Dragon Herbs

They sell what seems to be good quality stuff. It’s always fun going in there and looking at the huge impressive statues from Asia. Always a chill vibe with the staff. And they try their best to be helpful. The main issue I take with this place is the pricing. They charge arm and a leg prices. The Tibetan Magic tea (which is some of the best tasting stuff I’ve ever ingested — and leaves me feeling amazing), for example, costs $ 45 for a few pouches of concentrate. Each pouch makes up to 4 or 5 servings. Do the math on it… I wish they understood the importance of lowering the cost of medicine like this so that not just the top 5% can afford it regularly. Also wish they offered Jiaogulan tea (also known as gynostemma) without all the nasty tasting herbal extracts they pump into that «Spring Dragon» stuff. Less is sometimes more with this stuff. Final tip: the Golden Voice supplement they sell makes great tea… just break open the capsules into hot or cold water and stir. Give herbs a try if you haven’t already. Some of them have been game changers for me!

This place is a great stop for supplements that help with rejuvenation and energy from the inside out. Prior to going to Peru, a few years back, I came into this store to ask for advice regarding herbal supplements that would help with high altitude, since I didn’t want to take high altitude meds. They were very helpful and recommended Siberian Ginseng. When I went on the major hike in Peru, all my friends who were on the pills still felt nauseous and got big headaches. I was the only one who didn’t! Also, my energy was superb. My friends didn’t want to try the Siberian ginseng because they were pharmacists. Thanks to the knowledgeable folks at DH, I was sprinting on that hike. Also, I just stopped in a few days ago and this nice and helpful lady offered me this yummy tea with goji berries, it was so delicious and felt healthy too. I will definitely be back!

I love this place. I just finished my master degree in TCM and still come here often to get herbs because they are very high quality. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend it for tonic herbs!

I have some experience in alternative and holistic health care practices. My studies in Tai Chi and Yoga helps me understand that there are ancient and long held practices that exist beyond western medicine. What I appreciate most about Dragon Herbs is that Ron Teeguarden (founder of Dragon Herbs) Is one of the foremost herbalists in the country. He literally introduced tonic herbalism to America in the early 70’s. Also he personally goes all over the world searching out and vetting the farms to bring only the highest quality herbs under his brand.
But what do you do when you walk in the store? How do you know what you need or want? Well as it turns out, the people there aren’t sales people who just ring up your purchase. They have trained with Ron and are licensed Herbalists and acupuncturists. that means most of them had a minimum of four years of Chinese medicine school and passed the state bar. So you can get very learned advice from the good people behind the counter.
You won’t find a better selection and quality of herbs, tonics, tinctures, or teas with the knowledge of whats best for you under one roof anywhere!
That reminds me, my tea is ready.

I thought Dragon Herbs in Santa Monica was a really cool shop. I did not necessarily «find» what I was looking for, but they certainly have a super selection of herbs, teas, medicinals, and so many other things.
No, I was not looking for Tiger Penis (strong like wood!), though I got a feeling Dragon Herbs actually carried that in stock. I was actually looking for bulk loose leaf teas in the family of green organics or a brick of some type. Alas they only had bagged teas, but they still had a huge selection, and I was very pleased with the customer service.
I used Unilocal to find the store, and it was super easy to get to from downtown Promenade area. The customer service was quick and helpful. The prices seemed pretty good. The selection was vast throughout the interesting shop.
Solid 4 stars!

I love this place!!! I’ve been taking formulas from DH for over 5 years. Sure, they’re a little bit more expensive than the generic patents from China, but Ron has vetted the sources in China, meets with farmers, and his in-​laws helped source the factories in China. I don’t know of another herb company that can guarantee the quality of their herbs like this, and trace the route from farm to store. Plus, all of the senior herbalists are trained, licensed acupuncturists. You won’t find this knowledge at other retail or grocery stores…
And for what it’s worth, herbs are supplements, and in CA they are taxable, despite the review below…

They have one of the best collections of teas anywhere. The Ron Teeguarden Spring Dragon Longevity Tea is the best tea I have ever had! It’s a bit pricey, but this is Santa Monica.

I want to post some info I found after a reviewer here stated some unfavorable things and suggested we research. I did so and found this:
The wood that Reishi grows on naturally in the mountains is known as Duanmu (or Duanwood™), meaning «authentic or preferred wood.»
I messaged him with this but don’t know if he will amend his unfair (IMO) review, so that’s why I’m posting. I also told him (after also researching and reading about) the violations DH was warned about are very common, as the FDA does not like claims, regardless of evidence.
I have gone to RT (and DH since it opened) on and off for 20+ years and have experienced incredible success for a wide range of things (hypothyroid, chronic intestinal distress, fatigue, pinching knees,…) and have found Ron and his staff very knowledgeable and helpful. Some of the staff I prefer more than others, but that’s true anywhere.

Fantastic free consultation with very well-​informed practitioner, actually a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist who helped us.
The remedies that this practitioner recommended were amazing and accurate and how much they helped me and another person I was with.
I highly recommend Dragon Herbs.

I love this place! I most recently went in a couple of days ago due to my seasonal allergies. I wanted an alternative to my prescription meds that make me drowsy (I had a 10 mile hike and a beach day planned, no time for being subpar!!) As always the staff was knowledgeable and understanding of my needs. They have so many great products. I was fine within half a day, the stuff is that effective! I go there for many other needs as well… its not just for when you have a problem, but they will help cure you in a natural, effective, non-​toxic way. I have never had any problems with the staff, nor have I ever thought they were being unfair in prices or practices. If anything they are patient and consult you until you find exactly what you are seeking. I love going to browse and try new things. They care when it comes to your healthy and vitality!

All of their supplements work effectively – first class in every sense of the word!

My first time there, and had a very pleasurable experience. Good friendly service from both the customers and the staff on hand. A little pricey, but anything in Santa Monica is going to be overpriced. I’d go back and recommend any naturalists to check the place out for sure.
*-only negative for the prices, other than that it was great. (would you rather pay a doctor or pay the farmer, one way you’re going to pay and I choose the farmer to keep my butt out the hospital!)

I’m the dummy who just bought an «acupressure ring» from Dragon Herbs for $ 14.95 when they sell on ebay for less than a dollar each. No kidding, you can get 10 of them for 8 dollars on ebay!
Another annoyance is that none of the packages have prices on them, you have to ask the shop folks.

5 stars for the Goji berries! As for the rest of the store, the herbs, tea and other goods seem priced moderate to high.
I haven’t received any advice from their staff on products because of some of the other Unilocaler experiences already posted here. I prefer to just stop by for the Goji berries which are the best I’ve ever had — sweet, plump and slightly tart — I eat them as is or make teas, Asian style desserts or soups.
Also, I’m a firm believer in having someone diagnose me using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques such as reading the tongue, face and taking my pulse, not just listening to symptoms.

I have been going to Dragon Herbs for more than five years now for only one reason. Their Tonic Alchemy product is the best whole foods supplement that I have found and has absolutely changed my health. Implementing this product into my daily routine has strengthened my immune system and given my body great balance– I rarely get sick at all when taking it. I have tried a number of other products (e.g., herbs, teas, etc.) at this store but have not been impressed by anything else. Tonic Alchemy, however, is one of my favorite products anywhere.

Quite possibly the worst bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. I’ve seen herbalists before for various conditions, and when I walked into this store, I was not even considering the type of weird crap I was about to experience. The lady, Susan, was extremely dramatic about all of my health conditions, rolling her eyes and expressing too much horror as to how I was being treated already. She was very good at telling me what I should be doing, but not so good on giving me any direction. I left there embarrassed and very upset. I felt hopeful when I walked in there, and I left feeling scared, defeated and super alone. I purchased an overpriced bottle of herbs, but I still don’t even know what they do. I can safely say that I will be bringing my business elsewhere.

This is one of the coolest places I’ve been. You know where alot of natural supplement places can be suspect as far as the product and the staff…
Ron Teeguarden really knows his stuff. He’s been studying supplements and «super foods» since before I was even born. And the shop itself seems to have this aura of tranquility, which can be quite a shock to the system walking in off Wilshire Blvd.
Check out the Gobi berries! They are deluxe!

I have a fairly strong immune system, I haven’t been truly sick since 2009, when I got the full-​blown swine flu. However, after working a long week at CES in Las Vegas surrounded by thousands of people for days, I successfully managed to catch something fierce.
I tried my usual regimen of juicing, soup and popping zinc; but this bug was clearly stronger than I could manage alone.
My dear friend, Ariane referred me to Dragon Herbs. She too has a VERY holistic approach to health, and after catching an awful bug herself, turned to them and said she was cleared up in a matter of days.
I decided to visit their Robertson location and see what the hubbub was all about.
Very well put together place. I did have to wait for some time as the clerk was chatting someone up, but once I had her attention, she was thorough. She felt my lymph nodes and checked my throat. She said I had an acute strep throat and suggested a lung blend and a blend to combat the soreness in my throat. I’ve been binging on the combination, taking a handful of capsules every six hours. It’s been three or four days now, and I’m starting to clear up. No more aches, I can breathe and I’ve got a runny nose and am coughing up the nasties (TMI, but it’s a good sign).
I paid about $ 50 for the two blends and a nice syrup to coat my throat that’s yummy and mentholated.
The only reason I say four stars is I know had I gone to a traditional hole-​in-​the-​wall Chinese herbalist, it would be a fraction of the price.
Regardless, definitely worth checking out!

These herbs may be great for some people, though not so much for me after I put $ 200 in to purchasing all the consultant’s recommended capsules. Call me impatient or just too plain sick for this program work, but I think if these products had any benefit I would notice at least a slight improvement in 2 weeks. I do not believe it should take 100 days or years before any changes result.
These tiny little capsules are on the expensive side when you compare other bulk herbs dispensed by a Chinese medicine doctor.
Be careful not to put too much faith in an over the phone consultation by someone who is not a medical professional… I was a little put off when the advice given to a severely hypothyroid patient was to exercise more and consider buying their appetite suppressant. Many hypothyroid patients are exhausted and overweight because nutrients are not entering their cells efficiently (selectively entering fat cells!). Hunger is not a result of faulty messages to my brain — it is starvation of cells in the body! Muscle weakness and hypoglycemia resulting from starvation does not equate to laziness! (I am referring to type 2 hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone resistance.)
My current plan is to finish what I have left from dragon herbs and begin a mineral balancing program/​detox as outlined by Dr. Thompson and results of my hair analysis (my hair analysis lab shows calcium excess among other things) and get my thyroid addressed again. I’ll continue Chinese herbs where I can find a lower price possibly from my OMD.

Love this place!!! They have the BEST employees. They are so nice and seem very in tune with the energy of the universe. (Yes, I did just say that. Sorry if you don’t know what I mean… you need enlightenment. HAHAH) They know SO much about herbs and natural medicine I could talk to them for hours.
I love the longevity tea. I have also bought a seaweed supplement for my hair and nails. Dried goji berries are amazing and I am saving the best for last… drum roll…
Tonic Alchemy: My husband and I call it «green drink.» I feel so good when I am taking it! It’s green powder you mix into water which has a bunch of healthy stuff in it. Since I don’t know enough to explain it correctly I have copied the description off their website for you.
«Tonic Alchemy is a remarkable, cutting edge blend of superfoods from all around the world — from the deepest oceans to the world’s highest mountains. Ingredients come from almost every continent and every type of environment on earth. These superfoods are so nutrient dense that just a tablespoon a day of Tonic Alchemy blended with a liquid will provide more nutrition than most Americans assimilate in an entire day.»
This place is truly amazing and I can’t say enough good things if you are in the market for the best herbs and natural health remedies. (Also, I like to visit the cupcake place near bye and Sur la Tab is next door. ;)