News
Italo-Latin American Congress of Ethnomedicine
Matteo Politi will represent the Takiwasi Center during the XXVIII Italo-Latin American Congress of Ethnomedicine, which will take place at La Habana Convention Center, Cuba, from September 16 to 20, 2019.
The fundamental objective of the Italo-Latin American Society of Ethnomedicine - SILAE is to promote the research, development and use of medicinal and food plants in different countries of the world. SILAE welcomes and actively seeks opportunities to work cooperatively, activating and intensifying scientific relations between Countries and between SILAE Members.
Research initiatives at Takiwasi Center on drug addiction, mental health and traditional Amazonian medicine
As scientific director, Matteo Politi will present the main results of the research projects developed in Takiwasi with special emphasis on those related to ethnomedicine and herbal medicine. Despite the relatively recent creation of this center and its limitations in terms of personnel and resources dedicated to research programs, the overall number of activities, projects, and outputs clearly highlight the international dimension and the multidisciplinary approach of the research performed at Takiwasi. Typical initiatives well fit into the field of ethnomedicine and phytotherapy, where the use of the psychoactive brew known as Ayahuasca, a complex formula composed by Banisteriopsis caapi most often complemented by Psychotria viridis, represent only one of the many herbal TAMs used within the health service programs of the center. Such therapeutic practices have been analysed and discussed by many researchers having different backgrounds, indicating the necessity for multiple perspectives to describe this complex therapeutic approach that is based on the integration of modern medical tools with the ancient knowledge of traditional Amazonian healers. However, many scientific questions are still waiting for answers and additional efforts are needed for further advances especially in the area of drug addiction, mental health and herbal TAM.
Peruvian herbal medicines in the context of Nagoya Protocol: challenges and opportunities
During this event, the Takiwasi Center will also display a poster presentation made in collaboration with Italian and UK institutions to show the current degree in the application of the Nagoya Protocol in Peru. It is estimated that the Peruvian Amazon holds more than 1000 plant species with commercial potential and the national sales of natural products derived from medicinal and aromatic plants have exceeded $ 400 million dollars per year. BioTrade companies such as the Takiwasi Laboratory have focused mainly on the collection, processing and marketing of products based on local biodiversity under sustainability criteria. Research and development activities and collaborations are also carried out on the genetic and biochemical composition of the plants, which implies to abide by the national and international regulations, such as the Nagoya Protocol. Despite this richness in terms of indigenous traditional knowledge and biodiversity, Peru, like many other countries, is struggling to update its administrative procedures and regulations in order to respond in a timely manner to researchers and private companies that request formal access to genetic resources. These difficulties seem to inhibit the dissemination of knowledge and genetic resources worldwide.
Schedule
- Wednesday 18/9, 11:35 am.
E-poster: Peruvian herbal medicines in the context of Nagoya Protocol, challenges and opportunities.
- Friday 20/9, 12:10 pm.
Oral presentation: Research initiatives at Takiwasi Center on drug addiction, mental health and traditional Amazonian medicine.
More information on the event: SILAE 2019
Full schedule: Science and Nature for Life