Behind The Blend
Behind the Blend is our educational apothecary journal — a place where traditional herbal preparations are shared openly and responsibly. These are the kinds of remedies people have made at home for generations, long before modern packaging, claims, and commerce existed.
Some preparations are deeply personal. Some don’t store well. Some require fresh plants, individualized use, or professional guidance. Others simply don’t belong on a shelf with a price tag.
This page exists to preserve knowledge, not to replace medical care.
All information here is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always research individual herb safety and consult a qualified professional for medical concerns.
Core Apothecary Foundations
Herbal Oil Infusion
Herbal oils are the foundation of most traditional topical remedies. They are made by infusing dried plant material into oil, allowing oil-soluble constituents to slowly transfer over time. These oils become the base for salves, balms, and massage preparations.
To prepare an herbal oil, fill a clean glass jar halfway with dried herbs. Cover the herbs completely with a carrier oil such as olive or jojoba, ensuring no plant material is exposed to air. Cap loosely and store in a warm, dark place for four to six weeks, shaking gently every few days. Once infused, strain thoroughly and store in a labeled bottle away from heat and light.
Medicinal Tea
Medicinal teas are water-based preparations traditionally used for internal comfort and ritual support. Leaves and flowers are infused, while roots and bark are gently simmered.
To prepare an infusion, pour hot water over dried leaves or flowers, cover, and steep for ten to fifteen minutes before straining. For roots or bark, simmer gently in water for twenty to thirty minutes, then strain.
Salves & Balms
Salves and balms are semi-solid topical preparations made by combining herbal oil with beeswax. They were historically used to protect skin, retain moisture, and carry herbs onto the body in a stable form.
A traditional salve is made by gently melting one part beeswax with four parts herbal oil, stirring until fully combined, then pouring into containers to set.
Tinctures
Tinctures are concentrated liquid herbal extracts traditionally made using alcohol or glycerin. Alcohol tinctures extract a broad range of plant constituents and are shelf stable, which is why they appear frequently in historical apothecaries — and why they require caution and restraint.
To prepare a tincture, dried herbs are submerged in alcohol, sealed, and stored in a dark place for four to six weeks while shaken regularly. The liquid is then strained and stored in labeled dropper bottles.
Traditional Everyday Recipes
(Educational examples only)
Cuts & Scrapes Salve
Ingredients:
1 cup calendula-infused olive oil
½ cup plantain-infused olive oil
1 oz beeswax
Method:
Melt the beeswax gently using a double boiler. Add the infused oils and stir until fully combined. Pour into clean tins or jars and allow to cool undisturbed. Traditionally applied to clean, minor skin abrasions to protect the skin and maintain moisture.
Kitchen Burn Salve
Ingredients:
1½ cups lavender-infused olive oil
1¼ oz beeswax
Method:
Melt beeswax gently, add infused oil, and stir until uniform. Pour into containers and allow to set. Historically used only after the burn had cooled and the skin was intact, focusing on comfort and protection.
Nighttime Sleep Salve
Ingredients:
1 cup lavender-infused oil
½ cup chamomile-infused oil
¾ oz beeswax
Method:
Melt beeswax over low heat, add infused oils, stir thoroughly, and pour into small jars. Traditionally applied lightly to wrists, chest, or feet as part of a calming bedtime ritual.
Flu-Season Comfort Tea
Ingredients:
1 part elderflower
1 part peppermint leaf
1 part yarrow
½ part fresh or dried ginger root
Method:
Combine herbs and store in an airtight container. To prepare, steep one to two teaspoons of the blend in hot water for ten to fifteen minutes, covered. Traditionally enjoyed warm for comfort, hydration, and seasonal support.
Cramp Comfort Tincture
Ingredients:
1 cup dried cramp bark
½ cup dried ginger root
Alcohol (vodka or brandy, enough to fully cover herbs)
Method:
Place herbs in a glass jar and cover completely with alcohol. Seal and store in a dark place for four to six weeks, shaking gently every few days. Strain and store in a labeled dropper bottle. Traditionally used cautiously and individually.
Menstrual Balance Tincture
Ingredients:
1 cup dried red raspberry leaf
½ cup dried vitex (chaste tree berry)
Alcohol (to cover)
Method:
Combine herbs in a jar and cover with alcohol. Seal and infuse for six weeks, shaking regularly. Strain thoroughly before storing. Historically prepared for long-term rhythmic support rather than immediate relief.
Hot Flash Tincture
Ingredients:
1 cup dried black cohosh root
½ cup dried sage leaf
Alcohol (to cover)
Method:
Place herbs in a jar, cover fully with alcohol, and seal. Infuse for four to six weeks, shaking regularly. Strain well and store. Traditionally used with care during menopausal transitions.
Breast Massage Oil
Ingredients:
1½ cups calendula-infused olive oil
½ cup violet leaf-infused oil (optional)
Method:
Combine infused oils and store in a dark glass bottle. Traditionally used as part of gentle massage practices focused on circulation, comfort, and self-care.
Poison Ivy / Oak Preparation
Ingredients:
Fresh jewelweed
High-proof alcohol or water
Method:
For tincture, pack fresh jewelweed into a jar, cover completely with alcohol, and infuse for two to four weeks before straining.
For wash, simmer fresh jewelweed in water for twenty minutes, cool, strain, and use immediately. Historically prepared fresh due to short shelf life.
Prostate Massage Oil
Ingredients:
1 cup olive oil
½ cup dried saw palmetto berry
¼ cup dried ginger root
Method:
Infuse herbs in oil using a low-heat method at approximately 140°F for four to six hours, or a slow infusion for four to six weeks. Strain thoroughly. Traditionally used in bodywork practices emphasizing warmth, circulation, and relaxation, often with professional guidance.
Why We Share This — And Why We Don’t Sell It
Many traditional remedies are difficult to standardize, short-lived, legally complex, or dependent on individual constitution and professional oversight. Others require fresh ingredients or careful preparation that doesn’t translate to commercial shelves.
We believe education should be shared freely. Finished products require restraint, testing, and responsibility.
Behind the Blend exists to honor traditional craft, preserve knowledge, and explain why thoughtful brands choose what they make — and what they don’t.