Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping Policy
Please note that we do not ship daily. Orders ship within two weeks of purchase (typically sooner!). You will receive an email confirmation with tracking information once your order is scanned at the post office.
As many of you know, USPS has not been great about honoring claims, so we now offer package protection through a third-party service called Guide Package Protection. Guide honors every legitimate claim, every time. If a package is lost, stolen, or damaged please go to cedarhillhomesteadtn.com/claim and enter your order information.
Refund & Return Policy
We do not accept returns or issue refunds unless an item is defective or an error was made on our part. If you believe your item arrived damaged or incorrect due to our mistake, please email us at info@cedarhillhomesteadtn.com within 14 days of delivery. Be sure to include your order number and a clear photo of the issue.
For all orders that are lost, stolen, or damaged, please see section “shipping policy” on how to file a claim. We strongly encourage customers to opt into Guide Package Protection at checkout (typically under $2). Guide provides full coverage and an easy claims process in the event of shipping issues.
If you did not purchase Guide Protection, please note that USPS Priority Mail only includes $50 of insurance coverage. In this case, you may file a claim directly with USPS by visiting www.usps.com/help/claims and entering your tracking number. USPS requires photos of both the damaged packaging and the shipping label to process a claim.
Thank you for understanding and for supporting our small business!
Do you ship internationally?
We are happy to ship to most countries. If your country is not listed at checkout, please send us an email, and we'll see what we can do for you! Email us at: info@cedarhillhomesteadtn.com. Please know that you may be assessed additional taxes and duties when your shipment clears customs.
Can you combine my orders?
Due to the nature of small-batch releases, we completely understand why you might place multiple orders in one release. We appreciate your purchases so much, but we simply cannot offer combined shipping to everyone. Our software is just not set up for it, and relying on human memory with an influx of orders is simply not realistic. We are occasionally able to combine orders and will always refund shipping overages if we do. We ask that you do not expect or request it. By placing more than one order, you agree to receive more than one shipment.
What if a product I want sells out?
Each product listing has an option to enter your email for restock notifications. All annual products are restocked regularly. Our four seasonal releases are made in small batches, with an emphasis on highlighting the beauty of hand-harvested, seasonal products. We are committed to sourcing ethically and for that reason, we will not always be able to meet the demand for our seasonal offerings. We restock products when we are abl, so we really encourage you to sign up for the notification if there’s something you were hoping to score but didn’t.
Herbal Products
What is a tincture? Glycerite? Oxymel? Syrup? Elixir?
All of the above are methods of extraction with different ingredients that serve as a method of delivering herbal constituents to your body.
Tinctures are extracted into organic cane alcohol and filtered spring water.
Glycerites are extracted into organic vegetable glycerin and filtered spring water. This makes them alcohol free.
Syrups are water extractions that have been decocted using heat and honey.
Elixirs are typically a mixture of two or more methods. Our elixirs consist of part syrup and part tincture. This means they have water-soluble, alcohol-soluble, and heat-soluble properties. They are sweetened with honey.
Oxymels are extracted into honey and raw apple cider vinegar.
Do you use essential oils in your products?
While we do not advocate for the mass use of essential oils, we occasionally use them in small, controlled amounts. The main thing we want folks to understand is that essential oils are incredibly strong and potentially harmful if not used properly. They are also incredibly wasteful and are not always necessary.
There is a misguided belief that essential oils offer the same properties as teas, tinctures, and infused oils. This is completely false.
Essential oils only include one part of a plant: the fragrant, volatile oils. That's it. And that is why we view them as wasteful. It takes gallons of fresh plant matter to make under 10ml of essential oils and in the end, a plant’s waters (hydrosols) and the plant matter are typically discarded. So much of value is lost in the process.
As plant stewards, we have invested years of our time into learning and experimenting with old world perfumery methods that are less harmful. In our natural perfumes and scented products, we are capturing scents with methods like oleoresins, enfleurage, absolutes, and hydrosols. We use essential oils in only about 5% of our products and only when these other methods have not produced the result we desired.
Why use herbal products?
Herbal remedies have been around for as long as plants. In every part of the world, archaeologists have found evidence of ancient herbal practices. Plants evolve as humans do. There is a reason these beautiful, sentient beings who once stood strong in clean air with a strong ozone layer and no threat of over-harvesting are still able to survive in the cracks of today's world. Their resilience can help us be resilient too. Plants also evolve with each season, just like our bodies. This is why we strongly stand behind seasonal remedies. We believe that what you need is already out there waiting for you. It’s no accident that modern medicine (and even cleaning products) are made using natural components within plants that have been replicated in labs.
How much should I use?
Dosage is a highly personal part of taking herbal remedies.How much is needed depends on the person using it and how they're using it, which product they are using, and what they are using it for. Each of our products have recommended dosages, but we highly encourage some independent research and intuition. You can often look up the herbs in a formula to find more about dosage per weight and use. You can also typically determine intuitively based on your desired outcome. Some folks will be simply trying to nourish and maintain a particular body system, while others may be actively fighting infection. It is always best to consult with any of your own practitioners before trying a new herbal remedy.
How soon should I expect results?
This question will of course depend on which product you are using, your desired outcome, and your individual individual health situation. This makes broad questions like this pretty difficult to answer accurately.
Here is an example: if you are experiencing anxiety and you take our Comfort formula, you are likely hoping for quick results. If you are experiencing digestive issues and you take our Stomach Mend formula, you are likely seeking repair and restoration to your GI tract, which takes time and consistent use. Another important thing to ask yourself is this: do I want to just feel better today or do I want to feel better tomorrow, too? Herbs work by nourishing systems of the body. We do our best to include some general indicators in each product description, but we also encourage independent research.
What is the shelf life for herbal products?
The shelf life of our products depends mostly on their menstruum. For example, all tinctures extracted into organic cane alcohol will have a much longer shelf life than any food products or oil-based products. Here are some general guidelines:
TINCTURES: Up to three years, but for maximum potency we suggest tossing after one year.
GLYCERITES: One year.
BODY OILS & SERUMS: Most of our oils are incredibly high in fat which makes them more shelf stable, but we recommend tossing any and all oils (including your cooking oils) after one year for maximum potency.
SALVES: Due to the beeswax in salves, they can last up to two years depending on use. We really suggest only buying what you'll go through in a year.
TEAS: Dried herbs can last a couple years, but for maximum potency use within one year.
OXYMELS & VINEGARS: Vinegar and honey both have some antimicrobial and bacterial constituents, making them wonderful preservatives. Exposure to oxygen will cause them to expire sooner. If you cannot use within six months to one year, we suggest putting these products in the refrigerator.
SYRUPS: Most of our syrups contain honey and a bit of citric acid which helps to preserve the constituents. Even so, sugar and water is a breeding ground for fermentation and alcohol. To be on the safe side, we recommend refrigerating our syrups. If your syrups begin to carbonate and ferment, simply heat them gently on the stove to kill the wild yeast and de-carbonate them.
How do I find drug interactions?
This is an important one. If you are on any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, we suggest looking up interactions with the herbs you wish to use. If you are working with a health practitioner, you may consult with them. If you are not, please do your research online or by reading the herb and drug interaction book. Without working with folks one-on-one, herbalists are not legally allowed to answer personalized questions.
Are your products safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
This is an important one. If you are on any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, we suggest looking up interactions with the herbs you wish to use. If you are working with a health practitioner, you may consult with them. If you are not, please do your research online or by reading the herb and drug interaction book. Without working with folks one-on-one, herbalists are not legally allowed to answer personalized questions.
Releases & Offerings
What are seasonal releases?
We offer four seasonal releases a year. These include products to support your body through each appropriate season. These will also be more limited, small-batch items made from ingredients we may not be able to source fresh year-round.
Exact time and date of each release is usually announced 2-4 weeks beforehand. The best way to stay up-to-date with this information is to sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and support us on Circle. Patreon subscribers receive early access to the shop.
Products sell out quickly, especially seasonal products, so we usually keep the shop open 3-7 days depending on inventory.
What is the difference between seasonal and annual offerings?
Annual Offerings are products that we restock year-round. These are items you can expect to see in every release.
Seasonal Offerings are season-exclusive products that are only available until they sell out, or until that season next year.
Do you offer vegan or gluten-free products?
All of our products are gluten free. Any of our products that do not contain tallow, honey, or beeswax are naturally vegan.
I’m allergic to something. Do you offer custom formulas?
We can occasionally offer custom formulas for folks with allergies. Send us an email to info@cedarhillhomesteadtn.com, and let us know exactly which item you want and the ingredient that needs to be left out.
Do you offer consultations?
We do! Please see our consultation page for more info.
I want to learn from you, but I’m not local. What can I do?
We have a Circle membership, which serves as an archive of our past classes and educational videos This is a great resource for anyone interested in building their home apothecary, seasonal wellness advice, blending their own teas and tinctures, insights on herbal chemistry and solubility, and tips on oil infusing, salve making, and more. Find out more here
How do I become a retailer/wholesaler?
Thanks for your interest in offering our products to your customers! You can access our wholesale pricing through Faire. Please use our direct link to place your order.