Herb Forms We Offer

Understanding the Best Form for Herb Preparation:

Tailoring Processing to Suit Your Needs. For instance, a cut form is ideal for tincture making, while powder form excels for capsule production. Refer to the chart below for further insights.  If you are going to make your own capsules, then powder would be most advantageous. See the chart below to learn more.

Powdered Concentrates
granules, herb extracts, herb granules, instant tea

Powdered concentrates have different yields compared to an herb in regular powder form. Powdered concentrates have been processed, and usually contains dextrin, an extract from corn. Herbal extracts that have been processed to remove the plant material and retain the active compounds. These powders are typically made by extracting the desired constituents from the plant material using solvents like water, alcohol, or CO2. After extraction, the solvent is evaporated, leaving behind a concentrated extract in powder form. Extract powders are often standardized to contain specific amounts of active compounds for consistency and efficacy. They are commonly used in supplements, herbal remedies, and culinary applications for their concentrated potency and ease of use. Extractors are stainless steel, vacuum-sealed chambers, and this combination of low temperature extraction and vacuum–sealed container ensures that no active ingredients or essential oils are lost when released during the decoction process.

Container Size: 100 grams (3.5 ounces)

Powdered Herbs
what do fine powders look like

 

Herb powders are finely ground plant materials derived from various parts of herbs such as leaves, roots, bark, seeds, or flowers. These powders are created by drying the plant material and then grinding it into a fine, uniform consistency. Herb powders retain the natural properties and constituents of the original plant, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds. 

Herb powders can be used in a variety of ways, including: 

  1. Capsules: Herb powders are commonly encapsulated for convenient consumption, allowing for precise dosage and easy ingestion.

  2. Teas and Infusions: Herb powders can be infused in hot water to make herbal teas, providing a flavorful and nutritious beverage.

  3. Cooking and Baking: Herb powders are used as flavoring agents in culinary dishes, adding aroma, taste, and nutritional value to recipes.

  4. Topical Applications: Herb powders are sometimes incorporated into creams, lotions, and ointments for their therapeutic properties when applied to the skin.

  5. Herbal Preparations: Herb powders can be combined with other ingredients to create various herbal preparations such as poultices, salves, and compresses for topical use.

This powder can usually be put into capsules. In general terms, the powders are the same consistency as baking flour. The high sugar content powders such as Gou Qi Zi and Shu Di Huang are sticky, hard, and lumpy.

Container Size: One pound (1 lb.) unless otherwise noted.

Cut and Sift
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Cut herbs refer to dried plant materials that have been chopped or cut into smaller pieces for various purposes, such as culinary use, tea blending, or herbal preparations. Unlike herb powders, which are finely ground, cut herbs retain their original size and shape to some extent. 

Here are some common uses of cut herbs: 

  1. Tea Blends: Cut herbs are often used in herbal tea blends to impart flavor, aroma, and therapeutic properties. They can be combined with other herbs, flowers, fruits, or spices to create custom tea blends tailored to specific preferences or health needs.

  2. Culinary Applications: Cut herbs are used as flavoring agents in cooking and baking. They can be added to soups, stews, sauces, marinades, salads, dressings, and various other dishes to enhance taste and aroma.

  3. Herbal Preparations: Cut herbs are commonly used in the preparation of herbal remedies, such as tinctures, infusions, decoctions, poultices, and compresses. They can also be used to make herbal oils, vinegars, syrups, and extracts.

  4. Aromatherapy: Some cut herbs are valued for their aromatic properties and are used in aromatherapy practices. They may be added to potpourri blends, sachets, herbal pillows, or used in essential oil distillation. 

Cut herbs offer a convenient way to incorporate the flavors, aromas, and health benefits of herbs into various applications, providing versatility and flexibility in herbal usage.

In general, they are about 1/4 inch in size.

Container Size: One pound (1 lb.) unless otherwise noted.

Whole

reishi mushrooms ling zhi

 

Whole herbs refer to dried plant materials that are harvested and sold in their natural, unprocessed state. Unlike cut herbs or herb powders, which are chopped, ground, or processed in some way, whole herbs retain their original form, including leaves, stems, roots, seeds, or flowers. 

Here are some characteristics and uses of whole herbs: 

  1. Intact Structure: Whole herbs maintain their natural structure, appearance, and texture, allowing users to visually identify different parts of the plant.

  2. Flavor and Aroma: Whole herbs often possess a robust flavor and aroma due to the preservation of essential oils and other volatile compounds within the plant material.

  3. Versatile Applications: Whole herbs can be used in a variety of ways, including culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic applications. They can be infused, brewed, decocted, or incorporated into herbal preparations depending on the desired outcome.

  4. Longer Shelf Life: Whole herbs typically have a longer shelf life compared to cut herbs or herb powders since they are less processed and contain less surface area exposed to air and moisture.

  5. Customization: Whole herbs provide flexibility for users to customize their herbal blends, teas, tinctures, and remedies according to their preferences and needs. They can be combined with other whole herbs or processed into smaller pieces if desired. 

While whole herbs may require additional preparation compared to their processed counterparts, they offer a natural and holistic approach to herbal usage, allowing users to experience the plant in its entirety.

On rare occasion, herbs are sold whole. For example, reishi mushrooms have been known to be the size of 4 inches in diameter. 

Container Size: One pound (1 lb.) unless otherwise noted.

Other Whole Forms: Chamomile Flowers, Lavender Flowers, Magnolia Flowers, Schisandra Berries, and Dang Gui Tou.

Teapills

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Chinese teapills, also known as Chinese herbal pills or herbal pellets, are a traditional form of Chinese herbal medicine. These are small, spherical pills made by combining powdered herbs with a binding agent, traditionally honey, and forming them into small pill-like shapes. 

Here are some key points about Chinese teapills: 

  1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Chinese teapills are an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a system of medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other parts of East Asia.

  2. Herbal Formulas: Chinese teapills are typically made from specific herbal formulas composed of multiple herbs. Each formula is carefully designed to address specific health concerns or imbalances in the body according to the principles of TCM.

  3. Convenience: Chinese teapills offer convenience and ease of use compared to traditional methods of preparing herbal decoctions or teas. They can be easily transported, stored, and consumed without the need for preparation.

  4. Standardization: Chinese teapills are manufactured using standardized processes to ensure consistency in dosage and efficacy. Each pill contains a precise amount of herbal extract, making it easier for practitioners and patients to administer and track dosages.

  5. Variety: There is a wide variety of Chinese teapills available, with formulations targeting various health conditions such as digestive issues, respiratory problems, immune support, and more. Different brands may offer different formulations based on their proprietary recipes or traditional formulas.

Teapills are small pills which have already been formulated and made into small, pea-sized spheres. The teapills are swallowed whole with room tempeture water. Depending upon the formula, they may be taken before or after a meal. Check with your health provider for proper usage. The formula is usually based on ancient Chinese medicine. 

Container Size: Teapill bottles usually contain 200 teapills unless otherwise noted.

Capsules

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Capsules are available in gelatin capsules and vegetarian capsules. Empty gelatin capsules contain only high-quality beef gelatin and purified water. Empty vegetable capsules (also referred to as empty vegetarian capsules) consist of only two ingredients: HPMC and purified water. HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) is derived from vegetable cellulose. The capsules are 100% natural and contain no preservatives, gelatin, wheat, animal by-products or starch, and they are made from pure cellulose of either pine or poplar. Please see each individual product for further information.

Loose Leaf

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The term "loose leaf tea" refers to tea leaves that are sold in their whole, unbroken form, rather than being packaged into individual tea bags. Loose leaf tea is typically sold in bulk or in containers where customers can measure out the desired quantity of tea leaves.

Here are some key points about loose leaf tea:

  1. Whole Leaves: Loose leaf tea consists of whole, intact tea leaves, which can vary in size and shape depending on the type of tea and how it is processed. This contrasts with tea bags, which often contain broken or fragmented tea leaves.

  2. Quality: Loose leaf tea is often considered to be of higher quality than tea found in bags because the leaves retain their essential oils, aroma, and flavor better. The larger surface area of whole leaves allows for more complex flavors to develop during brewing.

  3. Variety: Loose leaf tea offers a wide variety of options, including different types of tea (such as black, green, white, oolong, and herbal), as well as various blends and flavored teas. This allows tea enthusiasts to explore and experiment with different flavors and profiles.

  4. Brewing: Loose leaf tea requires some equipment for brewing, such as a teapot, tea infuser, or strainer. The leaves are steeped in hot water for a certain amount of time to extract their flavors, after which the leaves are usually discarded.

  5. Environmentally Friendly: Loose leaf tea is often considered to be more environmentally friendly than tea bags, as it reduces packaging waste. Many loose leaf teas are also sourced from sustainable and ethically responsible producers.

Overall, loose leaf tea offers a more customizable and flavorful tea-drinking experience, allowing individuals to appreciate the nuances of different teas and enjoy the ritual of brewing tea. 

Sizes of the leaf vary from 1/4 inch to 1 inch depending on herb and brand.