Ann Armbrecht

Ann Armbrecht is an American anthropologist, writer, and filmmaker whose work explores the relationship between people, plants, and the global supply chains that connect them. She is the director of the American Botanical Council's Sustainable Herbs Program. The Business of Botanicals examines the booming herbal products industry — from the fields where medicinal plants are grown and harvested to the shelves of health food shops — and asks important questions about quality, sustainability, and the human stories behind the products we consume. The book was praised for its thoroughness, its honesty, and its ability to make a complex global supply chain understandable and relevant. Armbrecht's anthropological perspective gives her writing a depth and humanity that goes beyond simple consumer guidance. She traces the journey of herbs from soil to supplement, revealing the challenges faced by farmers, the environmental impact of the industry, and the importance of ethical sourcing. The Business of Botanicals is available as an audiobook alongside the print edition, giving listeners a thought-provoking and informative way to understand what's really in the herbal products they buy.