CITES
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. It is an international voluntary agreement. When governments sign on, it is legally binding if they implement complementary domestic legislation. CITES has one of the largest international memberships of participating countries among conservation agreements. It was initially adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of The World Conservation Union and the text was fully agreed upon in 1975.
The CITES appendices refer to the level of protection granted a particular species. Those listed in Appendix I are the most endangered and their international trade is prohibited, except in noncommercial circumstances, such as permitted scientific research. Those species listed in Appendix II are not currently threatened with extinction, but there is the danger that they will be unless their trade is restricted. Species on this list are only traded if it is not detrimental to their survival in the wild. Ayurvedic herbs such as jatamansi (the subject of the feature story in this issue) and kutki are on this list, therefore many companies will no longer sell them. In an effort to preserve their ability to survive, efforts are underway to more widely propagate Appendix II species, or to protect their habitat.
Organic
There are a number of certifying bodies conferring organic credentialing on foods, herbs, supplements and other products. In general, organic regulations hold farming and collecting to the standard that excludes the use of synthetic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and hormones and simultaneously encourages the use of ecologically-based practices. The United States Department of Agriculture has a National Organic Program with an accompanying seal for certified products. For more information about organic, visit:organic-center.org.
A number of Ayurvedic product companies are committed to growing, buying and distributing organically grown medicinal herbs. This is by no means a comprehensive list.
Banyan Botanicals offers bulk organic herbs, pressed capsules and oils and formulations: banyanbotanicals.com.
Pukka Herbs features organically grown unique tea blends and Ayurvedic herbs: pukkaherbs.com.
Organic India and Ayurveda Organics features organically grown herbal capsules and tulsi (holy basil) tea blends: organicindiausa.com.
Floracopeia specializes in replanting the global garden as well as sustainably grown organic essential oils and resins: floracopeia.com.
Organix South is the leading manufacturer of organically grown neem products. Owner Autumn Blum is a chemist and believer in the medicinal power of neem: organixsouth.com.
Bazaar of India features a wide range of USDA certified organic herbs and other Ayurvedic products: bazaarofindia.com.
TriHealth Ayurvedic oils are not certified organic, but the company uses suppliers who grow without pesticides and other chemicals
(and also without a nearby certifying agency) or wildcrafted herbs: oilbath.com.
Sarada USA hand-crafts skin and body care products using only chemical and additive-free ingredients: saradausa.com.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic takes organic one step further, according to Jaime Dorsey at Zhena’s Gypsy Teas. This year, the tea company launched a line of five completely biodynamic teas: blueberry vanilla, caramelized pear, mango ginger, kiwi peach and black forest berry. These are certified by Demeter, meaning that each of the ingredients was grown in biodynamic conditions.
The principles of the biodynamic system are based on teachings first given in 1924 by scientist and philosopher Dr. R Rudolf Steiner who emphasized the fact that a farm is a self-contained living organism. Biodynamic farming is done without any external inputs from outside the land, whether natural or artificial. The set of practices encourage a sustainable environment filled with prana
(life-force). According to Dorsey, biodynamic practices can actually repair damaged soil; farmers are starting to buy and reclaim
land damaged by chemically intensive modern agriculture using Earth-centered biodynamic principles. In addition, biodynamic farms have the lowest carbon footprint of any form of agriculture and are less water-intensive than other types of farming.
Demeter is a nonprofit network of ecological associations. It is founded on the principles expounded by Dr. Rudolf Steiner and the only certifying body for biodynamic agriculture worldwide: demeter-usa.org.
October – Pink and Biodynamic
Visit Whole Foods locations throughout October to learn more about biodynamic farming and to taste Zhena’s biodynamic teas: gypsytea.com.
Zhena’s Gypsy Teas are featuring a Breast Health Month promotion for the month of October where 70 cents from each tin sold in their line of Pink Teas will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation: gypsytea.com.
By Felicia M. Tomasko, RN
