Keeping Space for Healing: How To Organize Your Plant Profiles

Apparently, March has become the month that I write about plant profiles and materia medicas. So, at the risk of writing about increasingly niche topics on an already niche blog, I now want to talk about organizing your plant profiles as you start to write and/or collect them.

I know, I know what it sounds like. We're not heading into thrilling territory, but how you organize information that you need regular access to - whether that is as a community herbalist or a home herbalist - supports your ability to practice with ease as an herbalist. 

When I was a student herbalist, I was simultaneously thrilled by everything there was to learn and pretty overwhelmed by all the information on plants that I was studying. As with so many paths of study out there, I came to understand that the purpose of an herbalist was not to have memorized all the uses for all the herbs (though you'll certainly know many uses for many herbs through time and practice), but to learn what it is you need to know and how to seek it out. So when I have a client show up in clinic with a condition I've never heard of before, I've not already failed as an herbalist. Instead, my training helps me to ask the questions that need to be asked and listen deeply to what needs to be heard so that I can seek out the resources that'll support my client.

One of the most important tools in my kit is my collection of plant profiles and materia medicas. I've already written about plant profiles, why they're useful, and how to create your own, but now that you've got these useful plant profiles in your collection, how do you use them in a practical manner? In addition to the plant profiles I've written, I've got handouts from classes and workshops I've attended, a collection of herbal books both modern and historical, and lots and lots of notes. It took me a while to find a system of organization that worked best for me and if I can help some of you develop your own much sooner into your practice as an herbalist than I did, then this post will be a success!

Well-organized resources helps you to find the information you need efficiently which matters whether you're working one-on-one with clients in a time-constrained environment or as a home herbalist taking care of sick family members (and half the time being sick yourself). Hopefully, one or more of the suggestions below will be of use to you in your own practice or, at minimum, inspire thoughts of how to make your herbal practice feel more easeful and nourishing to you and those you serve.

image via @purejulia

Keeping It Accessible

I do much of my work on a computer where everything is digitally stored and organized, but when I'm working on a new recipe or sitting with a client, I prefer looking at paper than a screen. I like the physicality of being able to flip through books and scribble notes on a paper, plus having a screen free space, particularly within a client consultation setting, is an important part of how I am able to be present to the energy at hand. For me it's important to have non-digital reference material available, but you might prefer to have everything digitized. Figuring out how you want to access your plant profiles and other herbal tools is part of understanding how you're able to remain present and engaged, so if you're annoyed by having to pull books off the shelf every time you want to look up information about a particular plant and would much prefer being able to pull up that same book on your tablet of choice, make the switch! 

So much energy and concentration is needed to show up for others as an herbalist, whether clients or members of your family, which is why it's important to reduce any hassle or hindrance in your practice as much as possible. Make it easy for yourself, friends.

Questions to consider:

• What profiles, books, and other reference material do I want physical copies of?

• What profiles, books, and other reference material do I want digital copies of?

• Where will I keep my physical reference material (and herbal tools) for easy access?

Keeping It Together: Modes of Storage

How you choose to store your plant profiles and other tools of your trade is going to be deeply personal and informed by the space you have and your preferences. I like using physical materia medicas over digital ones so I always have my bookshelf within reach of my writing desk, but for those of you who keep everything digitized, you might not need this arrangement. Having a tablet stand equipped with ease for charging might be your priority instead. It takes time to figure out what works for you, but it is time well spent so that when your services are needed, what you need is organized in a way that makes the most sense for you to access. 

I hope the following suggestions help you to figure out how you organize your plant profiles, perhaps in a way you hadn't considered before.

Recipe Box

When I was making and selling remedies, the best way for me to store my recipes were on index cards in a wooden recipe box that I'd thrifted. They were organized alphabetically with dividing tabs because that made the most sense for me, but they could've easily been organized by body system, primary herb used, astrologically, and so on. While I also had my recipes written up and stored digitally, I didn't like having my computer around when making recipes because I did not want to risk spilling something on it and I worked in a very small space at the time and couldn't fit my laptop and remedy making supplies in the same area even if I wanted to.

You could store shorthand plant profiles in a recipe box, too (i.e. information about an herb that you use frequently such as herbal actions, energetics, indications, and contraindications). What I like about my recipe box full of recipes is that it is easy to add or subtract from, reorganize, and grab what I need (a index card or two) in a form that is not overly precious or takes up too much space. While you could organize your plant profiles alphabetically in a recipe box, there are a number of other ways that might be more useful to you and how you practice including by:

• Body System

• Energetics (traditional western energetics or otherwise)

• Disease or Imbalance (i.e. Prunella vulgaris for indigestion)

• Astrological Correspondence (i.e. the planets or by signs of the zodiac)

• Magickal Use

• Seasonal Herbs (i.e. what's in season in your garden and surrounding area throughout the year - check out my seasonal apothecary guides for inspiration)

• Seasonal Remedies (i.e. herbs organized by common seasonal imbalances such as a section for herbs for spring allergies and another section for cold and flu herbs for autumn and winter)

A recipe box system is great for students who can easily add a note card as they learn, expanding these cards into full profiles as they progress in their studies. It's a great system, too, for harried parents who want to know what plant will help this with the latest bug brought home from kindergarten without too much effort.

In the recipe box (or any of the following suggestions) you might keep a few cards with basic remedy making instructions and standard dosage guidelines (you can access my remedy making quick sheet for free as a member of Magick Mail).

image via @purejulia

Expanding File Folder

As someone who travels to teach, I don't have permanent storage set up within the classroom I visit, so I have to be mindful about how much stuff I carry around as well as being able to set-up a class quickly and in a way that doesn't leave me feeling scattered. One of my solutions is to use an expanding file folder to keep all of my class handouts organized which include any notes I'll be sharing, plant profiles, as well as one page medicine-making guides (i.e. a guide for making and taking tinctures). My file expanding file folder has become my traveling library full of resources that I can share with folks and it's made my ability to teach and share resources that much easier.

Side note: If you teach or work with clients, I highly recommend creating your own one page guides to hand students and clients, and when you keep them organized in something like an expanding file folder you always know what you have on hand or what needs printing.¹

Binder

For some printed resources, I really like having a three ring binder for them. In a binder is where I keep the plant profiles I've written myself or ones that I've received from classes and trainings I've attended. Some folks like using plastic page protectors so pages can be flipped frequently without tearing, but that's up to you. 

My binder is definitely reflective of my role as a community herbalist, but here's what a family herbalist binder might include to help you start to think about your own needs:

• A page for each family member summarizing allergies, medications, and other important information as well as a section to note remedies that work well for them. If you practice medical astrology, you can also include a birth chart here.

• The plant profiles you've written and/or collected.

• Seasonal guides to help you quickly determine a useful herb based on common seasonal conditions.

• Quick guides to ailments common to your household (i.e. steps for treating a fever with herbal recommendations). 

• Remedy making calendar (i.e. make elderberry syrup in August for the start of the school year). 

• A page of contact information for your family doctor, medical services, and so on.

If you're putting together a family herbal care binder ask yourself what would make your life easier when someone in your family is sick again. You can create a similar binder if you're a clinical herbalist and/or herbal teacher, asking yourself what would make your sessions or classes easier. 

Digital Storage

Whether on your own harddrive, cloud storage, or through an app like Goodnotes, having easy digital access to your plant profiles is a good option either exclusive of or in addition to paper storage. I created The Plant Ally Library not only because students and readers were asking for an easier way to access resources I've written but because I wanted an easy way to access all of the plant profiles I'd written over the years in one spot. There are so many digital storage options out there but the ones I prefer can be accessed anywhere on any device which not only  protects them from anything calamitous that might happen to my personal computer, but they need to be searchable (which is one of the biggest advantages of digital storage). 

The recipe box and binder idea can be translated into digital form through notes apps and other online options. If you choose a searchable option you've created a very useful and easy access resource. 

image via @purejulia

Keeping a Bird's Eye View

Regardless of how I store my plant profiles and various tools of the herbalist, I make sure to have a record of what I do have, don't have, and need. For me, this is a spreadsheet kept in an online drive where I keep track of what herbs I have in my home apothecary, what form they are in (i.e. whole plant, tincture, oil), what needs restocking, as well as my own correspondence charts (i.e. herbs in my home apothecary organized by body system and so on). If I could go back in time to my younger herbal student self I would tell them to start making this chart right away. A spreadsheet like this helps you to use what you have because you know you have it, prevent overstocking and potentially wasting herbs, and hopefully prevent the stress of searching through jars when you really need a plant but can't remember if you have it. Is my spreadsheet color coordinated? Yes. Is everyone going to get as excited about a spreadsheet like me? No, of course not, but if you sense that this might be useful for you, give it a try. And you can choose whatever pretty colors you like!²

Overview documents like this are especially essential if you are in any sort of community practice and working with other herbalists. Community work is hard enough without the stress of not knowing if you have the herb you need for clinic days or who has ordered what and when it is supposed to arrive. There is a reason that activist work is also referred to as "organizing" - that color-coded spreadsheet is a (very nerdy) revolutionary tool, use it.

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Creating your own system of organization for your plant profiles is an act of compassion by your present self for your future self by making what may come easier to manage with already prepared tools for your practice. If you're wanting to make your life harder as an herbalist, I've written about that, too. To support your nervous system and brain as you consider and implement your organizational options you might want to add Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and/or Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) to your tea. I find that connecting with your old self and future-dreaming self can be helpful, too. 

Finally, whether or not any of what I've suggested speaks to you, I do hope that you're feeling curious about the ways you can make it easy for yourself so you can do what you love with as little hindrance as possible: working with plants and people to create paths of wellness.  

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

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Footnotes

1. It took me far too long to figure out this trick for my own classes, but when I did I felt so clever, ha! This is a great exercise for students, too, as part of your studies, and think of other one-page informational resources you can create for your clients. Creating resources like these are a practice in succinctness and accessibility as they should be to the point but also use language that is comprehensible to many types of folks. 

2. If you're curious, I've shared my spreadsheet and correspondence charts in The Plant Ally Library.

Serving as Herbalists During a Pandemic

Edit: I’ve created a page for herbal calls to action and other community resources geared towards supporting our clients and communities during pandemic and beyond.

There is a lot of need in the world right now.

As an herbalist, serving our communities during times of pandemic can look a lot like what we already do - supporting folks in cultivating longevity and peace of spirit in a sustainable way. For many herbalists I know and certainly in the philosophy I was taught by my teachers, herbalism is slow and steady medicine. Of course, there are always moments of quick relief and insight, but plant medicine is strongest when it is integrated into our lives as an ongoing practice. While relationships with plants is one of the defining features of any herbalist, many of us bring a myriad of other techniques and tools and ways of seeing the world that inform and compliment our relationship with plants (who else is having regular dream visitations from their ancestors who lived through previous periods of pandemic?). All of these skills are needed now as we live through times of great sorrow and uncertainty, strangeness and joy, and begin to dream of how we might emerge in a way that continues to bring us together. 

While this post will not be about herbal treatments or recommended protocols during times of pandemic, what I hope to do here is to highlight practices many herbalists and holistic healers will be familiar with, but can be especially useful during periods of heightened and widespread trauma. For some herbalists serving communities that are under constant threat these suggestions may be more familiar than to others - may they serve as an affirmation of the needful and powerful work you're already doing. The work of emergence continues and what follows are some of the ways you might find useful in serving your community.

Encourage your clients to feel their feelings as they arise (or as soon as they can after the fact).

There are numerous powerful and effective therapies to help folks manage trauma after the fact, but one of the tools we can use during or shortly after a traumatic incident (including the prolonged trauma and disruption of pandemic) is to encourage those we serve to feel their feelings as they arise. One of the things that makes traumatic incidents so traumatic is that all too often we don't feel like we have the space or are afraid to or are unable to connect with the depth of our feelings. It's ok to grieve right now - the world has turned upside down and will not be the same again for better or for worse. It's ok to get angry, to get sad, to get happy - just get to where your feelings are. 

Now, it's also important to acknowledge that sometimes our feelings do feel too big - that's when it's especially important to reach out to friends and family for support or to a therapist. There are so many great therapeutic models out there and while it can be hard for folks of color and queer and trans folks to find adequate care you're still worth being cared for. Services like Crisis Text Line can be very helpful for in-the-moment situations of difficulty and it is easy to use. And if you're someone who is looking to support others during a pandemic and beyond in a very real and needed way, consider becoming a volunteer.

Anxiety is growing - share simple tools for managing it.

Here's a great guide talking about anxiety during times of pandemic (for those of you who serve earth-based spirituality and Pagan populations there's a great connection to made between the decision tree and holy trees in so many of our spiritual cosmology). I teach my clients and students breathwork techniques that I've found very useful over the years for all types of feelings and experiences as well as learning how to connect with plants. I have a sliding scale course on breathwork aimed at folks with a magickal practice but here's a free video resource on square breathing which I think is one of the most useful techniques out there for helping us to pause and expand our emotional possibilities beyond anxiety.

One of my favorite tools for managing anxiety is writing and journaling, so here's some of my tips for writing in your journal especially when you feel too anxious to do so.

• You don't have to start by writing about yourself or your feelings. When I'm feeling especially overwhelmed I start by writing super mundane things - I describe something on my bedside table or what the weather is like outside. It can be helpful to ease into what you think you want to write about by not writing about it at all.

• Establish a set length of time or paper that you're going to write. Depending on my journal size I usually write the front and back of a single page. If I want to write more I do, but my goal is to fill up the space of that single page. What this does is limit any feelings of how much one should write and sets a parameter for how long you should be writing. Sometimes I sit there for quite a while not knowing what to put on paper and that's alright. It makes me think and reflect, even get a bit bored. I've found this practice to be really helpful not only during times of heightened anxiety, but in maintaining a regular journal practice.

• Prompts can be really useful. There are all sorts of journal prompts out there - I have one for each New Moon - and you can choose to use different prompts every time you journal or stick with the same one(s) for every journaling session. When things are feeling hard for me I tend to stick with similar prompts again and again such as What am I feeling right now? What am I needing right now? Additionally, I’ll set a five minute timer and let myself right down, free flow style, everything I am feeling anxious, confused, or just big about. At the end of those five minutes I move on to my next suggestion.

• Practice gratitude. I feel fortunate that early on I was introduced to the importance of gratitude in one’s magickal practice. Whether it was gratitude to the Ancestors, Gods, Spirits of the Land and Waters, and my fellow magickal folk to gratitude for candles to light, for shelter, and food. Taking time to be in our gratitude helps to give us context, pause anxious cycles, and shift perspective. Gratitude doesn’t dismiss the seriousness or severity of a feeling or situation, but when we are faced with what can feel like oversimplified and intense emotions (i.e. everything is awful), gratitude can help us acknowledges complexity and expand what is possible (i.e. some things are awful right now, but there is still beauty and hope).

Connect your clients with resources on emotional and mental health. 

It's important to remember, especially when the needs in our communities can feel so big and overwhelming, that you are not the sole source of care for those that you are serving. You should be referring folks to additional care practitioners, especially mental health providers, as necessary throughout your interactions with your clients. Crisis Text Line is an inclusive and immediate point of support that you can send folks to. Sometimes the need in our community is so big that we can be mistaken in our compassion to think that we are the one to answer it all. I think it is a beautiful and healing practice to share with our clients all of the options and opportunities they have for community support by making sure we have appropriate references available for them. Additional mental health resources can be found here.

Know when to step back and take a break.
The world is changing and even when the immediate crisis of pandemic is over there will be work to do. But that's always been true - we're just experiencing everything on more directly global terms than ever before. Be sure to pace yourself, take breaks, and engage in the relaxing activities that allow your mind and body to rest. Teach your clients how to do the same by modeling this behavior to your community. Reassure your community that it's ok to have fun, celebrate joyful moments, and zone out when they need to. Ask for help, participate in the multitude of mutual aid and kindness groups that are growing and have been here for generations, and when you're able, offer aid in return.

Humble yourselves in the arms of the wild.
Those are the first words of a beautiful Pagan chant by Beverly Frederick that I've found myself singing again and again these days. The wild can mean many things from our plant allies to humbling ourselves to the spectacular wild uncertainty of our times. Remember to connect with the plants who have taught you, the ancestors who dreamed you, the living beloveds surrounding you in your life right now. We do not know where we are going or how we're going to get there but we can choose to know ourselves and each other through the process.

I hope that these suggestions have offered inspiration, affirmation, and reassurance. All of you deserve support and care during and I hope that you're receiving both.

Herbal Baths for Self-Care + Community Healing

2021 Update: Since writing this post I created a page dedicated to Herbal Calls to Action + Community Care Resources which is full of additional recommendations.

A few years back I was exposed to the work of Maurice Mességué via Rosalee de la Floret’s blog post on the famous French herbalist. I love reading biographies and autobiographies of herbalist - their stories of becoming herbalists and practicing their craft are always illuminating and inspiring. I especially appreciated Mességué’s approach to herbs which generally involved little to no alcohol-based remedies and a lot of hand and foot baths. As someone who doesn’t use a tremendous amount of alcohol-based remedies in my practice, I am always interested in learning about the herbalists who use alcohol-free alternatives as well. Herbal baths (whether full body or for the feet) are something that I personally love and I would make them as part of many a client consultation, usually with a ritual component attached to them (because magick). Reading Mességué’s work inspired me to work more with herbal bath concentrates and have them become a primary form of herbal remedy with some of my clients as opposed to an adjunct therapy. I haven’t been disappointed with the results and what I love about herbal baths is that they are so darn easy to create and use. If you can throw herbs together in a bowl and pour hot water over them you can make an herbal bath. You don’t even have to worry about what the blend will taste like as in the case when you’re making teas. 

Herbal baths are an inexpensive luxury which is why they are such a great self-care tool. You don’t even need to have a bath tub to enjoy an herbal bath as you can use a big bowl for a foot or hand bath. I have a large white bowl that I thrifted a few years ago that I use exclusively for foot baths and it has become a magickal cauldron for tired feet to be soothed in and re-emerge happy and restored.

Foot baths have also become my remedy of choice to send to community clinics, political actions, and protests. Herbal foot baths don’t require that you like tea (which lots of folks are not interested in taking an herbal tea consistently) but it is rare that I meet someone who doesn’t enjoy a simple foot bath. I will be sharing two recipes that I created this summer for the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp political action.

The following tutorial will help you create a single herb or multi-herb blend for your own herbal bath. I have separated out herbs between those that are more warming versus those that are more cooling. Herbal baths are typically enjoyed hot, but the energetics of herbs can be cooling or warming to the body. You might want to use warming herbs for an autumnal blend that helps you release tension whereas cooling herbs might be better for a summertime sleep blend. I’ll also list out some additional herbal bath “boosts” that you can incorporate into your brew for a special addition of healing spark. 

Let’s get brewing!

Warming Herbs

Warming herbs are often more stimulating than cooling herbs. They help to move stagnant energy, improve circulation, and awaken a groggy mind.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) : A circulatory stimulant and a great aid during times of indigestion, travel sickness, as well as colds and flus. Elevates the body temperature to help break fevers. Warming to a cold disposition and heavy heart.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) : Rosemary is great for when headaches are present whether brought on by stress, high blood pressure, indigestion or fatigue. The herb is a heart-strengthener and connects the mind and the heart in a healthy and loving way. Helps to re-establish a sense of sovereignty.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) : Wonderfully antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, antifungal, and pro-feeling good. Thyme is great for chest and head colds and infections of all sorts. It also has carminative effects. Thomas Bartram writes of Thyme’s ability “to break the alcohol habit” which might make Thyme an interesting addition to a herbal care protocol for those in the early stages of recovery.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) : Warming and gently detoxifying, Basil is uplifting to the spirits making it a great addition to a bath to help alleviate depression. It is also an antispasmodic herb which pairs well with its ability to calm high-strung nervous types.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) : Improves weak digestion, alleviates colds, and it’s astringent qualities help to relieve diarrhea. Cinnamon is good for those who are exhausted in body and spirit. A little goes a long way.

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) : An effective stimulant that opens up the body to increased warmth. Excellent at improving circulation and in cases of hypothermia. Cayenne increases vitality and courage. Like Cinnamon, a little goes a long way.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgraris) : A great addition for menstruating folks as it helps to regulate the cycle and alleviate cramping and pain. It is stimulating to the appetite. Mugwort is calming and centering. Helps to alleviate night mares while promoting vivid dreams. The soft herb has been used as a shoe insole to cushion the foot and has a reputation for being very protective of travelers.

Cooling Herbs

Rose (Rosa spp.) : Rose is cooling, mildly sedating, and a classic heart-opening aphrodisiac. The herb has excellent anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a great choice for after-sun recovery as well as sore muscles and bruises. I call Rose a vessel herb since it is known in Traditional Western Herbalism to carry the medicine of other plants to wherever they need to go in the body - most of my herbal baths contain Rose in them for this reason.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) : Skullcap is my go-to herb for high-strung nervous tension. It is great for folks with busy thoughts and who carry a lot of anxiety and worry. Skullcap is relaxing without being sedating which is a key characteristic to helping many anxiety-prone folks to relax. It’s also great for tension headaches, muscle spasms, and irritable stomachs.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) : Exhaustion, insomnia, and nervousness are often relieved by Passionflower. It is a great herb for relieving neuralgic pain and tension headaches. Passionflower is more sedating than Skullcap. It is good for restlessness and relieving spasmodic conditions of all sorts.

Borage (Borago officinalis) : Borage restores and strengthens adrenal integrity. It is cooling to hot, agitated bodies, especially the stomach. It helps to alleviate anger but bolsters courage. Borage is helpful in relieving arthritic pain, menstrual cramps, and general tension.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) : An excellent choice for the healing of clean wounds as Comfrey accelerates the regrowth of healthy skin cells. It has a long use in TWH in helping to repair broken bones and its great for sprains, strains, and general muscular discomfort.

Neutral + Dual Energy Herbs

Milky Oat (Avena sativa) : A great remedy for overworked and tired feet, Milky Oat is a fantastic nervine that is neutral on the warm to cool scale. Great for eczema, psoriasis, itchiness, and irritated skin. Milky Oat is especially effective when used both internally and externally for the long haul.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) : Peppermint is a useful herb embodying the mercurial qualities of its Guardian Planet of Mercury. 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 finger 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.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) : Lemon Balm is rebalancing and neutral on the warm to cool scale. It relieves tension and indigestion caused by nervousness. Lemon Balm is also antiviral and it is a great herb to help bring on sleep.

Additional Boosts

Epsom Salts : A great addition to relief muscle tension and pain including cramps and tension headaches.

Apple Cider Vinegar : Apple Cider Vinegar has an alkalinizing effect on the skin, provides pain relief, and is a great antibacterial addition to a bath.

Flower + Gem Essences : Choose any variety of Flower and Gem Essences to add that amazing extra boost of magickal energy.

Making an Herbal Bath for the Body, Feet or Hands

Option 1: Add 1/2 - 1 cup of your herbal bath blend to your bath or bowl either directly in a tea bag or loose. Remember that adding it loose to your bath requires cleaning up the herbs afterwards.

Option 2: Brew your bath tea ahead of time! Add 1/2 - 1 cup of bath tea to a large bowl or jar and cover with hot water and let steep for at least 15 - 20 minutes. This is also great option for folks who want to use the herbal bath as a wash if they don't have a bath or if you're using the herbal bath loose leaf because you can strain the tea before adding it to your bath. This is my favorite way of preparing a bath tea.

A note on hand baths: While I recommend soaking both feet at once in the same bowl, I often soak one hand at a time. Mostly because it is an easier set-up to create and allow someone to sit comfortably for 15 - 20 minutes. I would soak one hand first and then prepare a second fresh bowl for the other hand. Of course, you can soak both hands at once and even both hands and feet if you are able to find a comfortable way to do it!

Making an Herbal Bath Concentrate

To make an herbal bath concentrate you are basically making a really strong infusion. For every 4 parts of water use 1 part of herbs. Let the infusion brew for at least 20 minutes - I typically let it infuse overnight. Strain and place in a clean, airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Your concentrate should last for about 3 - 4 days. I use about 1 ounce per foot or hand bath and about 4 ounces per bath.

So now for some recipe inspiration for you! The following two recipes are ones that I created this summer to send out to the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp political action.

Homecoming

For the Orlando Grief Care Project, I wanted to create something that relieved both physical and emotional pain - something that called frightened hearts back to the sanctuary of the body. 

• 4 parts Rose (Rosa spp.)

• 3 parts Borage (Borago officinalis)

• 3 parts Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Mountainfooted

For the Standing Rock Camp, I made a brew that served the practical purpose of being warming and restorative to sore bodies with the additional purpose of supporting the spirit in maintaining its connection to its inherent sovereignty of place.

• 4 parts Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• 2 parts Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

• 1 part Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

• 1/2 part Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii)

• 1/2 part Rose (Rosa spp.)

What brews will you create for you and yours?

Share your recipes and your favorite herbs for soaking in the comments below. Make sure to check out the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp if you haven't already. And if you're craving some self-care comfort, clever one, I hope you make yourself an herbal bath to enjoy. You deserve it.