Introducing our new relaxing red wine tincture: Wine Down™

If you loved the stress-busting benefits of Stop Your Wine-ing®, you’re going to love the even more relaxing herbal tincture: Wine Down™. Wine Down™ is the latest in our wine alternative tincture collection.

Similar to Take the Edge Off™, this formula contains powerful nervine herbs that help calm stress and worry while soothing the nervous system in a moment’s notice.

Compared to Take the Edge Off™, the functional herbs in this formula have higher relaxation, sleep, and immune-supporting properties. Wine Down™ is meant to be enjoyed in the evening time or whenever you are seeking deep relaxation.

It contains ingredients with deeply calming and sleep-supportive benefits like California poppy, blue vervain, and the amino acid, L-theanine. These herbs and ingredients have been shown to help improve our sleep quality and duration, support muscle relaxation, and ease tension in the moment.

Why Wine Down™?

Like the grapes in a glass of red wine, Wine Down™ has cardiovascular protective properties from the berries within the formula¹. Similar to grapes—elderberries, hawthorn berries, and tart cherries are rich in the compound, resveratrol.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that works as a powerful antioxidant in the body. This plant compound also has significant cardiovascular benefits, with consumption possibly leading to maintenance of normal blood pressure and blood glucose levels2.

Enjoy Wine Down™ for unwinding in the evening or leave it by your bedside if you’re having a restless night. For travel, it’s incredible for relaxing the body before air travel or easing nervousness on long car rides.

Unlike too many glasses of wine, Wine Down™ is unlikely to leave you feeling groggy in the morning. In a clinical study conducted by the Sleep Foundation, they found having more than one servings of alcohol per day for women and two servings for men decreased sleep quality by up to 39.2%².

Flavor-wise, the rich and tart berries with the hint of spice help to embody your favorite red wine flavor, so you can enjoy every sip without the worry of a hangover.

What herbs are in Wine Down™?

We’re glad you asked. Each herb in this red wine-inspired tincture formula was chosen by Clinical Herbalists to ease feelings of stress, support deep sleep, and move you into relaxation.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Nothing evokes the Golden State more than the California state flower, the poppy. But did you know this popular flower is also a potent medicinal herb? The entire plant can be used medicinally including the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.

Traditionally, poppy was used for relief of occasional aches and pains, for sleep support, and easing discomforts caused by stress4. Unlike the commonly known opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), used to create narcotics, California poppy provides gentle, non-addictive, and generally safe stress and pain support⁷.

The herb contains several unique alkaloids said to act on GABA in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that induces a calming effect in the brain by blocking impulses between different nerve cells⁸.

Through this action, it can support a calm nervous system, allowing us space to truly relax. A clinical study showed Cal poppy’s potential, when combined with other botanicals, in the management of sleep disturbances–especially when combined with other herbs⁹.

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)

Blue vervain is a herbaceous plant native to North America that has been used for centuries for its wide array of traditional uses including calming body tension, easing menstrual discomforts, supporting sleep, and serving as a digestive aid.

With very similar properties to common verbena, blue vervain is known as a powerful relaxant and sleep-supportive herb¹¹. It can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with sleep disturbances caused by an overactive mind. For those experiencing PMS and menstrual cramps, blue vervain has been traditionally used for calming muscle cramps and irritability.

The herb also has a particular affinity for addressing tension in the shoulders, neck, and head, making it a go-to herb for those seeking a natural solution for everyday stress and discomfort that tends to target those areas of the body.

L-theanine (amino acid)

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid primarily found in tea leaves. It is best known for its calming effects on the mind and body. Though the effects of L-theanine on the brain are not yet fully understood, it is said to increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA¹².

These effects lead to its powerful stress reduction properties that can help promote a sense of relaxation without causing drowsiness. A 2015 review suggested taking L-theanine before bed can help improve your quality of sleep¹⁵.

Beyond its incredible stress-reducing capabilities, the amino acid reveals great promise for uplifting the mood, supporting cognitive function, regulating metabolism, and supporting immune health¹⁶.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberry is a medicinal fruit renowned for its rich antioxidant content and its ability to support the immune system and our overall wellbeing¹⁷. If you find yourself constantly under the weather, have young children in school, work in a crowded environment, or do a lot of traveling, elderberries could be a valuable ally for you.

According to a clinical trial, data suggests that supplementing with elderberry extract before and after air travel trips could keep you feeling like yourself¹⁸.

Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus spp.), Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus), and Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Hawthorn berry, known for its rich history of use around the world, has been valued for its remarkable benefits in supporting both the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Its use as a tonic for a healthy heart in both European and traditional Chinese medicine dates back thousands of years²¹. Numerous preclinical studies have confirmed its cardioprotective potential for modern herbal formulas²².

Bilberry, a more nutrient-dense cousin to the common blueberry, is one of the richest sources of anthocyanins on the planet²³. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants, which means they can help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.

Tart cherries have a special affinity for supporting sleep and melatonin production. Various studies have shown the positive impacts tart cherry consumption can have on improving sleep²⁴.

Beetroot adds earthy flavor and a vibrant, deep red color to the tincture. Beyond the flavor and color, it’s an incredible source of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly folate and manganese. Additionally, beetroot is said to support cognitive function, exercise performance, and potent antioxidant activity²⁵.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Cinnamon and black pepper add red wine spice notes as well as helping “drive” the formula. In herbalism, formula drivers help disperse the herbal medicine to the body systems that need it.

Most of us are familiar with these two popular culinary spices but their potent medicinal properties may be lesser known. Ceylon cinnamon, or true cinnamon, has a large body of research to support its use for helping the body’s natural inflammatory response, improving lipid levels, and regulating blood glucose levels²⁸.

For black pepper, one of the primary alkaloids (medicinal plant compounds) is piperine. Piperine may play a vital role in supporting cognitive brain function, enhancing nutrient absorption, and even promoting better gastrointestinal health²⁹.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to put down the traditional red wine and pick up a more natural and healthful option, we think Wine Down™ could be the herbal formula for you. Its heart health, sleep, stress, and nervous system support benefits are a great way to unwind at the end of the day without the worry of a hangover. This formula is even more potent when combined with the additional relaxation benefits from Stop Your Wine-ing®. Think of Wine Down™ as your ultimate red wine-inspired sleep aid, while Stop Your Wine-ing® is your evening relaxation when you want something a bit lighter. No matter how you enjoy your evening wind down, we’ve got the perfect red wine alternatives to help you find ease, rest, and relaxation.