Daily Weekly Monthly: Developing a Rhythm of Herbal Practice

One of the reasons that I've written so much about the ways that we measure and observe time, from seasonal to astrological practices, is that there is so much to learn about ourselves, our world, and our interconnectedness through how we experience time and space. Within herbal practice, and especially earth-centered herbal practice which seeks to work in partnership with the land, sea, and sky as opposed to the hyper-commodification of plants as abstract cure-alls, beyond trying to connect people with specific plants there is a lot of attention is given to how one is experiencing time. It's not unusual to be asked questions about the length of time you've felt unwell, how much time you spend sleeping, time you spend working, times when you feel anxious, times when you feel well, and so on when in an herbal consultation. Many herbalists want to know not just about the quality of the symptoms and discomforts that have brought you into their consultation room, but the quality of time as you experience it.

Asking about time helps us to make recommendations of care beyond herbal remedies, including spending more time resting, less time scrolling on screens, seeking quality time with a mental health practitioner, and more. In my experience, most folks just want to decrease the amount of time they are suffering and increase the amount of time they feel well. So, we talk about time and the practices that a client might incorporate into their life that helps them feel more empowered by time and less overrun by it. 

One of the ways that I work with clients and students in developing a conscious connection with time in their herbal practice is considering when and how to use different types of herbal remedies. Much of this is just part of the foundational training of an herbalist: some herbs are more appropriate to take a very specific times for very specific time periods (such as immunostimulants and antiviral plants at higher dosages for shorter periods of time for acute infection) while other plants, like culinary herbs and spices, can be used more often. Additionally, considering time in your herbal practice is one of the ways that we begin to understand and apply preventative care in our lives which can go a long way in lessening and preventing illness and suffering while increasing a sense of wellbeing.

How do you think about time in your healing practice? In U.S. English, a common phrases used to talk about time include "time well spent" or "spending time.” While "spending time" is not a good or bad phrase, it can be interesting to experiment with other ways of talking about time. Instead of time well spent, which can feel like we are always meant to be productive with our time and time is simply another form of currency, I invite you to think about experiencing time as well worn, time well experienced, time shared, and time well loved. How do those phrases feel to you in comparison to thinking about time in the context of "spending" it? What are ways of envisioning and talking about time that feel empowering or oppressive? It can be an interesting practice to come up with different ways of considering time and creating conversations about time not only in the consult room but in our personal practices as well.

In addition to thinking about time in your life, there is the practical ways that we incorporate different herbs at different times. Below you'll find some of my simple recommendations for how you might work with herbs on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. These are simple guidelines that focus on general health and preventative care and look a lot different to an herbal routine for acute conditions. These guidelines are only one approach to herbal practice and are meant to help you think about the rhythm of your herbal practice rather than be prescriptive rules to follow. As always, work with your health care practitioners to determine the most supportive course for your unique health needs.

Tarot deck shown is the Moon Baby Tarot (2nd Edition) by Brant Palazzo

Daily

For daily herbalism, I tend to focus on two categories of herbs: nutritives and nervines. The types of nutritive and nervine herbs that I like to use in daily practice are ones that are not only considered generally safe, but are best used over a long period of time. Nutritives are herbs which have a strong nourishing quality, often containing high levels of vitamins and minerals. Examples of nutritive herbs are Nettles (Urtica dioica), Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Alfalfa (Medicago farfara), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), and Chickweed (Stellaria media). Many kitchen herbs (i.e. spices and herbs used for flavoring meals) are nutritive in value, too, and can be enjoyed on a daily basis. 

Nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. While most nervines are relaxing, some are more sedating, others are stimulating, and some are considered balancing (i.e. nervous system tonics). I tend to recommend relaxing nervines and nervous system tonics though plenty of folks already include stimulating tonics (i.e. Coffee arabica and Camellia sinensis) in their daily routine. Examples of relaxing nervines and tonics include Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), and Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).

For many of my clients, one or two of these types of herbs will be included in my recommendations for them as having a daily herbal practice that is nourishing and nutritive is an important part of the healing process. Many of these herbs are also ones that students of traditional and modern western herbalism are introduced to early in their studies because they are such a foundational part of our practice.

I also pay attention to the ways I can incorporate seasonal herbs into my own and my clients’ daily practices. Chickweed, for example, shows up in the garden every spring and that's when I use it fresh in my daily tea as it's not a plant that stores well once dried (though it makes a lovely herbal vinegar if you’re looking to extend its healing qualities). Working with seasonal herbs is an invitation to observe and connect more deeply with the land and our plant allies.

Finally, one of ways that I feel-think about a daily herbal practice is that these remedies are the breath of my practice - a steady breath that allows me to meet myself, my community, and whatever the day may bring.

Cards shown are from the Dirt Gems Oracle by Anne Louise Burdett & Chelsea Granger

Weekly

With our daily practice established, what might a once-a-week herbal rhythm look like? Topical treatments like herbal masks and oils, steams, shower rinses, and baths are some of my favorite once or twice a week practices. Here is where we work with herbs a little more slowly than with teas or tinctures, and can experience more immersive sensations in our herbal practice.

I love herbal baths of all varieties and practicing self-massage with herbal oils is a simple and restorative way to not only support our nervous system, but nourish our largest organ - our skin. You can make these weekly rituals as simple or complex as you like (Make an altar! Light those candles! Write that time-sensitive email while your face is covered in Moon-blessed herbal powder and clay!), but think of the ways you can make space to slow down and be in your practice amidst the busyness of daily life. Some of my favorite herbs for bath and body are Rose (Rosa spp.), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), and Calendula (Calendula officinalis).

Once or twice a week can also be a beautiful time to bless your space with herbal incense or washes. One of my favorite herbs for burning is my local Mugwort (Artemisia spp.) variety.

For me, a weekly herbal practice motion and movement to the breath of daily practice. What am I moving into? What am I moving away from? What is moving within and around me?

Deck shown is the Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck in a Tin

Monthly

For monthly practices I focus on spiritual rituals and hormonal support. Herbs used in a monthly practice might be, but are not always, ones that have a more intense effect on our bodies and would not be appropriate for everyday use. If you are feeling like your herbal studies or practice is very much in your head space and you want to draw your practice down into your body, connecting with the plants on a less academic and more somatic level, I recommend creating a monthly practice as a path of connection.

As someone who loves a lunar practice, I try to make space each month for simple herbal rituals tied to certain lunar phases or returns. This might be a lunar bath, ritual, or gentle cleansing rite, but it is a time to step between the worlds and connect with the spirits of land, the deep needs of the dreaming body, ancestral lineages, and my own magickal practice. Sabbats and other special celebrations fall under this monthly category for me, too. What your monthly practice looks like will be entirely up to you, your spiritual needs, your cultural traditions, and so on, and if you don't have a practice like this already I hope you have fun discovering your very own version. 

In addition to a monthly spiritual practice, hormonal support might also be something you consider, especially if you menstruate or experience a monthly hormonal cycle. What these hormone regulating herbs look like will be different for each person, but in general, I love working with Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and Crampbark (Viburnum opulus). 

The monthly herbal practice is where we allow ourselves to be held by energies beyond our own effort, brought there by the movement and breath of our weekly and daily practice.

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This post is part of a series exploring some of the broad themes of herbal practice in the consultation room that started with Night Allies: Herbs for Sleeping and Dreaming. If you're looking for more seasonal guides to help you develop the rhythm of your herbal practice you can find them over here and you can also check out my series on the seasons of the zodiac, too, another interesting and mythic way of observing time.

I hope you're feeling inspired to explore what your herbal practice looks like through days, weeks, and months, and that you find the unique rhythm of your own healing path.

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

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Cards Shown

Moon Baby Tarot (2nd Edition) by Brant Palazzo
Dirt Gems Oracle by Anne Louise Burdett & Chelsea Granger
Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck in a Tin

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.

How to Make Your Own Herbal Rainbow Lattes (to Feed Your Inner Unicorn)

We’re in a bit of a rainbow-everything moment so why not rainbow lattes with an herbal twist? Playing with colorful plants and making rainbow potions is the best and definitely brings out your inner potions professor. Instead of giving you a hard and fast recipe, I’ll be showing you how to construct your rainbow concoctions with whatever ingredients are easily available to you. 

Basically, rainbow lattes are created by using fluids at different densities to create layers of color. I used four different plant milks in my latte experimentation. You could weigh them out with a scale, but I just added different color to each and layered them slowly, watching where they all eventually settled. The milk that settled on the bottom was the densest and the milk at the top the lightest. I encourage you to do the same with whatever milk you buy or make before you go about making your final product.

Here is what I found out about the densities of my plant milks:

The lightest was Coconut milk, followed by Almond, then Rice, and the heaviest was Oat milk. 

I used a combination of sweetened and unsweetened milks so that I didn’t have to add any additional sweetener to my latte. If you’re adding sweetener do so before you layer your latte. Remember, that adding sugar or syrup to your milk will add density to your layer and may might it heavier than other layers in your latte.

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Choose Your Rainbow Layers

Basically if it is a plant, fruit or veggie that tastes good to you, you should try it in your rainbow latte experimentations. Here is my list of color-rich plants with latte-worthy flavors for you to try.  

Reds + Pinks : Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Beet

Oranges + Yellows : Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (always add a pinch of Black Pepper to enjoy its full medicinal benefits), Mango, Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Banana, Carrot

Greens + Blues : Spirulina (Spirulina platensis), Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris), Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria spp.), Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

Purple : Blueberry, Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Butterfly Pea (combine with Lemon to turn it from blue to purple), Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) (combined with red and pink ingredients), Acai (Euterpe oleracea)

I was in a Hibiscus mood when making my tea (thank you to the Hibiscus Mint sellers in Austin, TX for introducing me to the glory that is this iced red beverage), so both of my lattes feature that flavor.  you’re not a fan of the sour taste of Hibiscus (but it’s so gooood), I recommend replacing it with Beet powder which has a naturally sweet taste for your red layer. 

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I made my four layer rainbow latte with the following ingredients:

• Bottom layer : Oat Milk with Hibiscus and Rooibos

• Second to bottom layer : Rice Milk with Turmeric and a small pinch of Black Pepper

• Second to top layer : Almond Milk with Spirulina 

• Top layer : Coconut Milk with Acai and Elderberry

The dominant flavors are the Hibiscus and Rooibos which has a cooling, sweet and sour taste, combined with the other berry flavors or the latte made for a fun drink. Spirulina and Turmeric are both pretty neutral-tasting when used in small amounts, so while I was still enjoying their healing benefits, they did not disrupt the taste of the berry-flavored latte. 

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My three-layered rainbow latte features the refreshing flavors of mint and green tea to help you cool down during your summertime adventuring. It features:

• Bottom layer : Oat Milk and Hibiscus (I used a lot more Hibiscus than the first latte to get a darker color)

• Middle layer : Blue Green Algae, Peppermint Tea, and Green Tea

• Top Layer : Plain Coconut Milk

Putting It All Together

When making my colored layers, I would brew a strong infusion of my ingredient (such as Elderberry) in water and then add some to milk. A strong infusion might be 1 - 2 tablesoons of herb per 2 ounces of water. I typically added about 1 tablespoon of my tea to 2 ounces of plant milk. For powdered ingredients, such as Spirulina or Turmeric, I just added a little powder a bit at a time directly to the milk until I had achieved the color I wanted.  

With my colorful milks made, it's time to pour! Add some ice into the bottom of your glass and pour in your first layer. I did about 2 ounces of milk per layer, but you don't have to be so precise. I would add a little more ice and then slowly pour in the next layer, usually along the side of the jar. Repeat until all layers have been poured. Voilà!

Feeling inspired to create your own herbal rainbow lattes? Yay! Let me know about what you end up making in the comments below. If you need more colorful herbal remedies in your life, click here.

Make Your Own Magickal Midsummer Brew

How about a sweet and summery brew for your Midsummer celebration?

Golden milks have grown in popularity beyond their Ayurvedic roots in recent years and they are such a pleasant way of enjoying the healing qualities of the sunny root known as Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory working its magick throughout the body, from soothing a irritated intestines to musculoskeletal pain. Turmeric's medicinal qualities are vast and I encourage you to spend time reading about it's gifts in your favorite materia medicas. You might even consider working with it for 30 days as a plant ally. Magickally, Turmeric's bright yellow roots align it with the Sun and the solar energies of vitality, will, and clarity of purpose.

When creating a Turmeric brew it is important to combine the herb with black pepper to make the plant's healing qualities more bioavailable to us which is why my variation of a golden milk is a delicious spicy brew. I've also included another Midsummer herb, Elder (Sambucus nigra), into the mix as another cooling remedy for the long days of summer.

My Midsummer Brew is created in two steps. First, you combine all the herbs in hot water and let them steep. Then you add in some coconut milk and  

Begin by combining the following into a saucepan with your water:

• 2 parts Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
• 1 part Elder flower (Sambucus nigra)
• 1/4 - 1/8 part Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Bring to a boil, cover, and turn off the heat. Let steep for 10 minutes. Sing to the sun and dance about the kitchen or cookfire. Then to every 1 part water add:

• 1 part coconut milk
• 2 parts milk of choice (I like almond or soy milk) 

Heat your brew just before boiling, strain, and sweeten with honey or other sweetener of choice. My Midsummer Brew is delicious hot or iced!

I hope all of your Midsummer adventures are full of love and luck as only the longest day can bring! If you're looking for some divinatory insight, check out my tarot spread for the season -  Bonfire Offerings : Summer Solstice Tarot Spread. Otherwise, enjoy the day and dance through the night, clever ones!