The Plant Allies of Spring: How to Create a Spring Wellness Apothecary

Forever ago I wrote a blog post on creating your own herbal apothecary for the winter months, but it's not just winter that I'm adjusting what's on my apothecary shelves. Every season brings new needs and new herbs growing on the Land, so I thought it would be useful to write about creating home apothecaries for wellness for each of the seasons.

As with my winter wellness suggestions, I've organized my recommendations into general herbal actions that I find useful in the springtime such as anti-inflammatory herbs for allergies. I've tried to highlight herbs that are easy to access (especially in North America, where I am writing this from) and/or inexpensive to grow yourself, but hopefully you'll feel inspired and able to work with herbs local to your area.

So with that in mind let's explore some of the common ailments and remedies for the season of spring!

image via @merrij

Finding Balance: Managing Seasonal Allergies

Herbal Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, anti-catarrhal, and respiratory tonics

Here's my caveat about herbs and allergies: I do think that many folks benefit from working one-on-one with a local herbalist to help figure out your allergies and reactivity because a) allergies can be tricky to figure out and the individualized care a practitioner can offer can be essential, b) there are often layers of reactivity occurring (including food allergies and neuroplastic reactivity) that need exploring and c) a local herbalist can help you work with local herbs which is often very beneficial to alleviating allergies. 

All that said, there are a lot of herbs that are generally useful for allergies and helping the body be less reactive and inflammatory during allergen abundant times like spring. The following herbs are protective against seasonal allergies, energize body systems, and generally help the body move from winter to spring. 

Nettles (Urtica dioica): A nutritionally dense plant ally, Nettles is a great herb to work with in strengthening and nourishing our body. It has antihistamine qualities and helps to "build the blood" which speaks to both its iron content, but the herbs overall nutritive and energizing (but not stimulating) healing qualities.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): A beloved ally for helping to alleviate seasonal allergies, Goldenrod is adept at relieving congestion and sinus pain.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): A good tonic herb, known for bringing joy and life to those who ingest it. Lemon Balm helps to protect against overwhelm, whether that's feeling overwhelmed by change, social situations, spring allergies or whatever else is looming large in your life. 

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): If you're feeling particularly sluggish this spring, turn to Peppermint to help sweep away the remaining drowsiness of winter so you can connect with the energy of the new season. The anti-inflammatory qualities of Peppermint help us to breathe deeper, reduce the brain fog that often come along with allergies, and infuse us with some hope that this too shall pass.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): The arrival of Dandelion on the Land I live with is a time of celebration. There will be medicine that can be made again for the year ahead and enjoying Dandelion medicine during the early days of spring is like filling up the body with spring energy from the inside out. Dandelion helps to reduce sinus inflammation and expel excess mucus (along with the allergens it carries). 

The Internal Fire: Nourishing Digestion

Herbal Actions: Bitters, cholagogues, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminatives, and nervines

One of the most important ways of supporting health from a traditional western herbalism perspective, is supporting the digestive fire (or metabolic processes) of the body. After the slowness of winter and the long stretch of cold, in the spring we want to support the building up of digestive effectiveness as we become more active and the days heat up. Finding the right digestive herbs for your constitution can take a bit of effort (which is why working with an herbalist one-on-one can be so valuable - you deserve such support), but when you find your digestive plant allies, it can be life changing. 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): The roots are a good overall spring tonic, helping to wake up our winter bodies to the season of spring. I like to drink a decoction of the roots during early spring (sometimes with a recipe like this) and enjoy making and taking my own whole plant Dandelion tinctures (i.e. the roots, leaves, flowers of Dandelion) to enjoy throughout the year.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Another good overall spring to summer tonic and digestive aid, I especially like recommending Chamomile for highly sensitive people who tend to get upset stomachs when experiencing disruption to their day and routine (including struggling with the change of season). Chamomile is also a plant ally for folks who tend to have an overactive or fast digestion (may be indicated via signs of cramping, diarrhea, and gas). 

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Deeply reparative to the digestive system and often a good ally for folks who suffer from bloating, fatigue, and gas after meals.

Rose (Rosa spp.): A helpful ally when it comes to supporting the microbiome of our gut, acting as a prebiotic as well as supporting digestion through the promoting the production of bile. 

Other digestive spring aids include Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Sage (Salvia officinalis).

image via @victorserban

Waking Up From Winter: Brain Fog & Brain Tonics

Herbal Actions: Nootropics, nervines, and adaptogens along with herbs for digestive health to support the brain-gut axis.

The winter season has hopefully brought some much needed slowness and rest to your life. Just like getting up in the morning after a long night's sleep, waking up from the winter months can take a bit of time. I like to reach for herbs that support brain health and mental clarity, helping to sweep away the cobwebs of winter so that I can best enjoy the energy of spring.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): My favorite ally for alleviating brain fog and helping to promote mental clarity. It's also a plant ally known to bring joy and support our ability to feel part of the world and not be overrun by it - something which can feel especially useful between the slowness of winter and the speediness of spring.

Sage (Salvia officinalis): A classic brain tonic, Sage is known as an herb of wisdom, promoting mental clarity and discernment.

Milky Oat (Avena sativa): A great ally for those feeling exhausted and not ready to be doing much of anything, much less transitioning into a new season. A supremely generous tonic for the nervous system as well as supporting our mental health.

Other brain tonics include Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Gingko (Gingko biloba), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Springtime Colds & Fevers

Check out my winter apothecary post for recommendations on herbs for different types of colds, coughs, and fevers.

Breathing Deeply: Respiratory & Lung Health

Herbal Actions: Anti-inflammatories, demulcents, astringents, aromatic, and expectorants.

Honoring the breath is an important part of my personal and professional practice. I've written about breathwork and the herbs that support breathwork practices, all of which can be incorporated into a spring apothecary.

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum): If you have the sort of spring allergies which cause a lot of damp and mucus, drying Yerba Santa might be a good ally for you. It's a respiratory tonic and nervine helping us to connect deeply to our breath and nervous system.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): If you've had a long season of being sick this past winter, Mullein can be a great ally, especially if there is a lingering cough. I like combining Mullein with Elder (Sambucus nigra) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita) for a lung-opening, immunomodulating blend. A helpful ally for those whose asthma is irritated by the increase in heat and allergens that spring brings.

Elecampane (Inula helenium): A good herb for seasonal allergies and stubborn coughs of all sorts. 

image via @jiihu

The Body In Motion: Supporting the Lymph Nodes

Herbal Actions: Lymphatic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, and astringent

Some of the first herbs to spring up after winter are ones that support lymphatic health, helping to drain congested lymphs and reduce overall inflammation. Often considered weeds by the general public, these herbs deserve respect and can be a beautiful and inexpensive way to access herbal medicine. Be sure to leave enough herbs to go to seed and continue to spread out across the Land to where they are most needed.

Cleavers (Galium aparine): These sweet and sticky herbs help to support the activity of white blood cells clearing out congestion in our lymph nodes. These are best taken fresh either as a tea or blended into smoothies.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): If you're in a state of lymphatic congestion, Calendula can be a beautiful ally to work with. The bright flowers shine through our system, chasing out shadows of sluggishness, helping to promote lymphatic drainage and circulation.

Dandelion (Taraxacum offcinalis): Dandelion helps to repair and support the filtering systems of our body including our liver, kidneys, digestive tract, and lymph nodes. The herb helps to promote the production of lymphocytes which makes it a wonderful lymph tonic to work with throughout late winter and early spring.

Other lymph tonic herbs include Chickweed (Stellaria media), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), and Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens).

🌿

There you have it friends - herbal allies for the spring season! I hope you're feeling inspired to build your own home apothecary using a few easily accessible herbs to support your health and the health of those you serve. In my own life, spring is a time of trying to use up last year's stock of herbal remedies so that I can make space for new ones, long and lovely hours in the garden, checking in with the energy of the season, and working all sorts of springtime magick.

You can also learn about the seasons from an astrological perspective, starting with Aries. If you’re in the southern hemisphere the start of spring is marked by Libra.

I hope that you find the rhythm of seasonal change that works the best for you and your loved ones, so that you can thrive in times of change and feel nourished by the possibility of what is coming into being.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Herbs for Breathwork + Respiratory Health

Last month I wrote about how breathwork is a community tool and works in online spaces (thank the Holy Ones for transcendent digital magick). I wanted to follow-up that post with suggested herbs that can assist us in our breathwork but are also useful for respiratory health in general. We're in the midst of protest season which is looking like it's going to be an appropriately long one also while living through a pandemic. Respiratory health, whether we're being exposed to viruses or chemicals like pepper spray and tear gas, is really important right now. Breathwork combined with attention to the bodily systems which help us breath helps us to return home to our bodies and nourish our nervous system after prolonged periods of stress. You can combine these herbs not only with your breathwork but with other centering and body-grounding practices like healing movement modalities, therapy and mental health practices, walking, sex and sensual touch, ritual and spellcraft, and more.

I've listed four categories of herbs that I think are particularly useful for breathwork: Nervines, Adaptogens, Respiratory Tonics, and Heart Tonics. There are so many herbs present in each of these categories that I could recommend but hopefully by describing the types and qualities of herbs I recommend you'll be able to find ones that you are already familiar with, that are stocked in your cabinet, and/or more regionally relevant.

I'll follow these categorical descriptions with short profiles on eight herbal allies that I've been turning to frequently these days. Since these are just short descriptions of each herb, it is important for you to do your research with reliable materia medicas and consult with herbalists for further information, contraindications, and stories that will deepen your relationship with our plant friends. Of course, when you are able to, meet these plant allies in spaces where they grow and ask to sit with them to learn directly from their wisdom.

image by Isaac Quesada

The Four Categories of Breathwork Herbs

Nervines are plants that calm the nerves and often nourish the nervous system. Since so much of breathwork is about interacting with our nervous system in healing and beneficial ways, helping us to return to a state of rest and digest, nervines are beautiful companion herbs and guides in our practice. They help us to relax and open up to breathing deep and purposefully. So many of our diseases and ailments either have roots in or are exacerbated by stress which is why knowing and working with nervines not only in breathwork but in daily life can be of such great benefit to us. Nervines include Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Holy Basil (Ocimum spp.), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), and Catnip (Nepeta cataria).

Adaptogens are herbs that do a multitude of healing actions, but are probably known most popularly as helping us to adapt to stress. Adaptogens and nervines work well together and when it comes to breathwork, adaptogens can help us stretch back into ourselves after a period of prolonged stress. It's important to remember that adaptogens don't "cure" stress and are not meant to replace stress-reducing actions and choices in our lives from healthy movement to mindful consumption. And also, the reality is that many of us are dealing with tremendous social and political stress in our lives further impacted by global environmental changes. Adaptogens can help us develop a sense of resiliency and purpose so we are less distracted by stress and more invested in the tools which help us (such as breathwork) continue on in life with a feeling of wholeness and purpose. Some adaptogens are Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Holy Basil (Ocimum spp.), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) and Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea). The following wisdom from Toni Morrison from a talk at Portland Statue University in 1975 feels like an adaptogenic one to me, helping to tell the story of these plants:

“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”

Of course, if we're talking about herbs to support respiratory health, I'm going to feature Respiratory Tonics. These include herbs which can be immunostimulating (since the respiratory system is an primary entry way for viruses and bacterias) as well as decongestants, demulcents (herbs that moisten mucous membranes), and expectorants (herbs that relax lungs while promoting elimination of mucus from airways). Many respiratory tonics are also considered aromatics - herbs that are rich in volatile oils and deeply scented. Aromatics often do all the actions I just described for respiratory tonic herbs and have a wonderfully harmonizing or synergizing energy which helps to bring a blend together as well as helping a tea taste better. Respiratory tonics herbs include Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Elecampane (Inula helenium), Licorice, Nettles (Urtica dioica), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina), and Pleurisy Root (Asclepius tuberose).

I also include Heart Tonics in my recommendations. In my experience, so much of breathwork is heart work. Yes, the benefits of mindful and meditative breathing are many - it is calming to our nervous systems, lower blood pressure, stimulate our immune systems, shift emotional and mental perspectives, disrupt anxiety and panic attacks, and so on. It is not unusual during breathwork and working with our respiratory system in general for there to be a feeling of opening, expanding, and along with that, grieving for un-grieved for experiences. Heart tonics help us to open our hearts with support (many heart tonics are protective along with being opening) and make space for grief to move through and out of our bodies instead of stagnating. Herbs include Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Rose (Rosa spp.), and Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca).

So sitting in the center of our circle, we sit with our backs against the tree of life, calling to us respiratory tonics from the east, nervines from the west, adaptogens from the south, and heart tonics from the north. Let's meet our plant allies gathered here... 

image by Wolfgang Hasselmann

Herbs for Breathwork + Respiratory Health

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) | Respiratory Tonic, Nervine
Mullein is great for all sorts of lung-related complaints from asthma to bronchitis, the herb opens the respiratory passageways helping us to breathe deeper and more effectively. It's a demulcent which also reduces inflammation and helps to protect against infection. Mullein is one of my favorite herbs for fire season here in California. Overall, it helps us to release tension from our bodies. Within breathwork, Mullein is good for those type of folks who overwork and stretch themselves thin - the herb helps them to soften and open up to relaxing as an act of justice and repair.

Elecampane (Inula helenium) | Respiratory Tonic, Heart Tonic
I've written a full plant profile on Elecampane and it is a well-regarded lung tonic in traditional western herbalism. The herb is an astringent decongestant as well as being antiseptic and antibacterial. It is really useful for treating chronic coughs and long-term lung complaints. Elecampane, also known as Elf Wort, has a traditional use for "elf shot" in Celtic culture which can be interpreted as a number of ways one of which is as a sudden energetic and emotional pain brought on by a traumatic event. Drop dosages of the herb or flower essence can be really helpful in cases like this. For breathwork, Elecampane is a helpful ally for those who are coming to the practice after a shock-inducing experience.

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) | Respiratory Tonic, Nervine
Yerba Santa is an astringent decongestant that dries up excess mucous by normalizing excess mucous secretion. Normalizing mucous secretion means that you won't have to go back and forth between too much and too little secretion leading to being too dried out and equally uncomfortable. Along with Mullein it is also one of my favorite herbs for fire season here in California. In addition to its powers of mucous normalization, Yerba Santa is antimicrobial and antiseptic. On an energetic level, Yerba Santa sticky resinous quality helps to pull up and out old grief and trauma so that you no longer have to carry it around. For breathwork, it can be helpful if you struggle with breathing out deeply.

image by Maude Frédérique Lavoie

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) | Respiratory Tonic
Thyme is one of my favorite kitchen garden remedies - I always have the fresh herb growing in my garden or at least dried leaves in my spice cupboard. I add it to most of my respiratory tonics because it is pleasing in taste and effective in its actions as a decongestant expectorant. Thyme strengthens the immune system without being over-stimulating and protects against bacterias and microbes. It is one of my favorite allies in removing respiratory infections from the body and one I turn to often in the winter months. Thyme is not classically categorized as a nervine, but it certainly acts like one, helping to relieve tension and mental exhaustion. For breathwork, beyond being wonderfully aromatic and enhancing the physical breathwork experience, Thyme helps us to settle into our practice while gathering our inner resources and loosening our belief that there is not enough time for all the work that needs to be done.

Plantain (Plantago spp.) | Respiratory Tonic
Ubiquitous Plantain is commonly used in traditional western herbalism for topical treatments but in recent herbs I've come to know the plant for its respiratory tonic qualities. I live in fire country and have started working with Plantain as a smoke relief ally. Plantain heals tissue internally as well as it does externally which is especially useful for healing post-exposure to environmental pollutants and chemical weapons such as pepper spray and tear gas. For breathwork (and any sort of mindful practice or magick), Plantain helps us remind us of the abundant truth that simple practices cultivate profound peace.

Holy Basil (Ocimum spp.) | Respiratory Tonic, Adaptogen, Nervine
Holy Basil, also known as Sacred Basil and Tulsi, is an antispasmodic demulcent and expectorant. The herb is immunostimulating and protective against microorganisms like Staph infection. It's a lovely warming plant and one of my favorite adaptogens helping to reduce anxiety while uplifting the spirit and sparking hope within us. Of course, I have a personal love for Holy Basil that is tied to the lessons I have learned sitting with this plant and its ancestral stories, but I can't help but feel that the recognition of Holy Basil as an earthly embodiment of the Goddess Lakshmi speaks to the sacredness that Holy Basil helps us to recognize in people and places. Within breathwork, Holy Basil helps us to connect to our holiness and the holiness of the moment while releasing those things which no longer serve us. Here is one of my favorite tea blends featuring Holy Basil.

image by Belinda Fewings

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) | Respiratory Tonic, Heart Tonic
Holy heart opener and guardian of the gates, Hawthorn is one of the most treasured heart tonics within traditional western herbalism. I've written about its power of thorn, how it helps us to thrive in eclipse season, and why it is one of my favorite autumn season herbs. Hawthorn is known as a cardiac tophorestorative which means that it acts as a restorative for our heart bringing our physical and energetic heart back into balance. The herb helps with the brave journey of opening up again after heartbreak - no easy task and yet one essential to healing. In breathwork, Hawthorn is the ally of the broken-hearted and those who avoid quiet contemplative practices because of their broken-heartedness. It is an herb that works best when taken over an extended period of time.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) | Nervine, Heart Tonic
Rooibos is a relaxing nervine with anti-spasmodic qualities and cardioprotective qualities. It's one of my favorite herbs to use in daily morning teas - it's a gentle adaptogen, rich in antioxidants, incredibly calming to the nerves without being sedating, and it's just a really delicious tasting. Rooibos finds its way into many of my tea blends include this one for the First Harvest. Plants are storytellers and in this current wave of culture-changing Black Lives Matter protests, South African native Rooibos can act as an ancestral teacher and gifter of wisdom. For those of you of African descent wanting to work with ancestral herbs, Rooibos is one place to start since it is often easy to find and gentle enough for most folks to work with.  For folks of non-African descent we can learn from plants like Rooibos, too, practicing our listening skills and turning to quiet reflection with our plant teachers alongside the many other humxn teachers helping us to dream up a more just and kind future. Within breathwork, Rooibos helps us bring sweetness to our practice especially for those folks who have a hard time recognizing pleasure as an essential part of healing and justice work.

image by Kings Lee

Recommended Preparations

Many of the herbs above can be prepared in a variety of ways. I feel that the following three ways are particularly conducive to using these herbs in breathwork practices, but please use what you have available and what is appropriate for your individual needs. All of these preparations are water based and require very simple tools to make. 

Teas: One of our oldest forms of herbal medicine, teas or herbal tisanes - if we want to get fancy - are the infusion of plant material with water. Sitting with a cup of tea before, during, and after breathwork only enhances the experience in my opinion. Making tea can be a ritual, helping to set the space for your breathwork and, if drinking hot tea, the steamy aroma of the brew can further help to open airways and deliver the medicine through our breath. Typically, for herbal teas you’ll add 1 heaping teaspoon of herbs per 8 ounces of water and steep for 10 - 20 minutes.

Herbal Steams: Opening up the airways and delivery herbal medicine directly to our airways can be a lovely way to connect with plants before and during breathwork. Typically an herbal steam consists of pouring hot water over a bowl full of herbs and positioning your head above it so that you are breathing in the vapors. Some folks like to cover their head and the bowl with a towel, but this can be a bit too intense for others. It is important to be careful and not burn yourself with the steam which can be quite hot initially. I like to pour hot water over a bowl of herbs, cover with a towel and let sit for 5 minutes before breathing it. You can perform an herbal steam before breathwork or have a bowl of herbs and hot water positioned before you so that you are inhaling their fragrance while partaking in your breathwork practice.

Herbal Baths + Showers: Another option is to take an herbal bath or shower. Herbal baths consist of infusing your bathwater with herbs much like bathing in a large cup of tea. You can learn more about herbal baths and showers here. I like combining herbal baths and showers with breathwork because I find them inherently relaxing and opening - both energetic shifts useful for breathwork. While you can take an herbal bath or shower and then perform your breathwork, you can also perform simple and short breathwork while bathing. As a Witch, bathing is an opportunity for spiritual cleansing and releasing unwanted energetic entanglements - combined with herbs and breathwork bathing and showering can become a powerful ritual.

I hope that these suggestions are useful and that you are inspired to meet with any one of these plant teachers yourself. Be sure to check out my companion post on breathwork for more resources. If you're looking for more resources on herbs that help remind us of our wholeness check out my post on work and worth and those plant allies that are especially useful for the more sensitive among us. Since breathwork is often connected to (re)learning how to rest, here's my guide on how to find insights on ways to rest particular to your personal starmap.

If you’re looking for a deeper dive into breathwork, check out my course on the subject.

Finally, I just received a book in the mail today that I think many of you would find useful when it comes to the overall practice of arriving back into our bodies. Nourishing the Nervous System by tayla shanaye is a beautifully designed pocket-sized book (can I tell you of my deep love for pocket books?) with simple somatic exercises you can do daily for nervous system wellness. The book is produced by Loam which I was only recently introduced to (thanks, Yarrow!) and I’m sure many of you will be as happy to find them as I was.

❤︎ This post was made possible through patron support. Thanks, friends. ❤︎

First Steps : The New Moon in Aquarius

As Above, So Below

All we need to know
is written in the stars,
guiding and healing energies
inscribed on the face of the firmament
in crystalline calligraphy.
Studying the illuminated manuscript of sky,
tasting the cold immensity of distance,
we muse, measure, and meditate,
dream, reflect and imagine,
wondering if the lyrical light of stars
tells our story, brings out heart's desires.
Longing to know,
we lift our faces to the night sky,
listen for star song,
seek moon blessings,
pray for their gifts
of light and prophesy.

- Sherri Rose-Walker -

Welcome to the first post for the New Moon Healers Project!

The first New Moon of the year takes to the sky in the sign of Aquarius. Aquarius has the energetic signature of a storm cloud - building up with electric current it strikes suddenly and is soon spent, but its impact lingers. The lingering impact of Aquarius is attributed to the fixed nature of the sign (as opposed to cardinal or mutable the two other energetic modes of the zodiac). What the New Moon in Aquarius offers us is the ability to take that first, impactful step in the direction of our choosing. When we are unwell or suffering from dis-ease it can often feel like things are happening to us or are out of our control. We were given a cold by a sick co-worker. Or we don’t have time to sleep because there is too much work. If we take any time to rest we’ll miss out.

The New Moon in Aquarius asks us to access our ideal. What do you ideally want to be feeling? How would you ideally be taking care of yourself? If you a lightening bolt wish that would suddenly release challenges for you that you feel are holding you back, what would change?

image via breno machado

Just as we can feel the strike of inspiration during a New Moon in Aquarius, so too can we feel the build-up of tense energy. Now is an excellent time to do a body scan and notice where you are holding tension. Doing so will help you prepare for the New Moon in Aquarius ritual offered below. To perform a body scan simply rest quietly with your eyes closed. A key component of this exercise to regularly let out deep relaxing breaths and inbreathing again into your belly. Bring your attention your toes and notice if you are holding tension there. Move your attention slowly up from your toes to your ankles, then calves, knees, thighs, and so on, asking yourself if there is tension present in any of those areas. Continue to scan your body until you reach the top of your head.

If any of the places scanned held points of tension, you can do a number of things. First, is to focus on that area and ask yourself, “What is the name of the tension I am holding here?” and address the issues as they arise. Another option is to return to the spots of tension and offer healing energy without necessarily going into the details of what the tension is - this is a good option if you know that the tension stems from a source of trauma that you do not have the space to address right now but are still seeking relief. The third option is to return to the places of tension and visualize a cauldron before you or a hole dug in the earth lined with sacred stones. Visualize your tension leaving your body and settling into the magickal cauldron or earthen equivalent. Follow-up by filling those spaces of tension within your body with healing energy.

You can perform a body scan at any time and its an incredibly useful tool to help you check in with yourself quickly and effectively. There is no need for us to walk around like storm clouds of tense energy - we can offer ourselves softness instead.

What follows is what you’ll find for every post of the New Moon Healers Project - a sacred poem (which started our post), a ritual that is simple and minimalist in nature, an introduction to plant allies of the current New Moon, and oracle questions to help you open the way to healing. You’re encouraged to share your insights in the comments below or via a post on instagram (be sure to tag it with #NewMoonHealersProject so we can all follow along). That way we can continue to fill our collective well of wisdom. Blessed be to that!

Elecampane (Inula helenium)
New Moon in Aquarius Plant Ally

Elecampane is a Remedy Herb of Aquarius meaning that it helps to alleviate illnesses and distresses associated with the Water-Bearer and helping them to find their balance again. Aquarian imbalances tend towards the spasmodic and erratic which is why Elecampane, an anti-spasmodic herb, can be such a great remedy. Elecampane is particularly useful for spasmodic coughs and complaints of the lungs. As a sign that tends towards holding tension, Elecampane is a great releaser of tension. Magickally, Elecampane helps awaken psychic vision and our ability to perceive and connect with the Good Folk. Herbalist and astrologer, Elisabeth Brooke, recommends Elecampane for connecting with the transpersonal will. 

As Aquarius is a fixed air sign those under its influence can get caught up in the perception that their ideas are permanent and unchanging. Elecampane addresses this persistent clinging to untrue permanency. Very often, the condition of the Elecampane personality seems quite permanent. But it is not. Elecampane is a heartening plant. There is no infection of the spiritual system that it fears. 

As an energetic remedy, Elecampane helps us to connect with real community instead of letting our vision of idealized community block the way. With Elecampane, you’re not only connecting with the community of other people, but the community of the Good Folk and spiritual guides.

Click here to read the full Elecampane Plant Profile.

Flower + Gem Essences for the New Moon in Aquarius: Water Violet (Hottonia palustris), Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis), Azurite, Tall Yellow Top (Senecio magnificus), Vine (Vitis vinifera), Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Comfrey (Symphytum spp.)

Essential Oils for Aquarius: Birch (Betula lenta), Cedar (Cedrus deodara), Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Neroli (Citrus aurantium)

image via sarah dorweiler

First Step of Healing Ritual

Go to that space which is sacred to you. As nine is the sacred number of the Moon, begin your ritual by taking nine centering breaths. Turn to the four directions of east, south, west, and north and greet them in your way. Raise your hands up to the sky and greet the Moon. Place your hands upon the ground and greet the Earth. Hold your hands above your heart and greet yourself.

Now is the time to welcome in the power of the oracle. Use your divinatory tool of choice to ask the sacred question(s) or meditate or journal on the question.

When you have clarity around the first step you need to take in order to become your own healing, take a moment to form a simple sentence that describes your first step. Examples of simple and powerful sentences are:

• I will start my day with 5 minutes of meditation to center my spirit in my healing work.

• I will go to bed early enough in order to get a full night’s sleep that I require for healing.

• I will say “I love you” every time I see my reflection.

• I will begin to journal again because it helps me to know what I am feeling.

When you are ready speak your sentence aloud nine times in the following manner. Open your arms wide and feel your heart energy expand to fill the space. As you speak your sentence, slowly bring your arms together, thereby focusing your energy on your intention, and then clap your hands together at the end of the sentence. Do this nine times in a row. At the end of the ninth recitation say So mote it be! or a similar phrase of power to seal the spell.

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World Spirit Tarot

Oracle

With a divinatory tool of your choosing ask the following question. You can also ponder it during meditation or through journalling.

What is the first step I need to take in order to realize my healing?

Additional queries to consider:

• What do you ideally want to be feeling?

• How would you ideally be taking care of yourself? 

Tarot Cards of Aquarius

Every card within the tarot deck has an astrological association. The following correspondences follow the system laid out by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. You can add these cards to your altar as part of your New Moon in Aquarius magick or use them in readings to help with determining celestial influence or timing (i.e. this will come to pass at when the Moon is in Aquarius).

• The Sign of Aquarius: The Star

• The Air Signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius: Ace of Swords

• Venus in Aquarius: Five of Swords

• Mercury in Aquarius: Six of Swords

• Moon in Aquarius: The Seven of Swords

And that, wise-ones and dreamers, is the start of our New Moon Healers Project.

Be sure to share your insights and experiences in the comments below or via instagram with the tag #NewMoonHealersProject. Learn more about the astroherbology of Aquarius by reading my in-depth profile on the sign. 

For those of you ready to learn how to work your magick and create your herbal remedies by the cycle of Moon and star, you're invited to join The Lunar Apothecary.

Blessed New Moon, healers.
May your healing be healing to us all.
May our healing be healing to you.
Blessed be.

Sustaining the Spirit : Elecampane Plant Profile

How could I resist sharing with you an herb which possesses the common name of Elfwort?

I can't resist, so I won't. 

There are herbs that work better over the long-run (such as Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna) and there are herbs that work very effectively in a short amount of time. Elecampane is one of those quick-acting herbs (as quick and sudden as an elf shot, perhaps?) and when someone is struggling with chronic congestion, Elecampane is one of my go-to allies. 

The magick of Elecampane is not often as celebrated as other herbs which is strange considering its common name of Elfwort is a big ol' rainbow flag sign of its enchantment. It is the type of herb that I find I use again and again in my practice because of the type of folk that I often work with - those wild-ones and edgewalkers who sometimes have difficulty resettling in their bodies (my beautiful fae, wonderkin, and changelings). 

So enjoy learning about the healing qualities of Elecampane and be sure to share your own Elfwort stories in the comments below.

Common + Folk Names : Elfwort, Elf Dock, scabwort, horseheal, horse elder, velvet dock, marchalan, wild sunflower, raiz del moro, helopia

Planet : Mercury, Sun, Uranus

Element : Earth

Sign : Gemini (Guardian Herb), Aquarius (Remedy Herb), Pisces (Remedy Herb)

Moon Phase : Waxing Quarter (Learn more about making medicine by the Moon)

Parts used : Roots (predominantly), leaves, and flowers.

Habitat : Perennial native to Europe and Russia. 

Growing conditions : Prefers poorly drained sites such as damp pastures, roadside ditches, and waste spaces.

Collection : Collect the roots during the fall.

Flavor : Bittersweet, pungent

Temperature : Hot

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Damp/Stagnation, Cold/Depression

Constituents : Calcium, magnesium, inulin, mucilage, azulene, camphor, helenin, lactones, sterols, sesquiterpenes.

Actions : Alterative, analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiscorbutic, antitussive, antivenomous, aperient, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, bitter, bronchial dilator, cardiotonic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emollient, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostatic, hepatic, immune stimulant, pectoral, restorative, stimulant, stomachic, vulnerary.

Contraindications : Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Large doses may cause gastric spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic hypersensitivity. Some rare cases of temporary paralysis.

Drug interactions : None known.

Recommended Dosage : 2 tablespoons root decocted per 1 cup water, 1 - 3 cups daily. 3 - 30 drops (Fresh root, 1:2 or Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol) three times daily.

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Main Uses

A traditional Latin prescription for Elecampane reads “Enula campana reddit praecordia sana” or Elecampane will sustain the spirit. One of the supreme lung tonics in Traditional Western Herbalism, as well as a deeply antiseptic and antibacterial herb, Elecampane root is extremely useful stimulating expectorant for cases of chronic lung complaints, especially when infection is present. Use for chronic imbalances of the lungs including tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, catarrh, general congestion, respiratory infections, and coughs. The herb is a powerful astringent and expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and catarrh from the respiratory system and then pull it from the body. Elecampane has long been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and specifically inhibits the growth of tubercle bacillus. Whether or not infection is present, one of the signs that Elecampane may be useful is a stubborn and spasmodic cough. Look also for yellow and green mucus (a sign of infection) and a cough that is worse at night from lying down. A nervous Aquarian cough which is spasmodic, coming and going. I sometimes wonder if the powerful and painful spasmodic cough may not be the “elf shot” that older herbals warn of and Elecampane is supposed to be protective against. Be aware that the power of Elecampane is to produce a deep and powerful cough to help expel gunk from the lungs - which can seem like the condition has temporarily worsened when, in fact, deep healing is occurring. 

Other respiratory complaints that Elecampane is useful for include pleurisy (another contender for the definition of “elf shot”), shortness of breath, sinusitis, whooping cough, hay fever, and laryngitis. Best suited for cold coughs as opposed to hot ones as the herb is warming. In cases of colds and fevers, Elecampane induces sweating which lowers the temperature. 

The herb is warming and clears out build-up not only of phlegm and catarrh, but general excess moisture and waste throughout the body. It is well suited for individuals who would be considered kapha in Ayurvedic medicine and of a Damp/Stagnation persuasion with tendency to Cold/Depression in TWH.  Elecampane is also useful in relieving stagnant pain such as rheumatism and similar arthritic conditions. If a condition is stuck, tending to coldness, and creating unwanted build-up, consider Elecampane.

As a warming bitter, the herb strengthens weak digestion which is troubled by excess moisture. Look for signs of bloating, belching, and fullness caused by excess mucus and edema. Elecampane helps with the metabolism of fat as well as generally enhancing digestive circulation. The high inulin content of Elecampane helps to manage blood sugar as well as being a tonic to the pancreas. Inulin is a very nourishing polysaccharide, assisting the restoration of an exhausted body through nourishment. Works to clear out nematode and protozoan infestations including roundworm and giardia. The root has also been used in the treatment of candida and other systemic imbalances, as well as restoring the health of someone suffering from chronic poor health and nutrition. Elecampane’s powers of expulsion are also useful in bringing on delayed menses, helping with labor, and birthing the placenta.

The plant has an interesting aphrodisiac affect. While some cite its use for increasing libido my experience with Elecampane is that its powers as an aphrodisiac lie in its ability to help bring the heart spirit to the body. I especially see this when folks are caught between the worlds for whatever reason - they are in the period of a great transition, they were born a bit between or they have stumbled too far into the realm of the Good Folk. Read more about the story of Helen of Troy, of whom Elecampane takes its Latin binomial, to learn more about the spiritual pain that Elecampane is well-suited for relieving. 

Topically, use as an insect deterrent both on the person and hung around your space. Elecampane will also relieve the sting of Nettle (Urtica dioica). Use in baths and steams for relieving congestion and pain. Create a facial wash for acne and facial pain. Since Elecampane helps to clear toxicity from the body, it works internally, too, to help alleviate skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. 

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Magickal Uses

Russian name for Elecampane is de-via-sil which apparently means “magic power” but as my Russian is non-existent I can neither deny nor confirm this fact. What it does suggest is that Elecampane’s reputation as a magickal herb, especially one associated with the Good Folk, is far flung. Use to awaken the second sight and lines of communication between you, the Good Folk, and local land spirits. The herb is strongly protective and can be worn as an amulet. The root can be burned as a protective incense and to neutralize negative energy. Elecampane is specifically protective against the elusive but powerful elf shot.

It's Mercurial nature lends itself well to trancework and shifting shapes. Since it is an herb of Mercury it is also associated with the Magician card in Tarot. Given the trickiness of the Magician (who sometimes appears as one of the Good Folk pretending to be a humyn and hiding behind a stage act of magick to disguise themselves), I find this association apt.

The herb enhances psychic powers, especially the ability to perceive the Good Folk. Traditional use in love charms as well. The herb is also associated with horses and so can be used when connecting to the power of our equine kindred. Herbalist and astrologer, Elisabeth Brooke, recommends Elecampane for connecting with the transpersonal will. Use in baby blessings and connecting with the inner child. Create a homecoming charm with Elecampane to call lost things and people home.

The Elecampane Personality

The Elecampane person has an undernourished spirit in addition to an undernourished body. It may be that they are eating wonderful foods or imbibing in beautiful spiritual practices, but there is so much undigested or un-expelled physical and spiritual decay in their system that they are wallowing instead of feeling fulfilled. They are not quite here. Sometimes this manifests as dullness of the body and spirit. Other times this manifests as a low-level but constant irritation (they have a thorn in their side, so to speak, perhaps an elfshot). Very often, the condition of the Elecampane personality seems quite permanent. But it is not. Elecampane is a heartening plant. There is no infection of the spiritual system that it fears. The herb will help one come home again after a long and arduous journey away from oneself. It restores a lightness of being and warms the cold and distant heart.

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Elecampane Recipes

A Popular Combination | Thomas Bartram

Decoction: mix equal pasts; Yarrow, Marshmallow root and Elecampane root. 1 oz (30g) in 1 pint (500ml) water simmered 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup, 2 - 3 times daily. In the absence of any one ingredient substitute Wild Cherry bark.

Billie Potts Preparations of Elecampane
from Witches Heal: Lesbian Herbal Self-Sufficiency

{Elecampane} combines well with expectorant herbs such as comfrey or sage. I often use it by preparing a tea of comfrey or coltsfoot or mullein-sage and put 3-5 drops of elecampane tincture into the tea. For dealing with pneumonia infections I’ve had good results with elecampane and echinacea augustifolia tinctures in a comfrey or comfrey-sage tea. Any combination of an entrenched bacterial nature needs a “course” of treatment.

Elecampane Syrup | Nicholas Culpeper

The fresh roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar or made into a conserve, or a syrup, are very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach and stitches in the side, caused by the spleen and to relieve coughs, shortness of breath and wheezing of the lungs.

How will you be using Elfwort in your practice?

Maybe it will become one of your indispensable herbs? Or part of your winter wellness regimen? It is a great herb to make friends with, especially if working with local land spirits is part of your practice.

The Plant Allies of Winter: Creating A Winter Wellness Apothecary

The sniffles. The 'flu. The cranky tummy. The hacking cough.

All travel around quicker than a skittish reindeer during the winter and while many of us might want to turn to herbal remedies for some help, it can be hard to know what herb to choose - especially when you're feeling under the weather. 

With a bit of preparation, you can create an easy-to-use winter apothecary for common seasonal complaints. It all begins by getting to know your winter plant allies and selecting a few that you become comfortable working with. One herb often serves many needs (because plants are galaxies of healing, blessed be!) and you don't need to know a hundred herbs, but just a handful, to help you keep well during the winter. Each herb listed below is in at least two categories if not more to help you find a few herbs that will work for a multitude of complaints. I have not created an extensive, never-ending list of herbs for each common winter ailment listed below because I am hoping to encourage focused simplicity in your practice. However, you might already use an herb for one or more of the categories below that is not listed and you are very much encouraged to incorporate it into your list of indispensable winter herbs. 

Since Creating A Winter Apothecary is part of the free Plant Ally Project series (check out the Thirty Day Challenge for a more in-depth herbal experience), I'm going to offer suggestions for herbs that you might check out but it's up to you to meet the plants and build a custom winter apothecary for you and your loved ones.

Subscribers to my Magick Mail get a free worksheet and quick guide to organize their winter apothecary and easily reference what herb they might need for whatever winter illness issue that might arise.

Creating Your Winter Apothecary

• Begin by reading through the list of herbs below in each of the ten categories. I've listed when I've written about each herb, but you can also start with my Winter Wellness: Healing Herbs for the Dark of the Year which profiles some herbs on this list.

• After doing some research, choose one herb from each category. You might end up with 10 different herbs to work with, but most likely you'll have less since each herb can be found in more than one category.

• Learn about the best way to prepare your herb as a remedy. I've listed common remedy preparations in my Plant Ally Project Thirty Day Challenge. If you're looking for more in-depth and diverse herbal remedy tutorials check out the Lunar Apothecary.

• Gather together your chosen herbs and have them in an easy to access space in your home. I encourage you to add labels to their containers (whether a loose herb jar or a tincture bottle) that indicates what the herb can be used for as well as dosage. You might have a jar of Sage (Salvia officinalis) and label it with the following description: "Good for wet coughs + excess phlegm, congestion, sore throats, and indigestion. Dosage is 1 teaspoon per cup of water."

• Create your own Winer Apothecary "cheat sheet" with my free worksheet and quick guide available to my Magick Mail subscribers.

Herbs for Preventative Care or Daily Tonics

Let's start with some daily winter tonics which are nutritive, generally warming, and often immunomodulating (as opposed to immunostimulating - which we'll look at later). These are herbs that can be taken on a daily basis throughout the winter. 

• Elder (Sambucus nigra): Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Milky Oats (Avena sativa)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Herbs for Dry + Hacking Coughs

Moistening or mucilaginous herbs are of great help when the respiratory tract is dry and irritated. Many of these herbs have additional nervine qualities which help to relax the tension brought on by irritation.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Read about Angelica in my To Ignite the Imagination post.

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Herbs for Wet Coughs + Excess Phlegm

Herbs that are astringent can be excellent allies in drying up excess damp and phlegm in the system. They help to tone, tighten, and restore tissues to their optimal state, preventing or helping the body to recover from infection or prevent it from settling in the body.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Sore Throats

Similar to herb for dry and hacking coughs, herbs for sore throats are generally moistening in nature. Some are more drying and others are more moistening while others are neutral in temperature. Many are also anodyne in nature, meaning that they offer pain relief, which is an added bonus when dealing with the discomfort of sore throats.

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Read about Angelica in my To Ignite the Imagination post.

• Cleavers (Galium alparine): Especially useful when the lymph glands are swollen.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Drippy Noses

Herbs that are warming, astringent, and tonifying to the mucus membranes can help take care of the drippiness of an unhappy nose.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica): Yerba Mansa is a tophorestorative for the mucus membranes which is why it is great for both drippy and congested noses.

Herbs for Congested Noses

Herbal expectorants help the body cough, sneeze, and release excess mucus, clearing out congestion and helping us breath clearly again. Pay attention to the color of your mucus. Yellow mucus indicates heat (think of sunny warm yellow) and more cooling expectorant herbs are useful while clear or white mucus indicates cold (think of snowy cold white) and warming expectorant herbs are a better choice.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Read more about Peppermint in our Winter Wellness and Quicken the Mind.

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Herbs to Cleanse the Lymphatic System

Our hard-working lymphatic system can get clogged down leading to uncomfortably swollen glands that can't properly process blood and fluid which means white blood cells are transferred less effectively throughout the body. Adding lymphatic cleansers to cold care blends can be very helpful in promoting a speedy recovery or preventing a virus from settling in the body in the first place.

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Cleavers (Galium alparine)

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Herbs to Stimulate the Immune System

The following herbs are known as immunostimulators meaning that they stimulate the immune system into action and are best used for a the short run when you're dealing with a cold or 'flu or in a higher risk situation for exposure (such as air travel or hanging around kindergarteners).

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Elder (Sambucus nigra): Some folks categorize Elder as immunostimulating as well as immunomodulating. What Elder does is disrupts a viruses' ability to replicate and while that does stimulate the immune system into action, I have not found Elder to be more useful as tonic than a short-term herb for acute symptoms (though it still is effective in the short term because it's a pretty darn amazing plant). Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Herbs for Fever + Achiness 

Fevers help our bodies to burn off infection and as long as they stay within a safe range (when a fever in an adult is consistently 103° or higher and lasts for three days or more it is time to seek medical help). Yet, fevers can come with accompanying discomfort including aches and pains which may be relieved by the herbal remedies listed below.

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Especially useful for when the bones feel achy otherwise known as "break-bone fever."

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Elder Berry (Sambucus nigra): Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra): When restlessness and irritability is present. An Elder Flower foot bath can be helpful for those who are having difficulty sleeping. Read more about Elder in my Tree of Medicine and Winter Wellness post.

• Elecampane (Inula helenium): Read more about Elecampane on my Winter Wellness post.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Milky Oat (Avena sativa): While not an herb specific to fever it can be very useful in recovering from a fever when there are signs of adrenal burnout, fatigue or if the illness has been brought on, in part, because of not allowing oneself to take time grieve a loss.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Vervain (Verbena officinalis): For type 'A's who don't know when to stop and need to relax in order to heal.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Herbs for Indigestion

Whether indigestion that has come with the 'flu or from a sluggish system burdened by too many rich winter foods, the following herbs, many of which are considered digestive bitters, can help to improve intestinal tone, relieve gas and cramping, and help to rekindle the digestive fires.

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Especially good for inflammation along the intestinal tract as well as stomach ulcers.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Read more about Ginger in my Aries Astroherbology Profile.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Sacred Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

🌿

I hope you're feeling inspired to create your own Winter Wellness Apothecary! I’ve created guides for all of the seasons to help support your herbal year:

• The Spring Wellness Apothecary

• The Summer Wellness Apothecary

• The Autumn Wellness Apothecary

May your winter be full of joy and beautiful connections, with plants, people, and the magick of the ending year.