An Herbal Buying Guide

Buying local herbal products can be confusing to the uninitiated.  For one thing, it’s hard to know what’s local.  Many herbalists buy their supplies from non-local vendors.  Even herb farmers who use primarily their own homegrown materials will require supplemental ingredients to create more complicated products like creams and salves.   Some herbalists might only sell what they grown, limiting their selection to herbal teas, dried herbs, or herb plants. Some herbalists might use their own herbs, local honey and beeswax, and even local goat’s milk to make soaps and lotions, but buy oils, lye and cocoa butter from elsewhere.  Other herbalists might only use some locally-grown product, while some might not use any.  The only way to know is to ask, which is easy if you're buying from a farm store or farmers' market. If ordering online, look for the words “our own” before an ingredient, like “our own farm-grown lavender.” 

But how is the local stuff? Is it worth seeking out? Glad you asked. I ordered some products made with local ingredients from New England herb farms – lip balms and scented soaps and massage oil - oh, the sacrifices I make!  And even I, a fancy-product junkie, was impressed.

From The Chickadee’s Nest, in Farmington Maine, came a trio of soaps.  Cut in rough rectangles, like the trendy soap slices in upscale home stores, these soaps look earthy and natural.  The Sunflower/Calendula is the prettiest, with flecks of calendula petals throughout the soap.  The Rosemary-Mint is a fragrant version of the popular combination.  But my favorite is the Maine Woods, with its gentle pine scent and hint of lavender. These would look and smell great in a natural twig basket in the bathroom. Assortments of soaps are available in wooden gift boxes, which would make any hippie-mama squeal with delight.

The Chickadee's Nest catnip toy was a hit with my Siamese, who usually turn up their noses at the catnip toys from pet stores, little snobs that they are.  This stuff had them racing around the apartment. There’s something to be said for freshness.

The Hot Pepper Massage Oil from Walking Clover Farm is more earthy-medicinal in scent than sensuous – this is not the oil for a romantic massage.  But it’s just the thing for tired feet. The pepper gives it warming properties that soothe aching muscles and joints, and, unlike some massage oils, it does not absorb too quickly to serve its purpose.

Walking Clover’s Comfrey Salve is light, not greasy, has a gentle scent, and really seems to aid in the healing of small abrasions. Keep this in the medicine cabinet for little bumps and scratches.

Bless Maine Herb Farm has a large on-line catalog offering medicinal, household, and beauty products. I indulged in a dream pillow, which is a large sachet of fragrant herbs purported to aid sleep. The gentle floral scent was unlike the harsh artificiality of most store-bought potpourris, which "freshen" old blossoms with heavily scented oils. Whether the pillow affects my sleep or dreams I can't say, but the soft, pleasant smell is nice for a bedroom.

Their Goddess lipbalm is olive oil-based and softer than petroleum-based commercial products. I can vouch for the effectiveness of this one - having just gotten over a cold, I had a serious case of winter lips, which was eradicated in just two applications. Unfortunately, the Decongestand Salve arrived too late for my cold, so I wasn't able to test it out. I'm sure I'll have another chance, given that I live in New England, and it's only February. But I can attest that the eucalyptus scent is far more pleasant than the Vicks Vap-o-Rub my mother used to insist upon when I was sick.

Now it's time for me to make another shopping list. After all, I didn't order any herbal teas yet or bath oil or salt rubs or moisturizers. Go on, order something for yourself - after all, it's a long winter, and a little indulgence is good for you. Pampering yourself with natural, gentle herbs is particularly nice - and good for your local herb farm, as well.

Useful terms for understanding herbalists’ products:

Tincture: Herbs are soaked in alcohol, which is then strained and used.
Infusion: Herbs are simmered or soaked in hot water, like tea.
Infused oil: Herbs are soaked in oil, which is then strained and used.
Distillation: Herbs are boiled in water and the resulting steam is captured; more intense than an infusion.
Tinsane: Herbal tea (contains only herbs, no actual black or green tea).
Salve: a solid ointment, used to sooth skin or wounds.
Wildcrafting: Harvesting wild materials. Generally, wildcrafters try to limit the environmental impact of their gathering  by taking only parts of a plant or taking only a few plants from each harvesting area.

 

Common local ingredients in herbalists’ products

Beeswax: Used to solidify an herbal salve, beeswax softens the skin.
Calendula: Decreases inflammation, soothed burns., also used to soften skin.
Comfrey: Speeds healing of wounds, commonly used in salves and ointments for skin.
Echinacea: Promotes immune system.
Goat’s milk: Used as a base for soaps and creams, good for sensitive skin.
Honey: Used to moisturize and soften skin.
Lavender: Anti-bacterial, used to stop itching of bug bites, used in aromatherapy as a stimulant.
Peppermint: Used as a digestive aid, also used in skin preparations for cooling effects.
Rosemary: Natural antioxidant, digestive aid, used to improve circulation.
Rose hips: Significant source of vitamin C, used to treat diarrhea.