Editorial: A Letter From the Founder

By: Drake Sadler

It was the early 1970s, a time of transformation and renewal in the United
States. The back-to-the-land movement was taking root, as small but passionate
groups sought a simpler, more natural way of living. A generation of young people began to question the status quo, opening the door to new perspectives and deeper connections to the natural world. From this fertile ground emerged movements, businesses, and organizations focused on social and environmental change. Traditional Medicinals was one of them.

When Rosemary Gladstar and I co-founded Traditional Medicinals® in 1974, we quickly realized we were not the true founders—this unique social enterprise had found us. Rosemary, a multigenerational herbalist, and I, a community activist, were simply the stewards of a mission much larger than ourselves. From the very beginning, we believed in placing people at the heart of everything we did, and the principle of "right livelihood"—conducting business in a way that honors and supports others—became our guiding light.

Fifty years later, people remain at the core of our work. Whether it’s the farmers and wild collectors of our herbs across the globe, our dedicated team members, or the individuals who turn to our products for wellness, every action we take is deeply connected to the lives we touch. Our commitment to right livelihood continues to shape us, guiding our decisions and fueling our passion for doing good in the world.

Today, as we face complex social and environmental challenges, we remain steadfast in our values. We don’t have all the answers, but we are dedicated to finding meaningful solutions and telling the stories of our journey. This print edition is a celebration of those stories—of our beliefs, our behaviors, and the commitments that define us.

Thank you for being part of our community.

We’re excited to embark on the next chapter of our story together.

With gratitude,

Drake Sadler
Co-Founder, Chair of the Board of Directors