midsummer's bounty, fall's reward

a tincture for grounding & plant infused oil for pain

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some of us may be hesitant to claim fall’s arrival, but there’s no denying the shift in the air. despite the uptick in heat this week, i can’t help but notice the fact that i need to wrangle my cats inside just a bit earlier, as the darkness seeps in.

whether fall is your favorite or your grasping at summer’s tendrils, change is the name of the game ~ and so is the harvest. this week I finally pressed my st. john’s wort oil that’s been basking in the sun for two months. straining this oil is SO satisfying. the color — a lush red bordering on violet.

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i harvest the fresh buds on midsummer’s eve, also known as st. john’s eve. it was thought that harvesting it on this day would enhance its magical properties, namely those of protection. in the old days, folks would hang a bundle above their door frame or place it in an amulet, along with other protective plants such as blackberry or rowan, carrying it with intention. some accounts tell of putting st. john’s wort under the pillow to call in prophetic dreams. the folklore behind this bright, sun-loving plant runs deep.

medicinally, this plant has a long history of being used for inflammation. i find it to be extremely soothing on my skin when i get a sunburn or for easing redness on my face (a reason why it’s in our sub rosa formula), but it can also be used to help ease the pain from bruises and, more specifically, nerve pain. many people with sciatica report finding relief from st john’s wort oil while i’ve also heard of folks using it as a massage oil for TMJ — rubbing a little on the skin where pain is present.

i’m happy to say that this midsummer plant oil is now restocked in the shop!

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another summer plant i’ve been feeling grateful for is our friend avena sativa or milky oats.

i’ve been taking this tincture every day the past 3 weeks to help with my overloaded schedule as of late. this plant connects me to my breath, and i feel my energy slowly returning back to the self when i’ve tethered out too far.

some more info about this tincture:

~ organic and locally grown (thanks root digger herb farm!)

~ +++ potent milk content, extracted with organic cane alcohol

~ promotes a calm, balanced mood by helping dopamine circulate in the body for a longer period of time

~ eases stress and anxiety by nourishing adrenal glands

~ relief for burnt out, exhausted nervous systems

you can find it here in the shop, offered on a sliding scale.

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as always, thank you for being here. i hope you’re able to breathe into this portal of change we’re beginning together.

xx,

britt

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