A Homemade Dandelion and Chicory Root Coffee
I love coffee. That wonderful aroma on a chilly morning, how it wafts its “wake-me-up” scent straight to my nose. I adore that delightful buzz that comes with sipping my brew on the back patio, while watching the sunrise. I admit, sometimes it’s more than love; it’s a bit of an obsession. Back in the…
Herbs Work in All Seasons
Herbs work in all seasons – both in the seasons of nature and in the seasons of our lives. There to support us in the unique challenges our bodies face each season – the allergies of spring, summer’s heat, winter’s colds – herbs work with us year round. In the seasons of our lives, herbs…
How To Make A Poultice With Dried & Fresh Herbs
It’s easy to focus on the internal herbal preparations, like teas, extracts, and syrups, because we are so conditioned to “taking something” – whether that be supplements, OTC medications, or prescriptions – to manage our health. Topical herbalism, though, has many unique preparations that have benefited people for generations. In this post we’ll teach you…
Learning to Define Sustainability: Lessons for Essential Oil Consumers
The Elephant in the Room Define sustainability. “Sustainability” is a not-so-new term floating around the shelves of our global economy, hot on the tongue of marketers and advertisers ready to sell us the next best thing to organic. Within the natural products industry, “sustainability” is a concept that appears in many dressed-up forms. For example, when…
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Herbs Are Tasty!
Everyone loves a tasty little something to munch on, and it is fun to cook up a yummy treat to share! You can make delicious food by using herbs when you cook. In fact, throughout history people have used herbs in their cooking to make their food tasty and healthy. When you add herbs to…
5 Herbal Body Care Products to Buy or DIY
Do you enjoy making your own herbal bath and body care products at home? Making luscious lotions, healing salves, heavenly soaps and other goodies can be rewarding, but usually DIY instructions are for bulk batches that make several bottles, jars, or bars of one recipe at once. Sometimes it’s nice to have a favorite herbal…
5 Homemade Spring Cleaning Products
For many of us, the warmer weather of spring brings with it a desire to do some serious cleaning. However, conventional cleaning products can do more harm than good as we are exposed to various toxins such as phthalates, triclosan, 2-butoxyethanol, chlorine, and more. Some products common in the US have even been banned by the…
Herbs Work for Families
Herbs work as part of many different lifestyles, and family life is no different – herbs are the perfect complement to family life. They enrich our lives in a multitude of ways. Not only are herbs are a healthy choice for all ages, but they connect us to the natural world, give us seasonal traditions to share…
Choosing Essential Oil Carriers
This post is the fifth in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living, How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils, Essential Oil Safety, and Incorporating Essential Oils Into Your Herbal Practice, and continue here with a discussion on choosing essential oil carriers. Which carrier oils should you choose, and why? Which…
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Wildcrafting
Fun On The Wild Side Take a trip outside your door and look down! What do you see? Do you see little plants growing? Perhaps it is one single little dandelion or maybe you have found a whole area of plants growing and thriving. You won’t have to go far to find wild plants! Sometimes…
What is Herbalist Day, also known as Thank an Herbalist Day?
Everyone has a unique story of their own herbal journey. Herbs touch so many lives – they are there for people of all ages and from all walks of life. For some, a kind word from a friend set them on this path. For others, a cherished book or the curiosity born from exploring a…
Incorporating Essential Oils into your Herbal Practice
This post is the fourth in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living, How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils, and Essential Oil Safety, and continue here with a discussion on using essential oils in herbal practice. What are the safety considerations? Can essential oils be used internally? What are ways for…
How to Start Foraging in Your Backyard
Many people are interested in learning about edible wild plants, and a natural extension of this is to start foraging and explore what may be growing close to home. One of the best ways to begin foraging in your backyard is to find an herbalist or forager who offers local plant walks. Having in-person instruction…
Herbs Work as a Foundation
One of the most beautiful roles we fill as herbalists is that of teachers. In a way, it really doesn’t matter what path we take as an herbalist – we are always teaching. We may feel that we are the only real student we know, especially if we are self-taught or lifelong learners of the…
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Adventures In The Herb Garden
Are you dreaming of starting an herb garden and creating a special place for your new herb friends to live? In our last lesson we talked about some of the basics you need to start your very own herb garden. In this lesson we’re heading back out to the garden to learn more about starting plants from…
Natural Soapwort Shampoo and Body Wash
When you are planning your spring garden, consider not only the beauty but also the usefulness of the plants that you plan to put in. I love ornamental plants as much as anyone else, but I get a particular sense of satisfaction if I have a purpose or use for the lovely flowers that brighten…
Learn About Essential Oils for Free: EO Summit
Want to learn more about essential oils? You’re going to want to mark May 11 – 18 in your calendars for the FREE Essential Oils Revolution Summit. Being the first, non-brand-specific essential oil summit, tens of thousands of attendees from around the world will gather together with experts in the field, from medical professionals and researchers to health care practitioners and herbalists! The line…
DIY Fine and Dandy Facial Serum
My son and I were out on our walk the other day, and I realized we’re full blown in the middle of spring here in Texas. Everywhere I turn, I am seeing dandelions pop up all over the place! Last spring I taught you how to Sweeten Your Breakfast with Dandelion Flower Syrup, so I…
Seasonal Allergy Support With DIY Aromatherapy Shower Tablets
Spring is finally here and it is so beautiful! Gardens are waking up and bees are searching out all the flowers that have suddenly bloomed. It really is a magical time of year and a great season for outdoor activities such as gardening and foraging. However, many of us deal with seasonal allergies during spring…
Turn These 7 Herbs and Flowers into Country Wine
Country wines – wines made from anything other than grapes – have been traditionally made by many cultures of the world. Here are seven herbs and flowers that can be turned into a delightful wine with a simple home fermentation process. Country Wine Country wines have been made from many different combinations of fruits, herbs,…
A Guide to Essential Oil Safety
This post is the third in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living and How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils, and continue here with a discussion on essential oil safety. What are some general safety rules? How can you use essential oils safely aromatically, internally, and topically? What are…
Herbs Work as a Lifestyle
Herbs work, but they work best if we do a little work, too! In order for us to receive the most benefit from the herbs we use, we need to focus on right living – on developing a lifestyle that allows us to grow into our best health. Herbs work their best work within the framework…
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Start Your Herb Garden
Make a home for your new best friends! Have you ever watched a little seed sprout into life? Have you seen a baby plant grow into a big, beautiful plant? It is magical! You can be a gardener and help little plants grow! Invite some of your newly found herb friends to grow in your…
Oregano for Healing and Nutrition
Oregano is a wonderful plant for healing, nutrition and flavor! Oil of Oregano is derived from the wild oregano plant (Oreganum vulgare), a member of the mint family (Lamiacae or Labiatae). The name oregano originates from two Greek words: oros (mountain) and ganos (joy). Oregano is well known as a culinary herb. The oregano herb has…
Foraged Skin Care Remedies
Early spring is a wonderful time for foraging. After winter, it is refreshing to finally get outside and gather some healing herbs. Foraging for plants is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of herbs, and to learn more about the gifts that nature offers us. Gathering free wild plants to add to our creations…
How to Make A Child’s Herbal Sock Bath
Do your kids love bathtime? You can make it extra special by crafting an herbal bath together. For those kiddos who resist bath time, perhaps this craft will help coax them into the tub. I love using bath herbs and other nourishing things like oatmeal in the tub, yet it can get very messy. And…
How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils
This post is the second in a weekly, multi-part series on Using Essential Oils. Last week we discussed Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living – how to get started using essential oils in your daily life. Here we will explore considerations to help you choose high quality essential oils. What should you look for? How can you…
Herbs Work As Our Companions and Allies
As herbalists, it’s important for us to learn about plants through hands-on experience, and we are richly rewarded for the time we invest in learning to live side-by-side with our herbs. As we grow them in our gardens and help the continuation of their species, they nurture our health in return. Because of the nature…
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Keep It Simple
Make A Special Friend Do you want to become really good friends with herbs? One simple way to do this is by spending special time with each plant as you are learning about it and using this time to create a relationship together. It is like when you spend an afternoon with just one friend…
4 Easter Egg Decorating Techniques
Easter is right around the corner, and dyeing eggs is a much loved tradition on this holiday. This spring, add some herbal fun to your celebrations with these ideas for natural egg decorating techniques! Using natural dyes for eggs is a great way to offer children an opportunity to connect with herbs and nature. Involving…
