Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can purchase from Heron Botanicals?
Qualified healthcare providers and trained herbalists can order from Heron Botanicals. Approved practitioners include naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, midwives, osteopathic doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors. Registered herbalists or well-trained herbalists are also eligible to order. At this time, massage therapists and health coaches are not eligible.
To sign up for an account, complete our New Account Form. You will need to upload proof of your credentials, such as a degree or license. In some cases, additional written information about your training may be required, particularly for herbalists who are not Registered Herbalists (RH). Account approval typically takes 1 business day once all required documentation is received.
Where are your products made?
All of our products are handcrafted by our dedicated team in Kingston, Washington. Unlike much of the industry, which relies on third-party manufacturers and middlemen suppliers, we work directly with farmers and oversee every step of the production process to ensure unparalleled quality.
We use our products ourselves and for our patients, so our top priority is ensuring they meet our exacting standards.
How does drop shipping to a patient work?
The provider places and pays for the order. During checkout, they enter the patient’s shipping information. Providers are responsible for billing their patients, preferably before the order is placed, to ensure payment.
If there are any issues with the order, the patient should contact the provider, who will then reach out to us. Providers handle all communication with their patients regarding transactions, including returns if necessary.
Additional Notes:
- Tracking information is provided to the provider.
- We do not ship internationally at this time.
What sizes are available to order?
We offer 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz bottles. Volume discounts are available for larger sizes. Only 4 oz bottles include droppers; larger sizes come with poly-cone seal lids.
What is your return policy?
If an item needs to be returned, please notify us within 14 days of the order date. Returned items are subject to a 15% restocking fee, and customers are responsible for return shipping costs. We cannot accept any opened bottles; the heat seal must remain intact.
We are not liable for bottles that break in transit during returns.
If we make a mistake, we will gladly correct it. Notify us within 30 days, and we will cover all costs associated with resolving our error.
What is the shelf life of your products?
Our products have a long shelf life due to the preservative properties of alcohol and glycerin. We don’t sell products that are older than:
- Tinctures: Up to 10 years
- Glycerites: Up to 7 years
While glycerin is an excellent preservative, tinctures have a longer shelf life because alcohol is a stronger antimicrobial agent and provides more robust protection against oxidation and microbial growth. Glycerites remain highly stable when stored properly, thanks to glycerin's ability to reduce water activity and preserve delicate compounds.
To ensure maximum freshness, all our products are stored below 65°F and reevaluated every three years. This level of care is not necessary for storage at home or in a clinic. Most of our inventory is less than 3 years old.
Why do the herbs in a formula change occasionally?
Herbs in a formula may change due to seasonal availability, sourcing challenges, or quality concerns. Any substitutions are carefully considered to maintain the formula's intended efficacy.
For example, Echinacea may be substituted for Osha in a formula. All substitutions are approved by an expert herbalist or naturopathic physician and adhere to our high-quality standards.
Why do you use packing peanuts?
Our packing peanuts are compostable and biodegradable, made from corn starch. They dissolve completely in water and are safe for composting.
We have tried alternative packing materials, but none provide the same level of reliability for protecting herbal tinctures during shipping. Please do not recycle these peanuts, as they may interfere with recycling machinery.
Why do you use alcohol in your tinctures?
Alcohol is an exceptional solvent and preservative. It allows us to extract and preserve fragile compounds from fresh plants that cannot be preserved in other supplement forms. Known as a universal solvent, alcohol extracts a broad range of beneficial compounds.
The amount of alcohol per serving of tincture is very low, even at the highest dosing levels (5 mL). Typically, a tincture dose contains between 0.75 mL and 1.25 mL of alcohol. For comparison:
- A standard serving of wine (5 oz or ~150 mL) contains approximately 18 mL of alcohol.
- A 12 oz (~355 mL) beer contains about 14 mL of alcohol.
- A 1.5 oz (~44 mL) shot of 80-proof liquor contains 20 mL of alcohol.
Even at high tincture doses, the alcohol consumed is far lower than that in a single serving of most alcoholic beverages, making tinctures safe for most individuals when used as directed.
What type of alcohol do you use?
We use organic cane alcohol, which is a purified substance free of pesticides or undesirable contaminants when properly distilled.
What type of vegetable glycerin do you use?
We use organic, plant-based glycerin derived from coconut, flax, and sunflower. Glycerin is naturally sugar-free and acts as a polar molecule for effective extraction.