If you have been searching for herbal supplements or natural cures, words like 'wild harvested,' 'organic herbs,' and cultivated herbs appear on many of the products, but what does this mean? They all refer to the production and collection process of the ingredients. Outwardly, they don't appear any different from each other. However, what is inside of each of these is significant and they affect your health and your desire to live naturally directly.

Organic Herbs

Herbs free from chemicals or genetic modifications are 'organic herbs.' These must be grown from organically certified seed, undergo assessments and testing, and have packaging and processing that satisfies the requirements of the Organic Trade Association or the United States Department of Agriculture's Accredited Certifying Agents. The farms must also pass a variety of assessments including environmentally friendly growing methods and animal welfare. This assures the consumer that these supplements and natural cures are indeed 'all natural.'

Wild Harvested Herbs

Also called 'wild crafted,' this variety is not farmed. Instead, they grow in areas where they grow naturally in the world. Wild harvested varieties are unregulated and uncontrolled in any way. However, they have 4-10 times more phytochemicals and nutrients, which mean they are far healthier to consume.

Wild harvested products have come under some scrutiny because some of them grow in delicate ecological environments. In some instances, the herbs themselves are endangered as a result. This is not to say they all are. To prevent this, watch for items that describe their ingredients as carefully or responsibly collected. These come from sustainable areas with little to no impact on the environment around them.

Cultivated

This variety originates on actual farms. As such, they undergo modifications to prevent disease and increase production. The farmers frequently spray them with chemicals to ensure the quality of the plant and higher yields. Even when washed, these plants retain some of these chemicals eventually winding up in your digestive tract.

While they are considerably cheaper, imported varieties also cause a significant problem for consumers. First, many of them come from countries that do not have the best human rights or food safety records. By the time they arrive at the consumer, they are often dirty, diseased, and poor quality. Importers also expose them to 'Ethylene-Oxide Gas Chambers' that kill bacteria. Unfortunately, this process adds a few things to the plants of its own that link directly to leukemia and miscarriages to name a few. Not exactly the natural cures they are thought to be are they?

Wild harvested and organic herbs are great for your health, but you do need to be cautious when selecting your natural cures and prevention methods. To ensure you get the products you think you are getting, always buy from a reputable dealer and take the time to investigate the items you are thinking about purchasing. Make the right choice, and you will feel all the better for it -- literally.