Gaia Herbs: Transparency & supply chain self-sufficiency
September 2, 2014
![Gaia Herbs: Transparency & supply chain self-sufficiency Gaia Herbs: Transparency & supply chain self-sufficiency](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blteaa50416fe1ed740/64e900e51c33234a4d48efc3/Echinacea-Purpurea-full-fie.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
A view from the "farm house"— Gaia's offices—of the fields of Gaia Herbs farm, where using Tiphia wasps to control Japanese Beetle are among the practices of this USDA Organic botanical farm.
Walking with our group of mostly retailers, we head up to Gaia's impressive state-of-the-art 36,000-square-foot operations facility, where all of the company's raw materials are tested, processed and packaged. In keeping with vertically sustainable considerations, the building was constructed in 1997 from Stapathjavedic architectural design principles of building in harmony with nature.
Among the dozens of crops cycled through the seasons is the long-lived Ginkgo Biloba. Ginkgo is the oldest surviving species of tree and is often referred to as “the living fossil”. The farm cultivates hundreds of Ginkgo trees, where the leaves are valued for specific flavonols that support circulatory health.
Ric Scalzo, founder Gaia Herbs, talks to us in the fields about the qualities and therapeutic uses of Valerian Root. He says that "smelly sock" aroma reputation is ill-earned and exists because of poorly washed and processed raw material. Here we're looking at just rinsed root, you can imagine how challenging it is to clean that mass.
Sometimes referred to as Purple Coneflower, Echinacea Purpurea in the field during the waning season in August, the roots, flowers and seeds hold different properties and are harvested at varying times to ensure optimum benefits. The flowers when harvested in their early developmental phase contain Arabinogalactin Proteins and Polysachharides. These chemicals support ongoing immune function and are best used long term for supporting the immune system. The roots harvested in the fall contain large amounts of Alkylamides and support a healthy inflammatory response in the sinuses and are best used at onset, not for long-term use.
Sometimes known as Tulsi, Holy Basil exhibits impressive adaptogenic activity, helping the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, this plant has a normalizing, broad-spectrum action that maintain homeostasis. In Ayurveda it is considered a symbol of fidelity and helpful in attaining spiritual enlightenment, nourishing the mind and elevating the spirit. Here we see recently harvested Holy Basil on its way to a large drying bin beside the fields. Holy Basil begins its cultivation journey within the acres of organic greenhouses that house millions of starter plants.
Sometimes known as Tulsi, Holy Basil exhibits impressive adaptogenic activity, helping the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, this plant has a normalizing, broad-spectrum action that maintain homeostasis. In Ayurveda it is considered a symbol of fidelity and helpful in attaining spiritual enlightenment, nourishing the mind and elevating the spirit. Here we see recently harvested Holy Basil on its way to a large drying bin beside the fields. Holy Basil begins its cultivation journey within the acres of organic greenhouses that house millions of starter plants.
At Gaia Herbs' 350-acre organic farm nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the company not only grows and controls the majority of botanical ingredients found in its premium products, it tests (HPLC, biomarkers, species identity and more), processes and packages finished products in its state-of-the-art facility.
Taking steps to develop an additional 100 organic acres in Costa Rica's Pacific Nicoya Blue Zone for the cultivation of high-demand turmeric, ginger and kava, plus negotiating transitional acreage in Peru and Patagonia to ensure quality supply of high-altitude South American crops such as maca, Gaia Herbs is committed to maintaining a sustainable organic supply chain.
Since Gaia's founding in 1986, the company has been committed to upholding the rigorous standards required of a Certified Organic Grower (COG) as determined by Oregon Tilth, one of the strictest and most stringent organic certifiers in the nation. As a result, Gaia Farm (established in 1997) has earned its reputation as one of the leading growers and producers of Certified Organic herbs and herbal products in the United States.
Gaia Herbs inspires the best in what we consider full supply chain transparency and integrity, and sustainable agricultural and business practices.
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