Monthly Archives: October 2017

2017-10-26 Spruce Distillation

October 28, 2017 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Markets / Products / Wild Harvest by Kelli

When we lived in Sweden we regularly distilled Norway Spruce (Picea abies). Since we moved to Canada, we have been learning about the native conifers in our region of Ontario. Right outside our home we find Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), White Spruce (Picea glauca), and Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis).
Another resident of our forest neighbourhood is our old friend Norway Spruce, and today we distilled our first batch in North America. The hydrosol is quite lovely, and I will have some available at tomorrow’s Almonte Farmer’s Market Harvest Market. I hope to see you there!

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Spruce Distillation

Marshmallow, Calendula, & Tea Tree Salve

October 12, 2017 in Gardening / Healing Herbs / Natural Skin Care / Products by Kelli

This salve is inspired by this post on marshmallow by Rosalee de la Foret.
I love marshmallow; it’s a moon herb, and helpful in so many ways. It makes the absolute best lip salves too, that will be coming up soon! It has been so wonderful to learn the different ways to utilize the healing potentials of the plants and to learn this method of infusing the properties of marshmallow into oil.

I have 3 first season Althaea officinalis plants and one is very crowded so I decided to use it. First I dug up the root, then scrubbed it clean, and shredded it. Then patience and attention, just what I need.

grated and chopped into the oil over a double burner, on low for 2 hours.

first year marshmallow root

Cooling

cleaning it up to be chopped and grated, then partially dried before infusing it into oil.

After the first hour of simmering I added 1/3 ratio of warm infused plantain and self heal into safflower oil and jojoba. At the end, I always blend my essential oils into a small amount of jojoba oil before I mix them in to the final batch. Then I test the ratios and consistency and pour into prepared jars.