Herbs of the Full Moon

This is an old post from the archives, but will get you started on your journey of herbs and Moon magick. You can learn about how lunar correspondences are created in traditional western herbalism as well as herbs of the New Moon over here. Or how to make medicine by the Moon. Enjoy!

We plant by the moon, pick, and make medicine by the Moon.  The Moon calls the tides of our earth's waters and our own individual tides.  Just as some herbs are more suited to organs in the body they also correspond to the planets which orbit the greater body of our earth.

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) 

Jasmine is a flower of love of both spiritual and physical manifestation.  An aphrodisiac, Jasmine is also said to attract the good will of prosperity to those who wear it.  In tea blends, it adds a calming element.  The white of the Jasmine flower is what connects it to the full moon as well as the fact that the flower blooms only at night.

Anise (Pimpenella anisum)

A common and delicious spice for the kitchen, Anise is antispasmodic, antiseptic, and sopoforic, relieving gas pains and cramps.  Anise brings harmony between those who ingest it and protects from terrifying dreams.  Like Jasmine, it mingles the powers of our physical and spiritual needs for love, helping to dissipate the illusion that they are separate in the first place.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

One of the most widely celebrated lunar herbs in traditional western herbalism, Mugwort aligns not only with the energy of the Full Moon but with all of the Moon’s phases. Reflecting its connection to the ever-changing Moon, Mugwort helps us move through stages of menstruation, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and menopause and all variations of that a wombed body might take. An excellent ally, too, for awakening psychic gifts and bringing about vivid dreams.

Living In Austin

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.

Your Cup of Tea Awaits!

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.

Quicken the Mind: Peppermint

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 Buena

Use 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!

Vinegar Kits + Shop News

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!