PLANT POWER

All the products we sell are 100% natural and derived from plants. The people of the Amazon and the Andes have been using these plants for generations and now through the benefits of globalization are able to share them with people from around the world.

The majority of the plant species in the products we distribute are endemic to, and mostly wild-harvested from community forests in the Amazon rainforest. By supporting Arbor Mundi and our production partners, you are helping us conserve the Amazon by demonstrating the value of intact forests, while providing sustainable employment based around collecting and processing these super nuts, fruits, berries, seeds, pods and resins. 

Here is some information about the plants in the products we supply. We are adding our new essential oils plants soon!

Aguaje Fruit (Buriti)

Mauritia flexuosa

Aguajes have incredibly high Vitamin A, E and C levels and are high in Oleic acid. The people of the Amazon have been consuming this unique fruit for its vitamins and phytoestrogens for millennia.  

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The oil, referred to as Buriti in Portuguese and now in North America, is used as a potent moisturizer and to treat sun-damaged skin and is also used to hydrate, soften and straighten hair.

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Due to the extremely high beta-carotene please take care when using Buriti oil to avoid contact with white clothing. 

Brazil Nut

Bertholletia excelsa

Brazil nuts are high in anti-oxidants, selenium, vitamin E and zinc.

Brazil Nut Oil is useful for preventing and treating dry skin and promoting collagen production. 

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Our partner, Candela has been wild-harvesting Brazil nuts in southern Peru for decades, serving global food and cosmetic oil markets. Arbor Mundi is able to connect food and cosmetic industry buyers to the Candela supply chain.

Copaiba Oleoresin

Copaifera Paupera

Copaiba oleoresin is extracted from the trunk of giant Copaiba trees in the Amazon. While unfortunately many producers cut down the very old trees Candela providers tap the trees non-destructively, using a similar method employed in maple syrup extraction in North America. 

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Copaiba oleoresin is a highly sought after product due to its anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing qualities. It is useful both in the pure format as well as in balms and other natural skincare products. 

Passion Fruit (Maracuyá) 

Passiflora edulis

Passion Fruit (Maracuyá in Spanish or Maracuja in Portuguese) is a very useful and surprising plant. The fruits are energy-providing, sour and sweet, while the leaves make a unique herbal tea with sedative properties.  

Candela Maracuyá oil is cold-pressed seeds from organically grown passion fruits in Peru. It is super rich in Vitamin-C, highly moisturizing while light and fast-absorbing.

Maracuyá oil is useful for a multitude of natural cosmetic applications, whether blended with other ingredients or in the pure format. 

Sacha Inchi Nut

Plukenetia volubilis

Sacha Inchi nuts (sometimes referred to as Inca-nuts in English) have been cultivated by indigenous communities in the upper Amazon for generations.

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Sacha Inchi oil has all 3 omegas 3,6, 9 in good quantity and is recommended for those with oily and Acne-prone skin. 

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Ungurahui Fruit (Bataua)

Oenocarpus bataua

Also known as Bataua or Patauá, Ungurahui is extremely rich in Omega 9 Oleic Acid. 

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The Awajún people of the Amazon have been collecting Ungurahui, both as a nutritious edible fruit as well as pressing the fruit into oil, to strengthen and shine their hair and skin for generations.  

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A truly unique and highly prized product, not easily sourced from other providers, it is great for skin and hair and would make a great additive to shampoos and conditioners. 

Amazonian Rosewood

Aniba Roseadora

Rosewood trees in the Amazon are a highly valuable and protected species. The oil has been traditionally used for skin healing and regenerative properties. 

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Rosewood is highly prized by fine perfume and cosmetics industries for its scent and properties. 

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We supply the world's most responsible Rosewood oil, which is made from only small branches and under the certification and supervision of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Palo Santo

Bursera graveolens

From the north coast dry forest of Peru, Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) has long been considered a sacred wood to the native inhabitants and through colonial and modern times.

Essential Oils Peru is the world's most sustainable supplier of Palo Santo, only using fully traceable naturally fallen dead wood. Branches are collected after wind storms in partnership with traditional communities and under the supervision of the ministry of forests (SERFOR) and CITES.

Pink Pepper

Schinus molle

Pink Pepper is wild-harvested in Andean valleys near Cusco and was considered a sacred tree of the Inca. It’s leaves and berries are used traditionally to relieve rheumatic pains and respiratory conditions.

Pink pepper essential oil is recommended for energizing, alertness and invigoration. It blends well with citrus and woody oils.

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Andean Mint

Mintostachys mollis

Known locally as Muña, the leaves are traditionally used as tea for digestion and combatting altitude sickness and respiratory problems in the Andean region of Peru.

This is a niche product but highly regarded by those who know it. We have exclusively five star reviews on Amazon for this product.

Andean Mint is rich in Pulegone, Menthone and Carvone which are naturally occurring terpenes recognized for their anti-bacterial, respiratory aid and decongestant qualities. As such, Andean Mint is a great oil for diffusing to relieve cold & flu symptoms.

Peruvian Myrtle

Luma Chequen

Refreshing and herbaceous wild-harvested. Our partner EOP are the only known distiller of this essential oil making us the only provider in North America.

Known locally in its native region of the Andes as Arrayán, our essential oil is the steam-distilled leaves of this medicinal and aromatic shrub.

Peruvian Myrtle is traditionally used for its skin cleansing properties. We recommend it for inclusion in high quality skin and hair care applications, including for acne and dandruff control at <1% concentration.

Peruvian Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

A crowd-pleaser and well recognized for its skin care benefits. The quality and aroma contrast between our Lemongrass and the global commodity ones is quite apparent. Wow.

Cultivated in the fresh alpine valleys in the Cusco region of Peru, it is popularly used for herbal tea for digestive problems and high blood pressure.

Recommended for relief from stress, anxiety and depression. Lemongrass is used as a natural astringent and anti-bacterial. Used in products for tightening skin and limiting sebum production. Ideal as an ingredient for oily or acne-prone skin.