organic garden full of medicinal plants such as Zacate Limón (Lemongrass), Sábila (Aloe Vera), Albahaca (Basil), Orégano (Oregano), and Plantain (Llanten).The Green Pharmacy project at the health clinic in Nueva Vida was born out of a desire to supplement the People's Pharmacy with traditional Nicaraguan botanical knowledge. Nicaragua has a rich history in natural medicine and most Nicaraguans recognize the benefits of certain plants such as lemon grass, aloe vera, basil and organo. Therefore, the use of natural medicine to supplement the commercial medicine distributed from the People's Pharmacy is both trusted by the patients and doctors and helps to make health care in Nueva Vida more sustainable.
The Green Pharmacy is still in the beginning stages of development. We have an
organic garden full of medicinal plants such as Zacate Limón (Lemongrass), Sábila (Aloe Vera), Albahaca (Basil), Orégano (Oregano), and Plantain (Llanten).
In developing the medicine to be available through the Green Pharmacy, we first investigated the history of herbal medicine in Nicaragua. We then talked to the doctors in our clinic to figure out with which herbal medicines they were familiar and comfortable in prescribing. We then compiled all this information, compared it to how much symptomatic medicine we prescribe, and began making medicine. Any patient who receives an herbal treatment also gets a follow-up appointment with the herbalist. Through this process we have gathered data on the efficacy of our medicine and have learned of additional herbal treatments.
From local plants we currently make:
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Herbal Throat Soother with Oregano, Lemon grass, and Plantain
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Cough Expectorante with Apple Cider Vinegar, Cinnamon, Basil, and Garlic
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A skin safe scabies treatment from Neem leaves
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Immune Booster with Jicaro, Cinnamon, Lemon grass, and Oregano
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Tinctures of Basil for headaches
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Tinctures of Llantén for acne
Our pharmacy is also equipped with a solar dryer and tincture/oil press developed by our first herbalist volunteer, Alyse, and the CDCA construction crew. These appropriate technology projects help us make medicine more efficiently and preserve our herbs for storage.
Green Pharmacy Manual in English
Farmacia Verde Manual en español
If you are interested in our herbalist job description