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Love can transform the neglected to the adored, the homely to the beautiful, the ho-hum to the spectacular, and so much more. While the power of love is not easily measured, it is significant.

It is love that drew me to both the Japanese Knotweed plant and the Chaga mushroom. 

Here’s how it began with Japanese Knotweed

About ten years ago, during a time when I spent lots of time hiking and gardening barefoot, my foot became swollen, red and very sore, though I couldn’t find any source of injury.  Two months later, both of my knees swelled up and I began to feel horrible. Numerous trips to various doctors provided no clear answers, and I continued to feel worse and worse.  Many months later, a trip to a naturopathic practitioner finally provided answers (Lyme and co-infections) and a path towards wellness. (Yay!)

Serendipitously, about ten years ago, the beautiful Mad River Valley in the heart of Vermont, began to be invaded by the Japanese Knotweed plant. Thankfully, our community planned ways to manage the invasion of this plant without toxic pesticides. Meanwhile, while learning about Lyme, I became intrigued by this plant appearing at a time when so many began to suffer from Lyme disease. The Japanese Knotweed root or rhizome is an important part of holistic healing Lyme protocols. Learning everything I could about making a potent tincture, I was graced to gain access to a pristine location with an abundance of beautiful, vibrant, huge, old-growth rhizomes.

I harvest when the rhizomes are most packed with nutrients. Each rhizome is hand dug and individually selected, then rinsed in pure spring water. The most potent parts of the rhizome are hand-shaved and fresh-processed into a tincture, carefully following Stephen Buhner and Steven Martyn protocols.  I am acutely aware of the power of the plant, and intentionally carry out each step with respect, humility, gratitude, and love.

The healing power I experience with this tincture has been profound. The pristine source of the rhizomes I have access to allows me to make a good sized batch each year.  Enough to spread the healing love via local retail outlets and FaystonForager.com.

Chaga, the “King of Mushrooms”

While walking in the woods one day (also about ten years ago), thinking of the elusive Chaga, I wondered if Chaga would help with Lyme and with my sister’s journey with breast cancer. Just as I asked myself this question, I lifted my head to see a huge Chaga right in front of me. I had no doubt the plant was telling me, “Yes, of course I can help. Here I am!”

Now, here’s the conundrum with Chaga: Chaga is a very slow growing fungus and is not easily accessed. For maximum potency, harvest must take place from a living tree, without harming the tree or taking too much of the mushroom, during an extended below freezing time period, from a place I have permission to harvest. The reality is that I only make a small quantity of this every once in a while.  Thus, I don’t “market” this product.  I simply trust that those who will most benefit from it will find their way here.

Harvesting, processing, and triple-extracting (to maximize the capture of the plant’s healing potential), is a deep and lengthy procedure performed with the utmost care and integrity.  The healing power of this plant that I’ve experienced has also been profound.

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Both of these plants that have called me to work with them are significant and powerful healing plants. I will never make enough of either tincture to bring the economies of scale to a place where prices can match that of other options available. However, I am confident that the healing and medicinal value embodied in these tinctures is well-worth the efforts that go into producing them.

It is my sincere wish that these labors of love can bring enhanced health to those who find their way here.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

I’m very happy to share that Fayston Forager, LLC is included in Rosemary Gladstar’s latest newsletter! Click here to subscribe to Rosemary Gladstar’s newsletter, and to also check out her Herbs & Earth Awareness site and The Science and Art of Herbalism course.

Also see Helen Ward’s Three Springs Farm as another awesome resource and source for Vermont made herbal products.

Interesting fact: the springs at Helen’s farm, and the spring at my home were likely dug and constructed by the same Vermont farming family. These springs are the source of pristine Vermont spring water used in our processes.

Thank you and be well!

…and a HUGE shout out to all the front line workers who are keeping us supplied and providing services: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and be well!!

While the world focuses on the coronavirus pandemic, practicing kindness and gratitude for what we do have is helpful on so many fronts.

One resource that is particularly abundant in our region is Japanese Knotweed (ploygonum cuspidatum), a potent source of resveratrol and more.  It’s healing and antimicrobial (anti-viral/bacterial/fungal/spirochetal) properties have been used for thousands of years. 

Could it be that this plant has become prominent in our landscape right when it can be of help?

This NIH study analyzed the antiviral activities of resveratrol against MERS-CoV infection. The study found that resveratrol is a potent anti-MERS agent in vitro, and can be a potential antiviral agent against MERS-CoV infection in the near future. 

Timothy Lee Scott (2010), in his book Invasive Plant Medicine,  notes that Japanese Knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum) “(It) contains the compounds resveratrol, trans-resveratrol, polydatin, and emodian, which have been shown to possess antimicrobial, anti-infalmmatory, antioxidant, and regenerative properties, and is very good at ridding the body of deep infections and toxins, especially in hard-to-reach places.” (p. 228)

Recently, Stephen Buhner, author of Healing Lyme, and Herbal Antivirals has developed a protocol for this new coronavirus. Japanese Knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum) is an important component, along with other herbs. Here are two links with Buhner’s information on responding to the coronavirus:

Always consult with your health care provider, and do what is best for YOUR body!  Doing all we can to keep a healthy body, mind and spirit is our best defense, and fosters our best response.

Please visit Fayston Forager’s home page to learn more and to purchase Japanese Knotweed Tincture.

Thank you, and be well!

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult your healthcare provider before taking this product. Do not take if pregnant or nursing, or if taking blood thinners.

With the hype about the coronavirus and flu season, there are many natural remedies that can help boost your immune system and ward off infections. It turns out that resveratrol can be an effective aid to add to your “toolkit”.  This NIH publication notes, “Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant that has received massive attention for its potential health benefits, including anticarcinogenesis, anti-aging and antimicrobial properties.… Resveratrol displays antimicrobial activity against a surprisingly wide range of bacterial, viral and fungal species.” This NIH study analyzed the antiviral activities of resveratrol against MERS-CoV infection. The study found that resveratrol is a potent anti-MERS agent in vitro, and can be a potential antiviral agent against MERS-CoV infection in the near future. 

Locally we have a very potent source of resveratrol (polygonum cuspidatum) readily available via Japanese Knotweed Tincture produced by Fayston Forager, LLC.  Please visit our home page to learn more and find a list of local retailers who carry this product.

Here are more links to check out, if you’re interested:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=30825504

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28193191/?from_term=MERS+resveratrol&from_pos=1

Thank you, and be well!

Japanese Knotweed, a local and potent source of Resveratrol, is a powerful anti microbial and anti inflammatory supplement. It can help ease arthritis pain and swelling associated with inflammation; help ease Lyme symptoms; promote well-being after holiday excesses; and so much more.

A typical adult dosage is a half to full dropperful (20-40 drops) per day. A one ounce bottle contains about 29-30 dropperfuls, which is typically a one to two month supply. Thus, if a one ounce bottle sells for $20, the cost of taking a daily dose is about 34-69 cents per day (online prices have shipping included in costs too). Some sensitive and/or smaller folks only need a quarter dropperful a day to experience benefits.

When fighting infections (such as Lyme), a health care provider may prescribe a higher dosage.

I’ve personally had great success with stopping the onset of a cold or flu by taking two dropperfuls of the Japanese Knotweed tincture every two hours for a half day or so.

Please visit our home page to purchase Japanese Knotweed Tincutre online, or for a list of local shops who carry this locally produced and healing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medicinal supplement.

Thank you, and be well!!

Ticks prefer moist shady areas and the adult tick is  active throughout the fall months. According to NYS (health.nys.gov) the larger adult tick emerges in fall, with a peak in October through November. Both male and female adults find and feed on a host during this time. This site also notes ticks can be active when ground temperatures are 45 degrees or higher.

Thus, it’s important to be Tick-Aware throughout the autumn months. See this link (https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/tickborne-diseases/prevent-tick-bites-tickborne-diseases) for tips to minimize exposure to ticks. Also, find Fayston Forager Natural Tick Repellent at many local shops (see faystonforager.com for more information and where to find products).

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks and can reek havoc with your body. Locally, we have a potent source of Resveratrol available via the Japanese Knotweed Tincture produced by Fayston Forager. According to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30825504/ “Resveratrol displays antimicrobial activity against a surprisingly wide range of bacterial, viral and fungal species.” This site also notes “Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant that has received massive attention for its potential health benefits, including anticarcinogenesis, anti-aging and antimicrobial properties.”  Japanese Knotweed has become an important component of many Lyme treatment protocols. Look for the orange labels and learn more at by clicking our home page link above. 

Japanese Knotweed Tincture, a potent and local source of resveratrol, can be effective at reducing inflammation in your body. According to this article, ” Japanese Knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum) improves inflammation and alleviates oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor of age-related diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases (3). Inflammation and oxidative stress go hand-in-hand in that the inflammatory process induces oxidative stress, which in turn reduces the antioxidant defense system.” A 2010 study with 20 adults taking Japanese Knotweed/polygonum cuspidatum resulted in a significant reduction in all the testing parameters for oxidative and inflammatory stress (4).

Visit the home page above to learn more, order online, and find your Vermont source of locally wild-harvested, old-growth Japanese Knotweed Tincture, made carefully in small batches, with healing intent, following Stephen Buhner (author of Healing Lyme) protocols.

The resveratrol in Japanese Knotweed (and other plants) is known for its anti-aging properties. “Reverse-it-all” is how some choose to pronounce “resveratrol”. Is it coincidence that as Vermont’s population ages, we have an abundance of a substance that can perhaps ease the discomforts of aging? According to Web MD/resveratrol, early research on resveratrol suggests it might help protect against heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. (Note that Japanese Knotweed is also called Polygonum cuspidatum, and Fallopia japonica. And always note the disclaimers.) For less than the cost of a cup of coffee each day, we have access to a potent tincture made from locally harvested Japanese Knotweed rhizomes.

Click on the home page  to learn more, order online, and to find the local shops that carry Fayston Forager’s Japanese Knotweed Tincture.