Generations of African rural communities have used locally grown plant extracts and oils for nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. One such plant product is marula oil, which is extracted from the fruit kernels of the marula tree, native to southern Africa. Previously unheard of outside of Africa, the… read more
In the Imbabura province of Ecuador lies the beautiful Manduriacos Valley, a sub-tropical zone surrounded by primary forest and rich in bio-diversity. Life for the valley’s human inhabitants, however, hasn’t been easy. The continuing decline in farming income, poor infrastructure and limited economic resources have all had an… read more
Niaouli essential oil (Melaleuca viridiflora) is extracted from the leaves of the niaouli tree, which grows in abundance in Madagascar. Highly sought after for its medicinal properties, the oil belongs to the same family as tea tree oil and has similar antiseptic, antibacterial and stimulating qualities. Niaouli oil… read more