THE HEART OF ZHIVANA
Zhivana Organics is a small business in New York, a the story of two Ukrainian families, best friends, and all of us deserve to have more natural alternatives to care for health of our families – herbal medicine that our ancestors used for thousands of years.
We grew up in Ukraine, where herbs were a natural part of everyday life. Long before we knew the names of their active compounds or read scientific studies about them, we knew which plants our families reached for when someone had a cold, couldn't sleep, had an upset stomach, or simply needed a little extra care. This knowledge was passed down quietly, from one generation to the next.
Years later, after building our lives in the United States, we found that the world is living a renessanse of the times old traditions and herbal meidicne is experiencing it big come back. Zhivana was born from a desire to keep this tradition alive and make high-quality medicinal herbs easier to find, and more importanty – easier to understand and help people get comfortable using them.
Our hope is to help people rediscover the knowledge that once lived naturally in every family: how to recognize plants, prepare them, and make herbal wellness a simple part of everyday life. We believe people should have access not only to good herbs, but also to the knowledge and confidence to use them. That is the heart of Zhivana.
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
Nature Is Already Complete.
We trust that the body and the natural world are meant to work in harmony. Healing does not need to be aggressive — it can be soft, patient, and supportive.
Herbs Follow Their Own Timing.
When a plant is picked too soon or too late, its strength fades. Each harvest happens at the moment the plant is naturally ready — a tradition passed down through generations.
Clean Origins Create Stronger Herbs.
Our herbs are hand-picked from pristine areas of Ukraine, close to the western border of the country, far from active war zones. No chemicals. No additives. Nothing unnecessary — only pure botanicals.
Care Over Quantity.
We work in small volumes so every herb can be handled with attention and respect. Hand-selection and gentle drying help preserve the plant’s color, fragrance, and natural character — something large factories simply cannot replicate.
People Matter As Much As Plants.
Our work supports local families who understand herbs not as raw materials, but as lifelong companions.
- Everything is organic.
- Ethical.
- Slow.
- Certified.
- Small-batch.
MEET THE FAMILIES
The business is run by two families who are also best friends. We all come from very different professional backgrounds — law, advertising, finance, and TV production — yet we share one important thing in common: we grew up in families where herbs were the first and most natural solution for everyday health needs. This shared experience, along with our passion for living a more natural life, continues to fuel our love for this business.
Today, each of us is fully involved in the process — from speaking with our customers daily, to developing new blends for the upcoming season, to hand-filling bags with berries at the warehouse. Our older kids help package the teas into cartons, while younger kids contribute by placing LOT numbers on the packaging before we fill them with herbs. It is truly a family effort.
FROM WILD FIELD TO BAG
The herbs we offer are hand-picked in wild, pristine regions of Ukraine along the banks of the Dniester and Dnieper rivers, closer to the western border of the country and far from active war areas. We harvest in small batches at the peak of each plant’s medicinal value.
After harvesting, the herbs are brought to our facility where they are carefully cleaned, gently dried in temperature-controlled rooms, cut, and packaged with care. Every batch goes through quality testing in a third-party ISO-certified lab to ensure safety and purity.
GROWING TOGETHER
Each part of the world has its own unique and powerful herbs to support wellness goals. After receiving numerous requests from our customers for herbs that are not native to Ukraine, we began partnering with small farmers in Southern Europe and Northern Africa — regions long known for their rich herbal traditions.
Alongside our Ukrainian herbs, we are proud to offer certified organic plants from other parts of the world. This allows you to access a wider variety of medicinal herbs and create blends that truly support your personal wellness journey.
ASK A HERBALIST
When you ask — we listen. We truly appreciate our customers reaching out with questions about our products. Sometimes the questions go beyond our personal expertise, and we believe it is important to provide reliable guidance.
That's why we invited Jo Anne Richards, a certified clinical herbalist with over 25 years of experience, to share her knowledge with our community.
If there is ever something you would like to ask a practicing herbalist, we are happy to help make that connection. Simply send us your question, and we will make sure you receive a thoughtful answer.
WHY YOUR PURCHASE MATTERS
Most of our herbs become available to you because of our deep passion for what we do, the abundance of Ukrainian nature, and the dedication of our workers who continue their work despite the challenges of war.
We cannot express enough how grateful we are for every purchase. It not only supports our small business but also helps support the families of our dedicated Ukrainian team members, whose courage and resilience inspire us every day.