Listening to Hawthorn : A Heart-Opening Podcast

Clever ones, I'm on a podcast!

But how did I get there?

First, let me introduce you to Natasha Richardson, the wise herbalist behind London-based Forage Botanicals.

Natasha Richardson of Forage Botanicals

She got in touch with me about a year ago as she was going to be visiting my part of the world and suggested we meet up. I'm so glad we did because a) she's a very clever herbalist, b) she's very funny, and c) she's creating incredible healing spaces infused with the sort of slow down, get connected, and find yourself energy we need these days. Yeah, I signed-up for her fan club on the spot. 

A little while ago Natasha started a beautiful herbal home-study course called Listen which is like walking into a dream-garden of herbal wisdom with some very practical tools for the developing herbalist. She also has a podcast of the same name that is free for everyone whether or not you are part of her Listen community. Each podcast features a single herb and an conversation with an herbalist about the healing qualities of the plant being discussed. A few months back she invited me on to share my thoughts about Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which I thought was very fortuitous since I have just spent the past few years in relationship with the plant in the context of my own family's healing needs. 

I also felt a moment of slight overwhelm because this would be the first time I would be on someone else's podcast (I record podcasts of my own for the Lunar Apothecary) and while I would happily stand up and speak in front of a room full of folks, one-on-one stuff has always been way more intimidating (I'm going to say it has something to do with my Leo Moon - discuss). But Natasha is such a kind spirit and so much fun to talk to and I had first learned of Hawthorn's healing gifts through a conversation with an enchanted Hawthorn herbalist so I knew that my nerves needed to take a backseat to some necessary storytelling. The whole podcast was, in fact, a Hawthorn-style conversation as my nervousness gave way to laughter gave way to insight. And now I've done my first podcast interview and hope to do more (with less "ums" and "you knows"). 

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) via wikipedia

You should immediately download the whole Listen series - I have had so much fun listening to it myself and how many times do we get to sit in on conversations between passionate plant people talking shop? It's amazing! And if you love the free resource that Natasha is providing, be sure to support her other work, whether signing up for her Listen herbal home-study course, one of her amazing workshops or give yourself the gift of clarity on your healing journey by scheduling a wellness plan. Looking for some visual inspiration? Be sure to connect with Natasha via her dreamy instagram.

So without further delay listen to my personal story with Hawthorn, it's healing gifts during times of transition, and how it helped me to have some incredibly heart-opening experiences with my own family.

Have you had any experience with Hawthorn?

Post your stories in the comments below!

 

Yum! Pow! Herbal Cacao Blend

Clever ones, I love a good Cacao (Theobroma cacao) brew. I'm actually not someone whose favorite sweets and candies are chocolate-based (I'm more of a fruity and sour sort of candy person), but liquid chocolate treats are definitely my cup of tea. Hot cocoa, chocolate milk, chocolate teas, yes, please!

What I have found about raw Cacao over the years is that it is a great vehicle to delivering the medicinal qualities of whatever other plants it is blended with. I find Cacao to be less stimulating but still awakening when combined with other herbs which is why I rarely have just a Cacao-only brews except for special and sacred occasions. There is a misunderstanding, however, that Cacao contains caffeine - it doesn't - but it does contain around 1% of a relative of caffeine known as Theobromine. Theobromine has less of a stimulating effect on the nervous system as compared to caffeine and it is also heart opening and strengthening (which may be part of the reason Cacao is considered such a powerful aphrodisiac). Theobromine is also a vasodilator, diuretic, and has protective anti-bacterial qualities. However, theobromine is only one component of Cacao and I would encourage you to learn more about this complex and healing plant if you're ready to engage its healing gifts. 

For those who need a bit of pep in the morning, which usually requires us to release tension in order to use our energy more wisely, I like creating a brew with adaptogen herbs. I really like adaptogens and Cacao working together and when you add in a spice or two, clever one, you're on a roll to kickstarting your morning! Yum! Pow! contains Astragalus (Astragalus propinquus) which works with Cacao's heart enhancing gifts as well as improve the function of the immune system as an immunostimulating herb. The immunostimulating qualities of Astragalus work over the long run unlike the faster acting herbs such as Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) which should only be taken for a short period of time.

If you're looking for even more recipes and ways to start your day with energy and magick, check out my Morning Mischief: Enchanted Herbal Recipes for Delicious Awakenings + Resolute Magnificence (and it's currently on sale through February!).

Yum! Pow! Herbal Cacao Brew is super simple to create. If you can stir together a few powders in a bowl (or heck, pour them in a jar and shake) you're set! As always, shop local, if possible, source your herbs responsibly, and have fun!

To create Yum! Pow! combine the following powdered herbs:

• 4 parts Raw Cacao (Theobroma cacao)
• 4 parts Roasted Chicory Root (Cichorium intybus)
• 1 part Astragalus (Astragalus propinquus)
• 1/4 part Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
• Optional: 1 part Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) for natural sweetness, but it does have a slightly grainier texture.

To brew, add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon to your milk of choice and gently warm. Add sweetener (or not!) to taste. You can also add Yum! Pow! to your smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, and more! 

 

Aquarius: The Astroherbology Profile

It's time to explore the sign of Aquarius! You're getting a snapshot into the ever expanding astroherbology magick of the Lunar Apothecary.

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. To learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Series. Looking for the other signs of the Zodiac? Find out about the astroherbology wisdom of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn!

Element: Air
Mode: Fixed
Guardian Planet: Saturn (traditional), Uranus (modern)
Direction: Northeast
Season: Winter (NH), Summer (SH)
House: 11th House / Succedent
Lunar Mansions: 24th Mansion, 25th Mansion, + 26th Mansion
Solar Gemstone: Angelite
Tarot: The Star, The Fool, 5 of Swords (1/20 - 1/29), 6 of Swords (1/30 - 2/8), 7 of Swords (2/9 - 2/18), Knight of Swords

Tissue State: Damp/Stagnation, Tense/Constriction (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Lower leg, calves, and ankles. Shin bone, tibia, and fibula. Achilles tendon. Teeth. Electrical impulses of the nerves. Circulatory system and elimination. Rods and cones of the retina. Oxygenation of cells. Pyramidal tract and active transport mechanism.

Imbalances + Diseases: Varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Blood poisoning. Nervous disorders caused by high sensitivity. Hypersensitivity and sensory processing disorders. Schizophrenia. Issues of adrenaline. Accidents of the ankles and lower legs. Restless leg syndrome, aches, bruises, and pains in the legs. Water retention in the legs and ankles. Crawling sensation on the skin. Stagnant and/or poisoned blood. Electrical irregularities of the heart. Gas in the bowels. Cold sweats from overactive nervous system. Vision disorders including color blindness, peripheral and central vision disorders, and injury to the retina. Disorders of coordination and general clumsiness. Ticks, facial ticks, and involuntary spasms of the limbs. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Alcoholism. Rheumatism and rheumatic fever. Goiter. Poisoning, especially from venomous creatures. Being disorganized and undisciplined. Rebel without a cause. Distant with individuals in a community. Emotionally disconnected with the heart of the matter. Overly eccentric and anti-social. Coming off as radical but actually deeply conservative. Using visionary powers for ill of society. Fixations and obsessions. Avoiding the present in pursuit of future visions. Embarrassed by emotion.

Disease Degrees: 0 degrees: danger from reptiles; 1 degree: right tibial nerve, obesity, fatty degeneration, anger from reptiles; 2 degrees: left tibial nerve, fatty degeneration, obesity; 3 degrees: right fibula, obesity; 4 degrees: left fibula; 5 degrees: nerve of right fibula; 6 degrees: nerve of left fibula, sight; 7 degrees: right saphenous veins; 8 degrees: left saphenous veins, anemia; 9 degrees: skin of right lower leg, anemia; 10 degrees: skin of left lower leg; 11 degrees: right cruciate ligaments; 12 degrees: left cruciate ligaments, bites from venomous creatures; 13 degrees: right tibial artery, rheumatism, rheumatic fever, bites from venomous creatures; 14 degrees: left tibial artery, rheumatism, rheumatic fever; 15 degrees: lymph vessels of right lower leg; 16 degrees: lymph vessels of left lower leg; 17 degrees: spinal nervous system, Bright’s disease; 18 degrees: spinal nervous system, azimene, chronic glomerulonephritis, Bright’s disease; 19 degrees: spinal nervous system, spine, azimene, Bright’s disease; 20 degrees: spinal nervous system, alcoholism; 21 degrees: spinal nervous system, alcoholism; 22 degrees: right gastrocnemius muscle, appendicitis, alcoholism; 23 degrees: left gastrocnemius muscle, rheumatism, alcoholism; 24 degrees: right tibias anterior muscle, alcoholism; 25 degrees: left tibias anterior muscle, alcoholism; 26 degrees: right fibula, nervous debility, alcoholism, neurasthenia, poisoning; 27 degrees: left fibula, goiter, neurasthenia, poisoning, goiter; 28 degrees: right tibia, goiter, poisoning; 29 degrees: eyesight; left tibia, neuritis, neuritis; 30 degrees: nervous system connectivity, neuritis.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Aquarius: Calming and centering activities including relaxing nervines. Blood tonics for improving circulation and oxygenation. Softening aphrodisiacs to help connect with others, especially when the love of humanity has been lost. Learning to be altruistic. Investing in individuals while nurturing the big vision. Learning to experiment while remaining kind. Transforming the erratic into the electric spark of innovation. Embracing the power of emotional maturity, not emotional denial. Ease in relationships, learning to give and take. 

Gifts of Aquarius: Idealism, revolution, inventiveness, originality, unorthodoxy, vision, eccentricity, philanthropy, universal reformation, and intuition.

Rituals of Aquarius: Rituals for social change, being prepared for the unexpected, charms to inspire innovation, open-to-the-public gatherings, and poetry readings.

Aquarius Guardian Herbs: Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Kava Kava (Piper methysticum), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Water Violet (Hottonia palustris), Jasmine (Jasminum spp.), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Aquarius Remedy Herbs: Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Linden (Tilia europa), Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis), Burdock (Arctium lappa), Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Willow (Salix alba).

Flower + Gem Essences: Vine (Vitis vinifera), Linden (Tilia spp.), Tall Yellow Top (Senecio magnificus), Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Clear Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Garnet, Amber, Angelite. 

The Sun in Aquarius

The infamous nonconformists of the zodiac, Aquarians take great pride in their personal freedom and eccentricity. They have abundant levels of creative and visionary energy which they often direct towards bettering society. The Water-bearers love innovation, experimentation, and practices that shake up the dominant paradigm. Aquarius folk can be driven by a persistent need to make the world “right” and seek out justice wherever it might be - they are definitely oriented towards the position of leader (even within collective and consensus-based communities) and want to be in charge of making change happen. Get weird, get going, and get it done!, our Aquarius folk chant in the street.

Aquarius folk can get into conflict fairly easily if they don’t ease up on their need to be in charge and their ability to make others feel small around them. It is important for them to learn how to value the insights and opinions of others even if it doesn’t always align with their own. The sign can be very dogmatic and have an inner desire for structure and convention that their outward expressions of eccentricity often masks. Remember, their traditional Guardian Planet is Saturn the rule-maker and tradition-keeper. Learning to be at peace with their need for structure and eccentricity is important. Sometimes Aquarius folks can be rebels without a cause or so invested in their unique individuality that they lose their ability to deeply love and connect with others. Accountability is a key concept for Aquarius folks to learn as well as cooperation so that they can be a leading part in the revolution they dream of.

Within a medical astrology, Aquarius folks can have intermittent levels of vitality with their energy turning on or off in a flash. The sign guards the electrical energy of the body and can be extra sensitive to electromagnetic fields and outside sources of stimulation in general - so be mindful of exposure levels whether from power lines, computers, phones, other devices outputting EMF, and sensory overloading environments. They have to be particularly mindful of nourishing their nervous system on a daily basis in combination with heart healthy tonics as their electrical fluctuations can detrimentally affect both. Aquarius folks can become accident prone when they are not paying attention to the needs of their nervous system. Again, learning to focus on cooperation (both in relationships and in the internal processing of their body) can lead to sustainable patterns of coordination. Aquarius is also a fixed air sign which means that they can suffer from the complaints of trapped wind or gas in the digestive tract as well as blowing smoke in order to impress others. When Aquarius folks nurture their inner world instead of always focusing on the outer impact of their goal to change the world, they are able to grow their gifts of visionary insight, creating a truly inclusive movement that revolutionizes the way that we connect as humyns. 

Aquarius Guardian Herbs

Lavender flowers by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Lavender brings peace and compassion, which is what many Aquarius folks are striving for in their vision for bettering the world.  There herb helps to calm without creating drowsiness but instead cultivating focus helping Aquarius folks to refine their plans. The herb relieves tension including the headaches and indigestion that can arise from such a state. Lavender is my foundational herb for my emotional bitters blend as it helps us to digest all of our emotions, but especially difficult ones that have a tendency to get trapped in the body. Lavender can help to soften the jolts of energy that run through Aquarius folks while enhancing their energetic output, clearing out lethargy and laziness. The color of the herbs, a beautiful purple, implies through the doctrine of signatures, its connection to vision of a psychic variety and as an herb thats scent carries readily on the wind, it supports the air-driven energies of Aquarius folk who are trying to share their vision with the world. The herb is a great ally for asthma attacks brought about by tension. Use also for coughs and colds that are aggravated by excess stagnation in the chest, as Lavender helps to clear out congestion. 

Topically, Lavender has many uses for alleviating the pain of sore muscles, arthritic pain, and bruises to reducing varicose veins, eczema, and acne. It is one of my favorite herbs to add to baths creating a tension-relieving brew that is calming for cranky humyns of all ages. Use in chest rubs for colds and coughs as well as in mouthwash for mouth ulcers and inflamed gums. The essential oil is an excellent ally for relieving the itch of insect bites. 

Aquarius Remedy Herbs

Willow Tree in England via wikipedia

Willow (Salix alba)

White Willow is the original aspirin which can be used by Aquarian folks who are prone to accidents. Containing salicin, which relieves fever and inflammation as well as reduce pain, White Willow has many of the benefits of aspirin – and more! – without the side affects that the tiny white pill carries. A cooling herb, White Willow clears heat from the inflammation of rheumatism and rheumatic fever to hot flashes and headaches brought on or irritated by heat. White Willow is an excellent herb for pain reduction and improved mobility, helping in the cases of backache, migraines, and general soreness. Combined with herbs like St. Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) it can be used in cases of nerve pain and damage. White Willow moves infection out of the body, staunches internal bleedings, and can be used for hot flashes, night sweats, and general states of overheating. As an astringent, White Willow is also useful for hemorrhoids and varicosities that can occur when Aquarius folks find themselves in a state of poor circulation and the resulting stagnation lack of flow can bring about.

Topically, White Willow is prized as a pain reliever whether in the form of a poultice, liniment, oil or salve. White Willow is also used for bruises, sprains, warts, skin tags, poison ivy, and burns. The herb can also be used in mouthwashes to relieve gum inflammation and in hair rinses for dandruff. Magickally, White Willow is associated with death and new beginnings which very much aligns with the Aquarian vision of revolutionary evolution through the death of the old and the birth of the new.

Sun in Aquarius Flower Essence

Witch Hazel via wikipedia

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Flower Essence connects Aquarius folk with their inner landscape, grounding them in reality without smothering their Aquarian visions. The Flower Essence is appropriate for Aquarius folk who have gone too long without really connected to and expressing themselves as the essence helps them to navigate the anxiety and depression that may have emerged as consequence. If they have gotten caught up in the cycle of not feeling like they have “achieved” enough, especially when in comparison with others, Witch Hazel helps them to evaluate their lives from a place of self-confident centeredness, rather than the vicious cycle of constantly comparing ourselves to others. Witch Hazel brings Aquarius folk back into the balance of relationships that reflect, not judge, and teaches them the power of their oddness and the beauty of how they dream of light in the dark of winter.

Ready to learn more?

• Check out the rest of my Astroherbology series including Starry-Hearted + Wild-Rooted: An Introduction to Astroherbology which includes additional study resources and the other posts in myAstroherbology series.

• Need a visual guide? Starmaps: The Astrological Body is for you!

• The Lunar Apothecary is a full length course using the tools of moon-centered herbalism and ritual to help you discover who you are as a healer.

 

The Plant Allies of Winter: Creating A Winter Wellness Apothecary

The sniffles. The 'flu. The cranky tummy. The hacking cough.

All travel around quicker than a skittish reindeer during the winter and while many of us might want to turn to herbal remedies for some help, it can be hard to know what herb to choose - especially when you're feeling under the weather. 

With a bit of preparation, you can create an easy-to-use winter apothecary for common seasonal complaints. It all begins by getting to know your winter plant allies and selecting a few that you become comfortable working with. One herb often serves many needs (because plants are galaxies of healing, blessed be!) and you don't need to know a hundred herbs, but just a handful, to help you keep well during the winter. Each herb listed below is in at least two categories if not more to help you find a few herbs that will work for a multitude of complaints. I have not created an extensive, never-ending list of herbs for each common winter ailment listed below because I am hoping to encourage focused simplicity in your practice. However, you might already use an herb for one or more of the categories below that is not listed and you are very much encouraged to incorporate it into your list of indispensable winter herbs. 

Since Creating A Winter Apothecary is part of the free Plant Ally Project series (check out the Thirty Day Challenge for a more in-depth herbal experience), I'm going to offer suggestions for herbs that you might check out but it's up to you to meet the plants and build a custom winter apothecary for you and your loved ones.

Subscribers to my Magick Mail get a free worksheet and quick guide to organize their winter apothecary and easily reference what herb they might need for whatever winter illness issue that might arise.

Creating Your Winter Apothecary

• Begin by reading through the list of herbs below in each of the ten categories. I've listed when I've written about each herb, but you can also start with my Winter Wellness: Healing Herbs for the Dark of the Year which profiles some herbs on this list.

• After doing some research, choose one herb from each category. You might end up with 10 different herbs to work with, but most likely you'll have less since each herb can be found in more than one category.

• Learn about the best way to prepare your herb as a remedy. I've listed common remedy preparations in my Plant Ally Project Thirty Day Challenge. If you're looking for more in-depth and diverse herbal remedy tutorials check out the Lunar Apothecary.

• Gather together your chosen herbs and have them in an easy to access space in your home. I encourage you to add labels to their containers (whether a loose herb jar or a tincture bottle) that indicates what the herb can be used for as well as dosage. You might have a jar of Sage (Salvia officinalis) and label it with the following description: "Good for wet coughs + excess phlegm, congestion, sore throats, and indigestion. Dosage is 1 teaspoon per cup of water."

• Create your own Winer Apothecary "cheat sheet" with my free worksheet and quick guide available to my Magick Mail subscribers.

Herbs for Preventative Care or Daily Tonics

Let's start with some daily winter tonics which are nutritive, generally warming, and often immunomodulating (as opposed to immunostimulating - which we'll look at later). These are herbs that can be taken on a daily basis throughout the winter. 

• Elder (Sambucus nigra): Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Milky Oats (Avena sativa)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Herbs for Dry + Hacking Coughs

Moistening or mucilaginous herbs are of great help when the respiratory tract is dry and irritated. Many of these herbs have additional nervine qualities which help to relax the tension brought on by irritation.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Read about Angelica in my To Ignite the Imagination post.

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Herbs for Wet Coughs + Excess Phlegm

Herbs that are astringent can be excellent allies in drying up excess damp and phlegm in the system. They help to tone, tighten, and restore tissues to their optimal state, preventing or helping the body to recover from infection or prevent it from settling in the body.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Sore Throats

Similar to herb for dry and hacking coughs, herbs for sore throats are generally moistening in nature. Some are more drying and others are more moistening while others are neutral in temperature. Many are also anodyne in nature, meaning that they offer pain relief, which is an added bonus when dealing with the discomfort of sore throats.

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Read about Angelica in my To Ignite the Imagination post.

• Cleavers (Galium alparine): Especially useful when the lymph glands are swollen.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Drippy Noses

Herbs that are warming, astringent, and tonifying to the mucus membranes can help take care of the drippiness of an unhappy nose.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica): Yerba Mansa is a tophorestorative for the mucus membranes which is why it is great for both drippy and congested noses.

Herbs for Congested Noses

Herbal expectorants help the body cough, sneeze, and release excess mucus, clearing out congestion and helping us breath clearly again. Pay attention to the color of your mucus. Yellow mucus indicates heat (think of sunny warm yellow) and more cooling expectorant herbs are useful while clear or white mucus indicates cold (think of snowy cold white) and warming expectorant herbs are a better choice.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Read more about Peppermint in our Winter Wellness and Quicken the Mind.

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Herbs to Cleanse the Lymphatic System

Our hard-working lymphatic system can get clogged down leading to uncomfortably swollen glands that can't properly process blood and fluid which means white blood cells are transferred less effectively throughout the body. Adding lymphatic cleansers to cold care blends can be very helpful in promoting a speedy recovery or preventing a virus from settling in the body in the first place.

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Cleavers (Galium alparine)

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Herbs to Stimulate the Immune System

The following herbs are known as immunostimulators meaning that they stimulate the immune system into action and are best used for a the short run when you're dealing with a cold or 'flu or in a higher risk situation for exposure (such as air travel or hanging around kindergarteners).

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Elder (Sambucus nigra): Some folks categorize Elder as immunostimulating as well as immunomodulating. What Elder does is disrupts a viruses' ability to replicate and while that does stimulate the immune system into action, I have not found Elder to be more useful as tonic than a short-term herb for acute symptoms (though it still is effective in the short term because it's a pretty darn amazing plant). Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Fever + Achiness 

Fevers help our bodies to burn off infection and as long as they stay within a safe range (when a fever in an adult is consistently 103° or higher and lasts for three days or more it is time to seek medical help). Yet, fevers can come with accompanying discomfort including aches and pains which may be relieved by the herbal remedies listed below.

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Especially useful for when the bones feel achy otherwise known as "break-bone fever."

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Elder Berry (Sambucus nigra): Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra): When restlessness and irritability is present. An Elder Flower foot bath can be helpful for those who are having difficulty sleeping. Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium): Read more about Elecampane on my Winter Wellness post.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Milky Oat (Avena sativa): While not an herb specific to fever it can be very useful in recovering from a fever when there are signs of adrenal burnout, fatigue or if the illness has been brought on, in part, because of not allowing oneself to take time grieve a loss.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis): For type 'A's who don't know when to stop and need to relax in order to heal.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Herbs for Indigestion

Whether indigestion that has come with the 'flu or from a sluggish system burdened by too many rich winter foods, the following herbs, many of which are considered digestive bitters, can help to improve intestinal tone, relieve gas and cramping, and help to rekindle the digestive fires.

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Especially good for inflammation along the intestinal tract as well as stomach ulcers.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

🌿

I hope you're feeling inspired to create your own Winter Wellness Apothecary! I’ve created guides for all of the seasons to help support your herbal year:

• The Spring Wellness Apothecary

• The Summer Wellness Apothecary

• The Autumn Wellness Apothecary

May your winter be full of joy and beautiful connections, with plants, people, and the magick of the ending year.

 

Let's Make Herbal Vinegars!

Herbal vinegars were some of the very first remedies that I made for my shop back in 2010 and one of my earliest recipes + tutorials post was on making your own Four Thieves Vinegar. I sold three types of vinegars in my shop: my Tough As Nails Iron Vinegar as a easy-to-digest source of iron, my Amazon Brew for pre- and post-workout support, and a topical Herbal Hair Vinegar for scalp and hair health. 

Suffice to say, herbal vinegars have a special spot in my heart for a number of reasons. First, they are abundantly easy to make and very inexpensive (especially when compared with other extract-based remedies that use alcohol as their menstruum). Second, they are alcohol-free and I have always served people who for various reasons do not consume alcohol. While I do use small dose amounts (1 - 3 drops) of alcohol-based remedies in my own personal practice on occasion, I don't drink and have always been interested in alternatives to alcohol-based remedies. In part, removing alcohol as a primary way of creating remedies meant that I had to become skilled at more popular remedy styles such as herbal teas as well as lesser used forms of herbal medicine (at least within modern Traditional Western Herbalism at the time that I was a student and beginning my herbal business) including herbal powders, glycerites, herbal vinegars, and oxymels (when vinegar and honey is combined, also known as honeygars). Finally, herbal vinegars are quite tasty and easy to work into meals, whether adding into sauces or salad dressings.

Using (preferably raw and local) Apple Cider Vinegar as a base for your brew brings in the added benefit of the minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and help the body maintain an acid/alkaline balance. Apple Cider Vinegar is an especially good choice for extracting minerals from herbs and I find Apple Cider Vinegar to be an excellent preservative when only dried herbs are used and no additional water is added (following the advice of herbalist James Green).

I'll be sharing all three of my favorite herbal vinegar recipes - two via my site and the third, my Tough As Nails Iron Vinegar will only be available to my Magick Mail subscribers via their super secret Magick Mail member's only page. It's free to subscribe and in turn I give you free stuff. Because that's how I roll (Or maybe pour my tea? Or blend my brews?). But before I do that, I want to make sure you know about an important issue in the herbal community - protecting our herbal heritage, such as vinegar-based remedies that have been around for a very long time, from folks who are damaging that legacy and going after the herbalists trying to protect it. 

Fire Cider is a recipe that most herbalists will learn about during their training - whether they come across it in a book or are exposed to it through a class it is a common, well-traveled, and much-loved herbal remedy. As for myself, I made Fire Cider as a student and continued to make it for a small cafe that I worked for in Maine. The Four Thieves vinegar is part of the Fire Cider legacy and herbalist and beloved community elder, Rosemary Gladstar, has documented use of creating and sharing her Fire Cider recipe with her students for well over three decades. It came as a shock to many of us in the herbal community when one company decided to trademark the term "Fire Cider," not announce the trademark through notices to other herb companies until after the period of Public Opposition was over, and then proceeded to order cease and desist notices to many small herbal businesses. If that were not awful enough, they then proceeded to file a lawsuit against three herbalists Mary Blue of Farmacy Herbs, Nicole Telkes of Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine and Kathi Langelier of Herbal Revolution alleging trademark infringement and other nonsense. Learn all the details via the FREE FIRE CIDER site on how to support the boycott, the Fire Cider 3, and how to participate in the upcoming 2nd Anniversary of the Fire Cider movement. You should also learn how to make your own Fire Cider such as the one posted by Mountain Rose Herbs. Or watch a lesson on how to make Fire Cider from Rosemary Gladstar herself!

I like a little bit of revolution in my remedy-making, don't you?

The following recipes are provided in the spirit of continuing to celebrate our craft and heritage as remedy-makers. I encourage you to tweak them (such as adding honey if you want something a bit more sweet and therefore turning them into an oxymel - how magickal!) to fit your unique needs and bring your special spark to your brew.

Amazon Brew

My Amazon Brew is formulated specifically for athletes recovering from training or games, the vinegar helps reduce recovery time with its anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, and nervine properties. It's an easy addition to a training regime to help reduces soreness and swelling and can be taken before and after hard training sessions and/or competitions. I've had a number of injuries as an athlete over the years and I have found that herbs can provide great supplemental support to proper training and a good sports-medicine trained bodyworker (blessed be the bodyworkers!).

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, antioxidant, nervine, and analgesic, Chamomile also addresses arthritis pain, headache, cramps, and exhaustion on a mental and emotional level. In my original recipe I included Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and while I do think that it is quite a useful herb

Nettles (Urtica dioica): Nettles are full of iron, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B, calcium, just to name a few of this green beauty’s constituents. An adrenal tonic, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying.

St. Joan's / John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Vulnerary, nerve restorative, anti-inflammatory, St. John’s Wort treats pain and promotes confidence in self and athletic performance.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, and nutritive. Red Clover supports the natural detoxification process of working out by clearing the body of toxins. Promotes tissue repair and reduces swelling as well as pain.

Optional herb: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) was part my original recipe but some folks find it to be stimulating rather than relaxing, so I as with any herb, I encourage  you to do your research on what does and does not work for you.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): With a name derived from the Latin valere “to be in health,” Valerian is both a restorative and relaxant. Increasing blood flow to the heart, Valerian improves performance and stamina while also helping promote a better night’s sleep, supporting the idea that our ability to completely relax enhances our ability to completely invest in our performance.

To begin, grind together the following dried herbs into a coarse powder:

• 1 part Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• 1 part Nettles (Urtica dioica)
• 1 part St. Joan's / John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• 1/2 part Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
• Optional: 1/4 part Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Add 1 part of your herbal blend to 5 parts apple cider vinegar. In other words you are creating a 1:5 vinegar extract. You can determine your weight (1 part of herb) to volume (5 parts measurement) by first weighing out your herbs. You might have, for example, 200 grams of powdered herb. Multiple 200 by 5 which would bring you to 1000 which is how many milliliters of vinegar you need. Combine the herbs and vinegar into a glass jar and mix thoroughly. Cap tightly either with a metal top that has a piece of wax paper between the contents of the jar and the metal (to prevent the vinegar from eating away at the metal) or a bpa free plastic lid. Shake daily and sing your charms for three weeks making sure that the herbs stay fully emerged in the vinegar to prevent molding from exposure to air.

After three weeks, strain the herbs from the vinegar and store your Amazon Brew in a glass bottle with secure cap. Refrigeration is not required and recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon in a cup of water before and/or after training sessions and games. 

Herbal Hair Rinse

Our Herbal Hair Rinse combines golden, raw apple cider vinegar with healing herbs that will help promote hair growth and beautiful locks. Raw apple cider vinegar is an all-natural conditioner for the hair, aids in manageability of your luscious locks, and cleans the scalp of residue and build-up. Vinegar is very acid/alkaline balancing and helps restore health to a scalp prone to dandruff and itchiness.

Our Herbal Hair Rinse includes the following scalp-nourishing, itch-reliving, hair-growing, highlight-enhancing herbs:

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Accentuates golden highlights as well as relieves an itchy scalp.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis): Soothing to the scalp and spirit while helping the hair to grow

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Balances the pH of the scalp so hair is not too oily or too dry.

Rose (Rosa damascena): Nourishes and revitalizes hair.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Great for hair growth.

Nettles (Urtica dioica): Promotes the growth and regrowth of hair, reduces dandruff and helps thicken hair.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil

Lavender Lavandula officinalis Essential Oil

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil

To begin, grind together equal parts of the following dried herbs into a coarse powder:

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Rose (Rosa damascena)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Nettles (Urtica dioica)

Add 1 part of your herbal blend to 3 parts apple cider vinegar (or a 1:3 vinegar extract). Learn how to make a weight-to-volume measurement in under the Amazon Brew recipe and follow the brew time directions. Once strained, you can choose to add in the following essential oils per 16 ounces of your vinegar brew:

• 6 drops Lavender Lavandula officinalis Essential Oil
• 5 drops Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil
• 5 drops Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil

To use the Herbal Hair Rinse shake it up and then combine 1 – 3 tablespoons with 1 - 3 cups warm water.  After you’ve wet your hair thoroughly, slowly pour the Herbal Hair Rinse mixed with warm water onto your head, massaging it into your scalp. Rinse (or not - I like to keep the vinegar in my hair) and enjoy your majestic mane!

Looking for a vinegar-based source of iron? I've gotten such positive feedback over the years for my Tough As Nails Iron Vinegar from folks who have tried other iron supplements only to feel nauseas afterwards but find my vinegar-based recipe to be gentle on their stomachs. I'm making my Tough As Nails recipe available to my Magick Mail subscribers only who have their own super-secret member's only section on my site. It's free to sign-up and I give you free stuff in return - pretty sweet, right? Sign-up today to get access to my Tough As Nails recipe and more!

I hope you're inspired to make some herbal vinegars of your own!

Looking for more fully enchanted recipes? Check out my recipes + tutorials section including my newest #DIYHerbalGifts series.