The Caravan Air Tincture

The Traveller’s Breath

There are roads where air becomes difficult. Dry wind from desert passages,
smoke from cookfires and market braziers, cold mountain air that bites the lungs,
perfumed alleys thick with incense and heat. The chest tightens,
breath becomes shallow, and the ribs feel crowded by the atmosphere itself.

This tincture was made for the traveller who needs space inside their lungs -
lightness, clarity, and a path for the breath to travel.

Breath Ease • Chest Opening • Clearing & Moistening the Lungs

Old-World Origin

Along the desert routes and coastal harbours, healers crafted lung remedies

infused in alcohol, vinegar, or syrup:

Thyme for chest strength
Licorice root to soften and moisten dry airways
Mullein leaf to clear the breath
Fennel to open the ribs and reduce tightness
Mint for clarity and cooling after smoke inhalation

These were shared with sailors coughing from salt wind, traders travelling through dust storms,

and pilgrims exposed to smoke-filled sanctuaries.

This formula honours those who kept movement possible by tending the breath.

Ingredients (120 ml)

Breath Herbs
✶ 1 tsp dried mullein leaf (crumbled)
✶ 1 tsp dried thyme
✶ ½ tsp dried licorice root
✶ ½ tsp dried fennel seed (lightly crushed)
✶ ¼ tsp dried mint (just a pinch)

Alcohol Base
✶ 150 ml French Pastis (anise herbal liqueur, traditional lung aid)
-or-
✶ 150 ml light botanical gin

Non-Alcoholic Base
✶ Raw apple cider vinegar
✶ Small spoon of fennel-infused honey (optional)

The Preparation

Place mullein (crumbled finely), thyme, licorice, fennel, and mint into a clean jar.
Pour Pastis (or vinegar mix) over the herbs until fully submerged.

Seal and wrap in a thin cotton cloth - travellers believed lung medicines should “breathe” even

while steeping. Steep for 21-30 days, shaking gently every 3-4 days.
Strain through muslin, bottle in amber glass. Mark with a wavelike or breath-flowing line.

How to Use

✶ 3 drops under the tongue for tight breath
✶ 3-5 drops in warm water after smoky or polluted air
✶ 1 drop rubbed between palms + inhaled deeply
✶ 4 drops before sleep during congestion

Symbolism

✶ Mullein - lung clearing, softens dry cough
✶ Thyme - chest strength, deep breath support
✶ Licorice - soothes dryness, protects the lungs
✶ Fennel - rib opening, ease of inhalation
✶ Mint - cooling clarity, relief from heavy air
✶ Pastis/Gin - herbal breath tradition among sailors + traders

Intention

"May my breath travel freely,
may air become comfort rather than challenge,
and may my chest open like a window to the road ahead."

Author’s Note

This tincture came from travelling through places where the air felt like another

language - too heavy to understand at first.
It became a way to breathe again.

CaravanSerai Gypsy

The Traveller’s Breath

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