Cattail Apothecary

A reproductive system tonic that helps relieve tension while addressing pain, cramping and headache symptoms. To provide relief and support during menstruation, take as needed.

Take a dropper or two daily for one week prior for easing symptoms of PMS.

Ingredients: brandy, organic crampbark, organic black cohosh, organic skullcap, organic yarrow, organic wood betony, organic red raspberry leaf, organic rose hips.

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CRAMPBARK // Viburnum oculus // Anti-spasmodic, sedative, astringent. Uterine nervine, relaxes the muscles of the uterus. Used to relieve menstrual cramping as its relaxing effects are specific to the reproductive system.

SKULLCAP // Scutellaria laterifolia // Anxiolytic, antispasmodic, analgesic, hypotensive, nervine, trophorestorative. A soothing, relaxing and grounding nervine, assists with expelling nervous tension, releasing restless energy and restoring the nervous system. Also known as “blisswort.” Rapidly effective in relieving pre-menstrual tension.

BLACK COHOSH // Cimicifuga racemosa, syn. Actaea racemosa // Alterative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, anti-rheumatic. Powerful nervine and muscle relaxant and uterine tonic herb.

WOOD BETONY // Stachys officinalis // Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, digestive, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, relaxant, sedative, tonic. Feeds and strengthens the central nervous system. Gentle sedative action eases anxiety, tension, and headache. Centering and grounding.

RASPBERRY LEAF // Rubus spp. // Reproductive tonic, astringent, anti-inflammatory.The most famous and widely used female tonic herbs. Contains fragarine, an alkaloid that tones and nourishes the uterus and pelvic region. Rich source of vitamins and minerals.

YARROW // Achillea millefolium // Antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, astringent, vulnerary, styptic. Used to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding, for easing of cramps, and to stimulate delayed or absent cycles.

ROSE HIPS // Rosa canina // The fruit of the wild dog rose, very high in Vitamin C as well as a source of folate, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also good for the circulatory system.

Dubbed "Nature's Aspirin" or "Herbal Aspirin" due to its salicin content. Salicin is the natural constituent that commercial aspirin ( acetylsalicylic acid), was designed to mimic. Since salicin converts to salicylic acid in the body over a period of time, it does work slower but the effects reportedly last longer and there are less complaints of gastrointestinal problems. Traditionally used as an all-purpose pain reliever and anti-inflammatory: headache, joint pain, muscle pain, etc. White willow bark is approved by the German Commission E in supporting joint health, as well as for alleviating occasional headaches in healthy individuals. Do not use if allergic to aspirin or other salicylate-containing drugs.

Actions: sedative, analgesic,anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, ntipyretic, astringent, febrifuge Energetically warming.

Packaged in 1 oz amber glass bottle with dropper top.

Tincture of elderberry tincture, cinnamon, clove and star anise. An immune system booster that is also a great ally when dealing with cough, upper respiratory infections, and fever. Spice combination of clove, cinnamon and star anise added for their expectorant and analgesic actions. A must-have support tonic for cold and flu.

Packaged in a 1 oz amber glass bottle with dropper.

Directions: Can be used as a preventative boost (a dropperful daily) or to support recovery (up to 4x/daily.) Can be taken straight, diluted with water, added to your favorite tea or mixed with honey to create a syrup.

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ELDER BERRY // Sambucus nigra // Diuretic, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune stimulant .  Elder is often referred to as “the medicine chest for the country people”, alluding to its wide-ranging actions and ready availability. An exceptional ally during colds, flu, and respiratory infections. The go-to herb at the initial signs of cold or flu.

CLOVE // Syzygium aromaticum // Antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, analgesic. Contains phenols such as carvacrol and thymol which are highly antifungal in nature. Helps ease pain and antiseptic qualities help fight infection. Constituent eugenol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can have a numbing effect. Can soothe and relax the inner lining of the intestines, great for upset stomach.

CINNAMON // Cinnamomum cassia // Antioxidant, tonic, analgesic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, alterative, expectorant, carminative, digestive, emmenagogue.

ANISE // Illicium verum // Carminative, expectorant, antispasmodic, antiseptic. 

Ocimum tenuiflorum / Ocimum sanctum

This single herb tincture is prepared using leaves from the Krishna variety of Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi. Holy Basil is a member of the mint family and has been used for over 3,000 years.

As an adaptogen, Holy Basil helps combat stress and ease the "fight or flight" reactions our body has to stress factors. These reactions used to save our lives when "stress" was caused by predators, but are not as useful when our modern day "predators" come at us in the guise of an overloaded work schedule or an unpaid bill. Holy Basil assists the body in taming the mental, physical and emotional ramifications of this stress.

A nervine, it is initially stimulating, but then brings a calm and reassuring sense of solidity and groundedness that helps quiet the mind, collect distracted thoughts into focus, and give one a sense of resilience for the long haul. It can move blocked energy to dispel sluggishness as well as move and direct restless energy to ease hyperactivity and inability to concentrate.

By moving stuck energy in the energetic nervous system, holy basil ‘lifts’ the depression, uplifting the heart and allowing it to open to feel emotion and connection with others. Also traditionally used to relieve "mental fog", sharpen the mind, and boost memory.

Daily use is believed to help maintain balance of the body's chakras. Actions: adaptogen, antibacterial, alterative, antifungal, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antidepressant, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactogogue, immunomodulant, nervine, radioprotective, tonic, stimulant, anxiolytic.

Energetically cooling and drying.

Packaged in 1 oz amber glass bottle with dropper top.

Melissa officinalis

This popular member of the mint family was dubbed the "Elixir of Life" by the Swiss physician/alchemist/astrologer/"father of toxicology" Paracelsus. It is a cooling nervine with a deliciously mild lemony flavor. It has been used for centuries, even pre-dating the Middle Ages, as a nervous system tonic.

This is truly a balm for the body and spirit - soothing headache, anxiety, nervousness, depression, heartache, and grief - it brings light where there is darkness. Melissa has also been used to reduce hyperactivity and concentration issues, especially in children. Tannins and other polyphenols are thought to deter certain viruses, rendering them unable to infect the body and spread.

Lemon Balm is an excellent ally for stomach distress and digestive concerns, headache, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, menstrual cramping, grief/heartache, seasonal effective disorder, and cold sores.

Actions: antiviral, antispasmodic, antidepressant, antioxidant, carminative, anxiolytic, nervine, radioprotective, trophorestorative. Energetically cooling and drying.

This single herb tincture has been prepared using a blend of alcohol and vegetable glycerin. Packaged in 1 oz amber glass bottle with dropper top.

A combination of spilanthes, horehound, echinacea and peppermint to help ease sore throat pain and suppress coughing.

Spilanthes is also known as the “toothache plant”, “buzz buttons”, “tingflowers” and “electric daisies” and these names are found to be quite apt upon chewing on one of these strange looking flowers as they excite the nerves and create a very distinct tingling feeling! This buzzing and numbing feeling does translate into tincture form and when sprayed into the mouth it can help ease the pain and itch of a sore throat. Spilanthes also stimulates the salivary glands causing the mouth to water noticeably.  This keeps the throat lubricated to cut down on coughing that can further irritate an already sore throat.  Added to the mix is horehound, which can help break up phlegm, echinacea, for its antibacterial and antiviral properties and peppermint, for it cooling effect and delicious flavor.

DIRECTIONS: Spray directly into the back of the mouth, toward the throat, as needed.

Packaged in a 2 oz amber glass bottle with spray mister top.

INGREDIENTS: spilanthes**, echinacea**, horehound**, peppermint**, alcohol, non-GMO vegetable glycerin*, distilled water (**cultivated without the use of chemicals, *certified organic)

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SPILANTHES // Acmella oleracea // Immunomodulator, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, analgesic, vasorelaxant. Helps to numb pain and stimulate the salivary glands, aside from pain it can also be helpful with dry mouth, mouth sores and inflammation, or changes in taste sensations.

HOREHOUND // Marrubium vulgate //Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, digestive, vasodilator, diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-parasitic, tonic, vulnerary. Has been mentioned in conjunction with medicinal use dating at least back to the 1st century BC, where it appeared as a remedy for respiratory ailments, breaks up phlegm and relieves bronchial congestion.

ECHINACEA // Echinacea purpurea & E. augustifolia // Alterative, immune stimulant, immunomodulant, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, sialagogue. Probably the most well-known/frequently-used herbal supplement in the United States. Improves the white blood cells' ability to speed to and tackle infections (viral, fungal and bacterial) which can lead to faster recovery time.

PEPPERMINT // Mentha × piperita // Antispasmodic, carminative, bitter, antimicrobial, analgesic, diaphoretic, stimulant, nervine, anti-emetic. Cooling effect that helps stop itch, inhalation of the volatile oils in peppermint oil or tea helps relieve nasal congestion. Peppermint is a traditional treatment for fevers, colds, and flus due to its antimicrobial, diaphoretic, analgesic, anticongestant and antitussive actions.