How I Extract

It can be difficult to find the herbal medicines we are looking for, as well as trust the source as being sustainable, free of heavy metals and chemicals, local or made with reliable GMO-free alcohol and acetates.

That’s where I come in!

I have spent years cultivating an extensive apothecary housing native and non-native plants of the Pacific Northwest. I believe that using plants near and around us is important, as it not only guarantees freshness and potency, but it also leaves the smallest footprint. Using plants that live around us connects us more deeply to the land that we live on. These plants are our kin, our allies, and ingesting them so close to home connects us more deeply to the Earth Mother, creating an even deeper healing for all of us. 

Here, in the Shoots & Roots Apothecary, you will find various tinctures and topical salves that I have carefully formulated to address the most common ailments that I see in clients today. If there is something you are looking for, and do not see here, please reach out, as I am happy to make something specific to your needs. 

Wildcrafted

I forage the majority of plants and mushrooms from where it grows naturally, such as a forest, meadow or estuary. All wildcrafted plants are sustainably harvested from a natural setting far from roads, places with logging activity or train tracks where there is a risk of pollution or pesticide use. Any cultivated plants I use are grown using organic practices. 

Alcohol Tinctures

All alcohol that I use is organic and never derived from allergens such as corn or wheat. Alcohol is capable of extracting a large range of medicinal compounds from plants but cannot extract minerals.

Acetates

Acetates are herbal extractions using vinegar as the means for extraction. All acetates are made using organic rice vinegar or organic apple cider vinegar (ACV). While acetates do not have the capacity to extract the same broad medicinal range as alcohol, it can extract minerals. Often, I will pair an alcohol tincture with an acetate in order to have a fuller spectrum of compounds and minerals extracted.

Dual Extractions

Mushrooms and lichens have both water soluble and non-water soluble compounds. An extraction is done first using alcohol to extract the non-water soluble compounds, followed by an  aqueous (water) decoction to extract the water soluble compounds. This ensures a fuller spectrum of compounds and minerals extracted.

Salves

I use organic sunflower oil and organic olive oil to extract the compounds from the plant for topical use. This is done at extremely low temperatures  to ensure that the oil’s structure remains intact and doesn’t create excess free radicals. A salve may be any varied combination of herbal oil extracts, beeswax, essential oils and aqueous extracts, specifically combined for different ailments.

Small Batch

Small batch means that every tincture or oil made, there is only one. Once that is out, it is out for the season, until I can harvest more once the plant is ready the following year. Batches of the same tinctures may vary from year to year in colour, taste and potency, depending on the plant, location, weather etc.