HERBAL EXTRACTS

A POTENT, CONVENIENT & FAST ACTING FORM OF PLANT MEDICINE


What is an herbal extraction?

Plants have medicinal value, and extractions take that medicinal value and put it into a solution that you can take in concentrated form.

For example, if I want something stronger and more convenient than a conventional tea, I would make an herbal extraction such as a tincture. I would take a specific amount of the herb, pour alcohol over them and let it soak for about 4-6 weeks. Doing this takes all the goodness from the plant and puts it into the liquid! Then the mixture is strained and you’re left with a concentrated solution of the herb that you take in small doses.


Benefits:

Brings changes to the body much quicker than other herbal methods

Allows for fast and optimal absorption

Has a long shelf life

Extremely convenient to take & travel with

A wonderful ally in both acute and chronic conditions

They’re affordable

Great option for those with a busier lifestyle who don’t have time to prepare herbal teas every day throughout the day

MORE ABOUT THE TYPES OF EXTRACTIONS

TINCTURES:

For thousands of years, herbalists have used some form of alcohol to extract the powerful healing properties of plants. Tinctures are made by steeping fresh or dried herbs and other plant parts in alcohol. It is used in order to break down the cell wall of the plant, allowing the plants bio-active compounds to be released and stored into the alcohol. This combination allows for a greater part of the whole plant to be extracted and also preserves the medicine for much longer use. Shelf life for tinctures are anywhere from 5-10 years, and if preserved very well, can last nearly a lifetime.

Tinctures are also one of the most effective ways of getting the most out of a plant to use for medicine!


ELIXIRS

The benefits and process of a tincture, but with the sweetness of honey added. Honey adds a pleasant taste to any extract, and elixirs are my personal favorite! Honey also adds a level of preservation to a tincture.


OXYMELS

Extractions using vinegar are one of the best methods for grabbing minerals from nutrient-rich herbs. The addition of honey is to combat the acidity of the vinegar for sweeter taste! Usually, Apple Cider Vinegar is used in an oxymel and it has a broad range of use— you can use it as a dressing, or it can be poured over vegetables or other culinary dishes to add immunity-boosting micronutrients. It’s great to have on hand for acute illnesses, and serves as a great combination with herbs targeting for the digestive system and blood sugar regulation. The shelf life for oxymels are 6-12 months.


GLYCERITES

Although glycerine is not the most effective method of grabbing the medicinal properties of a plant, it serves as a great option for children, pets, recovering alcoholics, or patients with liver disease that still wish to benefit from herbal extractions. It’s a clear, sweet, syrup-like liquid that can also be added to other formulas for better taste.

The shelf life of a glycerite is 1-2 years.


Oil Infusions

Infusing herbs in oil has a beautiful purpose in skin care, hair care, and body care. Benefits include: penetrating the skin deeply, producing healthy cells quickly following sudden damage from burns or wounds, stimulating the lymph, ect. There are so many medicinal properties in plants that our skin greatly benefits from, so this method is usually done when there is a topical product involved. Medicinally, oil infusions can be great for treating things like ear infections, wound healing, and conditions like eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, and even aiding in certain cancers.

You will find that our body butters and other topical producs contain herb infused oils.