When you buy herbs from someone who is selling them, whether herbs in bulk, as seasonings, or teas, how can you be certain that the individual is really growing the herbs, and not purchasing them from a commercial company that sells herbs in bulk? Also, what difference does it make?

To address the first question, there are many ways to find out if the person is really growing the herbs that they are selling. For instance, if at a farmer's market, you could look for a growers certificate, and/or organically grown certificate. If the grower has either or both of these certificates, they will proudly display them . You could also ask where their farm is. If they act caught off guard or hesitate, you can be sure that they are probably not growing what they are selling. Another is ,of course, how knowledgeable are they about the herbs?

But, what about online sellers, how can you tell? There are many ways. What does the herbalist say about herself? What do her pictures that she puts on line tell you? Does she blog and if so, are the blogs informative or just advertising for business? Growing herbs takes quite a bit of property, at least 3 acres if one is growing and selling a variety of herbs to be sold in bulk. The reason is that while in the garden, it looks like one has a lot of herbs, but, once they are dried, it's not a lot at all. It takes a tremendous amount of herbs , and time, to sell herbs in bulk. If a person is selling culinary, medicinal, and teas, the herbs are needed for those items.

Then, comes the interesting part: what do the herbs look and smell like when purchased? If your herbs are all cookie cutter perfect, all the same size, with no twigs, you can be sure that the herbalist is not taking the time to do that. It's too much work. And, it's nearly impossible to do, by hand. Another give away is the price. If you're purchasing an ounce of herb at a really cheap price, think this way; easy come, easy go. The herbs are very likely being purchased commercially in bulk, for rock bottom prices. The reason is that these companies need to move these herbs along and, you can better believe that these herbs were on the bottom of the pile. The other give away is the smell. Fresh, dried herbs will scent up the post office in no time. And before you even open your package from the herb supplier, you know what's in it and so does everyone else.

And last, is the taste. Fresh dried herbs, taste so good, and have such flavor, that you just know that they are fresh, whether in tea or culinary.

To address the second question of what difference it makes, for starters, when you purchase herbs that are commercial, your herbs are contaminated. The machinery used to harvest the herbs is also used to harvest other items such as peanuts and nut trees. If you are allergic to peanuts, or, if you should make up a tea or culinary dish, that peanut residue is in the herbs and can cause you or someone else that is allergic to peanuts medical problems or a trip to the emergency room.

There are many individuals involved in harvesting commercial herbs and, not everyone has the same degree of sanitation. Also, animal manure can carry diseases, and most commercial businesses are in business to make, not lose, money. Therefore, they will likely be using pesticides, herbicides, you name it.

And lastly, the herbs for the most part are not grown in the United States. They are grown in other countries, such as Egypt, France, Spain, Bulgaria. I know that many good herbs grow in the middle east and certainly in Europe. The problem, however, is that once the herbs are harvested, they are put in storage (and who knows really if it is hot or cold?) for months, until the commercial company makes an order. Then, after being shipped to the United States, the herbs go into storage, until a business makes an order. Don't think that the herbs ordered have just come from another country last week. More than likely, it was last year. Businesses generally use last in, last out with their products, including herbs.

It really is important to pay attention as to where and from whom, we purchase our herbs! Ask questions, read what the herbalist is telling about herself and her herbs, look at the quantities that she has, and ask yourself if they are reasonable quantities. Take a look at her prices and, stop and smell!

Good Health to y'all!