Herbal remedies have been passed down via the oral tradition from traditional Maya healers for centuries. Dr. Arvigo combined her knowledge of Don Elijio Panti’s teachings, together with her physician’s understanding of human physiology and medical herbal training to formulate a unique set of remedies. True to the traditions they sprang from, these address many of the common physical and spiritual ailments that Don Elijio Panti treated within his practice.

Rainforest Remedies embodies the principles of the economic value of preserving the rainforest for its healing plants. By offering employment to the local community and validating the economic value of the vibrant living plants of the rainforest, it leads the way in helping to educate the local community about the unique resource at their doorstep. Many plants are harvested from land that’s scheduled for clearing and development. Dr. Arvigo calls this work Salvage Botany, saving valuable medicinal plants that would otherwise be destroyed.

Dr. Arvigo’s life’s work is to preserve both, the library of traditional healing skills and the Belizean rainforest, for the benefit of the ecology and humankind. To this aim, she created a non-profit foundation, called the IxChel Tropical Research Foundation of Belize, devoted to traditional healing and cultural preservation which supports several educational programs for Belizean children and teachers.

These include: