Natural Remedies has launched a new quality and sustainability program called Herb Secure, which provides its ingredient supply with vertically-integrated quality and sustainability controls.
 
The company’s commitment to agricultural, collection, manufacturing, laboratory, and quality practices have led to the company receiving the CII-ITC Sustainability Award from the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD).
 
Natural Remedies has also strengthened its partnerships with regional farmers to rediscover ancient cultivation practices, and blend those values with modern science, through ingredient chains such as that of BacoMind Bacopa monnieri.
 
“Bacopa agronomy enables farmers to build a brighter future,” said C.H.S. Aravind, head of global marketing. “We partner with them by offering comprehensive training programs, and ongoing support. This empowers them to transition from traditional crops to a more sustainable medicinal herb.  Our focus on sustainability extends to minimizing our carbon footprint.”
 
For bacopa, one or two early weedings are done by hand to eliminate the need for harmful herbicides, safeguarding the delicate wetland. In accordance with Ayurveda, the plants are nourished with Jeevamrut, a natural plant tonic mentioned in the Vrushka Ayurveda. Rainwatter harvesting systems are tapped, ensuring that the water used is clean and sustainable.
 
Throughout the growth cycle, farmers monitor crops and growing conditions to ensure that the plants contain optimal levels of bioactives from seed to harvest. The leaves are dried immediately after harvest to prevent mold growth and ensure highest quality, before being transported to Natural Remedies’ ISO 14001-certified facility for extraction. BacoMind extract is then analyzed for purity, potency, and the absence of contaminants.
 
“We are an ISO14001-certified (environment management system) company and dedicated to employing sustainable practices from seed to shelf. The vast majority of our herbs are cultivated using ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ & ‘Good Cultivation’ Practices,” said Suresh Lakshmikanthan, chief business officer. “We recycle and reuse the water used for growing agricultural crops, thereby maintaining optimal groundwater levels. During manufacturing, the majority of the power utilized is from hydro and solar energy sources.”
 
All of Natural Remedies’ agricultural operations are done manually, from land preparation to post-harvest processing, to minimize carbon footprint, along with relying on rainwater and protective irrigation.
 
“We partner with local communities, providing a reliable income stream for farmers and their families. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the environment. Switching from traditional crops to Bacopa cultivation offers farmers a brighter future. We empower them with micro-financing, extensive training, and on-the-job training and support,” said Lakshmikanthan.