Where do you get your herbs?
Herb Lore buys its herbs from certified organic herb farms. They grow the herbs, harvest them at the peak of their potency, dry them, and then ship them directly to us to be made into the high quality products that we offer to you.
What does wildcrafted mean?
Wildcrafted means that the herb has been harvested from the wild. It is grown without the use of any pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals of any kind, and has been ethically harvested.
What is a tincture?
A tincture is a liquid extract made from the herb. Tinctures are extracted in either alcohol, vegetable glyerine or apple cider vinegar. Alcohol extracts more completely and has an unlimited shelf life. Some herbs will not give up their medicinal properties to a solvent less potent than alcohol. Alcohol-based tinctures are safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as the amount of alcohol ingested per dose is the equivalent of eating a very ripe banana. They are not recommended for children, mostly because they will hate the taste! Vegetable glycerine tinctures, which are alcohol-free, have a 3-5 year shelf life, and are a bit less potent than alcohol-based tinctures (depending on the herb used). They are a great choice for children or those who prefer a non-alcohol tincture. Apple cider vinegar tinctures have the shortest shelf life, and again, are not as potent as the alcohol-based tinctures. However, apple cider vinegar has some great health-promoting benefits of it's own, giving these tinctures a double benefit. They make great salad dressings too! Herb Lore offers tinctures only in alcohol and vegetable glycerine bases. For more information on tinctures, please contact us.
Are herbs safe?
There are many plants, trees and herbs in the world that are very safe and gentle, and there are others that are poisonous, some that harmful in large amounts, or others that should not be used by individuals with certain health conditions. It is recommended that you educate yourself on which plants/herbs/trees are safe for use and which should be avoided, or consult a botanist or herbalist who can safely guide you. We at Herb Lore are always happy to answer any questions you may have on the safety of an herb or product you're interested in, whether you're pregnant, nursing or if it's for your baby. We will provide herb safety information to the best of our ability and knowledge. We can assure you that any herbs we may recommend to you are safe for your situation, and we will guide you on its correct usage. For a list of herbs to avoid during pregnancy and lactation, click here.
Do herbs have interactions with other medications I may be taking?
Some can, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have in regards to this, as we feel that it is of utmost importance. Any product that we have that may interact negatively with pharmaceutical drugs or that should be avoided with certain health issues will be listed on our label or in the product's description to the best of our ability and knowledge. We strive to be as thorough and complete as we can. If in doubt about any product, we invite you to call the office, and we will be glad to help you. Be sure when you consult with any herbalist or other health care provider that you fully inform them of any medications you are taking, or of any health issues you are experiencing. We urge you to be a responsible party in your own health care by fully informing anyone who is giving you products or health advice of these important pieces of information. Not all companies are as diligent as Herb Lore in providing information or cautionary notes on its product labels.
How do you take herbs?
There are a number of ways to use herbs, both internally and externally. Herbs can be taken internally as a tea, a tincture (see above), in capsules, as an enema (always use lukewarm/warm water in an enema never administer an enema cold), or as a suppository. Herbs can be applied externally in an herbal oil, salve, poultice, compress, in a bath soak or as a foot soak. (Some of the old herbalists from centuries past administered herbs to their clients in footbaths only. As strange as this sounds, the herbs were absorbed into the system surprisingly well and they got great results!)
Can children and animals take herbs?
Yes, children and animals respond extremely well to herbal remedies. We have a whole section in this catalog dedicated to children and baby's health. Contact us or give us a call if you'd like further information or have questions.
What are Flower Essences?
Flower Essences are a system of healing that addresses the underlying emotional cause of disease or illness. They work on the spiritual and emotional body like herbs work on the physical body. Flower Essences look like water and taste like water, but they subtly help you balance and move through negative emotions that may be causing or contributing to a health problem. Dr. Bach, the creator of the Bach flower Essences, said that you can treat the symptoms of a disease, but unless you address the underlying cause, the disease would never truly be healed. Dr. Bach was led to certain wild flowers from which he created his essences that could flood the soul with a beautiful, positive attitude, and diseases then melted like snow in the sunshine. .
Why are the prices of some of your items higher than that of your competitors?
You may find that prices on some of our herbal products may be higher than some of our competitors. We refuse to purchase cheaper and lower quality herbs that may be old and ineffective, or worse yet, that may have been contaminated from fecal matter, unhygienic drying conditions or chemical radiation or fumigation. We buy only from high-quality, organic herb farms that specialize in growing, drying and processing clean, unadulterated herbs. We are very pleased with their quality and offer them to you happily, with confidence and with pride!
Do you carry any animal-based products?
No, all of our products are vegetarian (including the capsules, which are made from all vegetable sources). Our products contain no animal products, and have not been tested on any animals.
How do I store my herbs to maintain their freshness and potency?
Herbs (including your cooking spices) should be stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat sources (like your stove). Heat and sunlight will destroy an herb's freshness in a fairly short amount of time.
How do I tell if my herbs are fresh or not?
You can tell a lot about an herb's freshness by using your senses. Does it look green and lively? Does it smell fresh and alive? Can you sense the life in it? Make a cup of tea from it. How does it make you feel? If an herb is brown and lifeless and has no distinct aroma, the quality is poor and it probably won't be of much benefit to you.
How do I get my kids to take herbs?
A lot of children enjoy the taste of herbs. You may not have a problem with this at all! Also, the non-alcohol tinctures, which are made from vegetable glycerine and distilled water, are rather sweet and children usually like them very much. We have also noticed that if their little bodies are in need of an herb's particular quality, that they will readily take it and will want to have it. It is not uncommon for children to request an herb that they are needing. But if you do run into a problem, you can add the herb to juice or something that will mask the taste. I've had good luck with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I just mix the herb into the jelly, and nobody knows the difference! (Shhh! Don't tell!)
How do I know how much I can give my child?
I have an informational hand-out that I include with all children's herb orders that outlines dosages for children based on age, weight and they type of herbal remedy you're giving.
Where can I purchase Herb Lore products?
You may purchase Herb Lore products on-line, by calling the office to place your order, or at one of our many retail outlets. We have several retail locations currently, and are adding additional locations all the time. Please see our list of retail outlets for the most current listings of stores or locations carrying Herb Lore products. If you have a favorite health food store you like to patronize and would like to be able to purchase your Herb Lore products there, speak to the herb buyer at the store and then contact us. We will be happy to follow up and see if we can make that happen for you!
If you don't see your question listed here, please contact us or give us a call toll free at 1-877-808-5815. We are always happy to be of service to you!
