🌿 Frequently Asked Questions
At Alberta Wildcraft, we get a lot of great questions about our wildcrafted products—how to use them, how we make them, and what makes them special.
We’re a small, family-run business rooted in tradition and respect for the land, and we believe good things should be shared with transparency and care.
Here are some of the most common questions we get—answered simply and honestly, just like everything we do.
🌲 Pine Gum
What is pine gum made from?
Our gum is crafted with wild-harvested pine and spruce resins, blended with local beeswax for a smoother chew.
How is your gum different from pure spruce gum?
We blend pine resin, spruce resin, and beeswax for better flavor, chewability, and a more enjoyable chewing experience.
Pure spruce gum can be very dry and brittle — it often shatters into a sandy texture when you bite it, and can take a long time (and a lot of effort) to form into actual gum. Some people can't get it to form at all.
Our Pine Gum is crafted to be different:
It softens naturally with minimal effort.
It’s easier on the inside of the mouth compared to pure spruce gum, which can be harsh and tough on tender tissues.
Every person can enjoy a long-lasting, natural chew — without the struggle.
We created this blend to offer a smooth, pleasant, truly wild chewing experience — the way nature intended!
Is your gum sweetened or flavored?
Nope! It’s 100% natural with no added sweeteners or flavors—just the pure wild taste of the boreal forest.
How many pieces come in a tin?
Each 35g tin contains 30+ hand-cut pieces.
How long does a piece last when chewing?
Natural gum is different from commercial chewing gum.
It can be chewed for several hours—or even up to 3 days if you wish! You'll notice the gum eventually feels smaller or too tough to chew.
That's when you’ll know it's time to move on to a fresh piece.
Is pine gum safe for kids?
Yes, but we recommend it for children old enough to chew safely under supervision.
How should I store my gum?
Keep your tin closed and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
🍃 Herbal Teas - Loose Leaf Botanicals
Are your herbal teas wild-harvested?
Yes! We carefully hand-harvest a variety of local plants, including birch bark, rose hips, pine, spruce, cedar, and many more.
How do I brew your loose-leaf herbal teas?
Use 1–2 teaspoons of loose-leaf herbs per cup of hot water. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain and enjoy.
Longer steeping can bring out deeper medicinal properties.
Do you add flavors or artificial ingredients to your tea blends?
Never. Our teas are pure, traditional herbs with nothing added.
What’s the shelf life of your teas?
For best flavor and potency, we recommend using them within 12 months.
🌲 Coniferous Teas - Pine, Spruce, Cedar Blends
How do I brew coniferous tree teas properly?
Coniferous teas need a longer simmer to extract their full benefits:
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Bring a pot of water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon of tea blend per cup of water).
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Once boiling, add your desired amount of tea blend to the pot.
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Immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible simmer.
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Allow the tea to simmer and steep for about 1 hour.
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After steeping, remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer.
You can enjoy coniferous tea hot—or let it cool and add ice for a refreshing cold summer drink!
🌿 Balms and Salves
What ingredients are used in your balms?
Our balms are made from wild-harvested spruce resin, local beeswax, and high-quality oils like extra virgin olive oil.
Are your balms safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, though we suggest testing a small patch if you have very sensitive skin or allergies.
Why does my balm look different the the ones in the photos?
Each batch is made small and by hand. Sometimes the batches can look different due to various factors including the types of saps or infusions times. Also it can change due to environmental factors.
🌳 Raw Saps and Resins
What are raw saps and resins used for?
They can be used for making salves, chewing, incense, natural remedies, and traditional crafting.
How should I store raw resin?
Store raw resins in a cool, dry place in an airtight container—properly stored resin can last for years.
Can I chew the raw resin directly?
Yes! Be mindful that it can be sticky at first and hardens into a strong natural chew.
Do raw saps take longer to ship?
Yes. Because raw saps are made fresh in small batches, they may take up to 5 days to process before shipping.
📦 Shipping, Returns, and Orders
Do you ship outside of Canada?
Yes! We ship worldwide.
Is tracking included with orders?
Yes, we provide tracking with every single order to ensure continuity and peace of mind.
How fast do you ship orders?
We process and ship orders daily (Monday through Friday), but please allow 1–3 business days for us to prepare your order.
Raw sap orders may require up to 5 days to process, depending on availability.
Do you ship on weekends or holidays?
No, we do not ship on weekends or statutory holidays.
What if I need an order rushed?
If you need your order sent out sooner, feel free to reach out to us! We’ll do our best to accommodate when possible.
Why might there be occasional delays?
We’re a busy household with six homeschooled kids and a family-run business.
While we strive for fast service, occasional delays can happen—because, well... life!
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Do you offer returns or exchanges?
Because of the nature of our handcrafted, wild-harvested products, we do not offer standard returns or refunds once an order has been shipped.
However, we stand behind our work and will always do our best to make things right.
If your order arrives damaged, lost, or if there is a problem with your item, please contact us within 7 days of delivery. We are happy to offer a replacement or store credit at our discretion.
Please Note:
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Due to the nature of our products, variations in color, texture, or natural appearance are normal and part of the wildcrafted experience.
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We cannot offer refunds for preferences related to taste, appearance, or natural variation.
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Shipping delays or issues caused by the carrier are beyond our control, but we will always work with you to find a solution if a package is lost or significantly delayed.
In short:
We’re real people. We craft real things. If something goes wrong, talk to us — we’ll do our best to make it right.Our family cares deeply about every item we send out. Your happiness matters to us. We just ask that you understand that nature isn’t always perfectly uniform — and that’s part of the beauty."
🌟 Our Values and Brand Commitment
Why are your gums priced lower than others?
Because forest medicine should be accessible, not exclusive.
We refuse to charge $2 per piece of gum—nature’s gifts are meant to be shared, not priced like luxury goods.
How do you ensure sustainable harvesting?
We harvest responsibly from healthy forests, only taking a small portion to protect the ecosystems we depend on.
Who makes your products?
Everything is hand-harvested, hand-crafted, and carefully packaged by our family—Ron and Maria.
Do you use mass-production methods?
No way! Every product is made in small batches, with care, respect, and connection to the land.
How can I learn more about wild plants?
Check out our blog! We share field guides, wild food recipes, herbal medicine insights, and personal stories from the forests of Alberta.