United Plant Savers

The Senses of the Soul Botanical Sanctuary and Farm is a proud member of the United Plant Savers, and is working in partnership with it to preserve, protect and propagate native medicinal plants in Canada and the United States.

If you use herbal medicine of any kind; essential oils, dried herbs, tinctures, capsuled herbs, whole food vitamins, or super foods, know that many companies say their ingredients are eco-harvested, renewably sourced or are using sustainable resources - this is quite simply and shockingly NOT TRUE! It is very difficult to trace where many herbal plants come from and most companies are not transparent and do not have any real guidelines or research that define the terms used on their labels or their websites.

United Plant Savers has developed a research methodology that evaluates and defines North American plant species as either “at risk“ or “to watch“.

“United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.

These Are Exciting Times for Herbalists. We are witnessing the art of herbalism rapidly regaining its rightful place in the American tradition of health and healing. However, as herbalism flourishes and winds its way into the “main stream“ of America, it is eliciting a unique set of problems and concerns.

Where once herbal enterprises were few and far between, it is now a competitive marketplace which has increased the demand on wild medicinal plant resources. Furthermore, other countries with an uninterrupted tradition of herbalism are experiencing a severe shortage of medicinal plants and look to the North American continent for supplying these herbs. This increased usage along with habitat destruction is causing an ever-increasing shortage of wild plant resources, including some of our most treasured medicinal species.

The work of United Plant Savers involves research, education and conservation of native medicinal plants and their habitats. We hope that you will join us in this worthwhile and important mission.“

UpS is a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” --Margaret Mead

“Social and environmental justice are also important aspects of native medicinal plant conservation that are not adequately discussed and addressed. We need to look beyond the packaging and ask who are the people harvesting these plants, what are they getting paid, how is this sustainable to the people, the plants, and the ecosystems. We have to raise the bar and lift the veil if we are going to pay farmers/harvesters fair prices and shift towards conservation through cultivation. When you look at the prices paid for forest botanicals, you see they are based on the uncompensated ecosystem services that provide wild plants. The ecosystems that produce wild populations are sadly being tapped and the economic incentive of realistically farming slow-growing woodland botanicals is going to need to be readdressed if we are going to ensure a future of the medicinal plants we use and love. ” - from Pirates for the Planet by UpS Executive Director, Susan Leopold

Donate and/or become a member of United Plant Savers now! www.unitedplantsavers.org