AHPA ERB Foundation

Endowment Fund

For 25 years, Michael McGuffin served as President of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), championing reasonable regulations, proactive self-governance, and the long-term sustainability of the herbal products industry.
The Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund — established in 2025 following Michael's passing — honors his enduring impact by fostering leadership, innovation, and knowledge to ensure a vibrant future for the botanical community.

Current Projects

	Oshá Sustainability Research gathering data on inventory and evaluating harvest sustainability to ensure long-term viability of oshá (Ligusticum porteri).
	Goldenseal Harvest Study Improving understanding of harvest impacts on natural and forest-farmed populations of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).
	Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Preserving the historical website and educational resources created by Michael Moore.
	Myrrh Supply Chain Assessment Addressing transparency and sustainability in the global supply chain of myrrh resin.
	Improving Germination & Seedling Vigor of Black Cohosh Supporting commercial-scale production of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) by focusing on improving seed germination and seedling management

AHPA Talks: ERB Foundation 2026

February 2026 | Watch Recording

AHPA Talks are recurring educational webinars featuring industry experts on scientific, regulatory, and market issues impacting the botanical products marketplace. This AHPA Talk highlights botanical research and education projects currently supported by ERB Foundation funding, including:

• Improving Black Cohosh Germination and Seedling Vigor

• Oshá Sustainability Study

• Goldenseal Harvest Study

• Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

• Myrrh Supply Chain Assessment

Past Projects: 

• Sustainability and Wild Harvesting Communities in Appalachia: A pilot study of an ethnographic research framework for ethical sourcing.

• Herbs in History: A partnership with Alain Touwaide, Ph.D., and Emanuela Appetiti to share the global history of medicinal plants.

Resources

• Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd Ed.: The essential tool for anyone who manufactures or recommends herbal products.

• CITES Primer: Guidance on complying with CITES requirements when importing and exporting listed species.

• Good Stewardship Harvesting Brochures: Sustainable harvest guides for black cohosh, Boswellia, goldenseal, oshá, saw palmetto, wild American ginseng, and yerba mansa.