How gratifying it is to get to the pharmacy and find the medication prescribed by the doctor! But, whether there is or not, the grandmother trusts that with a little herb can disappear the cold that it making her feeling bad.. Actually it is about the wisdom in Natural Medicine. Even in the era of genetics and other amazing scientific advances, it continues to be transmitted from generation to generation all over the world.

Maybe the grandmother does not know that close to home, the Experimental Station of Medicinal Plants Doctor Juan Tomás Roig, in San Antonio de los Baños, makes great efforts to guarantee the existence of Aloe de Vera derivatives in the pharmacy.

The cultivation of Cuban medicinal species and other introduced from various regions of the planet, allow the development of research programs, in order to obtain natural products such as syrups French Oregano, Lime 0.6%, Aloe and viscous solution of Aqueous Extract of Aloe Vera 50%.

"This center researches and produces based on the most rigorous international demands. We have a quality and environmental management system that harmoniously interweaves organization, qualified personnel and resources, "explains Carlos Alberto Rodríguez, director of the institution, belonging to the Center for Research and Development of Medicines (CIDEM).

"In this way, it contributes to raising the health levels of the Cuban population, as well as enhancing the country´s scientific and socioeconomic development ," Rodriguez states.

The main destinations of the productions are Mayabeque, Havana and Artemisa provinces . The municipality of San Cristóbal stands out, the largest consumer according to statistics, which shows that the population believes more and more in natural medicine, not only as an option now more necessary in the face of drug instability.

From the root to the product

The staff of 54 workers does not lose a second while fulfilling. Its production plan, estimated at 14 million pesos, has been settled, but it does not stop. Apparently, syrup and other derivatives - always at affordable prices - will be available to everyone.

"There should be no problems, because we harvest on our land, with respect to the sowing frames and the frequency of harvest established in the technological charts. The process starts and ends here, an unusual advantage of industries, which generates higher yields, "says Yusimí Martínez, principal production specialist.

"For the next six months we have the packaging and the rest of the raw material sent by BioCubaFarma".

Despite the small size of the area destined to the preparation of the preparations, their daily results are formidable. Only five workers, willing to waste every kind of commitment, pack 6 500 bottles in the frequency mentioned above.

Technology is not the best. They have two electric agitators of 150 liters and a semiautomatic filler that make it possible to arrive in time to the points of sale. Meanwhile, the packaging and labeling is done manually, while respecting the hygienic-sanitary standards required.

Martínez emphasizes that they were able to introduce the Aloe Syrup and the Viscose Solution in the laboratories of the MEDILIP liquid medication industry, and at the end of the month a team from this station will go to its headquarters in Granma, to include the Syrup Imefasma. "This is way our products will have national impact, and will considerably increase their preparation".

Spoonfuls of science

The constant desire to find solutions also favors research development in the entity. The materialization of projects attributes a scientific support to natural medicine, and causes that additional options emerge, when it comes to prevent and restore health.

This is how they are marketed, although many people are unaware of it, the tincture of sour orange, which replaces Hydrochlorothiazide, Vitamin C and Venatón; the calendula in cream, which replaces Acyclovir and Nasolane; and syrups for bronchial conditions, as an alternative to Ibuprofen and Indomethacin.

According to the Master María Magdalena Rivera, they have the personnel and the techniques to undertake closed-cycle research, from agriculture to pharmacological studies.

"We analyze species such as stone chanca, ginger, linden, pomegranate, blackberry and kidney tea, well known to the population for its various uses, to attenuate gingivitis, digestive problems, asthma and cervicitis, besides liver and kidney pathologies. "

Based on diagnoses carried out, the research area is committed to using the cherry fruit in new remedies, due to the high content of Vitamin C. Specifying its entry into the pharmaceutical industry will allow import substitution; therefore, they have already planted one hectare, and will market the remains of the experiments with the Alquízar mini-industries.

Meanwhile, Caridad Carballo, laboratory technique urged to take advantage of the technology available in this institution, so that other centers can validate the quality and conditions of medicines of their type that require physical-chemical analysis.

Carballo said the blockade is an obstacle, mainly when purchasing equipment. "Despite the measures, we look for our own solutions; a technician supports us in the maintenance, we make the homeopathy of the tinctures, and we continue collecting results. Nothing stops us. "

The cure of life

Apparently, the treatment of catarrhal diseases and bronchial asthma, the creation of sedatives for nervous disorders, and digestive controllers, is guaranteed in this station deserving of multiple recognitions.

Among projections they include continuing the scientific-technical improvement required, and meet the demands arising from the patient-patient relationship and the application of the clinical method.

With "green magic" like that, in two days the grandmother was relieved. Now she does not want to know about another cure other than those bottles full of sweetness and benefits. "What hurts now, mum ?" "The back!" "There is no Mentolán, but the ointments of Caña Santa and Anamú will surely do you good". "Buy me a few, they are the best! "

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