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Writer's pictureAntinanco

Turtle Island United - Plants and Wellness

Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely

a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web,

he does to himself.


Chief Seattle


Since May 2020, Antinanco and PAZA, Tree of Life have been supporting our First Nations with COVID-19-related aid as well as with tools, resources and funds to contribute to the Native communities' long-term economic, wellness and food security solutions ("Turtle Island United").


A big part of this project is focused on helping the communities integrate preventative wellness measures, nutritious foods and supplements into everyday diets. We believe this is a critical component in improving the people's health and wellbeing during the pandemic and beyond, taking into the account the needs of elders specifically. We have been preparing and distributing nutritional and wellness kits with traditional nutritionally-rich foods and plants, immune-boosting herbal tea blends, syrups, and tonics.


The Native Communities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 due to chronic health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, asthma, and cancer as a result of Indian Country's health and economic disparities. Integrating traditional herbal allies such as chokeberry, bear root, slippery elm bark, echinacea, hawthorn, nettle and other plants has been going a long way towards revival of wellness as it was known before the American and European contact, putting a smile on the faces of many elders who still remember traditional recipes.


"Native American People have been working with plants from time immemorial. The wisdom of how plants can assist with wellness came from the keen observation of the surroundings and innate understanding that all plants are our brothers and sisters and direct guides to our healing, if we can only learn to listen. We are happy to be a part of this sacred web," says Olga Sher, the Founder of Antinanco.


This effort would not be possible without generous help of Mountain Rose Herbs, a company that has been continuously supporting Turtle Island United with top-quality plants. Mountain Rose Herbs carries a large line of certifications, community commitment programs and awards, including non-GMO project Certification, Best Green Business to Work for in Oregon and the first ZERO-Waste Certified Business. We are very proud to have the support of such excellent, ethical and committed company as theirs!





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