Five Flavors Herbs

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.

Myth: Bitter flavors are harmful and should be avoided.Truth: Bitter flavors are natureโ€™s secret weapon for vibrant heal...
11/24/2025

Myth: Bitter flavors are harmful and should be avoided.
Truth: Bitter flavors are natureโ€™s secret weapon for vibrant health! ๐ŸŒฟ From stimulating your digestive system to supporting liver function and detoxifying your body, bitters play an essential role in overall well-being. โœจ

Did you know that scientists believe our ability to taste bitters evolved to help us detect potential toxins? While some bitter compounds in plants can indeed be harmful, many are packed with powerful health benefits. Phytochemicals like alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols are not only safe but can transform your health by enhancing digestion, boosting nutrient absorption, and even supporting your microbiome. ๐ŸŒฑ

Cultures across the globe have long recognized the importance of the bitter tasteโ€”from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine to Greco-Roman practices. Incorporating bitters into your life can be as easy as savoring bitter greens, adding herbal tinctures to your meals, or sipping on a bitter aperitif before dinner. With holiday meals coming soon, it's a great time to incorporate bitters into your digestive wellness plan!

๐ŸŒŸ Curious to learn more? Discover the fascinating history and science behind bitters, and how they can help optimize your gut health, in our latest blog post here: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/how-digestive-bitters-can-optimize-your-gut-health-/

Whatโ€™s your favorite way to enjoy bitters? Share your tips and recipes in the commentsโ€”weโ€™d love to hear! ๐Ÿ’š

๐ŸŒฟ  We're proud to sponsor the upcoming American Herbalists Guild event on December 6th:  the "Resilience in Herbal Pract...
11/21/2025

๐ŸŒฟ We're proud to sponsor the upcoming American Herbalists Guild event on December 6th: the "Resilience in Herbal Practice" Educational Summit.

This one-day virtual summit is designed to inspire, connect, and deepen herbal practice at the individual and community levels. Together, weโ€™ll explore the theme of resilience in herbalism, with opportunities to learn from leading voices in the field, strengthen professional skills, and share in the wisdom of our herbal community.

Featuring:

๐Ÿ”‘ Pillars of Herbal Practice: Values that Guide Community and Clinical Care Keynote
address with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH (AHG)

๐ŸŒฟ Reclaiming the Healing Power in Our Traditions with Naa Adjeley Tsofanye

๐ŸŒธ Rasayana & Resilience โ€“ Ayurvedic Care for a Healing World with Anjali Deva

๐ŸŒณ The Ecology of Resilience: Lessons in Recovery and Renewal with Lupo Passero

๐Ÿชป The Path of the Herbalist in Rebuilding from Trauma with Amy Branum, AP, RH (AHG)

๐Ÿชž Reflective Practice as a Tool for Clinical Resilience with Mel Kasting, RH (AHG)

๐ŸŒŽ An Ecological Approach to Health: Herbal Medicine, Constitution, and Community
Resilience with Caty Crabb

Please mark your calendars and register now! https://community.americanherbalistsguild.com/ahg-summit-resilience-in-herbal-practi
ce



American Herbalists Guild
Mountain Rose Herbs

When it comes to respiratory and immune wellness, we like to think of four phases of support to cycle through year-round...
11/19/2025

When it comes to respiratory and immune wellness, we like to think of four phases of support to cycle through year-round.

๐Ÿ“† Prevention: Starting in late summer, or if you're traveling or anticipating exposure, consuming medicinal mushrooms and qi-tonifying roots like astragalus and ginseng are traditionally used to support strong defenses. Our go-to formulas are Mushroom Champion and Back to School.

๐Ÿ˜ฑ Uh oh: Exposed and starting to feel vulnerable. This is when we like to use immune-supporting herbs like echinacea and "release the exterior" herbs like ginger and peppermint to rev up the system. We keep a bottle of First Response tincture on hand for times like these.

๐Ÿค’ Day off: That bug finally got you! Time to take a day (or more) off, drink lots of herbal tea and broth, and rest deeply to promote healing. Soothing herbs like marshmallow can balm the rough edges these days. Check out our recipes for bone broth and vegan stock; we recommend making these ahead of time so you can thaw and sip on those crummy days.

๐Ÿซ Recuperation: You are starting to feel better, but there's lots of gunk left over. Resinous herbs like yerba santa and elecampane support healthy mucosa, while heat-clearing herbs like thyme and baikal skullcap support a sound immune response. We developed our Respiratory Recoup formula for lung gunk, while we prefer Clear Passage for sinus support.*

Our respiratory and immune support formulas are still on sale through November 30th! Save 15% off your next order of
Mushroom Champion
Back to School
First Response
Respiratory Recoup
Clear Passage
Yu Ping Feng San (wholesale customers only)
For details, see the link in our bio or shop our site: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/shop/five-flavors-herbs/

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

๐Ÿ“ข Hey AcupuncturistsIf you haven't started to use our ProLine of TCM formulas designed for modern fertility and reproduc...
11/18/2025

๐Ÿ“ข Hey Acupuncturists

If you haven't started to use our ProLine of TCM formulas designed for modern fertility and reproductive wellness, now is a great time to try this system out. For a limited time, over half of our formulas and packs are 30% off, while we clear out inventory labeled with the old brand called Conceivable ProLine. You can shop the sale items on our website at: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/shop-wholesale/wholesale-sale/

Why ProLine?

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿผ Address common health concerns: ProLine liquid concentrates are specifically formulated to support the body to overcome imbalances that contribute to infertility and other women's health concerns.

๐ŸŽฏ Personalize to your patients' needs: Designed so that practitioners can mix and match modular formulas to create personalized herbal blends, ProLine makes it far easier to address unique patient needs and phases of the menstrual cycle.

๐ŸŒฟ Easy and pleasant to take: ProLine liquid extracts taste good and require no cooking or mixing, making them easy for patients to use. The result? Your patients become more compliant, and their clinical outcomes improve.

To learn more, book a meeting with our practitioner liaison (link in bio), or watch the great videos on our website. https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/about-proline/

*Please note: ProLine formulas are only available to licensed health practitioner. Patients, ask your acupuncturist or women's health provider about carrying ProLine in their practice!

Myth: Sweet flavors in herbal remedies are just for taste.Truth: Sweet flavors have been trusted for centuries for their...
11/14/2025

Myth: Sweet flavors in herbal remedies are just for taste.
Truth: Sweet flavors have been trusted for centuries for their healing properties. ๐Ÿ’› They go beyond the palate, gently tonifying the body, helping to harmonize the digestive system, and inviting a sense of calm throughout. Whether used to soothe after a long day or to balance internal systems, sweet herbs remind us of the deep connection between flavor and function.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, sweetness is the flavor associated with the Earth element. It nourishes and strengthens the Spleen, helping to harmonize digestion and support a sense of stability. Sweet herbs like licorice, astragalus, and jujube dates are gentle yet powerful, working to promote calm and resilience in both body and mind.

One classic formula, Gui Pi Tang, features sweet-tasting herbs that help invigorate focus, ease restlessness, and encourage restful sleep. Itโ€™s a nourishing choice for those feeling scattered, overworked, or in need of grounding. Discover more about how sweet flavors support balance in TCM in our blog The Five Flavors in Traditional Chinese Medicine: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/the-five-flavors-in-traditional-chinese-medicine/

Gui Pi Tang Liquid Concentrate: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/five-flavors-herbs/gui-pi-tang-liquid-concentrate/

How do sweet herbal flavors show up in your life? Do they play a role in your favorite remedies or self-care practices? Share your experience below! ๐ŸŒฟโœจ

Yu ping feng san, or โ€œJade Windscreen,โ€ has been used in East Asia for over 800 years, with records dating back to the w...
11/10/2025

Yu ping feng san, or โ€œJade Windscreen,โ€ has been used in East Asia for over 800 years, with records dating back to the writings of the scholar Zhu Dan Xi in 1347. As its name illustrates, the Jade Windscreen formula supports and enriches the wei qi, or protective qi, in guarding against harmful influences entering the body.

This simple formula incorporates three herbs to support healthy immune function. Astragalus root is neutral and sweet, and it supplements Spleen qi to help promote lung and digestive health. Notable for its water-soluble polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins, astragalus has been shown to modulate immune function acutely and is used as adjunctive therapy in many chronic conditions. Atractylodes, which is warm, sweet, and bitter, tonifies Spleen qi and drains dampness. Ledebouriella (siler root) is pungent and sweet, and it releases the exterior to dispel wind, damp, and cold.

Whether you're a consumer looking for ways to stay healthy this season with our delicious Back to School formula (Jade Windscreen plus elderberry, lemon balm & catnip) or you're a practitioner who prefers the traditional Chinese formula, we've got you covered.

Plus, for the rest of November, save 15% off your retail or wholesale orders on our immune support formulas with code LUNG15 at checkout. Be well folks!

When it comes to respiratory and immune wellness, we like to think of four phases of support:๐Ÿ“† Prevention: Starting in l...
11/07/2025

When it comes to respiratory and immune wellness, we like to think of four phases of support:

๐Ÿ“† Prevention: Starting in late summer, or if you're traveling or anticipating exposure consuming medicinal mushrooms and qi-tonifying roots like astragalus are traditionally used to support strong defenses.

๐Ÿ˜ฑ Uh oh: Exposed and starting to feel vulnerable. This is when we like to use immune-supporting herbs like echinacea and "release the exterior" herbs like ginger and peppermint to rev up the system.

๐Ÿค’ Day off: That bug finally got you. Time to take a day (or more) off, drink lots of herbal tea and broth, and rest deeply to promote healing. Soothing herbs like marshmallow can balm the rough edges these days.

๐Ÿซ Recuperation: You are starting to feel better, but there's lots of gunk coming out. Resinous herbs like yerba santa and elecampane support healthy mucosa, while heat-clearing herbs like thyme and baikal skullcap support a sound immune response.

๐ŸŒฟ You can find these herbs and more in our popular Respiratory Recoup formula, blended with organic and sustainably wildcrafted Western and TCM herbs so you can breathe easily. Save 15% off your next order with code LUNG25. For details, see the link in our bio or shop our site: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/shop/five-flavors-herbs/

In East Asian healing traditions, autumn is associated with the Metal phase and with two organs: the Lungs and Large Int...
11/05/2025

In East Asian healing traditions, autumn is associated with the Metal phase and with two organs: the Lungs and Large Intestine. Metal is associated with grief, sorrow, and sadness, often precipitated by the death of a loved one or the observation of collective grief. These emotions are often experienced in the chest, specifically in the Lungs, with sighing, crying, or yelling, or with a feeling of stuck energy in the chest.

November is also a month dedicated to lung cancer and COPD awareness. It's the time of year when seasonal viruses start to rise, and respiratory and immune health become paramount.

This month, we'll be delving into herbs and formulas that support our immunity and our airways... and the emotional correlations of these systems.

In recognition of the Western herbs we love for respiratory wellness, we're happy to re-share this popular fire season infographic, which can be applied to supporting easy breathing during seasonal bugs or dry indoor air (especially if you have a wood stove)!

We strive to be flexible herbalists, so we present a number of categories to draw from in your own formulating, to adapt to the particular individual's health and the herbs you have in your bioregion or local herb shop.

Stay tuned for lots more info on lung health this November ๐Ÿซ

And... save 15% off your next order of our immune & respiratory support formulas with code LUNG25. For details, see the link in our bio or shop our site: https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/shop/five-flavors-herbs/

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Many mid-term elections are taking place around the country this week. Tuesday, November 4th, is the last day to vote...
11/03/2025

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Many mid-term elections are taking place around the country this week. Tuesday, November 4th, is the last day to vote, so please make your voice heard at the ballot box (or with your mail-in or drop-off ballot).

Now more than ever, your participation counts! Vote like your life, the lives of your children, your parents, your neighbors, your plant and animal friends, and the beautiful planet we live depends on it ๐ŸŒ

๐Ÿ”Š NEWS FLASH: BIG SALE on ProLine STARTS TODAY!!!Earlier this year, we re-branded the Conceivable ProLine to our own bra...
11/01/2025

๐Ÿ”Š NEWS FLASH: BIG SALE on ProLine STARTS TODAY!!!

Earlier this year, we re-branded the Conceivable ProLine to our own brand (Five Flavors Herbs, of course!). The ProLine is our modular herbal concentrate system for fertility support and reproductive wellness, based on traditional Chinese formulas and designed for modern life ๐Ÿซ„

We still have stock on hand with the old Conceivable labels, and we need your help clearing out this inventory to make room for the newly labeled products.

Starting November 1, save 30% on all Conceivable-labeled bottles and packs, including:

๐Ÿ’งCalm, Cool, Lift, Male Factor, Regulate, Relieve, Sleep, Transform, and Warm

๐Ÿ“ฆ Starter Pack, Clinical Pack, and Deluxe pack

The ProLine is only available to licensed healthcare practitioners. If you're a fertility or women's health specialist and you want to learn more about the ProLine, heck out our website or schedule an orientation with our practitioner liaison ๐Ÿฉบ
https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/about-proline/ or find the link to schedule in our bio!

Act now! Deals good while supplies last. Requires an approved wholesale account to order. Purchase $750 for free shipping, and buy $1000 or more to get an extra 15% off your entire order!!!

10/31/2025

๐ŸŽƒ Halloween... Samhain... Day of the Dead... Dia de los Mu***os ๐Ÿ’€

October 31 and November 1st hold special meaning for many people around the world. We honor and celebrate these brief days that mark the transition from the brighter to the darker days of the year, from expansion outward to reflection inward, from expending to saving.

These are days of bright leaves, orange pumpkins, the flavors and textures of storage crops being harvested. These are days of altars built, flowers picked, candles lit.

We welcome the thinning of the veil, the spirit visits, the spooky costumes, and (yes!) the candy and decorations ๐Ÿ‘ป

Join us this week at the nationโ€™s largest acupuncture and Chinese medicine conference - hosted in sunny San Diego, Calif...
10/30/2025

Join us this week at the nationโ€™s largest acupuncture and Chinese medicine conference - hosted in sunny San Diego, California! โ˜€๏ธโ€‹
โ€‹
Earn CEUs while learning from top experts in the field, connecting with peers, exploring two vibrant exhibit halls, and enjoying San Diego
โ€‹
Find us at booth 21 in the Kon Tiki room to meet our founder Benjamin Zappin, LAc and our newest team member, Julia Urcis, LAc. Julia is our new practitioner liaison, and she's excited to meet both longtime and new Five Flavors Herbs customers.

Don't forget to enter your business card or sign up at our booth to receive special show discounts! If you're attending via live-stream, please email us at wholesale@fiveflavorsherbs.com to get your discount code (please include a copy of your registration in your email).

โ€‹

Address

Oakland, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm

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