Herbal Preparations

Ginger glycerite 

Being in such a concentrated form, herbals should be kept up and away from children. Pets too for that matter. 

Be sure to do your research and check for any drug interactions before using. 

Because everyone's body is different, an herb used for a particular ailment may work great for one person but not another. Also, as many herbs do have the same properties and actions within the body, that doesn't necessarily mean they will all work the same in healing a particular ailment. There are several factors that one has to also take into consideration such as diet, lifestyle habits and medications. Take a few moments to read this → Herbal properties in the body



Tinctures - the concentrated form of the medicinal properties of an herb that has been extracted and preserved by using alcohol.

Glycerites - the concentrated form of the medicinal properties of an herb that has been extracted by using vegetable glycerine.


Elixirs - the concentrated form of the medicinal properties of an herb that has been extracted by using alcohol and raw honey.


Oxymels - the concentrated form of the medicinal properties of an herb that has been extracted by using apple cider vinegar and raw honey.

Herbals

Supplies you will need:

sterilized glass jar with lid
fresh or dried herbs - chopped
vodka - 80 or 100 proof (for tinctures)
vegetable glycerin (for glycerite)
vodka and raw honey (for elixir)
apple cider vinegar and raw honey (for oxymel)
labels
1 ounce amber bottle with dropper

For your tincture, fill your jar 3/4 of the way with your chopped herb. Add your alcohol, filling to the top. Put on the lid and shake the contents. Make sure the herbs are all covered with your liquid. If not, add more liquid and shake again. Label with the date made, herb used and alcohol used. Place the jar in a cool dark place for 8 weeks. Be sure to shake the jar daily and add more alcohol if necessary.

At the end of the 8 weeks strain and discard the herbs. You can pour some of the tincture into your 1 ounce amber bottle or keep in the original jar using your eye dropper when needed. Be sure to store your jar and bottles in a cool dark place.

Glycerites, follow the steps as with the tinctures only add your vegetable glycerine instead of alcohol.

Elixirs, fill your jar 3/4 of the way with your herb. Now add your raw honey. The amount depends on how sweet you are wanting your elixir to be. You could go as much as 50/50 with your alcohol and honey. Next, take a chopstick or a knife or spoon and mix the honey up with the herbs. Now fill the jar up with your alcohol, put on the lid and give it a good shake. Be sure to label your jar and store it in a cool dark place for 8 weeks. Just be sure to give the jar a shake everyday.  

At the end of the 8 weeks strain and discard the herbs. You can pour some of the elixir into your 1 ounce amber bottle or keep in the original jar using your eye dropper when needed. Be sure to store your jar and bottles in a cool dark place.

Oxymels, fill your jar 3/4 of the way with your herb. Pour in your raw honey and mix together with the herbs. The amount will depend on how sweet you are wanting it to be. You can go up to 50/50 with the apple cider vinegar and honey. Add your vinegar and mix again. Be sure to use a non-metal lid as the vinegar will corrode the metal. Be sure to label your jar and store in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks. Give the jar a shake daily.

At the end of 4 weeks strain and discard the herbs. You can pour some of the oxymel into your amber bottle or keep it in the original jar using the eye dropper when needed.


Dosages

What I have learned over the years from experience and talking with other herbalists is that the smaller the dose the better. If that smaller dose does not seem to be helping then you can always increase it the next dosage time. Everyone's body is different. The dosage that works for you may not work for someone else. This doesn't necessarily have to do with age or weight, it's just that everyone's body chemistry handles medicine differently, whether it's herbal or pharmaceutical. I have always used the following as my baseline for any of these herbal preparations. I ask that you do your research and find what works best for you.

If I'm making myself a cup of tea and want something to help me relax I'll put about 5 drops of lavender or chamomile herbal in a cup of warm water, grab a good book, go to my comfy chair and enjoy.

If I feel a cold coming on, or if I have been around someone that has had the flu or other illness, I'll add around 7 drops of an immunity booster, like elderberry or elderflower in 1/8 cup of water and then drink. I do this 3 times a day for 10 days. If after 2 days I'm not feeling any better I'll up the dosage to 10 drops. By taking the herbal 3 times a day for 10 days, it's staying in my system which gives it time to work. There seems to be this misconception that when using herbals internally or externally there will be instant results. It just doesn't happen that way. You have to give herbal medicine time to make it's way through your body.

If I have a cold, flu or other type of virus, I find that taking 10 drops of an anti-viral herbal, like an elderberry herbal, 3 times a day for 10 days helps shorten the duration and lessen my symptoms.

For an upset stomach I'll start with 7 drops of a ginger or bee balm herbal in up of water, then drink. I take this 3 times a day and that usually takes care of any discomfort I'm having that same day.

If you do your research, you will find that you can take up to 30 drops in one dose. So then from 1 drop to 30, that gives you some room to find what works the best for you.

Below is a short list of herbs and their medicinal properties. Do an herbal remedy search for the particular ailment or illness and you will come up with some of your own herbals to suit what you are wanting in your medicine cabinet. For additional herbal resource information click here... Links and Books

What's in your medicine cabinet? 

elderberry and elder flower - colds, flu, coughing, bronchitis, sinus infections, anti-inflammatory, great immunity buster, removes mucus buildup in the body.

lavender- nervousness, anxiety, nervous stomach, insomnia, tension headaches, depression.

calendula (Calendula officinalis) - anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent.

wild violet (Viola odorata) - headaches, anti-inflammatory, fever reducer, respiratory system, cough, bronchitis, asthma, sore, scratchy throat, insomnia.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) -
migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, cancers, blood clots, fevers, stomach aches, toothaches.

Ginger - nausea, motion sickness, stomach flu, congestion, chills, gas, bloating, colic, IBS.

Garlic - blood pressure, liver function, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anti-fungal. Can be used externally for treatment of viral skin infections, ear infections. Mix 1/4 teaspoon with oil, apply to skin. Or 3 drops in affected ear.

Bee balm ( Monarda) - digestion, gas, colic, bloating, menstrual cramps, nausea, vomiting, antiseptic, antibacterial, minor wounds, compress, insect stings, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, acne.

Turmeric - ulcers, heartburn, arthritis pain, cancers, preventing Alzheimer's, strong bones, anti-inflammatory, reduce blood sugar sore joints, improves blood flow, anti-fungal properties.

Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris) - throat inflammation due to sore throats and or tonsils, mouth uclers, gingivitis, cancers, IBS, headaches, fever.

Gathering and Preparing Flower Essences

Preparing and preserving your flower essence 

If you have found your way here before reading about flower essences first, click here ➨ Flower Essences to learn what they are and how they work for healing.

What I have learned from working with flower essences and clients over the years is that given the opportunity, the flower can and will seek one out for a particular healing. It's all in learning how to tap into your intuition. That is where the communication takes place.

I've also learned that one particular flower may heal another person in a completely different way. It isn't like a one size fits all. It is truly amazing. 💓

When it comes to finding your flower, or the flower finding you, find yourself a quite place to relax. Take a few deep breaths and think about what part of you is in need of healing. Allow any thoughts or any memories to flow in.. then ask, what flower can I use for my healing. Let it go from there. It may take a day or two but you will get the message. Just remember to be open to receiving.           

Supplies needed: 

2 glass amber bottles with dropper lids
1 glass jar with lid
1 glass bowl
spring water
vodka or brandy
fresh flowers 
sunshine
loving intentions 
patience

Once you know the flower you are wanting to use, carefully snip off the blossoms without touching with your fingers and allow them to fall into a glass bowl. Fill your bowl with spring water, bottled is fine to use. Tap water is okay to use if you do not have access to spring or bottled spring water. The reason we like to avoid tap is because of the chemicals used to treat public water. Then again, water from a plastic bottle isn't the greatest to use either. Sometimes we just have to use what is available to us and remember to send out good intentions before using. Okay, now, find a place to set your bowl in the sunshine. Be sure it's in a place where animals cannot get to it. There are different thoughts as to how long to leave the flowers infusing. Some go for 4 hours, others go for up to 10 hours. Just be open and follow your intuition.

When it's time to bring your bowl inside, strain or pick out the flowers. The water in the bowl, that is called the mother essence. Water, having the ability to retain a vibrational imprint, now holds within it the vibrational imprint of the flower.

There are 3 steps for preserving your mother essence.    

Step 1: We are going to preserve the mother essence. Fill your glass jar 50/50 with the essence water and your alcohol. Label mother essence and note what flower you used, the date and alcohol used.

Step 2: We are going to make what is called the stock bottle. Fill an amber bottle 50/50 spring water and alcohol. Add 4-7 drops of flower essence from your mother essence jar. Cap and shake well. Label with stock bottle, the flower you used, alcohol used and the date. 

Step 3: We are going to make what is called the dosage bottle. Add 1 tablespoon of alcohol into your second amber bottle. Fill the remainder with spring water, now add 2 drops from your stock bottle. Cap and shake well. Label with dosage bottle, flower and alcohol used and the date. This is the bottle you will use for healing. 

Be sure to store all the bottles in a cool dark place. 

 How to take your Flower Essence

Shake your dosage bottle to activate the energy of the flower before using. You can add 4 drops from your dosage bottle to 1/8 cup of water then drink. Or administer the drops under your tongue. You can do this 4 times a day for up to 3 weeks.  

It's a good idea to keep a journal while taking essences. Writing down the memories that come up, your thoughts and emotions you're feeling, those are all very important in the healing process. Also, keep a record of what particular flower essence you are using and the date you started taking it. The more detailed you are in your writings the more helpful that will be for you.

If you have any questions about using flower essences or would like to share your experiences, send a message though the contact form or message through Instagram. We would love hearing from you! If you're interested in purchasing flower essences, click here → Shop

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Tinctures

Herbs infusing in alcohol

Making herbal tinctures does not have to be thought of as a difficult process. You don't need any special equipment. Any glass jar with a lid will work great and a notebook for keeping track of what you have in stock. If you don't have labels, you can use masking tape to list the herb and alcohol used and date started.
 
Regardless of if you are making your own tinctures to use personally or making to sell or share with others, the most important part is knowing the herb you are using.

Knowing about any drug interactions. 
I remember at the beginning of my herbal journey I was so surprised to learn that herbs actually had the ability to interact with certain medications. After all, they are only plants, right?

Having an understanding about how the herb works in and with the body. And how and why that particular herb may work wonders for one person, but not another. Herbs are not a one size fits all.

Another one is understanding what happens during this amazing maceration process - where the herb and alcohol come together, sharing their magic to create a potent herbal medicine. 💞

Over the years I've learned that the actual medicine making process is pretty much easy. That is not to say that learning about the herbs isn't easy. It just takes time. And commitment. And a willingness and a love of wanting to learn about our plant friends. And the human body. And also the emotional and mental aspects of us.

Finished tinctures

For me, this is an important part of medicine making. For me, it's part of what herbalism is. Medicine making is an never ending journey of learning. ❤️

Interested in making your own herbal tinctures? Click here → Herbal Preparations