Herbs & Products
Browse frequently asked questions of our herbs and products, or head back to the FAQ Directory to find out more.
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I have a specific question about a product, how do I find out more?
Each of our product listings has an FAQ, product description, reviews, and if its a single herb will have a link to that herb profile with heaps of info. If you don't find what you are looking for then message us via the website and we would love to help you.
How do I know which herbs/products to use?
The search function on the website is great, you can search by common ailment, herb, actions, just type in what you need to learn about.
E.g if you are wanting to learn more about herbs for anxiety then type in anxiety and you will be directed to the collection that has all the products suggested for that.
If you want to get help with quitting tobacco or looking for herbs that can be smoked, then search smoking and you will be led to the tobacco alternatives collection
What are the health benefits of medicinal herbs?
You can pretty much find a herb for all ailments. Unlike pharmaceutical medicine, often we are relying on historical information and ancient wisdom, and so they may have not been scientifically evaluated for therapeutic purposes and their effectiveness will require a holistic approach and some lifestyle choices to support healing.
So in a nutshell, there health benefits are vast and effective.
Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes since before humans evolved on the planet and as humans have evolved so to has our knowledge of herbs globally, pharmaceutical medicine(which is usually inspired from herbs) and our ailments.
Can I use herbs to replace pharmaceutical medicine?
We never suggest you replace your doctors advice or prescribed medicine with herbs. The health industry is heavily regulated for a good reason. However, many people enjoy the extensive benefits from herbs and are satisfied with their healing capabilities, so it is completely up to the user. Acute symptoms may be a medical emergency and therefore consult your doctor.
Ancient wisdom has been passed down through many traditions and there is a great amount of historical evidence to show that herbs have medicinal benefit.
However pharmaceutical medicine has progressed a lot since these times and so governments regulate what we can say about the health benefits so we do not mislead anyone into believing they will cure or treat them, but we do love to share the many benefits that have been attributed to them and empower you to make choices for yourself.
How can I safely use medicinal herbs for common ailments?
Always start with small amounts to see how your body reacts. Consider consulting a healthcare professional, especially if you have existing health conditions or are pregnant.
Maybe start with a single dried herb and make a tea. If choosing herbs from the Happy Herb Co range (note we don't claim them to be medicinal) follow the suggested use and check the precautions. We also have a qualified herbalist available if you are unsure, and our message app on the website has a registered health practitioner available for you.
Are there any potential side effects or interactions with medications?
Yes. Whilst herbs are revered as a safe option with little side effects compared to pharmaceutical drugs, some herbs can interact with medications. For example, St. John’s Wort can affect antidepressants. (which demonstrates how effective it is!) Always research specific herbs or consult a professional before use.
Happy Herb Co provide a lot of information on the website to help you navigate this. Note some precautions are listed for extreme conditions and may not pose a threat or problem. Contact us via the messaging app if you are unsure.
How do I prepare herbal remedies (teas, tinctures, salves, etc.)?
Great question, we have a lot of information and resources for you in our Herb Hub and here is an article that relates directly to your question /blogs/herbal-preparations
Quick answer:
Teas: Steep dried or fresh herbs in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Tinctures: Soak herbs in alcohol for several weeks, then strain.
Salves: Infuse herbs in oil and combine with beeswax
What is the recommended dosage for medicinal herbs?
We never refer to use of herbs as dosage as that would suggest a therapeutic effect and our herbs have not been evaluated for that unless you are following a consultation from a qualified medical practitioner.
We do offer guidelines for suggested use and you can find this on the label or on the product web page. Note that each herb and its interaction with the individual is unique and there is no one size fits all.
How do I know if a herb is safe and effective?
We offer a lot of referenced information about each herb and aim to empower you to understand the herbs and whether it would be suitable for your use.
Further to this we suggest you look for research studies, consult reputable herbal medicine resources, and consider professional advice. Regulatory bodies can also provide information on safety.
For effect, you will only know if a herb is effective for your use once you try it. Note that it is important to take an holistic approach and be mindful of factors that may effect your awareness of its effect, eg caffeine, alcohol, and other dietary or lifestyle choices that may interfere with the herbs actions.
What’s the difference between traditional herbal medicine and modern medicine?
Traditional herbal medicine often uses holistic approaches and emphasizes prevention and natural remedies, while modern medicine typically focuses on pharmaceuticals and specific treatments for diseases.
Are there any scientific studies supporting the use of specific medicinal herbs?
Yes, most of our herb profiles come with scientific research references that demonstrate the herbs use and effectiveness. We have long evolved from relying on historical data and in many cases pharmaceutical drugs are based on the active constituent in a herb. EG Aspirin is Salicylic acid, which is the active ingredient in White Willow Bark.
Learn more about our herb references on the herb profile pages.
How can I ensure the quality and purity of herbal products?
The majority of our herbs are certified organic before we repack them, which means they are tested for contaminant and heavy metals.
Happy Herb Co have been operating since 1996 and have put a lot of effort into sourcing the best herbs we can from reputable farmers and suppliers. We hand pack all of our products which means we handle every herb before it gets to you or turns into a tincture.
Sometimes we do pick up that batches smell or look different and so we are constantly investigating this as part of our daily practice. We love the herbs, use them alot ourselves, and value quality over all else. Our mission is to keep herbal wisdom and use alive and so we do everything we can for you to have the best experience of them.
So basically trust, but check out our thousands of product reviews for extra reassurance.
How do i know which herb is right for me?
Visiting one of our stores is the best to explore the herbs for yourself, you can touch and see them and our shop staff are very well trained and experienced.
If you don't have a local store yet then feel free to grab one of our experienced team on the online messaging app.
We also have a complimentary herbalist service where you can email and get a response within 3 days.
Aside from the personal service we have created a lot of information in this website to help guide you, so you can start with exploring the herbs themselves, or search a common use, such as hayfever, or focus etc. Once you start exploring the website you will see that there are many ways for you to direct your learning.
What are adaptogenic herbs and when would i use them?
Happy Herb Co Adaptogens such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Reishi are powerful tonics to help improve our response to stress, whether from internal or external factors. Learn more about Adaptogens.
Which is better dried herbs or liquid herbs ?
We love both and they each have their benefits.
Dried herbs are the most cost effective and its great that you get to interact with the herb by seeing and smelling it. If you enjoy the ritual of making tea, smoking or making your own formulas then dried herbs are great. Check out our herbal prep info
Tinctures tend to be more potent and are much easier to use as they have been extracted for you. You only need a small amount and so they are very handy, but also good to use at bedtime when you don't want to fill your bladder before sleeping.
Tinctures are usually extracted in spirit alcohol and even though its a minute amount, for some this can be off putting, but you can dissipate a lot of it by adding the tincture in hot water. This is particularly useful when using for children or people who are alcohol sensitive.
Which herbs are best for sleep?
We have several, all having a slightly different effect. If you have a serious condition of Insomnia then we suggest you get in touch with us via our messaging app, but if you want to have a go yourself then check out our sleep collection
Can I mix your herbs?
Yes absolutely. We make herbal blend formulas all the time, but often people love to make their own. For a specific ailment that has a herb directly targeted to that then we do suggest sticking with the single herb so you can test its effects but often herbs complement each other very well.
E.g for sleep issues, its great to identify what the actual issue is and to identify the herb for that, e.g skullcap is great for a busy mind, but if you are struggling to get to sleep without knowing the reason then you could blend the sleep herbs together and hopefully the combination will hit the spot. We do have a tea formula that is designed for this but if you prefer less herbs then enjoy the experimentation.
Good example, Valerian and Hops seem to potentiate each other, and Chamomile and California Poppy enhance the sleepy feeling.
Can I grow my own medicinal herbs at home?
Yes! We love to encourage people to grow their own medicinal herbs, however depending on your climate, some herbs are easy to grow and some may not be. Try chamomile, and lemon balm to start with. Ensure they have the right light, soil, and water conditions.
Note that you may need to use more of a fresh herbs than a dried herb as they will have a higher water content.