Jeremy,Monique Rivett-Carnac
& their children,
Gabriel,Paul & Marie-Therese
Proprietors & Founders
St. Francis Herb Farm ® Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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| Q.
Why use herbal remedies?
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A.
Herbs are a natural way of dealing with health of body and mind and have been used from time immemorial in all cultures in order to: - prevent and alleviate disease
- enhance the immune system
- remove toxins from the body
- maintain the body's self-regulation and balance
Even in our own day, an astonishing 75% of patented prescription medicines are based on herbs. Nonetheless, scientists and pharmaceutical researchers have been unable to isolate and name every single chemical component of herbs. In many respects, the constituent parts of the plant remain a mystery, beyond the scope of scientific analysis. This means that most often they cannot be synthetically reproduced.
When all is said and done, herbs remain a complex mixture of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates, as well as trace elements and healing agents. In a dynamic, inexplicable way all these components work together synergistically to produce healing. Which is why it can truly be said of an herbal remedy that it is greater than the sum of its parts.
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| Q.
Are herbal remedies safe?
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When used properly, herbal remedies are very safe. All the same, you need to remember that they're a form of medicine. You should never use them to treat serious medical problems or lingering symptoms without first consulting a health care professional.
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| Q.
What is a tincture?
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A tincture is a liquid extract made from soaking fresh or dried herbs in alcohol.
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What are the benefits of tinctures?
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A.
In our pill-popping world, capsules, soft gels and tablets are very popular. Tinctures, however, have many advantages over these modes of delivery. The bio-availability of tinctures is very high in comparison, because unlike pills tinctures don't rely on digestion to break them down. Tinctures are readily absorbed by the body, beginning their work in the bloodstream almost as soon as they enter the mouth. Which is a very significant benefit. Note also that: - Tinctures can be applied externally as well as internally.
- Tinctures can be stored for long periods of time, even years, without loss of effectiveness.
- Tinctures can be taken relatively accurately because they are administered in drops.
"We are thoroughly enjoying using your tinctures and have had very good results. It can sometimes be difficult to convince people to use a tincture instead of a capsule. But the results convince them shortly. Thank you."
Debbie McIntosh and Sabine Crackle
Arborg Wholistic Center
Arborg, MB
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| Q.
Why are tinctures alcohol-based?
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Not only is the alcohol in our tinctures indispensable for extracting the active ingredients of an herb, it is also needed to stabilize and preserve them. As well as limiting microbial activity, alcohol has the ability to inhibit enzymatic or hydrolytic reactions in plant extracts. Alcohol plays the role of a carrier substance conveying active ingredients within the body. Beyond that, it has been scientifically proven that small amounts of alcohol actually enhance the immune system and its defenses. The amount of alcohol taken in an average dose of tincture, you'll be surprised to learn, is about the same as what you'd find in an overly ripe banana! Should one desire, however, the alcohol in a tincture can be almost completely removed by simply adding the required drops to some water that has been brought to a boil. Because alcohol evaporates very easily, almost all of the alcohol will be removed by this method without harm to the medicinal properties of the tinctured herbs. The resulting mixture can be taken as soon as it cools enough to be consumed.
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| Q.
What’s the best way to take a tincture?
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The simplest way is just to add the required drops to a few ounces of warm water. If you prefer, you can use herbal tea or diluted juice in place of water. Alternatively, you can administer the drops directly into your mouth, under your tongue being the best.
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| Q.
Why do tinctures have such a bad taste?
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Many people comment on the sometimes unpleasant taste of tinctures. This is a result of the herbs themselves, which can have a sharp, robust flavour. Often it seems that the stronger and more effective the herbal tincture is, the more pronounced the taste will be. Sometimes the best way to take the recommended dose of a tincture is to put the drops in a bit of water and gulp the whole thing down quickly. In fact, the taste of a tincture is an important factor in its overall efficacy as the body learns to associate the taste with the healing effects specific to the remedy. It does not take long for the body to register a remedy's taste, which in turn triggers a response in the body, predisposing it and making it receptive to the positive healing properties of the remedy, whether it is a single herb or synergistic combination of herbs. Understanding this process may make taking tinctures a little easier to get used to! Many tinctures may add to the efficacy of a herbal tea, and this provides a very pleasant way to take a herbal tinctures. For example, in order to enjoy the benefits of a herbal tea a person must often consume rather a lot of it, sometimes five or six cups! However, a dose of Lemon Balm Single Tincture in a cup of Lemon Balm tea boosts the effectiveness of the tea.
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How is the dosage determined?
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When we establish the recommended dosage of an herbal tincture, we examine a number of factors. Primarily we look at the tincture's level of concentration and its specifically intended use. Often the dosage is given in the form of a range. This allows for differences in body weight and physical constitution.
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Should I be taking herbs when pregnant or breastfeeding?
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Except for culinary herbs, no you shouldn't take herbs or herbal remedies without the go-ahead from a qualified practitioner.
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Can I take herbal remedies with prescription drugs?
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Often this does not pose a problem. It is most advisable to consult a professional health care practitioner before taking more than one remedy at a time.
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How long should I take an herbal remedy?
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It all depends on the nature and seriousness of your ailment. In the case of an acute or superficial condition, you may end up taking the herbal extract for less than a month, perhaps even just one week. For a chronic ailment, your period of treatment may last months. Whatever the case, if you use any herbal extract for more than a week, avoid taking it every seventh day for a rhythm of six days on and one day off. If your period of treatment last longer than six weeks, go on a schedule of six weeks on and a seventh week off, while continuing to take one day off during every week that you're taking your herbal remedy. Similarly, if you take an extract for longer than six months, take a seventh month off, and then repeat this incremental process. This schedule of time off from treatment adds to the potency of the herb you're using.
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Can I take two or more herbal remedies concurrently?
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Usually this does not pose a problem. Often times it's actually the preferred course of treatment.
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How do I store tinctures?
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You can store them at room temperature, but out of direct sunlight.
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What’s the shelf life of a tincture?
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When properly stored, a tincture can last for years.
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