Dr. Wendy Coram Vialet and Toni Thomas encourage and caution local chlorophyll drink producers so consumers can have a dependable source of nutrition and medicinal benefit. In order for this to happen, the green, nutrient-rich drink being made and sold by over a handful of people, must be grown and produced the same way every time. The drink is made by blending and straining a variety of local plants. Coram Vialet and Thomas offer several pointers for making chlorophyll production in the Virgin Islands more viable.
Dr. Wendy Coran Vialet of Corvia Natural Healthcare Services at her desk Photo credit ©DaraMonifah.com
As a Naturopathic Doctor at Corvia Natural Healthcare Services, Coram Vialet often prescribes chlorophyll to pregnant patients in their third trimester, when they are most in need of iron, calcium and magnesium supplementation, as well as for blood oxygenation and energy to combat fatigue. Just as with commercially made chlorophyll, local producers also extract the pigment from various plants within the surrounding environment.
According to Coram Vialet, “Alfalfa is one of those plants that’s generally utilized with commercial companies which produce chlorophyll.”
UVI Nurse Toni Gillman picks Lemongrass in the UVICES Demonstration Garden Photo credit ©DaraMonifah.com
However, many local producers use guinea grass, lemongrass along with other herbs.Chlorophyll is isolated from the leaves of plants, thus “these are very, very good sources,” she says. Her only concern with the local production of chlorophyll is quality control. Since there is no legislation, there is a lack of uniform standards regarding the making of chlorophyll.
One expert on local medicinal plants, UVI Cooperative Extension Service (UVICES) Agent Toni Thomas, is locally known for her book, Traditional Medicinal Plants of St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. The book is a collection of information on the healing properties of 68 plants. The UVICES Natural Resources & Environmental Management Program’s webpage states that the document provides basic information about selected plants including both popular usage and research results.
Book Cover of Traditional Medicinal Plants of St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John by Toni Thomas, UVI Cooperative Extension Service Agent Photo credit ©DaraMonifah.com
According to Thomas, “Chlorophyll is a pigment that enables plants to capture the energy from the sun during the process of photosynthesis. People use some plants to make chlorophyll tinctures, mouth washes, supplements, beauty preparations, health drinks and other products.”
On a UVICES Facebook post, Thomas was delighted to learn more about how people use her book to educate themselves as well as to make natural medicines, including tonics, teas and chlorophyll.
Agreeing with Coram Vialet, Thomas shares potential concerns in the methods of cultivation, collection and also wonders which parts of the plant are being used. Especially in the use of guinea grass, not only is soil run off from other areas a possible contaminant to growers, but there is USDA research stating that parts of guinea grass yields mild amounts of poisonous Hydrogen Cyanide, which can affect those with sensitive skin.
With the increase in the use of chlorophyll drinks and products, says Coram Vialet, “currently there [is] no legislation on the books that [addresses] the issues of quality control among the production of supplements here in the Virgin Islands — and it’s one of the things that we have to address.”
A Bottle of Chlorophyll in a bed of Lemongrass Photo credit ©DaraMonifah.com
Coram Vialet states that flavor also needs consistent consideration. She is also concerned with the consistency of the amount of herbs used as well as the taste and smell of the herb. It is important to ensure that the consumers are actually getting the same nutrients each time they take the product.
She emphasizes that, “Quality control measures have to be legislated for here in the Virgin Islands.”
For more information on Wendy V. Coram Vialet and Corvia Natural Healthcare Services, visit www.corvianhs.com, email info@corviahnhs.com or connect with her Facebook page. To reach Toni Thomas, email tthomas2@uvi.edu. Virgin Islanders who wish to participate in this on-going documentation of traditional plant use should contact CES at (340) 693-1084. Join in on the #VIChlorophyllConvo online.
