grow.
Arriving at the land, which is about a 3-4 hour drive depending on road conditions, one can immediately notice the dry state the soil and land is in.
They haven't had a decent monsoon season in over 2 years.
However, the land itself is beautiful with distant hills surrounding the area.
It's the midst of summer here in Maharashtra so the heat of course was obvious and was needed in large amounts.
I was shown an example kitchen garden which had some castor plants, and few other herbs, but overall the quality and vitality of the plants were less, this ultimately seemed to be an issue of water availability.
All farmers in this village use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, although a few farmers are progressive in the sense of trying new techniques on their crops to see if the use of the chemicals could possibly be mitigated.
One farmer we visited, used a netting over his crops to help keep the insects out. He saved a significant amount of money in the process of using this net. However, he will need to remove the net in order to allow for the pollination of the crops. And at this time he mentioned he may also need to use a little bit of pesticides.
In my mind water retention is the main priority, followed by improving the soil quality.
They mentioned that there is a free soil testing service provided by the government, called KVK. According to their website they test, pH, electric conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, exchangeable sodium, calcium and magnesium.
This would of course be a good place to start for many of these farmers who have never taken a soil test. As manure and urea is often a main source of fertilizer, tests are needed to ensure that the balance of nutrients are in order.
Unfortunately in this region, farmers have been taken advantage of in the past in terms of products. They mentioned a story that someone had spent 80,000 rupees for someone to manage their fields organically for 1 year. And the result was that the produce did not fair well.
Anyone should be very skeptical of those who say you can become organic in 1 year, especially after years of chemical use on soils. Generally it may take about 3 years to switch to organic practices while maintaining productivity, and another 3 years of being organic in order to be called organic. In total it's more of a 6 year process. Sure anyone can go organic overnight, but that doesn't mean that it will be financially viable for the farmer. It could take him another 3 years of organic in order for that crop to show any positive change, and for someone who lives off of the income from a farm, it's not a solution in becoming organic.
They spoke about the increasing problem of pest resistance, and mentioned a few of the issues that they had seen such as downy mildew, mealybug (often attracted to plants with an over application of fertilizer and overwatered), karpa and blight (can be mitigated with plant rotations, avoid watering from above, and water early in the day).On our way back to Pune we spotted this guy::
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
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.
" 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 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
Cumaru:
http://www.rain-tree.com/cumaru.htm#.VrouD5MrKRs
Guarana:
http://www.rain-tree.com/guarana.htm#.VrotqJMrKRs
Andiroba:
COPAIBO:
Source: http://www.rain-tree.com/copaiba.htm#.VrotKpMrKRs
Other Items available:
Arrowroot
Cassava
Moringa
Ora Pro Nobis
smile emoticon
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."
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.
BARU
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.
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]"
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
|
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"--
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.
|
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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