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Ancient Way is pleased to offer the highest quality, fumigant free Chinese herbs we have been able to reliably source. Currently, these are Plum Flower brand herbs whenever possible. This item is listed as a sealed 1 lb bag, but is often a 1.1 lb (500 gm) bag--the extra is free if that is the case. If a sulphite free version is not available, you will be notified of your options.

Why Sulfite Free?
Sulfites, aluminum chloride, and chlorine (bleach) are the most common preservatives used in Chinese herbs. These are intended to prevent molding/spoiling and preserve the appearance of freshness of the herbs. However, many people are sensitive to these preservatives or prefer to have herbs without them. With proper drying, sealing, and packing (often nitrogen packing them to displace oxygen), herbs do not need fumigation. Plum Flower is currently the only company offering this advanced type of packing. While many companies do not label their fumigated herbs to indicate that they contain sulfites, many are fumigated. The FDA only requires labelling of sulphites applied at over 10 parts per million, but the final dosage will vary greatly with the end use of the herbs. Plum Flower also batch tests their herbs for heavy metals, specific pesticides, and salmonella, etc. Certificates are available by request.

Notes on availability and shipping:
Ancient Way has an extensive pharmacy which serves patients and members (membership is free but requires agreement to our terms of use, which emphasize personal responsibility for seeking professional medical supervision). We try to keep at least a couple of pounds of every common Chinese herb in stock at all times. However, with over 500 herbs and numerous other items in the pharmacy, it is currently impossible to guarantee instant availability. If an herb is less common or is out of stock, it generally takes 2-4 days to receive it from the Bay Area warehouses which are the entry point for the freshest Chinese herbs in the country. In that case, you will be notified of when to expect shipping of your order.

About herb functions, uses, and dosages:The FDA currently restricts the free speech of herb retailers, as statements about the functions of herbs in product literature become part of the labelling and change the status of the herb from dietary supplement (legal) to unapproved new drug (illegal). The herbs we sell are dietary supplements, intended for furthur processing (extraction into tea or tincture, etc.). As such, Ancient Way is not able to legally or ethically give medical information, including traditional function information, in this online catalog. Please consult your local qualified herbalist or a reliable text for traditional indications and functions of these herbs, as well as dosage and preparation. While Ancient Way would like to share this information, we respect the laws and ethics of the medical and dietary supplement industries. These products are not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose diseases in areas where that would be illegal. In many states, acupuncturists are allowed to prescribe these herbs as medicines (such as Oregon, where Ancient Way is located). Customers who are seeking prescriptions are encouraged to find a qualified acupuncturist or doctor to work with in a legal, clinical setting.