I am seeing the Violets almost everywhere these days – growing amongst grassy lawns, on the shady sides of houses, in sidewalk cracks and alongside riverbanks. Their prolific and cheerful blooms are like small blessings at our feet. Unfortunately they are ephemeral, for when this cool spring weather turns to heat and brighter sun, the Violets will drop their blooms until next year. Which is why we must admire them now!…

Violets have been praised throughout the centuries as a necessary part of the herbalist’s apothecary. The 16th century English herbalist Gerard writes of the plant: “It has the power to ease inflammation, roughness of the throat and comforteth the heart, assuageth the pains of the head and causeth sleep.” One of my favorite ladies, Hildegard von Bingen (11th century mystic, nun, poet and herbalist) was also keen on the powers of the plant and used Violet juice to treat cancers.

Today, modern herbalists are still using the Violet (Viola odorata) in very much similar ways: to treat cancers and lumps (the herb has a special affinity for healing the breast), to soothe coughs, flus and colds, to ease headaches and to calm inflammations of the skin. It makes a relaxing, nourishing infusion which is a tonic to the whole nervous system. Energetically, Violets have always been linked to the ability to bring comfort and ease to the heart during times of sadness and grief. Aromatherapists say that the essential oil can help create feelings of inner strength and empowerment.

Violets can be used in our everyday lives as a nourishing herb and as a food. Both the heart-shaped leaves and flowers are edible, and make excellent additions to salads in their raw form.  The leaves can also be cooked like spinach. The plant pulls up lots of  minerals and nutrients from the soil which are then stored in the leaves – so harvest and eat away! I assure you that the presence of this cheerful, beautiful plant at your dinner table with gladden your heart, lift your spirits and nourish your body!

Thanks so much to everyone who came along to my open house this past weekend – it was a lovely time.  To continue the week of herbal abundance, especially in honor of Mother’s Day, I am offering a 20% discount on all herbal formulations in my Etsy shop through this Saturday. You can go here to take a look. Just enter the code ‘MOTHER’ when you check out to receive the discount. I’ve added some new items that I am excited about: a chamomile-fennel eye elixir, a new clay mask mix and an aromatic rose salve. Show your moms’ some love!

This Saturday I will be hosting an Open House where all my herbal creations will be on sale. Come browse and sample the formulations… there will be oils, face cleansers, toners, lip balm and body scrubs galore… even some hand-made candles and decorative herb bundles. Learn how to do an herbal face steam, try out my new night-time eye oil, customize a body oil with your favorite essential oils.

Stop on in before heading to the Somerville Open Studios that day. Herbs, tea and good cheer await! Come and buy your mama something nice for Mother’s Day…

P.S. If you don’t already know where I am located, just send me an email for the address…

Last spring, inspired by local CSA produce boxes, I decided to create a seasonal box-full of herbal goodness for my customers. I call it the Equinox Box in honor of the equinox that happily marks the official start of spring.

I wanted to make these joyful boxes as a way to honor and celebrate the arrival of the new season and to help us remove the last bits of winter from our bodies and spirits. This nest of herbal goods contains items – both consumable and for external use – that I find supportive and nurturing as we emerge into the new season. I have concocted an array of formulations that are based on plants that we can find growing alongside us.

The 2011 box includes the following handmade items:

The ingestible:
1 oz. Rose Glycerite (a sweet, soothing and heart-opening elixir of rose petals in glycerine)
1 bag of Spring Tonic Tea (with dandelion leaf, nettle and lemon balm)
1 oz. Liver Tonic Tincture (with burdock root, yellow dock root and milk thistle seed)

The cosmetic:
4 oz. jar of Herbal Face Steam Blend (with rose, calendula, comfrey and lavender)
.5 oz Rose Empress Elixir (rosehip seed oil with skin-specific essential oils)
2 oz. Mossy Sister Cleansing Face Scrub (blended with oatmeal, sage and green clay)
.25 oz. Minted Moon Lip Balm (coconut and castor oil base with peppermint essential oil)
4 oz. Sweet Petal Body Scrub (with rose and sweet almond oil)

Other:
1 handmade beeswax votive candle

You can place your orders here. The boxes are available for pick-up or local delivery (Cambridge/Somerville) and in most cases can also be shipped.

Welcome to spring!

I use a lot of roses in my skin care formulations, and rightly so, for this is a radiant plant full of healing and skin-loving properties. We all know Rose as the symbol of love and beauty but its use as an herbal medicine and cosmetic ingredient is perhaps not so well-known. This is indeed a pity, for who would not love to nourish their skin with such a beautiful flower?

The cold-pressed oil of rose, from the rosehip seeds,  is used for anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation and commonly used for scaring, wrinkles and UV damage. This luxurious and healing oil contains Vitamin A, which helps to delay the effects of skin aging, and can assist with cell regeneration. There are also high amounts of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which further promotes healthy skin. The entire plant is incredibly anti-inflammatory, and beyond its cosmetic applications is used for injuries and sore muscles among other ills.

Energetically, Rose works on opening the heart chakra (not surprisingly) and also acts as heart-settling nervine. It brings peace and strength to the body and spirit, and can help to lift anxiety and depression.

Its beauty helps us to recall and claim our own.

How did the rose ever open its heart
And give to the world all of its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against its being,
Otherwise we all remain too frightened.
Hafiz

Hello friends, it is not usual that I do something like this, but I recently joined an affiliate program of Floracopeia essential oils to help spread the word about their lovely, lovely essential oils and their mission of protecting and preserving the world’s medicinal plants. This is such a beautiful and soulful company and one that I am proud to help represent. I was completely taken by the quality of their essential oils about a year ago and have been switching over my oils to be completely sourced from Floracopeia just because there is nothing else finer that I can find. And I also like the level of awareness and spirituality that David Crow, the founder, brings to the business. Anyway, that being said, I just wanted to put this offer out there: my friends and customers can now receive 25% off their first order with Floracopeia by going to their website through this link and entering ‘szabel’. I can’t recommend their products highly enough – they are made with deep respect for the earth and with the intention to create and sustain a more vibrant and diverse environment. Check them out and see where their blissful oils take you!