Growing Herbs for Dit Da Jow, Internal Elixirs and Herbal Remedy Tinctures
Updated: Sep 28
As you may have noticed, Shen went silent for a few months. Our regular product information emails stopped and our blog posting stopped. In this comeback post, I will explain what we were up to during this quiet period.
Things are Tough All Over
I know all of you have been feeling the strain of the current economic situation, whether here in the United States. or if you are from our international family, in your home country and all around the world. I correspond and speak with many of you from all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and can say with certainty that we are living in a time when things are tough all over.
Contrarians
At Shen, we have been getting hit on both ends. In the front end, production costs have gone up excessively. On the back end, our sales are significantly down, as you all take care of daily survival and have less left over for other purchases. At Shen, our approach to much of what goes on in society and current events is what is best described as contrarian. We are contrarians. I will explain the source of our contrarian philosophy on a separate posting as this is key to know us better but it is a story onto itself.
Having revealed our contrarian tendencies, the Shen response to the financial crunch was to lower the price on some of our most popular products. And no, I am not crazy. Discounting the products you all buy the most, I felt would allow you to keep using your herbal favorites with the potential for increased transactions may make up any difference. The cost issues however, were too serious and the results did not materialize. Lowering the costs to craft Shen products was the only other viable way to counter the loss of revenue from decreased sales. Being contrarians, sourcing lower cost herbs was out of the question. That's what our competitors do. So, what way can we maintain the highest quality herbal tinctures, dit da jow, Internal elixirs, herbal remedies, health tonics and herbal healing remedies while lowering our cost? It took me a bit but then it came to me like a flash..... what if we grow some of our own herbs!
Shen Herb Self Sufficiency Project
So, as any self respecting, true to the bone contrarian would do, I set about to INVEST money into setting up herb growing operation. If I could pull this off, the benefits would be tremendous. The selection factors and constraints would be:
Herbs that can be grown at my location
Herbs that can be grown within my minimal land area
Herbs that are hard to get
Herbs that vary in quality from growers
Herbs that I could grow in high quality enough to forgo their geo-authenticity
Availability and cost of soil and amendments for fully organic operation
A Small Fraction
In order to produce the herbal products on the Shen catalog and to maintain new product development, Shen typically works with 450+ different herbs from various herbal traditions. I was able to identify 27 key herbs that I could grow in the initial phase of this effort with a quantifiable benefit in lowering herb cost of several key products, even after testing for substance content and concentration.
Fast Forward - Herb Cost Reduction, Amazing Herb Quality
Over the years, Shen has developed an excellent supply chain of the highest quality herbs from their correct geographic origins. They are higher cost than sourcing from other suppliers but the quality of the resulting herbal products justifies the expense. Over this time, we have many data point from testing of herbs to set baseline targets and limits and to sideline lots or batches that do not meet these benchmarks.
That is how Shen has earned its legendary reputation for the highest quality Dit Da Jow and that is how that same excellence is extended to all Shen products. Beyond quality, consistency is the secret to the effectiveness of Shen herbal tinctures, health remedies and Internal Elixirs. So, how did the home grown herbs match up to the historical baselines? All of our home grown herbs have been tested and all have met Shen internal requirements, and 3 of the home grown herbs exceeded historical benchmarks.
Shen Creed - Difficulties Bring Opportunities
We will get through these tough economic times Shen family. While it is upon us, we must not give in to disappointment and we must not give in to despair. Every challenge brings with it opportunity. Find the opportunities hidden behind this economic downturn.
Don't give up on yourself, your betterment and most of all, your health. A healthy, vital person can find solutions to all problems and can turn a negative situation into a win. It doesn't have to be a huge triumph, just enough to turn the tide and to overcome the difficulty at hand. This makes us robust and resistant, such that future challenges will not stop us from our journey, and instead will be tests of our resolve and our continue growth. Keep working on your wellness no matter what, as all problems turn into opportunities when you are well. Keep moving forward everyday getting closer to your goals.
Outcome
Shen did not gain significantly in terms of lowering cost.... for now. The problem was alleviated, and the loss in revenue was reduced even though investment was spent to set up the herb garden. The big win is that now I know it is doable.
The project resulted in 27 important herbs that can now be grown and harvested at organic quality levels equal to or better than sourcing. More importantly, the project yielded many, many ideas on how to do more, grow more, and be more self sufficient. When the economy improves, and it will, the effort to lessen cost will have produced methods to yield more return. The storm will subside and the sun will shine warmly on those who keep going, invest instead of disengage, that dig in, double down and persevere, to eventually outlast the dark clouds and be stronger for it.
"El Que Persevera, Mata Venado"
(He that Perseveres, Kills a Stag)
Old Mexican saying
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