Natural Product Partners

HERBS: A Way of Life in Jamaica

Jamaica, once one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean, is today not only known for its rich culture but for its herbs- no not just Marijuana, but herbs that have transcended our African ancestry to play a major role in most people's lives today. Doctors have always been in short supply in Jamaica, especially in deep rural areas, so people have always tried to use creative means to get cures from whatever ails them.

Visit any rural community in Jamaica and you will be besieged with a barrage of opportunities to improve your life and general well being with herbs or for the sake of this article, with regular everyday plants and foodstuff. >>>>Full Story>>>

Neem as Medicine

Neem (Azadirachtin indica) extracts are used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and bio-pesticides, which are sold around the world. Even a cursory search on the internet brings up many pages on neem and many on companies selling neem products.

Neem has many names: "Heal all", Divine Tree", "Village Pharmacy", "Nature's drugstore", "Tree of thousand uses" "Neem - the wonder tree". Some of the many uses, which have been scientifically validated, are shown below. Neem is truly a real multi-purpose tree.

It is used in agriculture (for example, as wood for implements, shade, pesticides, manure); in medicine (for example, as antipathogen, immuno-modulator, anti-diabetic); in forestry (for example, as timber, fuel, wind breaker, raw material) and in household (for example, as pest repellent, food preservative, soap). Some of the neem preparations are for internal administration, while others such as nasal drops, medicated oils or fats are for external application. >>>>Full Story>>>