This variety of herbal extracts are all handmade with locally & sustainably wild harvested herbs or thoughtfully sourced organic herbs when appropriate, organic cane alcohol and filtered water.
Lemon Balm Tincture: This a double extract of fresh lemon balm grown in my garden, which means the alcohol is infused for 6 weeks, strained, and then infused again with a fresh batch of lemon balm, so it has double potency! This is a great tincture to have on hand to help ease tension and nerves, especially if that presents as digestive distress or "butterflies in the stomach". Lemon balm is a lovely mood lifter, and can be useful for those to tend toward melancholy or depression. Great for calming kids too, and is quite tasty if added to juice or tea. Lemon balm is also highly antiviral and is often used to treat cold sore or other herpes family virus outbreaks.
Usnea Tincture: This is a dual extract, meaning it contains both alcohol and water soluble constituents of the lichen, making it a more potent and well-rounded form of this medicine. Usnea is high anti-infective, so can be useful for all kinds of infections, like respiratory infections, UTIs, bladder infections, sinus infections, etc. While potent, it is also a very gentle herb and can (and should) be used often to help alleviate symptoms. While many anti-infective herbs are useful against bacteria or viruses, usnea is effective against both of these, as well as fungus, making it a great medicine to have in your home apothecary. This tincture is slightly drying, and can be helpful in clearing up excessive mucous production.
Yarrow Tincture: Yarrow is a great multi-use herbal medicine to have on hand. It kills viruses and bacteria on contact and also speeds skin cell turnover, so it is great for cleaning/disinfecting cuts, & scrapes, spraying on a sore throat, using on blemishes or pimples that are healing, or on pretty much any skin issue that needs to heal. It is also astringent so it makes a great mouthwash/spray and can be used to brush your teeth in a pinch!
Echinacea Tincture: This tincture is made with echinacea angustifolia root, which is more potent than the more commonly found echinacea purpurea root. Echinacea is widely known to cut down on the length of illness for viral infections like cold/flu, but also has antibacterial properties as well. If taken at the first sign of illness it can significantly reduce (or even prevent altogether) the length of a cold. The trick is to take a large enough dose and take it frequently. To get the proper dose, divide the bodyweight by half, and take that number of drops. For example, a 100lb person would take 50 drops as a dose, and doses should be taken every hour until symptoms start to desist. Keeping in mind that one dropperful contains 30 drops, a 100lb person could just take 2 droppers-full per dose. Echinacea is also wonderfully supportive of the lymphatic system, which may be one reason it help to clear out infections more quickly.
Chickweed Tincture: Herbalist Susun Weed calls chickweed "the great dissolver". It is known to dissolve benign tumors and cysts, dead bacteria and viruses, lipomas, and even excess fat cells which store toxins. Chickweed tincture is a lovely Springtime medicine which supports our detox pathways to help our bodies move out any stagnation from the colder months, and get things (like our lymph fluid) moving again. Chickweed is a wonderful alterative herb, meaning it supports detoxification through channels such as the liver, kidneys, bowels, skin, lungs, and lymphatic system. It can be useful for itchy or rashy skin conditions, as well as lubricating dry tissues.
Vitex Tincture: Vitex tincture is primarily used by women to balance sex hormones, especially the balance of progesterone/estrogen. It is very common in our world today to be estrogen dominant, and this results in many women not having enough progesterone to have regular cycles or even successful pregnancies. Vitex tincture works on the pituitary gland, which regulates sex hormone production, to increase progesterone levels and can often result in more regular cycles within 2-3 months of regular use. This tincture is a dual extract of both alcohol and water soluble constituents of vitex berries, making it a more potent extract. It should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and needs to be taken regularly for longer periods of time to see results.
Tulsi Tincture: Tulsi is probably best known for its adaptogenic and immunomodulating actions. Adaptogens are herbs that help our bodies deal with stress, and since stress (of one form or another) is the root of all illness, adaptogens can be incredibly helpful herbs to work with on a regular basis. Whether the stress comes in the form of job expectations, lack of sleep, less than idea diet, lack of sunlight/time in nature, illness, or a big life change, adaptogens can help us cope and help our bodies adapt. The immunomodulating action is incredibly helpful in day to day life as well, as it can help increase immune system function when we are at risk of illness, but also downregulate the immune system when we are not. Overactive or dysfunctional immune systems are at the root of many autoimmune issues, allergies and food intolerances, so regulating this activity can be very helpful in maintaining immune balance. Tulsi is also antimicrobial and has been used traditionally to treat upper respiratory infections. This tincture is made from fresh Tulsi harvested while flowering from my garden.
Ginkgo Biloba Tincture: Ginkgo biloba is one of (if not the) oldest species of trees living on our planet today. It's ancient wisdom is available to us in its medicinal ability to improve cognitive function and mental clarity. It has been used since ancient times for its ability to increase blood flow to the brain, and may be able to improve brain health over time. Ginkgo is classified as a nootropic for its brain benefits, and its antioxidant action probably helps in this area as well. Ginkgo's circulatory stimulant action benefits more than just the brain though, helping to send fresh blood to stagnant areas, and can be useful for those who experience numbness or tingling in the extremities. Ginkgo is also used to alleviate asthma symptoms, and is a mild anticoagulant, so caution should be used if one is taking blood thinners. Ginkgo biloba tincture is most potent when made from the golden yellow leaves in the fall, which is when I harvest and tincture them fresh each year.
Milky Oats Tincture: This tincture is made from the fresh oat seed at the point of its development called the "milky" stage, which is when it is producing a milky white latex that can be squeezed from the ripe seed. This latex is where the most medicinal potency is held in the plant, and extracting it results in the most potent medicine for the nervous system. Fresh milky oat tincture is known to be anti-depressive, anxiolytic (relieves anxiety), nervine and trophorestoratvie (meaning that with regular use over time it can heal and improve the health of the nervous system). Milky oat tincture can be a great ally for anyone dealing with nervous system dysregulation, or just general daily stress and anxiety. Milky oats is also a lovely tonic for the reproductive system, and supportive to breastfeeding mothers as well. Milky oat tincture can also hep to support cardiovascular health by improving vasodilation, which in turn can lower blood pressure.
St. John's Wort Tincture: This tincture is made from fresh wildcrafted St. John's Wort flowers making a potent nervous system ally. Fresh St. John's wort flower contain a red pigmented compound called hypericin, (as well as other medicinally active compounds like hyperforin) which give the tincture its red hue. These compounds have been clinically studied for their use in depression, and can have a profound effect on mood and the nervous system as a whole. The key is the plant has to be extracted fresh, and I take my supplies into the woods with me to make my tincture is fresh and potent as possible. You just don't get the same results from dried plant extracts or tea. St. John's wort is also antiviral and there are many anecdotal accounts of the tincture being used to keep long term viral illnesses in remission for years. This could be useful for viral illnesses that are recurring, like herpes, HPV, etc. My personal favorite use for St. John's wort tincture is its analgesic (pain relieving) action and its ability to relieve nerve pain. I've never seen anything work better or faster to stop nerve pain, so anyone suffering from neuralgia, sciatica, etc. may benefit from regular use.
*Please note that St. John's Wort tincture is so efficient at encouraging detoxification through the liver, that some pharmaceutical medications may be rendered less potent while taking St. John's Wort tincture, including some hormonal birth control medications.
California Poppy Tincture: You may remember from Dorothy's trip through the poppy field that poppies can induce restful sleep and sweet dreams. Indeed, California poppy can be of great help to those suffering from insomnia, restlessness and inability to sleep due to racing or looping thought patterns. California poppy is also a wonderful pain reliever, acting on GABA pathways in the brain, and working in similar ways to opiates, but without depressing the central nervous system, and without any risk of addiction. It makes sense then, that it also can be useful for a number of conditions that stem from imbalance or dysfunction in the brain, such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, nervousness or neurasthenia. Typically low doses are used for the anxiety relieving action, while higher doses are needed for the sedative effect. California poppy has also been studied and may be useful in assisting people in removing addictive substances from their life, such as opioids or alcohol. This tincture is made from the fresh whole plant, harvested from my garden.
Catnip Tincture: This fresh catnip tincture is a lovely calming nervine, helping to relieve nervous tension and induce mental and physical relaxation. Catnip is actually a mild sedative, though it has the opposite effect on our feline friends. With its high content of volatile oils, catnip is also a great remedy for gastrointestinal complaints, and may be useful in relieving colic and gas in babies, as well as intestinal spasm in young children. Its ability to calm, relive cramping and the fact that it is gentle and safe make it a must have remedy for anyone with young kids. Some cultures even used catnip to relive teething pain in their babes. Catnip is also traditionally used to treat colds and flus, and can ease the discomfort of an illness.
Cleavers Tincture: Cleavers tincture is a powerful yet gentle lymphatic herb, supporting our detox pathways and encouraging lymphatic flow through the body. Its effect on the lymphatic system make it a great choice for supporting the body through the end of an illness to make sure it is completely out of our system so there is no recurrence of symptoms, such as lingering cough or runny nose. Cleavers is also a diuretic herb, gently encouraging the elimination of excess fluid in the body through the kidneys, which may alleviate swelling conditions such as edema and gout. Cleavers is also an aperient herb, which is similar to a laxative effect, but much more gentle. It is even safe for women to take in pregnancy to help with the common first trimester constipation. This is also a great choice for kids that are having a difficult time going to the bathroom. Cleavers is also a great ally for breast health, having the ability to dissolve fibrous tumors and tissue, and has been researched for its anticancer effect, specifically for breast cancer.
Motherwort Tincture: This tincture is made with fresh, flowering motherwort, harvested at its peak for medicinal potency. Motherwort can be a useful ally for so many things; nervous system tension or stress, physical pain, cardiac issues, digestive distress, the list goes on. What it all comes down to is its relaxing, grounding, stabilizing energy. Whether your nerves feel frayed and you're having a hard time keeping your cool, or you're an anxious mess before big events or dental appointments (me!), you get heart palpitations and upset stomach easily, whatever it is that makes you feel uneasy and off balance, motherwort tincture is here to soothe. You can easily understand its name them, being a trusted companion to mothers everywhere. The tincture can be used regularly to help find more rhythm and balance in your life, or at the onset of symptoms to quickly calm and restore. However, the more regularly you use it, the more long lasting benefits for the nervous and cardiovascular systems. If you are already taking cardiac medications, you may with to speak with a trusted healthcare provider before using motherwort tincture. It is also sometimes contraindicated for women with endometriosis or hypothyroidism, depending on the root cause.
Feverfew Tincture: Feverfew has a very long history of medicinal use, one of the most common uses being for migraine headaches due to its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory actions. Historically a feverfew leaf was eaten daily by anyone who suffered from migraines to prevent their occurrence, and some people find regular use of the tincture to be very effective as prevention, though some sources say regular use of low doses for 1-4 months is needed before results are felt. It has also historically been used as a women's herb, even more specifically, an herb for mothers. In TCM it is viewed as a uterine qi regulator, and in Western traditions it is commonly used to regulate menses. Whether menstruation is heavy with clots, the flow is scant, or even in cases of amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period), feverfew is said to regulate. As its name suggests, there is also a historical use during fevers and colds, although its nature as a relaxing, cooling, pain relieving herb seems more appropriate for relieving the aches and pains of an intense illness than it does the actual fever itself. It can also be helpful for congestion in the head and lungs, and it often used in blends to treat asthma.
*When used long term, the doses should be low to moderate, as long term high doses can cause unwanted side effects, such as mouth ulcers. Feverfew may interfere with anti-coagulant drugs and some cancer drugs.
Chamomile Tincture: Chamomile is commonly known as a gentle relaxing herb, and for this reason it is a wonderful remedy to have on hand for children and adults alike. Its relaxing nervine effect can be felt in both the physical and emotional bodies, easing physical tension, nervousness, anxiety, and helping to promote restful sleep. Chamomile also has an affinity for digestive issues, its bitterness helping to prepare the digestive organs for their work, and the carminative action easing any intestinal pain or cramping after a meal, as well as heartburn or indigestion. This affinity may also be seen in chamomile's ability to soothe little ones with colic or reflux. Chamomile has also been studied for its ability to relieve the discomforts of menstruation, such as bloating, premenstrual anxiety and painful cramping.
Mimosa Flower Tincture: Mimosa is called the Tree of Happiness in Chinese medicine and by just looking at the flowers, or better yet smelling them, one can easily ascertain why. The whimsical, pink fluffy flowers have the most delicious tropical scent that you just cant help smiling about. It should come as no surprise then, that the medicine of this tree is one of the most potent mood support that the plant world has to offer. Mimosa flower tincture has been used for many years to support anxiety, depression (with improvements reported after just 1-4 days of use!), winter blues, stress, heartache, and any emotional ailment that has a tone melancholy to it. Mimosa may be the perfect remedy for someone who has experienced intense grief or trauma, and is suffering the lasting effects of the experience, whether consciously or subconsciously, even years later. Because it also has pain-relieving & anti-inflammatory actions, mimosa may be useful for physical pain relief, as well as adding to the benefit for heartache and grief that manifests in the physical body. Some people find mimosa medicine calming and grounding while uplifting, whereas some people get a sense of extreme happiness and giddiness that can border on euphoria. Because the plant can affect different people in different ways, one should start with small doses (5-10 drops) and see how they feel before taking larger doses or using right before bed. Mimosa is very safe however, and can even be useful for children (start with 2-3 drops per dose for kids). This tincture is a double extraction of fresh mimosa blooms harvested at the height of Summer for optimal potency.
Queen Anne's Lace Tincture: Also called wild carrot, or bird's nest, the seeds of this carrot family plant are the most often used medicinal part of the plant, while the leaves and root are often used as a food stuff in many parts of the world. The most common use of QAL seeds in modern Western herbalism is as an implantation inhibitor, to prevent pregnancy. When used immediately after possible fertilization intercourse, and continued for the next few days, it is reported (though mostly anecdotally) to be a very reliable form of birth control. Herbalist Robin Rose Bennet conducted an informal study of 30 women for a full year using QAL seed tincture (or dried seeds being chewed) as contraceptive when intercourse took place during the fertile period. From 160 possible fertilization events, 9 pregnancies took place with the women solely using QAL seeds as prevention, which means the herb was about 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. Read more here: https://www.robinrosebennett.com/musings/resources/wild-carrot-exploration-summary-august-2011
It should be noted though, that this method of birth control should be utilized alongside the Fertility Awareness Method, as it is most useful if you know when you are ovulating. It is not recommended to use regularly as a form of birth control, only when accidental possible fertilization has taken place. The typical dosage is 1-2 droppersful immediately after sex, and every 8 hours thereafter for the next 1-3 days. Some women prefer to take a dose daily until they begin bleeding.
QAL seed tincture, like many oily seeds in the carrot family, is also a carminitive & anti-spasmodic, reliving gas, bloating and other discomforts after eating, an has a history of use as an anthemintic, being used to rid the body of intestinal worms. The volatile oil of Queen Anne's lace seeds is also highly anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial, making it useful for a variety of other ailments. In addition to these uses, its diuretic actions make it a great ally for issues of the urinary tract, and it it also has a history of use in dissolving kidney stones.