By Orita Bailey

I recently attended a workshop for businesses in the region, hosted by ProInvest and CaribExport, the aim was to assist regional businesses to look at opportunities for entering the European Market and what it would entail to customise their products to that specific market. Over the next few months we will feature several of the participants and their products. This month we profile Earth Mother Botanicals from Barbados.

Earth Mother Botanicals Limited is a Barbadian company producing a skin care line from organic herbs, fruits and flowers grown locally, combined with high quality oils and other purely natural food grade ingredients. No chemical preservatives, colors or fragrances are added. Therefore, they are non-allergenic for most people and are gently healing for the skin. The scents come from the fresh plants and only pure essential oils. Earth Mother Botanicals offer safe and effective natural skin care products that are “GREEN” and Environmentally Friendly. Nine years of testimonials from customers speak to the products’ effectiveness.

Officially launched at BMEX in 2000, Earth Mother Botanicals (EMB) won Best Overall Booth at the show, thanks to one of the company’s founders and director, Sandra Weekes, and the company has won awards in nearly every exhibition they have participated in since.

EMB has a eleven (11) year history; they began selling small soaps to the hotels for guest rooms, personalizing them with the hotel’s logo in 2000, as well as distributing to gift shops across the island. Casuarina was the first Hotel customer and the initiative assisted them in receiving their Green Globe Certification. Some of the more prestigious Spas in Barbados are using Earth Mother Botanicals products like Waves Resort, Barbados Hilton, Chakra Spa at Accra Beach Hotel, Golden Sands, Chateau de Beaute and the five diamond Sandy Lane Spa.

Their product range includes; soaps, cleansers and scrubs; toners, moisturisers and masques; massage and body oils; sunscreen, insect repellent, anti- fungicide oil and joint and muscle rub. There are products for both males and females and even for children.

A large number of medical practitioners in Barbados are recommending some of EMBL’s clinical products to patients, including dermatologists, pediatricians, general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists and podiatrists. The company is now exporting to a podiatrist in Canada as well.

In 2004 Team Rowing Home used their soaps, skin salve and Pain Relief Rub. Their soaps, unlike most bar soaps will lather in salt water and are safe for the environment. In the 1990’s they were approved for use on the Appalachian Trail where only products that are harmless to the environment are allowed.

Two Earth Mother Botanicals Products

In 2006 Earth Mother Botanicals Limited by now a limited company began working with Advantis Laboratories in the UK to perform product testing on selected EMBL products to conform to the European Union standards through the assistance of BIDC. According to a UK Consultant in the Herbal Industry, EMBL is the first natural products company in the region to have formal product testing done for export to the EU.

I love the philosophy of this company, “Earth Mother Botanicals is an ecologically sustainable company, doing what we can to preserve the resources, culture and agricultural diversity of our small island. We grow most of the plants used in production. We recycle all our plastics, glass, paper and metal and compost all of our organic waste. We use permaculture and organic gardening methods including sheet mulching which keeps the soil moist and cooler so less water is required. Our goal is to be a leading example and educator of living consciously in our environment and using our renewable resources wisely for the benefit of all life.” says Ms. Amy S. LeMay who is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

By integrating organic agriculture with sustainable, traditional plant usage and knowledge, they have created natural, chemical free products that are safe and effective for todays busy lifestyles. Their sustainable land use and agricultural practices maintain a chemical free environment which is ensures that the products attains organic status and high value.

EMB continues that philosophy into the packaging of their products, working with other socially responsible craftspersons who provide containers in pottery, handmade paper from sugar cane bagass, banana leaf and sea island cotton, and coconut shell.

“We have a vision to use solar power to run our production facility and home on the property. At this time we produce only one tall kitchen garbage bag of trash for the landfill each week from our production facility and household. We will remain true to our philosophy of being purely natural, chemical free and to keep our manufacturing environmentally and financially sustainable.” said Amy.

Earth Mother Botanicals Limited can be contacted at: Four Cross Roads St. John, Barbados, BD20028, Tel (246) 433-4643 and by email: earthmotherb@yahoo.co.uk

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