The main goal of my gift shop, Milagros Para Ti, has been to support local and regional economic and conservation efforts. Now that the shop is located in Coatepec, Veracruz I am proud to have discovered and now carry the natural cosmetic products of a woman’s cooperative called Herbolaria Hamelia.

Hamelia (Mexican Firecracker plant) is a native plant that grows profusely in the southern part of the State of Veracruz. It is a large shrub that can grow to 15 feet in height and is sometimes trained as a tree. The flowers are small red tubular cymes that only last a day. However, the plany continues to bloom for weeks. Honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to these lovely flowers.

Not only does it sport these beautiful flowers the plant also has important curative properties. The leaves have long been used by traditional healers for healing wounds.

Studies have shown that wounds treated with an extract were 'knitted' stronger than wounds that healed on their own. In addition, extracts of the leaves were found anti-inflammatory, reducing the swelling associated with injury, and antibacterial, protecting against infection.

Based on these facts, a group of woman formed a cooperative to revive the use of medicinal plants grown in the southern region of Veracruz and to promote the use of these plants.

The main goal of this cooperative is to produce a family income which will allow this unit to live in dignity and avoid the necessity of out-migration. This goal is being reached through the production and sale of medicinal plants. By their efforts these women are re-introducing the cultivation and protection of traditional herbs which have been forgotten with the passing of time.

Today this cooperative offers over 29 different products for sale. Some have medicinal properties such as a salve that helps to lesson the swelling caused by wounds and a popular cough syrup. Other products are cosmetics including different aromatic soaps made from the firecracker plant, a moisturizer made from oats, a cream used for disinfecting wounds made from eggplant and several types of shampoos. These products have been approved for exportation.

The coop was formed in 1999. The women do it all, from organically cultivating the plants, to manufacturing and then packaging everything in their small workshop. Their products have found their way to hotels, boutiques and natural food stores in Mexico and abroad. The women also attend courses to increase their understanding of and practices in the promotion and selling of their natural products. As they say "This is a lot of hard work but very worthwhile." I, for one, am happy to provide whatever support I can!