FAQs

Our products do not contain gluten, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, or eggs. All products are yeast-free, with the exception of L-Ergo Complex that contains yeast-bound selenium (brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Gaia Herbs® processes fresh Black Walnuts in our facility. The green outer hulls are found in the Microbiome Cleanse phytocaps and Wormwood Black Walnut Supreme Liquid Herbal Extract. The walnuts are hulled and ground outside to avoid any cross contamination, and all equipment is cleaned between manufacturing lots per GMP requirements.

Our products are vegetarian, and most are vegan, with the exception of the products below containing bee-derived ingredients. Gaia Herbs, Inc has a strict policy for bee-derived ingredients to ensure the ingredient is authentic. Organic certification is always pursued for honey and propolis when possible to minimize the concentration of pesticides, and suppliers must fill out an extensive survey to ensure no chemicals are used in the hives, the honey is authentic and completely cured before harvesting, and the bees are fed honey instead of sugar syrups throughout the winter, amongst other things.

The following Gaia Herbs, Inc. products are not vegan because they contain honey or other bee-derived ingredients like propolis:

GaiaKids®Black Elderberry Syrup Kids Daily
GaiaKids®Bronchial Wellness Syrup Kids
Bronchial Wellness Syrup
Echinacea Goldenseal Supreme
Echinacea Goldenseal Propolis Throat Spray
Cough Syrup
Rapid Defense Gummies   

Please refer to the product label for product-specific vegan information.

Gaia Herbs, Inc. strives to minimize the amounts of corn-derived ingredients in our products, knowing that some consumers can still react to trace amounts. There may be trace amounts of corn in Quercetin Synergy, Eleuthero root, Cognitive Formula, Elderberry capsules, Boswellia Joint Formula, Tongkat ADAM, Turmeric Supreme Joint, HPA Axis Nighttime, AMPK Activator, and Reflux Relief®. The L-Tyrosine in Thyroid Support is derived from fermented non-GMO corn.

Please contact [email protected] for updated info about potential corn ingredients in our products.

We do not use any soy containing ingredients. We use sunflower lecithin in our Liquid Phyto-Caps® formulations when it is needed for emulsification of fat-soluble constituents. We transitioned away from soy lecithin in 2023.

Gaia Herbs, Inc. does not knowingly use gluten-containing ingredients in our products. All ingredients and products are analyzed for gluten contamination based on risk assessments depending on ingredient type, raw material growing location, supplier, product type, previous testing results, and manufacturing process. All new products are tested for gluten. Gluten testing is performed periodically by a third-party lab using the ELISA test method with a detection limit of 5 ppm.  FDA regulations require foods labeled "gluten free" to contain less than 20 ppm gluten. In the event a product tests above the FDA requirement, an investigation and product evaluation are performed to ensure we meet FDA labeling requirements.

We use oat seed (Avena sativa) picked during the milky stage of growth (called Oats Milky Seed) in a few of our products. Our oats are processed within 48 hours of harvest and handled to minimize cross contaminated with any gluten containing grains and have tested gluten free. Oats are a gluten free grain unless cross contaminated with other grains that contain gluten, however, some very sensitive people avoid even gluten free oats.

Please contact [email protected] for further info about gluten testing in our products.

At Gaia Herbs, Inc. we use 190-proof alcohol derived from non-GMO sugar cane for all products extracted at our facility in Brevard, North Carolina. Our labels list this as “alcohol USP” or “organic alcohol USP.”  The alcohol used for extraction is distilled and certified gluten-free by the manufacturer.

Since 2023, every batch of glycerin used in Gaia Herbs, Inc® products has been derived exclusively from sustainably sourced, non GMO palm oil, free from seed oils (like rapeseed/canola, soybean, and corn).

We hold our glycerin to the same rigorous standards as every ingredient we use:

- Our palm oil is cold-pressed, no hexane or harsh chemical solvents are used at any stage.

- The oil undergoes a rigorous purification process including vacuum distillation and an activated charcoal finishing step.

- What remains is 99.5% pure glycerin and <0.5% trace residues.

Our Liquid Phyto-Caps® are made from hypromellose (a pine cellulose-derived capsule material). Hypromellose is semi-synthetic, meaning that the ingredients are naturally derived, but there is a processing step in the lab to break down the cellulose and rebuild it. The capsules have passed third party testing for residual solvents according to USP guidelines. Some grades of HPMC do have polymer plasticizers mixed in, however Gaia Herbs Pro® has chosen a capsule which contains only the cellulose from pine trees mixed with water. There is no danger of phthalate consumption with Gaia Herbs® capsules.

Our powder capsules are primarily made from organic pullulan, a naturally fermented tapioca-based material, though a small number may also use hypromellose. All of our capsules are vegan and gluten-free.

Gaia Herbs, Inc. uses non-GMO sunflower lecithin in our Liquid Phyto-Caps®. Our sunflower lecithin is expeller pressed and solvent-free.

Yes, the dropper tops are made from natural latex rubber, so they are not appropriate for someone with a latex allergy.

Gaia Herbs® uses ICP-MS to test arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead on all lots of incoming ingredients while finished products are tested using a risk-based approach. ICP-MS stands for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. This instrument is the centerpiece of Gaia’s heavy metals testing. This powerful technique can observe a wide range of metals at quantities as low as a nanogram of metal in a gram sample. The ICP-MS allows Gaia to obtain precise and sensitive data for all materials in a high-speed manner. Samples are aerosolized and the aerosols are introduced into the plasma. In the plasma, the extreme temperatures cause the aerosols to further atomize and ionize. The ions are then separated by their mass-to-charge ratio using magnetic fields. Finally, the separated ions are quantified using an electron multiplier detector.

Gaia Herbs, Inc. is committed to sourcing non-GMO ingredients and does not intentionally purchase GMO herbs or materials. We carefully review our sourcing practices to help ensure compliance with non-GMO standards across our products. Many Gaia Herbs® products are also Non-GMO Project Verified®, and that list continues to grow. In addition, all herbs grown on the Gaia Herbs® Farm are Certified Organic and GMO-free.

Supercritical CO2 extraction is an environmentally friendly method of extracting oils from plants. It is commonly used for herbs that contain higher amounts of oil, such as Oregano, Ginger, Holy Basil, Saw Palmetto, and Turmeric. In this process, the dried herb is placed into a sealed extraction vessel along with carbon dioxide (CO2). The vessel is then pressurized and heated above 31 degrees Celsius, causing the CO2 to enter a “supercritical” state, where it behaves as both a gas and a liquid. In this state, the CO2 acts as a solvent and extracts the naturally occurring oils from the plant material.

After extraction is complete, the pressure is reduced, allowing the CO2 to return to its gaseous state and separate from the extracted oils. Modern CO2 extraction systems can also recycle and reuse the carbon dioxide during the process.

This is common way to measure the strength of a liquid herbal extract or tincture. Generally, the number on the left represents the amount of plant material used to produce the extract, while the number on the right represents the volume of the solvent used. A lower number on the right means a stronger product.

A 1:1 ratio means that 7.5 pounds of raw herb are used per every 1 gallon of a 50% water/alcohol solution. A 1:2 ratio means that 7.5 pounds of herb are used per every 2 gallons of a 50% water/alcohol solution, and a 1:3 ratio means that 7.5 pounds of herb are used for every 3 gallons of a 50% water/alcohol solution. Gaia’s ratios are typically between 1:1 and 1:4.

The “best by” date stamped on each bottle is the latest date through which we can guarantee the product’s potency and microbial stability when stored properly. In general, alcohol-based extracts have a 5-year shelf life, alcohol-free extracts and elixirs have a 3-year shelf life, and our Liquid Phyto-Caps® and herbal gummies have a 2–3-year shelf life from the date of manufacture.

Products that require refrigeration will say so on the label. Products that do not require refrigeration should be kept out of direct sunlight and heat. For the most accurate information, refer to the “Best By” date printed on your product label.

Gaia Herbs, Inc. uses fresh herbs according to traditional herbalism principles when it has been traditionally harvested and used in that way and there is a lack of modern research on the plant to say otherwise, such as with Milky Oat tops and American Skullcap, used as fresh preparations by the Eclectic physicians of the early 1900s. One of the major advantages Gaia Herbs®  has is that we own and operate a Regenerative Organic Certified® farm next to our manufacturing facility, which allows us to process fresh plant material immediately after harvest.

Most Gaia Herbs, Inc. products should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, such as a pantry or cupboard. Liquid Phyto-Caps® should not be refrigerated. Any products that require refrigeration will be clearly indicated on the label. Please refer to the product label for specific storage instructions.

Levels of chemical constituents vary quite naturally. Constituents are affected by growing conditions such as soil, weather, and altitude and by factors such as age of the plant, when it was harvested and where the seed came from. This means that each batch of extract will be slightly different. Extracts that are standardized will have consistent levels of the marker compound, but will require varying amounts of plant material to get that level. This may affect the appearance of the extract. There is also the fact that liquid extracts are solutions, which means that the dissolved substance (solute) may fall out of solution, especially considering the high concentration of Gaia’s extracts. If this happens, you will see small particles of plant constituents in the extract. Vigorous shaking will often cause the solute to go back into solution.

“Between meals” means that for optimal absorption, you should take the product either half an hour before eating or 2 hours or more after eating.

The dry herb equivalent is the amount of dried herb used to make an extract, and it is the easiest way to compare potency of products. An extract is an herb that has gone through an extraction process. This includes using alcohol and water to make a liquid extract, carbon dioxide to make an oil-based supercritical extract or alcohol and/or water (and the process of freeze-drying) to make a powdered extract. At the end of the extraction process, the fiber is discarded, and consequently, the extract weight is lower than the original weight of the herb.  An herb that is not extracted is consumed either fresh from the farm or garden or picked and dried before being consumed.  

Dried herbs can be powdered and encapsulated, but they are not called extracts unless they have gone through an extraction process.  The simplest type of extract is a tea. The dry weight of the tea bag could be equated to the dry herb equivalent or the amount of dry herb required to make the tea. To measure the amount of extract in the tea, you would need to evaporate the water from the brewed tea (without the tea leaves) and measure the small amount of powder that remains.

When botanicals are standardized to a biomarker of interest (like withanolides) there can be a highly a variable amount of dry or fresh herb used to make the extract, depending on the potency of the raw material. The biomarker of interest is a better representation of herbal potency than the amount of raw material used- therefore, we have removed the dry herb equivalent reference from the labels for some products that are standardized to a biomarker on the label. The milligram of biomarker or extract does not vary between batches.

Some standardized products that have a more consistent amount of herb: final extract ratio will have a biomarker as well as a crude herb equivalent listed on the label, such as Milk Thistle capsules, with 125mg of silymarins per capsule made from 7,500mg dry milk thistle- in this case, the minimum amount of dry herb used to make the final extract is listed on the label. If a product uses fresh herbs as starting material, as in elderberry fruit, a fresh herb equivalent will be listed, and if products use a mix of fresh and dry starting material (phyto-caps containing supercriticals and dry herbs that are extracted and blended together), this is listed as a crude herb equivalent.

Liquid Phyto-Caps® use a size 0 capsule. (For reference, powder capsules may be size 0 or 00.)

We suggest diluting Liquid Herbal Extracts in at least 2 ounces of water or another liquid.

The recommendations for dose and duration found on our labels and in our literature are general recommendations. Your health care professional will need to be consulted for your specific needs.

Alcohol is commonly used in herbal extracts because it functions effectively as both a solvent and a preservative. Alcohol helps draw beneficial plant constituents out of the plant material and into solution, creating a concentrated liquid extract that is easy for the body to absorb.

Alcohol extracts are more stable and can retain potency and microbial stability of up to 5 years, while capsules and tablets tend to have shorter stability times of 2-3 years.

If you are pregnant or lactating, herbal products should only be used as directed on the product label or by a qualified healthcare practitioner who is familiar with your individual health needs. We recommend consulting your healthcare provider prior to taking any supplements.

The lot number and date information are printed on the bottom or side of the package. For liquid products, the “Best By” date is printed near the Supplement Facts panel. Herbal products are labeled with a “Best By” date rather than an expiration date.

SuppCo is an independent platform that helps supplement users track their supplement routine. SuppCo rates supplement brands and products based on quality and transparency using their 35-attribute TrustScore rating system.

TrustScore is SuppCo's proprietary supplement quality rating system. It looks at 35 different attributes across supplement manufacturing, testing, and ingredient selection to rate the overall quality of a product. Products are rated on a 10-point scale. You can learn more about how TrustScore is calculated here.

TrustScores are created by SuppCo's dedicated research team. While brands can provide documentation as inputs to their score, brands do not have influence over the final TrustScore. To date, SuppCo has scored over 40,000 supplement products from over 950 brands.

Products and brands are rated on a 10-point scale based on their ability to delivery against 35 key quality attributes. A rating of 8 and above means excellent quality. Gaia Herbs® has a brand TrustScore of 9.71 and ranks in the top 1% of brand TrustScores. You can learn more about how TrustScore is calculated here.      

Our powder filled caps use pullulan caps. Pullulan is a plant-based polysaccharide (a type of carbohydrate) made by fermenting tapioca starch with a yeast-like microorganism. These caps allow us to have a certified organic capsule. Pullulan capsules are also vegan and gluten-free.

As of May 2015, we use 190-proof non-GMO sugar cane alcohol for all products extracted in alcohol at our facility in Brevard, North Carolina. The amount of alcohol contained in a serving of one of our alcohol extracts is somewhere between the amount found in a ripe banana and the amount in a non-alcoholic beer.  A ripe banana  contains trace amounts of alcohol, typically 0.2% to 0.5%

Alcohol By Volume (ABV), as natural yeasts convert sugars into ethanol during ripening, with overripe bananas having slightly more; this is a tiny amount, similar to some non-alcoholic beers, and not enough to cause intoxication. For a standard medium banana (around 118g), this translates to a fraction of a milliliter (e.g., <0.59 mL of pure alcohol).  Non-alcoholic beer typically contains trace amounts of alcohol, usually less than 0.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), meaning a standard 12 oz (355 mL) serving might hold around 1.8 mL of ethanol.

TESTED by SuppCo is a first-of-its-kind certification that independently verifies the active ingredients in a supplement using off-the-shelf samples.

SuppCo anonymously purchases products from brand websites—just like a consumer would—and sends them to ISO 17025 accredited labs to test identity and potency against label claims. Products must meet or exceed 95% of tested label claims to earn certification.

Most certifications test or audit products that have come right off the manufacturing line and are hand-selected by the brand for evaluation by the certifying body.

TESTED by SuppCo is different - it verifies what’s actually in the product that consumers are buying, testing off-the-shelf inventory for active ingredient identity and potency. This makes it one of the only programs that validates label claims using real-world samples.

We determine the serving based on the concentration of the extract and its specific use. Please consult with your health-care professional for guidance on servings that are appropriate for your body composition.

We understand that many of our customers may be taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. Because dietary supplements are intended only to support health and do not prevent or treat diseases, we cannot advise on taking our products along with medications.

We strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare practitioner before starting any new supplement or product, especially if you are currently taking medications, have a medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, or are under medical supervision.Your healthcare provider can help you determine what is safe and appropriate for your specific needs.  

California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, more commonly known as Cal Prop 65, is a law that applies only to the State of California. According to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Cal Prop 65 “was intended to protect California citizens and the state’s drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals.”

Under this law, companies are required to place a warning label on any product sold within California if it exceeds the perceived safety levels the state has set for various elements. California’s OEHHA website reiterates that a “Proposition 65 warning does not necessarily mean a product is in violation of any product-safety standards or requirements.”

Gaia Herbs Pro® evaluates all of the ingredients in our products for both safety and efficacy. This includes, among other things, testing for various elements that fall under the Cal Prop 65 law. California, through Cal Prop 65, has indicated the safe level for lead is 0.5 mcg/day; by comparison, the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) limit for safe daily consumption is not more than 5 mcg/day. The amount of lead found in any Gaia product with a Cal Prop 65 label falls within the USP guidelines for daily lead intake.

Heavy metals like lead can naturally be found directly in certain soils and then transferred into plants, even when the herbs are grown in a Certified Organic environment.

For the fastest assistance, please email us at [email protected]. Our team will respond as quickly as possible during our normal business hours.

Phone Support is available Monday - Friday 7:30am  - 6:00pm Eastern Standard Time - (800)831-7780

Monday - Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

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We suggest you work with your healthcare professional about what supplements are right for you. Since our Customer Support team is not made up of medical professionals, we are unable to diagnose conditions or provide medical advice.

No, we are unable to speak to or provide recommendations about products from other companies.

If you need to cancel or modify an order (including changing the shipping address), please contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate your request, but changes are not guaranteed once an order has begun processing.

Please reach out to our support team with your order number and details of your request so we can assist you promptly.