Once I reached a certain age, it seemed that the majority of my friends started having children. This exciting and pivotal time of life is often also overwhelming for new parents. Between lack of sleep and the responsibility of caring for a tiny human, most new parents need a little extra self care support from their friends and family. I love to give the gift of time—whipping up a favorite nourishing dinner recipe, helping with the (seemingly never-ending) laundry, or watching their little one so the parents can get some sweet, uninterrupted sleep.

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The other day, my six year old daughter, Amelia, asked, “Why don’t they have a Kids’ Day?”. This was in response to the fact that Mother’s Day had just passed, and Father’s Day was coming up. I suppose every kid asks this question, and I remember having the same curiosity. In response, like a knee-jerk reaction, I gave the cliché parental rebuttal, “Because every day is Kids’ Day.” Cue the eye-rolls.

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Do you take herbal capsules regularly? Did you know that it's super easy (and cost-effective) to make your own? Unlike grabbing a bottle off the store shelf, making capsules at home allows you to know that the herbs you're taking are fresh, organic, free from fillers, and formulated to suit your specific needs. 

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I’ve written at length about my childhood aspirations to be an herbalist. These early fantasies dreamed up from the embrace of a favorite apple tree were no doubt romantic and in some ways impractical. But they also held a seed of long-lasting truth that continues to inform how I shape my path as an herbalist and lifelong lover of plants.

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Organic panax ginseng plants thrive under shade cloth.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been in existence for thousands of years. Although there are a variety of theories and different applications in TCM, they are based on the same principle—in order to have good health, people must cultivate and balance their Qi (ch’i). Qi, which translates to “life force” or “vital energy,” is thought to circulate through channels or meridians in the body in a dynamic manner. Practitioners of TCM believe that particular herbs are a powerful tool in creating “life force” balance.

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“Take your triphala,” may as well be the slogan of my household. After a questionable restaurant meal or a heavy dinner, my mom is always the first to say, “Better take your triphala!” And for good reason too. This Ayurvedic herb is one of the most famous, multi-use herbs for general wellness and maintaining healthy digestion. Because of this, even guests who stay at our house are not spared the suggestion to give triphala a try. Although it’s an acquired taste, I’m proud to say that I buy it by the pound and have benefited from its gentle herbal support over the years.

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One of the most powerful ways to promote a healthful life is taking ownership of what we put in (and on) our bodies. That's why we work so hard to offer our customers organic and non-GMO botanicals they can trust!  

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I went in for allergy testing because I’d been experiencing increasing amounts of sneezing and congestion. I live in Oregon’s Willamette Valley—the land of pollen—so I assumed I was developing the typical pollen-based misery that some of my friends suffer through every year. However, it turned out I wasn't allergic to anything natural, including pollens and my pets (good news!). I discovered, however, that my symptoms were being caused by a chemical sensitivity (bad news!), and the allergist immediately pointed to my skin care, hair care, and laundry detergent as likely culprits. 

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Spring is the time of year when many plant lovers head into the woods to wild-harvest fresh Urtica dioica—affectionately known as “stinging nettle”. This versatile and popular herb has been utilized for centuries across the globe.

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Favored for its toning and astringent qualities, witch hazel extract has been dearly valued by countless generations. This classic botanical preparation has maintained a prized place on vanities and in bathroom cabinets for over a century, always kept within reach for whenever a soothing or toning topical product was needed. Let's explore this versatile ingredient! Read More

Growing up, I had the unique opportunity to embrace herbal wisdom through the ancient Indian philosophy of Ayurveda. For a number of years, my family hosted Ayurvedic physicians who traveled around the world to spread this beautiful knowledge of wellness and balance. It was through this incredible learning experience that I began to understand that the best tools for facial care came from the herbal pantry. Triphala, one of the most common and versatile Ayurvedic herbal formulations, was used for this refreshing facial mask.

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