Health & Body Care Valentine’s Update
As I sit down to finish this article, we are solidly in false spring. A nice break from storms and snow and crazy low temps, enticing us all outside and, for me at least, a break from winter’s dull grip. I did not realize how badly I needed the sun. Warmth. While I know that it is fleeting, I am going to relish in this beauty and I hope you do as well. Soon enough, real spring will be here, light and hope returning. The growth of wild things.
February is full on here at the coop. Hearts, chocolate, love treats for your loves. I agree that valentines day is another commercialized holiday in the world, yet I can always get on board with celebrating love. The world, our hearts need more of it. So whether you are single and are loving yourself, or have many sweethearts…we have treats to express “I Love You”.
My recommendations are:
- Local Honey with a hand carved wooden spoon
- Local SilverMoon Dark Chocolate Hearts & Roses
- Chocolove’s Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Hearts
- Dynamite “Love” Special Blend Coffee
- Sunbeam Beeswax Heart candles
- Local Wild Rose Bath Clay Pops
If you are a maker, here are a couple of my favorite recipes to share the love:
Sexy Thang Tea
- 1 part Damiana leaf
- 1 part Oat tops
- 1 part rose petals or buds
Prepare as an infusion and add milk, mylk, honey, and vanilla. Share with someone you love.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa or T. aphrodisiaca) is one of my favorite sensual herbs. Damiana increases oxygen flow to the pelvic region while also being restorative and hormone-balancing. I find damiana to be calming, and when I drink the tea at night, it helps with sleep. Its effect is mildly euphoric, with warming and drying energetics. I like to add oats and rose to balance that dry quality. It makes a delicious and sexy tea.
There are considerations when taking damiana: it is a lower dose herb. This is not the herb to drink in quart quantities, as it can interfere with iron absorption. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing, hypertension, with urinary tract infections, and should be used with caution with diabetics, as it can lower blood sugar levels.
Overall, I find it a safe herb to use in moderation and it is my favorite “juicy” herb.
An aphrodisiac cordial is also a nice treat this time of year. You can use any type of alcohol—tequila, bourbon, or whatever you prefer. If you want a milder cordial, go with vodka as its’ taste is mild.
To begin making cordials, I would recommend brandy as your menstrum. It is palatable to most and is a lovely base for most herbs. Once infused and strained, you can also enrich your cordial by adding dried apricots, figs, cherries, or other yummy fruits, maple syrup, or honey. Yum!
Love Potion Elixir
- 2 parts damiana
- 1/2 to 1 part rose petals (to taste)
- 1 part cacao nibs
- 1/2 part cardamom seed
- 1/2 part cinnamon
- 1/2 part tulsi
- 1 vanilla bean
Cut up herbs and spices and place in a clean mason jar. Cover with alcohol of choice and infuse for 3-4 weeks. Strain, then add honey to taste and dried fruit if you like. Share with someone you love!
In HBC this month, we have added some fantastic new hair care products.
Under Luna is a woman-owned company that sustainably sources its ingredients and is super clean. It even comes in glass bottles, so no plastics! I am currently using their tulsi bloom shampoo and conditioner and absolutely love it! We have really struggled to find good and clean hair care products for our set and this one is, so far, my favorite. Also to hit the shelf soon is a Georgia company Keratin that specializes in hair regrowth and strength. Their scalp elixir is amazing to regenerate hair growth and they even have a hair growth supplement for those wanting to thicken hair. I never had hair issues until menopause and wow, that changed things. Hair loss and breakage is now an issue for me, so I have been trying different things to nourish my hair and skin. These products look promising and are a fraction of the cost of the popular mainstream products. If you have hair issues, I have also found that collagen works wonders (my favorite is the Great Lakes Collagen) and you can make your own hair vinegar or infused oil using nettles, horsetail, and rosemary. All are very fortifying for your hair. Anima Mundi has a wonderful hair oil that we have in stock- Root Revival Hair Oil with nettle, moringa, vetiver, and other herbs. It looks and smells so vibrant. I love everything in the Anima Mundi line and highly recommend that you try their products out!
Keep an eye out as we are always looking to add new and innovative products. Next up, we are replacing Solaray herbs with organic and biodynamic herbs from Oregon’s Wild Harvest. We just feel better about moving to companies who are working towards sustainable farming methods and as many companies have sold out to large corporations, I want to put our money towards those smaller farmers and those doing real good. I’m hopeful that Oregon’s Wild Harvest will be on our shelves by spring.
Happy day of love! I hope all of you find some delight this winter. A bit of slow, some good books and delightful baths. Certainly a good cup of tea.
Melissa
