Ancestral medicine and bioeconomy: Women in Santiago de Chiquitos protect the forest and preserve their knowledge

In the dry Chiquitano forest of Bolivia, ancestral knowledge of natural medicine thrives, kept alive by the women of the Association of Natural Medicine Santiagueña (Amenas). These women are guardians of traditions passed down through generations, responsibly harnessing the power of more than fifty medicinal plant species. For Sofía Frías, president of Amenas, natural medicine is more than just a practice for alleviating ailments; it is a way of life deeply connected to nature and the memory of their ancestors.

"Healing is a gift channeled with humility and love for others: it is not just about relieving the body, but about healing the soul because those who heal also learn to care for water, the earth, and everything that breathes," Frías affirmed. This ancestral wisdom has been enhanced through an innovation process, supported by Fundación Natura Bolivia, which has refined the preparation of medicinal products and substituted some traditional ingredients with natural alternatives.

The formulations, which previously included petroleum jelly, glycerin, and transgenic soy oil, have been transformed. By incorporating ingredients like beeswax, cusi oil, and other natural elements, the quality, consistency, and shelf-life of ointments, balms, and lotions have improved. This transformation also increases the value of their artisanal work.

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Healing is a gift channeled with humility and love for others: it is not just about relieving the body, but about healing the soul because those who heal also learn to care for water, the earth, and everything that breathes.

This initiative is framed within a bioeconomy vision, seeking to create economic opportunities from the sustainable use of natural resources without compromising forest conservation. Henry Bloomfield, technical director at Fundación Natura Bolivia, explained that the goal is to support communities in responsibly utilizing their territories' resources while strengthening their livelihoods. "Generating economic opportunities that allow them to strengthen their livelihoods and, at the same time, contribute to forest conservation," he stated.

In this model, conservation and income generation are not opposing objectives. Instead, the responsible use of medicinal plants becomes a viable alternative for forest-dependent families and a powerful incentive for protecting these vital resources. Species like *Protium heptaphyllum* (isiga) and *Copaifera langsdorffii* (copaibo) are particularly valued for their resin, bark, and seeds, which are transformed into natural oils and ointments.

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Generating economic opportunities that allow them to strengthen their livelihoods and, at the same time, contribute to forest conservation.