Journal

2017-10-26 Spruce Distillation

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Markets / Products / Wild Harvest by

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

 in Gardening / Healing Herbs / Natural Skin Care / Products by

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.

With each step, comes another

 in Aromatherapy / Biodiversity / Distillation / Gardening / Healing Herbs / Wild Harvest by

Just taking it one step at a time and harvesting as much as we can,  processing everything and finding joy anywhere we can.

Walking stick

Walking stick 2

walking stick on sage

Calendula with bee.

Lemon Verbena

tulsi in the basket

The last clary sage distillation.

Cedar

Cedar essential oil and hydrosol

gotu kola for tincture and a co-oxymel with bacopa

lemon verbena and rosemary for co-distillation

Weeds or a resting place for tools? It’s a judgment call.

Fall return

 in Aromatherapy / Biodiversity / Distillation / Gardening / Healing Herbs by

After being away for 3 weeks I returned to an amazing abundance and fantastic weather!  Thanks to all those who helped and attended the garden the 1st week and to Ian and the kids for the last 2.  Everything is wonderful.

First to do was a Tulsi distillation!

Masses of Tulsi for distillation. This hydrosol is one of the most diverse and effective. Excellent for the Fall season.

Tulsi in the basket

large purple asters

Calendula

The yard, wild and unmowable for most of this year, suddenly exploded with gifts of flowers

As it is: The eclipse, elixirs, and healing

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Gardening / Healing Herbs / Markets / Natural Skin Care / Products / Wild Harvest by

As summer comes to a close we have been very busy harvesting the herbs and distilling, learning about our new environment and adjusting.  The herbal teas, the hydrosols, the oils and the resins provide the elixirs.

The ones for illness, the ones for the soul, the ones for the heart.

Last night (the night of Aug 21st and the Solar eclipse in Leo) I distilled the Rose Geranium and when I started to process the plant I got a clear message to slow down and let the aroma seep in, permeate my mind and I felt my heart open up to myself.  I hadn’t known I was closed, I was rushed, busy and tired, and suddenly I felt more acceptance, acceptance of everything.  Love was present.

The distillation is aromatically exquisite.  The oil this morning was the color of the sky.  I hope that others will find healing, love and connection to self through this hydrosol and I will use the Oil in my next batch of Deep Sleep.

 

Rose Geranium oil in the separator

Rose Geranium permeates the room

 

Here are a few more things we have been up to!

In the woods behind the house I found this:
Phaeolus schweinitzii. It can be used as a natural dye

Tulsi Holy Basil as it is about to move into the new tunnel in the beginning of August.

Harvesting Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa harvest will become a tincture for our family.

From the garden daily.

Blue Chamomile essential oil

Butterfly on the Gotu Kola

The Mother. The Source.

Gifts

Speaking of Gifts……That will be the focus for the next months, Energetically aligned and Inspirational aromatic and healing salves and oil blends to get us through the fall and into winter! Whether you are feeling sluggish or need to rest, feeling down or need to channel that enthusiasm? Contact me for any custom blends you might be interested in.