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Tell Me About Your Testing Methods...

When looking at TLC testing, what are we looking for?

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is a common method that is used in analysis and/or separation on components within a sample. It is mostly used as a qualitative method, when the analyst is interested in identification, adulteration and contamination. It is not quantitive, and does not give a measurable amount of a particular constituent.

Oregon's Wild Harvest uses the TLC method, instead of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), because it requires a very small quantity of solvent to extract the components within the herb.

What do we test for when we bring raw materials in from outside sources?

Product material we receive from other vendors goes through rigorous testing, to determine that it meets our high quality standards. All plant material is tested for ecoli and total coliforms. Plant "tops," or the part that grows above ground, is also tested for salmonella. We test all plant material for heavy metals, especially high risk herbs.

Every raw material is also compared to a standard raw material sample for odor, taste and appearance. A microscopic examination is performed on herbs that are difficult to identify with the standard organoleptic examination.

Which environmental/ecological groups does Oregon's Wild Harvest support?

We support The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, Co-op America, The Regional Farm and Food Project, and The American Association for Health Freedom.