FAQs

What are pharmacopoeial grade herbs and why use them?

Our herbal products are formulated in accordance with specific rules of combining and compatability stemming from traditional systems of herbal practice. There are several grades of herbs available, including pharmacopoeial grade, food grade and inferior grades. We follow standards for pharmacopoeial herbs such as those published in the European Pharmacopoeia, which ensures that our teas and other herbal products meet the highest quality standards. Pharmacopoeial grade herbs cost more than the commonly used commercial grade herbs, but we think you're worth it.

Are Traditional Medicinals products organic?

We have been committed to organic agriculture for over three decades. Back then we believed that the herbs in our teas should be grown without the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Now with the USDA National Organic Program, what was once on the fringe has become mainstream.

We continue to recognize the importance of sustainable agriculture and wild collection, working to develop new organic sources of herbs for all of our products. We believe teas that are good for your body should be good for the earth as well.

Are your products suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

The ingredients of our herbal capsules, powders and teas are natural and plant-based (no synthetic, petroleum-based, or animal-derived components) and are suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans.

Our herbal pastilles and syrups are suitable for vegetarians but not for vegans. The pastilles contain beeswax and honey and the syrups contain honey.

Do any of your products contain caffeine?

Yes. Some of our products include caffeine-containing herbs such as maté leaf (Ilex paraguariensis) or black or green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis).

Are your green teas tested for fluoride content?

Yes. We have had our organic green tea products tested for fluoride at an independent laboratory and the test results have shown none detected.



There is concern because some green teas have been shown to contain relatively high levels of fluoride. Fluoride-containing drinking water is considered to be a risk factor for dental fluorosis, a condition caused by an excessive intake of fluorides (2 or more ppm in drinking water). Some plants, including the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), are inherently able to uptake and accumulate relatively high quantities of fluoride. The soil and water conditions where the tea plant is grown, as well as the methods of cultivation, are factors that can determine fluoride levels in the tea leaf. Some studies have also shown a correlation between lower quality teas having higher fluoride content and higher quality teas having lower fluoride content.

Do any of your products contain genetically engineered components?

No. We do not use ingredients that were produced using biotechnology in our products or at any stage of production, processing or handling. Following a precautionary principle, we believe that the practice of genetic engineering should be halted and in the meantime all products containing genetically engineered ingredients should be clearly labeled as such.

Traditional Medicinals® is opposed to the practice of genetic engineering, which involves the insertion of genes from any source (including bacteria, other plants or even animals) into the DNA of cultivated plants. Genetically engineered crops, altered to be insect resistant, may throw off the balance of nature and cause harm to beneficial insects such as ladybugs, butterflies and other pollinators. We believe that the potential long-term risks to the environment and to human health far outweigh any perceived benefits that could come as a result of manipulating nature in this way. We also see the spread of genetically engineered crops as a serious threat to certified organic and/or biodynamic agriculture due to the inability to control cross-pollination. Many pollinators travel long distances that may put them in direct contact with both certified organic acreage and genetically engineered acreage.

Do any of your products contain gluten?

Herbal Teas

Herbal Pastilles (lozenges)

Do any of your products contain artificial or natural flavors?

No. We do not add flavors to our products. While it is common for beverage teas to contain added flavors,  teas for self care generally do not. We prefer to balance an herbal formula's taste profile using other complementary herbs or their essential oils, because it is important to experience the true taste of the herbs for best results.

About the use of licorice root in Traditional Medicinals' products

Licorice root is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs today and has been employed therapeutically for several thousand years in western and eastern systems of Traditional Herbal Medicine. It is also one of the most widely used herbs in many Traditional Medicinals®' herbal formulas. We are occasionally asked about its safety and about some reports that it may contribute to potassium loss and raising of blood pressure.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) licorice monograph, no adverse effects have been associated with licorice root when it is used within normal therapeutic dosage and treatment period limits. On prolonged use (longer than 6 weeks regular daily ingestion) at overdose levels (greater than 50,000 mg daily), sodium and water retention and potassium loss may occur, accompanied by hypertension, edema, hypokalemia, and, in rare cases, myoglobinuria.

Licorice adverse events have generally been associated with the overdose or binge eating of licorice candies, which may contain concentrated extracts of licorice root. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), licorice root is affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use, among other things, as a flavoring agent or flavor enhancer in candies, foods, dietary supplements as well as nonalcoholic beverages including herbal teas.

In a clinical study involving our Throat Coat® herbal tea, which contains both licorice root and licorice extract as primary ingredients, there were no significant changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure measured during the course of the study with patients drinking 4-6 cups of tea daily.

About use of stevia leaf in Traditional Medicinals' products

Stevia leaf (Stevia rebaudiana) is used in some of our formulas at very low levels functioning appropriately as a taste balancing component. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Botanical Safety Handbook gives stevia leaf a ‘Class 1' safety rating, meaning that it can be safely consumed when used appropriately, and it has no known contraindications or specific use restrictions. Traditionally, stevia leaf is used as an herbal tea by indigenous peoples of South America including the Guaraní and Mestizos, often in combination with maté leaf (Ilex paraguariensis).