Sourcing high-quality dried herbs is crucial to creating potent and effective remedies, whether it’s tinctures, teas, infusions, or extracts. If you’re looking for the best sources for dried herbs in Canada, this guide will help you find reliable, high-quality options. Whether you’re focused on personal wellness or crafting products for clients, choosing herbs that are fresh, vibrant, and ethically grown ensures the best results.
In our Herbal Village community, we frequently discuss where to find reliable and quality herbs. In this blog, we’ll explore top sources for dried herbs across Canada and share valuable insights from the community to help you make informed decisions.
What to Look for When Sourcing Herbs:
When it comes to choosing the right dried herbs for your practice, there are several key factors to consider. Ensuring quality, potency, and alignment with your values will help you make the best choice. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
Colour and Fragrance: Herbs that are properly dried should retain their vibrant colours and strong aromas. This indicates freshness and potency. Consider ordering small samples to assess whether the herbs maintain the vitality you expect.
Source and Location: Where and how the herbs are grown matters. Look for suppliers who provide information about their sourcing practices – whether the herbs are grown locally, wildcrafted, or imported.
Ethical Sourcing: Consider whether the herbs are ethically sourced. This includes practices like wildcrafting in a sustainable way or ensuring fair labour conditions. Knowing the story behind the herbs can offer peace of mind about the environmental and social impact.
Certifications and Traceability: Certified organic or GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) certification provides reassurance that the herbs meet industry standards. This often includes full traceability, so you know exactly where your herbs are coming from. Additionally, some reputable suppliers provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs), which offer detailed lab testing results to verify the quality and safety of their products.
Supporting Small-Scale Growers: Sourcing herbs from local, small-scale farms often ensures the freshest product and supports sustainable agriculture. Many small growers don’t have formal certifications due to cost, but their practices may be just as ethical.
Supplier Reputation: Choose suppliers with a reputation for quality. Whether it’s a well-known company or a local farmer, look for customer reviews or ask for recommendations from your herbalist community.
Align with Your Values: Think about what’s important to you – whether it’s organic, locally grown, fair trade, or wildcrafted. Choosing suppliers that align with your values not only ensures you’re getting the best product but also supports practices you believe in.
The Importance of Traceability: Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
Another important aspect of herb sourcing is ensuring the herbs are safe and free from harmful contaminants. This is where Certificates of Analysis (COAs) come in. A COA is a document provided by suppliers that outlines the results of lab testing to confirm the herb’s quality and safety. While COAs are common in larger-scale herb production, they can be costly for small-scale growers, meaning they might not always be available.
COAs typically test for:
- Organoleptic qualities: Sensory attributes like color, taste, and smell.
- Contaminants: Presence of pesticides, heavy metals, or harmful chemicals.
- Microbiological safety: Levels of microorganisms like E. coli.
If you’re sourcing large amounts of herbs or working with a new supplier, it’s worth requesting a COA. Keep in mind that while COAs can provide reassurance about quality, they can be cost-prohibitive for smaller growers who may focus on ethical and sustainable growing practices instead.
Seek Out Your Local Herb Farms
Many small scale growers are hiding out at your local farmers market, flower farm, or maybe even at a community plant exchange. A lot of these farms may not advertise widely or carry organic certification due to cost, but their growing practices are often regenerative and biodiversity-friendly.
Building relationships with local farmers not only supports small businesses but also gives you access to the freshest herbs. Not only that, but local farms might even be willing to grow specific herbs for you upon request, making it easier to get exactly what you need. Some may even allow you to harvest your own plants.
Herb Suppliers in Canada
Apotheka Herbal (BC)
Bula Kava (BC)
Zhi Herbals (BC)
Emery Herbals (BC)
Organic Matters (BC)
Green Muse Herbs (BC)
Light Cellar (Alberta)
Alpine Herbs (Ontario)
Organic Connections (Ontario)
Perfect Herbs (Ontario)
Clef des Champs (Quebec)
Mountain Rose Herbs (United States) *Not in Canada, but they are a highly recommended and reputable – for those herbs you may not be able to source from other suppliers.
Herb Growers in Canada
Little Piece of Paradise Farm (BC)
Chickadee Farm Herbs (Alberta)
Awaken Herbs (Manitoba) *They offer U-Pick Herbs!
Foggy River Farm (Ontario)
Future Spell Specialty Herb Farm (Ontario)
North Roots Herb Farm (Ontario)
The New New Age (Ontario)
Redwing Herb Farm (Ontario)
Floreren Farm (Nova Scotia)
Bringing Quality Herbs Into Your Herbal Practice
Sourcing dried herbs doesn’t have to be a challenge when you know what to look for. Whether you’re seeking certified organic products, vibrant colour and aroma, or building relationships with local growers, quality herbs are out there waiting for you. We encourage you to support small farms, explore suppliers that align with your values, and always ask questions about the quality of the herbs you purchase.
We hope this guide makes sourcing herbs in Canada a bit easier as you continue your herbal studies and practice. While we’ve carefully reviewed the suppliers and farms mentioned, we always recommend doing your own research to ensure they meet your specific needs and values.
If you know of any other trusted suppliers or herb farms in Canada, feel free to reach out and share! We plan to update this resource regularly, and we welcome your suggestions. You can contact us here.
