The Sprig Journal
Herbal extraction can sound more complicated than it is. This article breaks down the underlying concepts in a practical way, so you can understand what different methods are doing and think through extraction choices more like an herbalist rather than following a single “right” recipe.
What happens when we identify one important compound in a plant and begin treating it as “the active”? A look at whole-herb extracts, standardization and isolates, from Foxglove and Willow to Cacao, and why I usually prefer preserving more of a plant's complexity.
What makes one bag of herbs noticeably better than another? From color, aroma and taste to harvest timing, handling, supplier practices and lab testing, this guide looks at the surprisingly practical ways we can learn to recognize high quality herbs.