Crooked Path Herbals

02/01/2026

Be prepared!

https://chestnutherbs.com/the-best-herbal-immune-stimulants-for-cold-and-flu-season/?inf_contact_key=84ed8354de2837ba97338f4cd4cec4e1f651f238aa2edbb9c8b7cff03e0b16a0

01/31/2026

HA!

Elderberries 😂

Artist: GEMMA CORRELL

01/30/2026

🌿 A Peek Behind the Science of Herbal Extraction and why chemistry is so important 🧪🌱

One thing I see often in the herbal space is the idea that high-proof alcohol is always the “best” or most effective way to extract herbs.

When it comes to mullein for example, the science tells a more nuanced story.

If mullein is being used to support the respiratory system and overall lung comfort, research shows that water-based preparations are especially well-suited (Tyler, 1993; Nadeem et al., 2020) 💧

Here’s why.

Some of mullein’s most well-known constituents are mucilage and saponins. These are water-soluble (polar) compounds, meaning they extract best in hot water, such as teas, infusions, decoctions, or syrups (Marston & Hostettmann, 1991) ☕🌱

This is one reason traditional herbalism has long relied on water preparations of mullein for respiratory comfort and seasonal wellness support (Grieve, 1981; Mabey, 1988).

In laboratory studies comparing different solvents, aqueous (water-based) mullein extracts demonstrated stronger activity than alcohol extracts, and researchers specifically noted that hot water infusions and decoctions were particularly effective for respiratory-focused applications (Nadeem et al., 2020) 📊🧪

But where does alcohol (ethanol) fit in?

Alcohol extractions tend to pull out more:
• Flavonoids
• Phenols
• Alkaloids
• Other alcohol-soluble compounds

These constituents are commonly associated with antioxidant support and overall systemic balance, rather than the soothing, moistening qualities mullein is traditionally known for (Nadeem et al., 2020) ❤️✨

👉 The takeaway?
It’s neither water or alcohol that is the answer; It’s intention. Basically, scientists like me ask: "what am I trying to achieve with this extraction?"

Different solvents extract different plant compounds, and thoughtful herbalism means choosing the extraction method that aligns with the intended use and is based on documented research and ethnobotony 🌿⚖️

If someone says just alcohol, or even just water is always the answer, they’re not trying to mislead. They’re just overlooking the chemistry.

And in herbalism, chemistry matters! 🧪🌱

If you're wondering, Go-To organics uses both ethanol (and) water to get (all) of the plant's benefits! Dosage recommendations are based on well-established research too!

You can always feel confident that you're getting the absolute best with Go-To Organics! https://go-toorganics.com/

📘 References:
◾️Grieve, M. (1981). A modern herbal. Penguin Books.
◾️Mabey, R. (1988). The new age herbalist. Macmillan.
◾️Marston, A., & Hostettmann, K. (1991). Saponins. Cambridge University Press.
◾️Nadeem, A., et al. (2020). Verbascum thapsus versatile polarity extracts: GC-MS analysis, phytochemical profiling, antibacterial potential and antioxidant activity. Saudi Journal of Biological ◾️Sciences, 27(1), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.10.004
◾️Tyler, V. E. (1993). The honest herbal: A sensible guide to the use of herbs and related remedies (3rd ed.). Pharmaceutical Products Press.

01/30/2026

This is my Pineapple Sage. It's a very pretty plant that has a lovely pineapple-like scent and these beautiful scarlet flowers are a major attraction to hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, and other pollinators. And my plant is being a BITCH! This is the plant in the greenhouse in January. It was in a bright, sunny spot, all spring, summer 6 fall, and never bloomed! But here it is in the greenhouse being all pretty and showy and s**t!

01/30/2026

🚨 Action Alert: Protect Your Access to Supplements

A new push in Congress would require mandatory FDA listing of all dietary supplements. While framed as a safety measure, this policy would:

• Give the FDA sweeping power to target or remove supplements
• Drive up costs and limit consumer choice
• Put innovative and higher-dose nutrients at risk
• Favor pharmaceutical drugs over natural health options

Dietary supplements have one of the strongest safety records of any consumer product category. There is no public health crisis that justifies this expansion of FDA authority.

Tell Congress to oppose “mandatory filing” for supplements.
Our health freedom depends on it.

👉 Read more and take action today.
https://anh-usa.org/durbin-aint-turnin-reboots-nanny-state-supplement-clampdown/

01/29/2026

So I did, and am still doing a thing! I have gone through my inventory and removed almost 60 products. For the last couple of years, I've been thinking I have too many different things. So I went through the last 2 1/2 years of sales, and in that time, anything that sold 2 items or less has been removed. In the pictures is the first part of emptying all the bottles, The second picture is soaking the bottles in soapy water to remove the labels, The third picture shows the first batch of clean bottles, The fourth pictures is the second batch of bottles, the fifth picture is the second batch of cleaned bottles and the final picture is what the tincture shelving looks like now. I still have a bucket of soaking bottles to remove labels from before this is all over.

01/21/2026

A video explaining the ratios that we use what they mean and why we use them.

01/17/2026

I am a fan of the weight to volume method where you weigh things out.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1MdN2Xbi5G/