Smudging - White Sage

From Wikipedia

Uses

S. apiana was widely used by native American tribes on the Pacific coast of the United States. The seed was a main ingredient of pinole, a staple food. The Cahuilla harvested large quantities of the seed that was mixed with wheat flour and sugar for gruel or biscuits. The leaves and stems were eaten by the Chumash and other tribes. Several tribes used the seed for removing foreign objects from the eye, similar to the way that Clary sage seeds were used in Europe. A tea from the roots was used by the Cahuilla women for healing and strength after childbirth. The leaves are also burnt by many native American tribes, with the smoke used in different purification rituals.[2]

I began learning about culinary herbs when I was 17, no internet then lol...

Later, while working as a computer progrmmer I began to expand my studies into medicinal herbs as well as magical herbs and herbal folklore, and aromatherapy and crafting with herbs. and. and. and. :).

While trying to deal with carpal tunnel and unknown to me at the time fibromyalgia, these studies and the benefits of working with herbs on all levels was medicinal in itself.


Among my favorite herbal things is smudging... using a smudge stick made from white sage to purify and cleanse.

Bath salts

there is nothing like soaking in a tub full of aromatic bath salts

I had some really sore muscles so I made a batch of bathsalts with a combination of eucalyptus, rosemary, (drawing a blank lol)....

will finish this post when I refresh my memory...

Herbal shopping online again and other randomness

I

I made it to a Books A Million last week and had a fantastic dark chocolate espresso and found me a copy of an old favorite magazine 'The Herb Companion'

Just so happens I had my second order of the year from the San Francisco Herb Company on the way and it was delivered today :D

I have to go to walmart later to pick up some medicine so I thought I'd also look for epsom salts and get some more baking soda.  I got some sea salt last week.... and I'm gonna use those things and my collection of essential oils to make some bath salts to indulge myself in.  I also got some new 1 oz jars this time and some dropper caps so I can experiment with blending oils again.  I also found some sprayer mist caps for the bottles which means I can make some room and body sprays!

I stocked up on my favorite jasmine green tea again as well as getting some Earl Grey tea that is positively delicious.  I have a cup right now.

Other culinary treats in this order:  cocoa powder, peppercorn mix, the ultra grade lavender which can be used in cooking.... baking, teas, etc....  a new mesh teaspoon

and one more essential oil for the aromatherapy cabinet:  cedarwood

For my buddies on Xanga I've been trying to keep up with reading the subscription digest and I miss you guys.  Am sorry I haven't had the energy to find more time to spend online, am still anemic and still taking those iron pills I swear I am.

I can't believe summer is almost over they start back to school here on Aug. 7th.  We've enjoyed the summer activities we'vebeen able to participate in and it has passed in a lovely summer blur.

For my other blogs I hope those of you that visit the herbal hangout

and

islefaye's kitchen

will continue to stop by and check me out every now and then.  I do promise to have some new posts between now christmas.  I'm thinking I'll try to make a few herbal goody baskets for christmas presents.  Would love to get more comments over there too if you find something helpful or something you like,  or just wanna say Hi lol.

Oh yes last but not least I'm so looking forward to becoming a Grandmother in December :D!  We found out last week...... it's a girl!!!

Also my oldest son, the Marine, who is going to be the new father :D, is still awaiting his deployment which should be soon and will likely mean he won't be back in time for the birth, but should be returning soon after.

Hope everyone is enjoying what's left of summer before it's gone!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

This years herbs, Sunday June 7th 2009

Rosebud Salve

This stuff is great for when my lips are trying to heal from those nasty cold sores, and for what the winter, dish detergent, and water conspire together to do to my hands... I bought 6 tins somewhere between 1995 and 1998 - gave 3 away as gifts and I am just now working on the last one and getting ready to order a new supply. So I googled it the other day and was so happy to see how easy it is to find now thanks to the internet!