I was first introduced to self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) while walking through a field many years ago. Once I got a good look at her, she stopped me in my tracks, and I spent a lot of time sitting on the ground admiring her magnificent flowers. I was inspired to get to know my new (then) friend, Prunella, on a deeper level, so I went home and hit the books. It's been a part of my herbalism practice ever since.

Sheet masks are one of my favorite at-home spa skin care recipes to make. For those of you who may not have heard of them before, sheet masks are a skin care treatment that uses a piece of fabric soaked in a solution that is intended to bring a host of benefits to the skin. They can be found in just about any store that sells skin care products, but they come at the price of additional preservatives for shelf stability and single-use packaging. They also range in price, with the inexpensive ones including less than natural ingredients and the expensive ones being well...expensive! This is why I opt to make my own.

Each lunation (also known as a lunar cycle), we watch as Mother Moon waxes and wanes; our thoughts and actions wax and wane alongside her. If you've been following this series, you know that we welcomed the New Moon with intention setting for ourselves. Then, during the Waxing Quarter Moon, we put action to those dreams; we planted seeds and supported our mental sharpness with energizing aromatics. Now, as we enter the Full Moon, or what I like to call the "Lunar Crescendo”, we are prepared to reflect, let go, and make space for new dreams to flourish. While this is essential,  it can come at a cost of heightened emotions and a feeling of heaviness. 

In the first part of this Moon Phase Aromatherapy Series, we explored the profound influence of lunar transitions on our lives. Regardless of personal beliefs, it is undeniable that the moon exerts significant and tangible effects on all living beings and ecosystems on Earth. The moon influences the distribution of energy within plants, and its gravitational pull causes the oceans to ebb and flow, resulting in changed currents and tides.

Many of us remember to use facial toners as part of our daily skin care routines, but what about the rest of our body? Wouldn't the skin on our arms, legs, and torso appreciate the same care as our pampered faces? The answer is a resounding yes!

Each lunation (also known as a lunar cycle), we watch as Mother Moon waxes and wanes, appearing almost as a celestial shapeshifter in the sky. While she remains whole all along, the energy feels different to us inhabiting Earth. Our emotions ebb and flow in response to her phases, and our actions often mirror this rhythmic dance. The natural world, too, is attuned to these lunar shifts; plants respond by directing their energy to various parts, while the oceans engage in a dynamic push and pull, altering currents and waves. Regardless of one's spiritual belief system, it is undeniable that the moon exerts tangible effects on every living entity on our planet.

Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) is a divisive plant in herbalism. There is some very serious contention about how to use it safely and effectively in the herbal community. Some say that it should never be consumed internally, while others drink tea made from the leaves. Some also say that you shouldn’t use plants that were even harvested from the same beds as comfrey for internal use. All of that is to say, there is some drama surrounding this plant! But first, let’s talk botany…

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for all things spring!  Here in Oregon, we are just coming out of several months of rain and overcast skies, and as the spring buds and blooms begin to emerge, I dive headfirst into the season. (Even though many of us Oregonians know this as “False Spring” because we get a few wintery surprises before real spring arrives.)  Yet, I still move forward with my spring cleaning and crafting season. 

For those just beginning their herbal journey, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many kinds of herbalism to practice, niches to explore, and teachers to learn from. In my herbal journey, getting hands-on experience with herbs was THE most important part of it all. I could read about herbs all day long, but until I smelled, tasted, and felt the effects of the herbs, the information just didn't "stick" as well. That's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about sharing the basics of crafting herbal preparations.

These pickle-themed recipes started out as an April Fool's joke, but quickly turned into a reality when I realized how many people love ALL things pickles.  Even body care! Whether you are a pickle connoisseur, or are looking for a fun (or gag) gift for the pickle lovers in your life, these simple recipes are quick and easy to craft and are a whole lot of fun to share. 

If you are a person who finds traditional face soap to be too drying, you just may fall in love with cream cleansers! Most conventional face cleaners strip the skin of natural oils (called sebum), which can result in unbalanced skin. This can cause a host of problems, including breakouts, redness, itchiness, and ironically oily skin! What I love about cream cleansers is that they help to remove dirt and excess oil, but in a gentle and restorative way.