Five Flavors Herbs

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Five Flavors Herbs

Integrating Traditions for Wellness. We create effective and sustainable remedies using Traditional We are Green Business Certified. and Ingrid Bauer, MS.

Five Flavors Herbs creates over 200 physician-formulated single herb tinctures, oils, and glycerites, as well as an extensive line of internal and topical formulas. Our formulas are based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, scientific research, and traditional uses of native plants of North America. Five Flavors Herbs uses botanicals grown in our home garden as well as native herbs that we wildcraft ourselves. Other herbs are certified organically grown, including a number of domestically grown Chinese herbs. The imported Chinese herbs we use are purchased from suppliers who demonstrate organic certification or provide assurance that herbs are never sprayed, fumigated, or irradiated. We use certified organic grain alcohol, organic olive oil, and purified water in our preparations. We feel that ecological and physical health are intimately connected, and we strive to manufacture herbal products that respect the earth while supporting individuals. Our international customer base includes a loyal following of practitioners, medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, clinical herbalists, and retail stores. Our company has grown by serving the needs of their patients and customers. Located in Oakland, California, Five Flavors Herbs is a family-run business owned and operated by Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac.

01/01/2026

See you 2025! We enjoyed many moments in the garden and local woods, Maui and the Sierra Nevada, and also attended memorable events such as the International Herb Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Highlights included:

January: Ben, Ingrid, our kids, and our brother-in-law and quality director enjoyed Passiflora incarnata, Piper methysticum, and many other beloved tropical botanicals on Maui, Hawaii

March: Pedicularis densiflora emerged in the forest around our Nevada City home and farm

June: Calendula officinalis, Inula helenium, and Anemopsis californica bloomed in our garden

July: Albizia julibrissin adorned backyards and roadsides everywhere, and Ingrid harvested Achillea millefolium happily on the farm.

August: Pedicularis groenlandica, Arnica sp. and Anemone occidentalis glowed in the high Sierra Nevada

September: Ben traveled to Ohio for the International Herb Symposium and to visit the United Plant Savers Sanctuary.

October: we finally consolidated our operations under one roof in Grass Valley!!!

Fall (not pictured): one of the warmest and rainiest on file, mushrooms popped all over California!!!

As we enter into winter, we plan on enjoying cozy rainy nights by the fire and blue sky powder days in the nearby Sierra. The days are already getting longer, and we look forward to a great year to come.

FYI, we will be closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year's Day and on Wednesday, January 7th for inventory.

From our family business to all of you, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

#2026

31/12/2025

Our Integrating formula offers potent threads of herbal support for emotional, spiritual, and physical transformations. Originally designed for post-psychedelic integration, this formula provides support during many other transitions including as we move from 2025 to 2026.

Silk tree bark calms the mind and spirit; reishi strengthens the body and opens the heart, while cacao invites love and emotional clarity. Skullcap, blue vervain, and pasqueflower offer a safe space for the nervous system to rest and find equilibrium.

Together, these herbs help to gently ground and integrate the wisdom and insights from the past year, bringing them forward into the new year to come. Whether you are celebrating with meditation, a gathering with friends & family, or an all-night party, we wish you peace and ease in the new year!

30/12/2025

👋 Say goodbye to 2025 with a whopping 20% off all non-sale items on our website!

Use code CLEARANCE25 at checkout to save 20% on your next retail or wholesale order. We'd love to have a lot less inventory to count at the end of the day on 12/31!!!

Happy New Year (We'll be closed 1/1/25) ❤️

29/12/2025

"Best of 2025" from Five Flavors Herbs 🌿

This year has shown that a good night's sleep, a cool mood, sustainable energy, and a clear head are what we all need. More than 18 years after we developed these core formulas, some of our original blends are still are best sellers!

💤 Sweet Dreams: Classic soporifics including valerian, California poppy, hops, passionflower and chamomile.

🌹Elation: Combines Xiao Yao San with adaptogens and nervines for easy-going Liver qi and mood regulation

💪 Sustainable Energy: Adaptogen blend for sustainable energy without the buzz

👃 Clear Passage: TCM and Western support for seasonal sinus stuffiness

What's YOUR favorite Five Flavors Herbs formula?

Save 20% on all regular-priced items on our webstore now through 12/31 with code CLEARANCE25. Shop www.fiveflavorsherbs.com

26/12/2025

It's getting near the end, dear friends! As we look back on 2025, we reflect on...

Plants, plants, more plants 🌿
New equipment for extraction 🛠️
Moving all operations under one roof in Grass Valley 🏠
Lots of time smelling the flowers 🌼
And finishing with a Winter Solstice burn 🔥

(Not pictured: lots of time on the computer running an herb business)

We wish you peace, prosperity, and health in the coming year. Thanks for your continued support of our family-run business and your mutual love of plants!

24/12/2025

As we close out 2025, we want to thank our customers, including herbal enthusiasts, clinicians, retailers, and distributors for your support. In gratitude, we're offering 20% off all non-sale items on our website!

Use code CLEARANCE25 at checkout to save 20% on your next retail or wholesale order. We'd love to have a lot less inventory to count at the end of the day on 12/31!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (We'll be closed 12/25 and 1/1/25) ❤️

22/12/2025

The winter holidays are a source of joy and celebration for many, but can also lead to stress, overwhelm, fatigue and even isolation and depression. Furthermore, rich holiday foods (latkes! fruitcake! eggnog!) can put extra burden on the digestion, which in turn can impact energy and mood.

If you're looking for some extra support this time of year, we have many great herbal allies for supporting mood, energy, and digestion! As always, we love to practice flexible herbalism by recommending categories for system support, and various herbal options inside of each category. Here are some of our favorites for this time of year:

🪷 Calming Nervines: Chamomile, lavender, skullcap, kava, and oats

💪 Adaptogens: Tulsi, licorice, ginseng, rhodiola, and eleuthero

🍵 Carminatives: Cardamom, fenugreek, ginger, fennel, mint

🌿 Bitters: Dandelion, artichoke, gentian, burdock, citrus

Please remember:
*Infographics are just a starting place for ideas, and do not represent the entirety of herbal tradition, practice, or scientific evidence
*Our social posts are never meant to provide medical advice, and are not approved by the FDA to prevent or treat any disease
*If you are experiencing more severe physical or mental/emotional symptoms than mild occasional discomfort, please seek professional health advice!

19/12/2025

The winter solstice marks the darkest day of the year—and the turning point where the light begins to return. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal, offering us a chance to release the challenges of the past and invite in strength, hope, and new energy.⁠
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Herbs have long played a role in this seasonal celebration, aligning us with the planet's natural cycles and supporting us through winter’s stillness. From warming cinnamon and heart-healing hawthorn to sacred frankincense and protective cedar, plants can help us cultivate resilience, vitality, and clarity during the darkest time of the year. 🌿⁠
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Looking for a way to bring the magic of the Solstice into your space? Try our herbal potpourri recipe, a festive and purifying blend of evergreens, spices, and resins to uplift your home and your spirit:⁠
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Ingredients:⁠
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Pine needles⁠
Cedar needles⁠
Juniper berries⁠
Cinnamon sticks⁠
Whole cloves⁠
Frankincense powder + essential oils⁠
⁠
Directions: Combine, mix, and infuse with your intentions for the year ahead. Let the aromatic blend fill your space, encouraging warmth, focus, and inspiration.⁠
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Learn more about Winter Solstice Rituals, Lore & Plant Medicine: Link in bio!⁠

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✨ Wishing you all a peaceful, nourishing, and hopeful winter solstice from the team at Five Flavors Herbs!⁠
⁠

17/12/2025

We’re committed to sourcing locally whenever possible, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting sustainable practices. Your health and safety are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why every herb we use undergoes rigorous testing for identity, heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful bacteria. From growing the herbs on our farm to partnering with trustworthy local vendors, we ensure that every product reflects our values of quality, transparency, and care for the environment. 🌍✨

By prioritizing domestic sourcing and ethical practices, we not only support your well-being but also contribute to a healthier planet. Our efforts don’t stop at our workshop—we’re continually working to better our footprint and foster sustainable solutions. Curious about how we do it? Explore our blog, “Growing More Sustainable,” for an inside look into our mission to revolutionize the herbal industry. https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/growing-more-sustainable-global-impacts-of-the-herbal-supplements-industry/?srsltid=AfmBOopdM1wMr1c4P9GTuSoCUPMDhyU6plGSP6Br2UuaU2LL7o7lX-tv

How do you prioritize sustainability in your health choices? Share with us in the comments below—we’d love to inspire each other!

15/12/2025

🎁 Looking for last minute gift ideas? Our green giving guide has something for all of the wellness-seekers on your list 🌿

The last day to order in time for arrival by 12/24 is Monday, December 15th! 📦

12/12/2025

This Sunday, December 14th, marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday commemorating the victory of the Hasmoneans (aka Maccabees) and the miracle of oil: oil enough for 1 night of lantern light lasted for a full 8 nights. The symbol of the menorah, when shared by non-Jews, has also come to signify solidarity, as well as celebrating religious and cultural diversity. With so much division in our country and around the world, this symbolism is more important than ever!

In addition to the menorah, which was traditionally lit with oil not candles, Hanukkah foods highlight oil, including doughnuts and latkes. Beyond the holiday, oil has long played an important role in rituals through anointing people and objects, to mark them as holy.

Whether you're using oil for ritual anointing or to massage an achy spot, our Achy Breaky Oil combines West Coast herbs with Old World herbs from both mid-Eastern and East Asian traditions. This warming, aromatic oil includes resins such as myrrh, frankincense, and dragon’s blood quicken the blood, alleviate discomfort, and accelerate the regeneration of new tissue. Lighten your discomfort with the miracle of oil!

10/12/2025

Now is the best time of year to deeply nourish your body with stocks and broths! Between holiday eating, travel, and seasonal bugs, as well as less sunlight and outdoor activity, it's easy to feel worn down.

If you consume animal bones, we find bone broth to be one of the best way to introduce and absorb collagen, vitamins & minerals. Make it plain with just bones, or add culinary and/or medicinal herbs for deeper digestive support or to target specific health concerns, from skin & hair to bone health. On the blog, you'll also find some great recipes for incorporating bone broth, including mood-boosting saffron-hued tagine, and mood-calming soup with lily bulb and lotus seed! https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/epic-bone-broth-benefits-recipes-with-medicinal-herbs/

If you don't eat animal products, the worlds of plants, fungi and algae offer many opportunities to create delicious and nutritious soup bases!

When it comes to cooking plant-based stocks, it’s important to remember that vegetables and herbs are more delicate than bones—with the exception of woody fungi like reishi, which can take a lot of time and pressure to fully extract. Generally, you won’t need more than an hour in an open pot, or 30 minutes in a pressure cooker, to make a tasty plant-based stock. The finished product degrades quickly, so be sure to use your broth within two days or freeze it as soon as it cools.

On the blog, find 6 recipes and dozens of ingredients to consider including in your next vegan broth! https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/how-to-make-vegan-broth-with-6-recipes/

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Opening Hours

Monday	11:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	11:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	11:00 - 18:00
Thursday	11:00 - 18:00
Friday	11:00 - 18:00
Saturday	11:00 - 18:00

Website

https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/

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