Gaia Herbs, a North-Carolina-based natural herbal products brand, has increased production and is using its alcohol-based operations to manufacture CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-approved hand sanitizer in response to the COVID-19 situation. The sanitizer will be donated to local community first responders including health care workers, farm workers, government officials and other essential employees.
The first batch of donations will comprise a total of 217 one-gallon bottles and 3,000 2-oz. bottles. Donation deliveries were recently made to the following organizations: Transylvania County Public Safety, SAFE, Inc. of Transylvania County, Sharing House Transylvania Christian Ministry, Safelight Hendersonville, and Pardee Hospital Hendersonville, all of which are located in North Carolina. Additional hand sanitizer donations will be made over the next few weeks to other area organizations. 
Designated as an essential business in North Carolina, Gaia Herbs recently shifted many aspects of its operations in order to best support the changing needs of its customers, employees and community.
“These are unprecedented times, and it’s more important than ever for businesses to support their local communities,” said Angela McElwee, president and CEO of Gaia Herbs. “Gaia Herbs has a long history of working with food-grade alcohol as part of our herbal extraction process, so when the critical need for and shortage of hand sanitizer became clear, it was an easy decision to create a product that meets all CDC requirements. We are donating our entire first production run to help protect those who are helping others, as we appreciate and recognize their hard work and dedication to selflessly serving our community.”
Gaia Herbs produced a one-gallon, peppermint antiseptic hand rub and a 2 oz., peppermint hand sanitizer spray. Both products help reduce bacteria, are for use when soap and water are not available, and contain alcohol antiseptic of 80 percent, meeting all CDC requirements.
While this initial batch of herbal sanitizers was produced solely for donation purposes, Gaia Herbs will also be producing a CDC-approved lemon herbal hand sanitizer to sell. The lemon herbal hand sanitizer will utilize organic ingredients and is expected to be available on the company’s website in early July.
For more information, visit www.gaiaherbs.com.
