FAQS

Yes!

We never use animal ingredients in any of our products, with the exception of the use of honey in our three seasonal syrups.

Simply put, you must brew well to be well. Our herbal blends generally require steeping times of anywhere from 5-15 minutes. This longer steeping time allows for more components in the herbs to be extracted into the tea water.

An interesting facet of steeping herbal blends like ours is that, after a few minutes, it’s not just water that is acting on the herbs within the tea bag. The water itself changes as the herbs infuse into it. Depending on what compounds are first released, the water can become a mild acid or a mild base solution (chemistry geeks, we know we’ve got your attention now!), which in turn affects the release of other compounds in the herbs. 

Each new compound that is released changes the composition of the water. This enables some compounds that are not entirely water-soluble to still be released into the water. This is why we say brew well to be well, because a sufficient steeping time is needed in order to create a complete, balanced tea extraction.

Our herbalists raise the bar and go to great lengths to secure pharmacopoeial quality herbs, which is a standard for quality, purity, strength, identity and composition. Simply put, the quality of pharmacopoeial herbs is better than commonly used food grade herbs to ensure our teas deliver their intended effect.

There are several grades of herbs available, including pharmacopoeial grade, food grade and inferior grades. Most herbs have their own pharmacopoeial standard dictating the presence or absence of necessary components, and including measures related to their identity, strength and composition. Many countries publish a pharmacopoeia, the official guide of quality standards. Mainly we utilize the quality standards of the European Pharmacopoeia (PhEur), although in some cases, we may select a standard from another appropriate pharmacopoeia.

We have been committed to organic agriculture for nearly four decades. We recognize the importance of organic agriculture and organic wild collection. Our organic products meet the standards as established by the National Organic Program (NOP) under the US Department of Agriculture. We are certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which has been, and continues to be, one of the leading organic certifying agencies. Learn more about organic.

Yes. Some of our products include caffeine-containing herbs such as green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis). Please read the ingredients panel, where we always note caffeine containing herbs and the presence of caffeine in the tea. 

Nearly all of our teas, however, are naturally caffeine-free and are labeled as such on the front panel.

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.

We are 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.

All of our teas are Non-GMO Project Verified and we support the 2012 California Ballot Initiative, Prop 37, which would require labeling of GMOs. Learn more about the Non-GMO Project.

All of our herbal tea infusions, with the exception of PMS Tea®, are naturally gluten-free. PMS Tea® contains barley, which naturally contains more than 20 parts per million(ppm) gluten. Our tea bags (made from Manila hemp, extracted from the leaves of abaca, a relative of the banana tree family) and our strings (cotton) also do not contain gluten.

No. We do not add artificial or natural flavors to our products. 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.

Licorice root is one of the most widely used herbs today and has been used for several thousand years in both eastern and western herbal traditions. We love licorice root, and we often use it in our herbal blends as well.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), licorice root is safe 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 grams daily), sodium and water retention and potassium loss may occur, accompanied by high blood pressure. In rare cases, low potassium levels from overdose of licorice have resulted in changes in heart rate and temporary muscle weakness.

Please always read and follow all directions for use listed on the packaging.

All of our teas have a three-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. You can find this information on the left side panel of the box, which states "Best if Used By – Expiration Date/Lot." The series of letters and numbers indicate the expiration date. Some cartons will have a series of letters and numbers that looks like this: APR11 R 1988. This indicates that the tea is fresh through April 2011 and the R 1988 is the lot number. Other packages may have a series that looks like this: APR2011R1988. This indicates that the tea is fresh through April 2011 and the R 1988 is the lot number.

Our tea cartons are made from 100% recycled paper board (at least 55% verified post-consumer waste) and shipped in recyclable packing boxes composed of 100% recycled fiber. Our herbal teas are put into unbleached tea bags made from abacá (Musa textilis), also sometimes known as manila hemp. The tea bags are attached with aluminum staple wire to teabag string made of raw cotton (Gossypium spp.) and a paper tea tag. We encourage you to compost your used tea bags, string and all (but first remove the aluminum staple), rather than throwing them in the trash. They will make great soil later on!

Because we want to make sure that the tea you brew is reliable and of the highest quality.

We pack each tea bag into a tamper-evident, oxygen and moisture barrier sealed overwrap, which prevents deterioration of components and is essential for preserving the stability of herbal ingredients. Exposure to air, light and humidity has a negative impact on the quality of cut, dried herbs. The sealed teabag overwrap assures that the quality of the herbs remains intact until they reach the teacup, which is an important consideration when using teas for self care. Our teas are made with pharmacopoeial quality herbs and it is essential to protect their quality. Once herbs are cut and dried, their quality diminishes considerably if not stored and sealed properly. The overwrap is not excessive packaging for a pharmacopoeial quality herbal tea but rather an absolute requirement for shelf life stability.