Traditional Medicinals

Organic

Echinacea, Traditional Medicinals Herb Garden

Committed to Organics for Over 30 Years

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 pesticides - respecting the earth and enhancing the environment.

With the passage of the USDA National Organic Program regulations, what was once on the fringe has become mainstream. We continue to recognize the importance of organic agriculture, working to develop new organic sources of herbs for our teas and other herbal products. We believe products that are good for your body should be good for everybody.

What is Organic?
Why is Organic Agriculture Important?
How Does Organic Certification Work?
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What is Organic?

There was a time when all agriculture was "organic." It is only recently in the history of agriculture that people have begun to use synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. However, the use of agricultural chemicals is now widespread and poses significant hazards to the environment and to people. In fact, these "non-organic" practices are so widespread that organic is still considered outside of the mainstream. Although the rise in popularity of organic goods is fast changing this, there's still a long way to go until the norm for agriculture and processing is organic.

According to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." Some synthetic substances are allowed in organic crop production, if they are on the approved list, if they are used according to the National Organic Program (NOP) and if the use of such substances does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil or water.

Today, the practices of organic agriculture and, secondarily, organic processing methods, have been standardized and are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This standardization is good news for consumers, who can now be assured that when a product says it is organic, a reliable set of practices and procedures have been used.

The USDA issued the rules of the NOP in 2002. Any product using the word "organic" must follow the regulations of the NOP. These rules include everything from the use of permissible ingredients to growing methods to manufacturer handling regulations. All of this is done to ensure that organic means the same thing everywhere it is used. Read the NOP to learn about specific organic guidelines for growers and manufacturers.

Traditional Medicinals® organic products follow the NOP regulations. We are certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which has been, and continues to be, one of the leading organic certifying agencies.

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Why is Organic Agriculture Important?

At this time, it is nearly impossible to go anywhere in the world and not discover toxic chemical residues in the soil, water, animal and plant life. Chemicals are taken up through the soil and water into plants and animals and even people. The widespread use of chemicals in agriculture and manufacturing has had unforeseen consequences.

Adhering to organic methods helps to restore an area by freeing it from the application of potentially hazardous chemicals. Organic farms are also habitats for wildlife and insects, which are important to ecological balance. Soil quality is often enhanced and restored. The people who work on organic farms are not exposed to potentially dangerous levels of chemicals. The groundwater is not polluted with the run-off from these chemicals. Organic methods respect life and the delicate balance of ecological systems.

Over the last 30 years, the awareness of and demand for organically-produced products has resulted in a tremendous rise in the number of organic acres under cultivation around the world. But not nearly enough! We want to see the day when organic is the rule, not the exception, so we continue to work with growers around the world to develop new sources of organic herbs.

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How Does Organic Certification Work?

In order to carry the USDA Organic Seal, we must strictly adhere to the NOP regulations established by the USDA. Traditional Medicinals® is certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). These rules include not only rigorous standards regarding growing methods, they also regulate how organic products are handled, stored, tracked and processed. Every organic manufacturer maintains an audit trail that leads from their final product all the way back to the land that the ingredients were grown on. Only certain materials can be used, not only in growing and processing, but also in the manufacturing facilities themselves.

You can read about specific certification details at CCOF or at the NOP website.

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