If you are in need of natural remedies for stress and anxiety, this recipe is the perfect answer.
Too many activities and busyness can throw us off balance, affecting the nervous system and taking a toll on our overall wellbeing. Fortunately, there are herbs that help in coping with it all. These herbs help bring about peace and calm so that you can appreciate the joys of life.
This herbal formula is made into a tincture for ease and convenience. It includes herbs that work in the following ways.
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Lemon balm and lemon verbena are nerve tonics and mild nerve sedatives helping to ease tension. They work by directly relaxing the nervous system, soothing both nerves and muscles. Skullcap works especially well if there is exhaustion involved and it’s also relaxing where there is tension. Oats build and strengthen the overall nervous system.
To learn more about these and other natural remedies for stress and anxiety, check out this blog post.
Tincture Recipe:
- 1 part lemon balm
- 1 part skullcap
- 1 part lemon verbena
- 1 part oat tops and oat straw
- Brandy, enough to cover all ingredients
This recipe uses “parts” as measurement. If you are making a small amount, then parts can be teaspoons. If you would like to make a larger batch for storage, parts can be tablespoons or cups.
To Make the Tincture
Select a small jar with a wide mouth and a tight fitting lid, such as canning or ball jar. This could be 4 ounce, 1/2 pint or pint size depending on the amount of tincture you want to make.
Place enough herbs in the jar until there is at least 1/2 inch of space remaining at the top. Add brandy to the top of the jar, using a spoon or knife to push any air bubbles out. Cover tightly and place in a dark location for 2 weeks at a minimum, although up to 6 weeks is ideal. Strain well with a cheesecloth, reserving the liquid and composting the solids. Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. You can transfer to a dropper bottle for ease of use. Take ½ teaspoon twice a day. For acute situations, take 1/2 teaspoon every two hours for a day or two only. Simply place under the tongue or put into liquid such as water, tea or juice.
Feel free to leave any comments or questions below. If you would like to learn more about herbal medicine, check out the Home Herb School at www.homeherbschool.com
hello
thank you for the tincture recipe. Is it best to use fresh or dried herbs?
regards kerry
Hi Kerry,
Either fresh or dried herbs can be used to make tinctures.
Elizabeth
Hello thank you for this recipe, could the skulcap be replaced with an alternative if so could you please advice, also does the brandy have to be a certain % proof.
Many thanks
Kind reagrds
Rachael
Hi Rachael,
You could simply leave the skullcap out or replace it with any of the other herbs listed in the link just above the recipe. Brandy is usually found in 80 or 100 proof, either of which will work.
Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth,
One of my family member, who would like a stress and anxiety tincture, is an alcoholic and cannot ingest any alcohol. What other medium would work to make this tincture?
Hi Cathy,
You can make a glycerite by replacing the alcohol with glycerine.
Elizabeth
Hi, I am interested in the tincture for my grandson but was puzzled by the oat tops and oat straw. Would crushed oats do? No idea where I can get oat straw without it being from the pet shop! He’s 11, autistic, and needs help avoiding an episode where he feels really low about his actions. He is getting help. Any problem with mixing with any medication? Thank you
Hi Erika,
The botanical name for oats/oat straw is Avena sativa. You can order it from the resources provided at the end of the article. According the Commission E Monographs which the most respected resource on herbs, there are no know drug interactions with this herb.
Elizabeth