Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Tincture, Dried Bark Liquid Extract

Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Tincture, Dried Bark Liquid Extract

A single-herb liquid extract of dried bark of Frangula alnus, cold-macerated in small batches and offered either as a traditional tincture in organic sugar-cane alcohol or as a vegetable glycerite.

What you get

• One herb, named to species. Nothing in the bottle but Frangula alnus bark — the botanical name is printed on the label, so you always know which plant you bought.
• Cold maceration, never heated. The herb steeps at room temperature rather than being boiled or spray-dried, so the volatile and heat-sensitive fractions stay in the liquid.
• Your choice of menstruum. Organic sugar-cane alcohol for a traditional tincture, or a vegetable glycerin extract with no ethanol in it.
• Ethically wild-harvested or sustainably sourced. Wild material is bought from harvesters who work stands on rotation rather than stripping them.
• Nothing else added. No added sugar, no artificial colours, preservatives or fragrances. Non-GMO and gluten-free.
• Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility.
• Sizes from 2 fl oz to 2 gallons, including multi-packs — the same extract whether you are trying it or restocking.

About the plant

Alder buckthorn has no thorns, which is the first thing to know about it — the thorny plant is the common buckthorn, a different species. It is a slim shrub of wet woodland edges and bog margins across Europe, with plain oval leaves, inconspicuous greenish flowers, and clustered berries that ripen unevenly so that green, red and black fruit sit on the same twig. Its wood makes the finest charcoal for gunpowder and was the standard grade for English black powder for centuries. The bark must be aged before use; see the warnings.

Ingredients

Tincture: Frangula alnus dried bark, organic sugar-cane alcohol, distilled water, vegetable glycerin USP.
Glycerite: Frangula alnus dried bark, vegetable glycerin USP, distilled water.

No added sugar. Contains no artificial colours, preservatives or fragrances.

Suggested use

Shake well before use. Start with 10–15 drops (about 0.5 ml) in 2 oz of water or juice, taken once daily at bedtime, and do not exceed 30 drops in a day. Use the smallest amount that produces a result, for no longer than one week at a time, or as directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Warnings

This is a stimulant laxative bark, and it must be aged before use. Fresh alder buckthorn bark contains reduced anthrone compounds that cause violent cramping and vomiting; the bark is stored dry for at least a year, or heat-treated, before it is fit for use. Do not use for more than one week without medical supervision — prolonged use can cause dependence, electrolyte loss and potassium depletion. Do not use if you have abdominal pain of unknown cause, nausea, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease or appendicitis, and do not give it to children under 12. Stop use and seek advice if you experience rectal bleeding.

Keep out of reach of children. Not for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you are taking any medication, have a medical condition, or are scheduled for surgery, consult a healthcare practitioner before use. Discontinue use if an adverse reaction occurs. Do not use if the tamper seal is broken or missing. Store tightly capped in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Actual packaging may carry different or additional information; always read the label before use.