UP north joint comfort
As I’ve mentioned, I highly enjoy running and it’s been my movement of choice for as long as I can remember. But, I’m getting old. I’ve had 4 kids, and quite a few accidents and injuries in my lifetime- some serious (paralysis ect). Ideally I run 5 miles a day- that’s approximately 150 miles a month. I started lifting weights at the start of the year to allow my body to continue to run. To strengthen the parts of me that struggle (back and knees). The older I get the more I realize giving myself a little more support and a little more grace goes a long way. So I wanted to introduce something I’ve been working on 🤍
This blend supports the joints in several ways, with a big focus on gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This is a fatty acid that maintains joint structure and helps the body regulate the immune system and keep joint inflammation down. GLA is not water soluble at all, but is 100% ethanol soluble (as is anthocyanin) which is why I chose everclear as the main solvent for this remedy. 
This is pure UP foraged remedy. A huge part of foraging is understanding the seasonal shifts and how plants interact and mature through each season, and the constituents it presents through each season. I think that's why I always say to learn one plant at a time, because there is just SO much to learn, and focusing on one plant at a time allows us to really understand it on a deeper level (and keeps things from feeling overwhelming). Once we understand the plant, it's easier to understand its roll in the environment and in our bodies and understand harvest windows.
Let’s dive in to the herbs in this blend! 
🌱Black currants- ripe currently here in the UP, I used both currants and currant leaves in this tincture. Black currants are a fantastic source of GLA as well as anthocyanins which lowers both oxidative stress and systemic inflammatory markers in the body.This helps reduce stiffness in the joints, pain and inflammation stemming from sports injuries to arthritis and everything in between. There are so many studies backing up traditional uses for currants and their affinity with the joints and cartilage, it’s quite impressive! Joint health aside, black currants have also been found to strengthen hair growth and nourish the skin from the inside out, as well as support health bone density and regulate the metabolism. 
🌱Nettle seeds- nettles are one of the most nutritive plants I work with. The seeds have so many beneficial minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids, and plant sterols that deeply nourish connective tissues and protect cartilage. Nettle in general is a highly recognized anti-inflammatory herb, with even more potency in the seed. 
🌱Evening primrose- another herb offering an impressive amount of GLA and is proven to suppress inflammatory responses in the joints. The more I work with this herb, the more I grow to love it. I used to think of evening primrose as just an herb for woman’s health. However it has so much more to offer for all bodies and all stages and ages. It’s cooling and so soothing- a wonderful source of mucilage (which is also where the solvent of the coconut glycerin and water come in, as many of the compounds in this plant that are beneficial to the joints are water soluble- thats what makes this tincture technically a glycohol which is a alcohol and glycerin extraction 🤍). Evening primrose is extremely prevalent up here. You can find it all along the lakeshore to woodlines to meadows. I use the roots and leaves in this tincture. I think many are familiar with evening primrose oil which is derived from the seeds. Whole plant extraction is far more gentle, safe and offers a wider range of benefits. There have been so many studies showing significant improvement for acute and chronic inflammation (think everything from injuries to arthritis) when using whole plant extracts. 
🌱Horsetail- my absolute favorite herb for bone density concerns, joint and connective tissue support, hair/scalp skin and nail care, oral health and so much more. I harvest horsetail in the spring when the silica content is the highest. Silica is the main compound that supports cartilage and collagen. Silica is mostly water soluble, and my horsetail goes through a dual extraction to be able to utilize a broad spectrum of constituents like flavonoids and phenolic acid.  Horsetail has up to 33% silica! Additionally Horsetail has been used traditionally to strengthen tissues in the lungs and sinuses as well, and has gentle immune supportive actions too. There's even modern day studies as to how it supports cognitive health, which I personally havent explored too in depth yet. As a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, it also helps to manage chronic inflammation and is a wonderful styptic for first aid. It can deplete vitamin B1 however, so if it’s something you need to utilize long term it would be worth adding additional thiamin rich foods and nutritive herbs into your diet. Such a beautiful and unique plant that has truly stood the test of time. They've been around since prehistoric times and can even be considered living fossils! 
🌱Eastern hemlock- Hemlock has a long history as a highly regarded medicine tree. Used in nearly ever way, from the needles to the inner bark and pitch. I use the inner bark for this tincture as this is what has been historically used for rheumatism, stiff joints, and arthritis. It's a gentle circulatory stimulant and aids in supporting the lower back, tendons and ligaments. Joints aside, Hemlock is a modulating immune enhancer and loaded with vitamin C. It also has an affinity with the lungs, and as an expectorant is incredibly helpful for wet boggy coughs. As a diaphoretic, Hemlock can encourage the body to sweat, aiding to reduce fevers. It's been shown to help clear congestion from both the lungs and sinuses, and has anti-microbial properties. The pitch can be used similarly to other conifer pitch, as an expectorant chest rub or for minor first aid. The bark being rich in tannins also makes it astringent, which can create a wash for skin irritation and to tonify the skin. I’m going to ramble for a minute on things that are not related to joint health because this is my absolute favorite tree and it has so much to offer. 
Hemlock is by far my favorite tree (Eastern Hemlock-tsuga canadensis NOT to be confused with poison hemlock the biennial carrot family plant).There's something so incredibly captivating about the old growth Hemlock forests, I could spend an entire day in one. Especially in winter. The way the dark bark and the deep green needles contrast the bright white snow. The way the snow floats down between the beautifully laid out gently drooping branches. The way they provide spaces where the snow isn't deep and dry places to sit. I can never resist crushing a few needles between my fingers when I walk by inhaling their incredibly healing and soothing aroma. My infatuation with simply being around hemlock trees, and craving the tea steeped from their needles led me to a deep dive, leaning about all of their medicinal and edible qualities, folklore and mythology and so much more. Hemlock instills one of the most important human emotions in my opinion, awe and wonder. An interesting tidbit about Hemlock and really all evergreens is their ability to hold on to their green needles year round. The needles have a waxy coating to keep them from drying out and the tree produces a protein that is essentially a natural antifreeze. That protein let's water move through the tree without freezing in even the most frigid of temps. 
I read a book a couple years ago called the Hemlock Tree and it's Legends. Written in 1859 and restored. It was an incredible book. One quote that I read and always rings true is "The way a crow shook down on me, the dust of snow from a hemlock tree has given my heart a change of mood". Hemlock has an incredibly calming and soothing presence, and interacts with our bodies medicina