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.

Meet the family whose commitment to crafting the finest organic jojoba oil in the world transcends trends and spans generations.

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.

In a world wafting with artificial fragrance as far as the nose can smell, those of us with scent sensitivities often find it challenging to navigate the vast, perfumy sea of skin and body care products. As someone who gets a headache solely at the thought of walking through a store’s fragrance department, this challenge is nothing new to me. After spending an inordinate amount of time walking down aisle after aisle, uncapping and sniffing products, only to settle on one I found relatively tolerable, I’ve since opened myself up to a new world—custom fragrance!

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. 

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. 

Ingrown hairs. I get them, you get them, your neighbor gets them—even cats and dogs get them! Chances are, most furry mammals walking around this planet have dealt with a pesky ingrown hair or two in their time. For me, shaving seemed to be the biggest culprit when it came to waking up to an uninvited array of ingrown hairs. No matter what direction I shaved, how many blades my razor boasted, or what fancy variety of shaving cream I slathered on, within a couple of days, my skin always found a way to proclaim its defiance towards my razor in the form of itchy, red bumps. However, all of this changed when I discovered I was missing a critical step in any well-seasoned shaver’s routine—exfoliation!

In this overwhelming and often stress-inducing world, there is little that is more healing than moments of precious tranquility. Stress has a profound impact on the body and mind, with studies showing it can lead to macroscopic changes in brain structure over time (Mariotti, A. 2015). This, in turn, can lead to other issues, such as a weakened immune system, difficulty in absorbing nutrients into the body properly, and a general decrease in quality of life. Amidst the whirlwind of life, there are centers of calm to be found—places where we can pause, reorient, and connect with Eirene, the Greek goddess and personification of peace.

Passionflower (passiflora icarnata) is one such herb that can aid us in finding these centers of calm. A commonly known nervine, used for promoting restful sleep, softening tension, and even easing occasional aches and pains. Native to Central and South America and now flourishing in many other areas of the world, its hypnotic blossoms invite us to slow down, find our footing, and welcome tranquility into our tired minds. 

The tropical plant known as Ginger (Zingiber offcinale,) has been grown and used since ancient times. Today, the spice has never been more popular and is used in culinary dishes, for health and wellness, and even for skin care. Ginger is a popular ingredient in bath products, especially in bath salts and bath bombs for its ability to boost energy, warm the body, and support stress. Ginger is a powerful ingredient that also increases circulation and allows the body to cleanse itself. Taking a ginger bath is the perfect way to relax your hard-working body at the end of a busy day. These fizzing bath bombs also contain oatmeal which is naturally soothing to your skin and can be used as a soap alternative for cleansing.  

What is an Herbarium?

An herbarium is a collection of herbal monographs that catalog your study of plants. Each plant has its own section and is called a monograph. In the past, herbariums included pressed and dried plant specimens to show as many of the plant parts as possible and in different stages of growth. This “proved” the plants’ identities. In our digital age, materia medica specimens primarily utilize images and drawings of the plants.