Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the official start of summer. It invites us to slow down, get outside, and soak up the sweetness of the season. One of our family’s favorite solstice traditions is packing a backpack full of snacks, taking a hike, and enjoying a picnic in one of our favorite spots. I love baking this Solstice Sun Bread to bring along. It’s easy…
Summertime means more time outside, which also means more bug bites and stings, unfortunately. This herbal bug bite paste is made with just a handful of ingredients and is quick to whip up to help ease itching and discomfort. Linden (Tilia spp.) is rich in mucilage, which is soothing for irritated, inflamed skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and swelling, while its gentle astringency helps ease discomfort. Linden is also…
Cacao + Cayenne Dry Rub combines rich cacao (Theobroma cacao) with spicy cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum), creating a blend that gives grilled meats a deep, complex flavor with a little kick. A touch of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) rounds out the mix, adding a touch of sweetness.
Daily exposure to sun and environmental toxins can be tough on hair and skin, dehydrating and damaging the delicate skin on the face. Whip up a bottle of this oil for your favorite bearded fellow to help keep their beard hair and facial skin healthy, hydrated, and happy. A combination of healing herbs and essential oils boosts the health of hair and skin. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) have…
Linden Limeade is one of my favorite summer drinks. Bright, tart limes pair perfectly with linden’s enchanting floral notes, making a tasty beverage that’s perfect for staying hydrated on hot days. Linden is a demulcent herb that supports hydration by moistening and soothing dry or irritated tissues. It’s also a relaxing nervine, and is known for helping to ease anxiety, irritability, and emotional tension. Simple to whip up, this herbal…
Your pelvic tissues do a lot of work during labor—stretching, swelling, and sometimes even tearing—which can leave everything feeling pretty tender in the early postpartum days. A warm herbal sitz bath is a soothing way to care for your body and support the healing process. This gentle ritual can help reduce inflammation, ease soreness, and bring comfort in those first sacred days after giving birth.
If you tend to feel wiped out after making small talk with strangers, spending time in a crowd, or being around people who leave you feeling drained, Yarrow Flower Essence might be just what you need. Known for its protective qualities, yarrow acts like a gentle energetic shield, helping you build and maintain strong, healthy boundaries while guarding against overwhelm, negativity, and energetic drain.
This simple recipe captures the sweetness of the season, a little way to toast to spring. Bright strawberries and lightly earthy chamomile come together for a refreshing drink. Perfect for picnics, garden gatherings, or cooling down after a spring walk.
This nettle soda bread is one of my favorite quick bread options. It’s quick, delicious, and pairs wonderfully with a hearty soup or a breakfast scramble. It's wonderful when enjoyed warm, slathered with butter and a sprinkle of salt. Nettle is a nourishing addition to this simple bread. It's rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and several other important nutrients. This recipe is a great way to use those lovely nettle…
In my early days as an herbalist, I fell in love with nettle for its incredible nutritive properties. At the time, I lived near wooded walking trails and was excited to find nettle growing along the paths. Often, when I was out foraging in the spring, people would stop and ask, “Why are you collecting that?!” To them, nettle was just a nuisance. But what they didn’t realize is that…