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,