Generally wild-crafted herbs are grown and harvested in their natural habitat, while organic herbs are grown under controlled situations. Here at Penn Herb, the majority of our herbs are wild-crafted. Our suppliers assure us that the botanicals are free of chemical pesticides and are not irradiated.

All of the herbs we use at True Botanica are of the highest quality and are chosen based on the most appropriate form for each product. Whenever possible we try to use organic or even better biodynamic plant material that comes from US farmers. For our herbal tinctures, the vast majority are biodynamically and organically grown by local farmers (see question below) and are then prepared via our proprietary Pentas™ process.

Most of the biodynamic and organic herbs used by True Botanica are grown locally by Wisconsin farmers. We are also building a network with other farmers in the U.S. to help expand our line of items grown from these high quality plants. Part of our mission is to support these farmers to help establish a strong socially responsible and healing farming impulse.

These botanicals are generally harvested from remote areas such as the Laurentian forest of Quebec, the Omani desert, the Himalayan foothills and the Lao jungle. In all cases the harvesters are local people with a direct interest in the harvest and their future. Every effort is made to insure that these harvests are legal and ethical, including any plants listed as endangered species.

Our herbs are either organic, ETHICALLY wildcrafted by hand-selected harvesters, or selectively imported. We first use certified organic herbs when available. (We will begin using certified organic goldenseal in the fall of 1999).Our herbs are never fumigated or irradiated.

The fillings for my pillows are all organic. The flaxseeds are purchased from a Wholesaler of Natural Foods located in Marin County (just north of San Francisco). Their sources are from both inside the US and South America and are certified organic. The chamomile and about half of the lavender come from mountainroseherbs.com. The spearmint and the other half of the lavender is grown in my garden.

Natural' often is misrepresented in product labeling to imply 'healthful,' but 'natural' only means that the product has undergone minimal processing. Unlike products that are certified organic, natural products have no certification or inspection system. Also, 'natural' does not necessarily relate to growing methods or the use of preservatives.

To be Certified Organic, herbs have to be grown on a farm that has been inspected, and soil samples proved to be chemical free. These inspections continue every year, with random checks as well, for three years, during which the farm is considered "under conversion". Only when the final inspection has been passed are the growers able to use the term Certified Organic for their herbs.

As an herbalist concerned about our environment, I strongly recommend that herbal consumers choose certified organically grown herbs. First, choosing organically cultivated herbs helps lessen over-harvesting of herbs in the wild. For example, Echinacea and Goldenseal, among other herbs, are facing extinction unless we start cultivating these plants. Second, certified organic farmers make sure they have crops year after year by not compromising their land for short-term gain.

Herbal preparations are made from plants which are ground to a fine state and made into capsules for consumption. These crude herbs can have untoward side-effects and should be prescribed by a qualified herbalist, naturopath or homeopath. Homeopathic medicines are made from plants, minerals, metals, salts and animal products. They are very deep-acting and are prepared systematically to reduce side-effects, yet treat at the deepest levels.

Herbs that are classified as Chinese Herbs have been discovered as medicinal and tested by Chinese herbalists centuries ago. Most of the time, the herbs' origin is in China. It is a common mistake to believe that everything natural that comes from the earth is safe and beneficial. This certainly is not true. Centuries ago, traditional Chinese herbalists would test the herbs on themselves and have poisoned themselves with herbs in order to document its true nature.

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Most quality herbal stores have them, at a reasonable price. And you can find my recommended herbal stores I am always using in my ebook. Don't worry. Please send me an email to mercury21@intergate.com and I will send you the download link page.

To obtain organic certification for a product a minimum of 95% of all ingredients of agricultural origin must be certified organic. The remaining 5% (or less) of ingredients are also bound by strict guidelines. They are, for example, not permitted to be synthetic chemicals or artificially processed ingredients. Independent third-party guarantee of quality, and purity of ingredients. * Safe, clean and potent plant extracts of high vitality.

The Governor's Office of Planning and Research prepares and develops proposed amendments to the Guidelines and transmits them to the Secretary for Resources. The Secretary for Resources is responsible for certification and adoption of the Guidelines and any amendments. To obtain public comment, the Secretary holds a 45-day written comment period, which includes a public hearing to receive testimony on the proposal.

Wild yam, Dioscorea barbasco, is a herb that has been used historically in herbal medicine for women's health. Some of the actions of wild yam include smooth muscle relaxation and a mild diuretic effect. Contrary to some information provided by companies producing wild yam products, wild yam does not convert into progesterone in the body. This conversion can only occur in a laboratory setting.

It has become very popular in aromatherapy to use only organic oils. In our experience, organic may not necessarily mean better. When oils are steam distilled, offensive or harmful pesticides are left behind. The pesticide reside is too big to pass through the distillation process. The only way pesticides could get through is if plants were newly sprayed at harvest time. The likelihood of this is slim.

Organic soymilk is made with whole organic soybeans and meets the USDA certification standards. Non-organic soymilk can be made with organic or non-organic soybeans but contains other non-organic ingredients that do not allow it to achieve the percentage of organic ingredients dictated by the USDA. Some natural flavors are made with non-organic ingredients, rendering the soymilk non-organic.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Additionally, the Royal-Pedic Organic Cotton Mattress, the Royal-Pedic Organic Natural Latex Mattress, and the Royal-Pedic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress are manufactured without the use of formaldehyde, glues, dyes, resins, polyurethane foam, or synthetic latex. See Royal-Pedic Premium, Natural Materials to learn more.