YOU ARE EMPOWERED
Most of all, we believe in eating out of the garden and making medicines out of the garden and are here to support you to adopt these practices for the health of you, your family, your community, and the planet.
WE WELCOME INTERNATIONAL SEED ORDERS
We ship seeds internationally, and have a map up on the wall with pins marking every country we've shipped to. The map is very well covered with pins (including one in Tierra del Feugo). We ship plants and live roots within the US only. More specifics on ordering seeds internationally below--keep scrolling down.
Our books and our prayers know no borders.
100% Open Pollinated = Seed Saver Friendly
Seeds of Medicine
Seeds of Medicinal and Culinary Herbs, Common and Rare
We harvest our organic medicinal herb seeds on an ongoing basis as the seeds come ripe, then process them as befits each species. We keep the seeds under refrigeration or in our climate controlled seed room where the temperature is less than 60 degrees F and the relative humidity is less than 40%. We test and package our seeds continuously. We sell our newest seed first, and you can be sure we have a large, vibrant compost pile where we put our old seeds to rest. But come to think of it, there are not so many seeds that go that route these days. This is because you, our loyal customers and cherished seeders have taken up the banner of sustainability, purchasing our seeds and spreading them in gardens far and wide. For this you deserve thanks from all beings. We wish you good success in turning your environment into a green oasis.
Richo and the Horizon Herbs Family
LIFELINE MEDICINAL HERB GARDEN 18 generous packets of 100% certified organically grown medicinal herb seed, the foundation of a new medicine garden, for sale at cost, as a way to support medicinal herb gardeners in health and happiness!
Seeds of Organic Vegetables, Treated with Love, not Chemicals
Our organic vegetable seeds are available straight from our farm to your garden--organic garden seeds properly cured, dried, cleaned, germ-tested, packed with love, and very reasonably priced! (The vast majority of our vegetable seeds are available at $2.45/pkt.) We now carry seeds from many of the common cultivars (e.g. Green Buttercrunch Lettuce) as well as nutrient-rich specialty vegetables (e.g. White Daikon Radish). We prefer to offer up vegetables that perform well in all zones and are especially well suited for diverse organic gardens. With food self-sufficiency coming to the forefront of everyone's consciousness (and bellies), we want to make the highest quality vegetable seeds available to you. Its a matter of survival.
SNOWDOWN 12 VARIETY GENEROUS SEED PACKETS ORGANIC VEGETABLE SEED COLLECTION FOR FALL GARDENING.
SUPERSNOWDOWN BULK SEED COLLECTION BULK PACKETS, 12 VARIETY ORGANIC VEGETABLE SEED COLLECTION FOR FALL GARDENING.
"HOEDOWN" 16 VARIETY GENEROUS SEED PACKETS ORGANIC VEGETABLE SEED COLLECTION FOR SPRING GARDENING.
OUR BOOKS
"The Medicinal Herb Grower, A Guide for Growing Plants that Heal"
by Richo Cech and illustrated by Sena Cech. This book is about ways to create plant habitat and successfully introduce medicinal herbs and permaculture trees, bushes and vines for the benefit of people, plants and the planet. If you like what you read on this website, then get this book. It will take you to the next level!
"Making Plant Medicine" by Richo Cech and illustrated by Sena Cech.
“An excellent overview of making medicinal tinctures, vinegars,
glycerites, water-based preparations, syrups, salves, baths, poultices, etc. Clearly explains the methods for making everything from simple teas to professional quality, mixed solvent tinctures equal to those in health food stores. Includes “A Gardener’s Herbal Formulary”
covering over 100 herbs, with over 500 formulas, giving medicinal action, dosage, and use. Interesting stories of his own experiences give the book immediacy and bring the processes ‘off the page’ and into practical focus.” —J. L. Hudson, Seedsman
Seasonal updates and ruminations from the founder:
Right in the center of the farm, what some might consider the heart, and others might envision as the belly button, but actually is acting like a digestive tract, a potent potion is brewing. Its the yearly compost pile, composed of fresh organic cow manure layered with all the chopped remains of this year's growing, and its smokin' hot. What goes in there? Hay and poop from Joey's stall (bless his soul, our last goat, now under clover), water sprouts from the orchard, corn stalks, sunflower stalks and mullein stalks, the chaff of a thousand winnowings, dry seedheads from every plant aconite through zanzibar, every kind of carbon that will break down--in it goes! This is the gold for next year's growing! The more you break it down before putting it in the pile, the more surface area there is, and the hotter it composts. So we get out our noisy chipper and we chip it all down before forking it onto the pile. Its worth it! Although we love live seeds, we're not particularly find of live seeds in the compost, so if the pile heats up to 170 degrees F and beyond (when you stick your hand in, you pull it back out again, fast, ouch!) then the seeds are transformed into bioavailable nutrient, food for bacteria and fungi, which becomes food for the plants, which then becomes food for--us. That's why I say the garden is like our bodies, and if we take care of the garden, then this is tantamount to taking care of our own health. Eating green things--that's how we keep from getting cancer. That's how we get filled with energy! Picking up the rocks and piling them somewhere outside the questing sweep of mower blades--that's the same as removing blockage from our own bloodstreams. Digging a new seedbed and making it trim, patting it down with hand and prayer, that's the same as combing our hair, or anointing our skin. Have you ever seen someone out in the garden, weeding away perhaps at a patch of beets, or carefully raking a seed bed, or sowing seeds like the proverbial farmer, strewing them from a bag, or dribbling them carefully, like a preschooler with tongue extended, dropping those first radish seeds into the inevitable milk carton of youth? Well, that person was beautiful, wasn't she/he? The sun browned skin, the well-toned bicep, the suggestive flex of buttock, the hair flung out and free! This is how we want to look, how healthy we were meant to be. This soil is our body. Lets care for it with great love and joy, and make the best of this precious human existence. By giving we receive. Its the universal rule. Give it to the soil, and reap--happiness. Richo
FURTHER SEASONAL ORIENTATIONS FROM THE FOUNDER
OK, please note that we are still taking orders for live plants, but delivery starts April 1, 2012. If you want to do us a favor, order seeds and plants separately. Otherwise we will have to split your order, because seeds are shipped right away! We're still shipping live roots (Comfrey, Jerusalem Artichokes, Black and Blue Cohosh, Wild Yam, Bloodroot, Virginia Snakeroot, etc. etc.) as well as Tiger Lily Bulblets and Chinese and Japanese wild yam tubers, so feel free to order these things. If you think you can plant them at your end, we think we can dig them at our end. Meanwhile, the new catalog is steeping like a well-made tea. Except I keep putting more tea bags in it every day. Who knows where it will end. Should be thick and potent at delivery. Most of the new items are already available on this website (English Hawthorn seeds, Purple Peacock Broccoli seeds, etc), but to see them all in one place and on paper, with Cheesie Mouse cartoons and the typical writeups, folderole and homemade humor that make this be one of the most interesting catalogs out there, well, that will have to wait for the paper catalog spring summer 2012. It will be at your door sometime in February. Please do not be misled by those shiny catalogs filled with hybrid seeds and stock photos that arrive early at your doorstep. Our seed saver friendly, open pollinated and organic offerings are cheaper, better, and worth waiting for. Most of their seeds come from seed growers in Europe. Most of our seeds are grown right here by American hands. They are about big business. We are about you.
(((((((((((((((((((((((NEW MEDICINAL HERB SEED COLLECTIONS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Japanese Herb Collection seed of 6 unique medicinal foods from the Japanese tradition
Chinese Herb Collection seed of 8 lucky herbs, a potent slice of TCM
Ayurvedic Herb Collection seed of 9 rejuvenative and medicinal herbs originally from India
SNOWDOWN SEED COLLECTION
SUPERSNOWDOWN BULK SEED COLLECTION
COMFREY FOR ALL
Looking for comfrey? Order anytime--we ship continually, even in August. United States orders only, please. If you order, be ready to receive pronto, planto (arrival at your door within a week or two). If you do not want your roots right away, leave a PREFERRED SHIPPING DATE in the CUSTOMER COMMENTS field at checkout.
Check this link for Russian Comfrey live roots (Symphytum x uplandicum) live roots for planting. This is one of the fastest growing plants in the temperate north
Check this link for True Comfrey seed (Symphytum officinalis) seed. This is one of the top healing herbs of all time
<<NEW FOR 2011>> Check this link for True Comfrey Roots (Symphytum officinalis) live roots for planting, photo of a typical root from a flowering plant shown below.
RARE AND BEAUTIFUL
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) seeds in stock from new harvest. Good to plant in fall for spring germ. One of the most useful and respected trees on earth--the Bible tells me so.
Moringa oleifera, the "Drumstick Tree." Easy to grow from seed, excellent in containerized culture, and every part of this fast-growing giving tree is useful in food and medicine.
Many new tomatoes coming through--many peppers that were out of stock now back in stock--first fall rains here but glorius nature gave us several days of warning wherein we scuttled about the farm like mice on chocolate covered coffee beans and brought in everything that was mature enough to put up to dry. Today in the rain I was out picking "principe" tomatoes, splitting them with my knife (before the rain had a chance to do the job for me!) and laying them out on screens to be dried in the big dryer. Anyway, what I was going to say is, we just made a very cool harvest on "Xhosa Dream Root" seeds (Silene capensis). Check it out!
Back in stock, new harvest Cape Aloe, Wilde Dagga and Cancer Bush seed. Check the upgraded writeups.
Permaculturalists and animal enthusiasts may wish to take note of the many positive attributes of Fodder Galega.
Always on the lookout for a new sage? Check Whorled Clary!
Seeds from our forest plantings of trillium, yellow lady's slipper orchid, blue cohosh and goldenseal now ready for shipment. Here's a link to the Trillium erectum (Beth Root).
New accession of rare Spilanthes taxon Acmella calirrhiza originally from the highlands of Kenya.
New accession of the rare Hoodia taxon "Hoodia officinalis."
Now shipping fresh Mandrake (Mandragora officinalis) seed from the new crop. Unlike last year, which was lean, the crop this year is abundant, and the seeds look very, very good. Do not hesitate, now is the time to plant fresh seed.
Slippery Elm Seed (Ulmus rubra) from new harvest, confirmed germ in 31 days. An inexpensive way to get into a highly valued emollient medicine--grow your own slippery elm bark, the chaw that keeps on giving.
Pulsatilla Seed now in stock, new harvest, goooood.
Hypoxis seed -- the most significant anti-HIV and anti-cancer herb from south africa, Muti with a Kick, certified organic seeds now available, a long writeup and some cool photos here on this website, Czech it out!
Dried and milled Kelp Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) to ameliorate effects of environmental radiation.
True Patchouli Seed (Pogostemon cablin) (as far as we know this link right here is the only place to get this incredibly desirable seed)
Aloe secundiflora
Hopi yellow lima beans
Hopi rattle gourds
Hopi red lima beans
Hopi blue corn
Oneida tobacco
Umcka Geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) new seed from South Africa now in stock! A pretty mounding perennial that smells great, makes beautiful red-purple flowers, and is one of the best healing herbs for treating upper respiratory infection (clearing cough and sinusitis) known to herbalist.
Autumn Mandrake seed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Get it while the gettin's good, this never lasts for long. Excellent spring germinator, relatively easy as mandrakes go, and a choice and rare species. We tested this seed to 60% germ in 4 months in standard greenhouse conditions, a bit slower than usual, but not all years are the same...
NEEM OIL SOAP FORMULATED BY HORIZON HERBS. A delightful soap for daily use, especially in the shower or bath. Also an antifungal bar soap that works hard against athlete's foot, infections, and nasty skin lesions and doubles up as a strong antiparasitic shampoo for fleas and lice that infest fur and hair.
New Cold Hardy True Lotus Seeds in Stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nelumbo nucifera komarovii hails from Russia near Manchuria and it is the most cold-hardy of all the true lotuses. They withstand temperatures to -40 degrees F and they make flowers that are just as large and pretty as the tropical lotuses. We tested the seed to 70% germination in the first week, and the remaining seeds eventually did germinate with an end germ of 100%.
MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE,
OUR PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION
We are growers of organically certified medicinal herb seed and plants here in Southern Oregon. We like things that are ALIVE! We are the seed company that we wanted to find back in the early 70's and 80's when we first seriously engaged learning the alchemy of seeds. Its been a long road and we want you to benefit from our work! We offer an extensive collection of organically certified seeds from the new harvest and plants grown on our own farm, including indigenous herb seeds from the African, Native American, Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions. We also grow or collect seed of significant medicinal and aromatic herbs from the deserts, forests, mountains, plains and shores of North America, Central and South America, Russia, China, Tibet, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, Japan, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Africa (especially Kenya, South Africa and Zanzibar), Australia, the Canary Islands, New Zealand and beyond. From our rootsy and organic greenhouse and shadehouses, we offer plants of annuals, herbaceous perennials and woody perennials, common medicinals, cover crops, nitrogen fixers, shelterbelt and wildlife favorites, dye plants, medicinal trees, fruits, tubers, vines, roots, corms, bulbs, and water plants as well as sacred herbs. In the words of the Dalai Lama, "Diversity is both beautiful and necessary."
We here at Horizon Herbs believe that gardeners can heal the world by growing diversity. It is a well-documented fact that we are living in a time of great loss of species, and it is our understanding that this loss of species is both a cause and an effect of the current ecological downturn. Therefore we propose that everyone engage in species rehabilitation toward a renewed blossoming of diverse gardens on planet earth. It may not be the only answer, but it is one of the best.
It is our mission to provide certified organic seeds and medicinal herb plants directly from our farm to you. Our's is the largest selection of medicinal herb seeds available from the US, an alive, growing collection started way back in 1985 and tended up until--today! We know that its all about quality, and for this reason the vast majority of our seeds are grown by us, hand-picked, wind-winnowed, tested in a practical and rootsy manner, filled with love, in essence loaded with vibrant LIFE. Every year we change out our inventory to give you only newly harvested seeds.
As a way of fueling the rising up of a green, self-sufficient and non-violent revolution, lets grow the seeds of our children's future in our gardens NOW and teach by example. Please join us, beautiful people, in planting diverse open-pollinated and organic seeds. Richo Cech, founder
BULK SEED
Bulk seed (by the gram, 10 gram, 100 gram, or pound quantity) is listed, when availaible, in our PAPER CATALOG, for the most part not on this website. (Bulk cover crop seed actually IS listed on this website.) If you're looking for bigger portions of Astragalus seed or Zahir Poppies (or any of a hundred other things), please order them online by accessing the information in the paper catalog and putting the item and quantity needed in the "customer comments" field at checkout. Or, feel free to call us on the phone (541) 846-6704, or order by mail through the paper catalog. Don't be shy, we ship a great deal of bulk.
VACUUM PACKING
If you would like your order vacuum packed (dried seeds only, please) then let us know. There is a $3.00 charge per vacuum sealed envelope, and we can fit up to 30 packets of seeds in each vacuum envelope. Vacuum packed seeds will, on the whole, last 3 years when stored in a cool, dry place (like the fridge or the pantry, please not the freezer).
SEED GERMINATION THEORY AND PRACTICE
Most everybody knows how to grow peas and beans from seed. And, these vegetable seeds know how to respond to human rhythms (they've been practicing for a long, long time). However, medicinal herb seeds, woody perennials and trees often require cultivation strategies that are different from standard vegetable culture. They are looking for the rhythms of NATURE. Finding it difficult to germinate Wasabi, Wormwood and Witch Hazel (to mention only the Ws)? Our best advice is to read "The Medicinal Herb Grower." This will help. A lot. If you don't want to jump for the book, make sure to carefully read the habitat requirements, hardiness, and cultivation instructions found under each species here on this website or in our ever popular paper catalog (free!). Or, for a quick overview of what we're talking about here, click the links below. OM SHANTI OM
Growing guidelines, advice on how to germinate medicinal herb seeds, terminology and methodology.
Link to a video showing method of transplanting
!!!!INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE!!!!
We ship seeds internationally every day of the year. Dried seeds only are available internationally. Fresh seeds in stratification (moist medium) are marked "International No" which means we cannot ship them internationally.
We cannot ship live roots or plants outside the US.
We cannot ship fresh, undried seeds outside the US.
We do not ship tinctures (liquid herbal extracts) outside the US.
We do not accept responsibility for seeds sent to Malaysia, the Philippines, Italy, Greece, Spain, Australia or New Zealand. If you live in one of these countries, you may order, but there will be no replacements or refunds.
We DO ship seeds to every other country in the world.
Australian customers please note: Yes, we do put the Latin name on all packets. Yes, the seeds are cleaned to a very high level of purity. You are nonetheless advised to check with AQIS before making an order. We do not check AQIS, and disallowed species may be confiscated. We cannot accept responsibility for the actions of Australian AQIS and will not replace or refund any seed shipments sent to Australia. Period.
New Zealand customers please note: Yes, we do put the Latin name on all packets. Yes, the seeds are cleaned to a very high level of purity. You are nonetheless advised to check with MAFBNZ before ordering anything. We do not check, and your seeds may be confiscated. We cannot accept responsibility for the actions of New Zealand MAFBNZ and will not replace or refund any seed shipments sent to New Zealand. Period.
Yes, we definitely ship tinctures, seeds, roots and plants to Hawaii
DISCLAIMER
Although all cultures on earth use plant-derived medicaments, we cannot recommend self-medication with plant products. Rather, we offer medicinal information in the context of historical usage and from personal experience, augmented by our studies of current research. Please seek the care and advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner for all medical problems. We have endeavored to provide responsible and specific cautions and contraindications for the herbs and preparations described in this website. However, be advised that iatrogenic, idiosyncratic, and/or allergic reactions can occur, albeit rarely, regardless of the cautions employed. Furthermore, when we mention that a particular herb contains a unique molecule with known activity, this should not be construed to mean that we recommend, advise or endorse consumption of that herb. Many folks grow poisonous plants (e.g. poinsettias) or plants containing controlled substances (e.g. poppies) without harboring the intention of poisoning or sedating themselves or anyone else! These plants have been grown by vast numbers of gardeners in the us throughout our history--they have pretty leaves and wonderful flowers that are good in their own right, and growing them should not be construed to mean that you are manufacturing a poison or a controlled substance! Please do not order plants or seeds from us that are illegal in your state or country. We cannot be apprised of all local laws, so orders are the responsibility of the individual, not Horizon Herbs, LLC. We will not knowingly ship plants or seeds of plants that are illegal in your area, as is evidenced by our careful assessment of the noxious weed laws (e.g. we don't ship Hypericum perforatum to California). Furthermore, we do not accept responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the herbal information found in this website, or for any accident or injury caused by growing, handling, or ingesting plants or from attempting to follow the procedures described in this website. The difference between nourishing yourself with a pea and injuring yourself with a pea is known as prudence. May you all act prudently in the wonderful world of growing medicinal plants.
Terms of Business
Our seeds and plants are GMO free, untreated, open-pollinated, and packed with love! All seeds and plants provided by Horizon Herbs are meant for the public good and shall remain in the public domain. No patents allowed. No genetic engineering allowed. Nature never wanted it that way!
Our catalog provides specific directions on good ways to germinate seeds. Your success is important to us. If the seeds are planted in a reasonable environment and the appropriate time period required for germination has passed and still zero germination, then we will replace the packet for free (one time replacement only, all claims must come within 1 year of your order).
Because of our lack of control over cultivation practices and weather conditions, we offer no guarantee on bulk seeds (ie. multiple packets of a species or seeds sold by the gram(s), ounce(s) or pound(s), plants or root stock. Therefore, we will not replace bulk seeds, plants or rootstock or give cash refunds. We are not responsible for losses incurred through the failure of any crop derived from any of our seeds, plants or root stock.
Plants orders guarantee. We are dedicated to shipping only live and lively plants. We use primarily 5 inch pots filled with organic potting soil, and many of our potted plants are 1 to 2 year old individuals. We ship lots and lots of plants, have been doing so for many years, and have developed a very satisfactory delivery system in order to assure their safe travel and your satisfaction. Please be aware that given variable plant dormancy the term "plant" may refer to a dormant perennial root in a pot. Once the plant selling season gets rolling, our plants tend to be quite large and robust. Sometimes they are so large that we have to cut them back before shipment. No worries, they will grow! We guarantee delivery of a live plant. Once the live plant arrives, it is the responsibility of the gardener to keep it alive. If the plant is damaged in shipment, please cut it back, plant it to a gallon pot and take care of it according to the environmental requirements of the species. If after 3 weeks there is still no response, and you check and find that the root is dead, then let us know and we'll send a coupon for the value of the plant, which may be redeemed on future orders.
Identity. We follow GMPs (good manufacturing practices) to assure correct identity of our seeds, plants and roots. All seeds are germ tested, lot numbered and subjected to a rigorous series of tests to assure correct identity. The identity of the seed is tested three times before it gets to you. If for some reason you think that the seed is incorrectly identified, please do not panic. Seedlings of Valerian, for instance, look nothing like the mature plant. Also, remember that all soil outdoors and much soil used in pots and flats indoors already contains significant populations of diverse seeds. If these seeds germinate prior to the germination of the seeds from our packet, and the volunteers are reared up instead of the progeny from the seed packet, this does not mean that the seed in the packet was incorrectly identified! Also, it is our experience that seed sticks to moist fingers during planting and may be transferred unintentionally to pots that are then mislabeled. During the excitement of planting, packets may get switched or flats may receive the wrong tag. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the appearance of the seeds and seedlings of the various plant species and to keep all plantings well marked. In the event that things don't come out as planned, we are happy to view your good photograph to try to help you determine what plant it is you have there. However, please respect our expertise, our time, our mission, and most of all our good intentions. Be careful to keep it positive. It matters.
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