FAQ's

Why Thyme? We chose to name our apothecary after one of our favorite herbs, Thyme, because it symbolizes strength, fortitude and courage. This really resonated with us because we felt it represented not only the attributes it took for us to shift our care focus from allopathic to holistic, but also that it represented those same attributes in YOU, the consumer, for taking the reins of navigating your own health and wellness.

Do you offer consultations at Thyme? While we have a sound foundation of the actions and preparations of herbs, we do not offer herbal consultations at this time. No staff members at Thyme provide medical advice. For your convenience, we have a self-guided learning library where you are free to sit and peruse our growing book selection for advice that speaks to you. Any information you receive from us is to be considered conversational and for educational purposes only. It is not to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We always recommend that you consult with a trusted healthcare practitioner with any questions regarding your health condition or before initiating new products.

Are all herbs safe for everyone? While there are many herbs which have safely been used by laypersons throughout the ages, it is always recommended that you consult a trusted healthcare practitioner, certified herbalist or naturopath prior to beginning any new regimen. The medicinal actions of every plant are unique to themselves and to the way the interact with you as an individual. This is particularly important if you are currently taking pharmaceuticals, have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant as there may be contraindications for you to be aware of.

Are all of the herbs and spices on your apothecary wall organic? While the majority of our herbs and spices are certified organic, there are also several which are sustainably wildcrafted (see below). Initially our thought process was to only offer certified organic herbs and spices, but we felt it so very important to keep our costs as affordable as possible for all customers. In short, attaining USDA organic certification can be very costly to growers which requires them to sell their herbs and spices at higher (sometimes very high) prices. This would, in turn, force us to mark our products up higher accordingly and that went against our goal of keeping our apothecary wall prices as affordable as possible. We are transparent about whether an herb or spice is certified organic or sustainably wildcrafted by denoting it on each apothecary wall jar.

What does sustainably wildcrafted mean? Sustainably wildcrafted, in our instance, refers to herbs and spices which have been grown and harvested on meticulously selected smaller scale farms which pledge to never chemically spray or irradiate crops, so in that way they are "organic" in nature though not certified as such by the USDA. Because we are commited to supporting ethical wildcrafting methods, hours and hours of researching the highest quality herbs and spices have gone into our grower selections.

What is the difference between a tea and a tisane? True teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is found in tropical and subtropical regions. Tisanes, on the other hand, are a combined blend of herbs, spices, flowers, leaves, etc. Essentially, an herbal blend, or tisane is any plant-derived combination other than true tea.

How long should I brew my tea or tisane? Given the uniqueness of each plant and the variations of individual palettes, brewing times will vary. We have listed a suggested brew time (based on our own trials and tastebuds) as a guideline for each of our tea and tisane blends on the packaging.

How should I store my herbs and spices? We recommend storing all herbs in an air tight glass jar which is kept in a cool, dim/dark, dry space (a cabinet, closet or a basement would suffice). We have glass jars for purchase on premise if you need one. When stored properly, herbs and spices can be kept freshest in this manner for up to one year from time of purchase.

Do you make your own products? We sure do! We are especially proud to have begun our very own product line to bring nontoxic resources to our community. All products with our logo on them have been small batch crafted with care and intention using the highest quality products possible. You'll find that we are very transparent with all of our ingredients and can seek comfort knowing we are following good manufacturing production guidelines. We also carry a few pretty spectacular product lines that we'd be more than happy to tell you about.

Is your packaging environmentally friendly? Yes! We try to be as eco-friendly as possible with all packaging. All of our tea and tisane blends are prepackaged in rice paper bags which are both biodegradable and compostable, just peel the label off and add it to your compost. We also use recyclable cardboard tubes and reusable glass jars. While we have biodegradable shopping bags for your purchases, in an effort to reduce waste, we sell recycled canvas totes imprinted with our Thyme logo for purchase. Anytime you bring your Thyme tote bag in rather than opt for a paper shopping bagging, we'll thank you for being environmentally friendly with a 5% discount off your total purchase price.

Do you offer shipping? Yes, we are now offering domestic shipping on all of our house made, small batch crafted products! While we are not currently offering our loose-leaf teas, medicinal herbs or premium spices online at this time, we may be able to accommodate if inventory allows. Feel free to reach out via email to inquire further: info@thymeherbalapothecary.com