The trees are blooming and life is procreating! Lots of life blowing in the air and into our respiratory systems.
Allergies are a big topic. If you suffer from “bad” allergies. It’s best to work with a practitioner to find out what’s going on. Working with diet, lifestyle, environmental pollutants, and belief systems will greatly reduce the sensitivity to life. (A note on belief systems: I sometimes find that people with severe allergies or asthma have a foundational belief that they don’t deserve to take up space in the world.)
I think it’s worth mentioning that “sneezing” is not a “problem”. Many allergy symptoms are just the body’s way of keeping us healthy and eliminating what does not belong inside us. This time of year I may have a few sneezing episodes, some watery eyes, or feel a touch sluggish. It is short lived and I trust my body to know how to work with nature around me. That being said, now and then I would like some support. I do not reach for symptom relievers. I reach for herbs that help my body do what it’s doing.
This tincture is strong and supportive. Each herb has a purpose and it’s taken me some time to blend this formula for the mass. The recipe is in parts so you can make the size jar that feels right for you and your peeps. You can make this all in one jar or you can make simples and mix after. I do the latter because I use these herbs in other formulas for other members of my community.
A note on Osha. If you have severe allergies and are not willing to address the underlying issues, please do not use Osha. This is an endangered plant and it’s not responsible to use this plant without holding responsibility for the potential harm being caused. Herbalism is love. The earth provides unconditional support for us. We reciprocate by building relationship and tending to our home. We can not just take. You can double the Yerba Santa in its place if you feel called not to work with Osha or can not find it from a responsible source. DO NOT WILD HARVEST! It looks very similar to deadly plants in Colorado.

Osha Root–
If you were hiking among the high-elevation aspen groves of the southwest corner of Colorado during a short alpine summer, you would likely encounter a flowering plant you think you recognize: Is it a wild carrot (Daucus carota)? Or maybe Angelica (Angelica spp.)? With its classic patterns of an umbel inflorescence perched on a one- to-three-foot tall and hollow stem, along with basal, fern-like, pinnately compound leaves divided into deeply lobed leaflets, you know it is a member of the Apiaceae family, commonly called the parsley or carrot family. It is typically found growing among the communal roots of aspen groves, and occasionally under Douglas-firs and spruce. It shares habitat with other healing plants like valerian, pedicularis, and yarrow.

One of my first herbal mentors and perhaps the most influential for me, Stephen Harrod Buhner notes that the use of oshá by “bears is legendary among many cultures. The common Mexican term for the plant, chuchupate, is said to be an ancient Aztec term meaning bear medicine.” Buhner describes the bear’s attraction to oshá as a kind of ursine catnip and bears roll on it before digging up the root to eat. Oshá is one of three North American plants referred to as bear medicine (the other two are Lomatium spp. and Balsamorhiza spp.).
Oshá is best known for possessing strong antiviral and antibacterial constituents that moderate the severity of respiratory infections. Taken as a tincture or using the traditional practice of chewing a piece of the root, it is most effective when taken at the first sign of infection.
My relationship with Osha is an antihistamine. My son was 2 years old and at a park with a caregiver. He found a tree with an interesting structure attached and small insects flying in and out of it. He started banging on the bee hive to see what would happen. The bees started stinging his head. I got a call from his caregiver panicked. We didn’t know if he would have a severe reaction. This was his first encounter. I was thankfully only 5 minutes away and drove over with some Osha tincture. I placed a whole squirt of tincture right in his mouth. (try to never do this). A few minutes later I gave him another whole squirt in some water. He had 12 stings on his head. They never did swell and the next day they were completely gone.
A few years later my family was in Mexico. We were eating hibachi with shrimp. I looked over and my son had slurred speech, his face in twice its size and he was starting to have a hard time breathing. The restaurant called for the onsite medical team. I had the Osha. 2 squirts and he was considerably better within a few minutes and symptom-free within an hour. It was confirmed by tests later that he does indeed have a shellfish allergy. I tell these stories humbly and still recommend you carry an EpiPen for those who need it.
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Horseradish Root–
Long used as a spicy condiment for meals, Horseradish is more useful than the cocktail sauce he is usually relegated to. Medicinally, It is an antibacterial, antibiotic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, rubefacient, stimulant (gastric and immune), tonic and vermifuge. Horseradish is essential in this formula. It opens the nasal passages to release any stuck pollen. A lot of Colorado pollen is sticky or has a hook that gets embedded and is hard to remove.
Yerba Santa Leaf–
Yerba Santa does one thing especially well. It opens up the lungs and removes and
dissolves accumulated phlegm. This effect is felt up in the sinuses as well, thus its use in
hay fever and sinusitis. It stimulates and irritates the mucous membranes of the pleural lining to
loosen up and “sweat out” the phlegm accumulated. It is one of my go-to remedies for the
upcoming season. It’s time for a good sneeze!

Echinacea Root–
a beautiful, native flowering plant that has become quite popular as an herbal remedy, especially for warding off colds and the flu. However, its many benefits reach far beyond upper respiratory infections. It can be a powerful way to act as an anti-inflammatory and promote lymphatic drainage. It’s in this formula to promote moving things along in the body.

Dandelion Root-
Because it improves liver function, dandelion root has rippling benefits for many symptoms associated with poor liver health, including acne, boils, and allergies. This herb is here specifically for the spring tonic effect it has on the liver and to promote a less responsive system to the completely safe world around us. Learn about and build a relationship with Dandelion in my Hands-on Herbalism course.
Place your plants in the jar and cover them with the alcohol of your choice about 2 inches above the plant material. The plant material will expand so you may have to add alcohol every day for a few days. Let this sit 6 weeks and strain. Keep in a dark jar, in a cool place, and out of sunlight.
I usually use 100-proof Vodka but will also use a high-quality whiskey. Whiskey has an affinity for the lungs and respiratory system. You can learn more about all this in my classes. To make this simple for first-time measurements, you can make a part 1/4 cup and use a jar large enough to allow the plant material to expand. All plants are dried in this formula. You can use fresh horseradish if you have it. Spring horseradish in the grocery store usually looks pretty good.
Formula:
1 part Horseradish Root
2 parts Osha Root
2 parts Yerba Santa Leaf
1 part Echinacea Root
1 part Dandelion Root
I dose this by the tablespoon. ! tablespoon of tincture in a shot glass of water every 10 minutes till the symptoms are gone. Learn more about dosing in my classes. Learning how to dose herbal medicine can be a life changer in your practice.
Wishing you Spring happiness and health,
Chrystal Cocek
Loveland Herbalist
Integrated Earth Medicine