Traditional Medicinals

Overview

Traditional Medicinals produces organic herbal and medicinal tea products, positioning as a leader in botanical wellness with over 57 varieties formulated by herbalists. The company emphasizes ethical sourcing, sustainability, and quality testing, distributing through 70,000 retail outlets in North America. It holds Certified B Corporation status since 2010 and claims to be the top seller of medicinal, organic, and Fair Trade herbal products in the US.¹²³⁴

History

Traditional Medicinals was founded in 1974 by community activist Drake Sadler and fourth-generation herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in Sonoma County, California, to revive herbalism in North America. They developed original formulas like Throat Coat, Mother’s Milk, and Smooth Move, starting from a small herb shop. The company pioneered ethical sourcing by promoting organic agriculture and fair trade relationships with herb farmers and wild collectors. It has grown to become the fourth-largest bagged tea company in the US while maintaining independence.²⁴⁵

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in California, United States, with headquarters and operations in Sebastopol and Rohnert Park. The company partners with global suppliers for ethical sourcing of ingredients while handling formulation, testing, and production domestically by herbalists and botanists. It adheres to organic, Fair Trade, and sustainability standards as a Certified B Corp.¹²⁴

Notable Products

• Throat Coat - Herbal tea for throat soothing and vocal support, one of the original formulas.
• Mother’s Milk - Lactation support tea with organic herbs to promote milk production.
• Smooth Move - Senna-based tea for overnight relief of occasional constipation.
• Nighty Night - Sleep aid tea blend with valerian and passionflower.
• Cold & Flu - Herbal tea for immune support during colds and flu.

Reputation

Traditional Medicinals is regarded by enthusiasts and professionals for its commitment to herbalist-formulated products, ethical sourcing, and sustainability as a B Corp. Strengths include rigorous quality testing, organic certification, and support for sourcing communities. Some criticisms note variability in effectiveness due to natural ingredients and higher pricing compared to conventional teas.²³⁴