Frequently Asked Questions

What do Chinese herbs do?

Chinese herbs work to address the root causes of underlying disharmonies within the animal. Chinese herbs have been used
successfully for thousands of years to support health.

How do Chinese herbs work?

Chinese herbs work using a system of signs/symptoms and pattern recognition. This is then translated into a pattern, or more commonly, a series of patterns. These patterns correlate to specific conditions. The goal is to bring the state of the body into balance, resulting in relief. Once the body is in a balanced state, health is maintained.

How long does it take for Chinese herbs to work?

Typically you will see the results of the herbs within a few weeks.

What if my dog/cat won't eat the powder?

Though Herbsmith herbal blends are very palatable when mixed during mealtime, occasionally dogs are hesitant to eat the herbs because of the unfamiliar taste and smell. If a dog is hesitant, simply try adding a pinch of the powder during mealtime to gradually acquaint them with the blend. Slowly increase the amount given each day until they eat a full dose without hesitation.

Alternatively, you can mix the powdered herbs with applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese or any other dense or moist food.

Also, fillable capsules can be purchased at most pharmacies. The powder can then be loaded into the capsules and administered like a tablet. Most pets easily eat tablets covered in peanut butter, cheese spread, liverwurst, etc.

What if my horse won't eat the powder?

Though Herbsmith herbal blends are very palatable, occasionally horses are hesitant to eat the herbs because of the unfamiliar taste and smell. If you find this to be the case with your horse, we suggest sprinkling a pinch of the powder in their grain at mealtime to gradually acquaint the horse with the blend. Slowly increase the quantity given each day until they eat a full dose without hesitation. Alternatively, you can combine the powdered formula with wet or dry molasses or ground flax seed.

Should I give my dog/cat powder or tablets?

When deciding whether the tablets or the powdered blend would be best for your dog, you should take into account what type of food he/she eats. Owners that feed their dogs a raw, real, or moist food diet tend to like the powdered blends because they can simply be mixed in during mealtime.

For dogs that are finicky eaters, we suggest the tablets. The tablets have the same ingredients and composition as the powdered blend, with the exception of a few binding ingredients that must be added for the tablets to compress.

For cats, it is typically easiest to give the tablets. However, it is possible to make a tea out of the powdered blend by steeping 1/4 tsp. powder in 1/4 cup of hot water. Then, mix 2 tbsp. of the tea in the cat's moist food.

Are Herbsmith formulas okay to use in competition?

Some competitive organizations prohibit certain supplements/ingredients in this and other product categories. Please check with your competitive organization(s) for specific rules and regulations.

Where do your herbs come from?

Our individual ingredients are sourced from China. The phrase "Chinese herbs" came into existence because the soil in China provides a far superior environment for the herbs to grow. Our herbs are sourced individually from specific providences of China because of the optimal growing conditions (drainage to the soil, sun patterns, quality of the soil, etc.) For example, only the providence of Shanxi has grown astragalus for thousands of years because its conditions consistently provide the highest quality.

However, each and every batch of herbs that we bring in to make our formulas is tested in the U.S. to ensure purity, authenticity, and safety.

What kind of safety measures do you take with your ingredients?

Each and every batch of herbs that we use to make our formulas is tested in the U.S. to ensure purity, authenticity, and safety. From the soil the herbs grow in to the finished bottles going out the door, we monitor every step of the process, using only proven, trustworthy suppliers, holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards and abiding by the most stringent testing and manufacturing guidelines in the world.

To ensure that only the most authentic herbs go into Herbsmith herbal blends, all raw materials used in production are subjected to a battery of tests including Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), a sophisticated means of identifying the makeup of individual substances in a given compound. This unique fingerprint confirms the chemical composition and authenticity of each and every herb we use and allows us to use only the most high-quality herbs available.

The herbs next undergo High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a test performed on all pharmaceuticals to confirm the consistency and concentration of the compound. This step assures that each herb is at its maximum potency and effectiveness.

Further testing for moisture content, dissolution, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) and microbial content are performed on every batch, including Aristolochic Acid and Chloramphenicol testing.

When the products arrive in the United States for manufacturing, they are reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to further guarantee that every element that goes into Herbsmith herbal blends meets the absolute highest standards for purity and safety.