A Pinch of Lov(age): Preserving Herbs with Salt

If you found yourself with the happy problem of having an abundance of fresh garden herbs this season, you might be scrambling to find ways to use or store them before the cold weather rolls in.

Air drying, freeze drying and freezing are common ways to preserve fresh herbs, but there’s another way. An easy way… herb-infused salts!

Stocking Your Herbal Apothecary

For the majority of our history, we’ve relied on the inherent wisdom of plants for both medicine and nourishment. Even as modern pharmaceuticals become widespread, nature continues to provide a plethora of safe, effective remedies to those who know where to look.

Dabbling with Dragon’s Blood

Dragon’s blood is a plant resin that’s been used for various purposes — including skincare — for centuries. From Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as far back as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) to Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder to modern day, dragon’s blood has been employed for its medicinal properties.

Mint-Infused Honey (Plus a Mocktail Recipe!)

There’s nothing quite like fresh mint. It’s chock full of benefits all by itself, but paired with raw honey it becomes a therapeutic (and delicious) powerhouse!

Fermented Foods Rock (& Why You Should be Making Your Own)

By now, most of us have at least a general understanding that maintaining healthy gut bacteria is pretty darn important to our overall health. But what exactly does that mean?

Irish Moss as a Gelling Agent (Plus an Easy Hydrogel Face Mask Recipe!)

The ocean has a (beauty) secret. Irish moss has a long history of traditional use in Ireland and other coastal communities. It’s been harvested for various purposes over the years, including a food source, a remedy for respiratory ailments and a thickening agent in culinary and medicinal preparations. It also happens to be a terrific choice for water-based skincare formulations where a gel-like texture is desired. Thanks to its high mucilage content, Irish moss is a top-notch natural gelling agent capable of adding texture and viscosity to skincare formulations — without the need for added gums!

Water Kefir SOS: Troubleshooting Your Brew

Making your own probiotic-rich water kefir can be a rewarding and cost-effective hobby, but as a living culture, it can sometimes throw you a curveball. Room temperature, water quality and inadequate nutrition are just a few factors that can influence the health of your kefir grains and the quality of your water kefir.

More Than Just a Pretty Face: Tincturing with Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, is charming little purple flower that never fails to make me smile. But it’s so much more than just a pretty face. Self-heal possesses potent medicinal qualities, offering both topical and internal benefits, from wound healing to immune support.

A Look at Herb-Infused Honeys

When it comes to crafting herbal preparations, the choice of a suitable menstruum — aka a solvent used to extract the therapeutic properties of herbs — is of utmost importance. Honey can be considered a moderate-to-strong menstruum, unique in its ability to extract water-soluble constituents as well as small amounts of oil-soluble compounds.

Anatomy of Fire Cider

Are you ready to spice up your wellness routine? Created in the early 80s by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic that combines a base of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and local honey infused with a variety of stimulating herbs and spices. The fiery concoction is designed to boost digestion, improve circulation and support overall immune function. Over the years, fire cider has taken on a life of its own, gaining popularity among herbalists and natural health enthusiasts alike. It’s one herbal preparation I try to always keep on hand!