For millennia, herbs have been studied, used and honored for their healthful properties. Traditionally herbs have been organically cultivated or wildcrafted, but expansive industrialization over the past two centuries has radically changed the natural environment and the methods of cultivating, harvesting and preparing herbs.
Although modernization has greatly increased the productivity of farmers, herbs are now in constant danger while facing threats to their safety and efficacy from exposure to chemicals and manufacturing excesses such as industrial waste being released into the air and water and chemical pesticides and fertilizers used by farmers to promote better yields.
oday, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are government established guidelines that regulate the manufacturing process to assure raw material and finished product quality, safety and consistency. To ensure compliance and traceability every manufacturing step must be documented and adhere to its GMP defined guidelines. An individualized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guide allows a company to document their operations and substantiate adherence to GMP guidelines and, therefore, the safety of each and every batch of products.