Gaia Herbs: How do we love thee? Let us count the ways!
With so many companies in the supplement market today, choosing trustworthy brands can be overwhelming. At MaMa Jean’s, we strive to bring shoppers the best of what’s around, so when it comes to herbal supplements, here are a few reasons why we find Gaia Herbs absolutely top-notch.
Let’s start with their official mission statement: “We hold ourselves – and everything we produce – accountable to the virtues of purity, integrity, and potency.” We’ll break down what this standard means for you, but first a little backstory.
In 1986, herbalist Ric Scalzo founded Gaia Herbs as a Certified Organic Grower and manufacturer of plant-based wellness solutions. The name Gaia (“guy-ahh”) was the name of the Earth Mother Goddess in ancient Greek mythology.
With respect for Mother Nature at the core, Scalzo offers a unique philosophy called “Plant Intelligence,” which is proudly printed on each product. Gaia Herbs pledges always “to act in accordance with Nature, honoring the symbiotic relationship between plants and people, and fostering a healthy future for both.”
Simply put, Scalzo’s formula for Gaia Herbs is “purity + integrity = potency.”
PURITY
Scalzo believes that “each herb must be cultivated in accordance with Nature’s intent.” This is more than just a nice idea – – this is a functional part of Gaia Herbs. Located in Brevard, North Carolina, GaiaFarm boasts more than five million Certified USDA Organic plants grown annually.
Gaia Herbs products are USDA Organic and Oregon Tilth Organic, one of the most stringent certifiers in today’s market — doubly verified for your protection!
Because Gaia Herbs reveres plant cultivation only as Nature intended, they cannot grow all of their herbs on GaiaFarm. Some herbs and materials are brought in by Certified Organic Growers and scrutinized by their in-house Gaia Validated Partners program.
Nationally, these like-minded partners include Horizon Herbs, Pacific Botanicals, and Trout Lake Farm. Overseas, companies like Aboca S.p.A. cultivate organic material for Gaia Herbs. The Black Elderberry, for instance, is organically grown and harvested at Aboca (just outside of Tuscany, Italy) but processed on GaiaFarm.
INTEGRITY
GaiaFarm features an on-site testing facility so that farming and processing can be conducted side-by-side, allowing for more quality control over the finished products. The laboratory routinely tests for microbials, heavy metals, and pesticides. GaiaFarm also tests for identity validation and biomarkers of the harvested herbs. So, in addition to testing for the presence of unwanted chemicals, they are also testing to make sure the herbs are botanically pure and potent. Gaia Herbs gives shoppers confidence that their supplements have everything you want in your herbs and nothing you don’t.
Even their manufacturing facility is Certified Organic annually, which includes all phases of production right down to the cleaning supplies kept on-site.
Gaia Herbs’ extraction process uses low-heat and low atmospheric pressure to protect the fragility and vitality of the plant’s essences. Scalzo explains, “As we create herbal medicines, we must ensure the fullest possible expression of each herb.” Sounds nice, right?
Again, Gaia Herbs delivers on their promise: thoughtfully, Gaia Herbs only uses toxic-free solvents (no hexane here!) for their extraction process and uses only non-GMO grain alcohol for tinctures.
POTENCY
Technical innovations also set Gaia Herbs apart from other supplement brands. The trademarked delivery system Liquid Phyto-Caps provide extremely concentrated liquid herbs inside vegetarian capsules. According to Gaia Herbs online, one Gaia Herb Liquid Phyto-Cap equals as much as 75 drops of a Gaia Herb Liquid Extract.
For anyone wary of taking liquid tinctures, the Liquid Phyto-Caps rapidly deliver herbs into the bloodstream in an easy-to-swallow softgel. More potency per product can mean faster results for consumers, something we all look for when buying supplements.
Scalzo believes that “the right herb for the right person” is an integral part of herbal supplementation. Gaia Herbs products are specifically formulated to work harmoniously within our bodies, just as Nature intended. To achieve this balance, Gaia Herbs retains two naturopathic doctors as cornerstones of their Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Michael Traub, ND, focuses on naturopathic oncology, detoxification, and cardiovascular disease, while Dr. Tori Hudson, ND, specializes in women’s care, gynecology, and hormonal therapies.
With 60+ years of combined experience in naturopathic, homeopathic, and herbal healing, their expertise drives the “System Support” targeted-approach products such as Adrenal Health, Glycemic Health, Thyroid Support, and Women’s Balance, to name a few.
SUSTAINABILITY & TRANSPARENCY
True to form, Gaia Herbs products are packaged in amber glass bottles to protect the herbs from light, to protect customers from chemicals that can leach from plastic containers, and to ensure easy recycling and material sustainability.
In addition to their reputation for potency, purity, and sustainability, Gaia Herbs offers shoppers unprecedented transparency of their growing and processing operations. In 2010, Gaia Herbs launched an industry first program: “Meet Your Herbs,” an online tracker, illustrating all traceable elements of their growing, harvesting, and extracting processes.
Each and every product features a unique ID number which customers can enter into an online module to see the traceable aspects of Gaia Herbs production. This lets you know exactly what you’re buying, and offers unrivaled peace of mind in herbal supplements. Gaia Herbs is proud of their farm-to-facility operation and they want consumers to witness their principles in action.
IMPACT
Driven by Plant Intelligence and focused on preserving harmony between plants and people, Gaia Herbs has become a mainstay in the supplements market. Although Scalzo remains as President/CEO, he focuses much of his attention on training, education, and outreach.
Scalzo has written several books on herbal medicine, botanical remedies, and organic farming, and also provides on-site tours and trainings. In fact, our very own Melissa Henderson (Campbell Supplement Department Head), will be traveling to North Carolina in August to tour GaiaFarm and participate in training sessions.
At MaMa Jean’s, we appreciate Gaia Herbs because of their mindfulness and perspective at every level of their operation. Next time you’re in the market for an herbal remedy, we hope you’ll stop by and talk to the supplements staff about this amazing product line, which we’ve recently expanded to include: Organic Maca capsules, Organic Maca powder, and a pocket-sized breath freshening spray. Not every supplement company goes to such great lengths to ensure quality and purity. We hope next time you come see us, you’ll give Gaia Herbs a closer look.
