Elderflower & Rosehip Salve

 
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Elderflower & Rosehip Salve Recipe

This salve features elder flowers, which are an old-fashioned remedy for softer, more evenly toned skin. Elder flowers are also traditionally used to heal scrapes, scratches and wounds, and as a treatment for dry skin. I like to include rosehip seed oil in this salve, for its well known effectiveness against scarring, wrinkles and signs of aging. The rosehip seed oil is optional though; if you don’t have any or don’t want to include it, just use more … Continue reading →

How to Harvest and Dry Flowers & Herbs From Your Garden

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Drying Flowers

I often get questions about how to best harvest and dry flowers and herbs from the garden, so today I thought I’d write up a little article detailing how I do it. It might not be the fanciest system out there, but it’s worked for me for many years! :)   Harvesting Flowers & Herbs An ideal time to collect fresh flowers and herbs from your garden is on a dry sunny day, after morning dew has … Continue reading →

Dandelion & Honey Liquid Soap Recipe

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Every spring, I look forward to making one of my all-time favorite soaps – Dandelion & Honey. I’ve been making some version of it for about 12 years or so now, changing up the recipe here and there for variety. This year, I decided to switch things up and turn it into a liquid soap, instead of bars. Liquid soap is one of those things that seems complicated, and some methods are overly so, but this … Continue reading →

12 Things to Make With Dandelion Flowers

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Dandelion Vinegar

Dandelions are the epitome of cheerful resilience. Though many people inexplicably find them ugly and try to destroy them with harmful herbicides, they’re sunny little drops of happiness that offer a multitude of health benefits and even potential treatment for several types of cancer. (Check out these studies on PubMed for more information.) The flowers are especially treasured for their mild analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, making them an excellent addition to products designed for sore muscles … Continue reading →

Cedarwood & Oatmeal Soap

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Cedarwood & Oatmeal Cold Process Soap Recipe

This simple natural soap features: oatmeal, for visual texture and to soften skin as it gently exfoliates, French green clay, for a natural green color and mild cleansing properties, along with cedarwood “Atlas” essential oil for a clean woodsy scent. According to my favorite reference for essential oils (The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness), cedarwood “Atlas” (Cedrus atlantica) is mildly astringent, antibacterial & antifungal, making it a good addition to products … Continue reading →

14 Ways to Use Ground Ginger

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14 Things to Make With Ground Ginger

When I was first learning about herbs, I would excitedly read a new recipe or tutorial only to find out it needed some exotic-sounding special ingredient that required an internet order to obtain. Remembering that frustration, I thought I’d share with you fourteen ways to use ground ginger, which is easily obtained from the baking or spice section of your local supermarket. Optimally, you’d want an organic brand, but these recipes will work with whatever type is available … Continue reading →

10 Things to Make With Violets

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Violet Leaf Soap Recipe

Violets are not only lovely to look at, but are cooling and healing. The stems, leaves and flowers are all edible and are traditionally used in fighting chronic diseases such as oral cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. They’re especially useful for soothing irritations and eczema when used on your skin. Here are a few helpful links on identifying and foraging for violets. (You do NOT want to use African violet houseplants in any of these … Continue reading →