The Alternative Herbal Industries (AHI) is a value driven, high-quality herbal tea and other herbal products manufacturer and supplier.

Where we come from
A group of development professionals working for over 5 years on processing and market development of herbs and medicinal plants in the School of Ecology, Agriculture and Community Works (SEACOW), a programme of a non-governmental organisation, realised that a separate commercial entity was needed if SEACOW was to promote community-enterprises. We were having much difficulty in balancing the community-oriented mindset with the commercial mindset at the same time. As a response to this situation, a separate commercial entity named Alternative Herbal Industries (AHI) was established in 1998.

AHI, with the support of its social partner SEACOW, started its work with a couple of totally natural, traditional recipe-based, hand processed and minimally packaged herbal teas. Now, it, together with primary producer organisations of some of the most marginalized groups of people, has developed a variety of herbal teas and supplied them in national as well as international markets.

Our business
We aim to achieve commercial success by meeting our customers' needs through the provision of high quality, good value herbal products with competent, reliable and responsive service. We also aim to benefit the primary producers and treat them with respect and integrity. We listen to our stakeholders and involve them more in decision-making. Community-based trade is a fundamental part of the way AHI does business. We buy raw materials from community-based producer organisations/ suppliers of some of the most marginalized groups of people in Nepal at a fair price. We respect communities' rights to control their resources and lives.

We design and produce totally natural, high quality, good value herbal teas and supply them in national as well as international markets. Two brands with six different tastes have already gone to the markets and selling well. We are in the process of developing herbal tooth powder, cold herbal teas and other more brands with specific medicinal values.

We also supply raw and semi-processed herbs and finished-products e.g. herbal teas nationally and internationally. Together with Chepang co-operative, we have supplied our products to costumers such as The Body Shop International and Oxfam-Wereldwinkels, Belgium. Nationally, we have supplied semi-processed herbs to Singha Darbar Baidhyakhana, etc. and finished-products to department store, teashops and other tourist shops and restaurants.

The alternative way
Most of the raw materials used for our products are collected from primary producer organisations of some of the most marginalized groups of people in Nepal. AHI does not buy products in exploitative in terms of both- human and nature. It is supported by its social partner in making sure that the step AHI taking is fair enough in compensating primary producers and harvest does not cause overexploitation of the resources. Harvesting of herbs is designed to be a method of preserving the environment, allowing local people to make a living without destroying the resource base. If the demand seems to be rising, the producers are supported in planting such herbs. AHI's raw materials sourcing catchments increases according to the expansion of the working areas of its social partner.

AHI aims to do community-based ethical business. We provide fair price that covers production, wages and also enables an investment in the community and the future as far as the primary producers are concerned. We also inform them about other selling opportunities elsewhere and facilitate the development of trading relationship when necessary. The community-based producer organisations that supply raw materials are also the shareholders of AHI. On top of the fair payment, 50% of the profit goes back to its social partner in enabling them to undertake social activities towards creating self-sufficient, sustainable, conscious and just society.

The communities we are trading with
Currently, we have trading relationship with two communities - Chepang and Dalit.

Chepang:
The Chepang people, some 0.4 percent of the total population, are one of the 61 indigenous groups recognized by the government. They live in the inhospitable and rugged terrain of the central hills of Nepal. Previously known for their anthropological importance, the Chepang people have increasingly become one of the most marginalized groups in Nepal. Until recently, they were a hunter-gatherer tribe and their dependence on agriculture is only a recent development. They live closely in touch with nature and have a detailed knowledge of surrounding animal plants. One of their major economic activities is selling various herbs and other forest products. With this money, they are able to buy basic supplies such as clothes, salt and oil. The Chepang people have had little exposure to the outside world. Their minimal market knowledge has left them at the mercy of roadside merchants who pay very low prices for their forest products. This is further compounded by a lack of value-added products and a production and marketing system, by the fact that they trade individually and by Chepang peoples’ feeling of inferiority. They are also often found themselves trapped in debt at extortionate interest rates, as the food they produce is insufficient to last the whole year.

Dalits:
Dalits, the most marginalized so-called low caste people, live in the rugged terrain of the far western hills of Nepal. Their area also is characterized by relatively low rainfall with infertile soils, food shortage, low literacy rate, absence of viable employment opportunities resulting in a high labour migration to India and striking disparity between the so called low and high castes and between males and females.

Meaning of purchasing our products
Purchasing of our products provide customers with an opportunity to use their purchasing power in ways that support some of the remote communities in Nepal while receiving high quality, good value products with exceptional service.

Our products
Our products include:

 Finished products (herbal teas in three different brands)
 Arogya Herbal Tea
 Gurjo Herbal Tea
 Tirsana Herbal Tea
 Raw and/or semi-processed herbs

Supply of Herbal Teas
We can supply these herbal teas in tea bag, paper box or in large economy pack depending upon your preference.
 

Price:

Arogya Herbal Tea

The Herbs
Arogya Herbal Tea is based on the traditional Ayurvedic recipe of triphala - Harro, Barro, Amala with Gurjo and classical aromatic plants.  All these are well known for their capability of imparting youthfulness, vitality and receptivity of mind and sense organs. This composition possesses the laxative components that tone up the gastro-intestinal system and helps to improve the power of digestion. 

 Harro (Terminalia chebula), known as the life giver is considered as one of the best regenerative herbs for the mind. It is an excellent revitaliser for the skin and also helps overwrought people to relax. In Tibetan medicine, it is quoted as the King of Medicines.

 Barro (Terminalia bellirca) is renowned for invigorating metabolism, which has a mild antiseptic property that treats sluggish systems, and relieve digestive and respiratory ailments. It energies the skin to help give a radiant complexion.

 As the most prolific herb in ancient Ayurvedic text Amala (Phyllanthus emblica) is the richest natural source of vitamin C. It is essential for general healing and is used for improving intelligence and memory power. It is a good liver tonic and nutrient for maintaining hair volume.

 Not less important as other ingredients, Gurjo (Tinospora cordifolia) and other aromatic plants are added for volume and flavour.

 Thus, regular consumption of this judicious combination is beneficial for improving positive health. It is good for diabetic patients also.

Composition
Harro (Terminalia chebula) (fruit)                      =          33.33%

Barro (Terminalia bellirica) (fruit)                     =          33.33%

Amala (Phyllanthus emblica) (fruit)                    =          33.33%

Gurjo (Tinospora cordifolia) (stem)                   =          q.s.

Aromatic herbs (leaf)                                           =          q.s.

Usage
This is not like a medicine that you stop after a prescribed period. People use it for quite long time for intended effects- even for lifetime. We need more as we go along. 3 – 5 cups (200 – 400 ml/cup) a day is estimated to be equivalent for prescribed dose. It is not advised to exceed 6 cups (10 gm) in a day. Pregnant mothers should limit its consumption with in 4 cups in a day. Cold infusion is good for patients suffering from bleeding disorders.

Preparation
Put one tea bag in a cup of boiled hot water (200 – 400 ml). Brew it for about two minutes. Drink with or without sugar.

Gurjo Herbal Tea 
The Gurjo Herbal Tea is also based on traditional recipe. Its main ingredient is Gurjo (Tinospora cordifolia) known as Guduchi in Sanskrit. Ayurveda describes Guduchi as Amrita or nectar of immortality. Not less important as Gurjo, other totally natural aromatic, medicinal plants are also added for taste/flavour. This tea is available in six different tastes/flavours: (1) Lemongrass (2) Cinnamon (3) Jasmine (4) Ginger (5) Mint and (6) Tulasi. All these are presented also in tea bag packs. Following table is about the contents per pack of these teas.

Raw and semi-processed herbs and herbal products
We supply the following herbs either in raw or in semi-processed forms.

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