How Wildcrafting Works
How Wildcrafting Works
The Art of Ethical Harvesting
Why Only 50 Boxes?
Because the land decides—not us.
At Kootenay Wildcrafting, we follow a simple rule: Take one-third, leave two-thirds. This means every wild herb, flower, or berry we harvest is carefully chosen from abundant patches, leaving enough for pollinators, wildlife, and future growth.
Fifty boxes is all the Kootenay wilderness can spare each month without strain. Any more would betray our promise to this land.
Seasonal Magic in Every Batch
Our teas and skincare are living recipes—shaped by sun, soil, and the rhythms of the year.
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Spring: First nettle shoots for detoxifying teas; alpine forget-me-nots for calming elixirs.
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Summer: Sun-warmed arnica for muscle-soothing balms; fireweed blossoms for skin-renewing serums.
- Autumn: Bloom-dusted elderberry for immune support through the long winter ahead.
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Winter: Wild rosehips and chaga mushroom harvested in deep winter for vitamin-rich tonics.
From Ground to Gift: Our Process
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Dawn Harvests: We gather plants at peak potency, often as morning dew still clings to petals.
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Small-Batch Alchemy: In our Fruitvale studio, wild plants meet organic carriers (like cold-pressed meadowfoam oil) within 24 hours of picking.
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Numbered by Hand: Each box is stamped with its batch number (e.g., "May 2024: 23/50").
Wildcrafting vs. Store-Bought
Unlike commercial brands, we:
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Never cultivate—our wild ingredients grow untamed.
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Never replicate—this month’s sea buckthorn blend won’t return next year in the same way.
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Never compromise—every step is done by hand, from foraging to filling bottles.
A Note from Our Founder
Wildcrafting, to me, is an act of reverence—a sacred dialogue with the land that has nourished my family for generations. Every plant we gather is a gift, not a given. We kneel in the moss not as takers, but as grateful guests: leaving blooms for the bees, berries for the bears, and seeds for the soil’s next chapter.
This practice demands patience and presence. We listen to the wind for when the yarrow is ready, watch the moon for the perfect moment to harvest roots, and always—always—leave more than we take. The Kootenays give just enough for 50 boxes each month, and we honor that boundary without question.
When you hold one of these teas or serums, you’re holding a covenant between steward and earth. It’s my deepest hope that you feel the care woven into every step: from the dawn-picked herbs still jeweled with dew, to the hands that blend them with prayers for your wellbeing. This isn’t just wellness; it’s Sacred Reciprocity.