Rooted Relief: Pain & Inflammation Tincture

Many people reach for Tylenol for pain, but did you know that Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is a very dangerous drug? It’s actually one of the most dangerous over the counter drugs you can get. Even in small amounts, it can cause extensive damage to the liver, and is the leading cause of non-alcoholic liver failure in the US. 27% of the patients with acute liver failure die and it kills at least 100,000 per year from its use. It also depletes glutathione levels in the body, which is the most important antioxidant the body produces. Again, even if you are only using small amounts and following the recommended dosage, it accumulates over time.

Advil + Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aspirin are other types of pain relieving medications that double as anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s) that are easily available over the counter, but they are not meant to be taken regularly. Taking them consistently can do a lot of damage to the GI tract, causing ulcers, excessive bloating, and even bleeding from the stomach. Untreated ulcers can lead to cancer.

The health and integrity of our gut microbiome & entire digestive system sets the tone for every other function within our body. It’s one of our biggest assets, being our “second brain.” When damaged by medications such as these, it creates a domino effect starting with subtle symptoms like IBS and nausea, eventually leading to nutrient deficiencies, leaky gut, gut infections, bacterial imbalances, then leading further in to serious disease such as auto-immune and worse.

Aspirin has also been shown to cause brain bleeds.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

take 1-2 droppers as needed either under the tongue for a few seconds before swallowing, or in a shot of water or warm cup of tea.

May be taken daily as a preventative for chronic pain and inflammation, but do not exceed 4 droppers in a day.

If taken daily, it’s best to use for 5 days on and 2 days off. After a few months, take a longer break of about 2-3 weeks before beginning regular use again.

If you feel that you need to take this regularly and it makes your body feel dry, try adding a cup of marshmallow root tea around 2 hours before or after you take your tincture. The rich mucilage of marshmallow will help to offset any dryness you may be feeling. It’s ingested separately from the tincture to ensure it doesn’t inhibit any absorption of the pain relieving herbs.

White Willow Bark (Salix alba), Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinalis), Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), gluten free alcohol, vegetable glycerin

DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ASPIRIN. White Willow bark contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

The turmeric in this tincture will stain if spilled, so be careful!

It’s always best to start new herbs or foods in small amounts to get a feel for how they work with your body, and always consult with your physician prior to the use of any new herbal supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking any medications.