Here’s my third and finally sharable version of Floradix + Herbs, specific for a cold/damp/deficient type. You can make it even sweeter with more honey – I use just enough to make it possible to drink alone. The stevia is added in the second decoction because it deepens and sweetens better as it sits, I use the whole dried leaf, not the powder. This addition also helps with tempering the bitterness.

• Large handful fresh dug yellow dock root, cut up into 1/4″ pieces (about 7 small plants, leaves removed and scrubbed so you can see the yellow skin)
• 24 ounces filtered water
• 5 dried stevia leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried sarsparilla
• 1 tablespoon dried sassafrass
• 1 tablespoon dried dandelion root
• 1 tablespoon dried chaga crumbles (1/4″ pieces)
• 6 black peppercorns
• 6 slices organic dried orange peel (about 1″x1/4″ slices)
• 2 heaping tablespoons dried nettle leaf
• 2 heaping tablespoons dried equisetum
• 2 heaping tablespoons dried red raspberry leaf
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• honey to taste (I use 2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup vodka (optional)

1. Combine the fresh root and the water and decoct for 1/2 hour, let sit overnight. The liquid should turn a dark orange-black.
2. In the morning, add the rest of the dried roots and the stevia and decoct another 1/2 hour. Add another 12 ounces or so of boiling water for this second decoction.
3. Pour whole decocted root and liquid mixture over the rest of the dried leaf herbs plus peppercorns and orange peel in a mason jar and cover with the lid immediately. Let sit again overnight.
4. In the morning, strain through a fine-mesh metal coffee filter and add molasses and honey to taste.

Take in 2 ounce or 1/4 cup doses with some food rich in vitamin C. Shake every time before using. I store it in the refrigerator; I have also added 1 cup vodka to preserve it and enhance quick absorption. Your decoction may differ, so add 80 proof alcohol at a rate of 1/3 by volume. Some recipes use cider vinegar to enhance absorption as well, I don’t like the vinegar taste with these bitter herbs – it comes out muddy – so I use the alcohol.

iron tonic – second decoction