We sell most of our bulk herbs to sauce-makers and re-packers for the grocery industry, but we also have occasional inquiries about bulk herbs and spices for medicinal use. Here are three things to know about buying bulk herbs to create holistic medicine:
1. Some Herbs & Spices are Strictly for Supplements
While many herbs have healthful properties, some herbs are used exclusively to produce vitamins and other supplements. Bulk herbs and spices like garlic, turmeric, thyme, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon can be used in both applications, and many other culinary herbs have healthful properties. However, some wholesale herbs and spices that are used to make supplements have very strong and unpleasant flavors, rendering them unfit for culinary use. These include:
- Echinacea
- Ginseng
- Gingko
- Saint John’s Wort
- Valerian
2. Timing Matters for Harvesting Bulk Medicinal Herbs & Spices
Our expert growers know exactly when to harvest their fresh herbs for maximum flavor (for culinary uses) and potency (for medicinal purposes). Traditionally, medicinal herb leaves are harvested in the morning once the dew on the plant has dried. Spices contained in roots and stems, however, are harvested differently to obtain the best potency. The lifecycle of each plant is also considered; some are picked at first bloom to keep them blossoming, while others are cut just prior.
Since most bulk herbs purchased to make medicinal supplements end up being dried before processing, it’s also important to understand shipping times for fresh wholesale herbs and spices. Typically, our products take 5 days to go from our growers to your hands. Then it will take about 2 weeks to naturally dry the herbs – sometimes longer depending on the moisture content – before they can be ground or processed for supplements. A food dehydrator can speed up the process.
3. U.S. Sales of Herbal Supplements are on the Rise
The most popular herbal supplements sold in the United States are (in order):
- Garlic
- Flaxseed
- Ginger
- Echinacea
- Ginkgo
- Milk Thistle
- St. John’s Wort
- Valerian
In addition, the use of these supplements has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as Americans search for ways to boost their immune systems. Stores are working to keep these bulk herbs in stock for their health-conscious customers.
Are you interested in using GreenWorld’s expert growers to supply your bulk herbs and spices for supplement-making? Contact us today to get started!