Nestlé is Trying to Patent the Fennel Flower

[Redfairen]

Nigella sativa — more commonly known as fennel flower — has been used as a cure-all remedy for over a thousand years. It treats everything from vomiting to fevers to skin diseases, and has been widely available in impoverished communities across the Middle East and Asia.

But now Nestlé is claiming to own it, and filing patent claims around the world to try and take control over the natural cure of the fennel flower and turn it into a costly private drug.

In a paper published last year, Nestlé scientists claimed to “discover” what much of the world has known for millennia: that nigella sativa extract could be used for “nutritional interventions in humans with food allergy”.

But instead of creating an artificial substitute, or fighting to make sure the remedy was widely available, Nestlé is attempting to create a nigella sativa monopoly and gain the ability to sue anyone using it without Nestlé’s permission. Nestlé has filed patent applications — which are currently pending — around the world.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/nestle-is-trying-to-patent-the-fennel-flower/5332329

[Warpy]

1. Given its long use in folk medicine

I don't think those bozos have a chance of patenting the flower, itself, although they can submit patents for extracting its flavor. If they want to extract active ingredients related to health, they'll have to go through the FDA here in the US.

[Cleita]

3. You'd be surprised what money and power can buy.

I found out that traditional songs from ethnic sources passed down through generations could be copyrighted and were by unscrupulous recording companies. I wouldn't be surprised if they can get patents on medicinal plants too that have been used for centuries.

[hollysmom]

6. one thingthat is more and more obvious

is money talks way past common sense. and Nestle is one of the most corrupt companies out there. I have been on a nestle boycott for maybe 40 years now, always am surprised at how much they own. I have had to stop buying so many products once they buy it, it is just frightening. For example, I only used bottle water for long trips, maybe a case a year if that, but Nestle bought the one I liked to use, had to switch. hateses that company.

[Warpy]

8. Understood. They made the only grocery store milk chocolate

I liked but I prefer to do without these days. If I can get someplace they sell Tobler, I'll get that. However, it's mostly fair trade bitter chocolate for me.

Nestle is foul, pushing their baby formula in the third world as "scientific" and "modern," in areas where few have access to safe water. I wonder how many kids they killed off from it.

As for the bottled water, get yourself a filter. You'd be surprised how great tap water is once you get rid of the chlorine, algae, and other crap. Go whole hog and get yourself a Soda Stream setup for the best seltzer water you've ever had!

[hollysmom]

11. I do have a filter for local water because of it's high sulfer cantent

But some long trips, it is easier to just take a couple of bottles with me, since I am a night person and like driving with no traffic. So a lot of stores/restaurants are not open when I am on a long night run across several states like for 12 hours. Everyone in the car is sleeping and I need liquid to keep alert. I also like to take a few too the beach. People keep giving me plastic things to put water in, but they all taste funny.

[Warpy]

12. I do the same, hit the road at 3 AM and find someplae to crash

at around sunset. I carry water and soda and junk food. My diet is crap when I'm on the road so I'm not on the road very often.

[madrchsod]

9. they will go through the fda.....

and the fda will give their approval.

[tridim]

2. I remember when Nestlé made chocolate. SMH.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. There is no end to their avarice. Damn them.

I hope they can be stopped.

[dballance]

5. I would think there is plenty of "prior art" out there

You can't patent something everyone already knows about and has prior studies and texts about it out there in the public domain.

[pipoman]

7. Their chocolate (using the term loosely) is no good either..

[brooklynite]

10. They're welcome to it; I hate anise flavor

[Lifelong Protester]

13. I have only barely tolerated them

after the boycotts of 40 years ago. Now, time to dust off that boycott list. Will not buy another one of their products.