For homeopathy, flowers and herbs have long been the source of active ingredients providing indispensable relief for a wide range of ailments. Calendula officinalis and Arnica montana are two botanicals well-known for their healing power. That’s why Boiron is meticulous when it comes to sourcing these ingredients from Mother Nature.
From Seed to Harvest
Harvesting requires scientific knowledge and traditional know-how, and Boiron has a long working history with many of its suppliers. Regional family farmers and wild pickers both play a role in sourcing and ensure that only healthy plants are harvested from their natural habitats, away from industrial or urban zones, roads, or farms to avoid contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Arnica and Calendula are hand-picked during their peak bloom following specifications set forth in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS). For wild Arnica, it’s a small window of time between June and July and requires trekking to high altitude meadows. Fortunately, Calendula is easygoing. It’s easily cultivated in the French countryside and has a generous bloom time from summer to early fall.
Ensuring Purity and Quality
Within 48 to 72 hours of harvesting, batches of Arnica and Calendula are rushed to Boiron’s lab in refrigerated trucks to ensure the healing properties of the fresh plants are preserved. Next, comes a battery of tests conducted by Boiron botanists and pharmacists, which includes being cleaned of debris and checked for any contamination from insects, diseases, fungi, or other impurities. Laboratory technicians measure the moisture level, checking for dehydration of the plant..
Once quality assurances are complete, these floral healers can finally start their transformation into the homeopathic medicines you know and love. From the field to your home, there’s a lot that goes into caring for the plants that take care of you.
