● Wildling Fir + Poplar Natural Wildcrafted Body Oil: For nature lovers who are always on the go. With outdoor exposure to sun, wind, and dry air, good body oil is a must to replenish moisture lost to the elements and prevent environmental damage to the skin.
● Wander Wildcrafted Herbal Tea: A morning brew inspired by the high desert landscape of California. This unique blend recipe features pu-erh (delicious, fermented smoky black tea), medicinal turkey tail mushrooms, piñon needles, and hawthorn berries.
● Radiance Hydrating Facial Toner: Because travel can be tough on your complexion, extra hydration is critical! This skin-supporting toner can be used to boost thirsty skin on the go.
● Vitality Natural Face and Body Scrub: The skin's natural radiance is revealed, thanks to gentle sugar crystal exfoliation. This moisture-boosting scrub can be used a few times per week for softer, smoother skin.
● Wildcrafted Botanical Facial Oil Treatment Trio: It's a beauty lover's dream: three different targeted treatment oils for balance, hydration, and cellular regeneration. These lovely botanical elixirs can be mixed, matched, and layered to meet many unique skin needs.
● Rivers Lymphatic Massage Oil + Wood Gua Sha Tool Set: Lymphatic drainage is the secret to luminous skin that glows from the inside out. This two-piece set contains everything needed to begin incorporating this fantastic practice into any at-home skincare routine.
● "Pride" Natural Bronzing Body Oil: A plant-powered, sun-kissed look is easy to achieve with this bronzing oil for the whole body. It uses earth mica--suspended in a blend of botanical oils skin loves--to create an all-over shimmer and shine.
● Recover Mineral Bath Salts: Treat fatigued muscles to a deeply relaxing bath treatment with this salt-soak blend. Himalayan salt crystals and mustard seed work wonders to stimulate detoxification and repair.
● Arnica Pain Relief Muscle Balm: Tired, sore, or aching muscles get instant relief from this holistic balm, blended with arnica, menthol, and camphor for natural pain relief.
● Natural Relaxation Magnesium Balm: Harness the power of magnesium for rapid recovery. The hardest workouts won't slow you down with the mind-calming, muscle-relaxing, and sleep-promoting properties of magnesium.
● Everybody Soap, Luxe Unscented: A soap for every body, even those with fur! Gentle and nourishing, this unscented soap blend contains rich botanical oils and nourishing nut butters to deeply moisturize.
● Herbal Respiratory Wildcrafted Steam- Breath: For times of illness or just for everyday wellbeing, this antimicrobial and refreshing steam blend features wildcrafted and organically grown herbs to promote respiratory health.
● Dream Wildcrafted Herbal Balm: Guard against nightmares and inspire sweet dreams with this bedtime balm. With mugwort, lavender hops, and cedarwood, your sleep is sure to be restful.
●Healing Salve: Also known as our "put it anywhere" formula, healing salve is great for bites, bumps, bruises, boo-boos, cracked heels, and even split ends.
● Miraculum Miracle Skin Repair: A powerful balm for all of your skin woes. Miracle Skin Repair utilizes sea buckthorn oil, lanolin, comfrey, and chaparral to promote soft, smooth skin.
● Cedarwood Natural Shave Soap Bar: Get a clean shave with a bit of help from luxe botanical ingredients that foam to form a thick creamy lather. An excellent option for sensitive skin types and preventing irritation following shaving.
● Natural Cocoa Butter Plastic-Free Lip Balm: Target dry or chapped lips with this clean formula. Cocoa butter and shea infused with calendula is our go-to for lip moisture and repair. Packaged in an eco-friendly paperboard tube.
● Natural Charcoal Solid Bar Shampoo: There are no sulfates and no stripping ingredients in this all-natural shampoo bar. Activated charcoal plus purifying essential oils leave hair deeply cleansed without stripping it of vital moisture.
● Refresh Natural Cream Deodorant with Lemongrass + Rosemary: A sustainable alternative to drugstore deodorants, our refreshing blend contains coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils to combat odor and keep skin moisturized.
● Plum Brilliance Gift Cards: We all have that one person who isn't so easy to pin down. So for the impossible to shop for, Plum Brilliance offers gift cards. Gift card amounts start at $10 and can be used to purchase any products in our collection online.
Bonus Holiday Survival Tip:
As we're all caught up in the joy of giving this season, let's not forget a little something for ourselves too. It's important to remember some self-care amidst the holiday hustle. Whether it's adding a few extra goodies to your online cart or taking a short, peaceful walk outside, make sure to treat yourself too. You deserve it just as much!
Take a moment to just breathe, soak in the season's beauty, and focus on what really matters.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you, my customers. Your support means the world to me and my herbal product line. I am so grateful for your help in bringing my vision to life and for the growth of my business. It's all thanks to you.
Be well!
With love,
Apryl
Truly, your imagination is the limit - whatever whispers to you!
Chop them finely, let them bathe in tart and tangy raw apple cider vinegar for a month's time. After straining, you might wish for sweetness, and honey shall oblige, creating an oxymel that dances on the tongue. Or, embrace the kick of spicy vinegar as a bold addition to salads and snacks. At the slightest hint of illness, a shot of this concoction is my shield, an herbal warrior boosting the body's defenses.
Embrace the process, unleash your creativity, and may your health flourish!
Herbal lung steams have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for respiratory ailments. These steams are created by boiling water and adding herbs with medicinal properties, which then release their essential oils and other beneficial compounds into the steam. By inhaling this steam, you can promote healing in the lungs, sinuses, and respiratory system.
In addition to their physical benefits, herbal lung steams can also help relax the body and mind. The act of inhaling the steam can have a calming effect, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. This is particularly beneficial for those with anxiety or other stress-related conditions.
If you're not familiar with herbal steaming, here's how it works: you bring a pot of water to a boil, add your chosen herbs, and then lower your face over the pot, covering your head with a towel to create a steam tent. The hot steam carries the aromatic oils of the herbs deep into your lungs, where they help to loosen congestion and promote healing. It's like a sauna for your respiratory system!
When choosing herbs for your lung steam, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure to choose herbs that are safe for internal use and that have properties that support respiratory health. Some of my favorite herbs for lung health include eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, and peppermint - you may already have many of these on hand. Second, be sure to use high-quality herbs that are free from contaminants and pesticides. And finally, remember to use essential oils sparingly - they are highly concentrated plant aromatics and a couple drops goes a long way.
Herbal steaming is a powerful and versatile remedy for respiratory illness that can be done just about anywhere with minimal ingredients. Whether you're traveling or at home, it's a great tool to have in your wellness toolkit. With a little know-how and some high-quality herbs, you can give your lungs the support they need to stay healthy and strong.
In a world that often seems to have lost its sense of magic and wonder, Mugwort, the revered and mystical herb, stands as a beacon of hope. Mugwort, also known as Artemisia vulgaris, has been regarded for centuries as a plant with a deeply spiritual and magical nature. In fact, it is often called the "holy of holies" or "the mother of all healing herbs" due to its powerful connection to the spiritual world and its ability to support reproductive cycles.
For those seeking a deeper connection to their own inner selves and to the universe around them, Mugwort is a powerful ally. It has been used for centuries in sacred women's rites and is believed to be one of the most powerful herbs for enhancing dream states and psychic visioning. Mugwort is known to increase circulation to the uterus and pelvic region, regulate hormone levels, and relieve the symptoms of menstrual disorders such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis.
The magic of Mugwort extends far beyond the physiological realm, however. Many ancient cultures viewed menstruation, or "moontime", as a source of spiritual power. Mugwort was used to help women divine, dream, and "see" during their bleeding time. It is said that Mugwort can help us tap into the power of the moon and the cosmos, allowing us to access the hidden realms of the unconscious mind and unlock our spiritual potential.
In fact, Mugwort's connection to the moon is so strong that the word "menstruation" comes from the Greek menus, meaning both moon and power. According to Dr. Christiane Northrup, "scientific research has documented that the moon rules the flow of fluids (ocean tides as well as individual body fluids) and affects the unconscious mind and dreams." Mugwort is believed to help us align our menstrual cycles with the lunar cycles, allowing us to tap into the power of the cosmos and access our deepest inner selves.
But Mugwort's magic is not limited to menstruation. It is a powerful herb for enhancing all aspects of the menstrual cycle, from menarche to menopause. Mugwort is known to support estrogen-dependent chemical processes and regulate hormone levels, making it an effective tool for relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as anxiety, irritability, and mood swings.
Mugwort's ability to enhance dream states is another of its most powerful gifts. In a world where so many of us are sleep-deprived and dream-deprived, Mugwort can help us tap into the deep well of wisdom that lies within our unconscious minds. Research has shown that dreams and dream imagery change throughout the menstrual cycle, with women who are premenstrual tending to dream more aggressively and remember their dreams more vividly.
Mugwort's connection to the spiritual world is perhaps its most powerful gift of all. It has been used for centuries in sacred women's rites, helping women tap into their inner wisdom and access the hidden realms of the universe. Mugwort is believed to help us communicate with our ancestors, access our intuition, and unlock our spiritual potential. It is no wonder that Mugwort has been called the "mother of all healing herbs" - its spiritual and magical powers are truly unparalleled.
In a world that often seeks to suppress and deny the power of the feminine, Mugwort stands as a beacon of hope. Its connection to the moon, to dreams, and to the spiritual world make it a powerful tool for those seeking to connect with their inner selves and unlock their spiritual potential. Mugwort's gifts are truly magical, and they offer us a glimpse into the deep well of wisdom and power that lies within us all. So if you are seeking a deeper connection to your own inner self and to the universe around you, consider turning to the ancient wisdom of Artemesia.
Nature has always had a special place in my heart, but it wasn't until I was lost in the depths of despair that I truly began to understand its healing power. As I struggled with depression and anxiety, it was the gentle embrace of the earth that helped me to find my way back to myself.
I remember the first time I ventured into the woods after a particularly dark period. I was hesitant at first, not sure if I was ready to face the outside world. But as I walked, something shifted within me. The trees began to speak to me, their branches reaching out like comforting arms. The chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves became a soothing balm for my frayed nerves. And as I sat by a babbling brook, I felt a sense of peace wash over me that I had not experienced in a long time.
It was in that moment that I realized the true power of nature. It was not just a place to escape to, but a source of healing and renewal. The elements - earth, air, fire, water - all played a role in my recovery. The solidity of the earth ground me and gave me stability. The air filled my lungs with oxygen and cleared my mind. The fire of the sun warmed my skin and lifted my spirits. And the water of the stream cleansed me, physically and emotionally.
As I continued to spend time in nature, I began to understand the magic that surrounds us. The way the trees dance in the wind, the way the flowers unfurled their petals to soak up the sun, the way the clouds formed and dissipated in the sky - it was all part of a larger, more interconnected web. And as I became more attuned to this web, I felt myself becoming more attuned to my own rhythms and cycles.
I began to see the world through new eyes - eyes that were open to the wonders and mysteries of the natural world. I saw the beauty in the smallest of things, like the way a spider spins its web or the way a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. I saw the power of the elements, the way a thunderstorm can clear the air or the way a wildfire can renew the soil. And I saw the importance of balance, the way the ebb and flow of the tides mirror the ebb and flow of our own lives.
Nature became my teacher and my ally, helping me to find my way back to myself and to live in harmony with the world around me. As I continue to journey through the elements, I am filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the magic that surrounds us.
So I encourage you to take a step outside and explore the natural world. Allow yourself to be enveloped by the trees, the flowers, the sky. Let the elements - earth, air, fire, water - work their magic on you. And as you do, remember that you are part of something larger, something more interconnected and beautiful than you can imagine.
]]>These little green buggers are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. In fact, nettles have one of the highest concentrations of iron of any plant, making them a great choice for vegetarians and vegans looking to boost their iron intake.
These plant compounds can help to reduce inflammation and protect against diseases like cancer. Nettles are also rich in quercetin, a type of flavonoid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. So basically, if you're looking to become a superhero, nettles should definitely be on your grocery list.
They're often used in natural beauty products because they can help to reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation. Nettles are also thought to be beneficial for acne-prone skin, thanks to their astringent properties. My cedarwood soap contains loads of skin-loving nettles!
They're thought to be beneficial for hair growth and can help to prevent dandruff. Nettles are rich in silica, a mineral that's important for healthy hair and nails. They're even thought to be stimulating for hair growth and preventing dandruff. Basically, nettles can turn you into a glowing, luscious-haired goddess (or god).
Nettles love moist, nutrient-rich soil and can often be found near streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. They have small, green leaves that are serrated, or toothed, on the edges and thin, green stems. And, of course, they're covered in those pesky little stinging hairs that make them so much fun to touch. Just kidding, please don't touch them without gloves or long sleeves unless you enjoy being in pain. Nettles are a common weed, so you may even be able to find them in your own backyard!
Once you've properly harvested your nettles (AKA plucked them from the ground while avoiding the stinging hairs), you can use them fresh or dried in a variety of recipes. One popular option is to make nettle tea, which is as simple as steeping a handful of fresh or dried nettles in hot water for a few minutes, then straining and enjoying. Nettle tea is a refreshing and nourishing beverage that's great for boosting your immune system and improving your skin health. You can use them fresh or dried in a variety of recipes, like tea, soup, and pesto. Nettles can be used in place of spinach in dishes like lasagna and quiche, or added to soups and stews for a boost of nutrients.
They have a slightly earthy, grassy flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients. If you were lucky enough to snag a fall CSH box you received some delicious nettle seed salt! Nettles are quite mild when cooked, so they won't overpower the flavors of other ingredients in your dish. For example, you could try tossing some chopped nettles into a potato leek soup or a batch of vegetarian chili. Or, if you're feeling really wild, you can use nettles as a replacement for spinach in dishes like lasagna or quiche. The possibilities are endless (well, maybe not endless, but there are definitely a few options).
They're a wild plant that can be easily foraged, making them a sustainable choice for your diet. And because nettles are a weed, you're not taking away from the resources of a farmer or farmer's market when you forage them.
Okay, maybe "fun" isn't the right word, but there's a certain satisfaction that comes from successfully collecting these pesky plants without getting stung. Just make sure to wear gloves or long sleeves to protect yourself from the stinging hairs, and you'll be good to go.
From boosting your immune system to improving your skin and hair health, nettles have a ton of potential health benefits. They're also a natural diuretic, which can help to reduce bloating and improve digestion.
In conclusion, nettles may be annoying to touch, but they're secretly packed with nutrients and have a ton of potential health benefits. Whether you use them to make tea, add them to soups and stews, or incorporate them into other dishes, nettles are a tasty and healthy way to spice up your diet and improve your overall health. Just make sure to wear gloves when handling them, or you may regret it.
This recipe uses fresh nettles in place of basil to make a flavorful pesto sauce that'll have your taste buds tingling. Blend together a handful of fresh nettles, a cup of grated Parmesan cheese, a clove of garlic, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup of olive oil in a food processor or blender. Use the pesto as a spread for sandwiches or as a pasta sauce for a little extra kick.
This creamy soup is a delicious way to enjoy nettles and feel like you're getting a little bit of revenge on those pesky plants. Sauté a diced onion in a bit of olive oil until it's softened, then add in a few cups of chopped nettles, a diced potato, and enough chicken or vegetable broth to cover the vegetables. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it's smooth, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve it up and enjoy getting a little bit of payback on those nettles.
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover nettles and give them a new lease on life (well, sort of). Sauté a diced onion in a bit of olive oil until it's softened, then add in a few cups of chopped nettles and cook until they're wilted. Beat together a few eggs in a bowl, then pour them over the nettles and onions in the pan. Cook the frittata over medium heat until it's set, then slice and serve. This dish is a great way to give those nettles a second chance at impressing you (even though they failed the first time around).
This creamy risotto is a delicious way to enjoy nettles and feel like you're really treating yourself. Sauté a diced onion in a bit of butter until it's softened, then add in a cup of Arborio rice and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is coated in butter and starting to turn translucent. Add in a few cups of chicken or vegetable broth, a cup of white wine, and a handful of fresh nettles, then simmer the risotto until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Stir in a bit of grated Parmesan cheese and serve. This dish is sure to make you feel fancy, even if the nettles are still a little bit annoying.
I hope these recipes give you some inspiration for using nettles in your cooking!
First step, google right? But when I search "How to run a magical business," I get results like – starting a magic shop, how to be a professional magician, how to open a trading card shop. Magic has become pigeonholed, applying only to illusionists or Harry Potter wizards.
And yet, I would consider magic an integral part of what I do – not in the wand-waving, hocus pocus sense – but in regards to accessing the unseen sparks of this world.
If I told you plants talk, would you believe me? Try it sometime. Sit with a plant – pick the one you're naturally drawn to – and just wait. Thoughts, ideas, images, phrases will slowly rise to the surface of your consciousness, like murky water settling, you'll begin to get glimpses into the pond.
Of course, a cynic would say these are your own fabrications, something our restless human mind creates. As an herbalist, I believe it's shared communication and energy of recognition between us (people) and the plants we have so much history with.
Magic is the intuitive feeling in my gut, a friend calling when I'm thinking of them. It's the spark that charged through me upon meeting my partner and the wonder of the children that my body somehow knew how to grow. Those grounded feelings when I'm deep in the forest, the intensity of the desert, the purifying raw power of the ocean, all of the unquantifiable, immeasurable aspects to life – the bits we can't explain – that's magic.
Heading out to harvest is a magical experience and the basis for this business. All things are energy, and it's my goal to share the nurturing healing power of nature in the products I create. While crafting, my heart is full of love, wishes for health, and wellness for each of you. I hold that intention all the way up until I ship your package off to you. There's magic even in the packaging!
While I believe the world is doing what it does, and it's merely our perception that changes, I also think it can be influenced by our intentions. My feelings were validated upon reading "The Hidden Messages of Water." Written by Dr. Masaru Emoto, the Japanese scientist who revolutionized the idea that our thoughts and intentions impact the physical realm, is one of the most important water researchers the world has known. For over 20 years until he passed away in 2014, he studied the scientific evidence of how the molecular structure in water transforms when it is exposed to human words, thoughts, sounds, and intentions.
It's this theory that I try to utilize when crafting and running my business.
This year I've surrendered fully to running my business from a magical perspective, with complete trust in the process. I've heard everything I "should" do to be successful. Still, perhaps the definition of success in the business world is different from mine. The reviews I've received from customers feel pretty successful.
Many changes are occurring, changes I'm super excited to share with you! I have the opportunity to head into nature more than I ever have before. More extended periods of solitude and reflection will mean increased creativity (I hope)! As a one-woman business – I wear ALL the hats – orders will not ship out while I'm gone, and I'll mark all inventory to zero. Once I return, I'll start crafting and reopening ordering. Using the back-in-stock notifications is a great way to be alerted once products go back up.
One idea I've been toying with is a CSH (community-supported herbalism) surprise box. The area I'd recently spent time in and what plants were available to harvest would determine the box's contents. It would contain things like salves, oils, lotions, tinctures, teas, or salts. Boxes would be limited and only available for a specific time. This would allow unlimited creativity and a great sense of the local terroir.
Thank you for all your support and for joining me on my untraditional adventures. True magic happens when we make space for it!
With Love,
Apryl
]]>At Plum Brilliance, these rhythms inform the process of choosing and gathering ingredients for our favorite self care formulas. The lush landscape of fall provides an incredibly beautiful bounty, so this autumn we are focusing on some key botanicals that are at their peak this season. Let’s take a closer look...
For thousands of years, roses have been cultivated for their medicinal, energetic and beautifying properties. Local and sustainable, wild roses are a particularly special breed, warranting just a bit more care and attention to harvest. The bushes’ thick and tangled brambles require patience and awareness. Their richly scented perfume encourages the harvester to be present in nature, and in the moment.
When used in remedy recipes, rose provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for the body and skin. The various parts of a rose - petals, rosehips, rose oil - contain high levels of Vitamins A, B, C, E and K, bioflavonoids and polyphenols. In beauty elixirs, rose is as calming, soothing and softening for the skin as it is for the heart.
“Sweet, delicate, rose supports heart space while creating healthy boundaries with their thorny disposition.
The scent of wild rose is far more graceful and complex than any garden variety, this plant embraces the spirit of wildness, softness and strength – a trusting way of living, full of openness and wonder.
With its unique and powerful energetics, we could all use some more rose in our lives. The mountain creeks and meadows I harvest from imprint their signature in the products I craft.”
With its subtle sweet scent and delicate white petals, the elder tree has become a staple in folk medicine and is attributed with having many wellness benefits and more than a few magical properties. Both the elderflowers and elderberries bring a naturally brightening boost to any recipe.
As ingredients go, elderflowers and berries are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral. They’re packed with A and B Vitamins for calming and repair, as well as Vitamins C and E for skin immunity support and a radiant, healthy glow.
“Thanks to our warm climate it is possible to gather elderflowers from the time when they first peek out in spring to even now, while most trees are in berry or finished with their fruiting cycle, a few rogue trees remain in flower - determined to hold onto summer until the last possible moment.
The elder tree is surrounded with stories of magic – a place for the faeries and the spirits.”
Believed to be one of the oldest living plants on the planet - perhaps as old as 11,000 years - the creosote bush thrives in desert climates and produces the small, but aromatically potent, chaparral leaves. These resinous leaves have been found to aid the plant in numerous capacities, protecting it from the sun, promoting water retention and deterring predators.
Quite similarly, when used for self care, chaparral can help protect against environmental stressors, fight free radical damage, and offer protection the skin's surface. It is antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory to boot.
“Powerfully antimicrobial and antifungal, this plant is one of the best choices for wound care. I harvest this plant deep in the desert floor. Tenacious and hardy, chaparral can be harvested throughout most of the year.”
In Fall, the honey-scented yellow flowers of goldenrod are in high bloom and ready for harvest in the quiet mountain meadows where they flourish. Goldenrod tends to be featured heavily in teas, tinctures and other immune boosting remedies as it has many medicinal benefits, particularly for seasonal allergies and colds. Topically it is an amazing pain reliever, working on ailments from skin irritations to muscle aches.
There are believed to be over 100 different species of goldenrod, but, across the board, herbalists agree that it is a wonderful remedy to have in any holistic toolkit. It is a rich source of numerous nutritional compounds including saponins, flavonoids, Vitamin C and other antioxidants.
“These bright yellow flowers bloom in the fall and my favorite place to harvest them is high in the mountains – in calm, quiet meadows. The spaces that I harvest remind me of the effects I feel from this plant. There is a soothing, calmness to it - pain-relieving but more for muscle aches, strains, and overuse. Works magic on sore feet at the end of a long day.”
Multifaceted mugwort possesses many potent properties in both the earthly realm and the otherworldly. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and dating back to ancient times, mugwort has been used for everything from flavoring food to provoking deep dreams and accessing mystical gateways. A member of the daisy family it grows in dense weedy patches, often near water sources with plenty of sunlight.
In more recent years, mugwort has been appearing in beauty and skincare products due to its ability to fight inflammation, and balance and promote better moisture retention. It’s also super skin nourishing with all the antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties needed to support a healthy complexion.
“A portal herb, one that opens the space between the seen and the felt. A guardian in dreams and a guide into the subconscious. An ally in dreamwork, helping the conscious dreamer achieve heightened mental states.
Mugwort has been used as a plant of protection for millennia, a braid of mugwort by a door to help ward off illness and negative spirits or energies. A moon herb, a woman’s herb, ruled by Venus and water – helps access the feminine.”
Wild chokecherries are one more botanical that evokes autumn. The chokecherry tree boasts not only beautiful fruit, but also a thick, flaky bark that is also harvested and used in various remedies. It can be boiled for its medicinal properties and often appears in recipes for respiratory and immune health.
Though they have a bitter and acidic taste, chokecherries contain a ton of nutrition in their small dense package. They’re high in Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K along with potassium, folate and betaine.
“While I don’t use chokecherries in any of the products I create, it is one of the plants I harvest in the fall.
Gorgeous dark red fruit makes delicious cordials and the bark is one of the best for spasmodic coughs and respiratory illness.”
With such a brilliant cornucopia of plants, herbs and florals to be inspired by, this is the perfect time to pause, be grateful, and indulge in seasonal delights while they last. Be sure to get outdoors, breathe in that autumn air and soak up those final daylight hours before solstice. Come winter, we’ll be back with more seasonal ingredients and slow self care.
References:
https://wonderbotanica.com/newsletter-archive/rose-medicine
http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2010/05/bathe-yourself-in-roses.html
https://sacredearth.com/2020/05/24/all-about-the-elder-tree-its-myths-magic-and-medicine/
https://rawbeautyskincare.com.au/blogs/news/3-ways-magic-elderflower-benefits-your-skin
https://theherbalacademy.com/health-benefits-of-goldenrod/
https://mountainroseherbs.com/chaparral-leaf
https://mythicmedicine.love/blog-full-archive/the-magic-of-mugwort?rq=mugwort
https://highermindincense.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Mugwort-Monograph.pdf
]]>This time of year is also perfect for more sensuous self care and slowing down - two things we’re very passionate about at Plum Brilliance.
In recent years, more skincare experts, beauty bloggers and self care advocates alike are increasingly starting to talk about the concept of Slow Beauty. The idea behind Slow Beauty is a more intentional and pared down approach to beauty that is unconcerned with quick fixes, big brand names, or trendy formulas.
Rather, Slow Beauty focuses on simple, practical protocols, using natural ingredients, bespoke products, and sometimes tools, to facilitate a more nurturing and holistic form of self care.
One benefit of Slow Beauty is that it elevates ordinary routine acts, and transforms them into a more mindful experience. Over time, this can help improve your stress levels, your sleep and even your mood. In other words, what’s not to love about Slow Beauty?
Although there's no right or wrong way to practice Slow Beauty, a change of seasons is always a good time to check in with your own routines and rituals to make sure they still resonate. To help you get started, here are a few of our favorite tips:
Often, the greatest obstacle for forming healthy habits is time. Many of us think we don’t have enough time to execute a skincare routine, let alone a yoga practice. However, it’s important to remember that self care doesn’t have to be elaborate or take hours to do.
Even five minutes can be enough to reboot your brain and recharge your battery levels. It’s also a misconception that self care is selfish. In actuality, taking time to care for yourself is what will allow you to be more present and energized to show up for others. If you only have a few minutes, choose something you truly love to do and savor every second. Your body, your brain (and your loved ones) will thank you.
For escaping distraction and other daily stressors that can derail your relaxation, sometimes a change of venue can be a powerful thing. If you have the ability to create a small space in your home that is all your own, that can be one way to provide yourself with some much needed respite. However, having a favorite coffee shop to call your spot works just as well. Need a break from noise and screens? Try spending time in a park or other natural space you love. Getting outdoors can really be a great way to get refreshed and gather new inspiration.
In order to encourage consistency, consider creating rituals that you’ll want to return to again and again. One way to do this is by leaning into the little details and enriching your routine with some sensory accouterments. It’s also a good idea to change the details up from time to time, so you don’t get bored.
Fragrances in the form of candles or incense can be chosen to evoke the scent of the season. Products and tools provide a sense of touch and texture, while mood lighting is pleasing to the sight, and music fulfills a need for soothing sound. You could even brew up some tea or bake yourself a favorite festive treat to satisfy your taste buds and round out the entire experience.
Another obstacle to practicing self care can be the expectation that it must be done absolutely correctly and consistently, every single day, in order to count. However, when we set these kinds of rigid expectations for ourselves, we’re more likely to make a misstep and give up altogether.
Instead, try to remember that Slow Beauty is a journey and about embracing progress over perfection. If you encounter a challenging day or week or even a whole year, it’s okay to skip days or steps in the routine. What matters more is that you do what you can and always find your way back to yourself.
Ready to spice up your self care for fall? Here are a few of our favorite Plum Brilliance products for autumn:
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you an amazing fall season full of your favorite self care rituals. Do you have a fall skincare tip or autumnal tradition you love? Be sure to share it with us in the comments!
]]>Yet, as we grow and become adults, the amount of time we spend with bare feet connected to earth begins to shrink. Donning shoes or flip flops becomes second nature, and we slowly forget that feeling of joy that comes from spending time outdoors sans shoes.
We lose that connection.
But that loss doesn’t have to be permanent. Through the practice of grounding—or earthing—it is possible to reconnect with the earth. And, as the medical community slowly catches up with what our bodies have been telling us for centuries, more medical experts are acknowledging the fact that grounding plays an important role in our overall health.
Everything on earth that is composed of atoms (which is…well, everything) carries an electric charge that is positive, negative, or neutral. If you’ve ever shuffled your feet over a carpet then grabbed a metal doorknob and received a little shock, you’ve experienced the zingy transfer of electrons from your body to the metal.
We are electrical creatures living in an electrical world, and those charges are constantly moving through us. Unfortunately, the transfer occurs less frequently than it did when we lived in closer connection with the earth—regularly walking barefoot and sleeping directly on the ground. These days, we’re almost always wearing shoes and enjoying our supremely comfy, elevated beds. As a result, the charge in our bodies becomes unbalanced and can negatively affect our health.
The concept of grounding is relatively new, and the medical community is slowly realizing the importance of the practice. Recent studies have found:
The easiest way to experience grounding is by placing bare feet…or hands…on the ground, dirt, or sand for an extended period. Most experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes for maximum effects. If you have a backyard, head outside and lay in the grass, or sit in a chair with your feet firmly against the earth. Enjoy an outdoor yoga session.
We happen to make a lovely product specifically for maximizing your grounding experience. Our Roots Natural Wildcrafted Grounding Body Oil is a carefully crafted blend of oils and herbs to heighten your grounding experience and nourish your body, inside and out.
Made with Pedicularis, an herb heralded for its musculoskeletal relaxation properties, and harvested high in the mountains, this grounding oil brings the body into a gently relaxed state.
Pedicularis is particularly wonderful for those struggling with anxiety and, when combined with a regular grounding practice, can help ease the symptoms. It is through grounding that we reconnect to the earth and balance excess air qualities. By incorporating grounding oil into your practice, you’ll create a powerful realignment with the earth.
As you root yourself and reconnect to the earth, find a tree and take hold. Allow your hands to explore the bark and the beauty of its’ texture. As you feel your mood lifting, know it is no accident—trees are rife with very dense earth energy as their roots dive deep into the soil. Connecting to trees releases oxytocin in the brain and can have a profound impact on mood and internal wellness.
You can also take your grounding practice indoors by indulging in a restorative salt bath. Adding 1 – 2 cups of natural sea or Epsom salt to your bath water aids in pathway detoxification and muscle relaxation. Try to soak for a minimum of 20 minutes to achieve maximum benefits.
And don’t forget about the food you put into your body. Every food source has its own unique energy properties and can affect our bodies in negative or positive ways. How we choose to nourish our bodies and the foods we choose to eat can affect our overall sense of groundedness. Avoid foods that are light, airy, and cold—smoothies, granola, popcorn—as an excess of such foods can contribute to feelings of instability and anxiety. Instead, reach for foods that are warm, comforting, and made from ingredients close to the earth—root vegetables, warm carrots, potatoes, soups, stews, kitchari. Such foods can return us to our bodies and ground us.
I encourage you to use the great outdoors for your grounding sessions. It is the most natural version of the process—the way the earth intended it.
After all, we are part of the earth.
We are of the earth.
Our connectedness to each other cannot be argued or denied. How marvelous it is to recapture those magical moments of childhood, to once again sit in stillness upon the earth, to envision the invisible pathway as electrons come and go…ebb and flow…from the earth into us.
And, if this experience is new to you, if you never had the joy rooting yourself to the earth during childhood, I invite you to try it today. The earth, she is still there, waiting for you. And that child, is still there, too, safely tucked inside of you.
Perhaps it’s time to introduce them to one other.
[1] National Library of Medicine
[3] Journal of Alternative & Complimentary Medicine
]]>
While combating oil has historically been the goal of aggressive skincare products and treatments, the beauty industry is now seeing a surge in facial oils and other oil-based skincare products. Word is getting out that oils are a gentle, yet amazingly effective option for treating the skin.
Despite all the known benefits of facial oils, rumors persist that oil treatments are only for certain skin types and off limits to anyone with oily or acne prone skin, but that simply isn’t true. Rather, it’s quite the opposite. All skin types and conditions can benefit greatly from the healing and nourishing power of facial oils.
You see, your skin relies on some pretty complex chemistry to stay balanced. Water, oils and acids all exist in delicate harmony on the surface of the epidermis; functioning together to form your skin’s natural protective barrier. All are necessary to maintain stasis and synergy.
Unfortunately, many factors can disrupt your skin’s natural oil production cycles, including stress, environment, hormones and nutrition. When this happens, even naturally oily skin can become compromised and therefore more vulnerable to issues like acne, inflammation and irritation.
For this reason, incorporating a facial oil (or two!) into your daily skincare rituals can be incredibly beneficial. Facial oils have the potential to not only to aid in repair but also to create softer, smoother and more radiant skin. The secret? Understanding which oils will best support your skin type and concerns. Here’s what you need to know:
The Comedogenic Rating Scale is a system developed in the late 1970s, which rates various oils and butters according to the likelihood that they will clog the follicles. This research ranks ingredients on a scale of zero to five; zero being not at all pore-clogging and five being the highest likelihood of clogging pores.
While the comedogenic scale can be very helpful in choosing the right oils for your skin, it’s important to note that it doesn’t tell us the whole story. Because everyone’s skin is a bit different, modern skincare science is finding it more relevant to classify oils according to their ratio of two different types of fatty acids - linoleic and oleic. Most facial oils or serums contain both linoleic and oleic acid in varying ratios.
Linoleic acid is Omega-6, an essential fatty acid that aids in making hormones and is a component of the skin’s lipid barrier. The sebaceous glands also use linoleic acid as a compound in the production of sebum. In nature, borage, black currant, rosehip seed, argan, hemp, safflower and evening primrose oil are all rich sources of linoleic acid.
As a general rule, non-comedogenic oils have a higher ratio of linoleic to oleic acid and are the better choice for acneic skin. New research has found that acne sufferers tend to have lower levels of linoleic acid on the surface of the skin and this can contribute to more congestion in the pores.
Oleic acid on the other hand is another essential fatty acid - Omega-9 - and is better for dry, sensitive or mature skin. Some examples of oils high in oleic acid include jojoba, coconut, sea buckthorn, avocado and shea.
Oils high in oleic acid are hydrating and anti-inflammatory making them a great choice to boost moisture levels and calm irritation. However, many oleic acid-rich oils tend to rank higher on the comedogenic scale, meaning they have more potential to cause problems for acne prone skin.
Understanding both the transformative potency of plant-based oil blends and the intricate nuance of formulating with proper linoleic and oleic ratios, Plum Brilliance has created not just one but three different artisan facial oil treatments:
Other important things to know
As an herbalist I adore oils, I can infuse whole plants into them to create complex, potent skincare. While essential oils capture the volatile oil portion of a plant, a whole plant infusion will contain more constituents -including the ones that are too heavy to be distilled into an essential oil. This creates a skin treatment that is gentle yet highly effective, just like nature intended!
Our wildcrafted skincare is small batch and utilizes a plethora of wild and organic ingredients to naturally nourish the skin. All three of Plum Brilliance’s facial oil treatments can be used by all skin types. However, we do have a few tips for best results:
If you are prone to clogged pores, you may want to opt for our Balance oil over the jojoba-based Hydrate blend. Likewise, if you struggle with dry skin you may find that the light feel of the Balance oil isn’t enough moisture for you and instead opt for the Hydrate or Immortelle Oil. Immortelle is the perfect choice for those looking for a regenerative oil to promote healthy, even-toned, glowing skin.
Oils can be used at part of your A.M. routine, P.M. routine or both, but consistency is key to creating results that last. We recommend applying about 2-5 drops in the morning and at bedtime.
Try to spend a few mindful minutes applying your product with intention. Gently massage your facial oil treatment into the neck and face, to stimulate the skin and ensure that the product gets deeply absorbed.
Allow a few minutes to pass before applying moisturizer or makeup and you will love the instant natural glow of your newly-nourished skin.
References:
Comedogenic Scale: What is it? By Sarah Nguyen
https://purposeandbeauty.com/blogs/news/comedogenic-scale-what-is-it
Essential fatty acids and acne by DT Downing, ME Stewart, PW Wertz and JS Strauss
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2936775/
Which Non-Comedogenic Oils Are Best for Acne-Prone Skin?
https://thisisfeel.com/blogs/blog/non-comedogenic-oils
The emerging principles for acne biogenesis: A dermatological problem of puberty
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452231717300064
Comedogenic Ratings
]]>Although ancient wisdom has known about the magic of the lymphatic system for centuries, it has only recently begun to enter the modern beauty conversation as more and more wellness experts make the connection between lymph and the many body processes it plays a role in. As it turns out, the secret to radiant health and a vibrant complexion may be lying just below the surface of the skin.
An intricate web of some 700 lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, lymph fluid, the thymus gland and the spleen make up the lymphatic system, and this system works in collaboration with the circulatory and immune systems to protect the body from disease.
The lymphatic system is also your body's natural detoxification and purification system, working to destroy invading bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms. It then removes waste by carrying impurities away from the body cells and into the bloodstream.
In recent years, holistic skincare experts have come to recognize lymphatic health as being deeply connected to skin health.
Because the lymphatic system sits just below the skin's surface, stagnant lymph can contribute to a host of common issues, including acne, blackheads, dark circles and puffiness, dull skin, and even discoloration. Encouraging healthy lymph flow aids in keeping waste from accumulating at an epidermal level and keeps the skin looking vibrant and radiant.
But beyond the surface level benefits of supporting your lymph system, it's also super important for internal health. Lymphatic stagnation has been linked to everything from fatigue to bloating, joint stiffness, hemorrhoids, menstrual pain, brain fog, cellulite, swelling, cold hands or feet as well as other chronic conditions. The presence of these symptoms can often be a sign that the
the lymph system needs a boost.
A bit of good news: the lymphatic system is very sophisticated and adaptable. It only requires a bit of stimulation to get things flowing and moving again.
Methods like dry brushing, heated compresses, and manual lymphatic drainage massage aid in rejuvenating the lymphatic system, as does physical exercise. In fact, one of the best ways to support your lymphatic system is simply to incorporate more movement into your daily practices.
Because the lymph system lacks its own central pump, it relies instead on a complex system of one-way valves and muscle movements to direct fluid within the body. Meditation and breathing exercises can be impactful for supporting your lymphatic system by helping to relax and contract the muscles. Additionally, walking, yoga, and light stretching are excellent ways to gently move your body and your lymph along with it.
To encourage better lymphatic flow and long-term health for your lymph system, botanicals,herbal oils, and other plant-based remedies can also be incredibly helpful. Knowing this, Plum Brilliance Apothecary has created a couple of unique self-care products that holistically address the lymph system:
Our Rivers Natural Lymphatic Body Oil and our Natural Wood Gua Sha tool were both created with the lymphatic system in mind.
Our Rivers Natural Lymphatic Body oil is an herbal massage oil for the face and body and is infused with a unique blend of lymph-nourishing ingredients - primarily Ocotillo and Clary sage - to encourage lymphatic circulation and movement.
Ocotillo goes by several aliases: coachwhip, desert coral, or candle-wood; and is considered a semi-succulent perennial. To some, Ocotillo may look like just another species of desert cacti - a tangle of waxy leaves, desert thorns, and tufts of red flowers. However, naturopaths know otherwise. Ocotillo is powerful plant medicine - particularly for the lymphatic system.
As stated by Rebecca Altman of Wonder Bontanica,
"Ocotillo, at the core of its action, moves stagnation: specifically the lymph and the blood and indirectly, the interstitial fluids. It affects all the deep fluids of the body. Much like its branches come together and concentrate at its base, ocotillo’s effect tends to go to the root of the problem, and spread out from there. As a result ocotillo’s effects are incredibly broad-reaching.
Due to its small growing range, that ocotillo isn’t well known commercially is understandable (and its population couldn’t supply the demand were it to become popular in commerce). However for those of us who live within its growing range, or have friends who live within its growing range, it is an unbelievably useful plant, one that I personally would never want to be without, not for its medicinal properties (which as we’ve discussed, are broad-reaching indeed), nor the way its torch-like flowers light up the hillsides in the spring, or for what it has to teach us all about seizing the moment— something one can only really do if one has let go of the past."
Ocotillo has numerous healing properties but is particularly helpful for issues of deep stagnation in the pelvis, liver deficiency, and lymphatic stagnation. All of these separate things are affected by ocotillo’s energetic action of gently moving, shifting and dredging stagnation, especially in the fluids of the body. related to the pelvic region. Medicinally, the flowers and bark of the plant have been used for hundreds of years in folk medicine to treat coughs and colds, pelvic congestion, painful or irregular periods, joint pain, and other conditions.
Today, modern-day science understands that all of these conditions can be linked back to stagnant lymph. Contemporary herbalists are even using ocotillo to address reproductive issues and digestive problems related to the gut - which is home to much of our lymphatic tissue.
With roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, gua sha originated as a treatment of scraping or stroking the skin with a stone or wooden tool to stimulate blood flow to the tissue. For centuries, gua sha has been used to treat chronic pain and stagnation in the body - including stagnant lymph.
Facial gua sha is a variation of gua sha that uses more gentle and fluid movements to facilitate lymphatic drainage in the face and neck area. This process works to flush out excess fluid in the face, giving it an instantly more sculpted and lifted appearance. It also stimulates circulation, nourishing the skin and giving it a boost of healthy glow.
If you're ready to get hands-on with caring for your skin and your lymph system, here are a few tips for performing your gua sha massage:
The neck is home to many tiny clusters of lymph nodes. It is also the primary channel facilitating lymph flow from the head to the rest of the body, making this a key area to work as part of any gua sha ritual.
A best practice is to open first with long gliding strokes from the base of the neck up to the chin. This helps to warm up the neck and stimulate the flow of blood and lymph. At the end of your practice, use the same long strokes to glide down the neck and close out the massage. This ensures that excess puffiness and stagnation are flushed from the face
and helps naturally detoxify the skin.
Because your lymphatic system sits close to the surface of the skin, only very light pressure is necessary to move it. Deep pressure tends to work the muscle tissue and not the lymph, so be mindful to keep movements long and light, gliding along the skin's surface. As much as possible, you will want to hold your tool at about a fifteen degree angle, nearly flat to the skin.
When working with facial massage, using oil is a must to prevent dragging, pulling, or tugging on the delicate skin of the face. Not only will the product facilitate slip on the surface of the skin, but the tool will also help infuse the nourishing benefits of the oil into the skin for the ultimate synergistic treatment.
Similar to the neck, the face contains numerous clusters of lymph nodes, most of which are located near the ears and along the jaw. For this reason, it is essential to always work from the center of the face out towards the sides of the face to encourage proper lymphatic drainage.
Another best practice when working with a facial tool is to work in strokes that follow the natural bone structure of your face. You can divide the face into sections, working along the jawline, the cheekbone, and the arch of the forehead.
Continue to work with fluid strokes to move the lymph outwards. This will create a sculpting effect in the face, making the cheekbones and jawline more defined. It can even help to instantly depuff the eye area and lift furrowed brows.
References:
https://wonderbotanica.com/library/2014/09/ocotillo
https://backwaterbotanics.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/ocotillo-fouqueria-splendens/
Our Lymphatic System: The River That Runs Through Us
https://plantiful.ca/pages/our-lymphatic-system-the-river-that-runs-through-us
Decongest Your Lymphatic System for Vibrant Health by Jennifer Weinberg
https://chopra.com/articles/decongest-your-lymphatic-system-for-vibrant-health
Ocotillo: La Guadalupe’s Torch by Kiva Rose
https://unitedplantsavers.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2013-member-journal.pdf
Elderflower champagne is a naturally bubbly, mildly alcoholic cocktail with a delicate flavor made from the lacy, cream-colored flowers of the elderberry shrub. We have Mexican elders (Sambucus mexicana) at low elevations and regular elders (Sambucus nigra) in the mountains in Southern California. One of the differences between the Mexican Elder and the regular Elder is that the flowers are usually half to a quarter of the regular Elder's size, which alters the recipe somewhat.
You may recognize elderflowers from some of the products I craft, like immortelle, hydrate and wildlfowers soap. While I harvest these tiny lacy flowers for products I also set some aside for my most favorite fermented drink!
If you want to harvest your own elderflowers, proper identification is absolutely necessary, as with all wild plants! There is a poisonous lookalike for Elder. Poison Hemlock grows cream-colored flowers in similarly shaped umbels. Hemlock can grow over 6 feet in height, and while the plant looks nothing like the Elder tree, I have seen them growing up into an Elder tree and blooming in the same space as the elderflowers. Always sort your plants after harvesting to make sure everything you've picked is what you think it is!
Of course, you can purchase elderflowers from many small herb farms. If you doubt your botany skills or don't have a reliable, experienced wildcrafter to teach you, I recommend this route. I love Pacific Botanicals and Oshla for high-quality, fresh, potent plant material.
I don't know why the wine is called champagne—perhaps it's due to the color and the fact that it's bubbly. The old recipes make no mention of adding yeast because it's present on the flowers. I've had moderate success (probably around 70 percent) with spontaneous fermentation from the flowers, so these days I usually add some champagne or wine yeast if I don't see any signs of fermentation after a couple of days.
30 large Mexican elderflower heads or 20 regular elderflower heads
1 gallon (3.78 L)water
3 cups (500–600 g) white sugar
3–4 lemons, zested and sliced
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)
Champagne or wine yeast (optional—flowers should have wild yeast)
Pick the elderflowers when they're all young and pollen-rich. Fresh Mexican elderflowers have a greenish appearance, while older flowers have a whiter appearance. Elderflowers are brimming with tiny bugs, as you'll soon learn. Put the flowers in a bowl outside for about an hour, and many bugs will leave. You'll be straining the mixture, so any leftover bugs are not a big deal.
Place the water in a container, add the sugar, and stir with a clean spoon to make sure it's dissolved.
Add the lemon zest and lemon slices, the elderflowers (remove as much of the stems as you can without going crazy about it), and the vinegar to the container and stir briefly with a clean spoon. Some people add commercial yeast at this stage.
Close the container, but not so tight that fermentation gases can't escape. You can also place a clean towel on top. Let the mixture stand for anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. If you didn't use yeast, you should see some bubbles after 48 hours, indicating that the fermentation from wild yeast is active. If this doesn't occur, then add some yeast at this stage. Using a clean spoon, make sure that you stir the liquid for a few seconds three or four times a day during this process.
Strain the liquid (after 48 hours if additional yeast was necessary) into your fermenting vessel (bottle or bucket). Let the fermentation go for another four days. Using a layered cheesecloth when straining the liquid removes any remaining bugs.
Your final step is to bottle your champagne in recycled soda bottles or swing-top glass bottles. Let it ferment for a week before enjoying it. I like to check the pressure from time to time by unscrewing the bottle slightly to make sure it's not excessive. If using swing-top bottles, very slowly open the top to avoid spraying the bubbly contents everywhere. It seems exploding bottles are a right of passage among fermenters. We all have a story!
Recipe and header photo by Pascal Bauder
Questions? Comments? Leave a message below!
]]>To help you out, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about a beauty movement that is transforming the cosmetics industry.
]]>If you’ve attempted to navigate your nearest skin care aisle recently, you know the options can be overwhelming. Step inside any big beauty store and you’ll likely find a dizzying array of pretty bottles and boxes all touting enticing miracle properties.
However by now, you probably know that not all cosmetics are created equal. You may have heard whispers about green or clean beauty and the importance of choosing more natural care products for your health. But what exactly is clean beauty and why is so it important?
To help you out, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about a beauty movement that is transforming the cosmetics industry.
According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, the cosmetics and personal care product industry is severely under-regulated.
EWG explains that the Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing on ingredients in personal care products but additionally, more than 80 years has passed since the United States government last updated federal laws regarding the safety of cosmetic products.
It’s worth noting that in Europe, the EU has banned or restricted 2,762 chemicals, whereas the United States has banned only eleven. What’s more, the government does not actually require health studies or pre-market testing in order for a product to be sold. Of the 10,500+ ingredients that have been determined by the FDA, only about 15% have actually been evaluated for safety.
In 2010, a Canadian study compiled a list known as the Dirty Dozen or Toxic Twelve. This now infamous list cites twelve different common chemicals and compounds that consumers should avoid. Yet over a decade later, many of these ingredients - parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan and others - are still showing up on the label of many beloved drug store brands.
The ingredients that comprise the dirty dozen are labeled as such based on suspected claims that they can disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormones. Some are seen as potentially cancer-causing. Others cause irritation to the skin. Ingredients like fragrance can even be problematic due to a lack of transparency in labeling. Fragrance/parfum could refer to a natural fruit oil but could just as easily be composed of hazardous synthetic chemicals.
Fortunately, amidst all the chaos and confusion of our modern day marketplace, conscious consumers have begun to speak up and demand cleaner cosmetics. The clean beauty movement is on the rise and the momentum for more natural, sustainable personal care products has never been stronger.
If you’re ready to make the switch to cleaner, greener products, you’ve already taken a great first step. However, it's important to know that not all natural products are what they claim. Loose industry standards often allow some companies to “green wash” their products for marketing purposes.
Green-washing occurs when a company emphasizes the natural elements of their product regardless of how legitimately clean the product actually is. In other words, it helps to stay informed and do a little research before you buy. Be mindful to check out the label to learn what’s really in your products.
Who you shop with matters too. Big beauty brands tend to contain more filler ingredients and chemicals due to the demands of high-volume mass production, whereas independent artisan makers have the advantage of producing on a small scale with higher-quality ingredients.
Green brands also tend to formulate with raw or organic components that come straight from the plenitude of nature. While these products may seem simpler, they are full of naturally effective ingredients that deeply nourish the body and promote overall better skin health.
We love ingredients like organic rosehip seed and sea buckthorn oil to strengthen and balance skin. Moisture-rich shea butter and hemp enrich the skin and promote healthy hydration, while herbs like clary sage, chamomile and calendula possess amazing properties for healing and repair.
At Plum Brilliance, green beauty goes a step beyond; infusing your skin, body and beauty products with wildcrafted botanicals. Wildcrafting refers to the practice of harvesting and gathering ingredients from the earth, including herbs, fungi and other plants.
A connection to nature allows us to better understand not just the healing properties of plants but also our relationship to them within the ecosystem that sustains us all. Here, the magic of mother nature is met with supportive, ethical practices to create a uniquely beautiful line of sustainable products. Every ingredient is hand-selected and every product is created with special regard for the natural rhythms of the planet.
Although making the switch to cleaner products can seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. Small steps add up. You could start with one product at a time and build your routine gradually, or choose a few new staples and create a daily ritual for self care. By simply shopping with intention and making choices that align with your values, you help support the clean beauty movement and the small makers who are changing the cosmetics industry for the better.
References:
The Toxic Twelve Chemicals and Contaminants in Cosmetics By Scott Faber https://www.ewg.org/californiacosmetics/toxic12
Credo beauty has a great dirty list!! https://credobeauty.com/pages/the-dirty-list-1
]]>Spring is here, and the plants are pushing their sleepy heads toward the returning sun. The first plants to make an appearance are deep lush greens that nourish and cleanse the body after a winter of hearty meals. Miner's lettuce, chickweed, nettles, and sour grass are vibrant, chlorophyll and mineral-rich edible greens that are often the first to pop up after winter. They help stimulate sluggish digestion and fill the body with the energy of spring. If you are new to wild foods and want to start eating them, go easy at first. Wild foods are wild, and they are not the same as their domestic garden-grown counterparts. See how your body responds and take it from there.
Foraging is similar to an easter egg hunt, with an equal amount of childlike enthusiasm upon discovering any mushroom or plant, not just the edible or medicinal ones. A sense of openness and adventure must be maintained; the earth is on its own schedule and does not offer its bounty simply because we desire it. Many days we may return with no harvest, but the time spent in nature is medicine itself!
On the occasions I do return with a bountiful harvest, I am filled with such a sense of bliss and gratitude. Sticky sweet fingers drenched in the juice of wild berries and my senses saturated from the nibbling, tasting, sniffing, and touching as I wander the places I am most at ease. I am continually humbled by the abundance and generosity of the natural world.
"Our indigenous herbalists say to pay attention when plants come to you; they're bringing you something you need to learn."
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
This is such a powerful statement. If you pay attention, you may recognize that the plants around you change, with certain years being filled with different dominant species. Take time to notice; this is the world communicating. Each year I see a change in which plants are abundant. It directly correlates to what is occurring in our community at that time. Some years -like last year, there were huge stands of California everlasting during quarantine, a phenomenal lung, and respiratory herb. I watched other years as the roadsides became blanketed in evening primrose, an herb for self-love and acceptance, healing of old wounds. It is still early, but this year I see huge lush patches of nettles - a restorative plant filled with minerals that nourish our depleted adrenals and help build blood.
Wildcrafting, for me, is more about connection than anything else, connection with the places I watch and the stands I tend. Harvesting in an area that I have gratefully called home for all of my life has allowed me to deeply root and connect to the mountains filled with fir and cedar, foothills covered in aromatic sage, the deserts brilliant with the shocking red blooms of ocotillo and bright yellow-flowered chaparral. Familiarity with the cycles of the seasons, moons, and plants offers a depth of appreciation for the uniqueness of each place I visit.
I am so grateful for these places, the spots where time doesn't matter. Sitting on a granite slab under an ancient oak becomes the only priority. These moments are so healing and necessary on a deep, primal level. The chances to reconnect to my roots, my beginnings, and to ultimately, my end. These are the places where my creativity flows, the ideas for new crafts to connect folks with these sacred plants and spaces.
For all of you who support what I do, I thank you. I encourage you to find your own sacred spaces and sacred plants to connect with. It is remarkable what can be heard in moments of silence with an open heart.
Want to get started with your own foraged product? Herbal infused vinegar rinses help remove build-up, promote healthy hair growth and make the hair super shiny and soft! They are a super easy DIY project and can be customized in so many ways! Right now, with the abundance of wild spring greens, it's the perfect time to try your hand at foraging and crafting!
Gather your fresh nettles. Nettles are naturalized and considered invasive in some areas of the US. They usually grow in dense stands, preferring moist, nitrogen-rich soil.
For more visual learners, check out this quick video on Identifying and harvesting nettles.
Rosemary is an easy culinary herb to source or grow. It thrives in dry, warm, Mediterranean climates. If you live in the southwest and don't grow your own rosemary, ask a neighbor. It is often used as a landscape plant.
Alternatively fresh rosemary can be purchased at many grocery stores in the produce section.
When you are ready to make your hair rinse, combine 1-2 tbsp of the vinegar mix with 1c. of water.
With 2020 wrapping up and the darkest days of the year offering plenty of space for contemplation, I've come to reflect on what this year has taught me. Covid-19 Pandemic, what seemed implausible at first, like a chapter from a dystopian novel, has now become our reality. This "new normal" of isolation, masks, quarantine, and social distancing has brought in many emotions of uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and loneliness. Prior, we had more options and activities that fueled us up physically and emotionally. This new quarantine lifestyle filled with stillness and introspection gives our minds more time to wander. This can be very draining, unsettling, and initially uncomfortable.
This discomfort can be valuable. Change is difficult for all of us, but we grow as people in these times of difficulty; we become stronger. We elevate, we learn, at times fall, but we also pick ourselves up and continue. Balanced mental health doesn't come with a guarantee of a problem-free life or a new you that is void of emotions. It draws on the strength that helps you face barriers, failures, or changes in life. Just as a physically strong individual is better at healing and recovering from injuries or physical trauma than an unhealthy person, people with well managed mental health can better overcome hardships, tension, or emotional wounds.
So it is essential to realize that it's the right time to take a step back, embrace the stillness, reflect, and connect to our inner self. Self-care is not selfish; it's essential!
Self-care has become a buzz word that is associated with a new brand of consumer marketing. Although my products fall into self-care, I want to convey that genuinely caring for oneself requires no purchases. What follows are a few practices that can help you take care of your mind, body, and spirit.
People meditate for many reasons, stress-reduction, enlightenment, self-exploration. These are great goals, but the true gift of meditation is that we can gain control over our minds with practice. We can change the narrative of our lives. "The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." - Milton.
Initially, guided meditations may be beneficial, giving the mind clear direction. I love using the meditation app Insight Timer; it is free and has so many teachers to choose from. The meditation timer feature is fantastic for when you want to sit and keep track of the time. Meditation is very personal; take the time to find a teacher who resonates with you. Focus, and let go. Breath meditation can help develop and soothe the mind, allowing the mind to experience intense emotions without panic taking over and making you feel at ease in your body.
"Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you. Remember, life is an echo. It always gets back to you. So give goodness." -unknown.
What we send out into the world we receive back. Where are you placing your attention? What are you projecting with your actions, thoughts, and words? With everything that's going on, we need solidarity more than ever. We may not be superheroes, but we can positively affect those around us. Engage in acts of kindness, appreciate someone, offer smiles to strangers (they can see it in your eyes- even if your face is masked), help someone in need, bring warmth to someone who is anxious, or just be there for someone who feels lonely. The smallest of gestures can turn out to be a much needed moment of compassion and kindness for another. While everyone is fighting their own battle, it's essential to feel united. By giving a piece of your positive energy to someone, you invite and receive more positivity in return.
It is no secret that gratitude makes us feel better. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself" is a phrase we often hear. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate personal unhappiness, it is possible to exchange gratitude for self-pity. It is often easier to focus on the areas of our lives that we are discontent. By redirecting our focus toward the things we are grateful for, we can experience profound shifts in perspective. You may choose to journal, say a prayer, or have a moment of reflection for the things you are grateful for in your life. However we choose to give thanks, it can change our lives.
Three main components lead to balance. Nurturing the physical self through good food and exercise, calming and training the mind through meditation and focus, and feeding the soul through spirituality. Spirituality is essential to a balanced human and often overlooked in our day to day busy-ness. Cultivate a healthy relationship with your higher power - the universe, God, nature - whatever your belief points at. Engage in a dialogue, be willing to speak when you're filled with emotions, and learn to trust. Create a bond of love and strengthen the relationship with trust and understanding. Control is an illusion. We cannot control the external world, but we can control our response to experience. Learning to relax into experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, helps ease the suffering we may feel. Learning to accept and adapt to the unknown can offer our minds a much-needed respite.
One of my favorite forms of self-care comes in the art of bathing. It is the ideal time to send loving energy toward oneself. A candle-lit bathroom, a break from technology, warm relaxing water, it really doesn't get any better! Bathwater filled with salts helps to rejuvenate tired muscles, relax the body, and nourish the skin. You can make your own soak with simple Epsom and sea salt. Add some aromatic herbs - rosemary, lavender, thyme, etc. - if you're feeling fancy. Or try some of my herbal mineral salts for a more unique experience. By including different bath soaks, you can cater to various aspects of your life.
Be well, dear ones. Wishing balance and abundance in the New Year!!!
It began in the month leading up to the full blood moon. The moon was positioned to be an eclipse that cycle as well. The blood moon's power was noticeable in all aspects of life, but especially in my craft's creativity. With the intense pull on intuition and emotions, the month's energetics had been active and inspiring. I began infusing herbs into oils for their month-long process, unsure what the finished product would look like. The infusions were created with intention but not foresight. Serendipitously these oils were ready to be crafted into magic on the blood moon. Moving with perception, I followed my vision and created a luscious red facial serum.
Red is a color that has always held mixed feelings for me. My least favorite color, one I associate with anger and conflict. This intense color seemed to have no place in my life. Yet, it is the color of our beginnings- one of the first colors an infant can recognize and often the favorite color of small children.I know this is a color I need to incorporate into my routine and explore more fully.
Red is associated with the root chakra and our feelings of safety and security. It is the most grounding of all colors and a color of power. I have been wearing red clothing, embracing red flowers, and eating red foods to include this crimson energy in my life. Many of my favorite foods are red! Strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, cherries, pomegranates anyone? It felt appropriate that this latest facial serum is a brilliant, deep red and was realized during the blood moon cycle.
The Birth of "Immortelle"
Working with intention, I began infusing jojoba oil with herbs I had reverently and respectfully wild harvested. Several weeks into the month-long infusion process, I began to get glimmers of what was developing. The immortelle flowers had added a deep yellow tone to the already golden jojoba. Elderflowers added a delicate sweet fragrance to the oil. And of course, for some significant cellular regeneration, comfrey wanted to join the party.
Why a regenerative serum? Fully inspired by an eclipse and the opportunities they provide, lunar eclipses are seen as a time for change and renewal. They offer a chance to leave behind the emotions and attachments that no longer serve us. A time to let go of what is safe and comfortable in order to grow more fully.
This is where my inspiration for this serum originated from. This is a way to use entirely natural products (something that may be uncomfortable for some) and see change. Change in health, change in appearance, change in thought. This is a chance to embrace the effectiveness of plants. People are often amazed at how well herbal preparations work, usually responding with "wow! I can't believe how quickly this helped my (insert ailment here)." Herbalists will often just smile and nod knowingly.
As a collective many of us have forgotten our deep and intimate connection with the earth. These plants are allies with which we have built relationships for millenniums. I feel deep respect for the earth and its inhabitants, and I'm so thrilled to be able to re-introduce folks to plants through daily ritual and routine. The more people feel connected to this earth, the more they will want to care for it.
Through blind intuition, this serum was born, and is it ever magical!! Oh my! I am so in love with the color and the deep restorative properties that these plants and rich oils offer. You can check out the listing here and read more in-depth about the key ingredients.
To keep a sense of reality here, it's not all dreamy, magic-filled creativity. Sometimes I create things that turn out tragically…I just don't post about those things. And then sometimes I build potions that turn out beautifully, and I'm inspired to share.
First and foremost, I feel I am a steward of the lands I harvest from. More often, I am spending time connecting with these places than I am gathering. I watch the plants stands and survey their health. Each year is different depending on our weather patterns and pests. I harvest in an area that I have gratefully called home for all of my life. Forming deep roots and connections to the mountains filled with fir and cedar, foothills covered in aromatic sage, deserts brilliant with the shocking red blooms of ocotillo and bright yellow-flowered chaparral. Familiarity with the cycles of the seasons, moons, and plants offers a depth of appreciation for the uniqueness of each place I visit.
Fall is one of my favorite times to wander. The energy shift is evident as the plants begin to move their energy back into their roots for fall. Moving out of the intensity of summer into the shadowed subtleties of fall, the perfume of the last few rose petals wafting through the brisk morning air signals the rosehip's arrival, the final push of sugar to their tiny fruits. The scent of the rotten apples, below the one feral tree, indicates their peak has passed. One small wild strawberry, the very last, is a delicate fragrant gift with sweetness unlike any other.
I am so grateful for these places, the spots where time doesn't matter. Sitting on a granite slab under an ancient oak becomes the only priority. These moments are so healing and necessary on a deep, primal level. The chances to reconnect to my roots, my beginnings, and to ultimately, my end. These are the places where my creativity flows, the ideas for new crafts to connect folks with these sacred plants and spaces.
It is these moments that I try to capture in the products I create. I wanted to bring a bit of nature into our daily rituals to remind people of all things' interconnectedness. I craft my products with wild plants that I lovingly and respectfully harvest. I want to offer people who may not have the opportunity or ability to crawl through sage and wander through mountains the chance to experience these places for a moment each day.
Rooted deeply in love, all of the things I create have the intention of health and kindness within them. Intended to encourage us all to slow down and cultivate our inner compassion. What better time to do this than through the daily routine of body care and grooming? Touch has profound effects by merely directing the movement of heart energy and love to areas we are tending.
After harvest, I spend the next several days in communion with the plant gifts. Douglas fir is infused into oil for magical creations like "wildling" and distilled into an aromatic hydrosol as an energy clearing mist. The cedar is destined for the still as well. The branches soak for a day to allow them to soften and release their aromatics. Rosehips will be dried and added to the triple rosehip soap. Chokecherries will create a beautiful cordial just in time for the cold winter months. Gorgeous elderberries are the foundation of an immune-boosting syrup. I will add some of the rosehips and perhaps hawthorn as well. The bits and pieces left, the fir needles, a few leaves of mugwort, some rosehips, a couple turkey tails, will all be fermented into a probiotic foresty brew.
For all of you who support what I do, I thank you. I encourage you to find your own sacred spaces and sacred plants to connect with. It is remarkable what can be heard in moments of silence with an open heart.
It may still be summer but my thoughts are already moving to what I want to get set-up for fall. As my horseradish grows taller and closer to harvest I’m already planning my fire cider production.
Now more than ever there is so much buzz around immunity and building strong internal defenses. Fire cider is a wonderful way to support the immune system. It can be crafted from common kitchen ingredients making it an ideal DIY project. Placing intention on health and well-being while creating your immune booster will make it that much more powerful. This would be a great gift for friends and family members, it is gentle and can be used by young and old alike.
Fire cider is a very popular herbal remedy, and with good reason, it is tasty, versatile and effective! Medicinal vinegars have been around for centuries ranging from oxymels (honey sweetened vinegars) from the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, to the well-known 4 thieves that supposedly kept four grave robbers from catching the plague during the middle ages. These early formulas usually contained culinary herbs but not the spicy fiery ingredients you find in the ciders now. Fire cider, the spicy, sweet, pungent powerhouse was created and popularized by Rosemary Gladstar (known as the fairy godmother of herbalism) in the 1980’s where she taught her recipes to many students. Her version contains lots of raw garlic, onions, ginger, spicy peppers and horseradish.
Because this is folk medicine the ingredients are flexible and will change with each year depending on what’s available and abundant. Fire cider is a great place to experiment and stretch your herbal boundaries, sticking to a basic recipe and then adding in your own touches and flair.
I’ll start with a basic recipe and then include some ideas for add-ins along with short descriptions of their benefits:
A small shot glass daily serves as an excellent tonic Or take teaspoons if you feel a cold coming on.
Take it more frequently if necessary to help your immune system do battle.
From this starting point I like to add any of the following (don’t feel limited by this list, it’s not comprehensive)
Have fun, be creative and enjoy good health!!
If you’re not already excited to start making some herbal magic, here are a couple more recipes from Rosemary Gladstar to get your creative and *ahem* salivary juices flowing!!
"Strain the herbs (the mark) from Fire Cider after 4 weeks. The herbs should still be somewhat firm and flavorful. Add the herbs to a Cuisinart or blender, and grind coarsely (don’t blend into a smooth past, but only until coarse and crunchy). If too dry, add a little of the Fire Cider Vinegar to the mix. You might wish to add a little more honey and cayenne to taste. Your finished Fire Cider Chutney should be sweet but not too sweet, hot but not too hot, and just right for your pleasure taste! This delicious chutney is great on toast, mixed with rice, veggie dishes, is a favorable addition to soups, or enjoyed right from the spoon. It’s the perfect winter"
"My husband got the ‘grunge’ this winter while I was away with my mother on a little holiday to Mexico! My Mother’s 90 and still loves to travel. When I arrived home, Robert pretty bad cough, sore throat and a flu that had lodged in his lungs. I have a number of favorite recipes I knew would do the trick, but one that I always fall back on for sore throats is Onion Honey Syrup."
"The syrup was a little too sweet for Robert. Since I had just finished straining the Fire Cider and making my first batch of Fire Cider Chutney, I decided to try adding some of it to the onion syrup. To make a nicer syrup consistency, I blended the Chutney into a finer paste, and then added the paste to the onion syrup. It was divine!!! Sweet and soothing, with just enough fire and spark to make it elegantly delicious and healing."
If you still want more...
check out Rosemary Gladstar's amazing Fire Cider recipe book for 101 more fire cider starters!
You might also be interested in:
Fire Cider Goes to Court: Fighting For Folk Herbalism
Rosemary’s Story
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I talk of wildcrafting often when I discuss the products I make. What does that even mean?
Wildcraft is a verb defined as, to gather (herbs, plants, and fungi) from the wild.
This definition is just a small portion of what wildcrafting truly is. Above all wildcrafters and foragers must be stewards of the land they harvest from.
If everyone were to wild harvest with abandon then we would absolutely impact these wild spaces. When done in an ethical, aware manner wildharvesting can connect people with the earth, increasing their desire to care and steward these plants and places.
I’ve spent years walking the land in the places I gather from. I’ve watched the different plant stands thrive and whither. I harvest in times of abundance and support in times of stress with gifts of water from my bottles or prayers of health.
Wildcrafting is often more about spending time in nature and developing a deep relationship than harvesting. When plants are seen as friends/allies and not commodities it is easier to acknowledge what is best for the plants not what I want in that moment.
Plants are not always available or open to being harvested. When asking permission from a plant often the response is “no”. Being connected to the places and plants makes it easier to differentiate my “yes” from the plant’s “yes”. When I hear “yes” to go ahead and harvest I have to remember to check my own ego and see if it is actually my desires and not the plant’s voice that I am hearing. Plant lust is a very real thing, and as humans we often take to serve our own desires.
Plants are highly intelligent, they respond to the presence of humans. New research has shown what many plant lovers have long believed to be true. Plants can feel when we are touching them and they can differentiate the type of touch. Not only do they feel, but that sensation of touch starts a cascade of physiological responses within the plant.
As living organisms plants have their own life energy which is responsive to the challenges they face for survival. Cultivated plants are grown in ideal conditions, with plenty of water, minimal stress, protection from disease and infestation. Wild plants are hardier and more resilient. The vital energy of these plants is increased by their natural situations. If a wild plant manages to survive too little water, competing plants, insect infestations etc., these challenges contribute to a strong, robust organism. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
“Generations of herbalists have emphasized the quality of wild versus cultivated plants. This bias was not based on plant constituency, which is often higher in cultivated species, but rather on the energetics of wild plants. There is a spirit, and energy inherent in wild things, both fauna and flora, that is apparent to anybody who has visited the last remaining wilderness areas of this country. That essence is hard, if not impossible to capture.” – Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs – ed. Rosemary Gladstar
There is no denying how special the products with wildcrafted plants are. A few are products like wildling body balm, rivers lymphatic massage oil, nymph rose body oil. If you've tried any of these then you know the unique magic I'm referring to.
There has been some response that the effects of wildcrafting are negative and should be halted, indeed some practices are non-sustainable. This usually is in the form of commercial harvesting, where entire plant stands will be stripped, where at risk or threatened plants are harvested for profit. This is not what I consider “wildcrafting” this is exploitation.
“But let us not make a reactionary mistake of construing wildcrafting as something negative. It is not in the least; it is an herbal art and a craft that commands respect when performed by a skilled artist and craftsman. Pursued with intelligence and understanding, wildcrafting is a process of harvest pruning, which when practiced knowledgeably never exploits or diminishes wild plant communities, but instead supports and enhances them. What is needed is not condemnation of this ancient, honorable craft, but more well-trained teachers and fervent, plant-loving students.” - The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green
When I harvest it often looks like tending the plants in supportive ways. I will prune plants in order to encourage healthy regrowth. I will harvest parts of the plant that may be naturally broken off by passing animals. A snip from clippers is more readily repaired and less likely to become diseased than a torn twig or branch which can open the protective bark.
I look for fresh fallen branches so I don’t have to trim from plants and trees. After storms I can easily fill my bag with clippings from downed branches.
I try to harvest in a way that is unnoticeable. I do not harvest in just one area and I never take the biggest or the smallest members of the stand. To someone passing by it would be very difficult to tell where I had harvested from.
I donate to United Plant Savers and keep up with their list of at risk plants. One of the native plants of my bioregion, White Sage (Salvia apiana) is on this list. Because of this I will not wild harvest white sage.
White sage is a plant that is often discussed and is currently the subject of some major plant lust. I’ve heard everything from, “white sage is endangered, you should never use it” to “white sage is the only plant that will work, no other substitute will suffice”.
Endangered no, on the watch list yes. Where I live (the natural habitat for white sage) there are miles and miles of it growing prolifically. This doesn't change the fact that the popularity and demand for white sage is growing at exponential rates. It has the potential to become endangered if harvesting continues at the current rate. Sadly money often takes priority over plant health and entire hills are being wiped out by greed. White sage is being illegally over harvested in many places.
No, there are so many plants that can be used in the same way that white sage is being used. White sage would only have been used by the indigenous people who lived in the area it grew. Humans are resourceful and all manner of aromatic plants have been used in ceremony, to clear space and purify an area. Cedar, Juniper, Sagebrush along with all the other sages (black, Cleveland, desert etc) work so well in the place of white sage. Even our aromatic culinary herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano can be used. All of these plants are incredibly anti-microbial and energetically moving/clearing.
Yes, because I was able to establish a relationship with a local native plant nursery. Moosa Creek is located in my hometown of Valley Center. The owner loves plants as much as I do and her care in her craft is apparent. As a supplier to retail nurseries all over California, they have many different California native plants. They are environmentally responsible and grow some of the healthiest plants I've ever purchased. This connection has made it possible for me to use white sage in the products I craft. They have generously allowed me to harvest the clippings from their plants when they prune. Without this relationship white sage would not be an ingredient in the products I craft. Given the choice of using an amazing plant that would otherwise be composted, the decision is simple!
If you must have white sage, know the source. Was is grown, was it wildharvested, do you trust the integrity of the person or company selling it?
It depends on the circumstances, in the case of white sage it will always be cultivated for me.
When wildharvesting I have a few guidelines I follow that all wildcrafters should ask themselves before harvesting.
This list is From Howie Brounstein’s checklist for wildcrafting
Acknowledging that the plant is a living being and incorporating some sort of ritual into harvesting can help elevate awareness of the plant spirit. Offerings, prayers and a sense of gratitude are all wonderful to include in the practice of harvesting. My own harvesting rituals are personal and unique but as part of that ritual I will usually offer some of my water to the plants I collect from.
If you are interested in wildcrafting and want to learn more I highly suggest you check out the following resources.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Columbines School of Botanical Medicine – Wildcrafting for beginners
Sage Country Herbs – online education course and field apprenticeship by Shana Lipner Grover
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Similar to face rolling, Gua Sha is a practice of scraping the skin to improve circulation and move lymph. The main differnece between the two truly comes down to preference. Where face rollers may be quick and convenient they are not ideal for use on larger areas of the body. Gua Sha tools can create a more intuitive process allowing the user to really get into the experience. You can go deeper with the tool and expand your practice of self care. I like using the wood tool for accessing pressure points as well as scraping.
Translated, gua means press or stroke, and sha refers to a rash or redness though a lighter touch is used on the face. This is THE at home tool for firmer, glowing skin. Practiced for centuries this ancient modality is seeing a resurgence in popularity as many folks are discovering its benefits.
Predating acupuncture, Gua Sha treatment massages the skin, moves energy, blood and lymph. It awakens the meridian lines (body’s life force pathways) assisting the body’s own healing capabilities. It increases circulation, by up to 400 percent, which moves out stagnation and toxins and brings in nutrients and oxygen. Your skin will immediately be more supple and rejuvenated. You are also creating a controlled trauma (the skin redness) which the skin starts to repair with collagen.
Gua sha may also reduce inflammation so it is often used to address chronic pain ailments like arthritis and fibromyalgia. It is beneficial for joint and muscle issues as well including back pain, tendon strain and carpal tunnel.
Using the gua sha tool on the head and scalp can boost hair growth and skin health. This is also deeply relaxing and can contribute to an amazing night’s sleep.
It is practiced by using a tool and stroking or scraping the skin with long strokes and enough pressure to create petechiae or Sha. It is done gently on the skin of the face and vigorously on the body.
In traditional Chinese medicine the aim of Gua Sha is to balance qi or chi (the energy that moves through the body). When the chi is blocked it can cause pain or tension in the muscles and joints. Gua sha aims to move this blocked energy to relieve aches or stiffness.
Traditional East Asian medicine also views blood stasis or stagnation as a cause of pain and illness. Gua Sha can help break down scar tissue and relax connective tissue for better circulation and movement of body fluids.
Hold the tool flat to the skin, under the eyes or over any redness, to soothe and de-puff. Then use the curved side and work it over the skin, always taking short strokes in just one direction, not back and forth. Use strokes down the neck towards the lymphatic drains (not upwards like beauticians do), working in small horizontal strokes over the brows and pressing between the eyebrows to release tension. If you want to drain puffiness, work lightly, then more firmly to relax muscles. Your skin may look flushed after, but, like post-workout redness, this just shows a boost in circulation.
For body, work in sets of around six strokes in one direction to release tight connective tissue (ideal for cellulite and firming skin). This technique can be modified to suit individual preference and I find it easier than dry brushing.
If you are looking to add a simple component into your healthy lifestyle routine, you can perform gua sha anywhere from once a week to daily. Gau sha can be practiced daily a part of your self-care routine. In the morning a firmer more invigorating stroke can be used to awaken and increase circulation in the skin. In the evening a gentler more massage like style can be used to promote relaxation and prepare for sleep.
If you are wanting to use Gua Sha to promote firmer, plumper skin and diminished wrinkles around the face, neck or jawline, then nearly every day would be ideal.
Consistency is key here. Results will come from a balanced routine approach. Nourishing the body is an ongoing process, we feed ourselves healthy food, exercise and practice good sleep habits. Likewise the most benefits from gua sha will be seen with repeated, routine practice.
Try to approach the practice of gua sha with some sacredness, this isn’t another to-do on your list. This is a chance to focus on your body, creating a time for self-care. Even if it is just a few minutes, take this time to set intentions and practice loving kindness towards yourself. With each stroke send loving energy into the body, thanking it for carrying you through this life.
There are many tools available on the market and they are made from a variety of materials inculing brass, copper, wood and stones. Ceramic spoons were the original Gua Sha tools. Personally I love using my wooden tool with oil. It is lightweight and easy to use. The grounded calming energy from the wood makes a wonderful complement to the energetic stroking. Wooden tools are ideal for personal, home use. My tools are crafted from cherry and walnut wood by a local woodworker. They a smooth with plenty of small angles to use on the face or large sides to scrape the body.
Get the Gua Sha + Rivers Kit here
https://tcmwiki.com/wiki/gua-sha
a quick guide to types of Gua Sha tools
]]>Solid soap shampoo is a wonderful green alternative to plastic packaged, SLS and chemical laden standard shampoos. They are filled with nourishing organic oils like jojoba, shea butter, castor and sweet almond oil. The shampoo soap bar is detergent free, preservative free and free from artificial colors and fragrances. By using a solid shampoo, you will also protect our environment from plastic waste.
Transition period
Using an all natural product you will have a uniquely personal experience. I have customers who have the best hair of their life with my shampoo bars and others who have not been able to get it to work for them. This is all ok and normal! We are unique beings with individual chemistry. It may take time to find what works best for you.
It’s very important to notice that when you start using a soap based shampoo bar there might be a transition period depending on your hair type, the condition of your hair and how much residues and build up there is from previous products. During the transition your hair can feel oily, waxy or sticky, your scalp may also feel different. Remember, this WAXY feeling is temporary!!
Depending on your current hair care routine you may not experience a transition period at all, while others can take longer to adjust to a soap based product.
Experimenting to find your ideal routine is necessary. Once you are able to successfully use a shampoo bar I doubt you’d want to ever switch back to the oil-stripping chemical versions. I have been using a shampoo bar for the last 5 years and I love it. I wash my hair much less frequently and it feels healthier and more manageable.
Hard Water
Hard water contains minerals (calcium and magnesium) which will reduce the cleansing ability of soap and can cause a sticky or waxy feeling on your hair. If you have hard water, it’s better to use a water softener in your shower. If this is not an option you can create your own "soft water rinse" with baking soda. Use 1tbsp per cup of water. Applying this prior to shampooing helps prevents the minerals from depositing on your hair shaft.
You can follow these instructions to speed up the transition period and get rid of the waxy/sticky effect:
Final Thoughts
One of the best things you can do for your hair and scalp is to practice dry brushing or using a gua sha tool like the ones I have here. This will increase circulation and promote healthy sebum production for the happiest, healthiest hair and scalp of your life. Ideally you would do this several times a week before jumping in the shower. Follow with the "Lush" Hair tonic for superior scalp health and hair growth!
Listen to your body's rhythms it is innately intelligent and will communicate what it needs. You may need to shampoo more or less frequently depending on your own chemistry.
Skip the heat and air dry hair when possible. Committing to a natural shampoo means using natural products for styling. This hair oil is ideal for nourishing and taming locks. Using synthetic stylers may prolong the waxy feels.
As always, my products are made with organic, fair-trade and wildcrafted ingredients. Nothing but the best for our bodies and our planet!
Enjoy this journey of connecting to your body and it's nuances. Enjoy your road to a healthier, more sustainable life!!
]]>If you are working on illness prevention or if you’ve caught a bug and want to keep it from settling deeper, then try a steam! It is super easy to do, doesn’t require any special herbs (though there are some really marvelous supportive plants you can throw in if you desire). The steam will carry all the antimicrobial goodness from the plants straight to your lung tissue where it needs it. The steam alone will hydrate the lungs and help them resist infection.
You’ll need the following materials:
Here’s the process:
Don’t steam longer than 10 to 15 minutes for each session. However, you can repeat steam inhalation two or three times per day if you’re still having symptoms.
I have created an herbal steam blend that is full of antimicrobial plants that will support the respiratory system. You can find it here, but really most kitchen herbs are perfect to use for this type of steam. Fresh aromatic culinary herbs are great, but you can use dried as well. And of course if no herbs are available steaming alone is wonderful therapy!
Herbs to use (this list is not comprehensive, use any culinary herbs that are strongly aromatic)
Use common sense and care when steaming! You’re working with boiling hot water, place the bowl somewhere stable so you don’t spill on yourself and make sure the steam isn’t too hot before you place your face over it!
Listen to your body and use your own wisdom and judgement.
Be safe, be well!
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Let’s talk about the differences between the two
Hand sanitizers rely on chemical composition to kill bacteria and viruses. Commercial hand sanitizers have minimal ingredients and in order to be effective must contain at least 60% alcohol. Repeated application can cause some serious dryness or discomfort for those with skin sensitivities. If your hands are dirty or the bacteria/virus is trapped in mucous (think people cough, sneezing...you know, sick) hand sanitizer may not be able to efficiently penetrate and kill the pathogens. They do serve a purpose, but mainly in instances where clean running water is not available.
Handwashing with soap and water is the best option we have for preventing the spread of illnesses. Handwashing relies on mechanical action. So while soap can kill germs, the act of lathering along with friction of rubbing actually traps the organisms so they can be rinsed off.
But here’s the thing about handwashing, you have to do it right for it to work! At least 20 seconds of lathering in between your fingers, up your wrists, under your nails. Wet hands pick up and transmit germs very easily. Don’t wipe those freshly cleaned hands on your pants and call it good. If no clean towel is available air drying is your next best bet.
"Consumer 101" TV show host Jack Rico shares Consumer Reports’ tips from the experts.
Any soap will work for effective handwashing, but of course I’m a soap maker so I want to use a lovely gentle soap. The soaps I craft can be used many times throughout the day without drying hands. They are moisturizing and nourishing but still effective. I love the soaps with thick creamy lather like the everybody bar. I use salt bars all the time for hand washing as well, they lather well and the salt adds a bit of abrasive power for scrubbing off grime.
As a contribution towards good hygiene I will be giving away soap bars (until I run out) at Hillcrest Farmer’s market on Sunday. They are seconds, they don’t look beautiful and have no labels, but they are still effective, nourishing and gentle. Stop by my booth and ask me for a free soap if you or someone you know needs one. If you choose to order through the site use the code FREESOAP for a free bar with your order.
So wash your hands! The CDC recommends washing hands
For more information on handwashing, visit CDC’s Handwashing website or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
]]>Plum Brilliance is the story of a small girl. A feral child allowed to explore the idyllic rural setting of southern California. She was encouraged to climb through sage covered coyote trails. She became the queen of granite tables that filled with fairy pools in spring. She was transformed into a water sprite in creeks full of teeny tiny frogs and crawdads. Her loyal subjects were the faithful dogs that kept watch and her confidants, the plants. She would come home exhausted, dirty, scratched, scraped and drenched in the perfume of sagebrush but rarely “lonely”.
Plum Brilliance is the story of a woman. A wife and the mother of three small children. A woman trying to keep up in a society that has no time for creeks, coyote trails and magic. Filled with an ache to return to the plants and earth that shaped her early years, she began crafting. She wove bits of pine with sweet wild rose into ethereal body oils. She layered juniper and sage into earthy, grounding soaps. She found when she anointed herself with these bits of alchemy she could connect back to the natural world regardless of where she was.
Plum Brilliance is the story of you. Sage, juniper and pine speak. It is soft, it is subtle, but when you listen you can hear their voices. They speak of connection and belonging. We are drawn to nature and nature is drawn to us, the world is within us. Plum Brilliance is for you, wanting to connect with the coyote trails, the fairy pools and the creeks with teeny tiny frogs. Plum Brilliance is a state of being and a simple reminder of the deep wisdom you already possess.
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Wildcrafting for me, is more about connection than anything else, connection with the places I watch, and the stands I tend. Harvesting in an area that I have gratefully called home for all of my life has allowed me to deeply root and connect to the mountains filled with fir and cedar, foothills covered in aromatic sage and deserts brilliant with the shocking red blooms of ocotillo and bright yellow flowered chaparral. Familiarity with the cycles of the seasons, moons and plants offers a depth of appreciation for the uniqueness of each place I visit.
The unique smells of each season provides the perfect guidance. Moving out of the intensity of summer into the shadowed subtleties of fall. The perfume of the last few rose petals wafting through the brisk morning air, signaling the rosehips arrival. The scent of the rotten apples, below the one feral tree indicating their peak has passed. One tiny wild strawberry, the very last, a delicate fragrant gift with a sweetness unlike any other.
I am so grateful for these places, the spots where time doesn't matter. Sitting on a granite slab under an ancient oak becomes the only priority. These moments are so healing and necessary on a deep, primal level. The chances to reconnect to my roots, my beginnings and to ultimately, my end. These are the places where my creativity flows, the ideas for new crafts to connect folks with these sacred plants and spaces.
I will spend the next several days in communion with these plant gifts. The douglas fir will be infused into oil for magical creations like “wildling” and distilled into aromatic hydrosol for an energy clearing mist. The cedar is destined for the still as well. The branches soak for a day to allow them to sofen and release their aromatics. Incense cedar will be back in stock soon! The chokecherries will create a beautiful cordial just in time for the cold winter months. The gorgeous elderberries are going to be an immune boosting syrup, to which I will add some of the rosehips and perhaps hawthorn as well. Any bits and pieces left, the fir needles, a few leaves of mugwort, some rosehips, a couple turkey tails, will all be fermented into a probiotic forresty brew.
For all of you who support what I do, I thank you. I encourage you to find your own sacred spaces and sacred plants to connect with. It is remarkable what can be heard in moments of silence with an open heart.
]]>The path I was walking was one of severe depression and immobilizing anxiety. I looked to western medicine for assistance, and the help I received never resonated with me. I continued to feel worse, and spent much of my time in a place of victimhood, wondering, “why me?” The methods, the medications, the talk therapy had little impact. I was in the space of defeat, my body weight had plummeted, my hair was falling out, and I was unable to sleep. There was no joy, and I was exhausted. I needed to try something new. Maybe find an ayurvedic practitioner? I knew nothing of Ayurveda, but what did I have to lose? My old way of life was meaningless. The methods I had tried did not serve me.
Finding an ayurvedic practitioner was not as easy as I imagined. A quick google search and I was looking at three possible candidates in my county. How could one of these people trained in an ancient healing modality help me when the best of dozens of western doctors hadn’t? I had no criteria in choosing the woman I met with, but her wisdom and compassion would forever change the course of my life.
Her love, kindness, and insight were immediately apparent. Although her practices were unfamiliar to me, I felt an ease with her. When she explained I was out of balance and was possible through diet and lifestyle to return to balance, I felt liberated. I took her suggestions and began to implement them. Meditation and eating a diet suitable for my Dosha was paramount. Still, the direction of abhyanga (self-massage) was the catalyst for a shift in my perception.
I developed an evening ritual centered on abhyanga, the ancient ayurvedic medicine of massaging the body with oil specific for one’s constitution. I would rub my feet with sesame oil and thank them for carrying me while sending thoughts of love and healing to that area. The idea of full body massage was daunting. My feet were all I could muster at that point in my life. This small ritual began the slow shifting of negative cyclical thoughts and unhealthy narratives. It opened the door of joy just the tiniest bit, and I was able to see the possibility.
I was still for a few moments each day while I gently rubbed my toes, arches, and heels. I was quiet long enough to hear my authentic voice, not the loudest or most forceful, but the one that rose from the depths of my being. The one that had been drowned out by all the others I was carrying that were not my own. Sitting with my feet and focusing on my own body provided enough of a damper to the external noise that I could hear the whisper of my authenticity. That sweet, small voice simply said, “You are enough.”
This simple act created an entire way of being. I talked and talked about mindfulness with the plethora of mental health folks I had dealt with, but I never felt that I had good instructions on how to do it. I understood the concept, but my practical knowledge was severely lacking. Through abhyanga, I began to understand what it meant to be present and aware. I began to apply this awareness practice, using it to slow down in more areas of my life.
When I am in my garden or spaces in nature, the slowing down comes very naturally. Digging my fingers through warm soil, feeling my feet rooted to the earth and the grounding energy of ancient trees provides a sense of belonging, a no-rush awareness. Joy to be in that moment. In these settings slowing down is natural. Throughout the day to day routine, it proves more difficult. I am filled with “busy-ness,” and I am working to cultivate the ability to truly slow down.
Ayurveda and the practice of abhyanga started me down the green path. I was absolutely amazed at the profound effects herbs, diet, and meditation had on my state of well-being. I realized how vital a whole-being approach to health is and how segmented my earlier learning feels. I felt empowered and self-sufficient as I re-awakened to interconnectedness with the natural world. This harmony and connection are our legacies as humans.
I use this knowledge that I’ve gained and my continued learning when I create my products. Rooted deeply in love, all of the things I make have the intention of health and kindness within them. Intended to encourage us all to slow down and cultivate our inner compassion. What better time to do this than through the daily routine of body care and grooming? It is a time when we engage in touch. By merely directing heart energy and love to areas we are tending, we can realize profound effects.
Thank you for taking the time to read about a turning point in my journey. May you be filled with love and compassion for yourself and for all beings. Be well.
Confession…I love plants (not news, I know!) I whisper to them and they whisper back. I feel completely connected and grounded when my hands and feet are in the dirt and I’m praying to these wise ones. Plant allies provide nurturing and care through their existence. They remind me that I am of this earth and not just a stranger visiting this place.
Plants are supportive in ways that I don’t necessarily recognize at first. Sometimes the best support they offer is not in the form of a tea or a tincture, but in communion. Through many seasons of depression and anxiety I found that getting my hands in the dirt while gardening was so incredibly healing. The greatest healing came from the forest but at a time when I could barely get myself outside my home my humble garden was able to provide healing through proximity and harmony.
My journey with plants is continual. I am constantly learning new things and finding new ways to engage with these remarkable ones. The sheer volume of herbal knowledge available can seem daunting at first, so I began with herbs I was already familiar with. Kitchen herbs in fairly familiar forms, I used them in cooking and soap and I started learning the constituents of these common friends. I began to understand their individual energetics, which herbs were moistening which were astringent. I recognized the gut soothing abilities of carminitives early on. My favorites had already been ginger, mint, rosemary and fennel but I was gaining insight into why I loved these plants so much. Soxhlets, percolations and spagyrics would come later.
One of the first herbal potions I ever made was fire cider. It was simple, incredibly useful and I was familiar with the ingredients. I drink it, my partner drinks it, my kids drink it (although not as enthusiastically as elderberry syrup.)
Fire cider remains one of my most used concoctions. I change the ingredients every season depending on my inclinations and plant availability. With fall upon us, root harvesting is at the front of my mind. With root harvesting comes mineral rich vinegars and fire cider for the winter season.
Fire cider is a staple in many herbalist’s homes and there are as many versions of it as there are people that create it. I love incorporating whatever herbs I feel drawn to at the time. Changing up the recipe keeps my Aries temperament interested.
There are no hard rules for making fire cider but most recipes will include:
Additional ingredients can be as unique and varied as you like:
Really whatever inclinations you have!
Just finely chop all your ingredients and cover them with raw apple cider vinegar. Let it infuse for at least 30 days. You can add honey to the final strained product if you want a tangy sweet oxymel type potion, or you can just use the spicy vinegar in salad dressings and dips etc. I like to use a shot of fire cider at the first sign of illness as an immune booster.
Have fun, be creative and enjoy good health!!
]]>I’ve been exploring the color red recently. It has always been my least favorite color, one I associated with anger and conflict. This strong color seemed to have no place in my life, and yet it is the color of our beginnings. One of the first colors an infant can recognize and often the favorite color of small children. In a moment of silence and self-reflection I began to acknowledge that this was a color I needed to incorporate into my routine and explore more fully.
Red is associated with the root chakra and our feelings of safety and security. It is the most grounding of all colors, and a color of power. I have been wearing red clothing, embracing red flowers and eating red foods (which is super easy in the summer! Strawberries, tomatoes, peppers anyone?). So, it comes as no surprise to me that this latest facial serum is a brilliant, deep red and was realized during the cycle of the blood moon.
Working with intention I began infusing jojoba oil with wildcrafted herbs. Several weeks into the infusion process I began to get glimmers of what the final product would look like. The immortelle flowers had added a deep yellow tone to the already golden jojoba. Elderflowers added a delicate sweet fragrance to the oil. And of course, for some major cellular regeneration, comfrey wanted to join the party.
Lunar eclipses are seen as a time for change and renewal. They offer a chance to leave behind the emotions and attachments that no longer serve us. A time to let go of what is safe and comfortable in order to grow more fully.
This is where my inspiration for this serum originated from. This is a way to use entirely natural products (something that may be uncomfortable for some) and see change. Change in health, change in appearance, change in thought. This is a chance to embrace the effectiveness of plants. People are often amazed at how well herbal preparations work, usually responding with “wow! I can’t believe how quickly this helped my (insert ailment here).” Herbalists will often just smile and nod knowingly.
It seems to me that as a collective many of us humans have forgotten our deep and intimate connection with the earth. These plants are allies which we have built relationships with for millenniums. I feel deep respect for our home planet and its inhabitants and I’m so thrilled to be able to re-introduce folks to plants through daily ritual and routine. The more people feel connected to this earth, the more they will want to care for it.
Through blind intuition this serum was born, and is it ever magical!! Oh my. I am so in love with color and the deep restorative properties that these plants and rich oils offer. You can check out the listing here and read more in depth about the key ingredients.
To keep a sense of reality here, it’s not all dreamy, magic filled creativity. Sometimes I create things that turn out tragically…I just don’t post about those things. And then sometimes I create things that turn out beautifully, and I’m inspired to share.
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