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What is a Tincture?
A tincture is made by steeping the fresh or dried herb (the marc) in a solution of alcohol and water (the menstruum or menstrum) for several weeks before squeezing out. The alcohol extracts the oil based medicinal properties of the herb and the water extracts based properties. The alcohol also serves as a preservative, giving a tincture a shelf life of 10 years when stored in a cool dark place.
Our tinctures are made in food grade alcohol and steeped for six weeks instead of two weeks like most commercial grade tinctures are. This assures a higher quality tincture.
The advantages of tinctures over other forms of herbal medicine is that they are easy to dispense, easy to take, rapidly absorbed, easy on the stomach, have a very long shelf life and are very concentrated and potent.
How to Remove the Alcohol in a Ticture
The alcohol is necessary both as a natural solvent and as a preservative. But if alcohol is a concern for you, try this. Before consuming your tincture, measure the required dose into a shot glass or cup with a small amount of water and place in a microwave for twenty (20) seconds or just until it comes to a boil. Cool tincture and consume as usual. This will remove all alcohol. Or pour 1/4 cup boiling water over measured dose of tincture. By the time it is cool enough to drink, almost all of the alcohol will be evaporated and what remains is approximately equivalent to the alcohol content of a ripe banana.
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Detox Bath
Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface. As the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.
Use caution when taking hot baths and salt baths (including Epsom salt baths) if you have heart trouble or diminished feeling in your hands and feet. Use a thermometer to make sure it isn’t too hot. Also, stand slowly when getting out of the tub as you may become dizzy.
Basic Salt Soak Bath Formula
Minerals and salts make the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft.
1 cup sea salts
2 cups baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath
Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice. I like rosemary or lavender.
Preparation Time: 2 to 3 minutes
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Glass jar with a screw top
To speed up the detoxification process, you may wish to try this: Buy a fragrance free aloe cream and “bentonite clay”. Mix equal parts of clay cream and water. Apply to arms, legs and body or effected areas about twenty minutes before taking your therapeutic bath. This draws toxins to the skin; the warm salt bath draws out the deeper toxins. After your bath, rinse off with slightly cool water. This completes the process by rinsing away any toxins brought to the skins surface.
Bath-add 1/4 cup in hot bath water, soak 20-30 minutes as the water cools-this intensifies the drawing action. Rinse with cool water.
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Lori’s Recommendations for Fibromyalgia Treatment, Epstein Barr Syndrome and Candida Overgrowth
Candida is an element naturally present in our intestinal flora. The natural balance can be offset by an improper diet, an impaired immune system, and/or use of medications, especially antibiotics or birth control pills. One course of antibiotics alone can cause this imbalance and when candida is in the “overgrowth” state it is like a parasite that spills toxins into your system causing you to feel miserable and crave carbohydrates. Something to keep in mind is that candida is a form of yeast that is fed by sugar and any carbohydrate is converted to sugar by our body. To get your intestinal flora back into balance, follow my three step plan.
1] Provide Support for Immune System
* take Endocrine Strengthener available from this website on the “Products” page
* get plenty of rest [at least 7 hours per night-sleep in total darkness]
* take a high potency multi-vitamin and mineral - take extra vitamin A, C and E
* take one tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily
2] Flush the Digestive Tract and Balance Intestinal Flora.
* Drink lots of water; this will help flush the system and reduce the discomfort you feel as the yeast dies off. Remember that sometimes you feel worse before you feel better.
* Eat foods that add healthy bacteria[raw sauerkraut-the kind in bags, yogurt, miso soup, kimchi and naturally fermented apple cider vinegar]
* Take a sugar free Metamucil type fiber supplement daily.
* Very Important: If you don’t have a bowel movement daily; start your program with step one and two. Proceed to step three once you have achieved regularity.
3] Stop feeding the yeast by following the Candida Control Diet: (For at least one Month)
* Eliminate all sugars [you may use the herb stevia or Splenda as a substitute]
* Limit carbohydrates to 10-15 grams per meal
* Eliminate white flour, white rice, and pasta.
* Keep even whole grains to a minimum because your body turns carbs into sugar.
* Limit foods with a high content of yeast or mold, such as raw cheese, dried fruits, melons, and peanuts.
* Limit dairy products because of lactose (milk sugar.) but eat yogurt 1-2 times weekly
* Eliminate all known or suspected food allergens.
* Discontinue use of all antibiotics unless it is an absolute medical necessity
* Eat all the high quality lean protein that you want. Go easy on the processed meats.
* I recommend The Protein Power Plan by doctors Michael and Mary Eades or South Beach Diet. If you choose South Beach Diet you must stay on Phase one for one month rather than the suggested two weeks
Eliminate the use of antibiotics, steroids, immune suppressing drugs, and birth control pills
Note: Although it is suggested to limit dairy products, I think it is important to eat yogurt because the acidophilus in yogurt is very beneficial in bringing the intestinal flora back into balance. If you do not like yogurt you may want to consider purchasing acidophilus tablets as a supplement.
Fibromyalgia – follow the above recommendations but add Fibro-Nervine [also available on The Healing Path website “Product” page] to your program.
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SUGGESTED USE FOR HERBAL TINCTURES
Take 2-3 eyedroppers full 2-3 times daily (see DOSING GUIDELINES below.) One eyedropper full consists of 25 drops [one squeeze of the eyedropper bulb.] The glass bulb will only be full about 1 inch
For Best Results:
Be consistent:
Too often we forget dosages and/or stop taking it as soon as we start feeling better. Although one missed dosage will not make a big difference, it may slow down your progress. So you be the judge as to what is the best way to remember your daily doses. Children take tinctures easily when their dose is added to maraschino cherry juice followed by a cherry. Herbal tinctures should be thought of, and used like a nutritional supplement. If you have any concerns or questions about herbal tinctures or their use with medications, please ask your doctor.
Note about alcohol:
Herbal tinctures are herb extracts suspended in an alcohol base. If you have concerns about alcohol consumption, please follow these instructions: Before each dose, fill a small glass such as a shot glass ¼ full with water. Add your dose of tincture and bring to a boil in microwave, approximately 20 seconds.
Cool tincture and water mixture, and take dosage as usual. It will be alcohol free.
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Dosing Guidelines for Herbal Tinctures
The Healing Path Herbal tinctures can be taken in accordance to “body weight”.
For every 50 pounds of body weight – take one dropper full of tincture.
The general guideline is as follows:
30 pounds = 15 * DROPS two times daily
50 pounds = 1 Dropper full two times daily
100 pounds = 2 Droppers full two times daily
150 pounds = 3 Droppers full two times daily
200 – 300 pounds = 4 Droppers full two X’s daily
300 – 400 pounds = 5 Droppers full two X’s daily
* Drops not droppers full
This is the recommended dosage when first starting your treatment. As your body begins to respond and you start feeling better you will be able to reduce your dosage.
Also, consider your diet and lifestyle. If you eat healthy: [plenty of fruits and vegetables, proper protein, 25 grams of fiber per day, and little or no white flour or sugar] and get regular exercise then you probably will be able to reduce the amount you take. But this is what I recommend you start out with to speed up your recovery.
Sometimes it is appropriate divide dosage to three or four times daily but in most cases twice a day is fine.
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