taheebo tea“TAHEEBO NFD”

"TAHEEBO NFD" is extremely rare

The raw material resources of “TAHEEBO NFD”are very rare.The pure natural materials are not inexhaustible.

Of today’s numerous so-called “health teas”, most are artificially cultivated or synthesized.
The reasoning behind this approach is that pure, natural ingredients are only available in very small quantities, limiting their usefulness as basic ingredients. Moreover, harvesting such substances requires restraint in order to protect these natural resources, and it’s difficult to ensure consistent quality in terms of their composition.
Despite these challenges,“TAHEEBO NFD”is produced using only bast (inner bark) from extremely rare wild trees.Although it may seem that the price of“TAHEEBO NFD”is high, considering preservation and the quality side of limited natural resources, it is unavoidable.

Wood used in producing “TAHEEBO NFD”cannot be cultivated artificially.

The wood that serves as the basic ingredient for “TAHEEBO NFD” comes only from the Tabebuia avellanedae species in the Bignoniaceae family (scientific name: Bignoniaceae Tabebuia avellanedae Lor. ex. Gris), a tree that is indigenous to the forests of the Amazon basin in South America.
Tabebuia avellanedae is a large tree, reaching a mature height of 10 to 30 meters and having a trunk diameter from 50 centimeters to 1.5 meters. Its wood is hard, sometimes so much so that it cannot be cut with a chainsaw.
The species has resisted all attempts by people to grow it, and it is accepted that artificial cultivation is impossible.

Tabebuia avellanedae, the tree from which“TAHEEBO NFD”is produced

“NFD”is only contained in Tabebuia avellanedae trees native to a specific region.

“TAHEEBO NFD” contains a beneficial ingredient known as “NFD” that plays an exceptional role in maintaining human health, and this is the most important reason that so many people are avid consumers of TAHEEBO JAPAN’s “TAHEEBO NFD.” Tabebuia avellanedae is known to occur naturally not only in Brazil but also in Argentina and Paraguay, but the beneficial ingredient “NFD” occurs only in Tabebuia avellanedae specimens that grow in a specific region of the Amazon basin in Brazil.
This difference can be attributed to the extremely complex natural conditions in the Amazon basin in terms of factors such as climate and soil. Despite being collectively known as the Amazon, the basin is vast and includes more than 1,000 tributaries; its headwaters are similarly diverse.
Different regions and tributaries evidence striking variations in rainy and dry season timing and duration, ultraviolet light exposure, rainfall, and river levels.
What’s more, plant and animal ecosystems that have become established over the ages exert an influence on the fertility of the soil.
As a result, Tabebuia avellanedae specimens(despite representing the same species)differ significantly in composition and quantity depending on where they grow.

The Amazon River

Successfully identified the tree containing “NFD”after 50 years of investigation and research.

After 50 years of investigation and research, the late Dr. Walter Radames Accorsi*1, an international authority on South American botany, successfully identified an area that produces Tabebuia avellanedae trees containing the beneficial ingredient “NFD” .
Based on scientific data provided by Dr. Accorsi, TAHEEBO JAPAN harvests only Tabebuia avellanedae specimens from that specific region*2 for use as the basic ingredient in “TAHEEBO NFD” .
This approach constitutes a significant difference between TAHEEBO and IPE teas and similar teas from other manufacturers available in the marketplace.
*1:A professor emeritus at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Dr. Accorsi was a recipient of the National Brazil Science Award, the most prestigious award that a Brazilian scientist can receive.
*2:TAHEEBO JAPAN has not made the location of the harvesting region public in order to protect the valuable natural resources found there from indiscriminate and illegal logging. Instead, the company refers to the area as the “specific region”.

Dr. Accorsi holding bark from Tabebuia avellanedae

Harvested trees are carefully selected from Tabebuia avellanedae specimens in the specific region.

The beneficial ingredient “NFD” is only found in the inner bark (bast) of Tabebuia avellanedae species, a layer just 7 millimeters thick between the outer bark and woody tissue. The trees must be at least 30 years old.
Based on a sense of responsibility for its product, TAHEEBO JAPAN has established a local organization to oversee the harvesting of this wood in Brazil. The actual harvesting is conducted in keeping with Dr. Accorsi’s wishes by a special team from the Taheebo Institute, which meticulously checks individual Tabebuia avellanedae trees in the specific region. Only specimens whose “NFD” content meets a certain standard are harvested. TAHEEBO JAPAN has established its own standards for “NFD” content based on the need to protect this resource and maintain consistent quality, and trees not meeting the standard are not harvested. “TAHEEBO NFD” is produced using only the extremely valuable inner bark (bast) of these carefully selected trees as its basic ingredient.

Just 7 millimeters of inner bark between the outer bark and woody tissue is used as a basic ingredient.

Inner bark chips, the basic ingredient for“TAHEEBO NFD”(carefully selected for their“NFD”content).

Commonly confused trees

There are many similar trees which are easy to mistake in a TAHEEBO tree.

The wood that serves as the basic ingredient for “TAHEEBO NFD” comes only from the Tabebuia avellanedae species in the Bignoniaceae family (scientific name: Bignoniaceae Tabebuia avellanedae Lor. ex. Gris), a tree that is indigenous to the forests of the Amazon basin in South America.
There are at least 100 species belonging to the genus Tabebuia throughout the Americas.Tabebuia avellanedae, a tree with a single purplish red flowering species that is indigenous to a specific region of the Amazon basin in South America becomes the material wood of “TAHEEBO NFD”.

Be careful of similar trees!

Numerous species in the family Bignoniaceae can be found worldwide, and there are at least 100 species belonging to the genus Tabebuia throughout the Americas.
Trees belonging to the genus Tabebuia have names such as ipe, ippe, ippi, pau’d arco, and uba in Brazil and produce a variety of white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and orange flowers.
Generally speaking, they can be broadly classified into three categories based on the color of their flowers (white, yellow, or purple), purple being the most numerous with more than 50 species.
Among the purple-flowering variety, species such as impetiginosa closely resemble avellanedae.

Purplish-red flowers of the species avellanedae

TAHEEBO JAPAN applies the name “TAHEEBO” exclusively to Tabebuia avellanedae.

Thirty years ago, TAHEEBO JAPAN introduced Japan to Tabebuia avellanedae under the name TAHEEBO (meaning “tree of godly grace”) and began producing and selling “TAHEEBO NFD” , a tea made from the tree’s inner bark.
In recent years, teas derived from trees resembling the species avellanedae (similar products) have been marketed as“Taheebo tea”or“Ipe tea”.The name “TAHEEBO” seems to have been broadened to include trees resembling the genus Tabebuia, and its definition became vague and ambiguous.
But the tree known as the “tree of godly grace” should be one that benefits people, and there should be evidence of those benefits.
We can applies the name“TAHEEBO”exclusively to Tabebuia avellanedae, a single purplish red flowering species that is indigenous to a specific region* of the Amazon basin in South America.
Tabebuia avellanedae specimens growing in this specific region differ from trees of the same and similar species in other regions, and their inclusion of the beneficial ingredient “NFD” has been scientifically verified. This natural tree truly deserves its name meaning “tree of godly grace”.

Tabebuia avellanedae as seen from above the jungle canopy

We have not made the location of the harvesting region public in order to protect the valuable natural resources found there from indiscriminate and illegal logging.
Instead, the company refers to the area as the“specific region”.

“TAHEEBO NFD”Production process

Deep in the forests of the Amazon basin is the region from which TAHEEBO JAPAN harvests trees.
Some 70% of the Tabebuia avellanedae trees that grow there can be harvested as raw material for “TAHEEBO NFD” .

We select only high-quality trees that meet our standards for “NFD” content for use as raw material for “Taheebo NFD.” . Samples are tested beforehand to assess “NFD” content.

Since taheebo is very hard and heavy tree, even if we use a chain saw, we can cut down only two trees per day.

Harvested trees are transported by truck to our manufacturing facility.(It takes about 1week.)

The bark is stripped from the trees at the manufacturing facility (at this point, the inner bark is still attached to the outer bark).

The bark is dried in natural sunlight (In a process that takes about 3months).

Dried bark is transported by truck to our local factory in Brazil.(It takes about 10days.)

The bark is dried again after arriving at the local factory.(It takes about 2months.)

At this point, the inner bark has separated naturally from the outer bark.

Inner bark that has separated from the outer bark is brushed and cut into small pieces.

The cut inner bark is further cut into small chips of 2 ～ 3 cm each by machine.

The chips are processed with live bacteria and dried again in natural sunlight (in a process that takes about 2 months). Dried chips are packed into 20 kg hemp sacks.

The chips are dried inside the hemp sacks as they await shipment in a warehouse (in a process that takes about 6months).

The raw material chips are transported by container ship to our Japanese warehouse(in a process that takes about 1month).

Raw materials chips are stored at our warehouse after arrival in Japan.

Chips are crushed, powderized, and sterilized at a subcontractor's facility that meets food product safety standards.

A final quality test is performed, and the product is complete.
And we can send you“TAHEEBO NFD”completed this quality inspection.

Process of delivering TAHEEBO NFD.

carrying out planned logging to protect valuable natural resources

1. The careful selection of raw materials has the key to maintenance of product performance and high quality

Taheebo(botanical name;Tabebuia avellanedae) tree - the raw materials of"Taheebo NFD"- is not a cultivated trees but a tree which is indigenous to the forests of the Amazon basin in South America.So it's very valuable and the choice of the raw wood to log is an important point.
Raw woods - the raw materials of"Taheebo NFD"-are harvested from the specific region※1 based on the survey by specialized team knowing a lot about South America plant.Besides, by prior sampling analysis,we systematically fell only the raw wood aged 30 years or more and contains the useful ingredient "NFD"reaches the standard value of TAHEEBO JAPAN (manufacturer)in its bark sample.

※1 We have not made the location of the harvesting region public in order to protect the valuable natural resources found there from indiscriminate and illegal logging. Instead, the company refers to the area as the "specific region".

TAHEEBO JAPAN (manufacturer) does not leave the securing of raw materials to a local company.We have a branch in Brazil Sao Paulo City,and we let a Japanese local representative be resident.The local representative is familiar with environment around the Amazon and local circumstances.

2. primary processing by the manual work in a local factory In Brazil

The bark is stripped from the felled trees at the manufacturing facility, and is transported to a local factory In Brazil.The bark is dried in natural sunlight.Naturally separated bast(inner bark) is further cut into small chips of 2 〜 3cm each.

The local factory In Brazil

Chips are packed into hemp sacks.And They are transported to a local storage warehouse.

finely cut chips of inner bark

3. Check before export based on quality guidelines of Federative Republic of Brazil hygiene supervision agency

The chips are dried inside the hemp sacks in a local storage warehouse (about 6months).
During this period, we perform quality control analysis※2 before the export to Japan.

※2 Viewing and microscope confirmation, purity, chemical composition, useful ingredient measurement, confirmation of the microbe (based on quality guidelines RDC204・RDC210 of Federative Republic of Brazil hygiene supervision agency

The situation in the local storage warehouse

Quality control analysis before the export to Japan

Manufactured under the severe quality control in Japan

4. At first, raw materials chips of Taheebo are stored at manufacturer's warehouse after arrival in Japan

The raw materials tip imported by Brazil is carefully controlled in the warehouse of the manufacturer(TAHEEBO JAPAN)※3 with the automatic ventilating device to maintain good state of preservation.

※3 Location of TAHEEBO JAPAN's (manufacturer's) warehouse for raw materials is not announced publicly to protect them from theft risks.

warehouse of TAHEEBO JAPAN,Co,Ltd.(the manufacturer)in Japan

5. food processing is carried out in the entrusted factory which adapted to food safety standards

Processing from raw materials tip to powder, processing from essence extraction into essence powder, and processing to a soft capsule are carried out in the outer entrusted factory of TAHEEBO JAPAN which adapted to food safety standards (GMP standard)

The storage condition in TAHEEBO JAPAN's (manufacturer's) warehouse for raw materials

6. carry out various inspection based on administrative guidelines

In each factory, we carry out the quality check based on the administrative guidelines including the examination of bacteria on product at any time.
In addition, we carry out the strict examination by the the third party organization of inspection regularly, and the test result report is submitted to the manufacturer(TAHEEBO JAPAN) each time.

Inspection of processing from raw materials tip into powder

In addition to an examination of sterilization processing and bacteria, TAHEEBO JAPAN perform 340 items of pesticide residue inspection based on the Positive List System.
Because Taheebo is not the cultivation crops, it is not originally possible that a pesticide is detected, but is to be concerned about the present conditions that environmental pollution scatters on a global scale.

powder made from crushed raw materials tip

Inspection at the time of the extract powder product making

In the process from essence extraction to spray-dry treatment to make extract powder, we carry out PH inspection, bacteria inspection, water check.

TAHEEBO ESSENCE Inspection at the time of the extract powder product making(Japan)

Inspection at the time of the soft capsule product making

We carry out an examination of bacteria, an examination by the viewing for appearance, size and the weight check of every grain by the computer, bottle weight check by the viewing.
TAHEEBO JAPAN(the manufacturer) pursue safety about other raw materials to add at the time of processing by requesting to submit the specification of each and every item.

TAHEEBO NAFDIN Filling process to soft capsules(Japan)

Inspection of TAHEEBO NAFDIN capsules(Japan)

The safety of the packing material has been confirmed.

About a desiccating agent bundled with packing material and a product, we carry out analysis and evaluation of composition and the influence on contents from the standpoint of harmfulness and stability to confirm safety of the material to use.

To deliver the product which can be used in relief by a customer, the final inspection staff check it strictly.

7. All the completion products ship from a direct management factory.

The delivered half-finished goods from entrust factory are given final check in the factory of TAHEEBO JAPAN,Co,Ltd.. And every product is wrapped by each package and it waits for shipment.
In addition, we make shrink packaging on each package to enhance safety (prevention of damage and contamination) at the distribution stage.

inspection and ackaging operation in the factory of TAHEEBO JAPAN(the manufacturer)

All the completion products ship from a direct management factory in Japan.

8. route retrieval of the product

We have the system to route retrieval of the product by the lot number of manufactured product, the raw material lot number, the date of manufacture, the time of shipping and the destination.

Engraving the lot number

Safety of “TAHEEBO NFD”

Safety studies have been completed.

Today, a variety of healthy foods are seen in the market while the users increase year by year. Meanwhile, many products doubtful in terms of their safety are sold among them in fact. Foods can have effects on the health of people by intake, and the safety is more critical issue than anything else. Based on the recognition that safety for human health is essential, TAHEEBO JAPAN requested independent and objective testing laboratories to conduct a range of safety studies. The study results have confirmed the safety of “TAHEEBO NFD” as a food.

試験会社： Study laboratories:Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department) ／ BML, Inc. (Safety Evaluation Department)

“TAHEEBO NFD”General toxicity test

Acute oral toxicity study
Study name	Single dose oral toxicity study of Avellanedae extract powder in rats
Study article	Avellanedae extract powder
Study objective	A dose of Avellanedae extract powder is administered orally in male and female rats, and the acute toxicity is examined.
Study result	No death was observed in both male and female groups administered with the study article. The minimum lethal dose exceeded 2000 mg/kg. The changes of body weight were similar to those of the control group. The autopsy of all the specimens revealed no abnormality.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

“TAHEEBO NFD”Genotoxicity study

Mutagenicity study(Ames test)
Study name	Mutagenicity study of Avellanedae extract powder in microorganisms
Study article	Avellanedae extract powder (BML-2606)
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine whether it has a mutagenic effect induced by microorganisms.
Study result	Avellanedae extract powder is considered to have no mutagenic effect induced by any strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA1535, TA98, and TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2 uvrA), regardless of whether it is in active metabolic state or not.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)
BML, Inc. (Safety Evaluation Department) Study no.: 4329

Mutagenicity study(Ames test)-2
Study name	Mutagenicity study of Avellanedae extract powder in microorganisms (with adjuvant)
Study article	Avellanedae extract powder (BML-4708)
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine whether it has a mutagenic effect induced by microorganisms.
Study result	Avellanedae extract powder is considered to have no mutagenic effect.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)
BML, Inc. (Safety Evaluation Department) Study no.: 6640

Chromosome aberration test
Study name	Chromosome aberration test of Avellanedae extract powder in mammalian cell culture
Study article	Avellanedae extract powder (BML-3757)
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine whether it has clastogenic property in mammalian cell culture (CHL/IU cells).
Study result	This study was performed based on a pilot test. Any results of the direct method or the metabolic activation method of the study did not indicate a property of Avellanedae extract powder to induce structural or numeric chromosome aberrations. In conclusion, the study article is considered to have no clastogenic property in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line (CHL/IU).

Study laboratory:Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)
BML, Inc. (Safety Study Division, Cell Biology Department) Study no.: 5618

“TAHEEBO NFD”　Other tests

Eye irritation Avellanedae extract powder in rabbits
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is administered in the eyes of young mature rabbits to determine its primary irritation property on eye mucosa, and the results are reported.
Study result	The solution of Avellanedae extract powder dissolved in 0.05% physiological saline is considered to have no irritation property on eye mucosa of rabbits.

Study laboratory:Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

Primary skin irritation test of Avellanedae extract powder in rabbits
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is applied on the rabbit skin to determine its primary irritation property on skin, and the results are reported.
Study result	The solution of Avellanedae extract powder dissolved in 0.1% acetone was classified as a mild irritant.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

Skin sensitivity study of Avellanedae extract powder in guinea pigs
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine its skin sensitivity in guinea pigs, and the results are reported.
Study result	Avellanedae extract powder is considered to have no noticeable level of skin sensitivity in guinea pigs.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

Phototoxicity test of Avellanedae extract powder in guinea pigs
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine its phototoxicity on the skin of guinea pigs, and the results are reported.
Study result	Avellanedae extract powder is considered to have no noticeable level of phototoxicity on the skin of guinea pigs.

Study laboratory: Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

Photosensitization test of Avellanedae extract powder in guinea pigs
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder is tested to determine its photosensitizing property in guinea pigs by the Adjuvant and strip method, and the results are reported.
Study result	No positive skin reaction was observed in any of the animals photosensitized and photochallenged with Avellanedae extract powder. Avellanedae extract powder is considered to have no photosensitizing property.

Study laboratory:Japan SLC, Inc. (Contract Research Department)

Long-term intake test
Study name	Study of Avellanedae tea containing indigestible dextrin for the effect on the reduction of blood sugar increase and the safety after long-term intake.
Study article	Avellanedae tea containing indigestible dextrin
Study objective	Avellanedae extract powder containing indigestible dextrin is tested to determine the safety in human after the long-term intake.
Study result	Twelve healthy volunteers took Avellanedae extract powder containing indigestible dextrin 3 times a day for 12 weeks, and the physical, blood pressure, and laboratory measurements were performed subsequently. No significant change was observed in the measurements, and the long-term continuous intake did not indicate any clinically relevant problem.

Study laboratory:The article on this study was presented in Journal of
Nutritional Food (2001) vol. 4, no.4.

TAHEEBO NFD shop Nouvelle Murachi JAPAN

TAHEEBO NFD

Introduction of the “Taheebo” products

What is Taheebo?

Selected carefully only with the trees which grew naturally more than 30 years

"TAHEEBO NFD" is extremely rare

The raw material resources of “TAHEEBO NFD”are very rare.The pure natural materials are not inexhaustible.

Wood used in producing “TAHEEBO NFD”cannot be cultivated artificially.

“NFD”is only contained in Tabebuia avellanedae trees native to a specific region.

Successfully identified the tree containing “NFD”after 50 years of investigation and research.

Harvested trees are carefully selected from Tabebuia avellanedae specimens in the specific region.

Commonly confused trees

There are many similar trees which are easy to mistake in a TAHEEBO tree.

Be careful of similar trees!

TAHEEBO JAPAN applies the name “TAHEEBO” exclusively to Tabebuia avellanedae.

“TAHEEBO NFD”Production process

Process of delivering TAHEEBO NFD.

carrying out planned logging to protect valuable natural resources

1. The careful selection of raw materials has the key to maintenance of product performance and high quality

2. primary processing by the manual work in a local factory In Brazil

3. Check before export based on quality guidelines of Federative Republic of Brazil hygiene supervision agency

Manufactured under the severe quality control in Japan

4. At first, raw materials chips of Taheebo are stored at manufacturer's warehouse after arrival in Japan

5. food processing is carried out in the entrusted factory which adapted to food safety standards

6. carry out various inspection based on administrative guidelines

To deliver the product which can be used in relief by a customer, the final inspection staff check it strictly.

7. All the completion products ship from a direct management factory.

8. route retrieval of the product

Safety of “TAHEEBO NFD”

Safety studies have been completed.

“TAHEEBO NFD”General toxicity test

“TAHEEBO NFD”Genotoxicity study

“TAHEEBO NFD”　Other tests

Contact information

TAHEEBO NFD

Introduction of the “Taheebo” products

What is Taheebo?

Selected carefully only with the trees which grew naturally more than 30 years

"TAHEEBO NFD" is extremely rare

The raw material resources of “TAHEEBO NFD”are very rare.The pure natural materials are not inexhaustible.

Wood used in producing “TAHEEBO NFD”cannot be cultivated artificially.

“NFD”is only contained in Tabebuia avellanedae trees native to a specific region.

Successfully identified the tree containing “NFD”after 50 years of investigation and research.

Harvested trees are carefully selected from Tabebuia avellanedae specimens in the specific region.

Commonly confused trees

There are many similar trees which are easy to mistake in a TAHEEBO tree.

Be careful of similar trees!

TAHEEBO JAPAN applies the name “TAHEEBO” exclusively to Tabebuia avellanedae.

“TAHEEBO NFD”Production process

Process of delivering TAHEEBO NFD.

carrying out planned logging to protect valuable natural resources

1. The careful selection of raw materials has the key to maintenance of product performance and high quality

2. primary processing by the manual work in a local factory In Brazil

3. Check before export based on quality guidelines of Federative Republic of Brazil hygiene supervision agency

Manufactured under the severe quality control in Japan

4. At first, raw materials chips of Taheebo are stored at manufacturer's warehouse after arrival in Japan

5. food processing is carried out in the entrusted factory which adapted to food safety standards

6. carry out various inspection based on administrative guidelines

To deliver the product which can be used in relief by a customer, the final inspection staff check it strictly.

7. All the completion products ship from a direct management factory.

8. route retrieval of the product

Safety of “TAHEEBO NFD”

Safety studies have been completed.

“TAHEEBO NFD”General toxicity test

“TAHEEBO NFD”Genotoxicity study

“TAHEEBO NFD” Other tests

Contact information

“TAHEEBO NFD”　Other tests