Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a tincture? And how much do I take?
Tinctures can be taken in a variety of ways. You can take them straight into your mouth, or under your tongue, though this may burn due to the alcohol content. You can add the tincture to tea, coffee, juice, or sparkling water. You can even get creative and add the tincture to your favorite cocktail. Our favorite way is in about one ounce of water, swallowed quickly. The important part is that you take all of the tincture, so don’t add it to a beverage that you don’t think you’ll finish drinking. Since all of our tinctures are alcohol based, if you would like to give the tincture to a child, or want to take it while pregnant or nursing, you can add the tincture to boiling water and allow it to stand for 10-15 minutes. This will cook most of the alcohol content off. However, if you take the tincture as it is with the recommended dose, there is the equivalent amount of alcohol as you would get drinking a 6-ounce glass of wine over the course of two months. It’s minuscule, and will essentially have zero impact. Alternatively, we offer two glycerinates, which are essentially tinctures, but made with vegetable glycerine instead of alcohol. The Chamomile and Feverfew glycerinates were made specifically with children and alcohol-intolerant folks in mind.
Herbal tinctures are STRONG and powerful, and you don’t need to take much at a time. Adults should take 20-40 drops of a tincture, repeated two to four times per day. Many herbs work over time, and these tinctured herbs can be taken once or twice daily. If you are struggling with an acute problem and taking herbal tinctures for more immediate effect, first of all, know what herbs can be sagely taken in larger quantities. These tinctures can be taken up to 5 or 6 times daily for short periods of time.
How do I take an Elixir or Oxymel? And how much do I take?
Like tinctures, these herbal tonics can be taken in a variety of ways. You can pour the recommended dose into a spoon or shot glass and take it that way. Many people love the herbal flavor of these tonics and so enjoy them without a mixer. The most popular way to take both Elixirs and Oxymels is you measure the recommended dose into a drinking glass and fill the glass with sparkling water. Stir the mixture and enjoy an effervescent herbal soda replacement.
Can I combine tinctures?
All of our tinctures can safely be combined. We recommend taking no more than 3 at a time. However it is IMPERATIVE to know that some herbs have negative side effects when combined with prescription medications, so please consult a healthcare professional before beginning any herbal supplements.
Are your products gluten free?
All of our products are technically gluten free. Anything containing milky oats or oatstraw should be approached with caution if you have Celiac’s. While there are only a few products we make that contain milky oats or oatstraw, all products are prepared in the same work space. We do our best to sanitize between every batch, however some cross-contamination may occur.
My item arrived broken or damaged, help!
We are so sorry! If you received a broken or damaged product, please send us a photo of the item and the packaging it arrived in, along with your order number to info@thewildernessmaven.com and we will take care of things.
My order is missing an item/I received the wrong item, help!
Oh no, our mistake! We try our best to get things right, but we are only human and mistakes happen. Rest assured we’ll make it right. Send us an email at info@thewildernessmaven.com, and we will resend missing items to you at no further cost.
What is your return policy?
Due to the nature of our products we cannot accept returns on opened or used items. If an item is damaged during shipping, please contact us via the online contact form and we will find a solution.
Are your products safe during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding?
We recommend you consult with your trusted healthcare provider before starting a new herbal regimen. We cannot offer this type of advice.
Are your products organic?
100% of our botanicals are organically grown or sustainably wild-harvested, but only about half of them are USDA certified organic. Many of the botanicals we use are grown by us on a small farm plot, and due to the scale of our business, we cannot at this time afford the certification. We go above and beyond what the organic certification requires, amending with organic materials and using absolutely no sprays or pesticides. All wild-harvested botanicals are collected miles away from the nearest road or building to ensure they have not been polluted by runoff or exhaust.