The Plant Allies of Autumn: How to Create an Autumn Wellness Apothecary

In the final post of my seasonal wellness apothecary series, it's time to explore the healing needs that often appear when autumn arrives. The heat of summer gives way to the cooler days and nights of fall, where the wheel of the year turns ever deeper into the dark. Autumn can mark a time of increased exposure to germs (often through returning to school or work after break), but some simple preparations can prevent a great deal of discomfort. 

As with my winter, spring, and summer apothecary posts, I've organized my recommendation by herbal actions such as bronchodilators for asthma that intensifies at the change of seasons. As always, I've tried to highlight herbs that are easy to access (especially in North America, where I am writing this from) and/or inexpensive to grow yourself, but hopefully you'll feel inspired and able to work with herbs local to your area. While I've linked to full plant profiles throughout this post, you'll find full, printable profiles of nearly every herb featured in my apothecary series available in The Plant Ally Library.

Ready for some autumn healing? Let's explore some of the common ailments and the plant allies we can connect to during the season of fall. 

image by author

Ready For What Lies Ahead: Cultivating wisdom and supporting brain health 

Herbal Actions: Nootropics, nervines, and adaptogens.

While I have written about brain tonics in my spring apothecary post, I wanted to mention a few more that I particularly like working with during the autumn and growing winter of the year. 

Gingko (Gingko biloba): A great ally for brain health in general, but especially for older folks. Within Ayurvedic tradition Gingko is considered a rasayana or restorative tonic for the mind. (1) It is a helpful remedy for brain fog, poor memory, and the anxiety that can accompany both. I like working with Gingko as an ancestor plant as it is an ancient tree that has been on this planet for nearly 300 million years, making it a particularly potent ally to work with during the season of harvest and ancestors.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Another brain tonic that I turn to during the autumn and winter is Peppermint. I love this easy-to-grow, distinctively scented plant ally for its ability to wake up the senses and stimulate focus. As someone who doesn't use a lot of stimulating herbs in their personal practice, I like the Peppermint is energizing while still being grounding, which is the perfect blend for when I need to focus on a project. 

Other brain tonic plant allies to consider are Milky Oat (Avena sativa) when there is brain fog due to nervous system exhaustion, Sage (Salvia spp.), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), and Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).

image by author

Tending the Soul Shrine: Supporting the health and beauty of our skin

Herbal Actions: Vulneraries, astringents, and nervines.

While I've already written about more first-aid and post-sun exposure treatments in my summer apothecary post, the following plant allies are generally supportive of skin health and radiance, helping to cocoon our skin in healing remedies as the weather turns cooler.

Rose (Rosa spp.): My absolute favorite skin for skin wellness and radiance, I love using Rose in all of its forms. Rose hydrosol is a wonderful way to clean and tone the skin, while Rose Hip oil is a rich serum to help the skin glow as well as being useful for conditions like acne and discoloration from sun exposure. I meditate with Rose, one of our ancient plant allies similar to Gingko (Gingko biloba) and use their flower essence to help me with issues of the heart. I drink Rose tea in celebration of Venusian energy in my life and to tend to the needs of my soul shrine. The simplicity of using one plant for most of my skincare is one of the ways that I take care of myself best - keeping anything that I need to do on a daily basis simple and nourishing. 

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): While I've mentioned a number of Calendula's healing gifts in my spring apothecary post, they are one of my favorite end of summer, start of autumn herbal oils to use on my skin. Using Calendula herbal oil during this time of year, that I've made myself from my spring harvest of flowers, feels like infusing my skin with the last bit of summer's heat before I welcome in the much anticipated coolness of autumn and cold of winter. It is a great plant ally in all its forms (herbal oil, flower for tea, and flower essence) for those who struggle with sadness at the change of the seasons from the light to the dark half of the year.

Herbs like Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Sacred Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) are also great allies of the skin.

Damp and Dust and Runny Noses: Addressing autumn season allergies 

For recommendations on plant allies for allergies see my spring apothecary post.

image by @glatz0

Autumn Winds and Deep Breaths: Supporting the respiratory system and relieving the symptoms of asthma

Herbal Actions: Bronchodilators, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories, antitussives, and nervous system tonics.

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus): A great bronchodilator and antispasmodic that's not only useful for asthma but for coughs in general. The herb also has relaxing nervine qualities that address the stress and anxiety that often accompanies an asthma attack.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata): Lobelia is a classic herb for interrupting an asthma attack in its tracks but it needs to be used with care and ideally under practitioner guidance. It is an herb that should be used in small doses (10 - 20 drops) as large doses can induce vomiting, but it can be very effective in stopping an asthma attack that has already started.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): Hawthorn is a great daily tonic for folks with asthma, especially asthma that is accompanied by heart palpitations and triggered by general stress. The herb helps to regulate heart rhythm and is a wonderful nervous system tonic which aids us in reducing stress.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): An overall good ally for asthma and respiratory conditions that are aggravated by the colder weather. Hyssop brings warmth and dryness to the often cold and moist conditions of the common cold, influenza, and other seasonal complaints. Coldness in the chest is an indication for Hyssop as well as a general slowing of the senses and weakness in the extremities. Hyssop is also a great ally for breathwork, helping us expand our capacity to take a deep breath.

Other herbs to keep around for supporting the health of someone with asthma are Elecampane (Inula helenium), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and Plantain (Plantago spp.), which is especially useful for fire season.

image via @maddy_moon

An Ounce of Prevention: Preventing cold and flu

Herbal Actions: Immunomodulators, anti-inflammatories, and nervines.

As the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." A lot of herbal medicine is focused on preventative measures and the ways that we can incorporate healing plants into our daily life. While I've already discussed prevention for the common cold and the flu in my winter apothecary post, I'd thought I'd highlight my favorite preventative plants here, too.

Milky Oat (Avena sativa): As stress is the underlying reason for much of disease and discomfort, having a friendly nervine (i.e. nervous system tonic) like Milky Oat that you work with on a regular basis can prevent a lot of illness in the long run. Milky Oat is my favorite nervine because it is a gentle but sturdy medicine that helps the body become resilient and it can be used by most people for an extended period of time.

Elder (Sambucus nigra): As summer ends and autumn begins, I pull out a bottle of Elderberry syrup and the whole family starts taking a daily dose of this purple potion. Elder helps to prevent colds and influenza but also helps to shorten the duration of both if you happen to catch either. Thank Goddess for the tree of medicine!

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa): A highly valued restorative tonic within Ayurvedic tradition, Shatavari is a panacea type of herb, seemingly addressing all that would ail someone. Similar to Milky Oat as a nervine, Shatavari also helps to improve immunity and prevent infection in addition to promoting overall health. It's a great ally to have available all year round, but especially during the start of cold and flu season.

You can read about other preventative plant allies and remedies for cold and flu season in my winter apothecary post.

image via @mero_dnt

Rain is Coming: Managing arthritis and other chronic pain

Herbal Actions: Anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and digestives/stomachics.

Whether arthritis or dealing with an old injury, sometimes when the weather changes to a cooler and damp season there can be an increase in discomfort and pain (i.e. that one person who always knows when it's about to rain because their hip hurts). The following plants provide much needed pain relief to help you enjoy sweater weather better.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria):  Meadowsweet is a powerful clearer of heat from the body whether in the form of arthritic inflammation, fever, heartburn or other overheated conditions. Often issues of inflammation extend to the digestive tract which is why herbs like Meadowsweet are so valuable in relieving arthritis as the plant is anti-inflammatory and a classic stomachic. English herbalist Thomas Bartram advises the use of Meadowsweet so that whatever other herbs are recommended that the plant will "have a beneficial effect upon the stomach and intestines to ensure proper absorption of active ingredients." (2)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Haldi doodh or golden milk as it is more often known in English, is my favorite daily anti-inflammatory remedy, and Turmeric (Haldi हल्दी in Hindi) is the main ingredient. When making or purchasing Turmeric for its anti-inflammatory qualities you want to make sure to get a variety high in curcumin which is the component of Turmeric that makes it such a beautiful anti-inflammatory ally. (3) You'll also want to mix in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) to your blend so that the curcumin becomes more bioavailable for your body to absorb (and the piperin in Black Pepper is also anti-inflammatory). In addition to enjoying Turmeric as an internal treatment it makes a great topical compress as well. 

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Not only my favorite topical treatment for many forms of arthritis, I love Ashwagandha for all sorts of pain. It's great in oil form (herbal oil not essential oil) for post-workout recovery or recovering from acute injury. You can also take it internally to help with inflammation and I recommend making a Moon milk with it which is a evening treat of mixing ½ to 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder with your preferred variety of milk and a sweetener of choice (a bit of Cinnamomum can be a nice addition). You can learn more about all the ways I love Ashwagandha in The Plant Ally Library.

Other anti-inflammatory herbs that can be useful for arthritis include White Willow Bark (Salix alba), Borage (Borago officinalis), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Elecampane (Inula helenium), and Nettles (Urtica dioica).

image via @anshuman0090

The Growing Shadow: Alleviating the symptoms of seasonal sadness

Herbal Actions: Nervines, antidepressants, and anxiolytics.

While feeling melancholic from time to time and even when the seasons change from the bright half to the dark half of the year is a normal part of living, when you're experiencing persistent sadness and depression during autumn and winter it's time to seek out support. While I've listed some plants that can be allies for those who are affected by seasonal sadness they are meant to be used alongside other healing modalities like therapy, bodywork, and other forms of medicine. Hopefully, as plants are prone to do when we open up to their wisdom, they'll guide you to the places and spaces you need to be in order to find wellness throughout the year.

One of the styles of remedies that I recommend for folks seeking to alleviate their seasonal depression are remedies that cultivate a sense of comfort. What a comforting remedy is will be different for everyone, but for me, a warm glass of (oat) milk blended with powdered herbs and spices is one of the most comforting remedies I can think of. For many folks with any sort of Indo-European ancestry, there is probably some experience with or at least knowledge of milk-based remedies as deeply comforting and healing (probably stemming from ancient and ongoing veneration of cows and dreams of lands of milk and honey). You might find your comforting remedy in childhood memories (i.e. the scent of Peppermint always makes you feel taken care of because of the menthol rubs you would receive as a child to help you get over a chest cold) or in ancestral and/or cultural traditions that may or may not have been passed down to you. Becoming curious in general, about your comfort or anything else that piques your interest, is one of the ways to guard against and alleviate some of the discomfort of seasonal sadness, so I encourage you to give it a try.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): As the evenings grow cold, I love preparing a warm cup of Ashwagandha milk before bed. Ashwagandha is a nervous system restorative which means that it helps to repair an exhausted, overwhelmed, and overworked nervous system. It's a lovely ally to work with over an extended period of time and a good option if you find other adaptogenic herbs to be too overstimulating to your system.

Milky Oat (Avena sativa): Do I recommend Milky Oats a lot? Sure do and for good reason. The roots of so many health imbalances is stress and Milky Oat is one of our most prized nervous system tonics in traditional western herbalists, earning it the nickname of "soul milk" amongst some herbalists (myself included). While there is a growing knowledge about seasonal affective disorders, including the important connection between Vitamin D and SAD, as well as genetic dispositions, I've observed a connection between chronic burnout (or a previous period of intense burnout that was never fully recovered from) and seasonal waves of sadness. Working with a nervine like Milky Oat can bring in the reparative and burnout recovery energy that the nervous system needs and possibly help with seasonal sadness in turn. But again, it's important to work one-on-one with health care practitioners who can really support your individual needs around seasonal sadness and depression.

Sacred Basil (Ocimum sanctum): A sturdy friend during hard times, Sacred Basil is a well-loved restorative herb within Ayurvedic tradition, helping to uplift the spirit, relieve anxiety, and ease depression. They harmonize well with Ashwagandha.

Other herbs to consider are Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Mugwort (Artermisia vulgaris), St. Joan's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), and Vervain (Verbena spp.). 

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Friends, I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favorite plant allies for the autumn months. Be sure to check out the rest of the series on creating seasonal wellness apothecaries. I’ve made sure to link to all of the plant profiles available in my community blog (what you’re reading right now), but if you’d like to gain access to my whole collection of plant profiles, come this way.

One of my favorite ways to prepare herbal medicine during the cooler months is by preparing herbal baths. I also find myself drawn to the joy of using the flower essences I’ve made over the summer.

May your autumn be cozy and full of magick!

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤ Thanks, friends. ❤

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Footnotes

(1) Anne McIntyre, Dispensing with Tradition: A Practitioner's Guide to using Indian and Western Herbs the Ayurvedic Way (Cheltenham: Artemis House, 2012), 68.

(2) Thomas Bartram, Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (London: Constable & Robinson Ltd, 1998), 37.

(3) I purchase a lot of my spices, including Turmeric, through Diaspora Co. because a) their spices are amazing and b) their ethics are amazing, too. They have a Turmeric that is high in curcumin and it does help to make anti-inflammatory treatments more effective.

Rooting: Dark of the Moon Ritual and Healing Practices

On the land I live with, it is a time of seeking shade and cool places. The height of summer buzz is only gently starting to wane as the nights begin to flow further into the hours while daylight starts to ebb. The great swell of energy leading to Midsummer is only just starting to dissipate and I find myself slowing down as I find restful places to be still with my thoughts, my feelings, my dreamings of the land of my body and the land around me. During these unprecedented periods of heat during our current climate emergency, I have struggled to be restful, worrying that I should be in constant movement, but it is in the pause that we are able to refocus, breathe more deeply, and reconnect to what needs to be done to protect life and the land. And so the Dark Moon beckons, calling us to the shade before we spend any more time in the heat of the day.

The Dark of the Moon is an interesting time, not one observed as broadly as say the Full Moon or New Moon, but a period of time during the lunar cycle that I cherish in my own personal practice. (1) The Dark Moon is a period of profound rest before a new lunar cycle begins. If the New Moon is re-emerging onto a stage, the Dark of the Moon is when we are behind the curtains, waiting backstage, grounding and centering before we re-emerge back into the world. Without this period of rest we are unable to sustain the work and energy of the rest of the lunar cycle - though the importance of rest in magickal work and healing can often be overlooked or made difficult to access by capitalist-driven overcultures that pervade both institutional and personal spaces. There is a reason why, in this time of climate emergency, when we are confronting global patterns of consumption, waste, and destruction, that the call for rest as restorative justice has been growing. We need to rest for rest's sake, not to rest in order to become more productive to work, but to rest as a path of self-realization and community resilience. That is the magick of the Dark Moon.

For those who move through the world as womxn or somewhere on the spectrum of femme identity, however that manifests for you, there is a transgressive and radical magick to working with the Dark Moon. In patriarchal cultures, a womxn’s worth is tied up to her fertility and the Dark of the Moon is a time of un-fertileness, the barren field, the Hag who is unconcerned with what society says of Her, allowing her to move freely throughout all of the worlds. It is a time of breaking the hex of the male gaze (which hurts all of us, no matter our gender) and conjuring the collapse of oppressive systems of power. It is beautiful and wild and if this magick calls to you,

Just before the New Moon takes to the sky and far from the fecundity of the Full Moon, the Dark Moon marks the time of greatest dark during the lunar cycle. It is a time to be slow and still, joyfully unproductive, fertile to nothing else but our own needs, and to tend to the boundaries and edges of our wild spirit that help to shape who we are. Descending and returning, shedding and stillness, remembering and forgetting are all key energies of the Dark Moon.

Herbal Traditions

There is not an official correspondence within Traditional Western Herbalism to the Dark Moon. If we were to think of the Moon phase as a cycle of building a sacred structure, the Dark of the Moon is the temple completed, but empty of movement, waiting to be filled up with the sounds of life that people bring, but content and whole unto itself to be still and quiet at this moment. It is the point of the process of creating sacred space that we realize that the spaces we inhabit in are living and breathing and exist beyond us and our needs and our process of coming to respect that. For my garden-minded friends, the Dark Moon is the period between the end of one compost cycle and the beginning of the next.

As I've shared throughout this series, lunar work is deeply personal and I encourage you to trust your intuition and spiritual callings when creating when it comes to working with the Moon and interpreting Her cycles. For me, the Dark of the Moon is a time between work, as lengthy or brief as that may be, where I pause from doing and rest into being. It is both one of my favorite parts of the lunar cycles and one of the most challenging ones as I continue to undo patterns of overwork in my own life. If you believe you do not have time to rest it is a sure sign that you need to rest more. And I recognize that rest is more accessible to some, which is why it is so important for all of us to create cultures which recognize the sanctity of fallow periods as much as fertile ones.

In my own practice I very rarely make herbal remedies at this time and I try not to schedule classes, consultations, or other outer world work. For remedy-makers I think it is really important to have regular time off from making remedies and I invite you to explore what that might look like in your own practice, whether it becomes a Dark of the Moon practice or another lunar phase practice, during your Lunar Return, or perhaps tied to physical cycles like menses (another traditional time to pause from medicine-making). I don't have any specific plant parts that I work with during the Dark Moon. Personally, it's a time of Crone and Hag Goddesses, so I am more likely to reach for plant allies that I associate with elder, haggish, fiercely independent energy.

Examples of Dark of the Moon Herbs: Elder (Sambucus nigra), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Rose (Rosa spp.).

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris, spp.)

To be perfectly honest, Mugwort is the lunar herb in traditional western herbalism so it can be easily called upon during any Moon ritual. I'm writing about it here, at the Dark of the Moon, because Mugwort is referred to as the "oldest of herbs" within Old English herbal and spiritual tradition and the Dark Moon is a time of Hags. (2) Mugwort is an herb that has a strong effect on me so I am very intentional when I choose to use it and the period of the Dark Moon is one of my favorite times to engage with their magick. 

Mugwort's latin binomial clues us into some of its healing qualities. Artemis is a Goddess of all womxnfolk and their magick, with a particular resonance with womb-bearing womxn and the cycles of menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.  Mugwort is a warming and opening herb, helping to warm up the uterus and clear out stagnant blood. Take just before your menstrual cycle to release tension, ease cramping, and soothe back pain. After a birth, Mugwort helps cease postpartum bleeding and hemorrhage.

As a fiercely protective herb, the Artemisian qualities of Mugwort help guide us back to the sanctity of our sexuality as fully our own, defined by our own parameters, and expressed however we please within the holy boundaries of consent. Along these same lines, Mugwort has a special affinity for womxn who have experienced trauma, especially of a sexual nature, where they feel isolated from their spiritual power, have difficulty feeling their emotions, and feel frozen in their anger and despair. The herb helps us to step back into our power.

As a warming Moon herb, Mugwort is especially good at moving emotions that have stagnated or frozen up in the body. Mixed with the anger and frustration of past or current traumas, indications that Mugwort can be useful include intermittent fever resulting in both hot and cold conditions in the body. Mugwort increases circulation and warmth throughout the body, clearing out stagnation. It wakes up a sluggish digestive tract and stimulates the secretion of digestive fluids making it a valuable ingredient in bitters blends. If the sleep is disturbed with vivid and disruptive dreams, Mugwort is a night ally, bringing deep sleep and growing a dreamer’s ability to be lucid. 

One of the ways that Mugwort works its magick is by opening us up to our own psychic gifts and ability. In small regular doses (i.e. 1 drop daily) or by using the flower essence on a regular basis, Mugwort can help to establish an appropriate protective barrier around our psychic senses to help us avoid psychic overwhelm and burnout. The herb can help us articulate our psychic and emotional experiences to ourselves and others in a way that helps us feel connected to our self and our community.

image via @tishine

Altars + Rituals

Cover your altar, your body, with a veil. Be hidden away from the world, known only to yourself. Let yourself be completely naked to the eye of your spirit, to your love, to your own deep way of being that can only be you.

A Simple Dark of the Moon Ritual

To honor the roots of your power

The following ritual helps you to reset as the lunar cycle comes to an end and before it begins again, reconnecting you to what it is that keeps you rooted in your power so that you can more deeply rest your whole self. This ritual can be performed at any time of day or night, but I recommend performing it just before a period of rest (including bedtime) and relaxation.

The charm that you'll be speaking during this ritual starts with "I root my power in…" Examples of how you might complete this sentence might be:

I root my power in the wisdom of my ancestors.
I root my power in the courage of self-love. 
I root my power in the hope of the land.

You can choose a few statements before starting the ritual or be guided by what arises during the ritual. In my own tradition, I would recommend three, six or nine statements, but work with the numerical system that is most meaningful to you and your cultural and/or spiritual traditions. 

To begin, remove all of your jewelry and sacred adornments that you wear daily, including scents like perfumes. As you do this, begin to soften your breath until you are breathing in a way that is filling and easeful, guided by your own rhythm. Place all your sacred adornments in a bowl (or bag or on a cloth) that you can comfortably hold in your lap and lift above your head. If you can, sit cross-legged with the bowl centered in your lap, but choose the position that is most comfortable for you with the bowl low in your body or placed on the ground or table in front of you. 

Take a deep breath in and out.

On the next in-breath, lift the bowl above your head, the objects in this bowl symbolizing how you present yourself to the world, the crown you wear for all to see. Speak the first of your charms (I root my power in the way of…), as you lower the bowl before you, maybe circling it softly, moving it through your energy centers before resting again on your lap (if the items are on an altar before you or not easily lifted, you can lift just your arms and hands instead).

Continuing to breath deeply, look at the items in your bowl, perhaps picking them up one-by-one and asking yourself if they align energetically with the charm you just spoke. Perhaps everything is in alignment, but if something feels like it doesn't quite match up energetically, remove it from your bowl and set it aside. The item might need to be cleansed and/or recharged, just need a break for a lunar cycle or longer. In some cases an item is ready to move on and be gifted or disposed of in a sacred manner.

Repeat the process with all of your daily adornments until your bowl is full of items that help reflect your inner values and principles with your outer appearance.

Take a deep breath in and hold the bowl above your head. Breathe out and lower the bowl to your heart. Breathe in. Breathe out and lower the bowl to your lap. Breathe in, reveling in the alignment of your energy.

Once the ritual is done, take a few more deep and centering breaths before retiring to rest. I often like to take a moment at the end of any magick, but especially when I am grounding and centering to be grateful for the people, places, things, and experiences which have affirmed who I am and helped me to rest, whole and complete.

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A Simple Dark of the Moon Tarot Spread

To help you find the path of rest

Card 1 · Restless

This card highlights what is hindering your ability to rest deeply.

Card 2 · Restful

This card shows you what tools or practices can help you to rest fully.

Card 3 · Story

The overall message of the Dark Moon in your life. If you are familiar with your birth chart and how to find the transiting Moon in your chart this card can help you to understand the message of the Dark Moon in the context of where it lands in your chart.

I hope you enjoyed this fifth and final post in my series exploring simple ritual practices of the lunar phases (and thanks to my patrons who requested this series!). You can find the posts for the other phases here:

• Waxing Quarter Moon

• Full Moon

• New Moon

• Waning Quarter Moon

If you’re looking for more lunar magick, start by finding the Moon in your birth chart. I also teach a full course centered on lunar herbalism and astrology to help you discover your unique gifts as a healer called The Lunar Apothecary.

Wherever the Moon finds you I hope you find yourself and the kind spirits who inhabit the dark places of the night, holding up a mirror to your brilliance as you reflect the back the brilliance of the stars to them.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Notes

(1) The New Moon and the Dark of the Moon are sometimes used interchangeably, but in my practice they are two distinct, though closely situated, periods of time and space. I was taught that the Dark Moon is when there is no Moon visible in the sky for a day or two before the New Moon when a crescent becomes visible. The Dark Moon corresponds to the Balsamic Moon in astrology. Honoring the Dark Moon is a tradition passed down through Goddess spirituality and feminist circles that places emphasis on honoring not only the bright energy of the Full Moon but the beautiful dark depths of the Dark Moon (of course, the honoring the Dark Moon is not exclusive to those spaces and traditions, but that is where I learned it).

(2) I highly recommend reading the full Nine Herbs Charm in both modern English and in the original Old English. Read the Old English out loud to get a feel for the deeply trancey rhythm and pace of the spell (though you can listen to it in modern English here).

Mercurial Wisdom: Peppermint Plant Profile

It’s been a minute since I shared a plant profile with all of you. I found I needed a bit of a break from writing plant profiles and just some more time out in the garden and making a mess in my kitchen trying out new recipes. However, I woke up this morning with an itch to talk plant nerd with you before I head off on my winter break (which is all very impulsively mercurial and therefore the herb I’ve chosen to talk about is quite appropriate).

I wanted to share with you more stories about one of my favorite herbs that I reach for in the depth of winter and the height of summer almost equally. Peppermint is just magickal like that when it comes to working its way into both my warming and cooling recipes. But we’ll get to that in a minute…

I’ve written about Peppermint a number of times already, but always in the context of a larger post, and it felt like the write time to get deep about our green companion. The following profile is from my course exploring the intersections of herbal wisdom and the tarot - The Tarot Apothecary. So you’ll see my correspondences for individual tarot cards listed below - why different cards are allied with different plants is something that I explore more in the course (as well as helping you find your own personal correspondences).

Do you use Peppermint (or any of the myriad varieties of Mint) in your practice? What’s you favorite way to work with the plant? Let me know in the comments.

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Peppermint
(Mentha piperita)

Common + Folk Names : Brandy mint, lament
Tarot Cards : The Fool, the Hermit, Justice, the Star, the World, the Messenger (Knight) of Swords, Four of Cups, Six of Wands.
Element : Fire + Water
Zodiac Signs : Gemini, Virgo, Libra
Planets : Mercury, Venus, Jupiter
Moon Phase : Full Moon
Parts used : Ariel parts
Habitat : Naturalized throughout the world
Growing conditions : Full to partial sun with moderate to high amounts of water. 
Collection : Collect in the spring before flowering, but it can be gathered throughout the summer.
Flavor : Pungent + sweet
Temperature : Cool + warm
Moisture : Dry
Tissue State : Heat/Excitation, Cold/Depression
Constituents : Beta-carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, flavonoids, essential oils, ketone, tannins, resin, rosmarinic acid, menthol.

Actions : Analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, antibacterial, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, immunomodulating, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator.

Main Uses : Peppermint is a useful herb embodying the mercurial qualities of its Guardian Planet. It is able to relax when needed one day and to awaken and stimulate the next. To understand how a plant can be both relaxing and stimulating, try the following. Rub the top of your head with your fingers for a quick moment. Feel how that is both relaxing and stimulating? Such is the powers of Peppermint. So, it is a popular herb in the summer for its cooling qualities and it is found again during the winter as part of warming teas and cold-care remedies. 

Peppermint is a tasty and popular digestive remedy. It relaxes cramping of the intestinal muscles and alleviates a number of digestive complaints including gas, indigestion, colic, IBS, hiccups, and heartburn. Peppermint also has tannins which help repair leaky guts by strengthening the lining of the intestines, promoting better digestion and proper assimilation of nutrients. The herb is used for a number of intestinal diseases including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Peppermint is especially effective for digestive issues arising from stress and nervous conditions that lead to cramping. Look for signs of poor digestion, headaches from digestive tension, lack of appetite, and distention. Peppermint is excellent for when there is lack of pleasure around the process of eating food. Enjoy the tea a half hour before meals, but be mindful of over-relaxing the intestines with long term use (so no more than a few weeks daily and then take a break from use before restarting again). Peppermint is useful for car sickness and nausea as well as in pregnancy for morning sickness after the first trimester.

image source

As a circulatory tonic, Peppermint regulates energy throughout our bodies. The herb relaxes peripheral blood vessels helping to release excess heat and damp due in part to its menthol content. It helps blood move effectively through the body which is one reason that it helps to relieve brain fog and clear the head. Peppermint also has an effect on the lymph system helping to stimulate lymphatic action and therefore improve circulation. 

The herb dries excess damp as well as expels mucus in cases of colds, ‘flu, and sinus congestion. In general, Peppermint is good for heart palpitations (especially when associated with indigestion), inflammation and infection of the lungs, sinusitis and sinus headaches, asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, and general sinus congestion. The herb is clearing and helps us to take a deep breath. For bronchitis and asthma is it especially effective as a steam, but can also be used as a hot tea to reduce spasms of the airways and clear excess mucus. Coughs and sore throats are also aided by Peppermint. 

As a nervine, Peppermint is refreshing. It awakens the senses while reducing excess. If there is too much heat, Peppermint cools. If stagnation is a problem, Peppermint tones and stimulates. If overstimulation is present, Peppermint calms. I find the herb to be useful when mental dullness is present as Peppermint entices and excites the senses to movement. Along with drinking the tea, the essential oil burned or sprayed in a room can help shift the energy from dullness to inspired. Peppermint also assists with relieving anxiousness, nervous tension, and general anxiety. Again, Peppermint can help to stimulate where there is stagnation (which can lead to anxiety and depression because of lack of movement and tone) as well as help to relax tension (which can lead to a different sort of anxiousness and restless energy).

Peppermint is a classic cold care herb along with other herbs such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Elder (Sambucus nigra). Since it is a warming and cooling herb, it is effective for colds and ‘flu with symptoms of fevers and chills. In addition to  strengthening the lymphatic system in regards to circulation, Peppermint also strengthens the lymphatic cleansing process, clearing the blood of old cells and promoting the production of white blood cells, thereby enhancing immunity. Peppermint has been shown to be effective against streptococcus, staphylococcus, e. coli, helicobacter pylori, candida, and other pathogens. Since Peppermint is moistening to connective tissues, look for signs of skin atrophy, aching and dried joints, and general dryness, when choosing it for compromised immunity.

image via @jonathanpielmayer

Peppermint’s immunomodulating qualities are also tied to its improvement of the body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients. A robust digestive system leads to a healthy immune system since the body is properly receiving all the building-blocks it needs from the food it is consuming. Additionally, early studies have shown that Peppermint may have chemoprotective qualities.

The herb assists with menstrual cramps and complaints due to uterine congestion. Look for signs of feeling heavy and bloated just before and during menstruation, along with mental fatigue and fog. The herb’s stimulating qualities are noted by Culpeper as he described the herb as stirring “up bodily lust.”

Historically, Peppermint has also been used for kidney and gallstones as well as clearing out a stagnant liver. There are warnings against using Peppermint too often for too long (as in daily for a few months) as it will become overly clearing and lead to weakening the blood, even stopping menstruation. 

Use a poultice on the stomach for pains and on the chest for respiratory colds. A topical poultice is useful for muscle pain, including back pain, and spasm as well as arthritis and sore joints since Peppermint is anesthetic. Cold compresses can be applied to the forehead during fever and headache as well as rashes, bug bites, measles, and chicken box. Also, a topical herbal oil mixed with the essential oil can be used to alleviate headaches when massaged into the brow.

Internally, Peppermint will help to bring measles boils to the surface. Culpeper recommended washing the heads of young children with a Peppermint tea for the treatment of scabs and rashes. Use the tea as a gargle or spray for good breath and to clean the mouth. Chewing the mint will give the same effect.

As an antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-fungal herb, Peppermint is useful for such conditions as the herpes simplex virus, athlete’s foot, and other uncomfortable and infectious conditions. 

Magickal Uses : Peppermint is an herb that can be used in magickal works of prosperity, abundance, and good fortune. Use in rituals of cleansing and consecration as well as in incense blends to clear a space of harmful energy. The sharp scent also ignites the senses, as discussed earlier, but also attributes itself to awakening the psychic senses. Use the herb in spells and charms of clear communication, negotiation, and business deals while invoking the powers of Mercury (invoke Jupiter, too, if business and the need for good fortune is involved). It was said that Peppermint would reduce dreams of a sexual nature by 17th century herbalist John Parkinson, so be mindful if you would rather keep those dreams as part of your nighttime experience and avoid taking the herb at night. The herb is excellent for wind magick as well as matters of justice and judicial process as it has some guardianship by Jupiter. 

image via @sugarcoatit

The Peppermint Personality : There are two types of Peppermint personalities. The first tends towards a restless and nervous energy. Their thoughts spin and sometimes they struggle with silence. They possess the gift of gab, are prone to be on social media for one too many hours, tying their self-worth to the amount of positive attention they receive online. They have trouble settling down and being slow and still. They can exude a great deal of nervous energy and sometimes their anxious thoughts keep them up at night. What they feel like they need to accomplish every minute of every day feels dizzying and impossible. Peppermint will help them calm down and connect with their core strength and stillness. They will be especially served by Peppermint’s relaxing nervine qualities. The other type of Peppermint personality is nearly an opposite of the first. Slow and stagnant, they are uninspired. It is as if a heavy fog bank has rolled into their mind and they are unable to find their way out of the seaside soup. Sorrow for their lack of inspiration may have set in and a confusion around who they really are and what they are supposed to do with themselves. They will be best served by Peppermint’s stimulating nervine qualities. 

Both Peppermint personality types will be served by Peppermint’s ability to provide clarity and help them overcome their shared fear of success (even they go about avoiding that fear in different ways). What is really important to you, the mint asks, what is really necessary? Ultimately, Peppermint helps both personalities figure out who they are in the world and what they are called to do.

Contraindications : Avoid large amounts during breastfeeding as mints may dry up the milk supply. Other sources recommend Peppermint for mastitis. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Drug interactions : None known.

Dosage : Standard dosage.

I’m off to brew some Peppermint tea with a bit of leftover Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) from some cake that I made the other day (I am easily won over by a sticky Ginger cake, by the way, if you’re ever trying to lure me to a social gathering). Merry winter, friends, or happy summer depending on wherever you are in the world. Wishing you lots of minty magick!

Smoke Relief : Herbal Remedies for Fire Season

We are living in fiery times in more ways than one.

The chaos of cultural, climate, and interpersonal change has left many of us breathless and burnt out. Fire can be a source of life-sustaining life, the heat of transformation, the spark of poetry. And it can be a hungry beast which destroys with terrifying swiftness. So what can we do as herbalists, healers, and magickal folk during fire season and beyond?

In practical ways we can donate time and resources (check out the CA Wildfire Relief Fund and Frontline Medics). Make sure that our communities affected by fire or any other natural, sociopolitical or interpersonal disaster know that there are free resources for their mental and emotional health that they can access at any time such as Crisis Text Line, The Trevor Project, RAINN, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center and many more. Check in with those we love. Check in with ourselves.

image via landis brown

I created the following recipe for my family during this particularly challenging wildfire season. In addition to herbal support, staying indoors, and air purifiers (which can be super pricey - but you can search for diy versions), face masks are essential and you can get ones that will last longer than single use such as these. Herbal steams are useful, too, for helping to fill the airways with moistening and healing plant medicine.

The foundation of my Smoke Relief blend is Plantain (Plantago major) which is helpful in healing tissue and restoring the lungs after inhalation of the particulate matter carried in smoke. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) and Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) are the main respiratory system tonics and Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra) helps aids with antihistamine magick and nervous system tenderness. Nervines are important for fire season, too - our bodies are stressed out for many reasons which is why Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is in my blend. I also see Lemon Balm as an herb of the collective and the community mind with its relationship to the magick of bees and their hive consciousness. I usually like to use Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) for smoke relief but did not this time simply because I was out - but it’s a powerful ally during fire season that you should take time to learn more about.

You can endlessly adjust this recipe and if you want it to be less about smoke relief and more about general respiratory wellness during winter, check out this post for some inspiration.

Smoke Relief Tincture

Either mix the following individual tinctures or blend dried herbs together to create your tincture from scratch.

• 4 parts Plantain Leaf (Plantago major)

• 2 parts Hyssop Leaf(Hyssopus officinalis)

• 2 parts Mullein Leaf (Verbascum thapsus)

• 1 part Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra)

• 1 part Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Recommended dosage: 5 - 10 drops up to three times daily.

Radical Harmony : The New Moon in Libra

Take a sledgehammer
to the statue
they have erected of you
fashioned by their own fancies
of how you should look,
who you should be.
Do not
ask for permission.

Smash it
into a thousand shoulds
you sweep into the dustpan.
Then stand naked
in front of your own mirror
and dress
in your softest words
of wisdom
whispering
from within.

- Kaveria Patel -

The New Moon in Libra takes to the night sky like a scythe. It is the season of Samhain (and by some calculations, Lunar Samhain) and Libra’s guardian planet of Venus arises in their form as Crone. We need the slow rumination and depth work of the Crone now more than ever in our time of quick clicks, soundbites, and the constant fear that you might not be keeping up, doing enough, being aware enough.

Libra is a sign of harmony and it’s symbol the scales of justice. The voice of Libra this season moves away from the common Libran question of “Is it fair?” to a Libra which shouts, “No justice! No peace!” For justice should be a tool of harmony and from the harmonization of conflict we hopefully arrive at the Libran vision of peace. This is the Crone’s path of unbridled, shape-shifting, core-changing harmony. As it is the season of Samhain, we must remember that it is a traditional time of reconciliation at the Witch’s New Year approaches. And what is harmony but a radical reconciliation of all our parts into an whole?

Image by Ryan Holloway

At the New Moon in Libra we have an opportunity to change that which needs changing in order to align our inner values with our outer actions. Libra is an cardinal air sign which means that it brings an energy of new starts and momentum to our lives. In pursuit of a life that feels just, that works for peace, and that feels like there is harmony between all parts of who you are,  you are being asked to not depend on what others say or think you should be doing but to instead listen deeply and unflinchingly within for that which you know needs changing. Because the Crone doesn’t do what she does because she’s worried about getting dragged on twitter. The Crone builds mountains and tears down walls because they are connected to the certainty of who they are and their purpose. Are you?

Elder (Sambucus nigra)
The New Moon in Libra Plant Ally

I’ve written about Elder many a time on this blog and it’s one of the herbs I recommend working with during for Samhain. And I just used it in my most recent tea recipe. So, I’m going to depart from the norm in this part of the New Moon Healer’s Project and focus solely on the magickal and spiritual gifts of Elder. 

Elder is traditionally classified as an herb of Venus. I see it specifically as an herb of Venus in Crone form. If you have worked with Elder, you’ve most likely met the fierce guardian spirit of the plant. As humxns we have been cultivating and using Elder since the stone age. She has raised us, kept us well, set boundaries to help keep us safe. The Elder has a decidedly take-no-fools attitude combined with a generosity of healing that is immeasurable. To sit with Elder is to say, “Ok, I don’t just want to get rid of this head cold - I want to learn about the coldness that haunts me in my heart.” And off you’ll go between the worlds (for Elder is a guardian of the gates between the worlds) and between your words and between the places you thought forgotten. 

If you’re ready to take up the scythe of the Crone in your life and cut away that which no longer serves you, add a jar of Elder berries to your altar. Sit with the Elder tree if you have one growing near you. Know that the Elder one will protect you on your journeying, but once you start down the path you must see it through to the end. For that is the promise of the Elder Mother - they’ll never abandon you, but they also won’t allow you to abandon yourself. 

Flower + Gem Essences for the New Moon of Libra : Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Rabbit Orchid (Thelymitra antennifera), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Yarrow (Alchillea millefolium), Agate, Peridot, Smokey Quartz, Rose Quartz.

Essential Oils of Libra : Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum),Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).

Photo by Oscar Keys

Cutting Cords Ritual

Whether on the New Moon or at Samhain, perform this ritual to cut away that which no longer serves you. Be the Crone in your own life and stand on the foundation of who you want to be, not who you’re expected to be.

If you have a sacred blade, scissors (silver is best) or athame, you may use those in this ritual, but they are not necessary. Begin in a sacred way (read the New Moon in Aquarius post for further inspiration). Once grounded and centered within yourself, start to whisper:

Crone, Wise Elder,
Reveal to me
Those things which I carry
unnecessarily.

Continuing to whisper the chant, hold your hands a few inches above your body, start to move them in slow sweeping motions over all of your parts. You are feeling for the knots of energy that you carry which mark a burden that you carry that you can now release. When you find one of these knots of energy, pause from saying the chant and if you have it, take up your athame, scissors or blade. Or extend your pointer and middle finger out from your hand like a blade. Imagine slicing through the knot while saying:

I cut away that
which is no longer needed
Your presence in my life
has been completed

Repeat this charm two more times and end with a “So Mote It Be.” You can continue to say the first chant and scan your body for more knots, cutting cords as many times as is necessary. Once the rite is done, thank the Crone in your way and be sure to spend time doing gentle self-care or going to bed for the night. 

The World Spirit Tarot

Oracle

With a divinatory tool of your choosing ask the following question. You can also ponder it during meditation or through journaling.

How do I give my self-worth away?

Additional queries to consider:

• Where in my life to I bow to public pressure?
• What do I need to give up in order to be more me?

Tarot Cards of Libra

Every card within the tarot deck has an astrological association. The following correspondences follow the system laid out by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. You can add these cards to your altar as part of your New Moon in Libra magick or use them in readings to help with determining celestial influence or timing (i.e. this will come to pass at when the Moon is in Libra).

• The Sign of Libra: Justice
• Moon in Libra: Two of Swords
• Saturn in Libra: Three of Swords
• Jupiter in Libra: Four of Swords
• The Air Signs of Gemini, Libra, + Aquarius: Ace of Swords

Find all of the New Moon Healers Project posts right over here. Be sure to share your insights and experiences in the comments below or via instagram with the tag #NewMoonHealersProject.

Need more astroherbology in your life? You can learn more about the astroherbology of Libra by reading my in-depth profile on the sign. Check out the magick of each phase of the Moon. For those of you ready to learn how to live your magick and create your herbal remedies by the cycle of Moon and star, you're invited to join the The Lunar Apothecary.

Blessed New Moon, wise healers.
May your healing be healing to us all.
May our healing be healing to you.
Blessed be! Blessed be! Blessed be!