Be a responsible consumer and buy sustainable rainforest products. It CAN make a difference if the rainforest is to be saved from destruction. What really is sustainability? It is when the functions and processes of an ecosystem can be maintained (or sustained) while meeting the needs of the present and without compromising the needs of future generations. Most present economic models ignores environmental degradation when assessing profits. For an economy like ours in the U.S. whose growth and health is defined by the intensive exploitation of natural resources, we MUST integrate principles of sustainability if we are to survive.
As we promote products like those listed below, be aware that there is a limited amount which can be consumed. The concept of sustainability transcends the traditional rules of "supply and demand" as each ecosystem determines the ceiling of its productivity. Overconsumption is a driving force behind deforestation. The primary question for us must be, not which herbal supplement, ice cream, or candy should I buy, but, do I need to buy this?
There are many factors that must be taken into consideration. The first step is to support the land and resource rights and economies of indigenous peoples. These knowledgeable people have inhabited rainforests for millenia without destroying them. We need them to teach us how to use the forests without damaging them. There are medicines, foods and other unknown treasures that can be harvested without jeopardizing the future. Preserving indigenous cultures is key to saving the rainforest. Those from developed countries have much to learn from indigenous peoples in terms of our relationship with the Earth. By respecting and allowing them to lead the way towards a true, stable utilization of this bountiful resource, if they choose to utilize it in any commercial way at all, we have the potential of achieving true sustainability.
Being a responsible consumer is hard work. How can you tell if a product has been sustainably harvested? It is difficult. Ask questions. Find out where your purchases really come from. Where are your dollars really going? Who is benefitting from the profit? Is any of the profit returned to the indigenous people supplying rainforest products or raw materials? How much? Who receives the funds there? As a consumer, you are directly affecting the economy and ecology of the globe. You do have power - it's called purchasing power! Use it!
Raintree Nutrition was once a leading supplier of rainforest medicinal plants and supplements. Please note: the company, Raintree Nutrition, Inc., is no longer in business (as of December 31, 2012). This Raintree wesbite is now owned by Leslie Taylor and it does not offer any herbal or dietary supplement or plant product for sale. This is an information only website. The following links are to other companies offering products made from rainforest plants, fruits, or other ingredients, some of which were developed and previously sold by Raintree. By clicking on the links below, you will leave the Raintree website and no warranty or implied recommendation nor endorsement is made for these independent companies or their products.
Rainforest Pharmacy
P.O. Box 771686
Miami Fl 33177
Website
305 235-9880
This company manufactures and sells many of the bulk plants, products and formulas which Raintree Nutrition once sold (as well as others) under the Rainforest Pharmacy name brand. Leslie Taylor now gets her personal rainforest supplements from them.
Herbs America Company
PO Box 446
Murphy, Oregon 97533
Website
541 846-6222
This company offers a small line of rainforest herbal extracts and bulk herbs under the name brand, Amazon Therapuetics.
Tropilab Inc.
P.O.BOX 48164
St. Petersburg, Fl. 33743
E mail: info@tropilab.com
Website
877 808-9410
This company offers a large line of herbal tinctures and bulk plants, mostly from the Surinam rainforest in South America. Many of their herbs can be found in the Raintree Tropical Plant Database.
Nutramedix, LLC.
2885 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 1600
Jupiter, FL 33458
Website
Phone: 800 730-3130
This company manufactures a line of herbal extracts, some of which are havested in the Amazon rainforest and sold under the Nutramedix brand name. Most of thier rainforest ingredients can be found in the Raintree Plant Database.
Whole World Botanicals, Inc.
PO Box 322074 Ft. Wash. Station
New York NY 10032
Website
Phone: 877 885-5517
This comany offers a small line of 8 rainforest herbal supplements sold in capsules and/or extracts under the Whole World Botanicals brand name. All of their rainforest ingredients can be found in the Tropical Plant Database.
Amazon Discovery
257 Lafayette St
Tamaqua, Pa 18252
Website
Phone: 855 766-17721
This company offers a large line of bulk herb powders and powdered extracts with a minimum quantity of one pound. Quite a few of their products are harvested in the Amazon and can be found in the Tropical Plant Database.
Raintree Formulas
This company opened shortly after Raintree Nutrition closed. Their "creative" marketing made it appear that Leslie Taylor closed Raintree Nutrition and started Raintree Formulas. This is false. Leslie Taylor, Raintree Nutrition, and this Raintree website has no affiliation whatsoever with Raintree Formulas.
Many of the brands listed above, as well as other major dietary supplement brands now selling some rainforest supplements in their product lines can be purchased online thru these online retailers.
MyHerbs.net
Amazon.com
Ebay
iHerb
VitaCost
Tropilab Inc.
P.O.BOX 48164
St. Petersburg, Fl. 33743
E mail: info@tropilab.com
Website
877 808-9410
Top Tropicals
4080 Orange River Loop Rd,
Ft Myers, FL 33905
Website
239 689-5745
Whatcom Seed Company
P.O. Box 40700
Eugene, OR 97404
Website
206 219-6677
The RainSeed Company
207 Howard Park Ave, Suite 3
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website
416 767-0649
Pebani Inversiones S.A
Av. Julio Bayletti 312 Of. 201
San Borja - Lima 41 Peru
Phone: 511 3460965
info@pebani.com.pe
Website
Rainforest Natural Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 771686
Miami Fl 33177
Website
Phone: 305 235-9880
info@rainforestnp.com
Santosflora
Rua Tuiuti, 718 / 720
Sao Paulo - SP - Brasil
Website
Phone 55 (11) 2091 - 8787
Ecuadorian Rainforest, LLC
25 Main Street
Belleville, NJ 07109
Website
Phone: 973 759-2002
Peruvian Nature S&S S.A.C.
Calle Las Gardenias Mz I, Lote 12,
Urb. Praderas de Lurin Lima 16 - Peru
Website
Phone: (511) 717-8720
sales@peruviannature.com
Amazon Forest, Inc.
102 - 106 Hillcrest Ave
Ledgewood NJ 07852
Website
Phone: 973-584-3900
Blue Macaw Flora
Jardim Sonia Maria, Mauá, São Paulo, Brasil
Website
Phone: +55 (11) 2503 5356
Brazilian Forest
Sao Paulo, Brasil
Website
Phone: 55 11 3781-6416
contact@brazilianforest.com.br
ORG by Vio
P.O. Box 1239
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Website
213 986-5063
Looking for a truly unique gift? Check out the beautiful Amazonian indigenous jewlery and crafts offered here.
Guayaki
6784 Sebastopol Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website
888 482-9254
Sells sustainably harvested yerba mate tea and tea accessories.
Chicza Rainforest Gum
The Chicza Rainforest Gum Initiative
Consorcio Chiclero S.C. de R.L.
Chetumal, Mexico
info@chicza.com
Website
The first certified organic, 100% natural and biodegradable chewing gum using natural gum from the rainforest chicle tree.
Forests of the World, LLC
1410 Cross St.
Durham, NC 27701
Website
(919) 957-1500
This company imports and distributes fairly-traded products made by people living in and around endangered forests worldwide.
One World Projects, Inc.
21 Ellicott Avenue
Batavia, NY 14020-2010
Website
Phone: 716 343-4490
Founded in 1993, One World Projects is perhaps the largest distributor and importer of rain forest products in terms of the types of products and number of producer groups they support. Their primary mission is to develop markets for products made from renewable forest resources which can be harvested in a sustainable manner without damage to the forest ecosystem, while providing rain forest inhabitants with a just means of economic subsistence.