Simples (Single Plant Tinctures) J-L

Simples are tinctures (alcohol and water extracts) that are of one single plant. Many people prefer simples to formulas (multiple plant extracts in one bottle), as they can help determine which plant works best for you, one at a time. We at Haven make a lot of different simples in order to make our formulas. We now are offering simples in 1 or 4 oz. sizes to you of ones we regularly have in stock.

This listing are for plants with a common name starting with J-L. We will list others alphabetically soon. All information on historical use per plant is for educational purposes only (the FDA makes us state this).

We pour simples on our scheduled production days as they are ordered, so depending on when you order, your total order may be delayed a few days. (You will be notified of any delay in shipment.)

Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula): Jamaican dogwood is a fairly potent sedative well known as a specific for migraine headaches, neuralgia, and for treatment of insomnia caused by pain , nervous tension, and stress. The bark is anti-inflamatory and antispasmodic and can be used in cases of dysmenorrhea (painful periods). Jamaican Dogwood is a strong analgesic that can be used along with other herbs to treat the musculoskeletal pain of arthritis and rheumatism. Jamaican Dogwood is a powerful sedative. It is not poisonous to humans, but taking more than the recommended dose can cause a marked sedative effect.

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica): Knotweed is used for bronchitis, cough, gum disease (gingivitis), and sore mouth and throat. It is also used for lung diseases, skin disorders, and fluid retention. Some people use it to reduce sweating associated with tuberculosis and to stop bleeding. It has promising results in treating Lyme in recent years.

Lady's Thumb (Persicaria maculosa): Several Native American nations used the leaves in treatments of stomach pains and poison ivy. They also rubbed the plant on their horses as an insect repellant. It is traditionally used in poultices to relieve rheumatic pain, to heal wounds, to arrest bleeding or in infusion to help relieve stomach ache.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic). It is known as an anti-viral supreme.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice has well-documented antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. TCM describes its application for a multitude of conditions, many arising from its as a unique “guide drug.”  This “guide” effect is reportedly due to chemical transformation when interacting with other compounds, and also due to its effect on the CYP450 enzyme system in the liver. In nearly half of all Chinese herbal formulas, licorice was commonly combined with other herbs in a single prescription to enhance the effectiveness of the other ingredients, generally raise Qi, reduce toxicity, and to improve flavor. In the west it is primarily used as a digestive.

Linden (Tilia): Linden has been used to induce sweating for feverish colds and infections, reduce nasal congestion, and relieve throat irritation and cough. Linden has sedative effects and has been used to treat nervous palpitations and high blood pressure. It has also been used in lotions for itchy skin.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata): Lobelia is used for breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and shortness of breath (apnea) in newborn infants. Some people take Lobelia as a sedative to help them relax.

Loquat leaves (Eriobotrya japonica): is a subtropical fruit tree with high medicinal value native to China. Different organs of loquat have been used historically as folk medicines and this has been recorded in Chinese history for thousands of years. Research shows that loquat extracts contain many antioxidants, and different extracts exhibit bioactivity capable of counteracting inflammation, diabetes, cancer, bacterial infection, aging, pain, allergy and other health issues. 

Lungwort (Sticta pulmonaria): People take lungwort to treat breathing conditions, stomach and intestinal ailments, and kidney and urinary tract problems. Lungwort is also used in cough medicines, to relieve fluid retention, and to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis.