Community Herbs

Herbs and flowers from the yard bundled up to save for a rainy day, a gift for a friend, or a full moon.

Nourishing, calming, and warming, sesame oil is one of my favorite oils for self-massage.

According to Ayurveda, the sesame seed is sweet, pungent, astringent, and bitter, with a heating effect.

Out of all my infused oils, this golden and silky smooth oil has been getting the most attention. It’s packed with herbs including Manjistha Root, Turmeric, Saffron, Licorice Root, Indian Barberry, and Elecampane Root.

It offers a warming and grounding experience, and is perfect for dry skin during the fall and winter seasons.

This Is How I Use Sesame Oil for Self-Massage

1. Warm the Oil in the palms of your hands.
2. Prepare to Get Messy! Undress and use a towel that you don’t mind getting oily.
3. Start massaging your scalp and face with circular strokes. 
4. Massage the limbs, giving attention to small joints.
5. Massage the Rest of Your Body. Massage your torso, chest and abdomen. *Massaging the armpits and breast tissue is a great way to support healthy breasts.
6. Bathe and Rinse Off the Oil. After you have completed your self-nurturing massage, enjoy a warm shower or bath, taking care not to slip.

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What are tinctures and how do you use them?!

Tinctures are plant extractions made by soaking herbs, roots, leaves, bark, or berries in alcohol. High-proof alcohol ruptures the cell walls of plants, bringing the constituents into the solution with the alcohol. I allow the maceration to sit for 4-6 weeks before straining and bottling.

First off, I love tinctures and believe they should be a regular household remedy. They are portable and a must have when you’re traveling or on the go.

I keep a bottle of my Heart Elixir (a blend of Holy Basil, Rose hips, and Ashwagandha) next to my desk and take a dropper full as needed throughout the day.

Fresh plant tinctures can used as preventative medicine, support chronic and acute illnesses and injuries, used as an adaptogen (plants that help the body resist stressors of all kinds), and much more.

Have you ever tried a tincture? Do you like them? Leave a comment and let’s chat about herbs!

Any body that includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and va**na will experience a number of natural transformations throughout their life cycle dictated by hormones.

From the onset of menstruation, through child-bearing years and into menopause, your body is designed to evolve and change.

There are plenty of ways that we can support our hormonal and reproductive wellness beyond healthy lifestyle choices.

Here are three herbs to consider for reproductive health. 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a rich source of naturally occurring phytoestrogens, it encourages healthy detoxification and promotes healthy skin through its support for the body's lymphatic functions. Red Clover is a highly nutritive plant, and it supports the body during menopause. 

Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) supports hormone production and balance, especially in teenagers and adults. Healthy hormone levels are necessary for physical and emotional wellbeing, making it useful for PMS and menopause. This herb's berries promote a healthy mind and body throughout the menstrual cycle and during the transition into menopause.

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) supports a healthy reproductive system. It may help with menopausal symptoms, lower blood pressure, reduce joint pain, and enhance circulation. It should not be used in early pregnancy but under the guidance of a midwife or medical professional, it can be used during the last week of pregnancy or during labor.

*These herbs are not intended for use during pregnancy; please consult with your health-care professional before using any herbs during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a remarkable plant. It’s a calming nervine with many uses.

Firstly, motherwort’s benefits for the ovo-uterine system give it a long-standing history as a reliable plant ally for midwives and mothers, as this plant can help to stimulate a stagnant menstrual cycle.

When stress or anxiety is related to the reduction of the menstrual cycle, motherwort supports the body to facilitate flow. It can help to calm false labor pains, hot flashes, and menstrual cramps.

Motherwort is also used to lower blood pressure and as a remedy for heart problems that are related to the nervous system. It relieves anxiety and nervousness and contains glycosides that temporarily lower blood pressure and ease the strain on heart muscles. This also makes it useful for heart palpitations and preventing heart disease.

Relax with an herbal bath tea for self care.

We will be adding herbal bath tea’s to the shop (coming this December!) and if you haven’t tried this bath ritual, you’re in for a treat.

I love blending botanicals known for their nervine effects. Here’s a recipe you can try at home!

This recipe includes chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers, rose (Rosa spp.) petals, and ylang ylang essential oil to create a relaxing bath experience. You can substitute your favorite herbs, flowers and essential oils.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Epsom salts
1 teaspoon rose (Rosa spp.) petals
1 teaspoon chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers
2 drops of ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil
1 teaspoon carrier oil (apricot, almond, jojoba, etc.)

Directions

* Place carrier oil in a small bowl, add ylang ylang essential oil and stir to combine. 
* Add dry ingredients and combine all ingredients with a whisk.
* Fill an empty tea bag (I like to use a muslin tea bag) about halfway with the herbal blend. If you have extra, you can store in an air tight container such as a mason jar.
* Place the muslin bag and hang over the faucet while filling the bath or allow the tea bag to steep in hot water for about 10-15 and add to your bath.

The rejuvenation of a salt soak with medicinal flowers will calm and heal your skin while uplifting your senses. Give it a try!

If you’re new to incorporating herbs into your daily routine start with tea!

It’s a fun way to familiarize yourself with different herbs and have a scenery experience.

You get to see, touch, taste and smell the herbs while soothing and nourishing your body with every sip.

Morning Tea Recipe Idea 🌱

Make a tea that includes tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root, and ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome that you can sip on as you do your morning routine.

Tulsi has gentle adaptogenic properties that give the body what it needs to come back into balance.

Dandelion root is a powerful digestive aid that can be used as a morning tonic.

Ginger is a warming herb that is beneficial to include in tea for its ability to soothe and promote digestion, increase circulation, and warm the body from the inside out.

Ingredients
1 cup of water
1 tsp dried tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf (or a handful of fresh tulsi leaves and flowers)
1 tsp dried dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root
½ tsp dried ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome (or two thin slices of fresh ginger)

Directions
* Place the dried herbs into a tea ball or bag, and place it into a ceramic mug (check out my friend ‘s adorable ceramics!) If using fresh ginger, slice 2 thin pieces and place them directly in the mug. 
* Bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat and pour over herbs. Allow the tea to steep, covered, for 15-20 minutes.
* Remove the herbs from the cup and compost. Sweeten if desired, and enjoy with your morning routine.

Just a reminder 💚

Oh how I love elder flower.

I find that elder flowers and yarrow work well together and I use it topically as a healing body oil.

I’ve formulated an elderflower and yarrow oil for protection and recovery from the elements, windburn, sunburn, mosquito bites, and other outdoor irritations. Elderflower can help protect against UVA radiation damage, and promote skin health. This delicate oil will leave you feeling refreshed and nourished!

Here’s some more information about this incredible plant.

“Elder (Sambucus canadensis, S. nigra) is a versatile herb with many useful parts! Elder flowers are an excellent remedy for acute ailments. They help to promote perspiration and reduce inflammation. Research suggests they may even have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties, as well as the ability to shorten the duration and severity of flu symptoms.” - The Modern Herbal Dispensatory

Don’t forget to wear protection!

Restore, renew, and protect your body art with this medicinal herb tattoo cream.

💚 vegan
💚 organic
💚 responsibly sourced

Packed with plant medicine and thoughtfully designed to make your healing process as nourishing and comfortable as possible. Moisturizes existing tattoos and helps soothe and heal new tattoos.

Ingredients are my obsession. 

All of my herbal oils are made by hand using whole plants and a powerful infusion technique that results in a potent and shelf-stable product. These organic and clean ingredients will enhance your tattoos presence, keep your tattoo healthy, hydrate and nourish your skin.

100% Organic Ingredients: Raw Shea Butter, Calendula, Plantain Leaf, and Oregon Grape Root Infused Sweet Almond Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Vitamin E, Helichrysum, Chamomile, Frankincense

Echinacea purpurea tincture is ready to press!

I’m going to blend Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia to make an immune stimulant herbal aid for you to keep handy this cold and flu season.

It’s still hot here in Texas but as cold weather arrives, will you incorporate herbs into your daily health regimen?

While reading more about Echinacea in The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, and say “Echinacea aids the process of antibody formation and stimulates the production of white blood cells. It helps to strengthen and clear lymph nodes. It inhibits hyaluronidase (an enzyme produced by bacteria that breaks down compounds that bind cells together), thus inhibiting the spread of infection. Echinacea also helps the body fight viral infections.”

After tasting the tincture, I felt a tingling sensation in my throat! A sign that the plants I received from are high-quality.

I can’t wait to share this plant medicine with you!

Indulge in an extra few minutes of self care this weekend.

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