Herbal Products & Development Nutritional,
Raw Material Standards
(Nuts & bolts from the formulator)

Herbal Products & Development sources and provides raw materials (single nutrient items) for sale, which are the same materials that we use in our own formulations. We continually refine our standards as more options become available in the natural products industry. This applies to both the diversity of materials as well as their quality. We are always seeking out improvements in materials and in the methods of growing and processing.

We use certified organic whenever possible. However, if land is in transition or farmers have not gone through the certification process, then the following apply:

Transitional agriculture situations can take from 3 to 10 years to certify.
Standards of no pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide use can be satisfactory since these are exactly the same standards we are seeking.
All of our materials are non-GMO.

We encourage organic farming methods with the appropriate seed stock and proper botanical knowledge and growing conditions that ensure that certain foreign medicinal plants are locally viable. These are, however, long-term research projects needing the coordination of research centers, local growers, processors, and the marketplace.

We often visit the facilities of our suppliers to get a firsthand look at their operations. We are always suggesting to the suppliers of raw materials as well as standardized extracts and herbal concentrates that they upgrade their production methods whenever the opportunity presents itself. We also “source” through attending trade shows, and traveling to learn firsthand of native plants and herbs; in addition, we research growing and processing methods, as well as continually updating our files and knowledge data base. Trade publications, specs, assays, technical writings, in addition to clinical findings and personal evaluation, all enter into our decision making as to our best choices of raw materials. We search for appropriate articles on background, origins, and properties of both traditional and contemporary uses of these materials. Increasingly more organic raw materials are on the market, and we are gratified.

Regarding fluid extracts, we prefer alcohol/water extraction methods, for example, water for bringing out the polysaccharides (i.e. in mushrooms) and alcohol for the terpenes (i.e. in milk thistle). Formulary charts for ratios of alcohol/water in primary extraction methods show that sea plants require less alcohol, leafs and seeds more, bark still more, and most for roots. Liquid extracts are organically grown sources from gardens or are ethically wildcrafted; when they are purchased, assays are provided and show that heavy metals, microbial contamination, etc., are addressed and that the raw material passes our standards.

Regarding encapsulated powders, we feature full-spectrum whole herb concentrates and standardized extracts that are well-known to be therapeutically effective. These in combination with whole food/herbal powders provide a wide-range nutrient profile for many of our products.

Small batch runs are our specialty. We label our products as needed so upgrades are an enhancement and not a burden. Herbal Products & Development is determined to provide price stability to our customers.

We produce a variety of products: liquids, capsules, oils, green foods, fluid extracts. All of our oils are quality stored in a freezer until shipping. Our affiliated packing houses are also of the highest standards. After the raw materials are formulated and encapsulated, they undergo a process of clinical trials for efficacy for specific conditions of “disease” or imbalance. These are peer reviewed in medical journals (see Clinical Trials on our website).

We will find what is needed for your optimal health. We hope you enjoy our products.

Paul