For a long time we’ve coveted Wooden Spoon Herbs, completely infatuated by their 70s sensibilities and deep understanding of wild plants and their healing properties.
Some months on, with Seek Solitude live, we knew we had to have a selection from Wooden Spoon Herbs in our collection of wellness products.
Based in the US, some of our customers may not have come across this illuminating brand so we’re taking a moment to share their story, explore more about herbalism and nourishing wild foods, and show you some of our favourite tinctures + blends from their collection.
The making of Wooden Spoon Herbs
Wooden Spoon Herbs was founded by Lauren Haynes, a clinical herbalist who’s love of plant medicine grew from an interest in the counter-cuisine of wild foods, fermentation and eating food fresh from the ground.
She formalised her interests with studies and, from a converted greenhouse, began to hand craft herbal medicines using the plants she found in the lush surrounds of the Appalachian foothills. From there Lauren took her products to the farmer’s markets and so began her rise into what is now a successful small-batch herbal apothecary based in Georgia, USA, producing tinctures and herbal remedies from small medicinal herb farms on pristine land in Tennessee, Oregon, and Vermont.
What is herbalism or herbal medicine?
According to the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia, ‘Herbal medicine is the oldest and still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It is medicine made exclusively from plants. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures… Using plants as medicine provides significant advantages for treating many conditions. The therapeutic activity of a plant is due to its complex chemical nature with different parts of the plant providing certain therapeutic effects.’
As Hippocrates declared, ‘let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food’, herbalism and plant medicine is based on the premise of healing oneself through with nature’s bounty.
Of course in the case of illness and disease, herbal medicine should be supplementary to the intervention and advice of medical professionals.
But for healthy individuals looking to bolster an already balanced existence, herbal medicine provides a way to support specific concerns (such as restless sleeps or mild anxiousness), connect with the environment through powerful plant ingredients, and tap into thousands of years of plant knowledge passed down through generations.
As Wooden Spoon Herbs writes, “We believe that plants and people share a communal bond. Your body has an innate desire to be connected with the Earth, and the plants can be the conduit.”
Scientifically-backed and rigorously tested
Wooden Spoon Herbs creates “vibrant, earth-attuned, scientifically-backed, and herbalist-formulated plant medicine” and though alternative medicine like herbalism may feel esoteric to some, WSH’s operations are anything but with stringent organic certification and third-party testing of all products for safety.
Our favourite herbal formulas
Sweet Dreams Tincture
This tincture contains a gentle combination of herbs including passionflower, scullcap and valerian to float into a blissful dream state, without any grogginess in the morning.
- Valerian Root — Valerian Root is heralded for its sleep-inducing qualities. By working as an antidote to anxiety and mild sedative, it is used for occasional mild anxiety and sleeplessness and supports a simple slip into slumber.
- Skullcap — Native to the temperate woodlands of the world, Skullcap is a calming nervine that tones and supports the nervous system over time.
Anxiety Ally Tincture
Anxiety Ally is a tonic designed to soothe the mind and nurture the nervous system. It can be taken daily for continual support, or in moments of piqued unease and uncertainty.
Containing the adaptogenic Holy Basil and other nourishing and calming plant extracts, Anxiety Ally is a soothing accompaniment to your other restorative self care practices like breathing and meditation, yin yoga, and sleep.
- Holy Basil — Holy basil is a calming nervine, potent adaptogen, and member of the mint family. Holy basil, warming and spicy, penetrates to the deeper tissues of the body, and has been shown to reduce cortisol levels.
- Skullcap — Native to the temperate woodlands of the world, Skullcap is a calming nervine that tones and supports the nervous system over time.
- Oak Tops — Milky Oats, the unripe seed pods of the oat plant, soothe the nervous system and can be used for both acute treatment and everyday use. This nourishing herb helps to promote feelings of well-being and relaxation.
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Rose Cacao
Red rose petals, shatavari and rich cacao coalesce to create this luxurious elixir, Rose Cacao, which can be enjoyed daily with your favourite nut milks to evoke warmth and love.
Luscious and creamy, this blend acts as an aphrodisiac, libido builder, uterine tonic, stress reducer, and bliss inducer.
Shatavari has been used for centuries in Ayurveda as a tonic for the female reproductive system.
- Organic Shatavari root
- Organic Damask rose flower
- Organic vanilla bean
- Organic Cacao bean
- Organic Coconut cream
- Organic Tapioca maltodextrin
To discover more functional formulations to support our wellbeing and bring you back into alignment with the energy of the Earth, explore our complete Wooden Spoon Herbs collection.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Wooden Spoon Herbs is not for use in pregnancy unless otherwise directed by your healthcare practitioner. Speak with a healthcare professional before taking any herbal medicines if you have any allergies, sensitivities or are taking other medications.
