As one of America's largest and oldest manufacturers of maximum strength liquid herbal extracts (since 1972) and pioneers of alcohol-free extracts, Nature's Answer continues to combine the best of traditional herbal remedies, vitamins and minerals with an extensive knowledge of innovative scientific techniques and phytopharmaceutical manufacturing, to deliver high-quality, naturally-derived products for the entire family.

The Nature's Answer brand encompasses a broad range of products including Holistically Balanced liquid herbal extracts for adults and children, encapsulated formulas and homeopathic and herbal creams. One thing is certain...every product from Nature's Answer delivers uncompromising quality and exceptional value.

Nature's Answer produces a line of excellent and effective oral hygiene products, from mouthwash to toothpaste. While we currently only carry their dental products, Nature's Answer also manufactures some very fine liquid herbal extracts, which may be available from us in the future.

Research
In their continuing efforts to provide only the best liquid herbal extracts, Nature's Answer is constantly reviewing current and historical literature. They have an extensive library of herbal and pharmaceutical literature ranging from 150 year old dispensatories and pharmacopoeia to the most recent pharmabotanical journals. They also house one of the largest herbariums in the country. Their laboratories allow Nature's Answer to constantly test, explore and update their herbal lines.

Standards
Nature's Answer owns and operates North America's most extensive pharmaceutically licensed herbal manufacturing and quality control facilities. They are registered and are in compliance with all herbal regulatory agencies. This voluntary compliance requires adherence to Current Good Manufacturing Procedures as set forth and monitored by Federal and State Food, Drug and Health Authorities.

Wildcrafted or Organic Herbs
Almost all the herbs Nature's Answer processes are wildcrafted or organically grown. Whenever possible, they endeavor to use wildcrafted herbs. Traditional practitioners and current scientific assays both confirm the higher activity of herbs grown wild in their natural environment. Having over 20 years experience with wildcrafters and herbal sources, Nature's Answer works to ensure the long term protection of the plant species in the wild. If there is any concern about a wildcrafted species they turn to organically grown herbs. When using wildcrafted herbs, Nature's Answer uses the entire herb rather than isolating certain 'actives', thus ensuring a more biologically balanced product.

Packaging
Nature's Answer products feature consumer-friendly packaging. Structure/function benefits and full potency disclosures are clearly stated on the labels. Product packaging meets government regulations and is in DSHEA compliance. Formulations are free of synthetic ingredients and are "unconditionally guaranteed."

Looking Ahead
As we embark upon the next century, Nature's Answer continues to be driven by its founding commitment of offering the finest quality of nutritional supplements and specialty products you can depend upon.

Nature's Answer's packaging facility includes four class 1000 clean rooms for liquid filling of botanicals, vitamins and nutritional supplements in order to maintain the highest level of quality and purity of products and reduce the possibility of micro bacteria and cross contamination. Quality Control is at the heart of the philosophy at Nature's Answer. Each and every product is subjected to a number of rigorous quality control tests everyday. Products manufactured must match specifications such as refraction, melting point, pH, specific gravity, density and water levels.

Nature's Answer incorporates highly sophisticated analytical equipment such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Infrared Spectrometer (IR), Ultra Violet Spectrometer (UV), Gas Chromatography and Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOC).

TOC allows Nature's Answer to check water for any contamination, chemical or microbiological, down to parts per billion. This ensures that the water used in production is pure and free of any undesirable contaminants. TOC is the only FDA recognized method for United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Grade water testing.

Finally, the QC Department has a fully equipped Microbiological-testing laboratory, which follows the appropriate testing methods as defined by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). The microbiological laboratory is used to fully test all botanical extracts for any micro-activity. This guarantees a botanical extract free of any unwanted and potentially unhealthy microorganisms.

What are the most popular herbs on the market today, and what are they used for?
1. Echinacea - Stimulates the immune system*
2. Ginkgo - Enhances cerebral circulation and increases mental functioning*
3. Milk Thistle - Strengthens and detoxifies the liver*
4. Goldenseal - Stimulates the immune system, and is particularly effective for conditions involving mucous membranes*
5. Astragalus - Serves as a tonic for the immune system (i.e., builds and strengthens)*
6. St. John's Wort - Acts as an antidepressant and as a potent immune enhancer*

What is the difference between a fluid extract and a tincture?
A fluid extract is an extract with an herb to menstruum ratio of (1:1). This means that you get 1 gram of herb for 1 mL of extract. A tincture is an extract with an herb to menstruum ratio of (1:2), (1:4), (1:5) or (1:10). This means that to get the same 1 gram of herb you must take either 2, 4, 5, or 10 milliliters of extract (respectively).

How do you know what a milliliter is?
Usually a milliliter is approximately 28 drops of an extract, but since this is a commonly asked question, Nature's Answer has answered this question by using calibrated droppers that show exactly how much extract you are taking.

Which is a better form of taking herbs, liquid or capsules?
Herbs can be used in both the liquid and capsule form depending on your personal preference. Liquids are more easily absorbed and are perfect for people who have trouble swallowing pills, such as children and the elderly. Unlike other liquid brands, Nature's Answer is alcohol free or very low in alcohol (12-14%). Capsules may be preferable because using them avoids the bitter and unpleasant taste of some herbs, and they can be packed in a pill case for ease of dosing, which is convenient for the supplement user on the go.

Why do extracts have alcohol in them?
In order to extract plant constituents most effectively, it is necessary to use alcohol. Alcohol is used because (a) it is the strongest solvent we know of that can extract a major portion of the plant constituents without harming its properties and (b) it is ingestible. As a point of interest, Nature's Answer uses only certified organic alcohol in their extracts.

What is the benefit of using an alcohol-free extract?
Firstly, many people simply do not like to use alcohol as they strive towards healthier living. Others may not use alcohol for religious reasons, because they are in recovery or are pregnant or nursing. Furthermore, alcohol is not for children. These products address all those concerns. Secondly, and most importantly, alcohol-free extracts allow you to taste the plant, not the alcohol! This taste is extremely important in that it gets your body ready to receive the gifts that the plant has to offer. Tasting the herb is part of the overall herbal experience and healing process. Alcohol-free extracts enable you to truly appreciate all of the plant's gifts.

If alcohol is needed in extraction, how do you make an alcohol-free extract?
Nature's Answer begins with organic alcohol regardless of whether or not the final product contains alcohol. After finishing the first step in the plant extraction, we perform an additional step to remove the alcohol. This is done by utilizing a proprietary cold extraction process called Bio-Chelation. Bio-Chelation describes the cold process vacuum distillation method, which removes all the alcohol initially used to obtain the good herbal extract. It is important to note that a cold extraction process, as opposed to a heat extraction process, helps maintain the full spectrum, or Holistic Balance of the plant's constituents in the final product. The end-result is an alcohol-free extract containing the essential properties of the complete herb in a base of vegetable glycerin and water. Vegetable glycerin is used because it can help bind certain plant constituents, is natural to the body, easily absorbed, tastes sweet without affecting blood sugar levels, and acts as a good solvent and carrier for the plant constituents.

Are your herbs organic?
Nature's Answer uses three types of herbs in their formulations: certified organic, responsibly wildcrafted, or cultivated. Our certified organic herbs come from a variety of organic farms located throughout the United States. Many of our formulas also feature responsibly wildcrafted herbs. Responsibly wildcrafted herbs are those picked in a responsible manner, whereby no plant will be over picked and, therefore, be a risk to the existence of the species. They are picked in their natural environment at optimal times for harvesting, and have not been exposed to any sprays or fertilizers. These plants are also considered organic; however, since they are not certified, they are referred to as wildcrafted herbs. Cultivated plants are grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides but are not certified organic and, therefore, cannot be called organic. Ultimately, no matter the source of our herbs, all are fully tested for microbes, chemicals and residues, andcontaminants that could compromise the quality of the herb.

Is it safe to take herbs with my medications?
Most times it is safe to take herbal supplements from high-quality, reputable manufacturers along with doctor prescribed medications. It is important, however, to know that many herbs will enhance or facilitate the actions of the medications you are taking, so you should leave a few hours between taking an herb and a medicine. While most herbs don't react negatively to medicines, it is of utmost importance to first check with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any nutritional supplement program, and ALWAYS tell your practitioner if you are taking anything in addition to what they have prescribed.

Can I take all my herbs at the same time?
This is a tough question to answer, as it depends on the types of herbs you are taking, the reasons you are taking them and your overall body. It is okay to take tonic herbs together, meaning those gentle herbs that have a strengthening action to the body. If you are using herbs for acute conditions, it is best to take them separately from your other herbs.

I catch every cold that comes around my office; what can I take to keep me healthier?
The best approach to take is to use tonic herbs that will build your immune system, rather than relying on Echinacea every time you get a cold. The best herbs to take to strengthen and support the immune system are Astragalus, Reishi (or any of the medicinal mushrooms like Maitake or Shiitake) or any of the Ginseng herbs, to name a few. These herbs are ideal for overall natural protection.