Placing herbs beneath one’s pillow is a practice that dates back centuries. Depending on which herb you chose, they were thought to induce vivid dreams, bring good dreams, attract true love, deter evil, foresee the future, and keep nightmares at bay. Nowadays, herbal sachets are used to infuse closets, linens, and dresser drawers with pleasing […]
Herbalism
Usnea Tincture – The Lungs of The Forest
Usnea, or Old Man’s Beard, is a stretchy lichen that has a profound affinity for the respiratory system – which is no surprise considering its Latin name means “Lungs” or “The Forest”. When I spent time in Oregon last summer, it was an easy herb to spot on our hikes in the temperate forests. There’s […]
The Perfect Sun Tea Recipe
Ahhh, sun tea. The perfect summer drink on hot Southern California days. Growing up, I remember my mom making sun tea in a huge gallon jar, sometimes with fresh lemon slices, on the hottest days of summer. She would add black tea bags, plenty of spring water, and then just let the sun do all […]
How to Make Infused Cottonwood Oil for Balms, Salves, & Ointments
I’ve been on a bit of a cottonwood kick lately, but I just can’t get over how amazing this herb is! It’s just so good for so many things and has been one of my must-haves for pretty much every type of physical pain or bout of inflammation I’ve experienced. If you haven’t tried your […]
Pedicularis Tincture for The Side Effects of Stress
I think this year, more than anything, I’ve felt the effects of burnout, stress, and its accompanying symptoms like insomnia (which I’ve never had before), feelings of apathy, and a lingering fatigue that lasts all day. It’s made things really difficult. It’s hard to get things done, and that’s sort of a big deal when […]
DIY Elderberry Syrup for Cold and Flu – Potent, Quick, & Easy!
Around this time of year, when summer is about halfway over, I start to think about cold and flu remedies I need to get started before the weather gets cooler. You may be wondering why I need to start now and the short answer is – herbal remedies take a looong time, up to six […]