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Herbalism & answers ~
A single place for the herbs behind our blends, how to use them, signature recipes, and Asked & answered.
landscapes & legends
Six plants, six places
Sourced sustainably with reverence to origin and tradition. Honoring the places and people who have kept it
Vanuatu ~ the Pacific
Kava
Piper methysticum
tradition
Shared from a communal bowl across Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga for more than three thousand years. The bowl is passed at welcomes, at peace-makings and at the close of a day's work ~ a plant of communion before it was ever a product.
taste
Earthy and peppery, with a tingle on the tongue.
in these blends
Altared
Kannaland ~ South Africa
Kanna
Sceletium tortuosum
tradition
A low succulent of the Karoo, gathered and fermented by the San and Khoikhoi peoples, who carried it on long journeys and traded it as a valued good. Kannaland is named for it.
taste
Bright and green, faintly sour.
in these blends
Ecstatic
Baja ~ Mexico
Damiana
Turnera diffusa
tradition
A fragrant desert shrub of Baja and Central America, brewed as a ceremonial tea by the Maya and kept in Mexican herbal tradition ever since. It flowers small and yellow, and the leaf smells like the whole desert after rain.
taste
Warm and honeyed, a little bitter at the edge.
in these blends
Altared, Ecstatic
The Nile ~ Egypt
Blue Lotus
Nymphaea caerulea
tradition
This water lily opens at sunrise and closes at dusk, which is why Egypt read it as a symbol of creation and rebirth. Painted on tomb walls, held in the hands of the dead, and steeped in wine at feasts along the Nile.
taste
Floral and soft, gently tannic.
in these blends
Lucid
Altai ~ Siberia
Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea
tradition
Dug from high mountain scree across Siberia, Scandinavia and the Altai. It appears in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Norse folk practice, carried by people who worked in cold and thin air.
taste
Rosy and astringent — the root really does smell of roses.
in these blends
Long Rhode
Jilin ~ Manchuria
Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
tradition
The five-flavour berry of Chinese materia medica, wu wei zi, grown on vines through Jilin and the Manchurian forest. Classical texts group it among the most treasured of the herbs.
taste
All five flavours at once: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent.
in these blends
Long Rhode
how to use
Three ways in ~
1-2 dropperfuls is one serving. Where it goes is up to you.
01
Mix into a mocktail
Our blends were born to be mixed. 1-2 dropperfuls where the spirit goes — ice, shake, garnish, the whole ritual.
TRY ONE OF OUR RECIPES
02
Add to a bevie
If mixology isn't your thing, drop it straight into tea, sparkling water, a healthy soda, juice, smoothie, or whatever you're drinking.
whatever you're drinking
03
Drop on your tongue
The altarnative to taking a shot. 1-2 dropperfuls, or whatever feels right ~ just be ready for a sharp taste.
straight, no chaser
FAQ
Asked & answered
Why are your blends made in small batches?
Every Altar Native blend is made in small batches with our herbalist partners, and funded by you. We're staying small on purpose until we can scale with integrity and intention.
Working with a certified manufacturer is still the plan, once we have the funding to do it that way. Until then, we make small, seasonal batches, and every bottle gets real care.
Working with a certified manufacturer is still the plan, once we have the funding to do it that way. Until then, we make small, seasonal batches, and every bottle gets real care.
How do pre-orders work?
When you pre-order, you're reserving a bottle from the next batch and helping bring it to life. Pre-orders are what fund each batch.
Batch 4 is open for pre-order now and ships December 15. You're charged in full at checkout.
Batch 4 is open for pre-order now and ships December 15. You're charged in full at checkout.
What does it feel like?
Everybody is different, so effects vary. But in general, some are stimulating: boosting your energy and mood, while others are relaxing: promoting calm and wellbeing.
I'm sober. Can I use these?
That's a very personal question only you can answer. We can say that our tinctures were crafted with the sober community in mind.
They don’t contain alcohol in an intoxicating amount — organic cane alcohol is used as the traditional extraction solvent in our triple-extraction menstruum (with purified water and organic glycerin), not as a drink — and they’re non-psychoactive, meaning they won’t get you high, drunk, or alter your consciousness.
Our drops are designed to help you feel more like yourself, not less. We have several customers in recovery who use our products as a tool for connection and relaxation.
However, if alcohol-based extracts are a trigger for you, then no, these drops are not a good fit.
They don’t contain alcohol in an intoxicating amount — organic cane alcohol is used as the traditional extraction solvent in our triple-extraction menstruum (with purified water and organic glycerin), not as a drink — and they’re non-psychoactive, meaning they won’t get you high, drunk, or alter your consciousness.
Our drops are designed to help you feel more like yourself, not less. We have several customers in recovery who use our products as a tool for connection and relaxation.
However, if alcohol-based extracts are a trigger for you, then no, these drops are not a good fit.
Are these legal? / Are there any dangers?
Every plant we use is legal and well-researched in the US.
Please review individual cautions below:
Altared (kava + damiana)
Avoid if taking sedatives, depressants, or alcohol. May cause drowsiness.
Ecstatic (kanna + damiana)
Do not combine with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or other antidepressants. May interact with serotonin pathways.
Long Rhode (rhodiola + schisandra)
Use caution if prone to mania or bipolar symptoms. Rhodiola can be overstimulating for some.
Lucid (blue lotus)
Avoid combining with other sedatives. Mildly calming and relaxing.
Most of the herbs we use (except schisandra) are generally not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding. Not for use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Please review individual cautions below:
Altared (kava + damiana)
Avoid if taking sedatives, depressants, or alcohol. May cause drowsiness.
Ecstatic (kanna + damiana)
Do not combine with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or other antidepressants. May interact with serotonin pathways.
Long Rhode (rhodiola + schisandra)
Use caution if prone to mania or bipolar symptoms. Rhodiola can be overstimulating for some.
Lucid (blue lotus)
Avoid combining with other sedatives. Mildly calming and relaxing.
Most of the herbs we use (except schisandra) are generally not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding. Not for use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
How do I use them?
Our tinctures are meant to be part of your routine – whether you're getting through the day, winding down, tuning in, or connecting with others.
You can:
Mix into your favorite mocktail or one of our recipes
Add to a drink like sparkling water, tea, cacao, juice or a smoothie
Drop directly on your tongue for quicker effects
Start with 1–2 dropperfuls and listen to your body.
You can:
Mix into your favorite mocktail or one of our recipes
Add to a drink like sparkling water, tea, cacao, juice or a smoothie
Drop directly on your tongue for quicker effects
Start with 1–2 dropperfuls and listen to your body.
Can I take more than one in a day?
Absolutely. You can always layer blends throughout the day.
For example: Ecstatic in the morning, Long Rhode throughout the day, and Altared and/or Lucid in the evening.
Just start slow, listen to your body, and see what works for you.
For example: Ecstatic in the morning, Long Rhode throughout the day, and Altared and/or Lucid in the evening.
Just start slow, listen to your body, and see what works for you.
When should I take each tincture?
Each formula supports a different vibe. Here's a cheat sheet:
✦ Altared to relax and flow.
⟡ Ecstatic to bring presence and joy.
✦ Lucid to calm down and connect.
⟡ Long Rhode to de-stress and lock in.
Choose based on the moment you're in or the state you’re seeking.
✦ Altared to relax and flow.
⟡ Ecstatic to bring presence and joy.
✦ Lucid to calm down and connect.
⟡ Long Rhode to de-stress and lock in.
Choose based on the moment you're in or the state you’re seeking.
Are there any side effects?
Our blends are made with well-studied herbs. That said, they're not for use while pregnant or nursing, and each blend carries its own cautions on the label. We include all ingredients on the label for full transparency.
blends & states
What were you reaching for?
Four states people reach for in a glass — and one blend Crafted for each ritual. Pick the state, not the bottle.
in stores only
Relax & unwind
Altared ✦
kava + damiana
instead of
beer, prosecco, or your decoy drink
the plants behind it
Kava has been passed from a communal bowl across the Pacific for three thousand years, at welcomes and peace-makings and the close of a working day. Damiana carries the warmth. Together they are the reason people say the room softened.
the feeling
focus ~ feeling ~ flow
the taste
Earthy and peppery, with a warm honeyed finish and a tingle on the tongue.
in stores only
find a stockist →
batch 4 · pre-order
Socialize with ease
Ecstatic ⟡
kanna + damiana
instead of
espresso martini, molly, or happy pills
the plants behind it
Kanna was carried on long journeys by the San and Khoikhoi and traded as a valued good. Damiana was a ceremonial tea of the Maya. Both are plants people took when they were about to be among others.
the feeling
presence ~ pleasure ~ play
the taste
Bright and green up front, warm and honeyed underneath.
$55
pre-order →
batch 4 · pre-order
Calm & clarity
Lucid ✦
blue lotus
instead of
gin, or your evening drink
the plants behind it
Blue lotus opens at sunrise and closes at dusk, which is why Egypt read it as creation and rebirth. It was painted on tomb walls and steeped in wine at feasts along the Nile — a plant for the end of the day, not the escape from it.
the feeling
calm ~ clarity ~ connection
the taste
Floral and soft, gently tannic, with a clean finish.
$55
pre-order →
batch 4 · pre-order
Energy + ease
Long Rhode ⟡
rhodiola + schisandra
instead of
morning mimosa, beer at lunch, or 3pm caffeine kick
the plants behind it
Rhodiola was dug from high mountain scree by people who worked in cold and thin air. Schisandra is the five-flavour berry of Chinese materia medica. Both belong to the long middle of the day rather than its end.
the feeling
energy ~ endurance ~ ease
the taste
Rosy and tart — all five flavours at once from the schisandra.
$55
pre-order →
