"May I live this day, Compassionate of heart, Clear in word, Gracious in awareness, Courageous in thought, Generous in love." John O' Donohue In light of so much going on in the world at the moment and the Gregorian New Year, I wanted to share some thoughts that have really helped me over the last … Continue reading New Year Reflections
Tag: naturalhealing
Coping With Seasonal Depression and Anxiety
“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Depression is something that has likely touched all of us. Often the holidays or the few months after the holidays are an extra challenging time for us all … Continue reading Coping With Seasonal Depression and Anxiety
The Riddle of the Universe
"Things are as they are. Looking out into it the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations." Alan Watts All existence, conscious or unconscious seems to be the emanation of one being, the Absolute, the Universe. These various words, even ‘God’ are a … Continue reading The Riddle of the Universe
Plant Communication and Animism
“... originally believing in the existence after death, of the human soul. This belief had its root in the ‘animism’ of a more barbaric period of their existence, and held its place in the remnants of ancestral worship… Their barrows, dolmens, and stone-circles point distinctly to their reverence for the dead, and their belief in … Continue reading Plant Communication and Animism
Lean into a Tree and Five Other Ways to Let Nature Support You Through Hard Times
Photos by Wilderness Vagabonds These are intensely trying times. We all need support to know we’re not alone, to have a safe space to feel and heal our grief and fear, and to remember what is still good. We need it to thrive, and even to survive. And we need to let ourselves be held … Continue reading Lean into a Tree and Five Other Ways to Let Nature Support You Through Hard Times
35 Cold Weather Vegetables and Herbs
"Every vegetable has its time." Russian proverb While things generally stop growing by autumn in the northern hemisphere, there are many vegetables that with planning can still be harvested through December and sometimes spring. I'm in zone 7 and I've found that there are many things I can plant that will remain fresh until I … Continue reading 35 Cold Weather Vegetables and Herbs
Benefits of Self Care
“Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives … Continue reading Benefits of Self Care
Introduction to Aromatherapy
"Aromatherapy is a caring, hands-on therapy which seeks to induce relaxation, to increase energy, to reduce the effects of stress and to restore lost balance to mind, body and soul." Robert Tisserand Jan Brueghel the Younger The basis of essential oils and aromatherapy in particular incorporates maybe an under-realized and under-appreciated way in which we … Continue reading Introduction to Aromatherapy
10 Common Antibacterial and Antiviral Herbs
"The secrets are in the plants. To elicit them, you have to love them." George Carver With the arrival of cold and flu season, stocking up on my antibacterial and antiviral herbs always comes to the forefront of my thoughts consistently by November. It's thought that for a multitude of reasons, illness increases in the … Continue reading 10 Common Antibacterial and Antiviral Herbs
Benefits of Spending Time With Animals
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France At times it amazes me how we can share this beautiful earth with so many other forms of life and yet because of industrialization, spend so little time with them or in their presence. Animals have an incredible ability just … Continue reading Benefits of Spending Time With Animals
Living by the Moon
"If the moon has the power to create the ebb & flow of the ocean's tides, it no doubt has the power to influence human beings, especially as we are 60% water." Brigit Esselmont It is late. My room is filled with the thick inky darkness of deepest night, all is still and silent but … Continue reading Living by the Moon
Keys to Being More Mindful in Nature
Venturing out for a hike or nature experience? Do you have everything you need? Water, snacks, sunscreen… check! Presence, awareness, and mindfulness… check again! Hey, did anyone bring mindfulness? It’s nearly spring, and many of us are getting out into nature more. We know these outings are not only fun and relaxing, but also some … Continue reading Keys to Being More Mindful in Nature
The Subtle Power of Music and Dance
"Let us read and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world." Voltaire As children, before we even understood what the words in songs meant or what dance moves were good or bad, we’d move our little bodies to any rhythm we heard. As we get older, societal pressures … Continue reading The Subtle Power of Music and Dance
How to Deepen Our Connection With Trees
"If we surrendered to earth’s intelligencewe could rise up rooted, like trees." Rainer Maria Rilke There’s something special about trees, and we know it. Even on a planet graced with an astounding array of intelligent and creative life, trees are standouts. If there were people who could do what trees do, they would be honored … Continue reading How to Deepen Our Connection With Trees
Basic Solvents and Preparations
“I can make decisions for myself. I can rely on others as needed, but at my discretion. It is my body, my health, my balance, and my responsibility to make right choices for myself. Rosemary Gladstar Solvents are the substances that are used to dissolve the chemical constituents in our herbs. There are certain best practices in … Continue reading Basic Solvents and Preparations
Purchasing High Quality Herbs
"Every flower must grow through dirt." Laurie Jean Sennott Essential to our home herbal practice is using and purchasing high quality herbs. Often we may not be able to grow certain herbs we want to use or we simply don't have the money, space, time or land to plant and grow our own. For those … Continue reading Purchasing High Quality Herbs
Autumn Equinox Herb Harvests
John Everett Millais "He who doesn't sow in March will not reap in Autumn." Irish proverb I have been doing lots of harvesting lately as the growing season is coming to a close. Some herbs have just come to flower while others are picked mostly just to catch them before they die off.Traditionally, this was … Continue reading Autumn Equinox Herb Harvests
Natural Herbal Mouthwash Recipe
"Ayurveda is not just about nutrition or herbology, it has a unique tool for diagnosis, diagnosis of understanding the human constitution is differen from person to person. Each one has a unique metabolic system." Maya Tiwari I've tried many natural mouthwashes and settled on oil as the main carrier method. I'm wary of alcoholic based … Continue reading Natural Herbal Mouthwash Recipe
Brief History of Herbalism
“Magic is generally believed to have been the earliest known system of natural philosophy, the origin of which goes back to a period of unknown antiquity and is lost in the mists of time. From primitive man in virgin woods and the astrologers and magicians of Chaldea and Babylonia, to the priest physicians of Egypt … Continue reading Brief History of Herbalism
Tools of the Trade
"Nature's a lot better at inventing wonders than we are." Carl Sagan When it comes to making our own homemade medicine and herbal preparations, I've found there are some tools that are great to have on hand! Many will probably go without saying but deserve a mention regardless, such as measuring cups. I've divided tools … Continue reading Tools of the Trade
Isla Skye Herbals 