Simples: Single Herb Tinctures

Description

Simples are single herb extractions. 

Alternatively, many tinctures are “formulated,” meaning various herbs are added together to make a blend. However, sometimes simples are indicated to build a deeper relationship with one herb at a time, or to use in your own formulations. 

All herbs that I work with in my formulations are made as simples first before blending them together. In order to extract the desired constituent of an herb, each requires a certain solvent. For instance, if you desire to extract the mineral and nutritive constituents of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) you would have a greater yield using vinegar or water as solvents. Whereas if you are hoping to capture the anti-histamine aspects of Nettle, a better yield would come from an alcohol extraction of Nettle harvested in a different stage of its life. 

With all alcohol extractions, you will see a ratio listed beside each herb. This ratio communicates that the correct constituents have been extracted for that particular plant. While I do work with folk medicine sometimes, I find that having a scientific measurement of the herbs, alcohol, and water ratio is helpful for consistency and to make sure the tinctures are potent. It also ensures that long time users are getting the same quality each time they use these herbs. If you have any questions on this, please don’t hesitate to email me directly.

 

Below is a current list of the single herb/mushroom tinctures that we have available. The descriptions given below are deliberately simple to give an overall sense of action/energy. We pay careful attention to using high quality organic herbs that are tinctured at the right ratios for their specific needs.

 

Single Herb & Mushroom Tinctures (made with Organic Grain Alcohol)

 

BONESET (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Boneset is used to fight respiratory infections. It is taken both alone or in combination with other herbs at the onset of illness. It should be taken only acutely as needed, and not as a preventative.  RATIO: fresh 1:3 75% 

BURDOCK (Arctium lappa): Supreme liver support and detox herb, great for helping to regulate blood sugar levels and can be used in a bitter tonic formula. RATIO: fresh root 1:3 70%

CALAMUS  (Acorus calamus): In one word: Focus. Calamus is credited for its support in lifting brain fog and is a must have for those who have trouble focusing on one task at a time, or who need a jolt in focus after many hours working on the same project. RATIO: dried root 1:5 70%

CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis): There is a long list of herbal actions for Calendula. The way I use it the most often is for support in healing long term digestive distress or intestinal upset (think long term food allergies, or leaky-gut). It is supremely healing to tissues both internal and external. RATIO: fresh herb 1:2 50%

CALIFORNIA POPPY (Eschscholzia californica): *NOT the Opium Poppy* An excellent sleep support herb. When taken as a tonic (over a few weeks/months), California poppy promotes sustained and restful sleep, by resetting your sleep schedule and quieting your mind before bed. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 75%

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria): Safe for babies, children, elders, and sensitive folks. Generally calming for hot/flustered overwhelm. For agitation, cramping, gas or bloating in the stomach or gut. Great for colic in babies (ask me about this). Helpful for children for acute flustered/stress relief or to assist with sleep. Mild menstrual relief, especially in younger menstruating folks. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 80%

CAYENNE (Capsicum annuum): Hot and spicy, best used a little at a time. Helps move herbs and other drugs through the system faster by moving blood into the tissues via vasodilation. RATIO: fresh fruit 1:3 95%

CENTAURY (Centaurium erythraea): Bitter herb – found in formula with Digestive Bitters. Centaury can be used in place of other threatened bitter herbs like Gentian.  RATIO: dried root 1:5 50%

CHAMOMILE (Matricaria chamomilla): When Peter Rabbit was almost captured by Farmer McGregor, his mother gave him a cup of chamomile tea and sent him to bed! Indeed we love chamomile for her ability to calm our nervous systems after both large and small traumas, and commonly used before bed to help us drift off to sleep. RATIO: in glycerine 2:1 

CHERRY BARK (Prunus serotina): Suppresses hepatic coughing (when coughing isn’t productive). Helps relax lungs. Helpful for coughing that keeps you up at night. RATIO: fresh bark 1:2 95%

CORN SILK (Zea mays): Urinary tract health, especially helpful for UTI, inflammation of the prostate, kidney stones, and bedwetting. RATIO: fresh silk 1:3 40%

DANDELION ROOT & LEAF (Taraxacum officinalis): Super nutritious, a natural source of potassium, diuretic, great detox herb for liver, pancreas, digestive tract and kidneys. RATIO: fresh herb 1:5 40%

FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenium): A bitter cooling herb used to help ease migraines. RATIO: fresh herb 1:2 75%

GHOST PIPE (Monotropa uniflora): ($11/half oz) ‘Indian Pipe’ – Known as a Spirit Teacher Plant, helps mitigate physical pain, very helpful post surgery, helps with phantom pain (especially when associated with a lost appendage), brings on lucid dreaming. RATIO: fresh 1:3 95%

GINGER (Zingiber officinale): A spicy and warming, circulatory stimulant, with anti-viral, and blood moving qualities. Ginger is fabulous for helping calm nausea and can help to ease tension/inflammation if applied topically. RATIO: fresh root 1:1 95% 

GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.): With an affinity for the upper respiratory tract and the kidneys/urinary tract. Goldenrod is often used as an antihistamine with allergy symptoms like itching and watery eyes/nose. In the urinary tract – it helps expel bacterial and immune by-products that build up after an infection (UTI).  It works in the onset of bladder & UTIs by flushing the kidneys of bacteria and toning the mucous membranes to prevent deeper infection in tissues. RATIO: fresh herb 1:4 50% 

GOTU KOLA (Centella asiatica): Brain and nervous system tonic, used for memory loss – gives subtle but noticeable increase in memory and a feeling of being mentally alert. RATIO: dried herb 1:4 65%

GROUND IVY (Glechoma hederacea): Used as diaphoretic chest remedy that works wonders for respiratory congestion. RATIO: fresh wilted herb 1:5 60% 

HOPS (Humulus lupulus): The same ones as in beer. Helps you to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night – strong sedative. Also analgesic. RATIO: fresh herb 1:4 65%

HORSE CHESTNUT (Aesculus hippocastanum): Tightens and strengthens capillaries – specially indicated for varicose veins used both internally and externally. RATIO: fresh nut 1:2 95% 

LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia): Just the smell of Lavender can be enough to calm our systems. This nervous support tincture is often taken in combination with other herbs, as it is very strong and bitter. I take it in drop doses when I am looking to drop down into a more relaxed and calm state. RATIO: fresh herb 1:4 95% 

LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis): A tasty friend, this herb calms, brightens, and stimulates all at once. Makes you feel uplifted and lighter. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 95%

LION’S MANE MUSHROOM (Hericium erinaceus): Double extracted formulation in water and alcohol. This is a supreme brain support – works to rebuild myelin sheath for better functionality of the nervous system. Indicated for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and recovering from concussions. RATIO: Double extracted fresh mushroom

MAITAKE MUSHROOM (Grifola frondosa): Helps to regulate blood sugar levels. RATIO: Double extracted fresh mushroom

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulmaria): Indicated for acid reflux, helpful for calming stomach upset or cramps associated with bowel movements. Contains methyl salicylate (nature’s aspirin). RATIO: fresh wilted herb 1:4 50%

MILKY OAT SEED (Avena sativa): All-Star Nervous System supporter, as well as nutritive herb – helps to rebuild a frayed and depleted nervous system that has been overworked and over taxed. Adds nutrients into our systems. *Avoid if you have an allergy to Oats or gluten* RATIO: fresh oat seed in milky stage 1:2 80%

MIMOSA TREE BARK (Albizia julibrissin): Brings back feelings of happiness when grief, sadness, depression, etc. takes over the mind. RATIO: fresh bark 1:2 80%

MOTHERWORT (Leonurus cardiaca): Nervous system support, especially for heart palpitations and chest tightness due to anxiety or stress. Feels like being hugged by a motherly figure. Menopausal support, heart opening. Can help with overactive thyroid. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 75%

MUGWORT (Artemisia vulgaris): In brandy – for dream work, especially lucid dreaming. RATIO: fresh herb in 40% brandy

OSHA (Ligusticum porteri): ($15/oz) Osha is used for respiratory infections – especially those deep in the chest, where it becomes hard to breath – for easing sore throats, and for fevers with accompanying respiratory symptoms. RATIO: dried root 1:5 70% 

PASSIONFLOWER (Passiflora incarnata): Calms ruminating, racing mind or obsessive thoughts associated with anxiety or acute/chronic stress. When taken as tonic helps restore restful sleep patterns – especially if overactive mind is an issue at time of sleep. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 70%

PEDICULARIS:  ($15/oz) Wood Betony (not Stachys) – Fabulous skeletal muscle relaxant; formulated with other herbs, it is a great anti-inflammatory for skeletal muscles. RATIO: 1:3 95%

RAGWEED (Ambrosia artemisiifolia): Use as a mild antihistamine to prevent or control hay fever and other allergies. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 80%

REISHI MUSHROOM  (Ganoderma lucidum): Double Extracted – Taken as a tonic, over a few weeks/months, works as an immunomodulator (immune supporting herb), helps lessen the impact of stress – with an affinity to renew and restore our immune system. Fabulous support for those with autoimmune differences, or survivors of an overproduction of cells in the body. RATIO: Double extracted fresh mushroom 50%

ROSEMARY (Rosemarinus officinale): “Rosemary for remembrance” A fabulous support in memory/memorization, brain fog and mental clarity. Rosemary is one I keep on hand for studying. It is also an excellent circulatory system and nervous system support, and can help ease tension headaches by opening capillaries and relaxing our systems. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 95%

ROSE PETAL (Rosa spp.):  Uplifting and joy inducing herb, helps to establish and affirm boundaries – especially in times of grief. RATIO: fresh petals 1:3 40%

SKULLCAP (Scutellaria lateriflora): Mild sedative, helps to ease anxiety and tension, calm the mind and shift the body into a restful state. RATIO: fresh herb 1:2 75%

TULSI / HOLY BASIL (Ocimum tenuiflorum): Relaxing and uplifting nervine: depression, sadness, PTSD, anxiety, stress, and enhances feelings of joy. Cerebral circulation: brain fog, clarity, focus. Digestive aid. Adaptogen. RATIO:fresh herbs 1:3 95%

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis): For issues falling asleep initially or after waking up at night – sedative (especially in conjunction with hops). Antispasmodic especially topically in liniment. RATIO: dried root 1:3 95%

WOOD BETONY (Stachys officinalis): A fabulous nervous system support, specially indicated for the solar plexus – our brain and nerve function. Helps to ground people in the moment/reality, aids in decision making, helps alleviate stress that affects the digestive system/tummy. RATIO: fresh herb 1:3 75%

YARROW (Achillea millefolium): My first herb teacher often said about yarrow that it “knows what to do with blood.” Yarrow can help to stop bleeding both externally or internally (hemorrhaging), as well as bring on a delayed menstrual cycle. Yarrow is also a supreme diuretic and helps open pores and bring on sweating (perfect for a sauna or sweat lodge to get out more toxins.) It is also super helpful to bring on a fever during sickness. RATIO: fresh wilted herb 1:5 75%

YELLOW DOCK (Rumex crispus): Liver detox herb! And a superb support to those with occasional constipation. It does not work like a bulk forming laxative, meaning it’s safe to take with other laxatives. Rather, yellow dock works to re-regulate your bowels. RATIO: fresh root 1:2 75%

 

These products have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.