Tag: lavender

Categories
herbal skincare plant wonder collective

Linden & Lavender Body Wash

Linden makes a lovely, calming, skin replenishing ingredient in botanical recipes in the form of an infused oil! It also complements the scent and properties of lavender infused oil very nicely. I decided to incorporate both into a homemade body wash recipe using simple, natural ingredients!

Homemade herbal recipes that contain water can have a short shelf life, so it’s best to make them in small batches. However, if you make a larger amount of infused oil in advance—infused oils keep longer than water-based products—then it is easy to store the oils in glass jars and mix up batches of the body wash as needed. An additional option is to add a bit of natural preservative, such as leucidal liquid—made from fermented radishes!

Linden & Lavender Body Wash

Materials:

Infused oil—

Double boiler or saucepan

4 pint jars

Dried linden

Dried lavender

Jojoba oil

Sweet almond oil

Body wash—

⅓ cup castile soap

4 Tbsp linden-infused jojoba oil

2 Tbsp lavender-infused almond oil

1 Tbsp raw honey (optional)

⅓ cup water (or less!)

1 tsp leucidal SF complete

40 drops EO (optional):

20 drops lavender

10 drops chamomile

10 drops lemon

Method:

Begin by infusing your herbal oil. Do this by filling one jar about ½ full of dried linden, then filling with jojoba oil until the dried plant material is completely submerged, using a chopstick or wooden spoon handle to remove any air bubbles. Do the same with the dried lavender and sweet almond oil, filling the jar about ⅓ full with the lavender. Place both jars into a saucepan or bottom of a double boiler pan with about 1 ½ to 2 inches of water and place on the stove over low heat for 3-5 hours, watching closely to ensure that it doesn’t get too hot (you don’t want to cook your herbs!) and making sure the plant material stays submerged. Remove from heat and allow to cool once the oils have changed in color from the herbs and smell fragrant. After cooling, strain through a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth into clean jars. 

To make the body wash, find a soap or body wash pump bottle to repurpose; remove the old label and clean well. Add the castille soap, herb-infused oils, honey if using, and water (decrease amount if you want a thicker body wash; you might also want to add small amounts of water at a time and test the consistency till you reach your preferred thickness). Cap and shake, and you might also want to stir it with a chopstick to ensure the honey is fully incorporated. Then add essential oils and leucidal liquid and shake/stir again. 

Use in the shower or bath, shaking well each time you use. Enjoy the relaxing scent and the nourishing properties of the linden and lavender oils!

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For educational purposes only. Not intended for medical advice. Always consult your physician.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to buy something from a link that I share, I will make a small percentage of the sale *at no extra cost to you*.

Categories
herbal skincare willow & sage

Spring Floral Perfume Oil

There are few better ways to celebrate the delicate blooms of springtime than with a lovely tea party. A tea party in a flower garden? Even better. Or perhaps you can conjure up the feeling of such an occasion with a natural perfume oil incorporating the scents of spring blossoms. 

This recipe combines lavender-infused almond oil with some lovely essential oils: geranium, lemon, ylang ylang, and ho wood. This combination of scents is dreamy and floral, with hints of tart citrus and sweet earthiness. It’s nourishing to the skin and has a lovely calming effect. 

These mini perfume oil rollers would make sweet gifts at a flower garden tea party of your own. 

You Will Need:

To Make:

To make the lavender-infused oil, fill a pint jar about three-quarters full with dried lavender buds. Pour sweet almond oil to cover flowers, leaving about 1 inch of headspace in the jar. Use a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to push the plant material into the oil so it is fully submerged. Cover with a coffee filter or cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band. Allow to infuse for four to six weeks, then strain out the lavender buds and put the remaining oil in a clean jar. Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to extend the shelf life of this oil. 

To make a perfume roller, fill a 5 ml roller bottle about halfway with lavender-infused almond oil. Add a pinch of dried lavender buds if you’d like. Add 3 drops of geranium essential oil, 2 drops of lemon essential oil, 1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil, and 1 drop of ho wood essential oil. (If you have sensitive skin, you can adjust and use less of the essential oils. If you want a stronger scent for aromatherapy, you can add 1-2 more drops of each oil.) Fill the remaining space in the bottle with more of the lavender-almond oil, leaving a little headspace for the roller. Insert the roller and screw on the cap, giving the bottle a swirl to mix the oils in. 

Store any unused portion of the lavender-almond oil in a cool dark space. 

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This recipe can be found in the spring 2024 issue of Willow & Sage magazine!

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For educational purposes only. Not intended for medical advice. Always consult your physician.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to buy something from a link that I share, I will make a small percentage of the sale *at no extra cost to you*.

Categories
Herbs and Herbalism

Damiana + Herbs for Headache Relief

I am lucky to not have chronic headache issues, which I know so many people have! But I do still sometimes deal with clusters of headaches, especially stress-related and cycle-related ones. And I’ve recently been ill and have experienced some unpleasant headaches associated with that. (Such a bad cold and flu season this year!) When those problems arise, herbs can absolutely help.

I have several favorite herbal allies to lean on in this circumstance, usually brewing them in tea, and damiana is the star of the show. Though perhaps better known as an aphrodisiac herb, damiana is amazing to relieve tension headaches and that pressure and pounding sensation in the head. It is my headache secret weapon and always in my headache tea blends! I love its warm (but not too warm) soothing, tension-relieving, and pain modulation and easing.

Other herbs I rely on for headache teas:

Meadowsweet– cooling, astringent, eases stabbing pain, high in salicylic acid (aspirin!)

Mint– cooling, antispasmodic, nutritious, pain-relieving, uplifting and relaxing

Lavender– soothing, relaxing, gentle, pain-relieving and aromatic 

Cramp bark– gentle, pain-relieving, spasm easing, muscle tension relieving

Skullcap & Passionflower– sleep aiding, nerve & tension easing, soothing

If you use essential oils, an oil roller or balm using peppermint and lavender oils mixed with a carrier oil is a great remedy, too. Roll or rub this on your temples, the back of your neck, or wherever your headaches tend to be concentrated. (Can you tell mine is well-loved? I need to replace that oily label!)

What are your favorite natural headache remedies?

For educational purposes only. Not intended for medical advice. Always consult your physician.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to buy something from a link that I share, I will make a small percentage of the sale *at no extra cost to you*.

Categories
Recipes Tea wheel of the year

Summer Solstice Sun & Strawberry Moon Tea

I am so excited that June’s full moon (the Strawberry Moon) and Litha (the summer solstice) fall together this year. It is a convergence that doesn’t happen often—in fact, the last time it did was 1985! All that bright energy of both the longest day and the full moon combined—so magical! 

For me, I think the order of the day is celebration, gratitude, and soaking up every bit of that energy I can. I feel like too often, we see these astrological occasions as calls to act in grandiose ways, to manifest changes and new directions, to enact grand gestures. But this pressure is not necessary, and most likely you have many plates spinning already at this busy cusp of summer! Instead, it is perfectly okay to give yourself permission to rest, recharge from the added light, lean into the sensation of lightness, and simply enjoy and give thanks. Mindfulness can be your act of devotion.

To this end, I am going to brew a Sun and Moon Tea!

I am calling the tea such because I’ve chosen a blend of herbs and botanicals that includes affinities for both the sun and the moon to reflect the meaning of the occasion. There are also botanicals chosen for their ties to Litha, fire, water, and Venus, all of which I am feeling strong influences of during this time. 

Here are the ingredients, and a few of their astrological ties:

•Linden (sun, Litha)

•Chamomile (sun, Litha)

•Jasmine (moon, water)

•Rosemary (sun, moon, fire)

•Strawberry (strawberry moon, Venus, water)

•Hibiscus (fire, water, Venus)

•Lavender (Litha)

And here is the recipe! It’s simple, so you can concentrate on enjoying your mindful moments under the solstice sun and Strawberry Moon. 

Ingredients

32 oz mason jar

1 cup sliced strawberries

2 Tbsp hibiscus

1 Tbsp rosemary

1 Tbsp linden

1 Tbsp chamomile

1 Tbsp jasmine

½ Tbsp lavender

Honey to taste, optional

Directions

Add ingredients to mason jar and fill with cold, fresh water. (If using dried herbs, you might choose to place them in a large eco-friendly tea bag or linen reusable tea bag.) 

Cap tightly and place in a sunny location (free of disturbance by kids or pets!) for 2-3 hours. 

If not using a tea bag or strainer, strain tea into a fresh jar or a pitcher over ice if drinking immediately. You can stir in honey while it is still warm if you’d like! Refrigerate and drink cold. 

Note—

You can substitute fresh herbs for dried ones if you have access to them! You don’t necessarily have to go by the measurements in that case—just add sprigs of each. 

For a printable Litha Tea Meditation journaling page and a printable version of this recipe, join my Patreon at Patreon.com/theherbologyfaerie!

Categories
Botanical Anthology Recipes

Strawberry Lavender Julep by Kristine Clay

This is an excerpt from the Summer edition of Botanical Anthology. A plant lover’s dream, it is a seasonal, plant centered quarterly publication bringing you over 45 articles from 46 contributors to incorporate herbs in your apothecary, kitchen, summer foraging and gardening, crafts, and celebrations.

This herbal magazine, featuring remedies and recipes with medicinal plants for budding herbalists, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.

Photo by Kristine Clay

If you enjoy the classic herbal cocktail, the mint julep, then this fruity, floral rendition is sure to become a fast favorite.

Infused whiskey lends stunning color and bursts with fresh strawberry flavor, while lavender rounds out the beverage with pleasant herbaceous notes that hint of mint. Lavender can ease stress and anxiety, helping you to unwind as you sip.

Serve this boozy beverage at your next get together or enjoy with friends on a warm summer evening. 

Strawberry Whiskey Materials

2 c strawberries, fresh, sliced 

Whiskey

16 oz jar

Strawberry Whiskey Method 

Place strawberries in a jar. 

Pour whiskey over top, filling the jar.

Cap tightly with a lid and shake well. Let the strawberries steep in whiskey for at least 1-2 weeks, shaking daily or as often as you remember. 

You can use the whiskey after about a week, but giving it a full 2 weeks to infuse will allow the flavor to really develop.

Note

If you won’t be using the whiskey right away, there’s no need to strain out the infusing strawberries after 2 weeks. Longer steep times allow the flavor to deepen, and can make for a very tasty liquor.

Photo by Kristine Clay

Lavender Simple Syrup Materials

¼ c lavender, dried

½ c sugar

¼ c lime juice

¼ c water

Lavender Simple Syrup Method

Add the ingredients to a small saucepan.

Bring the liquid to a rapid boil then reduce the heat and simmer lightly for about 10 minutes. 

Remove from heat and let the syrup cool. 

Strain out the lavender pieces and bottle the syrup. 

Store leftover syrup in the refrigerator.

Photo by Kristine Clay

Strawberry Lavender Julep Materials

1 ½ f. oz strawberry whiskey

½ fl oz lavender simple syrup

Ice cubes

Fresh lavender sprigs 

Club soda or sparkling water, optional 

Strawberry Lavender Julep Method

Pour whiskey and simple syrup into a glass and stir. 

Add ice. 

If desired, top with a splash of club soda or sparkling water. 

Garnish with a sprig or two of fresh lavender.

Note

This recipe makes one cocktail.

Article written by Kristine Clay. Kristine is a mother, herbalist, & writer who lives on an off-grid homestead in the Ecuadorian Andes. She enjoys crafting botanical concoctions, baking, and hiking with her partner in the eco-sanctuary they steward. You can read her musings about herbs, nourishing foods, & holistic mothering on her blog: mamalibelula.com and find out more about Andean plants, regenerative land management, & raising rabbits at: SierrayCielo.org.

Categories
Botanical Anthology

Summer Botanical Anthology!

I am so, so very excited to share with you about this labor of love, the Summer edition of Botanical Anthology, which is launching tomorrow, June 12!

I am personally more involved than ever in the production of this publication—aside from writing articles for it, I am now its copyeditor. I’ve worked closely with the magazine’s founder/editor, my friend Harmonie, on the design and content of this edition as well as editing all the articles. I can tell you that all 46 contributors are bringing amazing articles, recipes, and other content centering around summer and how to incorporate herbs in your apothecary, kitchen, spring foraging and gardening, crafts, and summer celebrations.

Here is a sampling of what’s inside:

* Whip up an itch soothing salve, steep a California poppy tincture + infuse an evening primrose oil

* Whisk a milky oats honey mustard, make watermint chocolate chip ice cream + bake a starflower cucumber cake

* Grow amaranth, make fertilizer with comfrey + learn why you should add herbs to your garden

* Create clay mushrooms, eco print with coreopsis + make sidewalk chalk

* Form summer rituals, build a Lion’s Gate altar + discover rose family folklore

* Celebrate Summer Solstice + Lammas with simple observances

* Meet Rebecca Desnos, Susan Leopold + Tiffany Jones

From June 12th – 21st, receive the Botanical Anthology Summer edition digital download, plus our lavender bonus booklet download, for just $18. Come next week, the lavender booklet will no longer be included, and the price will increase.

And now you can purchase a printed option via Amazon!!  Plus we have gift card and digital subscription options on our website!

As a thank you for being here with me as a BLOG FOLLOWER, enjoy $3 off the publication with the code: BASummer23Take$3

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this message as I share my excitement about this magazine I am so lucky to be a part of. If you’d like to learn more about the publication and what’s inside, and consider buying your own copy, follow this link:

Botanical Anthology Summer

Categories
Tea wheel of the year

Lavender Earl Grey Ostara Candle

I don’t know why exactly, but spring makes me think of Earl Grey tea. Maybe it’s the citrusy bergamot, or the fact that I’m just more in the mood in spring than any other season to drink black tea…it’s more stimulating than caffeine-free herbs, but lighter than coffee. Maybe flowers and tea parties just make me think of spring? I don’t know, but let’s go with it!

In that spirit…I decided to make a lavender Earl Grey teacup candle to welcome Ostara. To me, Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is the true start of the new year: the awakening. What better way to brighten the sweet first morning of spring than lighting this candle to add to the warmth of the sun, and enjoying a mug of Earl Grey tea?

The essential oils I chose to scent the candle with do have associations that fit quite well with the spirit of the occasion:

Lavender- love, protection, calm, peace, insight

Bergamot- happiness, harmony, love, courage

Benzoin- purification, prosperity

Cardamom- creativity, strength, focus, healing

Benzoin oil imparts a warm, creamy vanilla-like scent which reminds me of adding milk to tea, and cardamom adds a tea-like quality. I also topped the candle with amethyst, quartz, lavender buds, and a bit of actual lavender Earl Grey tea.

Here are the instructions, in case you’d like to make one of these sweet candles yourself!

This Ostara season I’m planning to enjoy this little candle with tea and shortbread cookies with the two of my three children that actually like tea. (Two out of three isn’t bad, and he will still eat the cookies!) —cookie recipe soon to come.

How will you mark the Spring Equinox / Ostara?

Categories
herbal skincare Herbs and Herbalism Recipes

Flower Garden Tea Party: Perfume Oil

Are you as ready as I am for spring? Late February seems to always be like that for me, with sneaky early warm days making me itch for the real thing. And the fact that the first crocuses are beginning to pop up doesn’t help!

Between that and reading books about Beatrix Potter lately, I am in a distinctly flowery-tea-party mood. Not the fancy or stuffy kind, however; the unfussy, cozy, enjoying the bounty of nature and the comforts of home with friends kind. The sort with lavender Earl Grey in mismatched cups and a fresh-picked garden bouquet in a jam jar on the table. The type of flowery tea party I think Miss Potter herself would have enjoyed.

Imagining this scenario brings me to the simple little perfume oil I recently made to capture that feeling. I combined lavender-infused almond oil that I made recently with a few essential oils: geranium, bergamot, cardamom, and benzoin. This combination of scents is dreamy and floral, with a hint of sweet vanilla and warm spice. It’s nourishing to the skin and has a lovely calming effect.

The particular botanicals I chose also relate to this tea party I dreamed up. Geranium figured prominently into Beatrix Potter’s gardens and especially window boxes, with their cheery flowers and lovely rose-like scent. Bergamot, of course, is the key ingredient in Earl Grey tea, which was a bit of a special-occasion luxury to those in the Lake District at Beatrix’s time. Cardamom is more of a personal addition, but it’s my favorite and is the spice that I think ties florals, fruits, and musky scents together just right. And benzoin resin oil is an affordable alternative to vanilla with a distinctly vanilla creaminess; it also is traditionally used in incense to lift the spirits.

If you are also interested in folk and spiritual associations of botanicals, here are a few of the many associations I found for these:

Lavender: love, protection, calm, peace, insight

Geranium: uplifting and protection, balance, joy, beauty

Bergamot: happiness, harmony, love, courage

Cardamom: creativity, strength, focus, healing

Benzoin: purification, prosperity

If you’d like to join me at this imaginary tea party, here is the recipe!

Materials

One 10 ml essential oil roller bottle

Lavender-infused almond oil, or your carrier oil of choice

3 drops geranium essential oil

2 drops bergamot essential oil

2 drops cardamom essential oil

1-2 drops benzoin resin essential oil

Method

Add lavender almond oil to the roller bottle until it is half full. Add the drops of essential oils. Top with more lavender almond oil, leaving about 1/4 inch head space. Securely place the roller top and lid on the bottle, then shake to mix. I like to let a perfume oil sit and infuse for a few days before using so the scents develop fully, but you wouldn’t have to.

Wear this perfume oil where you’d normally place perfume, and dream about springtime tea parties on sunny days! Just don’t forget to send me an invitation and let me know when teatime begins!

Categories
herbal skincare Recipes

Lavender Peppermint Lip Balm

I don’t know about you, but for me, lavender is a scent that makes me think of spring. (I’m not sure why, because it’s not in-season where I live until the summer!) Since I am dreaming so, so much about spring, and since I had just strained some lavender-infused almond oil and mint-infused coconut oil recently, I decided to make some relaxing lip balm with a springy scent to carry me away in my daydreams of warmth and sunshine.

Lavender is such a relaxing scent, and it pairs really well with uplifting peppermint. Also, both herbs have antimicrobial and skin soothing and replenishing properties. Most people find both to be gentle for use on the skin, but if you’re sensitive (or making this recipe for young children), you might want to eliminate one or both essential oils in the recipe, or use less of both.

Lip balm is not too tricky if you’re new to making body care products. Here’s the recipe, if you want to give it a try!

Lavender Peppermint Lip Balm

(Makes 7 0.5-oz containers of lip balm)

Materials:

7 lip balm tins, 0.5 oz

Double boiler (optional)

28 g shea butter

20 g beeswax pellets

16 g almond oil infused with lavender flowers

8 g coconut oil infused with peppermint leaf

4 drops lavender essential oil 

3 drops peppermint essential oil (or leave out if you have sensitive skin)

Method:

Prepare your supplies and area; you might want to put down a layer of parchment or waxed paper in case of dribbles. I place mine on a baking sheet.

Melt the beeswax pellets, shea butter, and infused oils slowly over low heat in the double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, set a large glass mixing bowl over a small saucepan containing about 1 inch of water, put your ingredients in the mixing bowl, and it works the same way. 

Once the ingredients are melted, remove from heat and carefully add and stir in essential oil if you’re using it. 

Carefully pour the hot liquid into your lip balm tins. Allow to cool completely for a good long while before using—I like to have my tins on a baking sheet and transfer that to the fridge for quicker setting, but that’s optional.

Once the lip balms are finished setting up, they’re ready to use!