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Not long ago, I had the pleasure of driving down the I-5 and back, taking detours to explore lakes and forests along the way. This road trip was planned well in advance, so I had time to prepare a few herbal luxury items, including some herb-infused witch hazel for freshening up our faces and this lovely portable hand cleanser recipe incorporating a homemade four thieves® essential oil blend.   

Some people might tell you that making your own leave-in hair conditioner is as simple as watering down the wash-out product already in your shower. But if you've adopted a no-poo hair care routine or need a little extra nourishment to bring your dry hair back to life, a deeper moisturizing treatment might be in order. An oil-based leave-in conditioner can help tame wild flyaways, soften brittle hair in dry temperatures, and protect a healthy mane.

Herbal syrups are a time-honored way to administer not-so-pleasant-tasting herbs to the young ones and picky eaters in your life. Tasty on their own by the spoonful, they also add an herbal boost to your favorite culinary recipes and libations. Try them in teas, desserts, bubbly beverages, cocktails, DIY root beers, or atop ice cream.

As someone who has needed to navigate the world of challenging and limited diets, I often depend on bitters to encourage the healthy digestion my body so regularly denies me. When I "oops" on something that doesn’t settle well with my tummy, I reach for one of my favorite bitters. If there isn’t a bottle of Urban Moonshine’s Original formula around, I make my own!

Join us in the coming weeks as we explore herbal folklore, stories of the Silvani, with Guido Masé.

As we pass into the seasonal festivities and approach the winter solstice, we are reminded of ritual and tradition. The time honored tradition of storytelling gives gifts of insight, mystery, and allure from a world unknown to us. Since the art and craft of herbalism has strong roots as an oral tradition, we felt it appropriate to share some aural folk tales with you. In the coming weeks we'll release five short videos highlighting a few of Guido Masé’s cherished stories of the Silvani in this mini-series on Herbal Folklore. Guido Masé is a clinical herbalist, storyteller, and author of such books as DIY Bitters.

You may have heard about the resurgence in returning to diets higher in fat. Ever since learning about this trend, I’ve been experimenting with ways to add fat back into my diet. I especially enjoy the luxury that a boost of fatty goodness can bring to a cold morning.

We all know that taking proper care of your tattoo after getting inked helps improve the life and vibrancy of the artwork. There are lots of excellent ready-made tattoo care products available these days, but you can also make your own with some herbal oils and botanical butters! This recipe makes for a nourishing skin treat protects that new masterpiece as it sets in for a lifetime of enjoyment.

This is part seven in our eight part series on aroma sprays. Go to part eight.

As a self-identified busybody, I need to recharge each day through special moments of solitude. Sipping herbal infusions, taking walks outside, and enjoying a fresh spritz of plant scents can help stimulate focus when I feel myself fading.