The following represents various steps that form part of a systematic development of herbal and dietary self-sufficiency for First Nations peoples. Any particular Reserve or Reservation can determine which of these steps it is prepared to develop and invest in. The other steps can be coordinated with others carrying out the project to develop overall efficiency and economy of scale.

Growing/harvesting of:

        1.) Herbs
        2.) Grains
        3.) Produce
        4.) Fruit
        5.) Drying of Herbs
        6.) Storing/Transporting of above
        7.) Distribution Fulfillment
        8.) Grinding and Encapsulating Capacities
        9.) Bottling/Packaging
      10.) Bagging of:
            (a) Loose Teas
            (b)Tea Bags

        1.) Growing/Locating (wild)

        2.) Harvesting
        3.) Preparation/Storing
        4.) Transporting
        5.) Quarantine/Quality Controls, etc.
        6.) Grinding
        7.) Encapsulating
        8.) Bottling
        9.) Labeling
      10.) Packing/Casing
      11.) Warehousing
      12.) Order Entry
      13.) Fulfillment
      14.) Accounting
      15.) Education/Training
      16.) Sales/Marketing
      17.) Graphics/Design work
      18.) Packaging Teas and Loose Herbs
      19.) First Nations Herbal Materia Medica (handbook for use of the herbs and treatment of conditions)
 

Support Information:

• First Nations Materia Medica:

• BOLD = Major Herb
• include: common name, Latin name, names used in First Nations traditional uses
• methods of preparation and administration
• how and where found
• description of plant
• in US pharmacopoeia
• indications
• contra-indications
• other information such as, chemicals, active constituents, scientific research, etc.

• By condition/symptom
• Refer to primary classification by herb name for herbs used to alleviate or ameliorate the conditions

• Background and history of First Nations use of herbal medicines and stores (such as the pycnogenol story), and relevance to today’s health needs.