Flora Health Flor-Essence herbal detox tea with fresh berries and lemon on kitchen counter

Flora Health: How We Use Flora Products for Gut Health, Wellness & Everyday Nutrition

For the past decade, Flora Health products have been part of our daily wellness routine. From the Udo’s Oil we drizzle on salads to the Flor-Essence we brew for seasonal cleanses to the manuka honey we reach for in everything from face masks to hot toddies, these plant-based supplements and oils have earned their place in our kitchen and our content.

Full transparency: We have collaborated with Flora Health for over 10 years as content creators and product testers. At Better Living, we produce brand photography, develop recipes, and review Flora supplements throughout the development process, which gives us deep insight into their formulations, sourcing, and quality standards. We are not Flora affiliates and we feature these products in our content because we genuinely use them daily and believe in their plant-based, sustainable approach to wellness. When we link to Amazon or other retailers for your convenience, we may use affiliate codes for those platforms, but our Flora recommendations are based purely on hands-on experience.

You will find Flora products woven throughout Better Living because we start with health topics first, not products. When we write about gut health, iron deficiency, essential fatty acids, or the real benefits of manuka honey, Flora comes up naturally because we have tested these solutions in real-world scenarios: travel wellness routines, postpartum iron recovery, seasonal cleanse protocols, everyday cooking, and daily skincare. We also emphasize foundational practices and mention alternatives when relevant. Flora is one tool in a comprehensive wellness approach, not the only answer.

This page organizes a decade of Flora experience by wellness focus, so you can find exactly what you need: whether that is a recipe using Udo’s Oil, a deep dive on Flor-Essence benefits, guidance on plant-based iron supplementation, or everything we know about Flora manuka honey from buying guide to beauty mask.

🌿 Gut Health

Detox, digestion & cleansing

💪 Iron & Nutrients

Energy, ferritin & minerals

🥗 Healthy Oils

Omega-3-6-9 & EFAs

🧘 Stress Relief

Adaptogens & ashwagandha

🍓 Recipes

Smoothies, salads & more

🛡️ Immune Support

Elderberry & seasonal wellness

🍯 Manuka Honey

Benefits, recipes, beauty & buying guide

What Is Flora Health?

Flora Health is a family-owned nutraceutical manufacturer with roots stretching back to Germany in the early 1900s, when Dr. Otto Greither dedicated his life to natural health care. Today, the company is run by Thomas Greither, the third generation of a family committed to premium-quality botanical supplements, unrefined seed oils, herbal tonics, and manuka honey.

Flora operates manufacturing facilities in Burnaby, British Columbia, and Lynden, Washington, where they control every stage of production: from selecting and lab-testing raw materials to herb extraction, encapsulation, and final packaging. Unlike many supplement brands that outsource manufacturing to co-packers, Flora produces most of its carefully developed products in-house. You can read more about their company history and commitment to quality on their website.

What Flora Health is Known For:

  • Flor-Essence — Their flagship herbal detox formula, distributed since 1992, revered for supporting the body’s natural cleansing processes
  • Udo’s Choice — A foundational line including Udo’s Oil (a cold-pressed essential fatty acid blend), age-specific probiotics, and vegetarian DHA
  • Ferritin+ — A breakthrough plant-based iron supplement with clinically proven bioavailability and no constipation side effects
  • Manuka Honey — UMF-certified manuka honey from New Zealand, used across our recipe and beauty collection for its potent MGO-driven antibacterial properties
  • Organic, cold-pressed oils — Flora pioneered the production of truly cold-pressed, unrefined oils that preserve essential fatty acids and enzymes
  • Sustainable practices — From eco-friendly packaging to growing organic herbs on their own farmland, Flora prioritizes environmental responsibility

Flora’s products align with a simple philosophy: use plant-based, organic, non-GMO ingredients to create supplements that support the body naturally, without fillers, artificial additives, or shortcuts.

Why We Chose Flora Over Other Brands

When we started exploring natural supplements a decade ago, we tested products from Garden of Life, Nordic Naturals, Nature’s Way, and others. Flora stood out for three reasons: their in-house manufacturing (most brands outsource to co-packers, which can compromise quality control), their commitment to cold-pressed oils (many omega supplements are heat-processed and arrive rancid), and their transparency around sourcing (every batch is tested, and they publish certificates of analysis). It is not the cheapest brand, but for us, the quality and integrity justify the investment. Working directly with their team over the years has only reinforced this trust.

How We Actually Use Flora Health Products

Flora Health essential products on Better Living: Flor-Essence herbal detox tea for gentle cleansing, Udo's Choice Oil 3-6-9 organic omega blend for daily nutrition, and Ferritin+ delayed-release plant-based iron supplement for energy without constipation
Three cornerstone Flora Health products featured throughout Better Living: Flor-Essence herbal detox, Udo’s 3-6-9 Oil, and Ferritin+ iron supplement

Flora products show up in our lives nearly every day.

Daily nutrition: Udo’s Oil goes on salads, into smoothies, and over roasted vegetables. It is our go-to source of balanced omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, and it tastes clean and nutty, not fishy or rancid like some oils. We also use other whole-food fats depending on the recipe: avocado oil for high-heat cooking, extra virgin olive oil for Mediterranean dishes, and coconut oil for baking.

Digestive support: When we need a reset after rich meals, holiday indulgence, or travel, we turn to Flor-Essence. We also emphasize foundational practices: drinking half our body weight in ounces of water daily, eating fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, and incorporating bitter greens like dandelion and arugula. Flora’s digestive enzymes help before heavier meals to reduce bloating.

Iron supplementation: Several of us have dealt with low ferritin levels. Ferritin+ became our preferred solution because it does not cause constipation or nausea, common complaints with traditional iron supplements. We also recommend dietary sources like grass-fed beef liver, blackstrap molasses, and pumpkin seeds for natural iron support. Some readers do well with liquid supplements like Floradix if they prefer a different format.

Manuka honey: Flora manuka honey shows up in our kitchen and our skincare routine constantly. Cold drinks, frozen treats, face masks, finishing drizzles, sore throat remedies, and daily wellness spoonfuls. The key we have learned over the years is to never cook or bake with it at high heat, which destroys the MGO that makes it worth the price. See our full manuka honey guide for everything we know about using it well.

Stress management: During high-stress seasons, StressVeda (Flora’s ashwagandha-based adaptogen formula) helps us maintain calm focus without feeling sedated.

Cooking and recipes: We use Udo’s Oil, MCT oil, Red Beet Crystals, and manuka honey in dozens of recipes, from pre-workout smoothies to vibrant salad dressings to energy-boosting beverages.

Seasonal immune support: Elderberry products and probiotics help us stay resilient during cold and flu season. Flora manuka honey is part of this routine too, particularly in warm drinks during cold season.

Targeted nutrient needs: Flora’s bone health formulas, multivitamins, and magnesium supplements fill gaps when diet alone is not enough.

Flora Health by Wellness Focus

Below, we have organized our Flora content by health category so you can quickly find what matters most to you.

🌿 Gut Health & Digestive Support

Flora’s flagship product, Flor-Essence, is the number one detox formula in North America. We have used it for gentle seasonal cleanses, digestive resets, and liver support. It is an 8-herb blend designed to support the body’s natural detoxification pathways, especially helpful after periods of indulgence or stress.

Beyond Flor-Essence, we rely on Flora’s digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption and reduce bloating, particularly when eating heavier meals or traveling. That said, we always emphasize foundational gut health practices: adequate hydration, fiber-rich whole foods, fermented vegetables, and stress management. Supplements support, but they do not replace, these basics.

Explore Our Gut Health Content:

💪 Iron & Essential Nutrients

Flora’s Ferritin+ changed how we approach iron supplementation. Traditional iron supplements often cause constipation, nausea, and stomach upset. Ferritin+ uses a plant-based form with clinically proven bioavailability. It raises ferritin levels without digestive distress.

While we prefer Ferritin+ for its gentle formulation, we also recommend dietary sources like grass-fed beef liver, blackstrap molasses, and pumpkin seeds for natural iron support. Some readers do well with liquid supplements like Floradix if they prefer a different format. Iron deficiency is complex, and what works best depends on your specific situation, absorption capacity, and tolerance.

We have also explored Flora’s multivitamins, magnesium formulas, and children’s supplements, which use clean, absorbable ingredients without synthetic fillers.

Explore Our Iron and Nutrient Content:

🥗 Healthy Oils & Essential Fatty Acids

Udo’s Oil is the product we use most consistently, every single day. It is a balanced blend of omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids from organic flax, sunflower, sesame, and evening primrose oils, all cold-pressed to preserve nutrients.

We drizzle it on salads, blend it into smoothies, and use it as a finishing oil for roasted vegetables. Unlike fish oil, Udo’s Oil is vegan, does not taste fishy, and provides the full spectrum of essential fatty acids your body needs. That said, we also use other whole-food fats depending on the recipe: avocado oil for high-heat cooking, extra virgin olive oil for Mediterranean dishes, and coconut oil for baking.

We also use Flora’s MCT oil for quick energy before workouts and in coffee for sustained focus.

Essential Fatty Acids Guides:

Recipes Featuring Udo’s Oil:

Udo’s Oil shines as a finishing oil in savory dishes. These recipes showcase how to use it without heat to preserve the delicate essential fatty acids.

🧘 Stress Relief & Adaptogenic Support

Flora’s StressVeda is an ashwagandha-based adaptogen formula designed to help the body manage stress without sedation. We use it during high-pressure work periods, postpartum recovery, and seasonal transitions when cortisol levels tend to spike.

Ashwagandha has been studied for its ability to lower cortisol, improve sleep quality, and support balanced energy, all without making you feel drowsy or disconnected.

Explore Our Stress and Adaptogen Content:

🍓 Recipes & Culinary Wellness

Flora products are not just supplements. They are ingredients we cook with. Udo’s Oil, MCT oil, Red Beet Crystals, and manuka honey show up in our kitchen constantly, adding nutrition, flavor, and wellness benefits to everyday meals.

Smoothies and Beverages:

We blend Flora products into our morning routines almost daily. These recipes are designed for quick prep, maximum nutrition, and they actually taste good.

Salads and Mains:

These recipes showcase Flora products in savory applications, from hearty vegetable mains to flavorful dips and glazes.

Baked Goods and Treats:

Yes, you can bake with Udo’s Oil. These recipes replace butter or vegetable oil with Flora’s cold-pressed oils for healthier fats. Note that manuka honey in baked recipes is used as a finishing touch or in frozen form rather than baked in, to preserve its beneficial properties.

Body Care:

Manuka honey is not just for eating. We use it topically for its antibacterial and skin-supporting properties. See our full manuka honey beauty collection below.

🍯 Manuka Honey

Flora Health manuka honey is the one we reach for across our entire Better Living kitchen and beauty routine. Over the past decade it has shown up in cold drinks, frozen treats, face masks, sore throat remedies, and finishing drizzles. We have now built out a full manuka honey hub on Better Living that covers everything from what UMF and MGO actually mean to which jar to buy and how to use it without wasting it.

The three cornerstone guides below are the best place to start if you are new to manuka honey or want to understand the practical difference between grades and applications. From there, the recipe and beauty posts show you exactly how we use Flora manuka honey day to day.

Beauty & Skin

Drinks

Recipes

A note on cooking with manuka honey: high heat destroys the MGO that makes it worth buying. Every recipe above uses it cold, frozen, or as a finishing touch after cooking. That is intentional. For anything going into a hot pan or oven, regular raw honey works just as well at a fraction of the cost.

🛡️ Immune Support & Seasonal Wellness

Flora’s elderberry products and probiotics are our first line of defense during cold and flu season. Elderberry has been studied for its ability to reduce the duration and severity of viral infections, while probiotics support immune function from the gut.

We also use Flora’s turkey tail mushroom supplement for immune modulation and manuka honey for its antibacterial properties in warm drinks and daily spoonfuls throughout cold season. For a full guide to manuka honey’s role in seasonal wellness, see our manuka honey benefits guide.

Explore Our Immune and Seasonal Wellness Content:

Start Here: Our Most Helpful Flora Health Guides

New to Flora or just want our best, most comprehensive content? Start with these cornerstone guides:

Flor-Essence Review

Everything about Flora’s flagship detox formula

Ferritin+ Guide

Why this plant-based iron is a game-changer

Essential Fatty Acids

Complete guide to omega-3-6-9 balance

StressVeda Review

Our experience with ashwagandha for stress

Green Goddess Salad

Our most popular recipe with Udo’s Oil

Should You Be Afraid of Seed Oils?

Let’s talk about the facts

Manuka Honey Guide

Our complete guide to buying, using, and cooking with Flora manuka honey


Why We Trust Flora Health

Flora Health has earned a permanent place in our wellness routine, not because we are obligated to promote them, but because their products work, taste good, and align with our values around clean ingredients and sustainable practices.

Working with their team for over a decade has given us unique insight into their formulation process, quality control standards, and commitment to environmental responsibility. We have seen firsthand how they test raw materials, refine recipes, and refuse to compromise on ingredient quality even when it costs more.

Whether you are dealing with low iron, looking for gut health support, want to add more essential fatty acids to your diet, or are curious about getting more from a jar of manuka honey, we hope this hub helps you find exactly what you need.

Have questions about a specific Flora product or how we use it? Drop a comment on any article or reach out. We are always happy to share what we have learned over the past decade.

Want to browse everything? View our complete Flora Health archive →