Amazon Herb Company Helps a Shipibo Village

Economic Hard Times

The Shipibo elders met yet again to discuss the economic condition of the tribe.  It was in the mid 1980s.  Lumbering interests had offered to buy some of their pristine land for lumber.  What other choice did they have?  The village was in a state of social and economic disintegration.  They postponed their decision, hoping to find a better solution.

Tribe Improves Health of Trader

One of the traders they had known for many years appeared at their village, wracked with fever and very weak.  They took him in.  The curanderos,

Rainforest people who understand the secrets of the plants,  prepared a special tea for him to drink, made from herbs, bark and roots they knew to be health giving.  For eleven days they nursed him, and brought him back to health.  “Why didn’t your village give you this tea?” they asked him.  John Easterling was totally grateful to the Shipibo tribe.  His level of energy, endurance and mental clarity was better that it had been before he became sick.

He spoke with the curanderos about bringing some of their herbs back to the United States, to share with his doctor friends.  John had always been friendly with the Indigenous community, and they were happy to comply with his request.  They prepared a collection of herbs, with directions for John to pass on.  John was elated.  He had found the treasure of the rainforest.

Searching for the Treasures

In 1989, after doctors decided these herbs brought something special, John Easterling founded Amazon Herb Company, committed to help the rainforest and the people who saved his health, and earned the nickname Amazon John.  John researched each herb, brought back the ancient wisdom imparted to him from the curandaros, the doctors checked the herbs out, and formulas evolved that met many people’s needs.

Revenue for Rainforest Communities

Now that Amazon Herb Co. is providing the Shipibo tribe resources for the sustainable and ecological harvesting of medicinal plants, they have an ongoing stream of revenue.  They have told John that their sense of dignity had returned along with the finances to make new choices about their own future. 

Many villages have chosen to work with and harvest for the Amazon Herb Co.  They are full partners in our company.  Building channels of trust and mutual respect with indigenous Rainforest communities is at the heart of our corporate mission. 

Sustainable Future for the Rainforest

Choosing healthy products and sharing these ideas with others supports a healthy, sustainable future for the Amazon Rainforest.  Our model of ecological commerce and rainforest preservation is now a proven model for a healthy future.  Partnering with Indigenous Rainforest communities with a common vision and goal provides incentives to support the healthy Rainforest and is a winning strategy that works.  This model can continue to work generations into the future.

Securing Title to the Land

In 2003, we celebrated our greatest landmark victory to date.  In August of 2003, thirteen thousand acres of land were deeded to the idyllic Rainforest community of Porvenir, one of the Shipibo villages.  Three years before, the chief of Porvenir had asked Amazon John for help in securing title to the village’s land.  John was honored to spearhead the process.  Both knew it was a critical step to take to protect the land and the Porvenir community from encroaching lumber companies.  Amazon Herb Company arranged legal assistance, as well as funds for the village leaders to travel to meet with the lawyers.  Engineers were brought to survey the land and create detailed mapping of the area Porvenir hoped to secure.  Processing fees and taxes were paid.  For over three years, paperwork traveled up and down the Ucayali River, a tributary of the Amazon, gathering signatures from the villagers, the lawyers and the government agencies in Iquitos.

Lumberers Clearcut Villagers’ Land

A crisis developed when the villagers found an area of their land had been clear-cut.  The loggers had loaded lumber on their barge and were on the way down the river to deliver their bounty.  They left their saws behind at the scene.  The villagers took the saws and hid them, hoping to stall further cutting.  When the loggers returned, a confrontation ensued, with the loggers threatening legal action against the village.  Amazon Herb Company engineers and attorneys were alerted. The chief and village leaders were brought to Iquitos to defend their case. Three months later, the courts ruled in favor of the village.  The land rights of Porvenir have been successfully been defended. The Rainforest wins.  The lumber company loses.

Success in the Peruvian Courts

Just after the victory of their land settlement, a general assembly was held to announce the good news and to praise “Mr. John Easterling and his North American friends” who enabled them to procure the deeds to their community.  The ledger entry for that month was devoted to the heartfelt appreciation of the entire village.  The declaration is signed not only by the four leaders but by every adult member of the village in attendance.

A Proven Economic Model for Saving the Rainforest

Amazon Herb Co. is committed to duplicating this success in other communities.  John Easterling has already begun the process for the village of Neuvo Eden, to legally protect their 100,000 acres.  One village at a time - that is how Amazon John plans to carry out his mission of keeping the Rainforest alive.  His commitment is to help the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon legally claim their land.  Together, through friendship and partnership, they will work toward a bright future for their communities and the Rainforest.

You Are Invited to Share in this Vision

Support the rainforest and your health as well, a win-win solution.  Your health is your greatest asset.  Health today is being challenged by viruses, bacteria,  and environmental contaminants.  By using the Amazon Herb formulas, you’re giving yourself time-tested and proven Rainforest phyto-nutritional ingredients.  Learn more about the herbal formulas which bring stamina, balance, and nourishment, the caffeine-free teas with a wonderful mellow taste, organic chocolate, natural skin care, plant based cleaners and support for healthy pets, as well as the activities of the Amazon Herb Co. in the Rainforest.

10% goes back to the Rainforest

His commitment is to help the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon legally claim their land.  Together, through friendship and partnership, they will work toward a bright future for their communities and the Rainforest.

Want your own EcoBusiness?

Contributing to the health of the planet has never been simpler.  Support partnerships with the Indigenous communities that sustainably harvest wild nourishing plants and preserve the Rainforest, while building a business you can feel good about. 

Supercharge your life.

Whether you want to bring your body into balance, save the rainforest, or make a fortune you can feel good about, wild grown Amazon Herbs can be part of the answer.