Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

With its delicate, fern-like leaves and clusters of dainty, white flowers, yarrow is a medicinal cornucopia. Widespread throughout North America, yarrow has been utilized for centuries to treat a myriad of conditions. Infusions made from the leaves and flowers are used to treat cold and flu symptoms and regulate menstruation. With its hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, a poultice made from the leaves will slow bleeding, soothe burns and bruises, and reduce swelling. Historically, people rubbed their clothing and skin with yarrow to repel insects.
Plentiful throughout the higher elevations of the desert Southwest, Rachel forages and uses yarrow in her Heart and Soul Elixir, a nurturing formula created to ease nervous tension and calm the spirit. Yarrow is a resilient species, and, from an energetic perspective, I have a special reverence for this plant as a source of protection for the highly sensitive person who finds herself in a crowd.

Ceanothus fendleri (Red Root)

Common throughout the Ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona, red root is a sure bet for a stagnant immune system. Tinctures that utilize the plant’s FRESH roots, which contain the compound ceanothenic acid, encourage movement in the lymph system. Ceanothus also has a history of use with sore throats, colds, the flu, even Lyme disease, and is traditionally recognized as an effective anti-inflammatory for both the liver and spleen. As its name implies, the deeper the red, the more effective the tincture.
Surrounded by excellent red root habitat, we forage and incorporate fresh red root into our Lymph Flow Elixir along with other efficacious medicinal plants and raw Arizona honey. Lymph Flow Elixir encourages lymphatic movement as well as supports a healthy immune system. Perfect ally for you through winter illness or any time you sense stagnation in the body.

Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper)

Junipers are one of the most widely distributed woody plants in the world, and Utah juniper is an indicative and culturally significant plant species of the Desert Southwest. Native people have utilized various parts of the tree for centuries - brewing tea from the leaves to treat colds, fevers and gastrointestinal disorders; drying seeds to make necklaces and bracelets; creating poultices from the leaves to reduce and soothe bruising, swelling and rheumatic pain; and using the soft bark as toilet paper and bedding. The berries, which are actually cones, can be used as a diuretic, for seasoning meat, and for flavoring gin.
Surrounded by this ubiquitous tree species in northern Arizona, Rachel forages and incorporates Utah juniper into her High Desert Balm, which is a blend of regional evergreens that will soothe rough skin, sore muscles, and even the upper respiratory system. She also uses Utah juniper in her Juniper Sage Bundles.

Pinus edulis (Piñon pine)

Where one finds Utah juniper, one also finds pinyon pine - hence the name piñon -juniper woodland, which is the dominant plant community in the Desert Southwest between 4,500 and 7,000 feet (1,372 and 2,134 m). Like juniper, people have utilized pinyon pine for centuries. The needles are high in vitamin C. Tea, brewed from the young needles and inner bark, can ease headaches and cold and flu symptoms. The resin has antibacterial properties and is best used in a salve to soothe sores, cuts, bites and burns. Traditionally, piñon pine needles or sap were burned and the smoke inhaled to treat respiratory ailments. In more contemporary times, one can burn pine oil in a diffuser. Oils from the tree are high in various monoterpenes, including pinene and limonene. And of course, one must mention the piñon or pine nut when talking about this tree species. High in fat, protein and other important nutrients, piñon nuts were a critical food source for Native people and are still a culturally significant food for people throughout the Southwest.
Surrounded by piñon-juniper woodlands in northern Arizona, Rachel forages and incorporates piñon pine into her High Desert Balm, which is a blend of regional evergreens that will soothe rough skin, sore muscles, and even the upper respiratory system.

Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa pine)

Tall and stately, northern Arizona’s ponderosa pines are part of the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. Like other Pinus species, ponderosa pine’s needles, bark and sap have long-established efficacious applications. For centuries, ponderosa pine has been valued for its antiseptic and vulnerary properties and it beneficial effects on the respiratory system. The sap or pulverized inner bark can be made into a salve to treat sores, cuts, chapped skin and rheumatism. Needle tea can be used to treat cold and flu symptoms and a myriad of respiratory ailments.
Since ponderosa pine is a common tree species in the Southwest and has renowned vulnerary properties, Rachel forages and incorporates it into her High Desert Balm, which is a blend of regional evergreens that will soothe rough skin, sore muscles, and even the upper respiratory system.

Solidago spp (Goldenrod)

Like its inflorescence, which is adorned with vibrant, saffron-colored flowers, goldenrod has a panoply of uses. The botanical name Solidago means “to make whole.” Native people have made poultices and teas from the flowering heads as a remedy for sores, wounds, burns and ulcers. The flowers were chewed and the juice swallowed to treat sore throats. Goldenrod’s saponin extracts have antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic and diuretic properties. Its use as a kidney tonic, from treating stones to urinary tract infections, has been well documented for centuries.
With a variety of native species from which to choose, Rachel forages and incorporates goldenrod flowers and leaves into her Kidney Tone Tincture, which assists the body with filtering toxins, balancing fluids, and excreting waste.

Sphaeralcea spp (Globemallow)

While globemallow’s vibrant, orange blooms punctuate the Southwestern landscape, its less conspicuous components harbor medicinal properties that have been recognized for centuries. Its roots and leaves were mashed or chewed and poulticed to treat various skin irritations and inflammations. Globemallow leaf teas can be used as an eyewash and to treat colds, cough, and various digestive ailments. Tea steeped from the roots can be used as an appetite stimulant and to treat headaches and broken bones.
Abundant at various elevations throughout the Southwest, Rachel forages and incorporates globemallow into her Flare Repair/Herbal Gut Healing Formula, a signature product that soothes, reduces inflammation and regenerates an irritated digestive system.

Taraxacum spp (Dandelion)

While not native to North America, dandelions are now ubiquitous throughout the continent. The plant has been utilized for centuries throughout various parts of the world. Dandelion root is still listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and had been listed in the U.S. and various European pharmacopoeias. Dandelion root teas and tinctures are used for liver ailments, kidney disease, blood disorders and dyspepsia. High in vitamins A and C, dandelion leaves are often eaten as a spring tonic in salads and other dishes.
Since dandelion is renowned for treating sluggish digestive systems, Rachel forages and incorporates its roots and leaves into her Herbal Warm Up/Digestive Bitters, a unique and tasty blend of warming aromatics that stimulate digestive secretions and encourage flow.

Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)

Native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, mullein is now widespread throughout North America. The whole plant can be used to treat a variety of conditions, which is well documented in the scientific literature. Tea made from the roots and flowers is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Mullein’s leaves and flowers have antispasmodic properties and are used as an expectorant to treat various respiratory ailments. The leaves are high in mucilagin and contain the compound verbascoside. Poultices derived from the leaves can soothe wounds, skin inflammations, joint pain, and sore muscles. Mullein flower oil is a traditional earache remedy.
Since mullein is common throughout northern Arizona and has proven its efficacy in treating a plethora of conditions, Rachel forages and uses its aerials in her Lymph Flow Elixir, which encourages lymphatic movement as well as supports a healthy immune system.

Verbena macdougalii (Blue Vervain)

It may be small, but it is mighty. Blue vervain is commonly found in open landscapes throughout northern Arizona and has been used for centuries in teas and tinctures. Native people utilized vervain leaf tea as a female tonic and to treat colds, fever and digestive ailments. Blue vervain is a gentle nervine sedative that reduces tension and improves wellbeing by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Vervain tinctures are used to promote liver and kidney health. The plant contains aucubin, oleanolic acid and apigenin, compounds that exert hepatoprotective effects and prevent kidney damage.
Renowned for its sedative properties, Rachel forages and incorporates blue vervain into her Heart and Soul Elixir, a nurturing formula created to ease nervous tension and calm the spirit.