Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Warnock
Hi Matt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Somewhere along the way, I became what I never expected to be—a passionate advocate for herbal medicine. But that journey began, as many do, with personal experiences that made me see things differently.
In 2000, my mother fell seriously ill, a victim of fen-phen, a combination of two FDA-approved drugs that ended up destroying the lives of nearly 200,000 people. She was given two years to live—she fought for fourteen.
Meanwhile, my father and his business partner, Clyde StClair, had been building RidgeCrest Herbals, an herbal supplement company. My dad, with his MBA and business turnaround expertise, and Clyde, with his deep knowledge of the natural health industry, had created something special. But life threw a curveball—about the same time my mom was diagnosed, Clyde was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. My father needed me to step in, and with my background as an attorney and MBA-holder—but with no experience in herbal medicine—I found myself as COO, and later CEO of RidgeCrest!
And I had some big questions…
If two FDA-approved drugs could cause something as catastrophic as fen-phen, what made herbal medicine any safer? Our formulas combined dozens of ingredients at lower doses—how did I know they were effective? And what about traditional medicine’s unusual ways of classifying herbs, with concepts like “Chi” and “King-Minister-Assistant-Guide” roles? Was there real science behind this?
I did what any trial lawyer would do: I dug in. I studied pharmacology, researched clinical trial limitations, and tried to understand herbal medicine through the lens of Western science—because if I was going to defend this industry, I had to know it inside and out. And along the way, my perspective shifted.
It turns out traditional medicine got a lot of things right that Western medicine ignores. Small doses of multiple ingredients work better than a single high-dose chemical in many cases. Combination therapy, the core of herbal medicine, makes a lot more sense than the “one disease, one drug” approach that dominates modern pharmaceuticals. And the scientific establishment is far more resistant to change than we like to admit.
So I took RidgeCrest forward, and over the years, we built on its legacy. We pioneered new formulations, earned patents on herbal combinations, and grew the company into an industry leader. But the battle wasn’t just about business—it was about health freedom. The FDA actively limits what we can say about natural medicine, not based on science, but based on an outdated and highly restrictive regulatory framework. That’s why I helped launch FreeMyHealth.org, a campaign to fight for the right to discuss and use natural remedies without unnecessary government interference.
At the end of the day, I still have a lot of questions. But they’re better questions than I had before, and I think we’re getting closer to the answers. My goal now is to bridge the gap between modern and traditional medicine—to push for a healthcare system that respects both. Because in the end, the best medicine isn’t about who’s right or wrong—it’s about what works.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like all journeys worth telling, it’s been a road full of unexpected turns, a few dead ends, and plenty of bumps along the way.
For starters, when I took over RidgeCrest Herbals, I didn’t come from a background in herbal medicine. I was a lawyer and business guy, not a scientist or herbalist. I had to catch up fast—not just on the business side, but on the science behind herbal formulations, regulatory challenges, and how traditional medicine actually worked.
Then there’s the regulatory side. The FDA severely limits what we can say about herbal medicine, even when there’s solid evidence behind its benefits. If I wanted to say, “This herb helps with a cough,” but that specific phrasing didn’t fit within their guidelines, I couldn’t legally say it—even if it was true. The system is set up in a way that favors pharmaceuticals and makes it nearly impossible for herbal medicines to be treated equally.
And of course, there’s the usual chaos of running a business—economic downturns, supply chain issues, keeping up with changing consumer trends, and making sure we stay true to our mission while still being able to grow. We’ve had to pivot and adapt constantly, but I think that’s part of what has kept RidgeCrest strong over the years. Our ClearLungs product is the number 1 natural herbal lung supplement in the U.S.
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t change the path I’ve taken. It’s forced me to think critically, challenge assumptions, and push for change—not just in the industry, but in how we think about medicine as a whole. And that, to me, is worth every bump in the road. I am an eternal optimist.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At RidgeCrest Herbals, we believe in the power of nature, tradition, and science working together to support health and well-being. We’re passionate about helping people feel their best using gentle, effective herbal remedies inspired by traditions from around the world.
One of the things we’re most proud of is that we’re a Certified B Corporation—which means we prioritize people and the planet just as much as profits. We work hard to ensure our products are made ethically, sustainably, and with the highest quality standards, because we believe that’s the right way to do business.
We’ve also been honored with industry awards, like the 2021 Taste for Life Essentials Award for our ClearLungs® Extra Strength formula. But what matters most to us is the feedback we get from real people—when someone tells us our products have helped them breathe easier, sleep better, or just feel healthier, that’s what keeps us going.
What makes RidgeCrest different is how we blend herbal traditions with modern science. Instead of relying on one big-dose ingredient, we use a method we call Portfolio Formulation—combining many small-dose ingredients to create balance, safety, and effectiveness. It’s the way herbal medicine has been practiced for thousands of years, and we’re proud to continue that tradition in a thoughtful, modern way.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal: to help people live happier, healthier, and more vibrant lives—naturally. We’re grateful to be part of this journey with our customers and look forward to continuing to share the wisdom of herbal medicine with the world.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Absolutely. COVID-19 changed the way we all think about health, supply chains, and even community. At RidgeCrest Herbals, it reinforced some things we already believed but also taught us a few new lessons.
One of the biggest takeaways was just how fragile the supply chain can be. We saw firsthand how disruptions at any point—whether it was raw material sourcing, manufacturing, or shipping—could have ripple effects across the entire industry. It reinforced the importance of sourcing responsibly, building strong relationships with suppliers, and staying adaptable.
Another major lesson was the importance of immune health and preventative care. The crisis made more people aware of the power of natural medicine and how herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle choices can play a critical role in overall wellness. We saw a surge in interest for respiratory support, immune boosters, and stress relief formulas, which told us that people were looking for natural ways to stay healthy and resilient.
It also became clear how much people crave trustworthy, science-backed information they can trust about health. The pandemic was filled with conflicting reports, shifting recommendations, and misinformation, which made it even more important for us to educate, empower, and be transparent with our customers.
Finally, on a human level, COVID reminded us of the importance of connection and community. Whether it was within our own team, our industry, or our customers, the crisis showed us that health isn’t just about what we take—it’s about how we live, who we surround ourselves with, and the support systems we build.
We came out of it with an even stronger commitment to what we do. And if anything, the pandemic reinforced that herbal medicine has an important role to play in the future of health and wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rcherbals.com/
- Instagram: @RCHerbals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCHerbals/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwarnock
- Twitter: @rcherbals
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ridgecrestherbals
- Other: https://freemyhealth.org
