There’s a plethora of wonderful herbs that we can grow for health, beauty, and overall wellness. Some offer several culinary uses, and many of them attract pollinators and other beneficial insects into our gardens. There are herbs for every gardener, and for the most part, herbs are forgiving and easy to grow. You might start your gardening journey with simple herbal starts, like peppermint and calendula, purchased from a local greenhouse. After a few seasons and a little more experience under your belt, you might feel inclined to heighten the experience and try growing herbs from seed. I think this is the most rewarding avenue—planting a tiny, precious seed and caring for the plant throughout its life until harvest. While most herbs are still easy to cultivate this way, there are a few plants that are considered a bit more advanced. These more advanced herbs might require cold stratification, scarification, or may be more finicky about climate.

Creating your own natural paper is a wonderful way to recycle paper scraps while making practical, botanical-themed art. Homemade petal paper is a delightful way to share a homemade personal touch to things like gift cards, tags, or table place cards. In an afternoon, you can create a whole bunch of different papers or experiment with different flowers, leaves, and herbs year-round. You can even craft “plantable” paper embedded with seeds!

Growing our own medicinal herbs can be fun and rewarding. At times, it can also be challenging. Luckily, there are plenty of wonderful medicinal herbs that are easy even for the most novice growers to succeed. If you’re new to herb gardening, this article is for you! Then, as your confidence grows and your thumb becomes greener, challenge yourself to cultivate more advanced herbs, and before you know it, you’ll have a thriving and diverse herb garden ready to provide fragrant and healing harvests for every need.

Holy Basil is one of my absolute favorite herbs, and I know that so many others surely feel the same. Not only is this special plant fragrant and beautiful, but it’s also a valuable ally in the apothecary. The herb is most well-known for its adaptogenic properties. Simply put, holy basil helps the body regulate the effects of stress, bringing balance to our body and spirit. In addition to this, tulsi supports immune function and digestive health, making it a wonderful addition to our winter wellness regimen.

Scent is all around us. Sometimes it takes center stage in obvious ways, like when coffee is brewing or fresh bread is baking. In other instances, it’s in the background, subtly setting the tone for the environment. Whether we are actively paying attention or not, scent is a constant companion, with the ability to influence mood and our perception of life experiences. Throughout human history, aromatic plants have been used intentionally to shape the atmosphere of the places we inhabit and impact the nervous systems of the people within.

A handcrafted scented bar of soap is both grounding and quietly luxurious. The fragrance that greets you in the shower or at the sink isn’t just an afterthought…it’s part of the sensory aromatherapeutic experience of bathing. In cold process soapmaking, scent is woven into the art and chemistry of the craft. Understanding how cold-process soaps are scented, and how to choose a blend that suits your mood and your skin can help deepen your appreciation for every bar.

A few weeks back, I wound up catching a “bug” that really took me out. While I’m usually pretty prepared for most things that may come up in my household, I didn’t have what I needed when I needed it. I was in no condition to be making medicine or trying to source it. With a high fever and intense fatigue, it was hard to even think straight, let alone try to guide someone else to find what I needed or make me something.

As we reflect on the last year, we want to share our most notable accomplishments and extend our gratitude to you. We could not have accomplished these things without your incredible support. Here are some of our favorite initiatives from 2025 and a peek at what’s coming up in 2026.

Lately, I’ve been really inspired by the trending “Pinterest perfect” aesthetic of dried orange slices used for home décor. It speaks to both my personal style and my low-waste way of living. Since I have been drying citrus slices for cocktails/mocktails, it was only a matter of time before I got crafty with them in other ways. With the holidays coming up, I began dreaming of a way to make some orange slice garland and sun catchers with an herbal twist.

Each year, I formulate a lip balm recipe to make as small gifts and stocking stuffers. From Cookies and Cream to Coffee Cardamom blends, each year features a new theme, and provides a fun challenge for me to outdo the previous year. This year, after much deliberation, I decided to theme it after one of my favorite sweet treats—macaroons!

With winter just around the corner, I am eager to craft one of my favorite seasonal house staples—foaming hand soap! Crafting custom scented soaps to match the seasons is one of my most beloved pastimes, as it's an easy and fast way to bring seasonal cheer to my home.