In this article, find out what is an herbal infused oil, how to make one two ways, and why you should! If you want to make herbal salves, butters, balms, or culinary oils that double as medicinals, you need to infuse your herbs in oil first. Infusing medicinal and/or culinary herbs in oil is an excellent way to extract the medicinal components of the herb for use in your body care or culinary creations. You’re going to love infusing herbs into oils! They are beautiful, and you can easily use the powers of herbs in this way for health benefits, skincare needs, for eating, and more. There are so ..read more

In this 5th part of the series, How to Start Using Herbs, you’ll learn how to make extracts that are not water-based, including tinctures, acetums, and glycerides. Have you started using herbs yet? :-) Wouldn’t you like to start? One of the most important things about being self-reliant is being able to increase your independence from the commercial and material systems that abound in these modern times (like Big Pharma). Learning to use herbs for your health, remedy problems, and even for first aid is an extremely valuable skill to have. You can even use this skill to barter in the event of a ..read more

One of my favorite herbs is harvest-ready right now! It’s end of summer, and it’s time to go harvest and reap the rewards of LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)! I thought I’d share this super easy and simple lemon balm syrup recipe with you in case you still have lemon balm around, like I do. I’m gathering right after I write this! Click and learn more about learning herbalism! Why harvest lemon balm? Especially as we veer into cold and flu season, this is just an absolutely wonderful herb to have available. If you're a gardener like I am, you likely have huge bunches of it right now, as the su ..read more

With the rise in popularity of essential oils as health remedies, cleaning agents, and food flavorings in the last three decades, adulteration of these precious liquids is unfortunately now a common occurrence. These practices are more common and insidious than you think. Sadly, most people do NOT have a clue. They’re out there buying based on price. Or on fancy marketing. Or on outright lies. Don’t be duped! This article is an overview of some of the ways essential oils can be adulterated and how to avoid these kinds of essential oils. Some of these practices are VERY dangerous and probably c ..read more

NOTE: This article is about the best easy, safe, effective herbs perfect for the beginning herbalist to start with in your home apothecary. Take a look and see if any of these sound like something you might like to try as you create your own natural home medicine chest with herbs. And if you want to join an amazing community, consider The Confident Herbal Tribe community where you’ll learn everything about medicinal plants and where there’s a place for you to ask any questions about wellness, client and family support, and more safely and privately! **We also have fun monthly project sessions ..read more

How honey heals us…Here are seven amazing ways to use honey for its wellness and health benefits in your home. Natural remedies made with honey are sweet….and they work! I use honey for a LOT of health-related things. Honey is one of the best all-around home remedies you need to keep on hand in your home. Sore throat? Cough? Skin issue? Infection? Bug bites? There are SO many things you can use honey as a remedy for! Here’s info for you about the natural healing powers of honey and how I use it in my life. I hope to inspire you to try this easy and versatile sweet and popular remedy in a varie ..read more

NOTE: This article is for my incredible (if I say so myself) pumpkin spice homemade, natural soap made with real pumpkin. Pumpkin is just incredible for your skin, as it contains enzymes that energize and brighten! Not to mention, the warm-fall-scent of this handmade soap recipe will make you drool! It was time to make more soap! Mr. V. and I were on the verge of running out...and that would not be a good thing. We haven't purchased soap from the stores in ForEVER, and I didn't want to start now. (You can find out about the toxins lurking in your commercial soap here.)  Fall is basically ..read more

Are herbs safe to use? Is an herb a drug? Are herbs better for you than medicine? How much and how often do you take them? How much should you use of a tincture or tea for children? Isn’t it hard to figure out which herbs to use? And the big question: How can I start using herbs and not make a mistake and accidentally poison myself? These are all common questions and thoughts that swirl through the mind of the person new to herbalism and plant medicine. Most of us have grown up with the mentality of “just go to the doctor and get a pill (or three or four).” But maybe there is another way to he ..read more

NOTE: In this article, you’ll find the most delicious hibiscus and mint tea recipe that’s perfect for hot summer days! As an iced tea, it’s cooling, refreshing, and GOOD for you! This lovely red tea blend is excellent for serving at summer get-togethers, too! In honor of the Summer Solstice a few years ago, I decided to share my secret and amazing herbal tea recipe I created years ago for just this occasion as well as to refresh you anytime. The base of this tea contains hibiscus and mint, as well as a number of other herbs to round out the refreshing flavor. It can be made hot or iced, and ta ..read more

Have you ever heard of emotional intelligence? While we all pretty much know about intellectual intelligence (measured by an I.Q. standard), many aren't as familiar with emotional intelligence (E.I. ). Having higher E.I has quite a great number of benefits, and I would dare say it's more important than I.Q. is. Luckily, we can improve our emotional intelligence with a few mindful strategies! Find out the benefits of emotional intelligence, what it is, exactly, and ways you can increase and enhance yours. What is Emotional Intelligence? Have you ever watched the T.V. show "Young Sheldon"? Not o ..read more