Our Process

An herbal extract can only be as good as the plants that go into it. At Pine’s Herbals, we take great care in choosing which plants we use to make our tinctures, glycerites, and oils and use only the highest quality herbs. Herbal extracts are not made from inert chemicals like pharmaceuticals, but come from living plants, and the quality can be highly variable depending on how and when they’re harvested. It’s important to know which part of the plant to select, the right time of year to harvest, and whether the plant is best used fresh or dried.

Sourcing

As much as possible, we harvest from the woods and fields of western North Carolina, with a primary focus on sustainability. To us, sustainability means we only harvest plants that grow abundantly in our area. We take only what we need, being mindful of plant populations, the animals that graze upon them, and future generations. We also support these principles when we buy from other wildcrafters, only purchasing from ethical harvesters.

Several of the herbs in our apothecary are not native to our region; in these instances, we are grateful for the contributions provided by local organic farmers, with whom we have forged relationships over the years. When necessary, we may also source from herbal distributors, always buying organic or wildcrafted when available.

Medicine Making

We use different percentages of organic cane alcohol and distilled water to extract various plant constituents, sometimes adding vegetable glycerine or vinegar to improve the solubility thereof. In addition, some of our dried herbs are tinctured using a special percolation process. In this method, the dried herbs are ground, moistened, and packed into a cone, like a giant pour over coffee. Then the alcohol and water mixture is slowly added and the finished tincture drips out the bottom. Historically, this was the preferred method pharmacists used to make potent and effective tinctures.

Pine’s Herbals – A High Art

The choice of online herbal medicine companies can be overwhelming. There can be vast differences in the quality of the herbs, the processes used, and the expertise of the staff. Pine’s Herbals is unique in each of these areas.

1. Quality and Integrity of Our Herbs. The plants used in our products are mindfully sourced from local abundant wild stands, local organic medicinal herb farmers, and from other reputable organic herb suppliers. We work with nature, and trust that it will provide us and our clients with the medicine needed. 

2. Our Processes. What really makes our formulas different is that we create a synergy with the herbs in the formula to help heal the pattern of the dis-ease. We select herbs that work well together, as a well-thought-out blend. First, we research each herb so we can understand them at a deep level. Second, we determine how the herbs interact with each other to see if they work together synergistically. Third, our tinctures are extracted in organic, gluten-free professional grade alcohol derived from organic sugar cane. This is a superior solvent that maintains the potency and efficacy of the plant medicine, while also being free of any common food-sourced irritants/intolerances. 

3. Expertise. Pine’s Herbals founder, CoreyPine, has over twenty years experience as an herbal practitioner and herbal teacher/founder of The Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine. Of his hundreds of graduates, many are actively working in the field of herbal medicine. The staff and employees of Pine’s Herbals are also trained herbalists.

4. Giving Back. We donate products to support regional and national herbal clinics that offer free or low-cost herbal care to those in need.

Are Pine’s Herbals Products Right for You?

1. You’re looking for potent and effective tinctures.

2. You care about the integrity and sustainability of the harvesting and sourcing of herbs.

3. You like knowing there’s an experienced herbalist behind every formulation.

4. You value clinical precision in the extracting and formulation process.

5. You find the biodiversity of the Asheville area appealing.

6. You appreciate a company that gives back and makes herbal medicine accessible to those who many otherwise be unable to access or afford it.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Pine’s Herbals may be right for you!