Ann Armbrecht - The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry

In The Business of Botanicals, Ann Armbrecht brings readers along on a wholly engaging exploration of her questions and hard learnings about whether the healing power of plants can truly make it into the factory-sealed supplement bottles on our grocery shelves.

KATE WILLIAMS, CEO of 1% for the Planet

Ann Armbrecht establishes herself as a gifted storyteller, weaving the practical aspects of the global botanical industry with the lesser explored and more nuanced threads that make up the tapestry of sourcing, producing, and selling herbal products. The result is a riveting journey, one that tackles hard questions not explored by most. For those who loved Braiding Sweetgrass, this book is a perfect opportunity to go deeper into understanding the complex and co-evolutionary journey of plants and people in creating the herbal products we love.

ANGELA MCELWEE, president and CEO of Gaia Herbs

The Business of Botanicals is a chronicle of the modern-day global herb trade, peppered with historical context, anecdotes, and wisdom from modern pioneers of the herb industry. The quality of the technical information is lovingly translated with practical examples into interesting and relevant guidance for small growers and herb users. And beyond the technical narrative, the author poses philosophical questions about the ethics, authenticity, and sustainability of the modern herb market.

CINDY ANGERHOFER, executive fellow of Botanical Research, Aveda Corporation

I read this brilliant book from cover to cover like a story I couldnt tear myself away from. Like herbs themselves, The Business of Botanicals is rich in colors, scents, and flavors and is rooted in the earthexquisite and messy, beautiful and dirty all at the same time.

ANNE MCINTYRE, MAPA, MCPP, fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, author of Dispensing with Tradition and The Ayurveda Bible

The high-quality organic herbs in your teacup, tincture, or supplement did not materialize out of thin air. More than fifty years ago, the seeds of an industry were planted by a few unique and talented individualsfarmers, herbalists, and entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to improving planetary, human, and animal well-being. This well-researched and fascinating book tells their stories and lays out a clear path for a healthier sustainable future.

DAVID WINSTON, RH (AHG), dean of David Winstons Center for Herbal Studies; founder of Herbal Therapeutics Research Library

Ann Armbrecht acknowledges the racist, imperialist roots of the international trade in botanicals and examines the impressive progress being made to transform this legacy of economic oppression. The evolving supply chain acknowledges the ecology of issues beyond profit. Armbrecht introduces these holistic, ecological perspectives as a sign of great hope for the future and celebrates the rich diversity of people and backgrounds that make the planets herbal abundance accessible to the West.

DAVID HOFFMANN, RH (AHG), fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, chief formulator for Traditional Medicinals

Ann Armbrecht has looked under the bonnet and found that the engine of herbal healing is in need of repair. Even well-intentioned conflicts of interest in this industry too often get in the way of quality and sustainability. Ann concludes that the answer here, as ever, is about nurturing relationships and supporting the interests of everyone in the herbal web. Everyone who loves herbs needs to read this book!

SIMON MILLS, herbal clinician and elder, author of Out of the Earth, coauthor of Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy

The Business of Botanicals is a thoroughly engaging, must-read book for all herbalists, herbal medicine makers, herb growers, and anyone who turns to herbs for their health. I was immediately drawn into the story of botanical medicines and the complexities within each bottle of herbal tincture on store shelves.

ROSALEE DE LA FORT, herbalist and author of Alchemy of Herbs, coauthor of Wild Remedies

Ann Armbrecht writes with deep respect for the essence of plants and their capacity to heal, seeking to reconcile the spirit of botanicals with the realm of brands and tradeshows.

JUDITH D. SCHWARTZ, author of The Reindeer Chronicles and Water in Plain Sight

Ann Armbrechts engaging book provides perceptive and important insights into what is too often an invisible trade despite its immense importance to the livelihoods, traditions, and interests of a great many people around the world.

STEVEN BROAD, executive director of TRAFFIC and member of the Board of the FairWild Foundation

A vastly important and enlightening dive into the complexities of the botanical industry that is a must read for conscious consumers and industry professionals alike.

ERIN SMITH, director of Herbal Science & Research, Banyan Botanicals; co-chair of the Sustainability Committee at the American Herbal Products Association

This well-written and well-researched book provides fascinating and important insights into how herbal remedies make it into our homes. Ann Armbrechts passion for the subject shines through.

SUSAN CURTIS, director of Natural Health, Neals Yard Remedies

The Business of

Botanicals

EXPLORING THE HEALING
PROMISE OF PLANT MEDICINES
IN A GLOBAL INDUSTRY

Ann Armbrecht

Chelsea Green Publishing

White River Junction, Vermont

London, UK

Copyright 2020 by Ann Armbrecht.

All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs copyright 2020 by Ann Armbrecht.

William Stafford, Deciding from An Oregon Message. Copyright 1987 by William Stafford. Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Company, LLC on behalf of the William Stafford Family Trust.

No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

Project Manager: Alexander Bullett

Editor: Fern Marshall Bradley

Copy Editor: Laura Jorstad

Proofreader: Diane Durrett

Indexer: Shana Milkie

Designer: Melissa Jacobson

Page Layout: Abrah Griggs

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing January 2021.

109876543212122232425

Our Commitment to Green Publishing

Chelsea Green sees publishing as a tool for cultural change and ecological stewardship. We strive to align our book manufacturing practices with our editorial mission and to reduce the impact of our business enterprise in the environment. We print our books and catalogs on chlorine-free recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks whenever possible. This book may cost slightly more because it was printed on paper that contains recycled fiber, and we hope youll agree that its worth it. The Business of Botanicals was printed on paper supplied by Sheridan that is made of recycled materials and other controlled sources.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Armbrecht, Ann, 1962- author.

Title: The business of botanicals : exploring the healing promise of plant medicines in a global industry / Ann Armbrecht.

Description: First. | White River Junction : Chelsea Green Publishing, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020045617 (print) | LCCN 2020045618 (ebook) | ISBN 9781603587488 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781603587495 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Materia medica, Vegetable. | Medicinal plants. | Medicinal plantsEconomic aspects.

Classification: LCC RS164 .A753 2021 (print) | LCC RS164 (ebook) | DDC 615.3/21dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020045617

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020045618