Founders

Soluna Herbals was born in 2012 when a group of friends decided to make their own bruise/hit wine (jow). Jow is an herbal tincture based on plant medicine. Inspired by their years of experience in martial arts, Chinese herbal medicine and energy cultivation training, Soluna Herbals is a dedication to crafting the highest possible potency of tinctures sourced from the finest ingredients to ensure maximum efficiency.

The founders are:

Christina Barea – with over 30 years dedicated to the study of herbal & energetic medicine, body mechanics, and spirituality.

Peyton Young – with over 30 years dedicated to the study of martial arts, meditation, and Buddhism.

Patrick Swagerty – with over 30 years dedicated to the study of martial arts, spiritual inspiration and family.

Melissa Swagerty – with over 30 years dedicated to formulating recipes and refining the human spirit.

 

History

Soluna Herbals (formerly called “Yi Qi Da Jow” and “Luna Liniments”) was born in 2012 when a group of friends decided to make their own bruise/hit (Jow) formula for healing. Jow is another name for herbal tincture originating in East Asia.

Referencing an ancient recipe acquired from a teacher many moons ago, they decided to go “old school” and follow the steps performed throughout history. The jow spent 1 full year in a clay pot designed for herbs 6 feet underground in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. It doesn’t get much better than that!  Flash forward a few years, several pounds of herbs, many jars and lots of vodka, we are blending 3 different formulas: Anti-Inflammatory, Bruise/hit and Flexibility. Each in 2 presentations: liquid and cream.

 

The Best Quality: Botanical, Organic Ingredients

Soluna Herbals uses ethically sourced botanical ingredients. We stand strong against animal cruelty and do not use any ingredients that come from abusive practices (sourcing), nor do we support any kind of testing on animals. This is our firm statement against some traditional Chinese herbal recipes which have historically included the use of some animal parts such as shark fin, bear gallbladder, turtles and more. In today’s world, we have access to plant origin ingredients from around the globe and it is unnecessary to use ingredients that encourage poaching or cruelty. Our recipes have been adapted to exclude animal sourced products giving you the peace of mind knowing that your dollars do not support any of these inhumane practices.

Sourcing our plant ingredients from reputable vendors is also a big concern for us. Whenever possible, we source organic raw ingredients from USA or certified organic vendors. This helps us to control for the growing conditions of the herbs you apply to your skin. Because plants absorb the nutrients or toxins of the earth in which they were grown, we do not source from known toxic locations or vendors whom we don’t trust to provide only the highest quality ingredients.

We seek vendors who are certified organic as they are subject to the highest standards. If not available organically, we source from agro-farmers who are dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices to both animals and the planet. This shows us that the soil is rich and free from pesticides like Roundup, or from heavy metals like lead, cadmium, or arsenic. Rest assured that when you purchase from Soluna Herbals we are doing all the groundwork for you to ensure our products live up to the rest of your holistic and conscious lifestyle.

 

Thoughtful Packaging with Purpose

At Soluna Herbals, our commitment to quality extends beyond the formulation—it’s reflected in how we package each product. Our herbal blends are housed in deep blue glass jars and bottles, chosen with care to preserve both the potency and energetic integrity of the tinctures. We invest in the best packaging to present you with a high-quality product that you will surely enjoy.

We use glass exclusively, as it remains inert and does not interact with the herbal compounds. Unlike plastic, which can degrade and leach into its contents—especially when exposed to high alcohol concentrations—glass ensures that your tincture remains pure and powerful. This choice reflects our dedication to delivering a product of the highest quality, and is particularly important with the liquid tincture blend which can last for years if stored properly.

The blue hue of our glass serves a dual purpose:

• Protection from light: It shields the tincture from UV exposure, extending shelf life and preventing photo-induced breakdown of ingredients.
• Energetic resonance: Blue is traditionally associated with healing, calm, and clarity—qualities that align beautifully with the intention behind each blend.

And yes, it also complements our logo—because every detail matters.

 

Woman & Minority Owned Business

 

Want to try a sample? Contact us!