Biodynamic®
Currently no Traditional Medicinals® products are certified Biodynamic®. However, some of the herbs we source from our suppliers are produced under Biodynamic certification. Our green tea leaf and black tea leaf from Ambootia in Darjeeling India, and our chamomile and spearmint from the Sekem Initiative in Egypt are certified Biodynamic by Demeter.
Biodynamic Agriculture
The foundation for modern Biodynamic agricultural principles was laid in a series of lectures given in 1924 by Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian scientist and philosopher. These principles emphasize living soil, the farm as a holistic organism, and note both the visible and invisible forces that create a healthy eco-system.Because of the spiritual and holistic nature of Biodynamic farming, it is difficult to summarize the practices and we encourage you to learn more about them by following our links at the bottom of the page.
As with organic products, Biodynamic products have a certifying agency and a certification process that ensures consistency and adherence to biodynamic standards. Our certified Biodynamic ingredients are certified by Demeter. According to Demeter:
"In general, Demeter certification is in accord with many practices that characterize the certification of organic farms. However, certain practices are unique to Biodynamic agriculture as briefly mentioned below:
- Maintenance of a healthy, diverse ecosystem; an expectation that the farmer supports a broad ecological perspective which includes not only the earth, but the cosmic influences and rhythms of which the earth is a part.
- Nutrient self-sufficiency, and soil husbandry; use of the Biodynamic preparations to build soil health through enlivened compost, and to stimulate plant health.
- Integration of livestock with a requirement that at least 80% of livestock feed be from the farm. (Some horticultural operations may be excused from this requirement.)
- Problem solving within the farm organism.
- Since 1992, Demeter has prohibited the use of genetically engineered plant materials and organisms."
To learn more about Biodynamic agriculture, visit:
The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association
The Organic and Biodynamic Gardening Resource site