Individually we make a choice. Together we make a difference.
Traditional Medicinals is an independent company that embraces sustainability, ingredient purity, and social and environmental activism. A Certified B Corporation and California Certified Green Business, we’re the leading seller of wellness tea in the U.S. and the pioneer of the wellness tea category in the U.S. and Canada.
Our roots go back to a third generation herbalist named Rosemary Gladstar, who was raised close to the earth in the farmlands of Northern California. In the late 1960s, while living in the coastal redwood forest, she met community activist and environmentalist Drake Sadler. The young couple was part of a movement of back-to-the-land baby boomers seeking an alternative lifestyle, including natural foods and herbal remedies. Together, they shared a vision for the rebirth of herbalism in North America, and in 1974 they co-founded Traditional Medicinals.
Today, Rosemary is often referred to as the god mother of modern herbalism. She is a well-respected teacher and author who also founded The California School of Herbal Studies and the nonprofit United Plant Savers. Although no longer active in the company, Rosemary’s original herbal formulas (including Throat Coat, Mother’s Milk and Smooth Move) continue to fulfill the promise of quality and integrity.
After decades of leadership, Drake transitioned away from company management and is now focused (with support from Traditional Medicinals Foundation) on working with and empowering the mostly indigenous and impoverished communities around the world that collect and cultivate medicinal plants. These investments in supplier community well-being provide food and water security, access to health care, education and training, economic development, and gender equality.
As Rosemary has a continued commitment to herbal education, Drake remains passionate about environmental stewardship and social equity. Forever kindred spirits, their founding values are infused into the core principles of the company and serve as a model for responsible business.
We believe medicinal herbs hold the power to create change.
In any great story, chance plays a vital role. In the late 60s, the stars aligned when herbalist Rosemary Gladstar met community activist and environmentalist Drake Sadler. Entrenched in the spirit of the age, and their pursuit of healthful alternatives to the mainstream — lifestyle, natural foods, and herbal remedies — they planted the seeds for their shared vision of a new kind of herbalism. In 1974, they founded Traditional Medicinals. Nearly fifty years later, we’re going strong — partnering with suppliers and sourcing communities around the world to bring the best ingredients to our products and to you.
Traditional Medicinals has always been a company rooted in purpose. Working with our partners, suppliers, and sourcing communities, we want to create a positive impact on the world. As a certified B Corp and a registered California benefit corporation we continue to improve our partner-centered, people-first approach to produce an engaged, vibrant community that enhances the well-being for everyone we work with.
