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Having conjunctivitis (pink eye) sucks. I used to give it to myself for not removing my eyemake up before going to bed. (Bad, Xina!) Anyway, I actually ended up clearing it up pretty fast making an infusion of freshly ground goldenseal root (baby, you don't even WANT to know what that stuff costs!) and eyebright. I let it steep about an hour, then ran it through a coffee filter and decanted into a 2 oz. sized bottle and dropper - cobalt blue of course, for those of you who have asked me what type of bottles I prefer. I like the cobalt over the amber glass because it lets in just as little light and it looks more attractive. The only drawback of this treatment is that it can sting just a little bit, initially, then your friends and family get to hear you use all sorts of colourful metaphors as you are bliking and tearing like mad - but the upside is that after about a day, the conjunctivitis is noteably less, and in two to three days is completely gone. I'd like to see any perscription for that particular ailment work as well!
Today I am going to make a new batch of usnea tincture. I had made some about six years ago - and I am just now running out. The plant has almost no water soluability whatsoever, so the extraction needs to be in an 50% proof alcohol or better. Last time I opted for Everclear - which btw, was quite effective in the extraction process. Its not something that you want to take in copious amounts, but it is an excellent preventative and stimulent to the immune system. In accute infection, it is great for strep throat and other bronchial infections. It also has been cited by Stephen Buhner as being very good for tuberculosis and vaginal infections as well.
Unfortunately, Frontier has been rather short sighted and discontinued this herb, along with Osha root - both of which are excellent antibiotics. Customers are asking for them, and I consider myself lucky that I have about a pound of each, which should last me a few years even if I use it often in my clinical practice as an herbalist.
Today I am going to make a new batch of usnea tincture. I had made some about six years ago - and I am just now running out. The plant has almost no water soluability whatsoever, so the extraction needs to be in an 50% proof alcohol or better. Last time I opted for Everclear - which btw, was quite effective in the extraction process. Its not something that you want to take in copious amounts, but it is an excellent preventative and stimulent to the immune system. In accute infection, it is great for strep throat and other bronchial infections. It also has been cited by Stephen Buhner as being very good for tuberculosis and vaginal infections as well.
Unfortunately, Frontier has been rather short sighted and discontinued this herb, along with Osha root - both of which are excellent antibiotics. Customers are asking for them, and I consider myself lucky that I have about a pound of each, which should last me a few years even if I use it often in my clinical practice as an herbalist.
