Winter is definitely here and showing off! And while I do enjoy the cold weather, and even the snow, the lack of sunshine can really affect me. When I’m feeling blue, I sometimes take this homemade Winter Blues Elixir before going out on a walk, despite the weather. And if you can’t find the extracts in your grocery store, you can buy them from Mountain Rose Herbs.
For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to her collection because elixirs like this have been around for centuries. The extracts included have been shown to help improve seasonal moods, especially when combined with getting outside and soaking up as much fresh air and Vitamin D as possible. Even 30 minutes outside, in combination with your favorite herbal tea and few drops of this tincture, can make you feel so much better.
Note: I am not an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs. I just love their website and buy most of my herbs and other special ingredients from them.
Ingredients:
- 1 part organic St. John’s wort extract
- 1/2 part organic lemon balm extract
- 1/2 part organic hawthorn extract
- 1/2 part organic kava kava extract
- 1/4 part organic ginger extract
Directions for Winter Blues Elixir
- Clean and sterilize a glass bottle with dropper lid.
- Using a dropper, put all the ingredients into the clean drop bottle, screw on the dropper lid, and shake until well blended, at least 20 times.
- Whenever you feel blue, take about 30 drops on your tongue, 1-2 times a day, for 1 week. Only used as needed. You can also add this elixir to your favorite herbal tea.
- NOTE: the first time you try this, take only 5 drops and then sit quietly with your favorite book and wait to see how you feel. You might not need 30 drops at a time. Only take what you need and this could mean experimenting with the dose a bit.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING, AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
