bluecalendularoom

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ok see u in my new apothecary practice zone --- if u havn’t picked up on it, bluecalendularoom is now SUNTRAP, so see you there: http://suntrap.co/ (it’s a tumblr, don’t wry)

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new harvests, same blog master

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come to suntrap

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new apothecary  --- yes u must check it out 

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everyone who has reached out to me since I started sharing my herbal practice with the world I JUST WANNA THANK YOU SO MUCH. The feedback and constant support keeps me motivated and focused - I owe you all so much.

the production side of blue calendula room apothecary is *temporarily* CLOSED due to multiple unexpected moves this past season. I will not be taking orders until further notice. In the coming months I will be focusing on organization over production: setting up my new studio in west philly (!!!!), taking a permaculture design course as I map out and plant two new gardens from which I will be sourcing future herbs, applying for a LLC and spending time with my apothecary as I build it up once again.

feel free to get in touch with me for herbal related questions/ideas. I am interested in holding workshops in my new space as I set it up, so keep an eye out for my updates. +++

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"The lunar phase controls the amount of moisture in the soil. This moisture is at its peak at the time of the new and the full moon. The sun and moon are lined up with earth. Just as the moon pulls the tides in the oceans, it also pulls upon the subtle bodies of water, causing moisture to rise in the earth, which encourages germination and growth. Tests have proven that seeds will absorb the most water at the time of the full moon."

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Comfrey salve is back in stock. I wanted to hold out for spring to use the comfrey in my garden, but enough requests convinced me to source root & leaf from mountain rose herbs to make this batch of late winter comfrey salve.

Comfrey salve.

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Ready to imagine dawn riddle narrating my bike rides for the rest of my life now.

THE DINNEEN PROJECT

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Salve making. I wish I could share the scent of this beeswax. Intoxicating.

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Almond/jojoba/castor oils infusing with:::: calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, mullein leaf, licorice root, jasmine flowers. Preparing for an especially ~therapeutic~ batch of salves for winter-ravaged, extra dry skin.

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HYPNOTIC TEA CEREMONY

DREAM ENHANCING HERBS FOR A GUIDED DREAM CEREMONY: HYPNOTIC TEAS: I have put together a program of three different teas for a wide range of hypnotic effects. These can be customized further with the addition of several hypnotic and lucid dream enhancing tinctures. Definitions are included for the disambiguation of the various "actions" of the plants used. (((*mild*))) CHAMOMILE (Matricaria chamomilla) Part used: whole flower Actions: Anti-spasmodic Carminative Anti-inflammatory Analgesic Antiseptic Vulnerary Indication: chamomile tea is soothing for the entire body, especially the stomach. This herb is gentle enough for children and the elderly. (((*stonger*))) SKULLCAP (Scutellaria laterifolia) Part used: all aerial parts Actions: Nervine Sedative Anti-spasmodic + VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) Part used: rhizome, roots Actions: Sedative Hypnotic Anti-spasmodic Hypotensive Carminative Indication: This blend relaxes states of nervous tension. Combines well with Skullcap for relief of anxiety and tension symptoms. (((*quite strong*))) WILD LETTUCE (Lactuca virosa) Part used: dried leaves Actions: Sedative Anodyne Hypnotic + PASSIONFLOWER (Passiflora incarnata) Part used: dried leaves Actions: Sedative Hypnotic Anti-spasmodic Anodyne Indication: This blend is a remedy for restlessness and pain relief from coughing or premenstrual symptoms. Excellent for treating insomnia. Tinctures available: +VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) +PASSIONFLOWER (Passiflora incarnata) DEFINITIONS in order that they are mentioned::: Anti-spasmodic- prevent/ease spasms or cramps in the muscles of the body. Reduces tension in the body Carminative- soothes and settles the gut wall, thereby easing griping pains and helping the removal of gas from the digestive tract. Anti-inflammatory- reduces inflammation. Analgesic- relieves pain. Antiseptic- inhibits the growth/action of pathogens. Vulnerary- promotes the healing of wounds/inflammation. Nervine- has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Sedative- calms the nervous system and reduces stress and nervousness throughout the body. Hypnotic- induces a deep and healing state of sleep. Hyptensive- lowers blood pressure. Anodyne- eases pain. *****Definitions and plant information cited from "the herbal handbook" by David Hoffmann.

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Nettle tinc up on my etsy, also available for free bicycle delivery within philadelphia <3

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TEA BATH IS SOLD OUT!

Thanks everyone who preordered theirs, if you don’t already have it, you’ll be getting it this week.

NOTES ON TEA BATH:

There are many ways to use a tea bath bag. My favorite way is to keep the bag in the bath from as soon as I turn on the faucet until I am done. The cloth bag full of herbs can be used to exfoliate and moisturize.

Another way for people who have sensitive drains and can’t have any herbs slipping out of the bag (this happens!) is to simmer the bag in a pot of water on the stove for 15 minutes and then pour that concentrated infusion in the tub as it is filling up.

Hope everyone who got one loves it a much as I do. Looking forward to having a larger harvest next year to be able to keep the tea bath blend going all winer long.

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winter 2015/2014 offerings

|+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| these are my winter offerings. crafted with intent to protect and nourish. herbs used were either cultivated by me or collected by the mountain rose herb company. please feel free to contact me if you would like to know the specific origin of any of the herbs used. channeling the energy traveling from the above ground plant down into the mud, into the root, where it is most concentrated and powerful, even though the plant appears to have “died” for the winter. 

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body whip 15/4oz whipped body butter infused with calendula and yarrow flowers. calendula is a gentle, yet powerful anti-inflammatory herb. many of our discomforts and ailments are the result of inflammation, making calendula a profound herb. yarrow is an astringent herb that has a cleansing action when applied to the skin. v light face cream 15/4oz versatile, light aloe vera and almond oil based face cream infused with calendula and lavender. calendula, the gentle anti-inflammatory herb, blends well with: lavender, which aids the body/mind when dealing with stress in the form of exhaustion or nervousness. it also has antiseptic and stimulating actions. facial cleanser 12/2oz nettle and lavender infused in grapeseed oil. using oil to cleanse the body is a common practice all over the world. it may seem counter intuitive to those unfamiliar with the ritual, but once experienced is understood. the oil is massaged onto the skin, left to soak in for a minute, or however long you have, and then steamed/patted off with a very hot, wet towel. after cleansing with oil the skin feels moisturized and strengthened. nettle is a stimulating astringent. lavender aids the body/mind when dealing with stress in the form of exhaustion or nervousness. it also has antiseptic and stimulating actions. side note about salves: the salves listed below are designed to be versatile, useful in many situations. in addition to utilizing their specific healing properties, these salves are excellent at moisturizing any part of the body, including the hands and the face and can be used to add texture and shine to hair.

comfrey salve 10/2oz comfrey root infused grapeseed oil & beeswax. use for:  cuts, scrapes, minor wounds, rashes, bugbites, sunburn, sores, and to prevent scarring. actions:  astringent - tightens tissues, binds mucous membranes.  emollient - soothes and protects irratated and inflamed tissues.  vulnerary - brings healing to wounds and inflammations. +++++:comfrey is loaded with allantoin. allantoin stimulates cell production, causing wounds to heal over quickly. CAUTION: do not use comfrey on deep or dirty wounds. because comfrey heals over skin so efficiently, it is capable of closing up a wound before it is ready, causing further infection and related problems. calendula salve 10/2oz (personal favorite hand salve) calendula flowers infused in almond oil & beeswax. use for:  moisturizing, healing/disinfecting cuts and scrapes, healing fungal issues. actions: anti-inflammatory - reduces inflammation. astringent - tightens tissues, binds mucous membranes. vulnerary - brings healing to wounds and inflammations. anti-fungal - suppresses the reproduction or growth of fungi.

tea bath 5/bag nettle leaves, pine leaves, comfrey root, licorice root, rose peals, lavender flowers, and calendula flowers, dried, and tied up in a cotton muslin cloth and stored in a glass jar.

like a tea bag, but bigger, and for your tub not your mug. you can reuse the cloth the herbs are tied up in. herbal baths are tremendous for healing the external body as well as relieving deep muscular tension and pain. this blend is meant to stimulate the circulation, ease muscular pain, and soften the skin. nettle tincture 10/2oz whole plant, fresh in 80 proof alcohol. take 30-40 drops in a small amount of water daily. strengthens and supports entire system. actions: astringent - tightens tissues, binds mucous membranes. diuretic - increases the elimination of urine from the body.  tonic - remedy that strengthens and enlivens the whole body. |+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| these items will appear on my etsy by december 15th and can be shipped anywhere. i am accepting pre-orders via e-mail: bcrphl@gmail.com . |+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|

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it has been one month since i moved from west philadelphia to wissahickon. two months since i moved out of my home of 4 years where i was enveloped in love and acceptance, and the aloneness of my new surroundings is a minor culture shock.

i have been taking my time settling into my new home and...

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The season for medicinal root harvest is officially here... I was removing the Solomon's Seal pictured to replant in another location and rejuvenate the patch for more growth in the spring.

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And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

Anaïs Nin (via purplebuddhaproject)

Fave quote

(via babayagatarot)