|
Alternatives to consider:
Tinctures - We make single herb tinctures, which can
be blended for client-specific formulations and also carry pre-made formulas
such as our Allergy Tonic (golden rod, eyebright, nettles, lemon balm, elder
berry and elder flower) and Transition Tonic (chaste tree berry, wild yam, black cohosh, motherwort, St. John’s wort,
life root, oatstraw, and sage).
Transdermal creams/lotions/gels are designed to
actively transport agents across the dermis. We can add herbal tinctures, oils and powders to these bases. Some of our favorites include kava cream and
Solomon’s seal lotion.We’ve also used
magnesium sulfate transdermally with great success. Transdermal creams are
often used by our veterinary clients to bypass difficult oral dosing. They are typically applied on the inner ear
of a cat or dog.
Pain sticks are a more solid form of transdermal
creams.Like the creams, they are
designed to optimize penetration and absorption of the medication. The stiffness of this base allows the
product to be dispensed in lip-balm or deodorant containers for “spot” trigger
point application.Tinctures work best
with this type of formulation.
Gummies and Lollipops
are often a welcomed
alternative for pediatric clients who may already be taking numerous products
or pills.Gummies are a convenient way
to include tonics in a children’s lunch box. Lollipops can provide extended topical application to the oral
cavity.Both preparations can be made
with tinctures or powders.Quercetin
gummies and lollipops are a favorite of our clients to lower histamine levels.
We also make ‘fever-be-gone’ gummies containing yarrow, boneset, licorice, and
peppermint essential oil.
Troches,
like
lollis, are another form of sub-lingual dosing with rapid buchal
absorption.A troche is similar to hard
candy and can be used either for topical application to the oral cavity or for
partial absorption directly into the bloodstream. Kava or passion flower are herbs to consider for troche
preparations.
Encapsulations of finely powdered herb may include
single herbs or custom made formulations.
Capsules vary in size; typically 250-300.mg/#1-capsule. Quercetin capsules are one of our best
sellers as well as a combination of kava, passion flower and ashwaghanda . We also compound boric acid capsules as
vaginal suppositories.
Animal treats
can
be crunchy or chewy (the consistency of a tootsie roll). The treats are flavored to mask the drug or
herb with tastes such as chicken, liver, or fish. These are most successful with our canine clients, but we are
also prepared to cater to feline and avian needs.
Therapeutic oils
are a familiar therapeutic tool of herbalists. We currently carry three herbal oil blends; Calamus nasya (a
mucolytic nasal oil), Mullein and St. John’s ear oil, and Balm of Gilead
Therapeutic oil.Balm of Gilead is a
traditional biblical formula containing 15 herbs and requiring 4 weeks to
prepare.It is used for acute or
chronic joint or muscle issues.
Alternative modes of administration are our
specialties.We carry various forms of
applicators including nasal sprayers, vaginal douches, pre-measured lotion
pumps (for exact dosing), dusters (to coat an area with a fine layer of
powdered herb or clay), and medicinal pacifiers or baby bottles for our
youngest clients.
Flavorings
can make a huge difference for a non-compliant
patient.We use essential oils and
honey or honey-mint bases to sweeten a tonic, as well as pharmaceutical grade
flavorings such as orange, cherry, chocolate, marshmallow, crème de mint and
bubble gum.
|
