Information for Collectors

Working With Us

Preparing Organic Roots, Herbs, and Spices to Sell to a Bulk Supplier

Wholesale herbs suppliers and the botanical market are controlled by supply and demand. Even though the demand and usage have increased for medicinal products in the past few years, it is difficult for wholesale spice distributors to project what quantities will be in demand in the future. It also makes it difficult to plan cultivation. For this reason, wildcrafting has been the most successful way to meet the needs of the medicinal herb manufacturer. Instead of simply being a wholesale supplier of bulk organic spices, herbs and botanicals, we like to work with our collectors to help them prepare the highest quality organic and wildcrafted herbs and spices.

Properly Harvesting and Drying Natural Remedies

Learn the correct methods for gathering and drying roots, barks, and herbs to preserve their quality and effectiveness, ensuring the best results for natural remedies.izards collaborate seamlessly to turn ideas into impactful experiences.

  • Roots

    When the roots are gathered, they should be rinsed in clear water. After all dirt and tops are removed, lay them out to dry. Care should be taken so that the roots are spread out where the air can circulate around them. This prevents molding. DO NOT OVEN DRY OR SUN DRY GINSENG! We purchase only air-dried Ginseng.

  • Barks

    When peeling such barks as Wahoo, Black Haw, etc., care should be taken that the woody parts are removed. In preparing Slippery Elm Bark, be sure that it is rossed (outer bark is scraped off). The rough coarse outer bark of Elm must be completely removed before drying and selling. Elm bark must be harvested early in the season when the bark is white. Do not harvest red or dark bark.

  • Herbs and Leaves

    Gather when the plant is in the seed or flowering stage. Dry out of the sun so they retain their original green color. When gathering herbs, the plant must be cut where the first leaf begins to branch out. We do not buy the heavy stems of the plant. When leaves are wanted, we are referring specifically to the leaves and tender tops only. Herbs and leaves must be green in color when they are picked and heavy roots should be cut or split to dry.

Harvesting Botanicals

Harvest Times

Products:

Growing Times

Harvest Times

Inquiry Times

Leaves

May to Aug

June to Aug

Mar to June

Herbs

May to Sept

May to Sept

Mar to June

Roots

March to Oct

Mar to Nov

Mar to Nov

Barks

Jan to Dec

Aug to Oct

May to Oct

Flowers

May to Sept

May to Sept

April to Sept

Testimonials

From the People We Work With

Basic Guidelines

Sustainable Harvest Practices

Follow these general guidelines when working with American Botanicals.

Obey the laws of nature and all federal, state, and local laws. Use common sense when collecting botanicals.

Do not trespass. Obtain permission from landowners and permits from local authorities. It is sometimes helpful to explain to landowners that many of the plants we harvest are considered weeds and many are perennials that can be harvested every year.

Harvest small quantities and replace foliage and dirt around the harvested area.

Leave at least 20% of the plants intact to grow and leave mature seed producing plants to reseed the patch.

When harvesting herbs, do not pull them out of the ground. Cut them off leaving the root system intact for future growth.

It is best not to harvest in the same patch every year. Locate two or three patches and rotate your harvests from year to year.

Root Crops: When digging root crops, leave rootlets and broken roots in the ground. The digging aerates the soil and this helps regrowth.

Leaves: Some seasons it is possible to collect two crops of leaves from the same tree or bush. Pruning usually encourages heavier growth the next season.

American Herbal Products Association

Learn more about AHPA Sustainable Practices at their website.

Contact Us

If you are a collector and would like more information please reach out to someone on our team.