I’m a self-taught natural medicine-maker.
In many ways, silence is my teacher. She draws me into the forest among the medicine and messages of the plants and mushrooms where I continue to deepen my connection to the trees, elements and celestial beings, and to the land as a place of healing.
I listen to the subtleties of wild herbs, flowers, shrubs, trees and fungi, and ethically forage their medicine to make products that connect, empower and support. This is old knowledge that we all possess; I practice it, and share what I find and make. I take only what I need and create extracts, tinctures, salves and elixirs in small batches.
May these blends, mixes and medicines resonate with you.
Be well,
Anastasia
My friend Myorei sent me this image by Augusto Giacometti called Rainbow (1916). It captures our adventures together—off-trail, in the forest, across fields and along the ocean shores. I thank her for her brightness, friendship and for introducing me to mushrooms. In the end, it’s what (re)ignited my passion for plants and foraging. Merci.
Elixir | 30ml
Plant material in alcohol and organic honey + rare plant tinctures too
$30
Extract | 50ml
Plant material infused in organic extra virgin olive oil
$25
Salve | 100ml
Infused organic extra virgin olive oil with beeswax and poplar oil
$35
Tincture | 50ml
Plant material and/or fungi infused in alcohol (vodka)
$35
What I make
Question: What is an elixir?
An elixir uses alcohol and honey to extract the medicine from the plant or fungi material. Think cough syrups. I like this mix when I'm working with ingredients that need a little balance through sweetness or when the honey can add anti-bacterial properties to the medicine altogether. I use 40-50% vodka and organic honey in my elixirs. Elixirs are best consumed within 10 years from the time they were made.
If you don't like consuming alcohol, consider applying the elixir to the bottom of your feet rather than taking in orally; this was done in times past when giving alcohol-based medicines to kids.
Question: What is an extract?
An extract is a gentle release of plant material medicine through an oil. I use organic extra virgin olive oil that my family imports from Greece and leave my extracts in the sun to infuse in the spring and summer months. This allows the plant material to slowly release its medicine without adding any external heat source. Extracts are best consumed within 2-3 years from the time they were made.
Question: What is a salve?
A salve combines beeswax and an oil base to create a smoothable lotion. I add poplar-infused organic extra virgin oil oil to all of mine, it acts as a natural stabilizer, along with locally sourced beeswax and a mix of my favourite extracts to make fabulous healing balms! Salves have a shelf life of 3-5 years but best consumed as soon as possible.
Question: What is a tincture?
A tincture is a mix of plant or fungi material in alcohol. I use 40-50% vodka and like to leave my medicines to dance in the dark for at least two or three months. For roots or fungi, I make double extracted tinctures. This means I remove the organic material from the alcohol and simmer it in spring water (from a local source) to further extract any medicinal properties, which is then reduced and added back into the alcohol base to strengthen the overall medicine. Tinctures last upwards of 10 years.
If you don't like consuming alcohol, consider applying the tincture to the bottom of your feet rather than taking in orally; this was done in times past when giving alcohol-based medicines to kids.
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