We are moving at warp speed into the holiday season! It’s exciting but is also a time when we tend to get overwhelmed and stressed. This can also be a lonely time for those who live alone or are isolated., Please use some of your precious time to check on friends and relatives. Phone calls and visits might be the most precious gift you can give. Check out my What’s New page for other gift ideas with crisp and relaxing scents.
I try to take small moments each to consider those things for which I am thankful and find great solace in this practice. This time of year encourages us to spend a bit more time reflecting on those things we are thankful for. I am forever thankful for my family, dear friends and my customers. I am also grateful for the changing of seasons and realize that I am revitalized moving through the seasons. Each change of seasons brings a special thrill, but fall is probable the most pronounced for me, I love the time of harvest and preservation of food and herbs; there is something so very satisfying about having jars of home canned products lining my shelves and renewing my herbal supplies. I am especially thankful for Mother Earth and the gifts being able to grow my own vegetables and herbs.
I am doing more and more dehydrating of foods and have added some new powders to my skin care products. I have created a tomato powder and carrot powder that can be added to many of my products. Tomatoes contain several vitamins and nutrients that can help repair damaged skin. Benefits of tomatoes for skin: reduces excessive oils, removes dead skin, prevents acne, brightens skin, delays signs of aging, tightens pores, and relieves skin irritation (S. Hamdani, 2020). Anyone up for a tomato paste facial?
I have been creating my own home cleaning products for quite a while and wonder if others would like me to share some of my recipes. I currently make my own solid and liquid dish soaps (these are available for purchase through my website), I make my own all-purpose cleaner, a laundry gel, and a lemon oil dusting product for wood surfaces. I have found that we have fewer skin problems and breathing problems using these products. I encourage you to use natural cleaning products as those we generally buy have chemicals which are unhealthy for us and for our environment.
We are in full swing with the cold and flu season. There are many herbs known to support our immunity systems and hopefully prevent serious attacks from these viruses, but I am still a big believer in getting vaccinated. I have successfully used a homemade Elderberry Tincture and there are many elderberry products on the market. I am currently not selling my tinctures as I have been using alcohol to extract the healing properties of the herbs. I am working on using raw apple cider vinegar method of creating tinctures so stay tuned for these being added as a new product. Good handwashing habits are essential to staying healthy also. I have many liquid and bar soaps available that will cleanse your skin without leaving them dried out. Most of my soaps can be made to meet your individual needs.
Another favorite herb in my medicinal apothecary is Ashwagandha.. I use it in tinctures and add to tea blends for its immune strengthening properties. Many people find that this herb may help with anxiety and depressing as well as having anti-inflammatory effects. This herb is readily available as a supplement in capsule form or powders that can be added to cold or hot drinks. I would love to hear from others who have successfully used Ashwagandha
