What Are Alkaloids in Plants & How to Extract Them
In our quest to unravel the tangled strings of phytochemistry, it’s important to understand that it takes time and practice to grasp the ins and outs. Taking it slowly, leaning into one constituent group at a time, can help the herbalist fully embrace their actions and needs. While studying the constituents in plants and the menstrua that extract and preserve them seems a bit too “science-y” for some, remember that is what the alchemists of yesterday were all about. Perhaps they didn’t have names such as polysaccharides, antioxidants, terpenes, and the like. However, they laid the groundwork for herbalists today with their attempts to classify and catalog the reactions of herbs in the bodies of their patients. It was in the 17th century that alchemy became chemistry as the emphasis leaned more toward experimentation and critical thinking and relied less on spirituality and mysticism. We, as experienced or budding herbalists, can explore both critical thinking and the mystical side of plants.
Digestion-Supporting Cordial Recipe for the Holidays
Although many people think of cordials—also known as liqueurs—as cocktail ingredients, they can also be potent and delicious digestifs. DIY cordials can be simple with just two or three ingredients or you can make them more complex by blending bitter and aromatic botanicals to delight your nose and palate. Either way, they are one of the easiest herbal recipes you can make: put herbs in a jar, add neutral spirits, shake it now and again, and wait. That’s it. And when you make a cordial with digestion-supporting herbs and spices, you turn this delicious little liqueur into a highly effective digestif. Best of all, we’ve got just enough time to make a cordial for the winter holidays! To get you started, here’s a festive midwinter cordial recipe that is the perfect finish to a hearty cold-weather meal when you’re relaxing in the company of your favorite people.
Herbal Extracts: Made with Care at Mountain Rose Herbs
Have you ever wondered how extracts are made here at Mountain Rose Herbs? Our dedicated extract production team carefully oversees the process from delivery of fresh plant material to bottling, packaging, and shipment to our customers. We use only the freshest cultivated and wildharvested plants, organic grain alcohol, and reverse osmosis water to create these handcrafted herbal extracts.
Mountain Rose Herbs’ Extract Production Supervisor, Keegan, shows us the ins and outs of our extract facility here in Eugene, OR, where we mill, tincture, and bottle all our herbal extracts.
From fresh plants and organic alcohol to quality control checks, our line of single and combination extracts is crafted with care and attention to detail.
