January is such an odd time of year. We feel the pull to start things anew at the turning of the year, and yet we are also drawn to habits and practices of wintering and hibernation, especially those of us residing in places that get cold and snowy in the winter. It’s a strange dichotomy that tugs us from two directions! To get our footing firmly beneath us, it is best to try and tune outside influences out and pay attention to what our bodies and spirits are calling for. Not always an easy task, but certainly rewarding and stabilizing!
To that end, here are a few of the herbs I love to lean on in January for extra winter mind, body, and spirit support-
Eucalyptus: This camphorous, fragrant plant that is native to Australia but now naturalized much more widely is a wonderful winter ally due to its healing properties. There are few plants more soothing and refreshing to enjoy in a steam, summer pot, bath, or tea than eucalyptus – it is a go-to for easing cold symptoms and promoting healthy breathing. In spiritual terms eucalyptus has ties to water, the moon, feminine energy, and healing and protection. It has long been a traditional plant in smoke cleansing and is a lovely addition to smoke bundles and loose incense, and can be utilized in talismans and sachets for protection and health.
Hops: Though some might find hops an unusual choice for January, I find it to be a de-frazzling, nourishing, sleep-aiding miracle worker after a busy and stressful December. Hops helps you unwind, destress, sleep, cools off tense feelings, heals skin, and soothes digestion. This makes it an exceptional plant to depend on as a strong reset button of sorts! Hops has traditional uses in teas, baths, and especially sleep pillows and sachets – it is not just for brewing beer, though that is certainly also a big part of its history! This plant is associated with the air element, the planet Mars, the goddesses Brighid and Demeter, as well as Imbolc, winter, good dreams, and healing.
Echinacea: I adore this flower, also called coneflower. It is native to the U.S. and is best known as a cold and flu remedy—so important this time of year! It is very stimulating to the immune system and isn’t something to reach for daily, but to certainly work with in times of need. It also helps with acne and other skin issues and infections. Use in teas and salves for these reasons! But make sure to source your echinacea responsibly, as it is a victim of over-harvesting and is an at-risk plant as a result. Echinacea also has spiritual ties to strengthening, so consider adding it to workings for that purpose and even to adopt the imagery (a responsible usage that doesn’t harm the species!) for strength as well.
Schisandra: This five-flavored wonder berry is an equalizing adaptogen to get the body back into a better state after the holidays. It offers liver support, sleep support, heart support, balance, energy, immune support, and so much more. This plant has long been valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a restorative, nourishing botanical that can help to reset and rebuild the chronically stressed and wrung-out individual. One of the best ways to take schisandra is via decoction (long-simmered tea) to ensure extraction of all the good stuff it has to offer. In metaphysical terms, schisandra is thought to have the same balancing effect on the spirit and is highly valued for re-centering and helping to stabilize energy.
Astragalus: This plant shows up in my January apothecary for very similar reasons to schisandra! Astragalus is a member of the pea family, and is a sweet root that supports and sustains. This adaptogen aids in immunity, helps with fatigue, promotes resilience, supports the heart and liver, improves digestion, and so much more. It is a wonderful herb to work with after you have been ill and need to rebuild your energy stores, and also after periods of stress when you feel wrung out and need restorative aid. Try it in a chai decoction – a wonderful and tasty way to enjoy this root! Like schisandra, astragalus is also quite important in TCM. It is associated with protection, strength, luck, enhancing vitality, and even boosting divination.
Lemon: This citrus fruit is a tart, refreshing vitamin C boost in the cold of winter, with antimicrobial properties to help ward off winter illness, aromatherapy perks in a winter simmer pot, and useful properties for homemade cleaning products. Lemon works in so many applications, tastes and works wonderfully in so many recipes, and is an all-around powerhouse of a botanical ally! It is associated with the moon and water, as well as love, joy, friendship, purity, and longevity.
Which of these are herbs YOU love in January? Or do you have some different favorites?
The Herbology Faerie 