Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Traditional Medicinals different from other tea on the shelf?

Our teas are formulated by herbalists with extensive knowledge of herbs and traditional formulation strategies. We are committed to using science to support our products, including rigorous quality control testing, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and sponsoring clinical research. We were and are pioneers in the wellness tea categories and we will continue to lead the way.

Do you have herbalists on staff?

Currently, Traditional Medicinals has seven herbalists on staff. Our herbalists undergo extensive training, including the cultivation of herbs, how the body systems work, how herbs work within each system and the principles of combining herbs as practiced in the systems of Traditional Herbal Medicine.

Are your products widely available nationwide?

Yes, you can find our teas at most grocery, mass and drug and natural food stores throughout Canada.

I take a medication – could it interact with the herbs in your tea?

We’re glad you’re exploring herbal teas, and you’re wise to be cautious. Some herbs are known to interact with prescription and over the counter medications. Please check the side panel of your tea box for interactions and cautions, and if you’re taking medication, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor or pharmacist before using an herbal tea.

Can I use your teas every day?

We think it’s great that you love our teas, and you want to include them in your daily routine. Some teas should be used daily, while other teas should not. For a few of our teas, we recommend that you take a break every few weeks and then reintroduce the herbs. It’s a good rule of thumb to check the side panel of the package for appropriate length of use, dosage, contraindications and cautions.

Why are long steeping times important?
Simply put, you must brew well to be well. Our herbal blends generally require 5-15 minutes of steeping. This longer steeping time allows for more components in the herbs to be extracted into the tea water.

Why am I supposed to cover the cup?

Using boiling hot water and covering your cup are important to a proper cup of tea. Covering your cup ensures warmer steeping temperatures which help the herbs infuse well, and it helps ensure that the beneficial essential oils are present in your tea.

Do your teas contain gluten?

All of our herbal teas, with the exception of PMS Tea®, are naturally gluten-free. PMS Tea® contains barley, which naturally contains more than 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten. We take precautions to avoid cross-contamination at our factory – if you’d like more information, feel free to contact us.

What is the pharmacopoeia standard?

Pharmacopoeia is a book of quality standards for medicinal substances such as herbs and drugs. The standards are for quality, purity, strength, identity and composition. Simply put, herbs that meet these standards help to ensure the teas deliver their intended effect.

Where does TM source the herbs for its teas?

We source our ingredients from all over the globe, including here in North America, and we strive to source our herbs from the environments that they are native to. We support sustainable agriculture and wild collection, and are always working to develop new organic sources of herbs. Traditional Medicinals is committed to its collector and grower communities via programs such as Fair Trade certification and direct local investment.

Do you test your teas for chemicals and heavy metals?

We are proud to say that we go to great lengths to ensure that the herbs in our teas are clean, pure, and of a high quality. All of our teas and their herbal ingredients must meet very high standards. Each herb undergoes rigorous testing before it is allowed to enter into one of our tea bags. These include tests to ensure the proper identity and quality of the ingredient along with tests for heavy metals, and microbial contaminants. We work closely with our producers (the people who grow or sustainably collect herbs for us) and others handling our herbs to ensure that the herbs are carefully produced and handled in clean environments from before they are harvested until they are packed into our tea bags.

Do any of your products contain artificial or natural flavors?

No – the plants do the talking in our teas. We do not add artificial or natural flavors to our product, and we prefer to balance an herbal formula’s taste profile using other complementary herbs or their essential oils, because it is important to experience the true taste of the herbs for best results.

Are your teas organic?

We recognize the importance of organic agriculture, organic wild collection, and non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) crops, and that’s why we’ve been committed to sustainable sourcing for four decades. Many of our products are organic, and we buy organic herbs whenever possible. Our organic products meet the standards as established by the National Organic Program (NOP) under the US Department of Agriculture and deemed equivalent in Canada under the Canada/US Equivalency agreement. We are certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which has been, and continues to be, one of the leading organic certifying agencies.

Do any of your products contain genetically engineered components?

We are proud to stand against the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and we do not use ingredients that were produced using biotechnology in our products or at any stage of production, processing, or handling. We also believe that products containing GMOs should be clearly labeled.

We are opposed to the practice of genetic engineering, which involves the insertion of genes from any source (including bacteria, other plants or even animals) into the DNA of cultivated plants. Genetically engineered crops, altered to be insect resistant, may throw off the balance of nature and cause harm to beneficial insects such as ladybugs, butterflies and other pollinators. We believe that the potential long-term risks to the environment and to human health far outweigh any perceived benefits that could come as a result of manipulating nature in this way. We also see the spread of genetically engineered crops as a serious threat to certified organic and/or biodynamic agriculture, due to the inability to control cross-pollination. Many pollinators travel long distances that may put them in direct contact with both certified organic acreage and genetically engineered acreage.

All of our teas are Non-GMO Project Verified.

Are your products Fair Trade Certified™?

We use Fair Trade and Fair Wild standards whenever possible to ensure the sustainability of both people and plant communities. This certification process can often take years of development. By fostering long-term relationships and paying a fair wage, we incentivize our farmers and collectors to create high quality products. We are proud to say that we have worked with some of our suppliers for over 30 years!

What are your bags made of?

Like you, we’re concerned about what goes into our bodies and into the ecosystem. That’s why our compostable tea bags are made from a combination of wood pulp and abacá (Musa textilis), also known as manila hemp. The tea bags are attached with food grade aluminum staple wire to teabag string made of raw cotton (Gossypium spp.) and a paper tea tag. The tea bags are naturally gluten-free and do not contain plastics.

Why are all your tea bags individually wrapped and sealed?

We’ve done our part to formulate high quality teas – we want to make sure your tea is reliable when you’re ready to brew it.

We pack each tea bag into a tamper-evident, oxygen and moisture barrier sealed overwrap, which prevents deterioration of components and is essential for preserving the stability of herbal ingredients. Exposure to air, light and humidity has a negative impact on the quality of cut, dried herbs. The sealed teabag overwrap assures that the quality of the herbs remains intact until they reach the teacup, which is an important consideration when using teas for self-care. Our Natural Health Product teas are made with pharmacopoeial quality herbs and it is essential to protect their quality. The overwrap is not excessive packaging for a pharmacopoeial quality herbal tea, but rather an absolute requirement for shelf life stability.

Are your teas safe for pregnant or breastfeeding moms?

We know that not all herbs are right for everyone, and pregnancy and nursing require a little extra vigilance. If you’re pregnant or nursing, please be sure to read the side panel of our products for safety information for pregnant and/or breastfeeding moms. Additionally, as a nursing or expectant mother, we recommend that you check in with your doctor before using any of our teas.

I am interested in becoming a retailer of your products; how do I buy your teas at wholesale?

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. We’d love to set up a partnership with you! We sell our teas at wholesale through distributors. For a list of the distributors for your region, contact us.