From the Alaskan Rainforest...
S’áxt’(Tlingit)
(Oplopanax horridus)
-also called devil's club-
A plant native to the northwest coast of the US, Canada, and southeast/southcentral Alaska. It grows from 3ft to 14ft high and is known for its spiny bark and large spiny leaves. S’áxt’ has been used for centuries among Native cultures for a variety of remedies due to its wide range of medicinal properties.
We respect the environment and the role of s’áxt’ in overall wellness. Our hand-made wild-crafted products are made from s’áxt’ which is responsibly harvested year-round from the Tongass rainforest near Juneau, Alaska.
Our primary product is essential oil from branch bark and from that we make a variety of preparations like salves, massage oil, renewing skin serum, healing bug repellent, and personal nasal inhalers. The plant contains 7 categories of medicinal compounds. We capture the aromatic portion of those and concentrate it using steam distillation.
Due to our unique processing methods, the essential oil can be extracted at maximum potency year-round; there are no seasonal limitations to making it -and products which are made using it. Traditional s’áxt’ (devilsclub) products must be harvested during specific months for full potency.
The essential oil is very potent relative to traditional s’áxt’ preparations and is often used at very low concentrations -alone or in conjunction with other medicines to help with various ailments. It is the next and strongest version of the ancient medicine; it is not merely an air freshener or general use fragrance. Use guidelines are found on the product pages in the Shop.
Our goal at Southeast Devilsclub is to make the amazing healing properties and health benefits of s’áxt’ essential oil, hydrosol, and tincture available to everyone- to promote relaxation, comfort, and well-being.
To ensure the consistency and integrity of the product, the steam distilled oil is analyzed and certified by a 3rd party testing lab regularly. Our commitment to purity and quality drives continual improvements in the manufacturing process.
What is so special about Essential Oil?
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Pushing steam through the plant material yields much more concentrated and stronger medicine than leaching the medicine into oil or alcohol in traditional preparations. It also results in a purer product free from contaminating solvent or extraction residuals- which often result from industrial methods. "Devilsclub essential oil is the strongest version of the ancient medicine." Traditional infusion, decoction, or tincture products require 25-30 ft of branch bark or root to make one quart of final product. Producing the essential oil requires 6000 ft. of branch bark to make one liter.
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Using essential oil allows people to increase the concentration of salves, massage oils, and other products to the desired dosage or strength. If stronger medicine is needed (for pain, inflammation, etc) add another drop or two to a preparation.
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Some treatments (such as cancer, tuberculosis, etc) require a higher concentration of medicine which is not obtainable in infused oil or tincture extracts.
Essential oils contain highly concentrated organic compounds which have known medicinal and health benefits. Consult someone knowledgeable in their properties before use. Care instructions and research about potential interactions with prescription drugs when used internally are available on the product sales pages.
S’áxt’ essential oil aged 2 years has been laboratory tested and found to contain no peroxides or oxidation.
Explore the research tab on the toolbar (above) for information about Oil Composition, Research on Components, potential therapeutic uses, and searchable Research Articles.
New Research shows that the primary ingredient (nerolidol 55-65%) in s’áxt’ essential oil could help protect against the lung from damage from pneumonia and respiratory ailments.
More information on general hydrosol use is available at these sites:
https://www.aromaweb.com/hydrosols/hydrosol-uses.asp
https://www.aromaweb.com/hydrosols/hydrosol-safety-information.asp
*Please note! * As with many natural products,
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific disease. The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before using salves or tinctures, or using plants as medicine.