Marihuanilla 25X: an extract of Leonurus sibiricus
Leonurus sibiricus belongs to the mint family, alongside sage and motherwort. It is an annual or biennial plant growing 20 to 80 centimetres tall, with a square stem, deeply cut and toothed leaves and whorls of small pink to reddish-purple flowers in the upper leaf axils. The species is native to northern and central China, Mongolia and southern Siberia, and has been introduced to Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
It was in those introduced regions that the name marihuanilla, little marihuana, came about. The name says something about the look of the divided leaves and about local folk use; botanically it says nothing at all, since this is a relative of motherwort and mint with no connection to hemp. English names for it include honeyweed and Chinese motherwort. The aerial parts have a long history in East Asian herbal tradition, much like those of its close relative Leonurus cardiaca.
What 25X means
This is not loose leaf but an extract at a ratio of 25:1. Roughly twenty-five grams of dried herb went into every gram of extract, so you need far less of it than of the plain herb, which is why a 3 gram pouch looks as small as it does. The powder itself is fine and pale brown.
Making tea with it
Stir a small amount of the powder into a cup of hot water and leave it for about ten minutes; half a teaspoon per cup is the figure quoted for this extract. Feel free to start below that, and stir thoroughly, because fine powder clumps easily. The taste is herbal and somewhat bitter. Brewing it together with chamomile or mint takes the edge off, and so does a spoonful of honey.
Warnings
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Do not combine with medication or MAO inhibitors; speak to your doctor first.
- Store the pouch dry, dark and tightly closed.
Using herbs remains your own responsibility. Start at the lowest amount and see how it suits you.
More extracts at Avalon Magic Plants
Avalon Magic Plants carries more extracts in the same 3 gram range, among them Bay Bean 25X from Canavalia maritima, Combretum 25X from the Thai sakae naa, Kra Thum Khok 50X from Mitragyna hirsuta and Motherwort extract 12:1 from Leonurus cardiaca, this plant's closest relative. Your order ships discreetly packaged.
