Hi Ashley, I want to add that yarrow assists beautifully with burns. I burned all the fingers on my right hand on a super hot lid! I used urtica homeopathic and used my yarrow tincture, I sopped a cloth and placed it on my hand and allowed the cloth to try dry on my hand several times. I literally had one tiny burn the next day on my pinky finger that didn't even really blister. I should have had all of the fingers on my right hand have severe blistering and that did not happen. Also, my kiddo has a sprained ankle that was resolved in about two weeks. She was still having pain and some limited mobility. We soaked a cloth with yarrow tincture and put the cloth directly onto her ankle. We changed in twice and the next day the pain had resolved. I don't know what your experience is with yarrow but she is so amazing.
Long ago I'd read about it but never used it, and I was at a flit knapping class. I managed to flake off a shard right into the vein on my wrist and it was very bloody very fast. The girl sitting next to me reacted instantly, before I could even move, and she pulled a spray bottle of yarrow tincture out of the bag at her feet, sprayed it and it went from spurting blood to puckered and sealed in a second.
Crazy fast reaction by a girl I'd just met earlier that day, and my wound stopped bleeding before I could move, react or do ANYTHING. I was blown away.
Leave it to a girl at a flint knapping class to be the kind to carry around a spray bottle of emergency yarrow tincture in her bag, just in case.
Well now I have to look up flint knapping ;). And put the yarrow in a spray bottle, that is a great idea. I really want to make a small herbal/homeopathic first aid kit. One day.
Flint knapping turned out to be A LOT harder than it looks. That was a one day class that was part of a primitive bow and arrow making class. The bow/arrow portions were much more involved, and no one mastered the flint knapping bit in a day enough to get a finished piece. I had part of an arrowhead...then split it in half with a bad strike...several times.
The guy who teaches that class has some really impressive stuff, but he's been working on it for years. Gave me a whole lot more respect for people making this kind of stuff way back then.
What we did end up making were hand carved bows, which came out really nice, and arrows with bone points. Bone points are A LOT easier to make, and then they're attached with sinew and pine pitch glue. There are pictures of the arrows we made here (though only a limited description of the process, this was one of the first articles I wrote for the site several years ago): https://practicalselfreliance.com/make-primitive-arrows-basics/
Hmmm...good question. I'd be worried about concentrating what they're sprayed with in a tincture, as whatever it is, it's likely meant to be cooked away rather than infused in alcohol. Those are probably best dried or used fresh as culinary herbs in the kitchen.
As to the medicinal uses of kitchen herbs, thyme and oregano are particularly potent. I use thyme for congestion, and there's nothing that clears the sinuses like thyme tea. Make sure you spend time inhaling the steam off your cup as it cools, it's crazy effective.
Arnica is only for external use, so that one's better as an infused oil or salve. (Though you could make it as a tincture for topical use, but those are usually labeled as "lineament" so that there's less confusion about how they're supposed to be used.) Here's some info on salves: https://practicalselfreliance.com/arnica-oil/
Tooth ache plant makes a great tincture, or so I've been told. We tried growing it last year but it didn't do well. I had hoped to make a tincture with it. I'll try again this year.
Mint actually causes more of a burning sensation on my skin, but that might be just me. It might have more of a menthol cooling sensation for others...but use with caution and try a small area first.
Rose petals are excellent for the skin, but I haven't used them in a tincture yet. I actually really love this rose body butter from Boreal Folk, and I want to try to make my own version...but for now, theirs is in my cabinet. It's so rich and you need so little that this bottle is going to last forever: https://www.borealfolk.ca/products/wild-rose-butter
We love our herbal tinctures. Why waste the weeds? 😂 I'm a firm believer in having medicines in different forms (over the counter, herbal and even prescription, if a situation calls for that). My first preference is always herbal but sometimes we need faster results, like an allergic reaction (hello Benadryl 😁). I think I will put Dandelion tincture on the list. Thank you! ❤
Benadryl is magic and potentially lifesaving for stings around the neck and face. I'm so glad it exists, and I hear you with that one. Modern medicine where the situation calls for it, but DIY herbs for everything else.
Ground Ivy tincture is on my list this year too! We have a big patch out by my compost bin. I'm also hoping to make a ground ivy ale too, we'll see if that one comes together.
At first sign a dropperful of tincture every hour, then three times daily. If the tinnitus is due to mucosa of the ear-nose-throat channel, ground ivy can help, as it has drying and draining properties. If tinnitus is due to other causes, it might not be effective.
After being inspired by you to make a yarrow tincture last year i learned that it is Fantastic for toothache. Instantly providing temporary relief when nothing else could. Thank you!
For Milk thistle, do you have recipe for that? I made a batch last year and it seems strong with a heavy muddy like residue on the bottom of the jar. Thanksb
Hello you always have good topics.just wandering do you know of something actually strong enough to take the place of opiates for real chronic pain?the last time I tore my back up the Lord gave me a doctor that got my leg working again about 90%but between that and other broke and damaged parts have had to stay on them for pain and they won't hurt my kidney only 1 left after cancer sergerys years ago.i can't take anti inflammatory meds .celibrex to treat 30yr of arthritis problems progressed by chemo and sisplatin messed with my kidney like did other people's.so the doctor says opiates are my best bet but the way things are going in the world we may wake up one day and can't get them anymore.didnt mean to throw all this on you but felt it nessasary.thank you Tim
It sounds like you have a lot going on there, especially with multiple meds, chemo and one kidney. I'd hesitate to recommend anything else that might interact with all that. I am definitely not a doctor!
That said, if I were you, I'd ask my doctor about trying wild lettuce tincture as it's supposed to have the effects of a mild opiate. It's closely related to opiates, but supposedly acts without the side effects. A hundred years ago it was used that way, for people that had reactions to the stronger stuff.
Definitely ask your doctor there though, as I have no idea how it impacts the kidneys and it may be harder for your body to process. It may also interact with chemo or any number of the other meds you're taking. Don't take it without getting clearance from someone knowledgeable (Doctor, pharmacist, etc), as the potential for side effects and interactions is very serious.
I make elderberry oxymel; it’s my favorite preparation. I’d love to get a list of herbs that are great for oxymels since I can’t do alcohol and don’t want to buy glycerin.
As for my own projects right now: I’m raising chickens for the first time here in my 50s and wonder why it took me so long!
Also, do you have a beginners herbal medicine kit (best stuff that works really well) that we can keep on hand for emergencies. I have a few things that are scattered all over and it would be so nice to get organized and stuff labeled so hubby or others will know what to use..do! You could supplement later with an advanced herbal medicine kit! Kay🌼
Hi Ashley, I have a lot of dried Aronia Berries on 2 bushs that I left on for the birds to eat over winter. Now I guess I have to pick them so new ones can grow..Bush's are up to my neck. What can I do with the dried berries? Thanks, Kay🌺
I would love to see something about sweet violets.
I'm working on a post about ways to use violets, and that'll be published later this week. I have a link to violet tincture in there from simply beyond herbs: https://simplybeyondherbs.com/how-to-make-violet-tincture-to-ease-your-cough/
I’m so in love with violets. Just wrote a piece about them 💜
Oh my goodness, that is a lovely piece about violets! Here's the link for anyone else looking for it, well worth the read: https://everydaykitchenmagic.substack.com/p/violets
Thank you Ashley, looking forward to your piece very much already.
Just subscribed.
Happy to have you, Lisa
Hi Ashley, I want to add that yarrow assists beautifully with burns. I burned all the fingers on my right hand on a super hot lid! I used urtica homeopathic and used my yarrow tincture, I sopped a cloth and placed it on my hand and allowed the cloth to try dry on my hand several times. I literally had one tiny burn the next day on my pinky finger that didn't even really blister. I should have had all of the fingers on my right hand have severe blistering and that did not happen. Also, my kiddo has a sprained ankle that was resolved in about two weeks. She was still having pain and some limited mobility. We soaked a cloth with yarrow tincture and put the cloth directly onto her ankle. We changed in twice and the next day the pain had resolved. I don't know what your experience is with yarrow but she is so amazing.
Yarrow tincture is magic!
Long ago I'd read about it but never used it, and I was at a flit knapping class. I managed to flake off a shard right into the vein on my wrist and it was very bloody very fast. The girl sitting next to me reacted instantly, before I could even move, and she pulled a spray bottle of yarrow tincture out of the bag at her feet, sprayed it and it went from spurting blood to puckered and sealed in a second.
Crazy fast reaction by a girl I'd just met earlier that day, and my wound stopped bleeding before I could move, react or do ANYTHING. I was blown away.
Leave it to a girl at a flint knapping class to be the kind to carry around a spray bottle of emergency yarrow tincture in her bag, just in case.
I love that stuff.
Well now I have to look up flint knapping ;). And put the yarrow in a spray bottle, that is a great idea. I really want to make a small herbal/homeopathic first aid kit. One day.
This short video gives you a really quick look at what the process looks like. Fun, but lots of tiny sharp things...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2HJTFRtws
Thank you for the video. Now I am curious. What kind of tool did you make?
Flint knapping turned out to be A LOT harder than it looks. That was a one day class that was part of a primitive bow and arrow making class. The bow/arrow portions were much more involved, and no one mastered the flint knapping bit in a day enough to get a finished piece. I had part of an arrowhead...then split it in half with a bad strike...several times.
The guy who teaches that class has some really impressive stuff, but he's been working on it for years. Gave me a whole lot more respect for people making this kind of stuff way back then.
What we did end up making were hand carved bows, which came out really nice, and arrows with bone points. Bone points are A LOT easier to make, and then they're attached with sinew and pine pitch glue. There are pictures of the arrows we made here (though only a limited description of the process, this was one of the first articles I wrote for the site several years ago): https://practicalselfreliance.com/make-primitive-arrows-basics/
I had the same question!
Yarrow in a spray bottle - brilliant and so easy to carry along on our meandering days! Feels silly I never thought of this.
I know, right!?!? I wouldn't have thought of it before she whipped that out. Such a good idea!
This just spun my brain into thinking about a super simple, small and easy to carry kit full of plant magic - and Benadryl!
Any suggestions on using a variety of herbs I get from the local grocery store on clearance? I hate to see them going to landfills. I am in PA. Thanks
Hmmm...good question. I'd be worried about concentrating what they're sprayed with in a tincture, as whatever it is, it's likely meant to be cooked away rather than infused in alcohol. Those are probably best dried or used fresh as culinary herbs in the kitchen.
As to the medicinal uses of kitchen herbs, thyme and oregano are particularly potent. I use thyme for congestion, and there's nothing that clears the sinuses like thyme tea. Make sure you spend time inhaling the steam off your cup as it cools, it's crazy effective.
We have tons of yarrow here! I'll definitely be making a tincture now (and, after reading the comments, keeping some in my purse!). Thanks again!
You're quite welcome!
Love the idea of making my own tinctures,
What about arnica or the tooth ache plant?
Would mint have a cooling affect on the skin for sunburns?
What about rose petals would they help sooth the skin or at least perfume the skin, lol
I so appreciate all you do! You have sooo many great ideas
Arnica is only for external use, so that one's better as an infused oil or salve. (Though you could make it as a tincture for topical use, but those are usually labeled as "lineament" so that there's less confusion about how they're supposed to be used.) Here's some info on salves: https://practicalselfreliance.com/arnica-oil/
Tooth ache plant makes a great tincture, or so I've been told. We tried growing it last year but it didn't do well. I had hoped to make a tincture with it. I'll try again this year.
Mint actually causes more of a burning sensation on my skin, but that might be just me. It might have more of a menthol cooling sensation for others...but use with caution and try a small area first.
Rose petals are excellent for the skin, but I haven't used them in a tincture yet. I actually really love this rose body butter from Boreal Folk, and I want to try to make my own version...but for now, theirs is in my cabinet. It's so rich and you need so little that this bottle is going to last forever: https://www.borealfolk.ca/products/wild-rose-butter
All good points that I might have not thought of,
Once again thank you for being so thorough...
Chaga and Turkey tail tinctures— can they be combined?
Yes indeed. You can make them and then combine them, or mix the mushrooms together and make it together, either way.
Hi Ashley,
We love our herbal tinctures. Why waste the weeds? 😂 I'm a firm believer in having medicines in different forms (over the counter, herbal and even prescription, if a situation calls for that). My first preference is always herbal but sometimes we need faster results, like an allergic reaction (hello Benadryl 😁). I think I will put Dandelion tincture on the list. Thank you! ❤
Benadryl is magic and potentially lifesaving for stings around the neck and face. I'm so glad it exists, and I hear you with that one. Modern medicine where the situation calls for it, but DIY herbs for everything else.
Just preparing a ground ivy tincture for tinnitus. And thank you for all the great information you share!
Ground Ivy tincture is on my list this year too! We have a big patch out by my compost bin. I'm also hoping to make a ground ivy ale too, we'll see if that one comes together.
Can you tell me how you use it for tinnitus?
At first sign a dropperful of tincture every hour, then three times daily. If the tinnitus is due to mucosa of the ear-nose-throat channel, ground ivy can help, as it has drying and draining properties. If tinnitus is due to other causes, it might not be effective.
After being inspired by you to make a yarrow tincture last year i learned that it is Fantastic for toothache. Instantly providing temporary relief when nothing else could. Thank you!
Wow! I had no idea about that use, that's good to know!
Dear Ashley,
I am writing to thank you for your generous offering here.
I’m inspired, as both my elderberry and bee balm are flourishing now.
Bless you !
Mattie
Wonderful! So glad it's helpful to you =)
Hi Ashley,
For Milk thistle, do you have recipe for that? I made a batch last year and it seems strong with a heavy muddy like residue on the bottom of the jar. Thanksb
I haven't made milk thistle tincture, but I'll add that one to my list for this year and let you know!
Thank you!
I look forward to it. :)
Hello you always have good topics.just wandering do you know of something actually strong enough to take the place of opiates for real chronic pain?the last time I tore my back up the Lord gave me a doctor that got my leg working again about 90%but between that and other broke and damaged parts have had to stay on them for pain and they won't hurt my kidney only 1 left after cancer sergerys years ago.i can't take anti inflammatory meds .celibrex to treat 30yr of arthritis problems progressed by chemo and sisplatin messed with my kidney like did other people's.so the doctor says opiates are my best bet but the way things are going in the world we may wake up one day and can't get them anymore.didnt mean to throw all this on you but felt it nessasary.thank you Tim
It sounds like you have a lot going on there, especially with multiple meds, chemo and one kidney. I'd hesitate to recommend anything else that might interact with all that. I am definitely not a doctor!
That said, if I were you, I'd ask my doctor about trying wild lettuce tincture as it's supposed to have the effects of a mild opiate. It's closely related to opiates, but supposedly acts without the side effects. A hundred years ago it was used that way, for people that had reactions to the stronger stuff.
Definitely ask your doctor there though, as I have no idea how it impacts the kidneys and it may be harder for your body to process. It may also interact with chemo or any number of the other meds you're taking. Don't take it without getting clearance from someone knowledgeable (Doctor, pharmacist, etc), as the potential for side effects and interactions is very serious.
Thank you for replying the cancer meds long gone thank GOD but will have to check on lettuces and kidney thank you again.keep writing blessed day.
I make elderberry oxymel; it’s my favorite preparation. I’d love to get a list of herbs that are great for oxymels since I can’t do alcohol and don’t want to buy glycerin.
As for my own projects right now: I’m raising chickens for the first time here in my 50s and wonder why it took me so long!
Nice! Chickens are so fun =)
Good herbs for oxymels include:
-Elecampane, Thyme, sage (cough and respiratory issues)
-Bee Balm and Oregano (sore throat, mouth issues, digestion)
-Willow bark (pain)
-Dandelion/burdock (spring tonic)
-elderberry, echinacea, elderflower (immune system)
-linden, valerian, passionflower (insomnia and anxiety)
Thank you, Ashley!
Also, do you have a beginners herbal medicine kit (best stuff that works really well) that we can keep on hand for emergencies. I have a few things that are scattered all over and it would be so nice to get organized and stuff labeled so hubby or others will know what to use..do! You could supplement later with an advanced herbal medicine kit! Kay🌼
Hi Ashley, I have a lot of dried Aronia Berries on 2 bushs that I left on for the birds to eat over winter. Now I guess I have to pick them so new ones can grow..Bush's are up to my neck. What can I do with the dried berries? Thanks, Kay🌺