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!

Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme for Women’s History Month (March). This year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future" which aims to celebrate women who have or who are leading sustainability efforts through environmental, economic, educational, and social justice movements.

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.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you are likely familiar with the descent into the colder months of the year. Meeting colder temperatures is a humbling experience for any living being. Cold is a teacher—it shows us how to keep warm through connection, through acts of love that warm the heart. It also teaches urgency. Think of woodland animals scurrying as temperatures drop, gathering what they need to prepare for winter or hibernation.

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.

Unless you’re one of the lucky few who have succeeded in dodging this modern age of social media, you’ve probably seen Dubai chocolate swirling around the web. You know, those giant chocolate bars filled with a crunchy, yet creamy pistachio filling that have taken over our screens and just about every other gas station checkout counter? Yep, that’d be the one. After succumbing to peer pressure, I finally tried this very chocolate bar in question, and—after setting me back a whopping $18—I had to admit that it was pretty darn delicious.

I’ve always had a soft spot for recipes that feel a little extra without actually being complicated. Just like any good relationship, there’s something comforting about knowing you can create something special without overthinking every step or ingredient. This very sentiment is what inspired Every Rose Has Its Hawthorn—a Valentine’s Day mocktail crafted to encapsulate love in all its layered, often messy, yet simplistic nature at heart.

Herbalism is rich in that it encompasses many traditions, modalities, and vibrant cultures globally. Oftentimes, modalities develop that are deeply connected to a place, time, or even a people and become codified into traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. This is the story of African-American herbalism. 

In recent years, the herbal products industry has changed in significant, fundamental ways. Most of the herbal product companies we knew have been purchased by private equity firms, investment holdings, and venture capitalists focused on profits. As our industry is increasingly transformed by this profit-driven business model, our herbal products community is shrinking, and it’s more important than ever to hold steady in our independence.

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.