In an interview with "We Feed the World," Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck touted that his company is the largest foodstuff corporation in the world, worth $65 billion. He went on to proclaim that water is not a human right and that corporations such as his should control water to preserve it for future generations.
In addition to controlling naturally occurring water, Nestle is also striving to monopolize and control a naturally available plant called the fennel flower. According to patent filings, Nestle is claiming ownership of nigella sativa, or fennel flower, for "nutritional interventions in humans with food allergy."
The corporate spokesperson for Nestle wrote to Business Standard that the patent application was filed at the European Patent Office in the US, Japan, and China. "It claims the use of an opioid receptor stimulating compound for the preparation of a composition to treat or prevent food allergy," he said.
Is corporate control of natural plants the answer?
Is this a good move by Nestle? Are they trying to make natural cures available to the masses? Are they motivated to help people worldwide? After all, Brabeck stated in an interview that the role of his company is to paint "a positive image of the world for people."
"And I see absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be positive about our future," Brabeck said.
Is corporate control of a naturally occurring plant the answer, though? The fennel flower has been used for centuries to treat a wide array of ailments.
Better education about naturally occurring plants may be the better route. This will allow people everywhere to freely think for themselves and access natural cures on their own. Better education would awaken more people to grow or wild harvest naturally occurring plants as they share them with their communities.
Nestle's intentions are rooted in control
Nestle's intentions can be uncovered in their move to patent the fennel flower. By claiming ownership of the plant, they don't want to empower the people with knowledge. They clearly want to control the people's natural rights, their natural right to plant medicine.
With an approved patent on the fennel flower, Nestle would have the ability to sue anyone who grows or sells the plant and its extracts without first receiving permission from the Nestle Corporation.
Their controlling, dominate nature can also be seen in their attempts to drain out aquifers around the world, as they feed their billion-dollar bottled water industry. For example, in 2009, residents of Salida, Arkansas objected to Nestle's proposal to draw out more than 65 million gallons of water from its aquifer.
Some common uses of the fennel flower
In a paper published in 2012, Nestle scientists say they "discovered" the healing powers of the nigella sativa plant. The fact is, their recent fennel flower discoveries are nothing new. Their findings are not a new, break-through science discovery. In fact fennel flower has been used throughout history and is used by many countries today. The herbal extract is scientifically proven to aid issues relating to kidney, liver, and respiratory disorders.
By claiming ownership, Nestle could gain control of the price and availability of a country's fennel flower, thus hurting poor populations in Africa who depend on the plant. This could also make it illegal for herbalists to create and sell herbal extracts of the plant.
Nigella sativa is historically valuable and has been used for centuries. Its black seed oil supports the health of populations in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The seeds and the oil from the plant are used as nutritional supplements. The seed's antiseptic properties treat intestinal worms. When used externally, the oil treats abscesses and hemorrhoids. The herb was used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The seeds were even found by in ancient Egyptian tombs.
