As we become increasingly aware of the impact our dietary choices have on environmental factors like land use, water consumption, emissions, and community welfare, it’s vital to extend this consciousness to natural supplements and botanical products. These products, including adaptogens blended into our morning smoothies, herbal teas that promote sleep, and elderberry syrups for colds, originate from plants and fungi that serve medicinal purposes.

However, the transformation of these botanicals into powders, capsules, and tinctures often obscures their origins, making us forget that they are rooted in the earth and harvested by individuals. With nearly 40% of recognized plant species facing extinction and a burgeoning global market for botanical ingredients valued in the billions, it is crucial for us to prioritize sustainability in our purchases.

Embrace Curiosity

To align our decisions about botanical products with our food purchasing habits, we should pose similar questions: What is the origin of this product? Was it grown using organic or regenerative practices? Are the growers and laborers compensated fairly?

Certification: Labels such as Certified Organic and Fairtrade can serve as useful guides, but delving deeper will yield more insightful information.

Caitlin Vliet, the founder of Bonobo Botanicals, recommends consumers cultivate curiosity about the conservation status and sourcing practices of the plants they consider, particularly those that are popular or sourced from distant places. “Don’t hesitate to reach out to companies to discuss their values and sourcing methods. While perfection isn’t necessary, transparency and reflection on these issues are important,” she advises.

The Wild Perspective

Between 60% and 90% of the medicinal and aromatic plants are sourced from the wild rather than cultivated, making sustainability in collection practices a significant concern. The capacity of ecosystems to support ongoing harvesting varies by species and context – for instance, dandelion and nettle are abundant and resilient, whereas American ginseng is at risk due to overharvesting and detrimental collection practices.

Certification: Indicators like Forest Grown Verified and FairWild signify adherence to best practices in wild plant harvesting.

Understanding the Human Element

The marketplace for botanicals presents both opportunities and challenges—while it can provide sustainable income for ethical gatherers, it can also push for short-term profits that harm the environment. The individuals behind the herbal remedies we use are often from marginalized communities and can be subject to exploitation through inadequate compensation. Conversely, many rely on wild plant gathering for their livelihoods and possess invaluable traditional ecological knowledge. When employed responsibly, this can create mutual benefits, provided ethical botanical companies provide adequate support and guidance.

Making Informed Choices

It can understandably feel overwhelming to consider all these factors before selecting a supplement. Fortunately, a conscientious botanical supplier, such as Vliet, often does much of the groundwork for you.

“I invest time in researching growing practices and sustainability related to the herbs I choose to collaborate with. If I find any indication of risk or ethical concerns, I seek alternatives,” she explains.

Likewise, a reputable retailer typically has a team dedicated to assessing their suppliers, taking the burden off the consumer. Amanda Rajsigl from Amaranth Whole Foods in Calgary notes, “We aim to partner with important players in the natural products sector who focus on sustainable and innovative ingredient sourcing. For each new supplement introduction, including botanicals, we follow specific criteria regarding the sourcing of each ingredient.”

Connecting the Dots

While exploring health through natural supplements and botanicals, it’s essential to remember that our well-being is deeply linked to vibrant natural environments and thriving ecosystems, as well as the well-being of our fellow humans. The individual and collective health are intertwined.

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