Metab Herbs was developed in 1975 by Helen Barkowski. While operating a delicatessen in Montreal, customers would ask her if she had anything for constipation. Using her knowledge of herbal medicine she had gained in Germany, she developed a herbal laxative which became very popular with her customers. She decided to give up her store and concentrate on developing and marketing her new formula. After Helen died In 2000, her son Harold decided to move the whole operation to Calgary, Alberta where it has been since.