All About Wild Harvesting

A Personal Mission to Help Others Heal

Our founder, Michael Van der Linden, created Linden Botanicals after a long and difficult battle with Lyme disease. In his search for healing, he discovered powerful, plant-based tools that helped restore his health. That journey started with Phyllanthus niruri (commonly known as Chanca Piedra), a powerful Amazonian herb, and led to a carefully curated lineup of science-backed teas.

Driven by a passion to help others find the same relief, he built this company around one central idea:

Every tea has a story—and every plant has a purpose.

That’s why wild harvesting is at the heart of what we do.

Why Wild Harvesting Matters

Most wild-harvested herbs on the market today are collected with little regard for environmental impact or long-term sustainability. Many widely used plants with potential health benefits are threatened and in danger of going extinct. These problems are widespread across the globe.

Overharvesting, species misidentification, and lack of traceability have put many valuable plants at risk—and consumers often end up with low-quality products that fail to deliver the benefits they promise.

At Linden Botanicals, we take a different path.

We support sustainable wild harvesting projects that emphasize:

• Ecologically responsible methods
• Species protection and regeneration
• Local environmental stewardship

In regions like the Gobi, for example, we work with partners to reverse desertification and promote plant biodiversity. Our approach isn’t just sustainable—it’s regenerative.

Our sources manage cultivation to minimize environmental impacts. This process helps to ensure proper species identification (after all, many plants look alike). It also reinforces quality control. Finally, it syncs harvest scheduling with peak value periods.

Naturecrafting: The Best of Wild Harvesting and Cultivation

Our sourcing model goes beyond wildcrafting. We practice what we call naturecrafting—a hybrid approach that combines the wisdom of wild harvesting with the control and consistency of traditional cultivation.

Through naturecrafting, we:

• Collect seed stock from plants growing in the wild to preserve genetic diversity vs. a cloned monoculture
• Cultivate herbs in natural, native environments using non-invasive techniques
• Use sustainable harvesting methods like root dividing, pruning, and replanting to protect plant populations

This approach ensures we’re working with nature, not against it.

Why Terroir and Quality Matter

Just like wine or coffee, the terroir of an herb—its soil, altitude, and climate—has a major impact on its potency. For example, Phyllanthus niruri grown in the Peruvian Amazon has a richer concentration of active compounds than the same species grown elsewhere.

That’s why we don’t just source any version of an herb. We choose the right species from the right place at the right time.

Just like grapes or coffee beans, herbs gain potency from their terroir — where and how they grow matters.

Every plant in our product line was selected for its:

• Proven therapeutic potential
• Optimal growing environment
• Rich phytochemical profile (phytochemicals are biologically active compounds found in plants)

We also ensure each herb is carefully harvested, dried, packaged, and shipped to preserve freshness and effectiveness.

One Example: Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra)

As just one example, Phyllanthus niruri grown in the Peruvian Amazon develops rich concentrations of beneficial compounds due to the unique climate, soil, and growing conditions. Other species from different parts of the world simply don’t match the bioactive profile or effectiveness of Phyllanthus niruri from the Amazon.

However, some suppliers don’t know or don’t care about these critical differences. Not all herbs for kidneys are the same, even when they’re all labeled “Chanca Piedra” or “Phyllanthus niruri.” In some cases, products labeled “Chanca Piedra” may actually contain other species, lower-quality harvests, or even filler herbs that provide vastly reduced therapeutic value.

Four key points to ponder:

1. Know the species. For example, look for Phyllanthus niruri on the label, not Phyllanthus amarus or Phyllanthus urinaria.
2. Check the origin. Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra) should come from suppliers that believe in wild harvesting in Amazon – ideally from suppliers that understand how soil and climate impact quality.
3. Ask about harvesting dates and freshness. Freshness affects potency. Look for suppliers that work directly with local harvesters and control the drying, packaging, and storage process.
4. Buy from a company you trust: Choose a supplier that knows their plants—when and where they were picked, how they were dried, and how they were shipped.

Some of Our Wild-Harvested Heroes

Take our Phyllanthus niruri as an example:

• Grown wild in the Peruvian Amazon
• Harvested at peak potency
• Handled with care to maintain its powerful health benefits

Or our Cistus incanus, wild-harvested from Crete, the plant’s ancestral home. The sun-soaked soil and Mediterranean climate give it unparalleled biofilm-breaking and immune-supporting properties.

Or Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, harvested with traditional knowledge in West Africa and known for its role in Lyme support protocols.

In each case, wild harvesting ensures the plants thrive in their native environments—and you receive the full spectrum of their healing properties.

Transparency, Traceability, and Trust

Every herb we offer can be traced back to its source. We know:

• When and where it was picked
• How it was processed
• How it was packaged and stored

That’s the level of care your health deserves.

We believe wellness should never come at the expense of people or the planet. That’s why our entire product stream is rooted in non-violent fair trade practices. We work with suppliers that:

• Pay a fair wage to harvesters and farmers
• Support local community development
• Encourage environmental responsibility through education and long-term partnerships

We believe in fair trade and ethical standards, and our goal is to create value for everyone involved, from soil to sip.

Why Wild Harvesting Is Worth It

• You get more potent, effective herbal support
• Local communities benefit from fair labor practices
• The environment gains a partner in preservation—not exploitation

When you buy from Linden Botanicals, you’re not just buying an herbal tea or extract. You’re supporting a bigger vision—one that believes in health, healing, and harmony with the natural world.

At Linden Botanicals, we started with a simple yet powerful belief: plant-based wellness should be grounded in science and rooted in nature. We’ve spent years researching the uses and benefits of the plants we offer, ensuring every product is backed by tradition and evidence. Nature is our factory—there’s no need to reinvent what the earth already does so well. But knowing where and how a plant is grown makes all the difference.

The soil, altitude, and climate where a plant grows significantly affect its chemical composition and potency. The right terroir, climate, altitude, growth cycle, and harvest timing are essential to unlocking the full potential of each herb. That’s why we practice naturecrafting and source only from trusted partners who honor both the plants and the ecosystems they grow in.

We Travel the World to Find the Best Nature Has to Offer

At Linden Botanicals, we go to extraordinary lengths to find the world’s most beneficial herbal teas and extracts. Our sourcing journey doesn’t begin with a catalog—it begins with a passport and a purpose. We travel across continents to meet growers, explore native habitats, and personally vet each step of the sourcing process. Why? Because where a plant comes from, when it’s harvested, and how it’s handled all influence its ability to support your health.

We only offer herbs that help repair and restore the body’s systems, and we only source from regions where those herbs naturally thrive. Just like wine grapes, herbs develop their potency based on terroir—the local soil, climate, and elevation. For example, Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra) grows wild in the Peruvian Amazon; Cistanche tubulosa thrives in Mongolia’s dry climate; and Haritaki comes from a sacred tree in India. Each herb’s native environment enhances its phytochemical value—and we’re committed to honoring that.

From the jungles of Peru to the deserts of Morocco, we’ve shared tea with growers, learned from local traditions, and built relationships with the people who bring these plants to life. In India, we met members of women’s cooperatives in the fields. In Morocco, we drank mint tea under the stars after riding camels into the Sahara and discovering the health benefits of wild-harvested argan oil. These experiences aren’t just memorable—they’re meaningful. They connect us to the land, the people, and the wisdom that makes every product we offer special.

Ultimately, our goal is to understand the entire journey of each plant—from soil to sip. We meet harvesters, visit drying facilities, and ensure that everything is done with respect, integrity, and full transparency. Every plant must be organic, sustainably sourced, and processed in FDA-certified facilities. And every worker along the supply chain deserves fair wages and fair treatment.

We believe in conscious sourcing—not just for the sake of the planet, but for the sake of your health. Because when you sip a tea or take an extract from Linden Botanicals, you’re not just drinking a plant—you’re drinking in a story of connection, care, and commitment to well-being.

Explore Our Wild-Harvested Collection

Ultimately, our mission is about more than just quality herbs—it’s about helping you optimize your physical, mental, and emotional health. We work closely with local communities to bring you the finest herbal teas and extracts, and we do it because we genuinely care. Our passion is personal. We’re here to share what we’ve learned and to provide you with tools, education, and resources that empower you to become your healthiest, most vibrant self.

Looking for truly wild-harvested, science-backed herbal teas and extracts? Start with our Phyllanthus niruri, Cistus incanus, or Cryptolepis sanguinolenta—and feel the difference that true quality makes.

If you have questions about our sourcing, sustainability practices, or how wild harvesting impacts potency, please reach out. We’re here to help.