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Ingredients
Lion’s mane mushroom*, reishi mushroom (G. oregonense)**, holy tulsi basil, chaga mushroom (USA sustainably wildcrafted), milky oat buds*, lemon balm*, st. john’s wort*, passionflower, chamomile*, schisandra berry, blue spirulina, white willow bark, grain alcohol, Cascade Mountain spring water. Lion’s mane mushroom from SnoValley Mushrooms (Duvall, WA).
Description + Potential Benefits
Our Nootropic Blend is one of my favorite formulations, working with multiple systems of the body. It supports cognitive regeneration, a healthy nervous system, and a body that is more resilient to the physiological impacts of stress, which has benefits for every system in the body. Nootropics are herbs that are specifically known for their neuroregenerative properties, helping grow neural pathways, protect them, improve cognitive function, and more. Numerous herbal traditions find that nootropics are best paired with nervines and adaptogens. Nervines are herbs that have an affinity for the nervous system, often helping reduce inflammation, pull the nervous system out of a “fight/flight” cycle, and overall calming it. Adaptogens are herbs that reduce the physiological impact of stress on the body overall. The impact of stress on the body can vary from person to person, for example, stress might impact the digestive system of one person resulting in indigestion or ulcers, while it may cause heart palpitations or high blood pressure for another. Adaptogens often are known for their more “generalized” approach to the body, going to wherever they are needed, and considered safe for almost everyone.
How to Work With Tinctures
What are tinctures?
Tinctures are concentrated extracts of plants, often involving multiple extraction processes to harness both alcohol & water soluble medicinal constituents/chemical compounds. Most of our tinctures undergo a dual-extraction process, while some tinctures are prepared through a process called spagyrics, which is the herbal medicine branch of the alchemical tradition. Spagyrics is an incredibly involved and complex extraction process, including: extraction of the plant hydrosol, fermenting the plant material into wine, distillation, and calcination (extracting the salts of the plant).
When do I use tinctures?
Tinctures have many applications. Starting with the question “What is my goal?” can help you get the most out of your herbal tincture. Tinctures can be used in more acute circumstances where immediate relief or effect is needed, i.e. having a headache/migraine, experiencing muscular or joint pain, needing support for a stressful day, etc. Other ways that folks work with tinctures is to integrate it into their daily health routine, working with it like a daily supplement.
How do I use a tincture?
Always shake your tincture thoroughly before use. While our tinctures often go through multiple strains through cheesecloth to remove particles/plant material, sediment or natural separation of the herbs may occur. It is always recommended to start with small doses (5 drops a day, sometimes 2-3x per day) and noticing any changes that might occur and/or achieving desired results. Herbal medicine can be subtle but powerful, and every body interacts with different herbs in its own unique way. For daily use, 2 droppers (15-30 drops) is also acceptable. For more acute situations, it is still recommended to start with 5 drops, slowly increasing dosage every 15-20 minutes until desired effect is achieved. If relief is not emerging after 2-3 droppers, perhaps the tincture isn’t what your body needed today, and/or the formula might not be speaking to your unique needs. For example, “stress” is a common reason folks turn to herbal tinctures, but the cause of stress, as well as the physiological impacts on the body, will differ for every person.
What if I don’t want to take the tincture on my tongue directly?
While most practitioners recommend tinctures on or under the tongue to go straight to the bloodstream, as the common saying goes - the best kind of medicine is the one you take. If you need to dilute your tincture in a small cup of juice or water, please do so! I recommend using the smallest amount of water that you can, preferably <0.5 oz.
What if it doesn’t work?
Often the challenge with herbal products is they are more generalized formulas, however, bodies are unique and complex. Addressing similar symptoms from one person to the next may require addressing different & unique systemic reasons as to why the symptoms are surfacing. Some plants may express affinities for different people, while not wanting to work with others. If you do not love your product within 2 weeks of buying it, please know we have a complete guarantee - you can return it at market for a full refund or exchange it for something else. If you do not live in the area, please send me an email at woodsmansdaughterpnw@gmail.com, and we can come up with a solution.
I also do personal herbal consultations and custom formulations to help address & meet your specific needs.