To ensure the highest standards of product quality are maintained, The Herb Booth sources herbs from several suppliers throughout China. We work closely with our suppliers to be sure of the tightest quality control over the entire process from farming through to processing and extraction, and insist on certificates of analysis for all herbs.
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) compliant
Plant and animal products are farmed using guidelines for Good Agricultural Practice. GAP is the first step in quality assurance, upon which the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines directly depends. GAP also plays an important role in the protection of natural resources of medicinal plants for sustainable use.
Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) certified
Most countries, China included, have their own Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations for the manufacture of therapeutic goods. The Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention was formed in 1970 in response to varying GMP requirements amongst trading countries. This was expanded in the 1990’s to become the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S). Their goal is to harmonise GMP requirements and provide uniform inspection systems with mutual recognition amongst member countries.
Australia has long been a member of the Convention and our present Code of GMP for medicinal products is closely based on the international PIC/S standard.
The vast majority of our herbs are not only Chinese GMP compliant (which is mandatory), but are also certified under the PIC/S bringing the quality of their production in line with Australian/European standards.
Stringent testing
All herbs undergo extensive testing to ensure adequate quantities of active components in each crude herb batch. Such testing is also important in ensuring correct species identification.
Testing looks for contamination with any one of a long list of pesticides, as well as for heavy metals and alfatoxins. Limiting values (acceptable levels) are based on European Union or US standards.
Certified organic
With increasing concerns about pressures on China’s natural environment, certified organic herbs give an added assurance of quality and sustainability. When a product is farmed organically, synthetic sprays and treatments are strictly prohibited requiring the farmer to place a heavy focus on soil quality to keep their plants strong. Such an emphasis on nurturing the soil generally produces stronger, healthier, nutritionally superior plants.
Roughly 40 of our common herbs are available as certified organic in addition to regular grade. Certification is by international certifier ECOCERT (www.ecocert.com/?lang=en). Certification requires compliance with strict guidelines and regular soil and product testing.
Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) certificates
The Herb Booth stocks several endangered species whose trade is monitored by the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). Their use is permissible via CITES export and import certificates which confirms their farmed or artificially propagated source. The Herb Booth never uses endangered plant or animal species gathered from the wild.
See below for the list of herbs in our database. All herbs are currently supplied except those marked with a ‘(NA)’. A ‘(P)’ next to a herb indicates a Premium herb, and an ‘(O)’ indicates a certified organic herb. Click on ‘Pin Yin’ or ‘English’ to sort by that column.