October is here! It is, in my opinion, the most magical of months. The sensory delights of autumn transport me to childhood and to the most inspired and attuned spirit of imagination and nature connection. Maybe it is nostalgia, or maybe it’s something that runs far deeper.
Even as the plants prepare to rest and the trees put on their blaze of glory, we can tune into our bodies and our relationship to the natural world via herbs. To that end, here are a few of the herbs I love to lean on in October!
Rooibos: also known as “red tea,” this shrub plant native to South Africa is treated and prepared like traditional tea. Less talked about in the herb world, it deserves recognition! High in vitamin C, great for immunity and inflammation, rich in antioxidants, grounding, tasty, and caffeine free—it’s a great coffee replacement and daily tonic. For some reason, I am just extra drawn to rooibos tea blends during the autumn months. When instinct tells me something like this, I listen! It certainly doesn’t hurt that some of my favorite autumn tea blends are based around rooibos – a couple tea companies make amazing rooibos-pumpkin spice and rooibos-apple blends.
Rose Hips: in season after the first frost of autumn, which I *hope* is coming soon! Rose hips are amazing for immunity, heart health, skin, digestion, modulating inflammation, and overall wellbeing. They are lovely in jams, baked goods, skin oils, teas, and more. What’s more, roses and rose hips have age-old associations to love, luck, protection, divination, and healing, as well as Venus, Demeter, Isis, and the water element.
Garlic: not just for warding off vampires! Garlic is a fiery plant with ties to Hecate and Samhain, so for obvious reasons it fits perfectly with October. But its protective aid in preventing illness, its addition to cozy stews and soups, and its hearty flavor all compound garlic’s usefulness during this month. And don’t forget that it can be a wonderful remedy when applied topically, too! Garlic salve is a favorite recipe of mine that can be rubbed into stiff, aching joints and used as an ointment for minor wounds.
Black Tea: there is something about grounding, cardio-supportive black tea that I find I’m drawn to in October. It offers a balanced burst of energy without too much caffeine. Nothing better than an autumn cuppa! Like rooibos, black tea is naturally a gorgeous base for tea blends (ha, obviously) and pairs amazingly with other herbs. It also makes for a wonderful, universally appreciated gift to share with others. I am particularly fond of smoky lapsang souchong, which puts me in mind of October bonfires and burning leaf piles. Just breathing the aroma in makes me feel cozy and homey.
Star Anise: licorice-like taste, so very pretty, and a star in chai and sweet spice blends! Star anise has associations with divination, luck, and purification. It can add an energy boost to your intentional recipes and workings, and with ties to both air and water it helps open channels of communication. The flavor itself is complex and adds layers of depth to sweet and savory culinary applications. Add it to your autumn ciders and sangrias for some extra oomph!
Ginkgo: said to promote longevity, aids brain and memory, helps with blood pressure and heart health. Ginkgo leaves turn golden this month where I live and taste amazing in tea! This ancient tree has long been regarded as sacred, with wisdom and longevity being its spiritual as well as medicinal associations. In both Western medicine and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), ginkgo is believed to aid in circulation, movement in the body, respiratory health, cognitive health, and ease anxiety and depression, too.
Which of these are herbs YOU love in October? Or do you have some different favorites?
The Herbology Faerie 