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Wild
or Organic? Increasing consumer demand has put a strain on some wild
plant populations. While most Western US plant populations remain in
good shape, some Eastern US plants are at risk. After surveying the
status of populations of Wild Ginseng and False Unicorn, we have decided
to discontinue sales of these herbs. In some areas of the Eastern US
Goldenseal has been over harvested. You can help ease the strain on Wild
harvested plants by:
1.) Encouraging and buying from Certified Organic Growers when
available.
(Even when the price is higher.)
2.) Buying from wildcrafters* that replant and harvest with
sustainability in mind.
3.) Substituting similar plants. Some companies have substituted Oregon
Grape root for Goldenseal, Echinacea purpurea for E. angustifolia. (As a
side note, most of the wild roots we have sampled labeled as E. angustifolia are either
E. pallida or a hybrid of E. angustifolia and E. pallida.) We will not buy or sell any wild Echinacea species.
4.) Selling and buying smaller portions of the herb in question, i.e.:
1/2 oz bottles of tincture or 25 tab bottles. Many customers may even
want to buy less, such as a sample pack for one time use. This goes
against the marketing mind set of "sell all you can." We often wonder
what percentage of herbs sold are discarded because the customer was
unable to buy a suitable amount.
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*
Wildcrafting is the practice of harvesting plants
from their natural, or "wild" habitat, for food, medicinal, or other
purposes. It applies to uncultivated plants wherever they may be found,
and is not necessarily limited to wilderness areas. Ethical
considerations are often involved, such as protecting endangered
species.
When wildcrafting is done sustainably with proper respect, generally
only the branches or flowers from plants are taken and the living plant
is left, or if it is necessary to take the whole plant, seeds of the
plant are placed in the empty hole from which the plant was taken. Care
is taken to only remove a few plants, flowers, or branches, so plenty
remains to continue the supply.
Wildcrafted plants are regulated by The Organic Food Production Act of
1991. Harvesters must designate the area they are harvesting and provide
a three-year history of the area that shows no prohibited substances
have been applied there. A plan for harvesting must show that the
harvest will sustain the wild crop. No prohibited substances can be
added by processors.
(from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)
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