A NOTE FROM WATKINS ~ Glossary of Terms:

Natural — products that have gone undergone minimal processing and contains no preservatives or artificial additives. 

Natural Criteria at Watkins:

• Must be derived from natural sources
• Plants, minerals and animals are considered natural sources
• Sources must be processed with natural methods to preserve the source
• Artificial and synthetic sources are not considered natural
• Acceptable methods to process natural sources are cleaning, dehydrating, filtering, cold pressing, grinding and natural water/alcohol extraction

Organic — products that that do not contain chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides, etc.

Organic Criteria at Watkins:

• Governed by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and NOP (National Organic Program)
• Must be certified throughout the entire process (from grower to consumer)
• Products labeled "100% Organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients
• Products labeled "Organic" must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients
• Products labeled "Made With Organic Ingredients" must contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients

 .Green — a shorthand phrase referring to sustaining Earth's resources. It is a vague term that can be used in many different contexts. Ecological footprint — the amount of water and food needed to meet your daily needs throughout your lifetime. Carbon footprint — the amount of energy you consume to conduct your life. Imagine how much electricity, natural gas, and gasoline you use to run your home, power your car and even get that morning bowl of cereal to your table. It all adds up and just a few small steps can help to reduce it.

Ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

• Turn off televisions, stereos, home theater systems, and other electronics when not in use. Try this: plug your televisions and other home theater electronics in a power strip with an on/off switch. When you turn your television and other electronics off for the night, flip the switch on the power strip and totally eliminate wasted power.
• Save over 50% on your homes lighting cost when you replace a standard incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb. They last longer too!
• Always wash clothes in cold water. Not only does this preserve the color longer, it saves you money and conserves energy.
• Use your consumer power! Support companies that are making an effort to improve communities and the environment through Greener manufacturing practices, charitable support, and product offerings that are safe for your family and the environment. Watkins offers a full line of natural, eco-friendly spices and extracts, personal care and home care.

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 Let's Get Real !

Advertisers are using marketing ploys to get your attention!  Currently you can find many articles and TV commercials as well as programs feeding ‘fortified’ products to us, especially women and children.  Yes, they are fortified products,  they are fortified with 'synthetic ingredients'  (meaning artificial)!  The product ads do not tell you these synthetic ingredients are harmful to your body; over-processing has destroyed the nutrient content they’re boasting about, high fat oils and high fructose corn syrup make it taste good and high doses of preservatives and colorings make it look pretty and have a longer shelf life.

Many herbal products can have this same ‘tampering’ if they are not produced with the proper parts of the plant, with the thought or mentality that ‘more is better’ creats a toxic amount, extracts are not created properly or with the proper part of the plant . . . I’m sure you’ve heard “don’t take that, it’ll kill you, it’s toxic” ~ that is not always true.  The truth is that the particular plant in question was not prepared, used and/or taken in proper dose(s) or form, such as tea, tincture, capsule, etc.  Each plant has it’s own ‘property’ and it’s own ‘energy’ that needs to be considered when using it. What does that mean? That means, that each plant is useful for a specific condition and/or organ of the body and each plant part (root, stem, leaf, flower) may not be for the same condition or organ and the plant parts may or may not work in unison.

Diets including herbs, vegetables, fruits and lean meats that have not been processed nourish our bodies and our minds to keep them functioning properly.  Our bodies including the immune system, heart, liver, kidneys, hormones are not designed to be able to assimilate synthetic ingredients. 

There are many who begin taking an herb when they ‘feel a cold coming on’, that is wonderful and most likely does prevent such cold from grabbing hold of you with full force, however, a daily routine can be a great preventative measure, possibly pushing that cold bug away totally.  Many herbs are full of vitamins and minerals that are assimilated.  ‘Assimilated’ ??  ~ that means your body can use the vitamins and minerals in a much easier fashion that if those that are synthetically created and coated with preservatives.  

Herbal remedies are meant to be created from herbs that grow near you, they should be created of mild herbs and taken in many doses to do the best work in your body. Herbal teas (infusions) are full nutrients, made with the right blends and they are safe for all ages . . . they will help reduce stress, settle the stomach, cheer you up, help you sleep and so much more to help keep your body in balance and nourished!  A daily infusion can easily be made a day ahead so it is not time consuming and is ready when you are, they can be steeped in hot or cold water depending on the herb and the need it's being created for.

Below is a small listing of vitamins, what they are good for and some herbs that they are present in; please keep in mind it is not a complete listing and it’s not meant to be used as a diagnosis, complete remedy or cure-all for any condition. Herbs, supplements and vitamins can interact with each other and/or with medications whether over the counter or prescribed.  If you are taking any herb, vitamin or supplement and are scheduled for surgery it is IMPERATIVE that you inform your physician as well as surgeon and anesthesiologist about such supplementation! It is not recommended to stop taking any medication as prescribed through your physician without his/her consent.

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VITAMIN A ~ Boosts the immune system, combats skin and eye problems and keeps teeth and bones strong ~ Alfalfa, Clover, Eyebright, Kelp, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Uva Ursi.

THIAMINE / B1 ~ Decreases stress by strengthening the nervous system, helps aid the digestion process, decreases depression ~ Alfalfa, Cayenne, Cover, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek, Parsley, Peppermint, Rose Hips, Sage, Yellow Dock.

RIBOFLAVIN / B2 ~ Aids many bodily functions including red blood cell formation, reproduction and growth of the body, hair, skin and nails ~ Alfalfa, Clover, Cayenne, Chamomile, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Hops, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Peppermint, Sage.

NIACIN / B3 ~ Decreases cholesterol, aids circulation and digestion and in some instances can lessen or deter migraines ~ Alfalfa, Catnip, Cayenne, Clover, Eyebright, Fennel Seed, Licorice, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Peppermint, Slippery Elm.

PANTOTHENIC ACID / B5 ~ Boosts the immune system, facilitates healing and battles infection ~ Alfalfa, Burdock, Nettle

VITAMIN B12 ~ Aids Digestion, Protects the nervous system ~ Alfalfa, Hops

VITAMIN C ~ Boosts the immune system, battles cancer ~ Alfalfa, Cayenne, Clover Eyebright, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek, Kelp, Peppermint, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Yellow Dock

VITAMIN D ~ Booths the immune system, Battles Cancer, Aids growth and mineral assimilation as well as major organ function including heartbeats ~ Alfalfa, Nettle, Parsley

VITAMIN E ~ Battles Cancer, Combats cell damage, Reduces blood pressure, Strengthens tired and sore muscles when overworked to prevent cramping ~ Alfalfa, Dandelion, Flax, Nettle

CALCIUM ~ Protects bone and teeth, Strengthens tired and sore muscles when overworked to prevent cramping * Works with Magnesium~ Alfalfa, Chamomile, Clover, Dandelion, Flax, Kelp, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Peppermint

MAGNESIUM ~ *Aids Calcium assimilation, Aids in prevention of calcium based stones, Aids Heart function ~ Alfalfa, Catnip, Cayenne, Clover, Dandelion, Fennel, Fenugreek, Licorice, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, peppermint, Sage.

PHOSPHOROUS ~ Aids Heart and Kidney function ~ Burdock Root, Slippery Elm.

POTASSIUM ~ Aids Heart and Muscle function and fluid balances ~ Alfalfa, Catnip, Clover, Dandelion, Nettle

SELENIUM ~ Aids Prostrate function, Boosts the immune system ~ Alfalfa, Catnip, Cayenne, Chamomile, Clover, Milk Thistle, Nettle, Parsley, Peppermint, Uva Ursi

ZINC ~ Boosts the immune system, facilitates healing ~ Alfalfa, Chamomile, Dandelion, Eyebright, Milk Thistle, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Sage, Wild Yam

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This information included throughout this website is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  DO NOT stop taking any prescribed medications without the consultation of your physician.