You can browse the topics below to find what you are looking for, otherwise feel free to contact us via our contact form.
Who owns Herbal Roots?
Herbal Roots was created in 2017 by three sisters who share a passion for using natural medicine and home remedies whenever possible. You can learn more about how Herbal Roots was started here.
Is Mortar and Pestle Herbs the same company as Herbal Roots?
Yes. We started in 2017 as Mortar and Pestle Herbs. In 2020, we changed our name to Herbal Roots. We are the same owners.
Where are you located?
Our home base is in Los Angeles, California.
Are all of your supplements organic?
We are currently in the process of obtaining our CCOF certification on our supplements that contain only the whole herb. Some of our supplements, such as our garlic and valerian have been approved for this certification. Some of our herbs are in the process of getting certified. And the herbs that contain an herbal extract are not labeled organic because the extraction process cannot be certified. However, even without the certification our whole herbs are organic.
What sets you apart from other herbal supplement companies?
The biggest and most important difference with Herbal Roots supplements and other brands is ours are 100% pure. Meaning we do NOT add fillers, binders, sugars, or other ingredients that don't need to be in a supplement. The herbs we use in our supplements are organic.
Are you compliant with GMP guidelines?
Yes. Our supplements are manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified facility.
I am looking for herbal supplements for energy. Do you know what I should take?
Korean Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Mushrooms and Cranberry are herbal supplements known to help promote an increase of energy.
Where are your herbs sourced from?
We source our whole herbs from several different countries. For example; our organic garlic is from Germany, our black elderberry is from Poland, and our Korean Ginseng is from Korea.
We also source from Peru, India, Bulgaria, and China.
You may ask why would we want to source herbs from China?
Asia, specifically China, is a HUGE part of the Organic herb supply chain. This is partly due to the climate, but also due to cost of production and globalization of the supply chain. Some herbs and raw materials may not be readily available otherwise. Like all countries of the world, China has some great companies and sources, and some terrible ones too. Since this is not inherent to a country and more the company/source, the way Herbal Roots deciphers good sources from bad are through our rigorous vendor qualification program. done through our supplier. All vendors must complete a vendor audit, and supply the necessary information to confirm several KPIs (quality, documentation, certifications, valid business details, etc).
Why are some of your herbs labeled with a Prop 65 warning?
We third party test all of our supplements for heavy metals as it is important to us that all of our products are safe.
The FDA has a national threshold of heavy metals deemed safe for consumption. The FDA recommended limit for lead is 2.2 ug (micrograms) per day for children and 8.8 ug per day for women of child bearing age. Women and children are only included in this by the FDA because overconsumption of lead can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
The reason the threshold is not zero is because it is not possible to remove or completely prevent lead from entering food supply. You can find more information here: https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/lead-food-foodwares-and-dietary-supplements
All of our products are far, far below this threshold and always will be. The Prop 65 warning that you may see on a couple of our products is a requirement in California where there are legislated requirements for warnings like this. California has their own threshold of lead content, which is half a microgram (0.5 ug) per day. This is why this warning is for CA residents only.
It is not possible for us to only put this warning on the bottles bought by Californians, therefore we have put the warning on the whole lot.
To summarize, the regulation put forth by the State of California makes it nearly impossible to not have to place a warning on a supplement. There is no way to prevent trace amounts of lead settling into soil and getting absorbed by plants, even certified organic soil.
The trace amounts of lead that is absorbed vary so some batches of our supplements may have a warning and some may not.
Food is actually exempt from having to report lead amounts. Dietary supplements, although a food supplement, are not exempt.
You may also wonder why not all Brands of dietary supplements are providing warnings. There may be a number of reasons for this e.g., they are not testing for heavy metals so are not aware of their supplements contents, they are not labeling even though they are required to, or they are exempt because of some other reason. It is incorrect, however, to think that if a supplement doesn't have a warning label on it, that it does not have some trace of lead or other heavy metal. Purely synthetic supplements, not grown in the ground and manufactured in a lab, could have zero heavy metals in it but even this isn't a guarantee.
Herbal Roots, however, tests every single batch of every product we have to ensure that we never release a product or batch that is not safe for consumption.
I know it can be concerning and I hope this explanation above eases your mind. Of course, we always want you to be comfortable with what you put into your body, and the choice of whether or not you choose an Herbal Roots product is yours to make.
Why am I not getting the benefits of a supplement that others are saying they are getting?
Herbal products such as supplements, teas, tinctures, powders, etc., do not work the same for everyone.
Each person's body chemistry is unique, therefore there isn't one single herb that will work for all bodies.
An example of this is valerian. For most, valerian has a sedative effect and will aid in restful sleep but for some it actually acts as a stimulant and can give someone energy.
The awesome thing about herbs is there are several that have similar benefits so if one doesn't seem to work for you, you can find another with similar benefits and see if that one works better with your body.
Here are a few tips to ensure you are getting the maximum benefits from an herb:
Is oregano oil good for stomach gasses?
It may help with that, as it does support healthy intestinal flora, an imbalance of which could cause gas. You would really have to try it out to see if it works for you.
I read that you should cycle off oil of oregano every 3 weeks for one week. Is this true?
There hasn't been enough research to know for sure the effects of taking oil of oregano for an extended period of time in medicinal amounts.
It can cause side effects such as an upset stomach or rash. If you experience these you can lower your dose and not take it daily or stop taking it all together.
Some people take 1-2 capsules daily with no side effects. Our oil of oregano is 150mg per capsule. Just to be safe, it is suggested you can take it for several weeks then take a break from it before resuming it again.
Most importantly, is to listen to your body, and if you are concerned about any herbal supplement you should consult a doctor.
What is the percentage of carvacrol in your oil of oregano?
Each softgel typically contains 35.7 mg of carvacrol. One softgel weighs 150mg, so the amount of carvacrol for each softgel will be around 23.8%.
What is the capsule content?
The capsule itself is made of gelatin from vegetable glycerin and bovine. The contents in the gel capsule are oregano oil and olive oil.
What is the ratio of olive oil to the ration of oregano oil?
The ratio is 70% oregano oil and 30% olive oil.
Is the gelatin that is used for the capsules kosher?
Yes, all of our gel caps are kosher.
Why is there no mention of carvacrol on the label?
There is no mention of carvacrol on the label because it is an integral component of oregano. While carvacrol has been determined in labs to be the active ingredient in oregano oil, we focus on the traditional use of the whole plant, because isolating one element of the plant and taking other parts away may lead to overall reduced effectiveness.
By the 10:1 ratio does that mean the ratio of olive oil to oregano oil?
The 10:1 ratio means that the extract is concentrated 10 times the strength of oregano.
Is the oil of oregano gluten, dairy, and soy free?
Yes.
Does this product have origanum, vulgate, thymus and capitates in its formula?
The oregano that is used to make this formula is Mediterranean Oregano (Origanum vulgare). This formula is not made with Thymus capitatus, which is also known as Mediterranean Wild Thyme.,
Is there added sugar in your elderberry supplement?
There is no added sugar or sugar substitutes. Only Elderberry. Additionally, there are also no fillers or binders, and this product is non-GMO and vegan.
Are the elderberries heated at all during processing?
Yes, the elderberries are heated and dried to make it into powder form. Both processes reduce the cyanide-inducing glycoside naturally found in elderberries.
What country are the elderberries sourced from?
The elderberries are from Poland.
According to the label and ingredients list, the elderberry fruit powder is organic, but the elderberry extract is not organic. Is this accurate?
This is correct. Where we use an herbal extract, we cannot claim it is organic as the process of making an extract involves alcohol, and there is currently no organic alcohol available to use in the process of extraction.
Where is the ginseng grown?
Our ginseng is grown in Korea.
Is this white or red ginseng?
This is Korean ginseng so it is not white ginseng typically found in the US and Siberia. It is from the same variety of ginseng that is used to make red ginseng but ours is not steamed so is not technically red. It is sourced from Korea.
What’s the difference between Korean, Chinese, American, and Siberian ginseng?
Korean and Chinese ginseng are the same species of plant (Panax ginseng), just grown in different regions. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a different species, but still quite closely related. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a completely different plant and does not have the same active ingredients as Asian ginseng. It is generally considered inferior in terms of its health-supporting functions.
What is turmeric good for?
Turmeric is a potent spice that is derived from the root of its plant. It contains active components called curcuminoids that provide a wide variety of benefits.
What is curcumin?
Curcumin is the most active compound found in Turmeric.
What is BioPerine®?
BioPerine® is a patented extract obtained from black pepper fruits (Piper nigrum) standardized minimum to 95%Piperine. BioPerine® is an ideal dose and form of black pepper extract to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin.
What is bioavailability?
Bioavailability is the proportion of a nutrient which is absorbed by the body.
Is Herbal Roots® turmeric curcumin vegan?
Yes! Our plant based turmeric complex also has no fillers, binders, soy or gluten and is non-GMO.
Is turmeric safe to take while pregnant?
There is no reliable research regarding the safety of consuming turmeric supplements while pregnant or nursing, although amounts that are typically found in food appear to be safe.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please speak with your doctor if you are considering taking a turmeric supplement or any supplement.
Are there any reasons someone should not take turmeric?
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin that has blood-thinning or anticoagulant properties. Someone with bleeding disorders or those on blood thinners should take caution should they choose to take a turmeric supplement. Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea.
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen which means it promotes balance in many different systems in the body.
Is the extract from the root or the leaves?
The extract is from the ashwagandha root.
Does ashwagandha have any side effects?
This herb is well-tolerated, has no substantial negative effects and the consistent use of this herbal health supplement is deemed safe.
Some individuals have reported slight sleepiness after using it, although the effects of this symptom tend to decrease after a certain period of time. One of the Ashwagandha side effects is the fact that this herb can be hard on a person with a sensitive stomach. Thus, taking the powdered leaf or root forms of this herb can cause a sense of fullness, gas or stomach ache. People that have weak digestion should avoid Ashwagandha powder and use capsules instead and take them with food.
Ashwagandha is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or people who have autoimmune disorders. And if you are taking medications you should always consult with your doctor before taking ashwagandha or any herbal/dietary supplements.
Why is BioPerine® in this ashwagandha?
BioPerine® black pepper extract enhances the absorption of ashwagandha.
What is Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems which originated from India more than 3,000 years ago and still used today.
What is milk thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a European thistle with a solitary purple flower and glossy marbled leaves, naturalized in North America and used in herbal medicine. Milk thistle gets its name from the milky-white liquid that runs off of the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed.
Can you take milk thistle everyday?
Usually, milk thistle causes few, if any, serious side effects. Studies show that it's safe when taken for up to 41 months.
When should I take milk thistle?
Take milk thistle 30 minutes before meals for optimal effectiveness. Keep in mind that it will take at least a week or two before you notice milk thistle's beneficial effects.
Does milk thistle have any side effects?
Like with most supplements there are some side effects to be aware of. These include: abdominal bloating/pain, allergic reactions, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, rash.
Are there any side effects to taking cranberry pills?
Common side effects of cranberry can include stomach or abdominal upset, diarrhea and if taken in high doses can contribute to kidney stones.
How does an ACV pill compare to the liquid for dosage?
The amount of apple cider vinegar in the pills varies by brand, but typically one capsule contains about 500 mg, which is equivalent to two liquid teaspoons (10 ml). Herbal Roots ACV pills contain 650mg per capsule so is equivalent to just over two teaspoons of liquid.
Why is there cayenne in your ACV formula?
The benefits of cayenne include; stimulates digestion, boosts metabolism, supports increased circulation, promotes detoxification and much more. It made sense to add this to our formula as it compliments the benefits of ACV well.
What is “Mother” and why is it an important part of ACV?
Mother is strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the liquid product a murky appearance. Apple cider vinegar with the Mother is simply unrefined, unpasteurized and unfiltered. The Mother is believed to be rich in health-boosting natural protein, healthy bacteria and acetic acid.
Does ACV have any side effects?
The common side effects with ACV are most common with the liquid version and if taken in large doses. ACV pills have very little to no side effects. The possible side effects include upset stomach and lower potassium levels.
Couldn’t I just eat raw garlic instead of taking a supplement?
You absolutely can eat raw garlic instead of taking a supplement however consuming several cloves of raw garlic everyday is not something many people are interested in doing, not to mention that raw garlic can be quite "spicy". Our organic whole bulb garlic supplement contains 600 mg of pure garlic in one pill. Taking the supplement will save your tongue and throat from burning as it is encapsulated in a vegan capsule.
Is the garlic odorless?
Our garlic is not odorless. The process to make garlic odorless may also reduce the effectiveness of the garlic. Allicin is the component in garlic that provides its health benefits. Allicin can be reduced in the aging process to make the garlic odorless.
How often should I take garlic?
Garlic is safe to take every day. The recommended dosage is 1 capsule 2-3 times a day.
Why does valerian seem to do the opposite of relaxing me?
While most people get calmed, relaxed and get aided in a restful sleep with valerian, there are a very few people who have the reaction to valerian of it waking them up. It's rare, but herbs can react differently for different people. If that is the case for you, valerian is not the herb for you to aid in sleep.
What are the 8 species of mushrooms in your formula?
Our organic 8 mushroom blend includes Turkey Tail, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps, Snow fungus, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga.
What are the health benefits of taking a mushrooms supplement?
There are so many health benefits from mushrooms. Just some of the benefits include, immune support, aids in digestion, may boost energy, brain health, promotes skin health, etc.
* This page is intended for informational purposes. The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
