We're Certified Biodynamic®!
It's official! We are proud to say we have received our official Certified Biodynamic® plaque!
 Click here to read more about our Biodynamic® Certifier!
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Biodynamic Farming & Gardening
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 What does it mean to be Biodynamic®?
Biodynamic® farming: A definition.
Biodynamic® farming methods are considered a form
of organic farming, but  Biodynamic® principles expand on organic's
sustainable and natural approach with a holistic, farm-as-an-organism
philosophy. The concept of Biodynamic® farming is
as the word itself would suggest: a combination of biological and
dynamic practices, "bio" meaning life and "dyn" meaning force. Like
organic farming, Certified Biodynamic® farms
stress biological methods in regard to humane treatment of animals,
soil health, and food quality. The use of green manures, cover crops
and composting are all essential.
 However, Biodynamic® farming takes the standard organic practices at least a step further. Farmers who practice a Biodynamic®
approach consider the life force of the farm. In essence, conventional
farming is to biodynamic farming as conventional medicine is to
homeopathic. With homeopathic medicine, the entire person is taken into
account, not just the physical symptoms they exhibit. In Biodynamic®
farming, the entire farm is a life force, and every aspect of it is
considered. The farm is not merely a piece of land whose purpose is to
produce food. It is a closed-loop eco-system, and every part of it,
from the animals to the soil to the farmer, plays an integral role. More details>
For questions about organic farming, e-mail us at info@owharvest.com for personal input from
our resident organic (and biodynamic!) farmer, Randy Buresh.
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Our Organic Goldenseal Project
 Here at Oregon's Wild Harvest, we have many goals to make sure that
this business - and the herbs we grow - remain sustainable into the
future.
One of our goals is to create a complete herbarium,
which includes keying out all of our plants to guarantee true genius
and species. We are also seed collectors and maintain a good supply of
certified Biodynamic® and organically
grown traditional medicinal seeds for our use as well as to share with
others who would like to experience growing medicinal plants.
Our Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
project is a good example of our goal of sustainable harvesting
practices. Goldenseal is an endangered plant due to over-harvest in the
wild.
 Harvesting and digging of medicinal plants still provides an income to
many rural families. If sound harvesting practices are used faithfully
and consistently, this practice can continue to provide an income for
future generations. Wise and sustainable wild crafting will not hurt
wild plant populations, and, if done correctly, will actually help to
improve those plant populations.
More details>
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Many Thanks!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Herb Walks and Farm Tours this summer! Please check our website in the spring for next summers dates!
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August 2009
Cloves, Organic 90ct.
Ginger, Organic 90ct.
Ginkgo, Organic 90ct.
Kava 1oz.
Kava 90ct.
Milk Thistle Dandelion 90ct.
Milk Thistle, Organic 90ct.
Rhodiola 60ct.
Turmeric 60ct.
More details>
September 2009
Ashwagandha, Organic 90ct.
Bilberry 60ct.
Echinacea, Organic 90ct.
Garlic, Organic 90ct.
Ginkgo, Organic 90ct.
Kava 90ct.
Muscle Relax, Organic 90ct.
Prostate Health with Lycopene 60ct.
Saw Palmetto Pygeum,
Organic 90ct.
Saw Palmetto, Organic 90ct.
Turmeric 60ct.
More details>
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Welcome to Our Newsletter!
August 2009
Welcome to The Herb Patch -- the official newsletter of Oregon's Wild
Harvest. This is the 11th publication of The Herb Patch.
If there's a topic you'd like to see us cover, please let us know. This
newsletter is for you, our customer. Drop us a line with a comment,
idea, or question at questions@owharvest.com.
To your good health,
Randy Buresh
Founder, Oregon's Wild Harvest |
Ginkgo, Organic
 Ginkgo biloba is the world's oldest living species of tree, dating back more than 200 million years. Individual trees live as long as 1,000 years. It is now commonly planted in the cities of Europe, japan, Southeast Asia, and the United States due to its hardiness and resistance to infections and pollution.
Although the medicinal use of the seed originates from China for 5,000 years ago, it was not until the 20th century that the leaves of the tree were first used in European herbal medicine. Many of Ginkgo's current use originate from research and clinical observations during the 1950's in Europe. In France and Germany, it is one of the most popular prescribed medicines.
In the United States, Ginkgo is one of the top selling herbal supplements. This popularity can be attributed to large numbers of successful clinical trials that have been published. Government's Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) research program is currently funding several studies featuring this herb. More details>
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Rhodiola
 Rhodiola, also known as Arctic Rose, comes from the Arctic regions of
eastern Siberia. Arctic tribes valued this herb as an Adaptogen, and
used it to increase physical and mental stamina. The historical use is
documented by the ancient Greeks and in scientific literature from
Scandanavia, Europe, The Soviet Union, and Iceland as early as 1725. It
was popular with the Vikings for enhancing mental and physical
endurance and was included in the first Swedish Pharmacopeia in 1775.
New scientific studies now support the traditional use of this valued
herb. Adaptogens increase resistance and adaptation to stress, helping
to build stamina and vitality. More details> |
Kava root
 The literal meaning of the scientific name, Piper methysticum, is
"intoxicating pepper". Ethnobotanical reports suggest that it
originated from a wild form of Kava in Vanatu. Since then cultivars
have been introduced to many other Polynesian islands, where it has
been used both medicinally and culturally as a national (intoxicating)
drink. The ceremonial ritual of taking Kava was witnessed in the late
1700's, by captain James Cook's expedition. More details>
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We're on Facebook!
 Become a fan of Oregon's Wild Harvest on our Facebook page, and enter yourself to win a prize, by telling us your favorite OWH product!
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Drug Interactions Index
We provide information on drug interactions and contraindications on our product pages, because your health is our first priority. Please see our detailed Drug Interactions Index page for more information.
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Farm Updates and Photo Gallery
 We now feature weekly farm updates on our website!
And, we have started a photo gallery of amazing plant photos, events at the farm and fresh plant harvesting.
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Supplies: Bottles, Containers, Tea Preparation Coming soon!
Check out our supplies section to purchase everything you need to make your own herbal supplements and tinctures!
More details>
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Organic Dong Quai root, Cut-and-Sift
 Considered the female "master herb," Dong Quai has been used throughout
many eastern cultures as a long-term tonic. In Chinese medicine, Dong
Quai is believed to work best in patients with a yin profile, and is
considered to be a mildly warming herb. Dong Quai is thought to return
the body to proper order by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital
energy. The name Dong Quai translates as "return to order" based on its
alleged restorative properties. Dong Quai was introduced in the west by
Chinese settlers in 1899. More details> |
Remedies & Recipes Using Bulk Herbs
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Oregon's Wild Harvest offers a great variety of bulk herbs in ¼ lb and
1lb bags.
St. John's Wort Oil
The latest harvest of St. John's wort flowers is currently being
steeped in gently-heated containers of organic olive oil. This is
alchemy in action, as evidenced by the reddening of the oils as they
are extracted from the fresh flower buds.  The color is due to the
hypericin content, and is only seen when fresh flower buds are used.
Many
of our customers buy this oil and use it as-is, or incorporate it into
other topical preparations such as salves, creams and lotions. Aside
from the fun of creating your own concoction, home-made remedies are
free from synthetic chemicals that you may not want to use on your
skin. By making your custom topical preparation, you can tailor the
recipes to suit your particular needs. You can adjust the scent, change
the lotion consistency and even make remedies that contain REAL
quantities of herbs rather than the minute amounts that are often added
to commercial products (just to make the label sound impressive).
Remember! ...there is no wrong way to make salves, lotions or creams. More details>
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