Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Part used – leaves

Planetary Ruler - Sun

Day – Sunday

Chakra – Solar Plexus

Planetary Energy – Charisma, positive outlook, confidence, personal power, self-awareness

Sundays are ruled by the Sun. The Sun also rules individuality, self-confidence, vitality, charisma, warmth and cheerfulness, personal power, self-awareness, maintaining a positive outlook, and physically, circulation, the heart, and overall well-being. The Alchemical Tincture of Rosemary helps to balance the Sun’s energy within to maximize all of the wonderful benefits of the Sun. Radiant, warm, uplifting, and energizing, Rosemary dispels dark moods and depression and provides an energy boost. Rosemary is tonic, astringent, restorative, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antispasmotic. It stimulates the liver and gallbladder, improves digestion and relieves cramps and gas, improves circulation by enhancing blood flow, controls pathogenic organisms, and helps to lower high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. It has also been known to treat headaches, emphysema, fibromyalgia, colds, and rosacea. Rosemary is thought to be effective for Alzheimer's disease – the phytochemicals in rosemary may prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that allows neurons within the brain to communicate with each other. In addition, several laboratory studies suggest that rosemary contains compounds that prevent carcinogenic chemicals from binding to and inducing mutations in DNA. At the Spirit and Soul level, the Alchemical Tincture of Rosemary is uplifting, cheering, and warm, and so is of great benefit in relieving anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Part used - root

Planetary Ruler – Moon

Day – Monday

Chakra – Third Eye

Planetary Energy – enhancing dreaming, psychic gifts, fertility, creativity, relaxation, cycles

Mondays are under the influence of the energy of the Moon - feminine, receptive, deep, and mysterious. Those who are attuned to the Moon’s energy find that the veil to what was once thought of as “hidden” knowledge is lifted. The Moon illuminates the inner-most self. Emotions and the mind, psychic abilities, dreams, sensuality, rhythms in balance, changes, growth and decay, fertility, family, home, and security are all under the Moon’s influence. Learning how to work with the energies of the Moon helps attune us to the rhythm and flow of Universal Energy in our life. In astrology, the energy of the moon is what guides us and is the directive force in living our true path. The Alchemical Tincture of Maca can help us to attune to the Moon’s energy and to learn to work with its many phases productively. Maca root is grown only in the high Andes of Peru, where it is considered a general tonic & nutritive. It is very high in many vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins B, C, and E, calcium, zinc, iron, iodine, and magnesium. It is also rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. It is used as an aphrodisiac and to balance hormones, increase energy and stamina, mental clarity, muscle tone, and increase fertility. Maca root is an energy enhancer – it increases energy, stamina, endurance, and increases sexual libido in both men and women. It has been known to increase sperm count in men and balance hormones in women, both pre- and post-menopausal. Maca root also enhances memory and learning, is an anti-depressant, lowers high blood pressure, helps with diabetes, and aids adaptability to stressful situations. At the Soul and Spirit levels, the Alchemical Tincture of Maca helps us to work through deep-seat emotional issues, find balance with the ebb and flow of life, tap into the unconscious, connect to the creative energies of the feminine, and enhance dreaming and psychic abilities.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Part used – leaves

Planetary Ruler – Mars

Day – Tuesday

Chakra – Sacral

Planetary Energy – sexual energy, strong will, passion, determination, masculine energy

Tuesday is the Day of Mars. Mars imparts strength, sexual energy, strong will to manifest desires, passion, determination, courage, and a strong immune system. It is the masculine counterpart to Venus’s feminine energy. If Mars energy is out of balance, it can manifest as aggression, uncontrolled anger, stress, becoming accident-prone, weak immunity, blood diseases, and ulcers. The Alchemical Tincture of Nettle helps to balance Martian energies. Nettle is a nutritive tonic, containing iron, calcium, silicon and potassium. It is cleansing by stimulating all types of elimination, thereby removing toxins. Nettle is alkalizing to the blood, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Nettle has been known to help with arthritis and rheumatism, allergies, anemia, heart attack, kidney disease, malabsorption syndrome, menopause-related problems, osteoporosis, enlarged prostate, rosacea, sinusitis, and ulcerative colitis. It also stimulates the immune system, reduces blood pressure, strengthens hair and skin, aids in respiratory problems, and slows aging. At the Spirit and Soul level, the Alchemical Tincture of Nettle aids in the right use of personal power to best manifest your needs and desires and the will to courageously follow your spiritual path.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Part used – flowers

Planetary Ruler – Mercury

Day – Wednesday

Chakra – Throat

Planetary Energy – Communication, flexibility, cleverness, balance, initiation

Wednesdays are under the rulership of the planetary energy of Mercury, which also rules communication, travel, ideas, movement, breath, adaptability, cleverness, initiation, and connection between the different subtle levels of being. If Mercury's energy is impeded or out of balance, one can feel sluggish, dull-witted, rigid, stuck, and disconnected. An out-of-balance Mercury energy can also manifest physically as lung, nerve, and brain disorders. Taking the Alchemical Tincture of Lavender, ruled by Mercury and made under the influence of Mercury's energy, can harmonize the Mercury energy's sphere of influence in your body and life. The Lavender Tincture is calming and uplifting, balancing out the mood, and enhancing mental activity. Lavender traditionally is also an anti-depressant, enhances peripheral circulation, aids digestion, eliminates headaches and migraines, and is soothing to the nerves, eliminating stress, anxiety, tension, and irritability. Lavender also aids the respiratory system, is a treatment for insomnia, an aphrodisiac, and has also been used as a treatment for diabetes and insulin resistance.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Part used – leaves

Planetary Ruler – Jupiter

Day – Thursday

Chakra – Crown

Planetary Energy – cheerfulness, expansion, joy, opportunity, assimilation

Thursdays are ruled by Jupiter, which is associated with expansiveness, joviality, luck, judgment, digestion and metabolism. However, when Jupiter energy is out of balance, it can result in over-indulgence, bad judgment, bad luck, poor digestion, and metabolic disorders. An Alchemical Tincture of Lemon Balm can help to balance Jupiter energy. High in natural healing life force, Lemon balm, or Melissa, was considered a general cure-all by Paracelsus. It soothes tension-related problems such as anxiety, elevates mood, eases indigestion, is antiviral, antibiotic, antispasmotic, and tones peripheral blood vessels. Lemon balm has been used to treat hypothyroidism, insomnia, disorders of the central nervous system, and Parkinson's Disease. It is thought to renew youthfulness and vitality and strengthen the brain and memory.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Part used – roots, leaves, and fruit

Planetary Ruler – Venus

Day – Friday

Chakra – Heart

Planetary Energy – Beauty, highest love, refinement, feminine energy, harmony and balance

Ohh, lovely day of Venus! Beauty, love, sensuality, refinement, earthly pleasures, female energy, fertility – this is the energy of Venus, ruler of Fridays. But when Venus energy is out of balance, this can lead to escapism, depression, delusion, emotional upset, and physically with skin, kidney, and fertility problems. Venus energy can be balanced by taking the Alchemical Tincture of Burdock. An aphrodisiac and treatment for impotence, Burdock root also has anti-inflammatory properties and is a blood purifier. Burdock root detoxifies the blood, liver, and kidneys, thereby also improving many skin conditions. It helps to balance hormones, aids digestion by strengthening and toning the stomach, contains antioxidants, and imparts healthy skin. It has been used to treat measles, arthritis, tonsillitis, viruses like colds, throat pain, and gout. Burdock root’s cancer-curing properties have been utilized in Russia and India, and the Chinese use it as an aphrodisiac and have found it effective in treating barrenness and impotence. At the Soul and Spirit level, the Alchemical Tincture of Burdock can help to detoxify negative emotions and remove the illusions and veils that prevent one from seeing and experiencing the true beauty and love that surrounds us.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Part used – above-ground parts of the plant

Planetary Ruler – Saturn

Day – Saturday

Chakra – Root

Planetary Energy – Boundaries, discipline, will, basic survival, perseverance, Karma, groundedness, stability

Saturdays are, of course, Saturn’s Day. Of all the ancient planets, Saturn gets a bad rap for having “difficult” energy. It is true that Saturn can be a hard taskmaster, but when in balance and used wisely, Saturn can be a huge help on life’s journey, both physically and spiritually. For example, Saturn rules obstacles and blockages, but when you understand the lessons that Saturn is trying to teach you, then you learn to overcome those obstacles to move forward, and you’ll be stronger for it! Saturn also rules structure, stability, time and timelessness, perseverance, patience, discipline, stamina, Karma (ah, those lessons again!), and aging (cycle of life and death). The Alchemical Tincture of Horsetail can help to balance Saturnine energies, so that they are working in your favor rather than against you (or rather, you are better able to work with it!). Horsetail contains a large amount of minerals, especially silica, and so is very useful in treating malnutrition-related disorders which manifest as poor hair, skin, and fingernail condition. It increases calcium absorption and helps to build and repair connective tissue and cartilage, remineralizes bones to prevent/treat osteoporosis, and aids in healing wounds. Horsetail has also been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other aging-related conditions such as arthritis, in addition to backaches, broken bones, bronchitis, circulatory problems, cirrhosis, edema, gallbladder, hair loss, heart attack, inflammation, kidney stones, lyme disease, muscle cramps, obesity, osteoporosis, enlarged prostate, and sinusitis. At the Soul and Spirit level, the Alchemical Tincture of Horsetail can help relieve many symptoms of unbalanced Saturn energy such as repression, phobias, and compulsive behaviors. Instead, you are better able to understand the Karmic lessons of this lifetime, be able to take a timelessness view, and to persevere upon your spiritual path.