QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NEW REDUCED SHIPPING FEES!
WHAT ARE YOUR STORE HOURS? Crescent Moon Herbals is no longer a "walk-in" herbal and gift shop. We offer online shopping only. I was honored to be a "brick and mortar" shop for many years until such time as the herbal preparations became my primary focus. I am truly blessed to have met so many wonderful people during my time as a "brick and mortar" shopkeeper but now I am allowed to spread my wings and service people throughout the United States. It is a very fulfilling service for me at this time. I thank you all for the opportunity to serve you and your herbal needs.
HERBAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATIONS: This website is set up for "web sales only". Questions relating to the products are welcomed, however, personal and/or private advice or consultations are no longer provided. It is not that I don't want to converse with you, as I have met so many wonderful people throughout the world, but the legal establishment's rules and restrictions are quite clear that I cannot do so. The information provided on my site offers a basic compilation of historical and modern herbal remedy suggestions. Many scientific studies are available online supporting herbal and holistic preparations. My descriptions for my products provide basic information and are listed for educational purposes only. Information provided has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please note: My primary focus is to provide high-quality herbal products at affordable prices for you. It is suggested you contact your local health care practitioner, private physician or even a good herbal or medical book if you have any questions regarding your health care and herbal needs.
HOW ARE THE EXTRACTS MADE? Our proprietary herbal extracts are prepared on-site for 8 to 12+ weeks in the time-honored way. All herbs are ethically gathered at peak potency. Extracts are crafted using 80% pure grain (corn) alcohol (80 proof is 40% ABV, alcohol by volume), unless otherwise specified. For customers who prefer not to ingest alcohol, simply drop the extract into a small amount of boiling hot water, tea or coffee and stir. The alcohol preservative will near completely evaporate within about a minute. The amount of alcohol in the average dose of tincture is equal to the amount of alcohol in a ripe banana.
ARE YOUR HERBS ORGANIC? All herbs are ethically gathered at peak potency. Any herbs that are purchased by CMH are done so from highly reputable herbal businesses or harvesters. Many are wild-crafted locally with care. Herbs are 100% pure, free of pesticides and herbicides, and are not fumigated or irradiated. No sewage sludge is contained in the mushrooms during their growing process. The herbs used are non-GMO. Not all herbs are available in the United States and, therefore, must be obtained from overseas. In these cases, all herbs are purchased from highly reputable companies that test their products to ensure potency, quality and safety that there are no chemicals, pesticides or heavy metals microbiological tests are performed on every batch of finished product that comes from the Orient, followed by a third party lab testing to ensure that the herbs meet all quality and safety standards in both their country and the United States. To ensure potency and freshness, all products are hand-crafted, on-site and in limited quantities.
ARE YOUR EXTRACTS AND GLYCERITES GLUTEN-FREE? Yes, they are considered gluten-free via distillation.
DO YOU CARRY ALCOHOL-FREE? Crescent Moon Herbals offers 100% pure Kosher certified, food grade vegetable glycerin in this product line. Non-alcohol based herbal extracts are called "glycerites". Glycerites make for a sweet, product that can be easily administered to children, animals and those with alcohol sensitivities. Refrigerate after opening and glycerites will last up to 3 years. Glycerites may contain a trace amount of alcohol from initial stages of processing but are considered virtually alcohol-free. Glycerin is made from either soy or palm.
HOW ARE YOUR EXTRACT RATIOS PREPARED? The ratio of herb to grain alcohol (or glycerite) is as follows: Dried Leaf and Flower ratios are 1:1 Dried Root, Bark and Resin ratios are 1:2. No heat is used in the process, thus capturing the optimum potency of the product. It is said that herbal extracts are more easily absorbed into the system than tablets or capsules. Extracts made from dried material require less material to solvent.
WHAT IS A SINGLE HERB TINCTURE? Single Herb Tinctures/Extracts are made from a single herb or root.
WHAT IS A COMPOUND TINCTURE? Compound Tinctures/Extracts are made from a combination of herbs and/or roots for a specific purpose or ailment.
MUSHROOM TINCTURE QUESTIONS? Mushroom extracts are made with a 'DOUBLE EXTRACTION' process. To ensure the values of the mushrooms are completely utilized, we do a spring water extraction and an extraction using grain alcohol.
WHAT ARE GLYCERITES? Glycerites by CMH are made from 100% pure, Kosher certified, food grade vegetable glycerin and pure Maine spring water. Glycerites may contain a trace amount of alcohol from initial stages of processing but are considered virtually alcohol-free. My method of utilizing a minute fraction of alcohol for the first stage of the tincturing process helps extract the components of the plant material in order to have a more potent glycerite extract. Upon completion, alcohol is extracted leaving you a stronger glycerite. Glycerites may be refrigerated.
HOW LONG DO THE TINCTURES/GLYCERITES LAST? Alcohol-based tinctures last virtually a lifetime if protected from heat and light, typically 3 to 7 years by common storage results . Glycerites should be used within 90 days of opening and must be refrigerated after opening. Be careful not to contaminate the dropper or bottle once you have opened it. All bottles sold by Crescent Moon Herbals are amber in color to protect the product. Bottle color may be substituted depending upon availability.
WHAT IS SHAMBALLA? All products are infused with Shamballa Healing Energy. Shamballa Multi-Dimensional Healing is an extension of Reiki and is used for hands-on and long-distance healing.
WHAT IS THE SUGGESTED DOSAGE? Suggested dosages are listed on each bottle. Typically, dosages are as follows: Add 20-60 drops to hot tea or hot water one to four times per day or as directed by your health care practitioner. Some extracts have very specific directions and are listed on the bottle accordingly.
HOW DO I TAKE THE EXTRACT? Shake well. Add drops to hot tea, coffee or juice one to four times per day or as directed by your health care practitioner. You may also administer under the tongue to be absorbed directly into the blood stream. It is best to take on an empty stomach. I even add it to my morning juice.
MY EXTRACT APPEARS CLOUDY. WHY? Extracts are made in the "old-fashioned" way. Some extracts may appear to be cloudy or have suspended particles once strained through the cheesecloth. This is normal. Herbs will also change slightly in color and taste from season to season. The presence of particular matter in product is normal. Shake well before using.
HOW MANY DROPS ARE IN 2 OUNCES OF EXTRACT? In general, most extracts fall within the range of 1,400 to 1,700 drops per 2 oz bottle.
HOW MANY DROPS ARE IN 1 ML? Extracts differ slightly in the number of drops per ml, however, they are generally in the range of 25-30 drops.
ARE CMH EXTRACTS STANDARDIZED? Our herbal extracts are 'Non-Standardized'. They are created in an "old-fashioned" and "traditional, time-honored way". This means they are created naturally ~ no harmful chemicals are used in the extraction process as are used in most "Standardized" products.
HOW MANY MILLIGRAMS PER DOSE ARE IN THE EXTRACT? In consideration that our herbal extracts are made in the traditional way, it is difficult to give precise mg amounts. Typically, the mg is represented by 1 milliliter of extract (about 25-30 drops). Remember, quality is better than quantity. It is suggested that you begin with the lowest suggested dosage and work your way up from there according to your body's reaction to the product.