Why Do I prefer tinctures? Some herbs won't give up their medicinal properties to solvents that are less potent than alcohol. A big question I get asked is are these alcohol-based tinctures safe for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women? Yes and here is why, since the amount of alcohol ingested per dose is the equivalent of eating a very ripe banana. Sounds crazy right!! Tinctures are fast acting and deliver the medicinal properties fast but not just that, they have a long shelf life. Thyroid Calm-4oz Ingredients: Buggleweed, Lemon Balm, Motherwort Buggleweed: Latin name, Lycopus virginicus Common Names: Virgina water horehound, bugleweed, water bugle, carpenters herb, green archangel, Paul's betony, woodbetony, wolf foot, Egyptians herb. Parts Used: Aerial Parts Herbal Actions: astringent, antihemorragic, astringent, bitter, cardiotonic, emmenogogue, expectorant, hemostatic, antitussive, nervine. Safety: Not safe during pregnancy or lactation. Drug Interactions: Do not take in cases of low thyroid. Begleweed is a wonderful herb for nervous indigestion. Calming to the gut and the rest of the body in general. Decreases thyroid hormone levels which can be helpful in calming folks that have thyroid storms. Such as racing, palpating heart at times of stress and anxiety. Good hemostatic properties and is effective for passive hemorrhages with actions similar to Shepards Purse. Lemon Balm: Latin Name, Melissa officinalis Common Names: bee balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, honey plant, Melissa, sweet balm and sweet Mary Parts Used: Leaf Herbal Actions: Antiviral, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Sedative and Vasodilator. Safety: Safe during pregnancy and lactation. Can cause sleepiness. Drug Interactions: Can interfere with the actions of thyroid medications, sedatives and anethetics. Lemon Balm is useful as a heart tonic and to help reduce high blood pressure, headache and migraine. Gentle Cholagogue and can help eczema and psoriasis by clearing the liver. Calming herb, for stress and insomnia. Enhances memory and cognitive performance for people of all ages and could help with dementia and Alzheimer's Motherwort: Latin Name, Leonurus cardiaca Common names: heartwort, lion’s tail, lion’s ear, throw-wort Parts Used: Flowers, leaves, soft stems (Moore, 1979), seeds Herbal Actions: Antispasmodic, emmenagogue, nervine, cardiotonic, hypotensive, anxiolytic, diaphoretic, bitter, diuretic , circulatory stimulant Safety: Do not use motherwort during pregnancy, unless at the end of pregnancy under guidance of a qualified practitioner, as it stimulates mild uterine contractions (Brinker, 2010; Mills Bone, 2005). Motherwort is contraindicated for individuals with endometriosis or fibroids if there is heavy bleeding (Weed, 2008) and for those with hypothyroidism (Eich, 2009). An additive effect leading to excess drowsiness may occur when motherwort is used at the same time as central nervous system depressants including benzodiazepines (Hechtman, 2019). Due to the possible contraindication with hypothyroidism and possible additive effect with relaxant medications, professional guidance and supervision are advised before using motherwort with thyroid imbalances or combining with thyroid medications. Though the contraindication with hypothyroidism is not totally substantiated, many herbalists choose another herb altogether when working with someone with hypothyroid issues or drowsiness. Consult your doctor before taking motherwort if taking cardiac or blood-thinning medications as motherwort may interfere with these medications (Hoffmann, 2003; Winston Maimes, 2007). Motherwort has been used in traditional medicine systems worldwide for centuries. In ancient Greece, it was believed to be a powerful remedy for heart conditions, while in China, it was used to treat menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. Native American tribes utilized motherwort for its calming and nervine properties, often brewing it into teas to alleviate stress and anxiety. Dosage *These statements have not been verified by the FDA and is only referenced here as a fun fact and/or for historical commentary, is not to be used as medical advice in any way. Consult your doctor before ingesting any herbal product. None of these items or statements are approved by FDA. Consult your physician before taking any supplement. Do not take herbs or tinctures during pregnancy without consulting your healthcare provider. This product is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. All information here is for entertainment and educational purposes only.