We wanted to let all of our customers know that we’ve decided to switch suppliers for our pine pollen., both in the tincture format and our powder. Most probably don’t even realize that there are different pine pollen manufacturers and many wonder what led to the change.
So hopefully to answer the questions you probably, we thought we might answer the most common questions we have been asked about this switch:
Why did we switch pine pollen manufacturers?
There was three main reasons we decided to switch our pine pollen supplier. Two of which involve business and only one of which involved the actually quality of the pine pollen.
1. We needed a lot more Pine Pollen on a regular bases. This is because we were frankly sick of running out of the pine pollen tincture all the time. As one of our best sellers, the tincture has helped many people bring balance to a whacked out hormonal system. Unfortunately, our old producer of the stuff just could not keep up with the demand placed on them, though we repeatedly tried to get them to increase their production batch sizes. This being the case combined with the high cost of production made us consider finding a producer of the stuff that could handle any amount of demand we might push on them. Eventually we found one, but the minimum run per batch was way higher then we previously had been doing (say amount we needed?). We would have to import lots more pollen to cover the minimum. This leads us into the second reason we switched sources.
2. Our old pine pollen supplier seemed to have a lot of trouble getting pine pollen to us at times. This issue had also caused us to run out of the powder on occasion. Clearly, if we were eliminating one products supplier issue, we might as well squash any other pine pollen supply issues we had so we could stay in stock year round (assuming they have enough pine pollen from the harvest for that to take place). To cut a story short, our new supplier of pine pollen handles shipping and customs in a far more efficient fashion then our last supplier and so we should not have any more issues in this department as well. And on top of that they can ship much larger amounts of the stuff which means never ending pollen and tinctures raining down on our collective heads.
3. The last reason we decided to switch was because of a certain non-issue. One of the reasons we never switched sooner to rectify the first two points was that most suppliers irradiate their pine pollen. Ostensibly this is a great way to kill everything in the pollen, good and bad. The trouble with it is simple a matter of taste. That is we shy away from any extra radiation in our lives. This includes our diets. We were proud to offer, as far as we knew, the only non-irradiated pine pollen in the US market.
The only thing was that our microbiological tests were not ideal. While well within the range of the American Herbal Products Association and state and federal government regulations and standards, the microbiological tests were higher than we personally desired. This opinion of ours could of course be due to having been raised in a sanitize-everything culture. Seeing as we have never had an issue with our customers about this, us personally having taken the stuff for years, and being well within safety standards, it seemed a none issue at best.
If anyone is put off by this admittance, we must remember that we routinely eat insects in our vegetables that are not suppose to be there (yes vegans, even you) and the government has minimum standards as to how much animal parts can be in food products. Did you know a certain amount of pus is allowed in dairy milk? We also have had our tests up on the site for a couple years now so the info has always been provided for those that are really concerned about it.
That being said, this new supplier offered something no one else offered us before, using steam to clean the pollen. No irradiation, just good old fashion excited H2O molecules. As you can see here, our initial microbiological test come out way cleaner compared to the old stuff.
Why does it taste and smell different?
This is the most common question. Many people take issue with the new taste or smell. Personally, I feel it tastes and smells the same as what you would get if you collected the stuff in the wild. If you want to experiment and prove me wrong, next time the male catkins on your local pine trees are full of pollen (spring time), go shake one out into your hand and eat the pollen.
However, I do know some people feel our old pollen tasted and smelt more like a pine tree and this new stuff is more mild. Seeing how I and others feel the complete opposite, this might just be a matter of taste.
We all tend to get use to something and when it is changed, disagree with that change until enough time passes and we become use to it. There is a process of growing on you that must occur with somethings. Certainly, their has been a lot of music I really like now that I thought was nothing special when I first heard it.
Cloud and I initially did not want to change because the old taste of the pine pollen was a bit easier than most pine pollens in our experience and personally I thought the texture of the new a bit weird, think more grainy. Now that I have been taking it for awhile, I kind of like that it is this way.
The same thing happened with the the name for Lost Empire Herbs, It just didn’t feel right but I had been conditioned to Lost Empire Herbs, and to be honest, when we first choose that name, I was not in favor of it.
My point here is just to give it a chance. If you still can’t stand it after a couple weeks then maybe we did you wrong but understand that as we grow as a company and more people invest in our products, economies of scale mean sometimes we must balance offering better business services with the desires of the few. It is an unfortunate thing to have to face for us as we wish to be able to serve everyone to the best of our abilities but we must be realistic in understanding that we cannot make everyone a happy customer. The math is against us in that regard.
Finally, I should mention that seasonality, location, method of processing and storage of pine pollen means that taste, smell and feel of pine pollen will deviate slightly. Even one grove of trees on one side of a mountain may taste a bit different then another grove on the other side, assuming they are the same species.
This is really important to remember with all herbs as many people are use to the sameness of supermarket produce that is only achieved through globalized transportation and mass production of mono-cropped veggies and fruit.
This is completely different than it use to be with the many heirloom varieties of fruits and veggies that once existed from region to region. The exactness of industrialized plastic foods to be the exact same in taste and smell from one package to the next also cultivates an expectancy in us.
Will I get the same effects from the new Pine Pollen supplements?
A very important question. Yes, the same effects should be had as the old pine pollen we sold. The species is the same though androgen counts and nutritional quality will differ slightly based on the above discussed variables.
Our tinctures are different as well and smell like the forest. They should still have the same effect as before.
We do want to know what you all think about the new stuff, especially where it differs in effects with our old stuff, for better or for worse.
Please leave comments on the pine pollen sales page or sent us an email at [email protected]. We highly value your input which allows us to refine the business to become better at what we do!
Nutritional breakdown of our Pine Pollen?
We have been asked for a nutritional breakdown of our pine pollen many times over the years. Currently, all we have to offer is the Heavy Metals and Mineral Test Report.
Please understand that we are not some big company with many tens of employees, so the fact that we have not tested the nutritional content has more to due with our desire to make sure all our products were tested first for identification purposes (unfortunately, some suppliers are very sneaky bastards) and then to prove that they are safe to consume.
Many customers assume these tests are cheap; one guy even said a test should be $10 and therefore we had no excuse! I wish it were so! That is simply not the case, with a limited testing budget and so many products it will take some time to get nutritional testing for each. We are about to start that process though so that we can get a nutritional facts panel on our products. We are of course going to start the process with pine pollen.
Believe me when I say we want to know that stuff just as much as anyone! Everyone that works for the company takes these herbs so not knowing the carb content of Pine Pollen is just as annoying for us as it is for the customer.
Conclusions about our new supply of Pine Pollen Supplements
We really would appreciate any and all feedback of our new pine pollen. Most importantly, we would like to know if you get the same results as the old stuff or if you are new to pine pollen, what effects actually occur with you.
Questions still come in about not feeling the effects of the pine pollen (old and new), especially in relation to what some testimonials claim to feel. This is normal. From one person to the next pine pollen and other herbs will differ in the strength and efficacy of its effects.
Even I get a bit envious of some of those testimonials because I certainly don’t see the same results! For me personally, consuming pine pollen daily (about a heaping Tablespoon currently) helps me feel good and stay motivated (a sign of good T-levels), happy, with enduring energy. Not crazy amounts of energy, just the type of energy that doesn’t dissipate over the day.
Your effects might vary from mine. And just cause we don’t see effects, does not mean you are not supporting your health by consuming pine pollen at the cellular level. Course if you need to see to believe like many do, maybe you aren’t ready to explore an herbal option to a healthier lifestyle just yet.
For those that want undying health though, herbs can be amazing helpers and pine pollen is a simple way to get started.
If you are interested in purchasing some of the new stuff click here: Pine Pollen Powder and Pine Pollen Tincture.
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Michael Bane Richards says
Waiting for my first order to arrive of Pine Pollen POWDER Mega Dose package. Im a 73 year old sexually active male battling Hormone issues and age/ toxic environment PROSTATE problems such as sometime ED and ejaculation quality & quantity.
Looking forward to posting my findings after my FIRST MONTH… especially on ” MORNING WOOD” !!!
William says
My first time using pine pollen tincture. I have the new pollen tincture, energy up and well being is good. Waiting to see what else transpires only been using about 3 weeks. Taste @ smell is fine.
Zane Christopher says
Thanks for the input William! Keep it up!