Tinctures are a more potent form of herbal medicine, made by soaking herbs in alcohol. This is effective because some of the constituents in herbs are not water-soluable, meaning they need the alcohol to extract them. Tinctures are consumed in drops or dropperfuls, either by themselves or mixed in other drinks if they are super strong. 

An alternative to alcohol tinctures are glycerites, which are made with vegetable glycerine. These are sweet and syrupy-- great for kids and you could even add it to sweeten a tea. Glycerites aren't great for all herbs, though, as it isn't as effective at getting out some constituents (the active ingredients in an herb, so to speak).

Salves are ointments for the skin. They can be made by steeping herbs in various oils (olive, almond, coconut, etc.) and usually mixed with a wax like beeswax to create the ideal texture. 

Lotions are similar to salves, but with less or no wax (unless made into solid lotion bars, as pictured to the left!), and more moisturizers like shea butter, coconut butter, cocoa butters, etc. You can not only extract the constituents of herbs into the oils themselves, but you can also add essential oils for further constituents and good smells!

I am a sucker for a good bath! Bath soaks can be made with Epsom salts, milk powders, herbs (usually flowers), cornstarch, and essential oils. For instance, the Petal & Potion Milk Bath, features powdered goat’s milk, Epsom salt, cornstarch, baking soda, lavender, rose, and calendula!

Bath salt mixtures can be added directly to a hot bath or put in a cheesecloth or large tea bag (or even a sock!) if you prefer to not have the flowers floating around you.

Milk powder not only makes the water opaque and therefore magical feeling, but it hydrates the skin. Milk baths have also traditionally been used to soothe and soften inflamed skin.

Epsom salt is a classic for baths- traditionally used to soothe aches and pains or sore muscles due to its magnesium content.

And my favorite part— the flowers! Calendula has been one of my top herbs this past year. I drink them in a daily tea, infuse oil with calendula and then use that for lotions and salves, and then add them to my baths!

It seems too good to be true, but the constituents in Calendula have been found to have antimicrobrial, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti inflammatory properties! https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10142266/

I’m sure you all know about lavender and how calming the scent can be. But did you know Lavender is ALSO antimicrobrial and anti inflammatory?

And Rose. Not only is it beautiful and holds sentimental value for many, but it’s also moisturizing (it has lots of vitamin A and E) and anti inflammatory!

I am married to a tinkerer who has his own plethora of interests and skills-- he is a biologist by education, welder by trade, and he has his own forge in our yard! He has made beautiful leaf hooks and various home forged iron products. He's also made really cool jewelry, including tiny vials of natural materials or home-processed silver and even experimenting with electro-plating plants.