We like living in Austin. The people are as welcoming as the cool shade of old oaks on a hot day.
Folks generally speak a little slower.
They move a little slower.
And keeping cool has taken on a whole new meaning - and it is not even summer yet.
Lets just say that most of the teas we are enjoying these days are iced.
It's been a good move.
There are those who like their tea loose and tumbling.
And there are those who like tea snug in its spot, wrapped up like a package.
Let us wrap up your tea of choice so as not to delay enjoyment of your lovely bound-up brew.
The Apothecary is now offering all of our teas in individually wrapped, single-brew tea bags.
Visit our S H O P to purchase.
The crisp and recognizable scent of Peppermint Mentha Piperita brings money to those who carry its leaves and protection to the traveler. Use Peppermint as an incense or floorwash to purify and energize a space. Tuck the leaves beneath your pillow to enhance dreams and visions or wear them about your neck to increase focus and drive. Peppermint in the garden brings success to all endeavors. The genus name of Peppermint, Mentha, is after that of a Greek nymph named Minthe, who after an affair with Pluto was turned to the Peppermint plant we know today by a jealous Persephone. Or at least that is one version of the story…
For those that feel they are walking in a haze, worried about that which lies beyond the fog, but unable to direct focused attention towards it. They might be too worried to know more, prone to upset stomachs, too hot then too cold, and a bit exhausted by it all. Peppermint might be the wise green ally who helps bring them back to focus through gentleness and loving perception of the body’s needs.
Peppermint from iloveherbs.net
Peppermint loves to soothe the body. Use as a tea or tincture to settle the stomach, ease abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, and for flatulence (especially if taken after meals). Peppermint is also antiparasitic. As a tea Peppermint eases flu and cold symptoms, helps to break fevers by encouraging a sweat, expels phlegm, and clears the head. Peppermint helps treat sinusitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and is good for inflamed lung conditions, asthma, heart palpitations, lung infection and congestion. Eases insomnia, general tension, and is good for dizziness and fainting, fatigue, and headaches
Yerba BuenaUse the oil or a tea externally to soothe sore muscles, inflammation, rough skin, hives, and rashes. Also use in cool washes for chicken pox and measles. Peppermint can be used as a gargle for mouth and throat and to prevent gingivitis. The crushed leaves can be applied to forehead for headaches and directly on bee stings or insect bites. Preventatively, Peppermint can be used as a repellent for most biting bugs.
Try rubbing the fresh, crushed leaves on your skin as a natural bug repellant and for its calming properties. I love mixing the fresh mint leaves with apple juice and ice for a cooling drink – especially important in our new Austin home! Peppermint tea on its own is a wonderful digestive remedy, but also try mixing it with a bit of fresh grated Ginger, some Cinnamon, and a bit of Fennel seed. Delicious!
As spring approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, our bodies begin to stretch towards the growing light. The threshold between the end of winter and the beginning of spring is a wonderful opportunity to support our bodies naturally process of shedding the drowsy energies of winter. Cleansing and detoxifying herbs that work to tonify our body systems are great herbal allies at this time of the year. We've combined our two medicinal vinegars, Amazon Brew and TOUGH AS NAILS Iron Vinegar, in a new Remedy Kit to help you re-balance and re-align your body and spirit to the visions of buds and blossoms calling us from our winter slumber. You can find our new Medicinal Vinegars Remedy Kit in our S H O P.
The early promises of spring will also be carrying the Apothecary from our Northern home in Portland, Maine to our new adventure in Austin, Texas. We told you the Apothecary has a tendency to up and move! We'll be closing the shop for a few weeks starting mid-March as we'll be driving across the country, visiting friends and family, meeting new plants, and defrosting as we get further south. Look for some great deals in the next few days as we try to sell a lot of our shop stock in anticipation of our move!
botanical.comRosemary Rosmarinus officinalis is known for remembrance and to keep the spirit youthful. Keep it under your bed to protect against bad dreams, hang it above doors and porches to deter thieves. Rosemary planted by the front door shows that the women run the home as well as their fortune. Clears spaces of harmful energies through its purifying vibrations and happy song. Watch closely the Rosemary bush, for you might just spot the Good Folk hidden amongst its branches.
Rosemary is the herb for those who look as though they need the dry, hot heat of the Mediterranean to restore their vitality and bring a healthy color to the skin. For those who feel stuck, might have poor circulation, and a general lack of energy and enthusiasm – life seems a bit grey, a bit bitter. The glow of Rosemary relieves the chilliness of body and spirit, bringing warmth and movement to the heart and mind.
Rosemary has many uses because it is, quite frankly, so useful! Rosemary is good for aiding the memory and improving concentration, as well as relieving tension headaches and “brain fog.” It also helps atop our head by promoting hair growth and providing relief for itchy scalps and dandruff. Rosemary has also been used in treatments of depression, Alzheimer’s disease, vertigo, stress, and anxiety.
After a bought of sickness or a round of the blues, drink Rosemary tea to restore your body’s inner warmth and fire for life. Rosemary is very restorative to all of our blood organs such as the liver, heart, spleen, and kidneys, which need some helpful cleansing after a period of fatigue. Use Rosemary to bring on menses and reduce menstrual cramps.
Rosemary bush from wikipedia.orgRosemary stimulates liver function and improves circulation by raising blood pressure. Our green friend also treats excessive blood sugar by enhancing the burning off of and consumption of blood sugars and fats by the metabolism. Therefore, Rosemary is used in the treatment of diabetes. Rosemary can also be used as a cancer preventative for its abilities to prevent carcinogenic chemicals from binding to DNA and causing mutations.
Topically, Rosemary can be used to relieve the itch of eczema, soothe sore muscles, sprains, and rheumatism. The oil can be rubbed into the skin to improve circulation. A poultice of Rosemary placed on the forehead and back of the neck can be employed when treating headaches and migraines. Make a medicinal strength brew of Rosemary tea to use as a hair rinse to treat dandruff and scalp itchiness.