For more than 50 years, Traditional Medicinals has operated on the conviction that a business rooted in purpose can also be one that grows. That philosophy is now earning national recognition. The company has announced that it has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list — the company’s first appearance on the annual ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies. The Inc. 5000 is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognising companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs and shaping the future of the economy.

Traditional Medicinals describes its purpose simply: to inspire active connection to plant wisdom in service of people and planet. The company, which was founded in 1974, has carried that idea since its earliest days as a small operation focused on bringing herbal tea to a wider audience, long before botanical wellness became a mainstream category. That principle is something Traditional Medicinals commits to with the support and consistent effort of its employees and sourcing partners, who bring its products to life, and the consumers who keep choosing and trusting it. 

“Being recognised on the Inc. 5000 is an incredible honour, but what makes this milestone meaningful is what it represents,” said Joe Stanziano, CEO of Traditional Medicinals. “It demonstrates that the dedication of our employees and the trust of our consumers have strengthened our purpose-driven business over time. For over 50 years, we’ve believed that business can be a force for good, creating products that support people’s well-being while investing in the communities and partnerships that make those products possible. This recognition belongs to every member of the Traditional Medicinals team.”

Traditional Medicinals put the belief that business can be a force for good into practice throughout the year, capping an extended period of milestones that included the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2024 and the achievement of Fair for Life certification as a brand holder, which is one of the world’s most comprehensive standards for social responsibility, environmental sustainability and ethical trade. Traditional Medicinals broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Franklin County, Virginia, in 2025, its first East Coast manufacturing facility, built to expand future production capacity and strengthen supply-chain resilience as the company continues to grow. Together, these milestones reflect Traditional Medicinals’ belief that growth does not have to come at the expense of purpose. 

Founded by Drake Sadler and Rosemary Gladstar, Traditional Medicinals pioneered pairing traditional herbal knowledge with modern science, becoming the first US manufacturer of organically grown herbal teas. The founding mission still guides the company’s operations today: empower people to take charge of their own health through natural plant wisdom, while practicing ethical, sustainable business. In service of this mission, Traditional Medicinals now produces more than 60 teas, lozenges and capsules as a Certified B Corporation and has invested more than $20 million in farming and wild-collecting communities around the globe over the past decade. Those community partners, as well as Traditional Medicinals’ employees, scientists and herbalists, all contribute to the work that the Inc. 5000 recognition celebrates. 

“This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the community behind every cup,” said Jamie Horst, chief purpose officer at Traditional Medicinals. “That community includes our employees, farmers and wild collectors, scientists and herbalists, sourcing partners and non-profit partners. Together, they make it possible for us to grow while remaining deeply committed to our purpose .”

Past honourees of the Inc. 5000 include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle and Patagonia. This year’s list recognises a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like — from AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products and professional services — expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the US economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the US economy over the past three years.

For the full Inc. 5000 list, honouree company profiles and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.

“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance — it reflects creativity, resilience and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honourees on this significant achievement.”