My holy grail herbal remedies
Plant remedies are infused into almost every aspect of my daily life. From what I put on my body , to what I clean with , to what I drink and eat. Today I though it would be lovely to share my 3 main herbal holy grail products. I used to consider myself low maintenance, but i’m letting that label go as i’m miserable without these items and have them on hand all the time. Blissfully, they are multi-use which speaks to my utilitarian low waste loving heart. I can also make them myself which is an added bonus, our source them from people and companies I love and trust.
First off a good salve. A good salve is everything. It can be a lip balm, wound healer, dry skin soother, hand cream, foot cream, thread waxer, or diaper cream. For many a topical ailment- salves are the answer. I dissolve into a puddle of annoyed goo when my lips are dry, so having a multi-purpose salve is a must. My favorite salves are homemade with herbs like rose, yarrow, or calendula.
Hydrosols- the first time I tried the lavender hydrosol from a local to me lavender farm, I was a new woman. I had off and on used store bought rosewater to fulfill my hydrosol needs but this simple lavender remedy felt decadent. Elevated even. It was refreshing and relaxing. A couple spritzes reset a moment during a hard day. A perfect step to my routine as I winded down the day. A soothing remedy to a bug bite. I love hydrosols. I use them as face toners, to add moisture to my skin during dry winters. To turn down my pillow before bedtime. To perk me up after wilting in the humid Kansas summers.
I’m cheating on this last one and loosely bundling up ticntures, long-steeped teas, and infused oils under the umbrella of herbal infusions. My tintures, long steeped beverages and decoctions, along with my herbal oils are the string that keep this puppet show afloat. The herbal oils nourish my body and scalp. I also enjoy giving my kiddos and spouse moments of connection with herbal oil massage. Especially now with the congestion that comes with winter weather when sick, herbal oil massage is a favorite remedy. Tinctures keep me sane and healthy. I prioritize immune supporting and adaptogenic blends because as a mother and writer I need to keep my health and my wits about me. Lastly, my nourishing water based teas or infusions. Since giving birth ive been all about the warming herbs. Long steeped ginger, citrus, cranberry, rosehip, cinnamon, chaga to restore my vitality. While pregnant I was all about the nutritive herbs- nettles, oatstraw, alfalfa, red raspberry, milky oats, clover to name a few. I can also use these herbs in broths, baths, and face steams and when the plant material is spent I can compost or return them to the Earth.
These remedies can be made at home if you have the patience, time, and access. If not, ive included some links below because sometimes to quote Sweet Brown, “Aint nobody got time for that”.
A compilation of some fave products use FARAI10 to save.
My patreon for learning to make folk remedies.
Photographs by the talented : https://www.morganbarrett.co/
