Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of wellness practiced for thousands of years, encompassing Chinese herbalism, acupuncture, dietary therapy, movement, and other traditional practices used to support overall health and balance.

Chinese herbs are roots, flowers, fruits, seeds, fungi, and other natural ingredients used in Chinese herbalism and food therapy. Depending on the herb, they're traditionally prepared in teas, soups, congee, broths, or desserts.

ND stands for "None Detected." Our ND Grade herbs are tested for more than 300 pesticides, with none detected per applicable testing standards. Testing and certifications can vary by product, so check each product page for specifics.

They're different standards. Certified organic covers specific growing, handling, and processing requirements; ND Grade refers to pesticide residue testing. An ND Grade herb isn't necessarily organic unless it's labeled as such.

No — we offer both certified organic and ND Grade herbs, depending on the product. Not all ND Grade herbs are organic. Each product page identifies its grade so you know exactly what you're purchasing.

We source with an emphasis on quality, authenticity, and the regions where each ingredient is traditionally grown. Because our collection spans many herbs, country and region of origin vary by product — check the product page for details.

Not necessarily. Many traditional Chinese herbs are grown in China due to climate, agricultural tradition, and plant origin, but sourcing varies by ingredient. We prioritize quality and authenticity over sourcing everything from one location.

Yes — many of our herbs are traditionally used in everyday teas, soups, congee, broths, and desserts. Preparation varies by ingredient, so check the individual product page for suggested uses.

Food-based ingredients are an approachable entry point. Goji berries, jujube dates, tremella mushroom, lotus seeds, chrysanthemum, and longan are popular choices traditionally used in teas, soups, and other recipes.

Keep most dried Chinese herbs tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Check your product packaging or product page for ingredient-specific storage instructions.

Clear Source Herbs makes high-quality Chinese herbs and traditional ingredients more accessible for everyday use — with certified organic and ND Grade options, transparent product information, and a growing library of traditional recipes and resources to help you explore Chinese herbalism and food therapy with confidence.

If an item you ordered is out of stock you will be notified by email or telephone of the situation and given an option of canceling the out-of-stock item or back-ordering it.  For international orders, we will e-mail to notify you of the missing items and to confirm the balance of your order.

We at Clear Source Herbs are proud of our products and guarantee your satisfaction. You may return any unopened item for refund or credit within 30 days of receiving it. We suggest you contact us before returning the item. Shipping charges can only be refunded if the return is due to our error. All returns must be accompanied by the packing slip. Please include a brief note explaining why you are returning the item so that we can continue to improve our products and service. After a return has been received, it will take 1-2 weeks to process. If you have used a credit card, refunds will be credited to your account. If you mailed a check or money order, a refund check will be mailed to you. We suggest you use UPS or insured Parcel Post for your protection when returning items.