Kindred Earth Botanicals

Finding Solace in Difficult Times

7/10/2020

It's been a while since I've written a blog post. I've missed connecting with you, dear reader.

I've wanted to share something comforting for living through these surreal and challenging times. I've needed a lot of time to find my footing, and I still struggle with uncertainty and fear. Thankfully, I've rediscovered healing plant allies that I want to share with you.

Neroli essential oil has been a precious friend. I anoint my third eye area with a tiny bit of neroli before bed and it brings me a deep peace. I've also come back to such a "simple" oil - lavender. I like to blend it into an aloe vera gel and apply it to my neck, shoulders, back, and chest. This relieves muscular pain and tension while also bringing relaxation and a lovely cooling effect. Lavender is so perfect for the summertime. In addition to the magic of essential oils, I've also been deeply studying the plants themselves.

I've been fortunate to continue studying herbalism through a wonderful online program during these COVID-19 affected months. I'm happy to share my favorite calming evening tea. I look forward to it every night.

It's a hot infusion of linden, ginger, and chamomile. My herbal teachers refer to linden as a "hug in a mug." Linden leaves and flowers are soothing for the nervous system, including nerve pain, and help alleviate insomnia and stress related ailments. In addition, the green, honeyed, hay-like aroma of linden is gently comforting. Linden plays beautifully with ginger and chamomile; this herbal blend is truly heavenly.

I add about an inch of dried plant material (linden, ginger, and chamomile) to the bottom of a quart size mason jar. Then I boil water, pour it over the herbs, and close the jar. I let this steep for at least 20 minutes, and then strain. You can add honey if you like. My favorite is orange blossom raw honey.
I hope this blend will bring beauty and relief to your evenings.

What is bringing you solace in these challenging times? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Please hang in there. You are not alone.

With love,

Miriam

I am still providing custom aromatherapy blends, so do reach out if you'd like some assistance.
You can email me at: kindredearthbotanicals@gmail.com

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Join Us at the 2020 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference!

2/16/2020

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Conference Details:

October 14-17th 2020
Salt Lake City, Utah

Save $25 when you sign up with the code Miriam2020

Look Forward To . . .

Exploring the Red Butte Botanical Gardens
Aromatherapy Presentation from Kurt Schnaubelt
Shopping the Trade Show with EOs from around the globe
Making wonderful new friends!

Sign up by June 1st 2020 to receive early bird pricing!

To learn more about the conference, please visit:
conference.naha.org

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Dreaming of the Earth

11/20/2019

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Most of us move through the natural world not realizing that the forms we encounter are not the apparent superficial objects we think they are - they are condensations of meaning, wild poetry created from the dreaming of the earth . . .

Stephen Harrod Buhner

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Seasonal Self Care: Winter Edition

1/30/2019

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Seasonal Self Care Ideas for Winter:

Add hydrosols to your skincare routine: My current favorite for winter is Sandalwood hydrosol which hydrates, softens, and calms redness and irritation. It has a beautiful, light scent (very different than the essential oil). Mist hydrosol on damp face and neck after cleansing and gently pat onto face with clean hands. Follow with serum/moisturizer/facial oil of your choice to lock in moisture. You can mist hydrosol on your skin throughout the day to nourish your complexion and also receive the emotionally therapeutic benefits. Sandalwood hydrosol calms the nervous system.

Stretching: Find a few stretches that make you feel good and try to get into the habit of doing them every day. Stretching tends to get overlooked, but it improves posture, reduces pain, helps relieve tension headaches, and is great for stress relief.

Feel better eating less sugar: According to the American Heart Organization, the maximum amount of sugar you should eat in a day is 25 grams (6 teaspoons) or less. However, most Americans eat over 70 grams a day. As you pay more attention to sugar on food labels, keeping that 25 grams in mind, you'll see that it adds up quickly and insidiously. It's shocking how much sugar is added to yogurt, salad dressing, sauces, and any packaged foods. I definitely have a sweet tooth, but I'm aiming to be more mindful of sugar so I can live a longer, healthier, happier life.

Diffuse citrus essential oils: They really bring in the sunshine and help lift low winter moods. Pink grapefruit, blood orange, and lemon are my current favorites. Here are some of my favorite essential oil diffusor blends for winter.

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"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...in spring, summer, and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."

- Ruth Stout

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Seasonal Self Care: Autumn Edition

10/24/2018

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Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. I love the opulent array of rich colors in nature, as well as the spicy scents, comforting food, and the overall introspective feeling of Autumn. Here are a few of my favorite ways to nourish mind, body, and spirit during these cooler months.

Seasonal Self Care Ideas for Autumn:

Cook healing foods: Warming soups, stews, and bone broths keep you warm and nourished for the cooler weather.
Nature walk: Bundle up and take a five minute nature walk. I was recently surprised to see how many strikingly beautiful birds are out in autumn, including red headed woodpeckers, bluejays, and cardinals.

Herbal Teas: Rooibos tea, ginger chamomile, and chai blends are a few of my fall favorites.

Painting: Bring out your favorite painting supplies or treat yourself to some new ones. Painting is deeply absorbing and a wonderful distraction from the harder aspects of life.
Update your skincare routine: Swap out your lighter products for richer, more moisturizing ones. Oil based facial cleansers are recommended. Apply lip balm frequently as the lips tend to get very dry in fall. Apply organic sesame oil for strong, healthy nails. Additionally, you may want to try a humidifier if your skin is prone to dryness and irritation in the colder months.

Indulge your senses with aromatherapy: Try my handcrafted Warm Comforts Spritzer. It's a decadent chocolate fix laced with warm spices and earthy patchouli.

Journaling: Autumn is an excellent time to contemplate the year so far. Getting your thoughts down on paper has a centering effect that relieves stress. There are no rules to journaling; I encourage you to journal without judgment!
Reading: Try a novel or poetry if it's been a while. Visit your local library and see what inspires you.

Social media pause: Whether it's for a day, a week, or a month, you will find yourself feeling calmer and far less distracted. You'll also free up so much time to do the other activities mentioned above. This may be the hardest one to implement, but it's possibly the most rewarding!

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Dear Reader,

What are your favorite self care ideas for Autumn?

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A Quiet Spirit

7/16/2018

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The Fairy stood in the midst and in the usual manner asked what she would take with her into the great world.

Sylvia paused for a moment, and then answered: ‘A quiet spirit.’ And the Fairy granted her request.

This lovely gift makes life a constant happiness to its possessor, and to all who are brought into contact with her. She has all the beauty of gentleness and contentment in her sweet face; and if at times it seems less lovely through some chance grief or disquietude, the hardest thing that one ever hears said is:

‘Sylvia’s dear face is pale to-day. It grieves one to see her so.’

And when, on the contrary, she is gay and joyful, the sunshine of her presence rejoices all who have the happiness of being near her.

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From "Fairy Gifts," The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Long

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Coming Soon! 2018 Summer Aromatherapy

6/2/2018

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Summer Aromatherapy is coming soon!

Savor new recipes, feel vibrant and inspired, and experience living in harmony with the seasons.

Summer Aromatherapy is based on healing traditions around the world, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Herbalism, and Aromatic Medicine.

You will receive:

Cooling Summer Gel for refreshing, deep relaxation & glowing skin
Seasonal tips and wisdom for feeling your best in Summer
Healthy, delicious, seasonally inspired recipes*

*Recipes for meals, snacks, and drinks such as Maca Berry Bliss Smoothie,
Corsican Omelette, Maple Dark Chocolate Cherries, and more!

Sign up by June 15th to receive the early bird pricing.

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“It was June, and the world smelled of roses.
The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”

― Maud Hart Lovelace

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Spring Cleaning: Clearing Out the Garden and My Mind

4/22/2018

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It's been an exceptionally slow Spring here in the Midwest. Based on the weather, it seems like Spring is running several weeks behind schedule. But the plants are resilient; they know how to adapt. They are patient.

Now that the temperatures are in the 40's and 50's, I'm getting back outside. It's time for general garden clean up, bit by bit. Pulling up dead plants, removing leaves, and surveying the landscape. There is some otherwordly weed growing; something tall and tenacious in this garden that I cannot identify, and I am not capable of yanking out. Note to self: Get help with that. It's time to lug out my old shovel and break up the earth a bit. Make it light and airy. After that, I'll add compost and incorporate it into the earth. Then it's time for good topsoil. I say hello to the faithful chives that come up every year in my garden. They're always there first. In an ever changing world, I can rely on my chives.

It's cathartic to clear out the garden...to survey the remains of your past, discard as necessary, and reassess. I think about what worked well last year and what didn't work well. What endeavors flourished and brought joy, and which ones were plucked away by the birds. And while it helps to reflect, I also know: there are no birds in last year's nest. It's a new year. Time to say farewell to the last one. Thank you for the lessons and the memories. What kind of garden do I want this year? What beauty do I want to bring into the world? What you contemplate can actualize.

As a gardener, you receive a lot of advice. Other gardeners make suggestions or insist on what you need to grow or do. This is fine. I just remember that it is my garden. It must be fulfilling to me. I am grateful for this sanctuary and a chance to begin anew. I won't look back too long; I'll go towards the good. And I can't wait to see what gets growing this year.

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Dear Reader,

I would love to hear from you! What are you growing in your garden this year?

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4 Reasons to Attend the 2018 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference

4/6/2018

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NAHA 2018 Beyond Aromatics Early Bird Conference

1. Visit the Red Butte Botanical Gardens. Located on-site at the University of Utah campus, the Red Butte Garden is stunning! Temperatures in October range from the 60's to 70's, making for ideal autumn weather to take a stroll. Make sure to visit the Fragrance Garden. You can drive, walk, or catch a free University shuttle to the garden.

2. Expand your knowledge. I'm especially looking forward to learning more about clinical Ayurveda aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of hydrosols, creating custom plant-based tincture blends, and so much more!

3. Shop the Trade Show. Chat with fellow aromatherapy enthusiasts as you discover hundreds of exotic essential oils and plant extracts from around the world. Take your favorites home with you!

4. Community. Reconnect with your aroma buddies! The NAHA community is warm and inclusive. If you've never been to a NAHA conference before, rest assured that you'll make inspiring new friends.

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Roses in the Wind

2/7/2018

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Pink roses at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Heavy
by Mary Oliver

That time
I thought I could not
go any closer to grief
without dying

I went closer,
and I did not die.
Surely God
had his hand in this,

as well as friends.
Still, I was bent,
and my laughter,
as the poet said,

was nowhere to be found.
Then said my friend Daniel,
(brave even among lions),
“It’s not the weight you carry

but how you carry it –
books, bricks, grief –
it’s all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it

when you cannot, and would not,
put it down.”
So I went practicing.
Have you noticed?

Have you heard
the laughter
that comes, now and again,
out of my startled mouth?

How I linger
to admire, admire, admire
the things of this world
that are kind, and maybe

also troubled –
roses in the wind,
the sea geese on the steep waves,
a love
to which there is no reply?

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