Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

[Guest guest]

Lisa,

 

This is a tough one. The best information on this subject was

published recently in Acupuncture Today. Here is the link:

 

http://tinyurl.com/localherbs

 

Regarding the question of safety. I tell people that I source herbs

from distributors that I have met and personally trust. Before I left

the San Francisco Bay area, I travelled to as many of the distributors

that I could: Mayway, Asia Naturals, Springwind, etc. To get an idea

about their operations and see who felt comfortable with. I favor

suppliers that test their herbs or are certified organic and I am

willing to pay more for the certainty.

 

Now that I am in the southeast, I am just starting to develop

relationships on the East Coast. I primarily purchase Eastwind and

Asia Naturals, because they have distributorships east of the

Mississippi. However this is not always easy. For instance, I had been

ordering what I thought were Asia Naturals herbs from Golden Needle

Supply in North Carolina. This year I had decided that I was going to

move away from Asia Naturals because I thought the quality was not as

good on many of their herb as I remember before I moved from

California. Earlier this year I learned in a conversation with the

owner of Golden Needle that it is their policy to source from

different suppliers without indicating this on their invoicing system.

While I think that Golden Needle does a great job at customer service

and order fulfillment, I did feel let down and I felt really badly

that I had let down my patients. For instance, I realize now that I

had been giving my patients dang gui from a supplier that I am not

familiar with.

 

I just placed an order directly from Asia Naturals from San Francisco,

but the shipping is very expensive. I also purchase Springwind herbs

from Crane Herb, but their customer service was less than desirable

last year, but I recently noticed some slight improvements.

 

Regards,

 

David Toone, L.Ac.

Health without Drugs or Surgery

105 Tivoli Gardens

Peachtree City, GA 30269

770.780.9608

info

www.davidtoone.com

 

On Feb 26, 2010, at 7:16 AM, Chinese Medicine

wrote:

 

> 1.

> Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

> Posted by: " Lisa " lisa lisaofseaside

> Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:03 am (PST)

>

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I am looking for some companies that grow chinese herbs here in the

> states and/or how you all handle questions of quality at this time

> with the state of pollution in China etc.

>

> Many thanks in advance,

>

> Lisa

>

> Lisa Dunlevy L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. of Ac.

> (843) 259-9889

> lisa

> http://www.seasideacupuncture.com

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi David, thank you for the link and your experiences.

 

Hugo

 

 

________________________________

Hugo Ramiro

http://middlemedicine.wordpress.com

http://www.middlemedicine.org

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

David Toone <david

traditional_Chinese_Medicine

Fri, 26 February, 2010 8:12:03

Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

 

 

Lisa,

 

This is a tough one. The best information on this subject was

published recently in Acupuncture Today. Here is the link:

 

http://tinyurl. com/localherbs

 

Regarding the question of safety. I tell people that I source herbs

from distributors that I have met and personally trust. Before I left

the San Francisco Bay area, I travelled to as many of the distributors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

www.highfallsgardens.net

 

support locally grown organic herbs! and the prices will come down too.

 

It's easy to grow our own too, except for the roots

for instance, huo xiang and ai ye grow profusely without much need for

care...

The above website consortium sells seeds.

 

K

 

 

On Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 12:19 PM, Hugo Ramiro <subincor wrote:

 

>

>

> Hi David, thank you for the link and your experiences.

>

> Hugo

>

> ________________________________

> Hugo Ramiro

> http://middlemedicine.wordpress.com

> http://www.middlemedicine.org

>

> ________________________________

> David Toone <david <david%40toone.org>>

> To:

traditional_Chinese_Medicine <traditional_Chinese_Medicine%40yaho\

ogroups.com>

> Fri, 26 February, 2010 8:12:03

> Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

>

>

> Lisa,

>

> This is a tough one. The best information on this subject was

> published recently in Acupuncture Today. Here is the link:

>

> http://tinyurl. com/localherbs

>

> Regarding the question of safety. I tell people that I source herbs

> from distributors that I have met and personally trust. Before I left

> the San Francisco Bay area, I travelled to as many of the distributors

>

>

[Guest guest]

Check out Peggy Schafer, of Petaluma Ca. She is a great farmer, each year she

carries sells more of the herbs that she grows organically.

http://www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com/products.html

 

Bess

 

Chinese Medicine , David Toone <david

wrote:

>

> Lisa,

>

> This is a tough one. The best information on this subject was

> published recently in Acupuncture Today. Here is the link:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/localherbs

>

> Regarding the question of safety. I tell people that I source herbs

> from distributors that I have met and personally trust. Before I left

> the San Francisco Bay area, I travelled to as many of the distributors

> that I could: Mayway, Asia Naturals, Springwind, etc. To get an idea

> about their operations and see who felt comfortable with. I favor

> suppliers that test their herbs or are certified organic and I am

> willing to pay more for the certainty.

>

> Now that I am in the southeast, I am just starting to develop

> relationships on the East Coast. I primarily purchase Eastwind and

> Asia Naturals, because they have distributorships east of the

> Mississippi. However this is not always easy. For instance, I had been

> ordering what I thought were Asia Naturals herbs from Golden Needle

> Supply in North Carolina. This year I had decided that I was going to

> move away from Asia Naturals because I thought the quality was not as

> good on many of their herb as I remember before I moved from

> California. Earlier this year I learned in a conversation with the

> owner of Golden Needle that it is their policy to source from

> different suppliers without indicating this on their invoicing system.

> While I think that Golden Needle does a great job at customer service

> and order fulfillment, I did feel let down and I felt really badly

> that I had let down my patients. For instance, I realize now that I

> had been giving my patients dang gui from a supplier that I am not

> familiar with.

>

> I just placed an order directly from Asia Naturals from San Francisco,

> but the shipping is very expensive. I also purchase Springwind herbs

> from Crane Herb, but their customer service was less than desirable

> last year, but I recently noticed some slight improvements.

>

> Regards,

>

> David Toone, L.Ac.

> Health without Drugs or Surgery

> 105 Tivoli Gardens

> Peachtree City, GA 30269

> 770.780.9608

> info

> www.davidtoone.com

>

> On Feb 26, 2010, at 7:16 AM, Chinese Medicine

> wrote:

>

> > 1.

> > Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

> > Posted by: " Lisa " lisa lisaofseaside

> > Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:03 am (PST)

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I am looking for some companies that grow chinese herbs here in the

> > states and/or how you all handle questions of quality at this time

> > with the state of pollution in China etc.

> >

> > Many thanks in advance,

> >

> > Lisa

> >

> > Lisa Dunlevy L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. of Ac.

> > (843) 259-9889

> > lisa

> > http://www.seasideacupuncture.com

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks David!!!

 

 

On Feb 26, 2010, at 8:12 AM, David Toone wrote:

 

> Lisa,

>

> This is a tough one. The best information on this subject was

> published recently in Acupuncture Today. Here is the link:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/localherbs

>

> Regarding the question of safety. I tell people that I source herbs

> from distributors that I have met and personally trust. Before I left

> the San Francisco Bay area, I travelled to as many of the distributors

> that I could: Mayway, Asia Naturals, Springwind, etc. To get an idea

> about their operations and see who felt comfortable with. I favor

> suppliers that test their herbs or are certified organic and I am

> willing to pay more for the certainty.

>

> Now that I am in the southeast, I am just starting to develop

> relationships on the East Coast. I primarily purchase Eastwind and

> Asia Naturals, because they have distributorships east of the

> Mississippi. However this is not always easy. For instance, I had been

> ordering what I thought were Asia Naturals herbs from Golden Needle

> Supply in North Carolina. This year I had decided that I was going to

> move away from Asia Naturals because I thought the quality was not as

> good on many of their herb as I remember before I moved from

> California. Earlier this year I learned in a conversation with the

> owner of Golden Needle that it is their policy to source from

> different suppliers without indicating this on their invoicing system.

> While I think that Golden Needle does a great job at customer service

> and order fulfillment, I did feel let down and I felt really badly

> that I had let down my patients. For instance, I realize now that I

> had been giving my patients dang gui from a supplier that I am not

> familiar with.

>

> I just placed an order directly from Asia Naturals from San Francisco,

> but the shipping is very expensive. I also purchase Springwind herbs

> from Crane Herb, but their customer service was less than desirable

> last year, but I recently noticed some slight improvements.

>

> Regards,

>

> David Toone, L.Ac.

> Health without Drugs or Surgery

> 105 Tivoli Gardens

> Peachtree City, GA 30269

> 770.780.9608

> info

> www.davidtoone.com

>

> On Feb 26, 2010, at 7:16 AM, Chinese Medicine

> wrote:

>

> > 1.

> > Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

> > Posted by: " Lisa " lisa lisaofseaside

> > Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:03 am (PST)

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I am looking for some companies that grow chinese herbs here in the

> > states and/or how you all handle questions of quality at this time

> > with the state of pollution in China etc.

> >

> > Many thanks in advance,

> >

> > Lisa

> >

> > Lisa Dunlevy L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. of Ac.

> > (843) 259-9889

> > lisa

> > http://www.seasideacupuncture.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm stepping in here a little late, I apologize for not reading the previous

posts, but real quick, Chinese herbs may be easy to grow in your backyard

for fun. But growing Chinese herbs properly for medicinal use is no small

task. One cannot just take a seed, throw it in the ground, and harvest it.

In contrast, I've met Chinese farmers that have spent their whole life

learning how to grow one or two herbs properly. The amount of detail and

understanding they have is unparalleled. Some have PhD's in it is subject

and consequently have a deep understanding of how to replicate the proper

environment for growing these herbs. Honestly, unless the same standards and

rigor were adhered to hear in the states, even though I try to always buy

local with everything else, I would not consider buying such locally grown

Chinese herbs.

 

-Jason

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of john

kokko

Friday, February 26, 2010 6:47 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

 

www.highfallsgardens.net

 

support locally grown organic herbs! and the prices will come down too.

 

It's easy to grow our own too, except for the roots

for instance, huo xiang and ai ye grow profusely without much need for

care...

The above website consortium sells seeds.

 

K

[Guest guest]

Jason, you bring up an interesting point about the medicinal functions of

herbs grown

in different climates, with different soil acidity and water pH and amount

of sunlight

and times of the year when the seed is sown and the leaves, branches, stems,

fruit and roots

are harvested and that the medicinal is processed according to the

traditional ways.

 

I've grown some organic herbs for personal uses in a community plot.

Some herbs are much more potent grown on your own (bo he, huo xiang, ai ye,

dan shen)

and some others just don't taste the same (gou qi zi for instance).

 

We should grow herbs here, but be informed about what we're doing.

Obviously, this is not an easy proposition, but I think it's a worthy cause.

 

K

 

 

On Sun, Feb 28, 2010 at 6:52 AM, <

> wrote:

 

>

>

> I'm stepping in here a little late, I apologize for not reading the

> previous

> posts, but real quick, Chinese herbs may be easy to grow in your backyard

> for fun. But growing Chinese herbs properly for medicinal use is no small

> task. One cannot just take a seed, throw it in the ground, and harvest it.

> In contrast, I've met Chinese farmers that have spent their whole life

> learning how to grow one or two herbs properly. The amount of detail and

> understanding they have is unparalleled. Some have PhD's in it is subject

> and consequently have a deep understanding of how to replicate the proper

> environment for growing these herbs. Honestly, unless the same standards

> and

> rigor were adhered to hear in the states, even though I try to always buy

> local with everything else, I would not consider buying such locally grown

> Chinese herbs.

>

> -Jason

>

>

>

>

Chinese Medicine <Chinese Medicine%40yaho\

ogroups.com>

>

[Chinese Medicine <Traditional_Chinese_Medicin\

e%40>]

> On Behalf Of john

> kokko

> Friday, February 26, 2010 6:47 PM

> To:

Chinese Medicine <Chinese Medicine%40yaho\

ogroups.com>

> Re: Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

>

> www.highfallsgardens.net

>

> support locally grown organic herbs! and the prices will come down too.

>

> It's easy to grow our own too, except for the roots

> for instance, huo xiang and ai ye grow profusely without much need for

> care...

> The above website consortium sells seeds.

>

> K

>

>

>

 

 

 

--

 

 

""

 

 

www.tcmreview.com

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Jason,

 

As much as I agree with your email below, I do wish that we had a way

to buy many Chinese herbs locally and seasonally. There is a whole

pharmacopeia that utilizes fresh herbs i.e. poultices, liniments, in

food preparations, as formulas.... and according to the seasons. Many

herbs change properties as they are processed, the most obvious

example being sheng jiang.

 

I do agree with John that some herbs are easily grown here as I have

done so myself and administered to others such as mentioned - huo

xiang and ai ye. For simple treatments I really have found these to

be effective.

 

There is also the whole philosophy that herbs cultivated in the

country you are treating patients are more suited for their type of

conditions. Upon much reading of folklore on Chinese herbs much of the

history comes from herbalists treating a whole village with herbs that

were found in the local fields and mountains.

 

Respectfully,

 

Anne Biris

 

 

On Feb 28, 2010, at 9:52 AM, wrote:

 

> I'm stepping in here a little late, I apologize for not reading the

> previous

> posts, but real quick, Chinese herbs may be easy to grow in your

> backyard

> for fun. But growing Chinese herbs properly for medicinal use is no

> small

> task. One cannot just take a seed, throw it in the ground, and

> harvest it.

> In contrast, I've met Chinese farmers that have spent their whole life

> learning how to grow one or two herbs properly. The amount of detail

> and

> understanding they have is unparalleled. Some have PhD's in it is

> subject

> and consequently have a deep understanding of how to replicate the

> proper

> environment for growing these herbs. Honestly, unless the same

> standards and

> rigor were adhered to hear in the states, even though I try to

> always buy

> local with everything else, I would not consider buying such locally

> grown

> Chinese herbs.

>

> -Jason

>

>

> Chinese Medicine

> Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

> john

> kokko

> Friday, February 26, 2010 6:47 PM

> Chinese Medicine

> Re: Chinese herbs grown here in the states?

>

> www.highfallsgardens.net

>

> support locally grown organic herbs! and the prices will come down

> too.

>

> It's easy to grow our own too, except for the roots

> for instance, huo xiang and ai ye grow profusely without much need for

> care...

> The above website consortium sells seeds.

>

> K

>

>

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

David, which Chinese herb companies do you know who sell " certified organic

herbs " ?

From what I know, the herbs grown here in the states and sold in the

consortium of chinese herb growers www.highfallsgardens.net is certified

organically grown. Springwind has herbs that are " certified organic " as

" organically processed " .

 

Are there other companies?

 

K

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm in Petaluma has certified organic Chinese herbs:

 

http://www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com/

 

Their quality is excellent.

 

- Bill Schoenbart

 

 

 

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I am looking for some companies that grow chinese herbs here in the

> > states and/or how you all handle questions of quality at this time

> > with the state of pollution in China etc.

> >

> > Many thanks in advance,

> >

> > Lisa

> >

> > Lisa Dunlevy L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. of Ac.

> > (843) 259-9889

> > lisa

> > http://www.seasideacupuncture.com

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bill,

Peggy is part of the consortium at www.highfallsgardens.net

 

She is a grower and kind person. I got my seeds from her.

Recommend them highly.

Someone needs to write a book on how to grow/ take care/ harvest/ process

Chinese herbs.

There is one book out now, but more needs to be done in this field:

http://books.google.com/books?id=y78zzxTN570C & dq=chinese+herbs+growing+book & prin\

tsec=frontcover & source=in & hl=en & ei=s06LS8AkkcSxA-bklYYD & sa=X & oi=book_result & ct=r\

esult & resnum=13 & ved=0CDQQ6AEwDA#v=onepage & q= & f=false

 

Herbal Emissaries by Stephen Foster and Chongxi Yue

 

 

K

 

 

 

On Sun, Feb 28, 2010 at 7:47 PM, bill_schoenbart <plantmed2wrote:

 

>

>

> Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm in Petaluma has certified organic Chinese

> herbs:

>

> http://www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com/

>

> Their quality is excellent.

>

> - Bill Schoenbart

>

> > >

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > > I am looking for some companies that grow chinese herbs here in the

> > > states and/or how you all handle questions of quality at this time

> > > with the state of pollution in China etc.

> > >

> > > Many thanks in advance,

> > >

> > > Lisa

> > >

> > > Lisa Dunlevy L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. of Ac.

> > > (843) 259-9889

> > > lisa

> > > http://www.seasideacupuncture.com

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

 

 

 

--

 

 

""

 

 

www.tcmreview.com

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Anne,

 

I adore the idea of locally grown herbs idea, especially after watching several

British TV episodes of 'Local Food Hero'. I support green and organic stuff,

all these yummies local free ranch eggs,chickens, oxen and piggies.

 

Unfortunately, medicinal herbals is another matter. Believe me, no Chinese will

prefer American ginseng or Floria Sunkist orange locally grown than the produce

from the place of origin. I guess American ginsen grown in Wiscosin is different

from that grown in the state of Texas, Alabama, Iowa, or our own backyard?

 

It is fascinating that each region grows particular herbs with specific

properties. For example, Huang qi, Astragulas has a exceptionally long root to

reach the water in those drought-stricken region, so its property is

qi-supplementing. It may grow like a carrot if planted in the fertile soil of

NAPA valley, California. There are so many stories to tell about individual

herb.

 

Therefore, we emphasize the place of origin in herbology 101. the soil

(chemical, trace elements), sunray, and climate factors predetermine the

properties of the plants, besides the species. I did try to grow some Canadian

ginseng seed in Hong Kong but they were rotten before I saw a bud.

 

It may be interesting to use your backyard grown huo xiang to make a medicinal

dish-huo xiang chicken. This is one of those immemorable dishes I had in a

medicinal dishes restaurant in Chengdu. It is appetizing, particularly for

cancer patients.

 

Sung, Yuk-ming

[Guest guest]

Kokko,

 

Springwind is the only one that I know about is Springwind. They have some of

the heavy hitters like Baishao and Di Huang available in certified organic.

 

Dave

www.davidtoone.com

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine , <johnkokko

wrote:

>

> David, which Chinese herb companies do you know who sell " certified organic

> herbs " ?

> From what I know, the herbs grown here in the states and sold in the

> consortium of chinese herb growers www.highfallsgardens.net is certified

> organically grown. Springwind has herbs that are " certified organic " as

> " organically processed " .

>

> Are there other companies?

>

> K

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

David,

do you know if they're " certified organically grown " or " certified

organically processed " ?

Does anyone know the difference between these two designations?

 

K

 

 

 

On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 5:24 AM, davidetoone <david wrote:

 

>

>

>

> Kokko,

>

> Springwind is the only one that I know about is Springwind. They have some

> of the heavy hitters like Baishao and Di Huang available in certified

> organic.

>

> Dave

> www.davidtoone.com

>

> --- In

Chinese Medicine <Chinese Medicine%40yaho\

ogroups.com>,

> <johnkokko wrote:

> >

> > David, which Chinese herb companies do you know who sell " certified

> organic

> > herbs " ?

> > From what I know, the herbs grown here in the states and sold in the

> > consortium of chinese herb growers www.highfallsgardens.net is certified

> > organically grown. Springwind has herbs that are " certified organic " as

> > " organically processed " .

> >

> > Are there other companies?

> >

> > K

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Kokko,

 

I am not sure of the difference. Perhaps that question could be directed to

CCOF, which certifies the Springwind herbs. I understand that this is more

stringent than USDA Organic stanards.

 

David

 

Chinese Medicine , <johnkokko

wrote:

>

> David,

> do you know if they're " certified organically grown " or " certified

> organically processed " ?

> Does anyone know the difference between these two designations?

>

> K

>

>

>

> On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 5:24 AM, davidetoone <david wrote:

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Kokko,

> >

> > Springwind is the only one that I know about is Springwind. They have some

> > of the heavy hitters like Baishao and Di Huang available in certified

> > organic.

> >

> > Dave

> > www.davidtoone.com

> >

> > --- In

Chinese Medicine <Chinese Medicine%40yaho\

ogroups.com>,

> > <johnkokko@> wrote:

> > >

> > > David, which Chinese herb companies do you know who sell " certified

> > organic

> > > herbs " ?

> > > From what I know, the herbs grown here in the states and sold in the

> > > consortium of chinese herb growers www.highfallsgardens.net is certified

> > > organically grown. Springwind has herbs that are " certified organic " as

> > > " organically processed " .

> > >

> > > Are there other companies?

> > >

> > > K

> > >

> > >

> > >