SOCIETY / ENVIRONMENT – Discovering the Refuge Garden for Endangered Medicinal Species “JaREM” in Allada, Benin Republic

If there is a continent in the world that has lost its ancient knowledge of traditional medicine the most, it is undoubtedly Black Africa. And yet, it shouldn't have happened. Apart from the degradation of the environment in several places on the continent, the loss of endogenous knowledge due to non-transmission and conservation is the greatest danger which threatens the future of medicinal species which have long constituted the only pharmacy of African populations. And that for millennia…

“An old man who dies in Africa is a library that burns”. This is unfortunately the observation in the field of the sustainable use of natural resources. In addition, the development and modernization, the destruction of forests for the benefit of farms and, by extension, of medicinal species exert enormous pressure on biodiversity. Faced with this lackluster picture due to the lack of attachment of young people to the business of plant conservation, it must be remedied through the creation of a refuge for these plants for their protection. And thus, we can promote the emergence of female entrepreneurship in the field of the protection and conservation of medicinal plants threatened with extinction, which is a Capital for the Future. This is how the GARDEN REFUGE OF ENDANGERED MEDICINAL SPECIES Project “JaREM”, a department of Green Power and General Trade, was born.

Green Power and General Trade has within it the creation of a Botanical Garden of endangered plant species, in order to Recreate Lost Landscapes to reduce the threats to natural forests in our country. It is intended as a framework for the conservation of plants threatened with extinction, the promotion of medicinal plants and the popularization of the use of medicinal plants and finally the creation of employment for the benefit of young people. It will also meet the health needs of the community and the protection of the environment. Its vocation is the production, conservation and enhancement of endangered plant species through the creation of the “Plant Refuge” garden. It works in the field of sustainable development, climate change (environmental technologies) and agri-food. The resolution of the problem of plant disappearance lies in the development and protection of the environment for a healthy way of life for the population through the sustainable management of natural resources for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 and 15 .

Four (04) activities support the sustainability of Green Power and General Trade.

The first sector of activity is essentially the production of plant species threatened with extinction called Refuge Garden for Endangered Medicinal Species ("Jardin Refuge des Plantes").

From 2017-2022, more than 30,000 plants of 15 different species "Reign over health" which deals with the transformation of plants into finished products (Daddy's secret, Palu VÔ, Dâh-Han ''therapeutic liquor'', Fire whisky, Liberation ''the honey which resurrects your liver'') have been produced.

Table 1: List of rare medicinal plants produced and kept in the garden

The second area of activity is recovery.

This promotion of medicinal plants includes three sub-projects:

• "Proxi-Légumes" is responsible for the production, processing and home delivery of organic vegetables (large nightshade, wild basil, vernonia, beetroot, parsley, horsehair, carrot, cabbage, salad, chilli, tomato, amaranth). Proxi-Légumes offers organic vegetable boxes to customers, bringing organic market gardening closer to the consumer.
• “Organic Lemongrass Tea” is the production of seven (07) different lemongrass-based teas (My Day's Secret Lemongrass Tea, Ginger Lemongrass Tea, Mint Lemongrass Tea, Moringa Lemongrass Tea, Peaceful Night Lemongrass Tea, lemongrass with cinnamon, Artemisia tea, Saint Jean tea).
• "Reign over health" which deals with the transformation of plants into finished products (Daddy's secret, Palu VÔ, Golden whyskey ''Special libido'', Liberation ''the honey that resurrects your liver'').

Presentation of the product (available and on the market)

The flagship products / solutions supported by the structure available and on the market are: Lemongrass tea secret of my day, Lemongrass tea with moringa, Lemongrass tea "peaceful night" and Liberation "which is a honey that resuscitates the liver".

In addition to these products we produce these different products:

• Ginger lemongrass tea which detoxifies the pancreas, kidneys, bladder and digestive tract. A natural sedative, it accentuates weight loss and also relieves symptoms related to flu.
• Mint-fresh lemongrass tea, rich in vitamin K. It stimulates the functions of the stomach. Its minty taste gives you a freshness that lasts all day.

  

• Secret lemongrass tea of my day, which activates digestion, stimulates stomach functions, fights stubborn colitis, eliminates toxins and excess fat.
• Moringa lemongrass tea, Contains vitamins A, B and C and minerals such as calcium, iron and amino acids, potassium and proteins. It activates digestion, stimulates the functions of the stomach protects the cardiovascular system.
• Cinnamon lemongrass tea is an immune system booster. True regulator of the digestive system, it is an aphrodisiac in particular in men and a good regulator of sugar, glucose and cholesterol in the body.
• Lemongrass tea "peaceful night" is an excellent, sedative, relaxant, hypoglycemic and analgesic. The “peaceful night” tea protects the cardiovascular system. It contains vitamins A, B and C and minerals such as calcium and iron in proportions that far exceed common food products; as well as amino acids, potassium and proteins.
• Saint Jean tea is indicated for the effective treatment of gastric and intestinal ulcers, diabetes and infections.
• Daddy's secret for the treatment of temporary infertility problems,
• Fire whiskey men and Dah-han which is a therapeutic liquor,
• Liberation which is a honey that resurrects the liver.

The third sector of activity is animal production "organic breeding on range of bicycle chickens, goliath, brahma, guinea fowl, duck, sheep, etc.).

The fourth area of activity is research.

The garden will serve as a training center.

Each year Green Power and General Trade receive trainees who are trained in situ on our various themes.

The headquarters of JaREM-Benin Republic is located in Allada-Goussikpota - Tel. +229 69 128 328 - email: ongjarem@gmail.com

By Marcellin Ahouangan with the collaboration of Green Power and General Trade.