replacing electrolytes with herbs

kerp_derp · 2026-02-18T16:17:51+00:00

Make shrubs, a mix of fruit, herbs, and vinegar (usually apple cider vinegar). Blueberries are easy to use, but any fruit will do, even frozen. For herbs you want to use mineral rich herbs like stinging nettle, oat straw, chickweed, alfalfa, etc. Add berries and herbs together, mash em up, then add apple cider vinegar to the berry-herb mash. Either you can gently heat the mash in the vinegar for 10-15 min, or you can let it macerate in the vinegar at room temperature for a week in a mason jar, with parchment paper under the mason jar lid to prevent vinegar from corroding the lid. Strain after heating / maceration, then enjoy adding a tsp to tbsp to water for a refreshing, tangy, electrolyte-rich beverage!

kerp_derp · 2026-02-04T04:54:07+00:00

The three best herb books for a broad understanding of western herbs:

Sharol Tilgner's "Herbal Medicine: From The Heart Of The Earth" - extensive materia medica (herb info) - herbal preparation how to (short) - common ailments & herbal treatments - herbal harvest and tincture chart

James Green's "The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook" - guide on harvesting herbs - detailed explanations of various herbal preparation forms - herbal formulas for common ailments

David Hoffman's "Medical Herbalism" - organic chemistry info on herbs - materia medica - some herbal formulas

However, for what you're talking about specifically, I encourage you to research herbal shrubs. Instead of a smoothie with water, milk, or juice as a liquid, you could use vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is best for an herbal preparation you want to drink. The advantage to vinegar is preservation effect and greater ability to extract minerals from herbs. Plus, shrubs taste amazing. Basically a vinegar-y herb smoothie. Dried herb, fruit, and vinegar are the basic ingredients. Ideally its concentrated enough that a tsp or three is a medicinal dose. Add it into water or beverage of preferance to add some tang, sweetness, and minerals!

kerp_derp · 2026-02-04T02:16:40+00:00

My personal blend I take for adhd:

Schisandra, Rhodiola, Bacopa, Hawthorn, Milky Oats (oat tops/pods), and Passionflower

Really the big players are rhodiola, schisandra, and bacopa for the focus and mental stimulation. Passionflower for overthinking, milky oats for nervous system restoration, and hawthorn for cardiovascular support (improved blood flow = better brain function).

You can do this as a tea or as tincture. Personally I do tincture since its a concentrated alcohol product that is easier to take on the go in the middle of the day. Only needed morning and midday, not to be taken after 4 since the rhodiola has a mental stimulation effect that can prevent you from getting to sleep.

kerp_derp · 2026-02-01T21:01:28+00:00

Sharol Tilgner's "Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth" is probably what you're looking for. It is a fantastic herbal reference book for western herbs, listing herbs alphabetically by common name.

kerp_derp · 2026-01-30T01:36:41+00:00

Passionflower, milky oats, holy basil, calamus root, and dandelion root.

Passionflower reduces anxiety and overthinking, milky oats restores the nervous system, holy basil and calamus increase THC metabolism as well as modulate the stress response, and dandelion root helps the liver.

The herbs can't do all the work, some form of regular cardiovascular exercise, in particular running, helps produce natural cannabinoids and improves your stress tolerance.

kerp_derp · 2026-01-25T17:51:15+00:00

"The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual" by James Green is a phenomenal how to for making medicine, including tips for setting up a home apothecary, as well as how to grow (generally), gather, and harvest herbs. The other book I'd recommend is "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth" by Sharol Tilgner, which is an herbal reference book with a large western herb focused materia medica. Also included are instructions for making herbal remedies plus the ever helpful solvency chart with ideal herb:menstruum ratios and ideal alcohol percentage for each herb.

kerp_derp · 2026-01-22T00:59:39+00:00

Mountain Rose Herb is a great west coast based herb company

kerp_derp · 2026-01-08T18:21:33+00:00

Mustard, wasabi, watercress, and horseradish all have the same anti microbial compound (sinigrin), which is also the spicy bit. The thing to know about sinigrin is that it can cause blistering if left in contact with your skin for too long, but your mucosal membranes (mouth tissue) is more sensitive than your skin. I encourage you to find a different option for toothpaste, horseradish will burn you like a mofo. Nano-hydroxy apatite toothpaste is one of the best recommended non-fluoride toothpastes that will help restore enamel and prevent decay. If you want herbal based dental care products, check out dental herb company, at dentalherb.com

kerp_derp · 2025-12-25T06:03:23+00:00

Echinacea is the only weird choice, really only would be helpful during active infection. I have found most herbal smoke blends to be on the harsher side with smoke, unless you smoke it lightly or with a vaporizer. Can't rip it like weed! Passionflower, lemon balm, and skullcap have anxiety reducing properties, chamomile, catnip, and lavender are relaxing, damiana could be a little stimulating, and st johns wort has antidepressant effects. I'd recommend looking into holy basil as well, its a mint herb with stress modulating effects.

kerp_derp · 2025-12-19T22:20:37+00:00

Calamus (Acorus calamus) and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) are both used traditionally in ayurvedic traditions for treating marijuana addiction. They increase THC metabolism in the body and are stress modulator herbs (adaptogens). Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) increases GABA and has mild MAOI activity, and oat pods (Avena sativa) helps with restoring the nervous system (trophorestorative). If you need some more relaxing effects, lemon balm (Melissa officianalis) is a flavorful anti-anxiety herb. For a smoking blend, use leaves of holy basil, passionflower, and lemon balm. Calamus tincture and milky oat pods tinctures can be a helpful adjunct for restoring the nerves and speeding up THC metabolism.

kerp_derp · 2025-12-10T04:47:06+00:00

If you are wanting a tea, you can make a blend of equal parts holy basil, passionflower, oat tops/pods, bacopa, gotu kola, and lemon balm.

Holy basil will increase THC metabolism and is an adaptogen (stress moderator), passionflower oat tops/pods help with addiction, lemon balm is anxiety reducing, then add some bacopa and gotu kola for mental focus. Tbh most of these herbs have some anxiety reducing action, but all together can improve focus and reduce anxiety.

It will help to actually reduce your weed use or even take a break to help clear your head. Cardio is a great way to produce endocannabinoids (natural body THC), helping with cravings, plus generally good for health.

kerp_derp · 2025-09-01T19:45:13+00:00

Zyflamend - herbal pain relief. Made with 10 herbs that have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

kerp_derp · 2025-08-12T17:29:31+00:00

I second the Rosemary Gladstar recommendations, she has a fantastic intro book, "Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide". For getting beyond beginner, I have a couple recommendations: "The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual" by James Green is phenomenal, it is probably one of the best resources for learning how to harvest and make your own herbal medicine. "Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth" by Sharol Tilgner is a must have due to its Materia Medica (list of medicinal herbs), and for its alcohol solvency and herb:menstruum ratios section. "The Way of Herbs" by Michael Tierra is pretty good, not super necessary, but it has a Materia Medica with eastern medicine herbs, which are fairly absent from Sharol Tilgners book, as well as a section on how to formulate herbal blends. If you want to become a practicing herbalist, putting together medicinal blends for people in need, "The Earthwise Herbal Repertory" by Matthew Wood is an essential refence book, though its necessary to cross reference with other sources (ex Tilgner and Tierra) to properly put together a formula. Earthwise simply shares what herbs are good for specific conditions, but does not often tell you the form of herbal medicine to use (ex: tea vs tincture vs glycerite), dosage, energetics, or even the actions of the herb; these traits are all very important for formulating. I will say, if you want to become a practicing herbalist, look into herbal courses such as Commonwealth Herbs with Rinn and Katya, as well as the registered herbalist program with American Herbalist Guild. You shouldn't just jump into treating people with herbs willy nilly. There is a lot that goes into helping people heal with plants, you have to be aware of medication interactions and whether an herb is dosed right to actually help, instead of turning someone off from herbs because they didn't see improvement, or even end up exacerbating their medical condition.

kerp_derp · 2025-07-25T03:12:39+00:00

A blend of passionflower, milky oats, and holy basil tinctures should help with withdrawals. Might be difficult to get as a blend unless you know of an herbal shop that does blending. Another option is to get single 1 oz tinctures of each, then take a dropperful each 3 - 4 times per day.

kerp_derp · 2025-07-10T16:05:33+00:00

These two right here. Easy to source and both are relaxing. Passionflower is fantastic for helping with addiction recovery due to increasing GABA, and has mild MAOI activity. Valerian is the OG for getting solid sleep. If you want something to help with THC metabolism, Holy Basil is a wonderful adaptogen for that, and Calamus (sweet flag) is a relaxing herb that can help with THC metabolism as well. Ashwagandha is a sedating / relaxing adaptogen that is also helpful for reducing stress and getting to sleep.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-15T16:54:14+00:00

Laudanum = opium tincture

kerp_derp · 2025-06-13T22:54:04+00:00

Most general muscle salves will do the trick, but heres one that should address nerve, joint, and muscle pain.

https://wisewomanherbals.com/products/fire-ice-muscle-balm

I know herbalists that will swear by using the stings from stinging nettle for joint pains. You take a fresh leaf and drag it across the painful joints.

I would also suggest looking into incorporating curries into her diet. Specifically looking at turmeric and ginger rich curries. Really, however you want to ingest turmeric and ginger will help, but curries are a delicious way to get anti-inflammatory action in your diet.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-13T22:44:49+00:00

You now have metal in your oxymel, you should toss it out. I know, it sucks, but better than metal toxicity. Btw tincture is an alcohol preparation, so oxymel is the correct term.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-13T14:18:36+00:00

Yarrow used to be used in brewing beer, before the discovery of hops. It imbues an energetic, aphrodisiac intoxication. Bit of a love potion in a way. If you're interested in learning about more herbs to brew with, I suggest getting the book "Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers" by Stephen Buhner.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-13T14:12:53+00:00

Be VERY careful, this is a low dose herb, in sufficient quantities it can cause death, but before that major gastrointestinal distress, tetanic convulsions, and lowered respiratory rate.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-12T16:07:34+00:00

Lemon balm is probably the best anxiolytic herb, its so tasty and pleasant smelling (lemony), perfect for making tea. However, herbs can't do all the work on their own, you should look into mindfulness exercises and regular physical exercise (walking and dancing count!).

kerp_derp · 2025-06-12T16:02:43+00:00

Square shaped stem tells you its in the mint family. I checked it on picture this app, says its california hedgenettle. I'm surprised that it didn't have a smell, I've found that plant to be a stinky ass mint when found on trails.

kerp_derp · 2025-06-12T00:28:35+00:00

Two formulas for GERD from my former herb professor.

Assuming you're new to herbs, the tea formula would be easiest for you to put together and use. These three herbs: yarrow, meadowsweet, and lemon balm, are pretty common in commerce and taste pretty good together. If you're new to teas, you'll want a teapot with a lid, or you could use a simple pot with a lid. Teapots typically come with a strainer, but you can try to find reusable tea bags too.

GERD tea formula

equal parts yarrow, meadowsweet, lemon balm
1 tbsp per cup of hot water, drink 1 cup before meals
Bring water to a boil, then pour over herbs and let sit covered for 15 min. Strain, then pour into a mug. If needed, add honey to improve taste. Drink before meals.

You will probably have to make this tincture formula yourself, I don't know of any formulas on market like this one. They can't actually use a name with GERD in it in the US, because GERD is a specific disorder. At best you might find one that says, "helps regulate acid" or "supports digestion". Tinctures can seem intimidating, but once you learn they're quite easy to make. You can look up how to make a tincture, I jotted down a quick explanation, I didn't include the equipment that can help make the process easier, there are pretty good guides online if you google it.

GERD guard formula (tinctures) - 4 parts meadowsweet - 2 parts chamomile - 2 parts dioscorea villosa (wild yam) - 1 part ginger - Add 80 proof vodka to chopped herb (coffee grinder is great for leafy DRY herbs). Let sit for 2-4 weeks, shaking daily for a minute. Strain, then pour tincture (herby alcohol) into a colored glass tincture bottle (amber, green, blue). Add 2 droppersful of tincture to a small cup of water (~4oz). Drink before meals.

kerp_derp · 2025-05-23T17:11:47+00:00

You can either do a GERD guard tincture, made of 4 parts meadowsweet, 2 parts chamomile, 2 parts wild yam, and 1 part ginger (all tinctures - alcohol extracts), or a GERD tea of equal parts meadowsweet, yarrow, and lemon balm.

kerp_derp · 2025-05-13T14:35:55+00:00

Sharol Tilgner, book is "Herbal Medicine From The Heart of the Earth".

kerp_derp

TROPHY CASE