You are on page 1of 7

ANCESTRAL AMAZONIAN KNOWLEDGE

AND MODERN SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF HEALTH,


SOCIAL WELLBEING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Dr. Jacques Mabit, MD.


President and Founder
of Takiwasi Center

Takiwasi Center is a Peruvian non-profit civil association, located in the


Amazonian region of San Martn. Since 1992 it has contributed to improving
the health conditions of the population and to conservation of the
environment, developing innovative techniques and intervention models that
preserve traditional Amazonian knowledge and articulate it with modern
science and technology.
Takiwasi Center is led by an interdisciplinary and intercultural team of
doctors, psychologists, indigenous therapists, researchers, engineers,
pharmaceutical chemists and development experts that coordinate the activity
of the association in 3 principal areas of work:

HEALTH RESEARCH
AND DISSEMINATION

TREATMENT OF ADDICTIONS
ENVIRONMENT
AND MENTAL HEALTH
AND PRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

HEALTH RESEARCH
AND SCIENTIFIC DISSEMINATION

Takiwasi Center originated as a non-profit association dedicated to basic and psycho-clinical


research into the therapeutic potential of Traditional Amazonian Medicine in the treatment of
mental health problems and addictions.
With 23 years of experience in this area, its approach to mental health has been studied in more than
40 international research projects, articulating an interdisciplinary academic community, composed
of scientific institutions of global excellence. Included among these: The Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health CAMH (Canada), James Cook University (Australia), Fribourg University
(Switzerland), Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociale de Paris (France), Ecole de Sant
Publique de la Universit de Mdecine Henri Poincar de Nancy I (France).
We investigate traditional Amazonian
medical knowledge and practices,
making use of the scientific
and technological resources
of modern medicine and psychology.
40 international research projects
concerning Traditional Amazonian
medicine.

To ensure adequate transmission of the results and findings, Takiwasi presents its research work
and clinical experience in conferences in the health field, participates in scientific media spaces
around the world, and organizes scientific forums of international significance. It develops its own
editorial line in several magazines, documentaries, and books as well as conducts training,
awareness and internship programs oriented to health professionals, therapists and community
health actors.
It has a specialized Traditional Medicine library with a collection of more than 4,700 books, 2,000
articles and 250 audio-visuals in the field of ethno- medicine, indigenous spirituality and botany that
represents a unique resource for researchers.

TREATMENT OF
ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL
HEALTH CARE

Takiwasi Center is also a Therapeutic Community recognized by the Peruvian State, dedicated to the
treatment of people with drug addictions and mental health problems. The therapeutic proposal of the
centre is based on an innovative protocol that combines the knowledge and practices of Traditional
Amazonian medicine with modern psychology and medicine.
In 23 years of activity they have achieved important results: A multidisciplinary therapeutic team,
composed of 7 psychologists, two doctors and three indigenous traditional therapists, ensuring an
integrated approach.
449 patients with severe addictions treated in our Therapeutic Community, recording a success
percentage of 54%: clearly more effective than conventional treatment methods.
1,024 patients and families with mental health problems treated in the out-patient clinic. 2,771
patients from all over the world have received follow-up therapy by means of personal development
retreats1 and psycho-emotional restructuring, inspired by Traditional Amazonian Medicine.
To improve evaluation of the therapeutic proposal, and contribute to a broader understanding of
addictions, Takiwasi Center is developing a computerized system for collection and collation of
clinical data (Proyecto Plus), whose challenge is to adapt to very different practices such as
Traditional Amazonian medicine and modern psychology and medical science.

We help generate a healthy and safe


social environment, addressing drug
addiction and mental health
problems, with a therapeutic protocol
that is at the global forefront.
4,244 people served, 449 patients
admitted to the rehabilitation program.

Traditional practices of introspection while in isolation in nature.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
AND PRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

The Natural Products Laboratory is the business entity of Takiwasi Center. It is a project developing as
a social enterprise in the area of Peruvian biotrade. It produces natural products of high quality and
added value, inspired by the ancestral knowledge of Amazonian Traditional Medicine, and markets
them in regional, national and international markets.
It works with 74 families of agroforestry producers in 21 indigenous and rural communities, training
them in sustainable management of forest resources and guaranteeing them fair payment for the
harvest and care of medicinal plants.
Through this strategy of articulation in the value chain of medicinal plants, the work of the Natural
Products Laboratory promotes the valuation and conservation of 19,655 hectares of Amazonian forest.

We promote the generation of added value


in the sustainable use of the resources of
Amazonian biodiversity, as a strategy to
combine environmental conservation and
inclusive community development.
We contribute to the preservation
of 19,655 hectares of Amazon forest.

It also works to ensure that the native communities retain control over their ancestral knowledge
related to the use of medicinal plants. During the last 4 years it has mentored 180 indigenous therapists
in the registration of 236 recipes based on medicinal plants in the National Registry of Collective
Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples of the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and
Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI).
In the framework of the partnership with the medicinal plant producers association Ampik Sacha,
45 indigenous producers have been trained in Good Manufacturing and Management Practices to
progressively empower them in productive and commercial management of their own line
of natural products.

INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES THAT HAVE ASSISTED


IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PROJECTS

RECOGNITION FOR TAKIWASI CENTER

International Assistance Foundation


Innovative Social Entrepreneur:
International Foundation Ashoka

Model Project for the 21st Century:


2000, Universal Exposition of Hannover

Best Practices in the Treatment and


Rehabilitation of Drug Consumption.
2009, National Commission for Development
and Life without Drugs (DEVIDA)

Member of:
World Federation of Therapeutic Communities

Diploma of Honor - Actions developed


for mental health care of the Population,
2009, Ministry of Health

First Place in - Multimedia 1995, Markie Award, sponsored


by the National Foundation for Alcoholism
and Addiction Communication (NFAAC).

Secretary of Studies for Economic Affairs


of the Swiss Confederation

European Union
Development Bank of Latin America
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
and the program INCAGRO
United Nation Environment Program
URKU Estudios Amaznicos

BioCan Program

Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism


PromPER
Ministry of the Environment

Secretary General of the Andean


Community

Successful experience in practices that promote the equitable distribution of benefits


2015, Andean BioTrade: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF),
Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), PromPer Ministry of the Environment

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland


The German cooperation agency giZ and
the Secretary of Studies for Economic Affairs,
of the Swiss Confederation

Ministry of Culture

Global Enviroment Fund

National Program for the Conservation of


Forests of the Minister of the Environment

CENTER FOR THE REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTIONS AND RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Jr. Prolongacin Alerta 466, 22221 / Tarapoto, San Martn, Per
(51-42) 522818 / (51-42) 525479
takiwasi@takiwasi.com
www.takiwasi.com

NATURAL PRODUCTS LABORATORY OF TAKIWASI CENTER


Jr. Prolongacin Alerta 466 / Tarapoto, San Martn, Per
(51-42)525479 / (51-42)522818
info.laboratorio@takiwasi.com
www.facebook.com/takiwasilab
www.laboratorio.takiwasi.org

You might also like