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Note: The recipes that follow are formulations that I have prepared for my personal use only. They are not recommended for your own use since the sensitivity of individuals to specific herbs can vary widely. These are given as sample formulations only, and they may provide a starting point for your own research into the preparation of personal herbal mixtures.
Whenever possible, it's best to prepare custom herbal blends which are based on the results of muscle testing. At I home, for example, I would take all of the herbal tinctures that are known to be useful for a certain condition or health effect and test them individually for a positive muscle response before using them in a custom tincture mix.
Commercial products often mix many herbs (perhaps even dozens!) together on the assumption that, if some of the herbs don't help, others will. This is all that you can do when there is no personal contact between the person preparing the mixture and the person using it. The difficulty is that some of the herbs in the mix will be beneficial, some will have no effect, and some may be things that are harmful because the user has an allergy or intolerance for the specific herb or herbs. Let's face it ... if you throw 20 herbs into a pot and hand the product to 20 different people, there's bound to be something in the mix that is either ineffective or counterproductive for most of the people in the group.
If you do decide to take a herbal mixture, the best advice I can provide is to test the product as a whole, using muscle testing (have someone do this for you or learn to do it yourself). If there is any indication of an allergy or an intolerance, don't take the product.
If you'd like simple instructions for making tinctures, please check this section.
- Bob
Immune System Builder/ Antibiotic Mix 1: This is a mixture that I started experimenting with a year and a half ago, and it really makes a lot of sense. I've combined the proven immune system builder, Echinacea, with an equal quantity of Nasturtium. Hoffman refers to Nasturtium as a "powerful anti-microbial", and, according to Mabey, "Nasturtium is a natural antibiotic which, unlike orthodox antibiotics, does no damage to our intestinal flora." We've been reaching for this mixture at the slightest sign of swollen lymph nodes or cold or flu symptoms, and it really seems to help.
Alterative Mix 1: Previously known as "blood cleansers", alterative herbs gradually restore the proper functioning of the body and increase health and vitality. This mix has no restrictions regarding its use except for dosage - Nettles, Red Clover, Yellow Dock.
Alterative Mix 2: This mix includes the herbs in the first mix plus two additional, powerful alteratives - Echinacea and Burdock. Echinacea is widely known for its effect as an immune system builder, but some sources suggest that it should not be taken on a continuous basis. (This is disputed by authors such as Hoffman who recommend regimens in which Echinacea is used on a daily basis for up to 3 months!) If this is a concern, you may want to alternate between mixtures 1 and 2. Burdock, as it cleanses the system, can dislodge toxins in the body and cause a healing crisis. To quote Mills (p. 492), "Among modern practitionersburdock has the reputation of being one of the most active alteratives, having an often precipitous action on a condition (this leads to a certain caution in dosage: it does appear that the more congested and toxic the state of the tissues, the more likely it it that a transient toxaemia will ensue as the material is dislodged, this in turn producing a worsening of the symptoms.) This mixture contains Burdock (c), Echinacea, Nettles, Red Clover, and Yellow Dock.
Anti-Inflammatory Mix 1: Any decision to use anti-inflammatories should be made in consideration of the fact that inflammation is a sign that the body has mobilized to resolve the damage involved. The following herbs are included in this mix and all have anti- inflammatory properties: Calendula, Mullein, Red Clover and Silverweed.
Anti-Inflammatory Mix 2: The same considerations involved in the use of anti-inflammatories apply to this mixture. It includes small quantities of additional anti-inflammatories, Goldenrod and Horsetail Grass plus Chamomile and St. John's Wort. While both of these herbs have cautions regarding their use, the risks are minimal. The essential oil from Chamomile is contraindicated in pregnancy, so, to be on the safe side, this mix should not be used in pregnancy. Large quantities of St. John's Wort, combined with excessive exposure to the sun, can cause dermatitis, as can contact with the fresh herb in sensitive individuals (not Bob!) This mixture contains: Borage, Calendula, Chamomile (c), Goldenrod, Horsetail Grass, Mullein, Red Clover, Silverweed, and St. John's Wort (C)
Carminative Mix 1: Rich in volatile oils, these herbs aid the digestive system by stimulating peristalsis and relaxing the stomach. The mix contains Lemon Balm and Hyssop.
Carminative Mix 2: This contains all the ingredients of the first mixture plus some valuable carminatives to which cautions apply. Cinnamon, Ginger, Sage, and Thyme, all contained in the mix , should not be taken in pregnancy. Water Mint, also included, should not be taken by children for more than 7 days or adults for more than 10 days in a row without taking a 3 or 4 day break away from it. This is to avoid the possibility of heart palpitations.
Decongestant Mix 1: These are broad spectrum mixes, designed to deal with nasal and upper respiratory congestion. Mix 1 contains: Blue Vervain, Boneset, Catmint, Hyssop, Mullein, and Nettles.
Decongestant Mix 2: In addition to the ingredients in mix 1, this mix contains Black Raspberry, which should not be used in pregnancy, and St. John's Wort, which has the cautions described in the section titled Anti-inflammatory Mix 2.
Nervine Relaxant 1: Nervine relaxants are designed to help the body cope with stress and tension. Unfortunately, many of the herbs that are useful for this purpose also require cautions and restrictions in their administration (see Nervine relaxant mixes 2, 3, and 4). For this reason the first mix contains only two, very safe, herbs - Hyssop, and Rosemary.
Nervine Relaxant 2: This mix may be used in cases of depression, but not during pregnancy. In addition to the basic mix, it contains Black Cohosh, Chamomile, Motherwort, and St. John's Wort. See the caution regarding the use of St. John's Wort in the section titled "Anti-inflammatory Mix 2".
Nervine Relaxant 3: This mix may not be used in cases of depression, but may be used in pregnancy. In addition to the ingredients in mix 1, it contains Hops, and St. John's Wort. See the caution regarding the use of St. John's Wort in the section titled "Anti-inflammatory Mix 2".
Nervine Relaxant 4: This mix may not be used in cases of depression, or in pregnancy. It contains all of the herbs listed in the formulas for Nerve Relaxants 1 through 3, and is the most powerful combination. See the caution regarding the use of St. John's Wort in the section titled "Anti-inflammatory Mix 2".
Nervine Tonic 2: This is a sure and effective restorative for the nervous system. The Oat Straw tincture must be clear to make sure that all gluten has been removed for those who may be sensitive to it, including some people with multiple sclerosis. This mix contains Oat Straw and Damiana.
Respiratory Relaxant 1: Respiratory relaxants relax the lung tissue, promoting the flow of mucous and expectoration. The basic mix includes Hyssop and Plantain.
Respiratory Relaxant 2: This mix contains Hyssop and Plantain as well, but Coltsfoot, an excellent expectorant and anti-tussive; and Thyme, an anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, and expectorant, are both added. Thyme must be avoided in pregnancy, and Coltsfoot has been related to low risks of carcinogenic activity.
Tonic Mix 1: Tonics act as stimulants to enliven physiological functions of the body. The following mixture can be taken occasionally to provide a bit of a "lift" when it is needed. It is not recommended for constant use. This mix contains: Calendula, Dandelion, Echinacea, and Mullein.
Tonic Mix 2: This mix contains all the herbs listed in the first mix plus Cinnamon, Sage and Yarrow which must not be used in pregnancy. It also contains Water Mint which should not be used for more than 7 days, by children, or 10 days, by adults, without taking a rest period of 3 or 4 days. This is to avoid the possibility of heart palpitations.
Each of the mixtures above was developed to incorporate the use of as many local wild herbs as possible. The appropriateness of these herbs for the purposes listed is based upon the works of the authors listed in the "Excellent Books" section. Please note that Bob does not have certified training in herbalism.
Check this section for information on making your own tinctures and tincture mixtures.