Apothecary :: Herbal Sinus Steam for Winter Colds

The last few weeks have been a blur of stuffy noses and early bedtimes and endless pots of soup around our house. Winter is here, and she brought with her a marathon of headcolds. This Herbal Sinus Steam has been the only thing luring me out of bed in the morning.

Herbal steam baths are an ancient practice used to help ease congestion and moisturize inflamed airways. I have been using a mix of dried eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, thyme and rose petals to help soothe my poor respiratory system. Eucalyptus and rosemary to break up congestion, lavender to open up airways and calm the nervous system, thyme as a gentle expectorant, and rose petals to soothe dry winter skin. I don’t follow a strict recipe…just a few pinches of this and that until it smells aromatic. Feel free to experiment with different ratios of these herbs, dried or fresh, using whatever you might have on hand. If I’m really congested I will also add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil to kick it up a notch.

This warm fragrant steam does wonders for a scratchy throat and burning sinuses. A simple healing ritual to sooth the mind, body and spirit when you are under the winter weather.

Sending you lots of tea and healing thoughts, dear ones.

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, herbalist or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients:

A few pinches of any of the following herbs (dried or fresh.) Make sure you are only using high quality herbs that haven’t been sprayed with anything.

• Eucalyptus (feel free to add or substitute 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil)

• Rosemary

• Lavender

• Thyme

• Rose Petals

• Optional: 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil and/or lavender essential oil* (may not be suitable for children)

Instructions:

1. Put a full kettle or pot of water on to boil.

2. While the water is heating up, place herbs in a separate large pot or heat-resistant bowl.

3. Carefully pour boiling water over the herbs. Fill the bowl or pot about 2/3 full. Optional: Add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and/or lavender essential oil

4. Immediately cover bowl with a towel and allow herbs to steep for 5 minutes and the water to cool a bit.

5. Hold your face about 10 - 12 inches above pot. If the steam feels uncomfortably hot, wait a few more minutes for the water to cool then try again. When the steam has reached a comfortable temperature, cover your head and the bowl completely with a towel to make a little tent.

6. Close your eyes to avoid irritation and breathe deeply for 5 - 10 minutes. Try to clear your mind and visualize the healing energy you are inhaling.

xo,

9 Simple and Intentional DIY Holiday Gifts

There's still time, dear ones! We have scoured the Lovely Wild archives for a few of our favorite DIYs this holiday season. From herbal beard oil to hand-painted moon phase flags, each of these simple and intentional gifts can be made in a single afternoon. A lovely excuse to slow down and breathe deep and work with your hands. All you need is a few supplies and a fresh cup of peppermint tea. Oh, and a few inches of fresh snow if you have it. 

Sending all my love to you and yours, sweet friends. 

xo,

Apothecary :: New Moon Herbal Dream Pillows

I've been having the strangest dreams lately. Dreams of stones and bones and old forest women. Of moons and mountains and ancient skeleton keys. Dreams heavy with a symbolism I can never seem to untangle. Songs that slip through my fingers the moment after I wake. Perhaps it's the lulling hum of our old ceiling fan. Or the warm breeze fluttering in the bedroom curtains. Or the late summer lightning flashing over the mountains. Whatever it is, it has been pretty magical.

There is something undeniably intriguing about the etherial nature of dreams. Perhaps that's why humans have always tried to decode them. To find meaning and symbols amid the bizarre and tangled plot lines. To interpret the images like runes spread upon a table. It makes sense when you think about it...dreams take us to the delicate space between our conscious mind and unconscious spirit. They allow us to peek below the veil. To see what might be lurking in the quiet corners of our psyche. To remember things our soul knows, but minds have forgotten.

This Sunday's New Moon in Leo is a particularly auspicious moment to look for the messages hidden in our dreams. The New Moon asks us to set intentions. To turn our gaze inward. To get very quiet and very clear about what it is we are trying to manifest. These simple Herbal Dream Pillows come together in just a few minutes and are a lovely personal ritual to honor the lunar cycle and connect to our subconscious. The herbs listed have been long prescribed by folklore for deep sleep and vivid dreams. To quiet the mind and soothe the spirit. To peek into the space between.

Wishing you a dreamy New Moon, dear ones. 

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Supplies:

- Small linen draw string bag

- Lavender (for relaxation)

- Rose Petals (for love)

- Chamomile (for deep sleep)

- 1 bay leaf (for prophetic dreams)

- Lemon Verbena (for light and happy dreams)

- Sage (for cleansing and protection)

Instructions:

1. Start by dip-dying your muslin bag. I used some lovely indigo dye I had rolling around in the back of my craft closet. Follow dye instructions and allow bag to dry. Once dry, I used a small glass to trace the new moon with gold ink. 

2. Add your dried herbs to your moon pillow. There is really no precise formula here. Just add small amounts of each herb, smelling as you go until you reach your desired mixture. Follow your nose on this one. Don't forget to toss in a bay leaf or two to inspire prophetic dreams.

3. Place dream pillow beneath your pillow and breathe deep.

xo,

DIY :: Sandlewood Beard Oil with Rosemary and Cedarwood

A fast and furious post for you today lovelies!

This little elixir comes to us from one of my very favorite souls - the lovely Kendra Potter of Sistermoon Wellness. Kendra whips up a batch of this fragrant oil for the bearded men in her life every holiday season. My husband has gotten so addicted to the stuff that come November he starts to drop her a series not-so-subtle hints that his supply is running low. It smells warm and earthy and woodsy and romantic all at once.  A subtle fragrance for the man who loves the mountains. 

And if you are a procrastinator like myself, you're in luck! This little gem only takes 5 minutes to mix up. Package it up in a vintage tin with a beard brush or comb and you have a unique and personal handmade gift he will actually use. 

Happy love day, dear ones!

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs, botanicals, and essential oils are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers or children and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Recipe by Kendra Potter. I used organic oils wherever possible. If you are looking for high quality essential oils, I highly recommend our friends at White Stone Essentials. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz organic Jojoba Oil

• 7 - 9 drops Cedarwood essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Rosemary essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Lavender essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Sandlewood essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Cypress essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Rose essential oil

Instructions

1. Add jojoba oil to a small vial. I found that the metal tip of a pastry bag makes a perfect little funnel.

2. Add all oils, feeling free to modify amounts to preference.

3. Close vial and shake well. Use a few drops in beard after bathing.

xo,

Apothecary :: Mood-Lifting Lemon + Rose Winter Tea

I learned a deep love of tea from my mother. Growing up, every morning before school I was cheerfully greeted with a tiny steaming mug of English Breakfast and a thick slice of homemade pumpkin bread. It's her answer to just about every scenario. Bad day at work? Tea. Horrible breakup? Tea. Being audited by the IRS? Double tea. To this day, the first words out of my mother's mouth every morning are, "Let me make you a cup of tea." Before "good morning." Before "hello." Before anything - tea first. There's a woman who has her priorities straight. 

So it's no surprise that a cozy cuppa is my go-to when I am in need of a little comfort. I don't think I'm alone when I say these past few weeks have been...challenging. The political and meteorological climate, combined with a marathon of sunless grey days has left me feeling a bit lost. Untethered. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Let's be honest - January is always a little brutal, but this year felt particularly rough.

In life's more difficult seasons, it's especially important for us to double down on self-care. In order to show up for each other and the world, we first need to fill our own tanks and hold space for ourselves. Brewing a cup of soothing herbal tea is a wonderful exercise in daily self-care. I love the act of mixing the fragrant herbs, boiling the water, quietly meditating as it steeps. This simple ritual feels so grounding and restorative. A momentary time-out from the daily chaos. One of my favorite recipes for this time of year includes lemon balm and rose petals. The lemony flavor is bright and cheerful while the rose adds a lovely floral note and the smell of spring. Both have been long prescribed by folklore to lift the spirits and chase away the mid-winter blues. 

So let's all take a moment to slow down and breathe deep and drink some flowers. Here's to a brighter month ahead, dear ones.

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients

- 1 part organic edible rose petals

- 1 part organic edible lemon balm

- 1/2 part organic edible linden leaf

- 1/2 part dried lemon peel

Instructions

1. Loosely measure out all ingredients in a bowl. You can use a mortar and pestle to break up any large pieces if necessary. The ratios here are merely suggestions so feel free update according to taste. I would recommend experimenting with a few pots of tea to see what you like before mixing a large batch. 

2. Store in an airtight jar or tin (these also make lovely gifts!)

3. Use 1 tsp of the mixture per cup, or 2 - 3 tsp per pot of tea. Pour boiling water over strainer with tea and let steep for 3 minutes. I like to use this opportunity for a little mini-meditation.

4. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon. Breathe, relax, enjoy. 
 

xo,

DIY :: Bay Laurel Eucalyptus Wreath & the Dark Days of Winter

For thousands of years, the approach of winter was a dire, fearful time for humans. It meant famine and illness and death were on the horizon. That the world would be plunged into relentless cold and darkness and that not everyone would survive. It was a time to huddle together. To batten down the hatches. To hide away and hold on till spring.

December (and the winter solstice specifically), marked the pinnacle of this desolate season. But many cultures also used this as a time to celebrate life and light in the face of the encroaching darkness. To gather with loved ones around the fire. To feast and sing and share what little we had squirreled away. To celebrate the simple fact that we were still alive. Now don't get me wrong, humans have plenty of flaws, but I think there is something deeply beautiful about that. That on the longest, coldest nights of the year, when all was quiet and frozen and bleak, we shined our flickering lights into the vast darkness and found joy. 

I love that you can still find remnants of these ancient rituals in our modern holiday traditions. Little echoes of forgotten customs. We still hang lights in dark windows. We feast and sing. We bring in evergreens that don't mind the cold. Perhaps one of the most ubiquitous of these symbols is the humble wreath. There are many theories on the origin of this tradition, but my personal favorite is that the hearty evergreens and circular shape represent eternal life in the face of winter. We hang them in our doors and windows to remind our neighbors, "It's alright, friends. Even on the darkest days of the year, something green remains." What a lovely thought.

I made this simple wreath with bay laurel and eucalyptus and an old embroidery hoop. Nothing too fancy. Just simple supplies, a little time and a cup of peppermint tea. It felt good to slow down and breathe deep and play with plants for a while. A nice slow segue into the bustle of the holiday season. 

Happy December, dear ones. Here's to sharing and celebrating and shining our little lights. So much love to you. 

Supplies

- Hearty greens (I used branches of bay laurel as my base. They hold up nicely and smell amazing)

- Smaller greens & berries for texture (I used gunny, blue and seeded eucalyptus as well as a few dried pepper berries)

- Embroidery hoop of any size

- Floral wire

- Ribbon

Instructions

1. Start by cutting your bay laurel branches into more manageable lengths. I cut mine into roughly 1 foot sections. The size of these will depend on the size of your embroidery hoop. I set aside a few small sprigs to fill in any sparse spots later.

2. Play with the natural curve of the branches to find where they want to lay on the hoop. Word to the wise: don't try to fight the natural curve of the branches. Let them lay how they want to lay and work around their natural shape. Bay laurel lends itself beautifully to a circular wreath. Using segments of floral wire, begin wrapping the branches in segments around the hoop. It's okay if the wire is visible or there are some bare spots. You can cover these will smaller greens later. Use small lengths of wire to attach each branch in 2 - 3 spots.

3. Once you have your base greenery secured around the hoop you can start playing with the smaller greens. I wove in blue and seeded eucalyptus to fill in bare spots and cover any exposed wire. I also added a few more sprigs of bay laurel here and there. Even some pheasant feathers would be cool. There is no right answer here! Have fun and play with finding the right balance. I tend to like things a little more organic and unfussy so I left mine a bit wild. You can easily tame it with some additional floral wire if thats more your style. It helps to hold the wreath up to the wall now and then to get perspective and make sure the weight is balanced.

4. Tie a pretty ribbon or twine around the top of the wreath. You can either use this to hang it, or if you have a wreath hanger you could opt for the traditional bow. As a finishing touch, I wove in a few dried pepper berries left over from our Thanksgiving table. Those little guys last forever. 

5. Hang and enjoy! You can definitely hang these little loves outside, but I couldn't bare to be parted with the spicy, earthy aroma of the bay leaves. I opted to display ours in our front window so it can be seen from the street, but we can still smell it in the house. Everybody wins.

xo,

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Apothecary :: Elderberry + Echinacea Syrup & Golden Turmeric Milk

When I was a kid, I always had this strange sense of dread when it came to Sundays. Sundays meant piles of unfinished homework and lists of chores and early bedtimes. They meant the weekend was over and it was time to get back to reality. To responsibilities. To the daily grind. Sunday was just a nicer word for Monday. 

But the older I get, the more and more I appreciate the quiet productivity of a slow Sunday spent at home. Baking and cleaning and preparing for the week. Folding laundry.  Making lists. Roasting chicken. Sharing space.  I notice I tend to have a markedly more positive and productive week when I carve out the time to cleanse and nest and practice self care on Sundays. Slowing down for even a moment can feel like such a luxury these days. 

This Sunday I found myself trailing my fingers across endless rows of glass spice jars in my favorite little dusty corner of Missoula. If you are from around these parts, you know that Butterfly Herbs is a magical apothecary/teashop/bulk-spice oasis located in a turn-of-the-century pharmacy. Floor to ceiling bookshelves house enormous jars containing every herb, tea, and spice you can imagine. Oh, and did I mention they have a sliding library ladder used to access said herbs, teas and spices? Yeah, well...they do. It's the dreamiest and the loveliest and it's my happy place. 

After much meandering and much jar-smelling, I chose dried elderberries, echinacea, rose hips, calendula flowers, star anise and turmeric to add to my fall apothecary. A personal arsenal to fight off a lingering head cold. Oh, and a few scoops of my favorite loose leaf Irish Breakfast tea. Just for good measure. 

Elderberry syrup is one of the most effective herbal remedies I have ever personally experienced. I admit, I was very skeptical at first, but when I take a spoonful daily, I just do not get sick. Which is saying something, because I get sick a lot. And when I run out, like clockwork, I will come down with something within a week or two. This elixir is powerful stuff. To kick it up a notch for cold and flu season, I also threw in some dried rose hips (loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants), echinacea (immune boosting and antiviral), ginger (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant), and cinnamon (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.) Top it off with some local, raw honey and you have a cold and flu fighting powerhouse. 

Another immune booster I have been brewing this fall is this gorgeous Golden Turmeric Milk. You guys. This is the coziest, most soothing fall drink. Think foamy hot-spiced hug in a mug. And that color! Come on. Not to mention how wonderful it is for you. An ancient Ayurvedic remedy, Turmeric has been used to treat everything from inflammation and arthritis, to depression and even cancer. Combining Turmeric with black pepper greatly increases it's bioavailability, so be sure to include an extra dash of pepper just before drinking.  

So take a moment to slow down and reset. To brew up something warm and natural and soothing and seasonal. To prepare for the coming week and the coming season. To tend to the housekeeping of your space and mind and body. 

Happy Sunday. Have a lovely week, dear ones. 

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients

2.5 cups water

1/2 cup dried elderberries

1  TBS dried echinacea root

1 TBS dried rose hips

1/2 tsp cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp dried ginger

1/4 - 1/2 cup raw local honey (to taste)
 

Instructions

1. Bring water and all ingredients except honey to a boil in a small or medium sized pot. 

2. As soon as the water boils, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 45 mins. Stir occasionally to keep anything from sticking.

3. After 45 - 60 mins the mixture will have reduced by half. Remove pot from heat and let cool. 

4. Use a mesh strainer to strain the juice from the berries into a clean bowl. You may want to use the back of a wooden spoon to really squeeze the liquid out from the mixture. Lining the strainer with cheesecloth can make cleanup a bit easier. 

5. Transfer liquid to mason jar and mix in honey until combined. Keep in fridge. Take 1 TBS of this medicinal syrup every day to boost immune system. 

Ingredients

1 cup milk or almond milk

3/4 tsp dried turmeric 

1/2 tsp dried ginger 

1/4 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

1 tsp coconut oil

2 cloves (or a dash of powdered)

Fresh ground black pepper (I usually do about 5 grinds on our pepper mill)

Star anise (optional - if you are into that kind of thing. I add mine after as a garnish.)
 

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in small saucepan over low heat.

2. Gently simmer, stirring constantly, until coconut oil has melted. Use a whisk to foam up the milk to make it nice and creamy.

3. Pour and serve. Garnish with a few grinds of black pepper, a dash of cinnamon, and a star anise. 

xo,

Apothecary :: DIY Rose Water

And just like that, it was August.

Slowly but surely, summer is slipping quietly out the back door, leaving only a few precious weeks of bursting gardens and heirloom tomatoes and sun-drenched afternoons trailing behind her. I love how everything becomes a little wild this time of year. A little overgrown. Untended. Abundant. Exploding with life. Maybe it's the heat, or the heady scent of jasmine, but these final weeks of summer always makes me a little dreamy. Nostalgic. Less bound to reality. 

I'm always looking for ways to preserve the last few golden drops of sunshine and squirrel them away for the coming season. A steaming cup of lemon verbena tea and a jar of wild huckleberry jam can go a long way in the cold dark days of winter. January Hailey is always elated, and a little surprised, that August Hailey had a few fleeting moments of foresight.

Distilling a batch of rose water is one of my favorite late-summer rituals. An ancient remedy, rose water can be used in everything from facial toner to teacakes. Cleopatra swore by rose water for supple skin and, according to legend, Michelangelo drank it every morning with his tea. There is old magic in this stuff. I personally like to sprits a little on clean sheets and laundry, or add a tablespoons to bath water if I'm feeling extra fancy. It can even be used in the kitchen to add a delicate floral note to aromatic dishes and sweets, or as a cooling body mist on hot days. The possibilities are endless. A few minutes of time invested now will pay itself back ten-fold when you have this lovely tincture waiting in your apothecary.  

The key to high quality rose water is (surprise, surprise) high quality roses. Be sure to use only fresh organic roses that have never been sprayed with anything. The more fragrant, the better. This is the perfect project for the rose bush out back that has started to shower her petals. There is something deeply satisfying about finding a second life for fading blooms. 

You Will Need: 

- Fresh, fragrent organic rose petals

- 1 tray of ice cubes

- Large stock pot

- 2 oven safe jars or ramekins 

- Distilled water

Instructions:

1. Separate the petals from the roses and rinse with fresh water to remove any dirt or insects. 

2. Place petals in a large stock pot. 

3. Place a wide-mouth jar or ramekin upside down in the center of the pot. This is essentially just used as a base to lift the second jar off the bottom of the pot. Place the second jar right-side up on the ramekin. This jar will collect the rose water.

4. Fill the pot with water until it just covers the rose petals. The collection jar should be above the water line. Place the lid upside down on the pot and heat on medium until the water begins to boil. 

5. As soon as the water boils, place ice cubes on top of the upside-down lid. This will help bring the rose-filled condensation to the center of the lid where it will slowly drip into the waiting collection jar. 

6. Gently simmer for 15 - 20 mins or until the petals start to lose their color. Be sure not to over-cook, as this will dilute your rose water and change the fragrance. 

7. Turn off the heat and let cool for a minute. Using pot holders, carefully remove the lid which will now be filled with water from the melted ice cubes. Gently remove the jar filled with rose water (careful: it's hot!) and quickly transfer it to a waiting receptacle (or just put a lid on the jar.) The lovely rose oil you have just distilled can slip away as vapors so it's important to contain it quickly. 

8. Store in a cool dark place until you need a little splash of summer in your life. 

Have a lovely week dear ones.

xo, 

Apothecary :: DIY Lemon + Rosemary Sugar Scrub

We are still restlessly hibernating here in the mountains of Montana. A fresh six inches of snow over the past few days has dashed any hopes of an early spring and forced us to retreat back to our blankets and books and baths with a general harrumph. For someone who strives to live seasonally and embrace the beauty of each phase, late winter has always been the hardest to love for me.  One of my favorite littles recently asked her Mama, "Can we at least pretend it's spring?" I hear you, sister.  And yes. Yes we can. 

But if we can see past the grey, there is also a lovely energy buzzing beneath the surface this time of year. Days are slowly getting longer. Seeds are stirring in the ground, preparing to launch triumphant green shoots when given the word. Animals and humans are rolling over in their dens. It reminds me of that final hour of sleep in the early morning, when you are subtly aware the sun is rising, but still lost in a dream world. 

I'm using these last moments of rest to indulge in some serious self care. At home spa days have become a weekend staple over here. This Lemon Rosemary Sugar Scrub takes about 5 minutes to make and feels super pampery. I love using lemons in beauty rituals because they are bright and cheerful as well as highly beneficial. They have antibacterial and immune-boosting properties and also reduce the sight of blemishes. Win-win-win. Rosemary is an inflammatory and improves circulation. Also, it smells awesome. Sugar is a great exfoliator and moisturizer. Coconut oil has approximately one million beneficial properties. You are killing like 15 birds with one sugar scrub. 

Take a few moments to slow down and pamper yourself. You deserve it. 

Ingredients

2 cups organic raw sugar

1 organic lemon 

1 - 2 sprigs of rosemary

3 - 4 tablespoons coconut oil (olive or jojoba oil work great too)

10 - 15 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions

1. Add sugar to medium bowl and squeeze in the juice of one lemon.

2. Coarsely chop the rosemary leaves and add as much or as little as you'd like. 

3. Melt coconut oil and add a little at a time until you reach your desired constancy. I like my scrubs to be a little grittier so I used about 3 tablespoons. Mix in chopped rosemary leaves and essential oil.*

4. Store in mason jars or other airtight container for up to one month. 

* Tips: Add a few drops of essential oil at a time to make sure you don't create an aroma that's overpowering. There is no right way to do this, just keep adding ingredients until it feels finished. I like to use this in the shower so that there is no cleanup and the sugar goes right down the drain. My skin has been so so soft. I used 1/2 pint jam jars (recipe makes 5) and delivered to some of my girl friends as an early Galentines day treat. (Yep. Galentines. I went there.) 

xo,

Winter Apothecary

Attn: Head Cold - Your days are numbered.