The main herb in this elixir is well-known for respiratory health. This elecampane recipe, however, puts one of elecampane’s lesser known abilities in the spotlight. In fact, it’s a capable nervine herb for emotional well-being.

This recipe is from Teacup Alchemy’s Elecampane Masterclass, on sale now for $19. Teacup Alchemy Courses are designed by an herbalist and teach you to skillfully use herbs at home.

Forlorn and Lonely Days Elixir

‘Elixir’ is often used in herbalism to describe a sweetened extract crafted with taste in mind. I think elixirs are perfect to use as part of a self-care routine, and particularly enjoy creating elixirs with nervines and adaptogens.

Although elecampane’s uses as a heart herb have fallen out of mind for modern herbalists, in some versions of Greek folklore it was linked with heartbroken Helen of Troy. It’s said that it bloomed where her tears fell when she was abducted from her home. Modern herbalist Matthew Wood has noted that elecampane is a nervine herb suited for supporting those who feel homesick.

I believe that it also applies to grief regarding the loss of a community, whether that comes from a move or from social rejection. In TCM, the lungs are intimately associated with grief, so this connection makes sense to me.

In this elixir, I combine elecampane root with hawthorn berries and tulsi. Tulsi is an uplifting adaptogen that provides notes of clove in the finished extract. When introduced to tulsi in my garden, people often comment the lovely fragrance and on how joyful it makes them feel.

Hawthorn is a nourishing heart herb that grounds and calms the spirit, grants courage, and reminds us that love is our truest self. 

Ingredients

½ a vanilla bean

1 tsp dried elecampane root

2 tsp dried hawthorn berries

2 Tbsp dried tulsi

1 oz glycerin or honey (by volume)

8 oz brandy (by volume)

Directions

1. Combine herbal ingredients, vanilla bean, and brandy in a canning jar. Fasten the lid on the jar and shake the jar to combine everything.

2. Allow the herbs to soak in the brandy for two weeks. Shake them daily, and add a little extra brandy if needed to make sure the herbs stay covered.

3. At the end of two weeks, strain the brandy into a clean bowl through a colander lined with an unbleached coffee filter.

4. Add the glycerin or honey to the bowl with the brandy. Whisk or stir to combine.

5. Pour the finished elixir into a clean amber glass bottle. Label and date the elixir. It should be shelf stable for at least a year.

Yield: 8 oz (approximate)

Serving size: 1 teaspoon up to 3x per day

Enroll in the Elecampane Course

This elecampane recipe comes from the Teacup Alchemy Elecampane Masterclass. To learn more or enroll, please visit the Teacup Alchemy School.

You can also find a short, informative video about elecampane on the Teacup Alchemy YouTube channel.

About Us

Teacup Alchemy is a learning resource for home herbalists that includes courses, a podcast, and a YouTube channel. It was founded by herbalist Agatha Noveille as a community resource for quality, trusted herbal information. We are reader and listener supported! If you enjoy the articles and podcast, please consider becoming a Patron.

Herbalist and Writer | Related Articles

A freelance writer and herbalist since 2011, Agatha is dedicated to creating an online reader and listener supported platform supporting her work as an herbalist. Her focus in herbalism includes sustainable agriculture, community wellness and accessibility, and botanical conservation.

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3 Comments

  1. […] This lesson is from Teacup Alchemy’s Elecampane Masterclass, on sale now for $19. Teacup Alchemy courses are an affordable way to learn the art of herbalism online, at your own pace. If you enjoy the lesson, don’t miss this free recipe from the course. […]

  2. […] I hope you enjoy this excerpt from my new Elecampane Masterclass. I give you a little taste in this post, but the full lesson is available on the Teacup Alchemy blog. This $19 course contains in-depth lessons on elecampane from a historical perspective, its uses in modern herbalism, and how it’s used by home herbalists. It also includes recipes like Aniseed and Orange Hedgerow Bitters and this elecampane elixir. […]

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