Posts Tagged ‘herbs’

Salve and Balm Packaging

Posted on June 13th, 2012 in blog, Lana Bella by jenni

Its been a while since I posted anything business related so here is a sneak peek at all of the new salve packaging. Some of you may have already received packages with the new labels but if you haven’t look at how amazing they look! They were designed by the AMAZING Meredith from Jack & Molly. Its been a few months and I STILL get really excited every time I print up a sheet!

The lovely Ant-y Thing. This salve with a funny name has a funny name for a reason. You see it was created when my too curious little boy wanted to see what would happen when he messed with some fire ants. Well anyone who has ever been bit by a fire ant before knows they bite and they HURT! Well he got bit 35 times on his arm that we could count it resulted in a visit to the emergency room and prescriptions for more creams and ointments than I care to have to use with my busy life and well not a one of them was natural and many had chemicals that we avoid. I put my herbalist hat on and thought back to some wisdom from Rosemary Gladstar and created this good for just about anything salve and gave it a funny name to make my boy smile and it stuck.

Arnica Muscle Rub. A specific external treatment for physical trauma, sprains, bruising and other injuries. Use immediately after strenuous exertion or injury to prevent, relieve and reduce swelling, bruises and pain.

Blissful Baby Balm. I know for my babies I only want to use the most gentle ingredients on them so that is what happened when this balm got reformulated. Simple, gentle goodness.

Buggy Be Gone! Balm. As you find with my other products this one also came out of necessity, I was on the hunt for an all natural bug repellent that work and this is what I came up with.

Healing Ink Balm. When I was getting ready to get a tattoo I thought back to the Tattoo Goo I used on my first one. I didn’t want to purchase something when I could make my own so I looked around and thought about what you need when you get a tattoo and that is all about skin health with out damaging the inks. I also wanted it to smell nice because that makes me happy. Did you know that helichrysm essential oil is being used in trials for both hepatitis and HIV? I didn’t either but I love how it smells and thought that was an amazing coincidence so in it went.

Serie Breathe Easy Rub. I don’t know about you but here with the windows closed and the chill in the air and sometimes having the heat on we are getting some stuffy noses. Especially at night, and most noticeable in our two year old. I wanted something I could grab in the dark half asleep in the middle of the night and something that was NOT petroleum based. Why not use the same blend as in our wonderful serie soap and aromatherapy products. A blend of Rosemary, Eucalyptus and Lemon essential oils as sure to get the job done!

March Recap

Posted on May 30th, 2012 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

I know I know I said I’d never write one of these again but life with 5 kids is honestly a whirlwind and I feel lately like I’m constantly struggling to keep up with everything.

After Rory’s party things just kept flying by. Some pretty cool things happened though. I got a bike! Yup thats right I got a bike the kids and I were riding daily through our neighborhood, taking nightly walks and somehow I lost a bunch of weight, which is what inspired the bike purchase. Isn’t she cute? I have to admit this is the first time i’ve ridden a bike in close to 20 years.

Then one day Finn and I did something awesome together. We pulled out the herbs and he designed his tea blend, just like his siblings did. He was so proud and he loves to get out the teapot and put the herbs & honey in all by himself and have a cuppa or three because he likes to do everything in threes these days. It will be in the shop soon I just need to think of a name and get it listed. Do you have any ideas?

I also got my craft on a little at my husband’s request. You see he was going through the Coast Guard CCTI program and he needed a fancy charge book and always on a budget I said why don’t we make you one out of your old uniforms. In my head this was an easy task UNTIL he added on all sorts of requests like lets make it so you button it closed, and do you think it can have pockets on the inside and some other things I don’t even remember now that I’m pretty sure I vetoed.

A major thing that happened here which had been pretty awesome in most aspects is BRACES! Thats right BOTH Lexi & I went to the orthodontist and got braces. Its something I’ve always wanted to do and almost did once before as an adult and figured we could do it together. If I had known just how much is was going to hurt though let me tell you I would have probably skipped it, the bonus is I’m losing more weight because of it because well it hurts to snack/eat to I’m eating more smoothies and juicing and skipping that late night tv snacking.

To finish out the month Finn was looking through Jack & Rory’s old Main Lesson Books from when we were using Oak Meadow and he wanted an A gate picture too. What kind of mom would I be if I didn’t then read him the Story of Peter Rabbit and draw with him an A gate picture. Then for fun I posed all three boys together with their pictures so you can see how the different gates of our backyards have influenced my drawing. Please ignore the marker all over Finn he was fighting Zombies according to him.

30 days of thanks…day 2

Posted on November 2nd, 2011 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

Ha ha sneaking this one in there! Unfortunately for me I’m still very much thankful for Lexi and tea. I am also thankful today that salves can be made in a drawn out process giving me time to rest in between. I was so lucky to have lexi measure out the beeswax and cocoa butter for me , pull the essential oils off the shelves, and even get the containers prepped for me so I could melt then rest and update labels before I had to get up to pour them all. Then she even graciously just capped them for me as well so I could write this quick blog post.

I am so very thankful for the job I have as a mom and being able to make these products for you and in about 5 more minutes I’m going to be most thankful for my head hitting the pillow for the night even if I’ll be up 80 times because of this darn cold.

I can’t wait til I can write the post that I’m feeling better!

Good night

30 days of thanks… day 1

Posted on November 1st, 2011 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

Yes I know two posts in one day. I just wanted to say even though today I feel quite under the weather and have a to do list 84,000 things deeps that will never get finished I am thankful.

I am most thankful today for hot cups of tea with herbs thoughtfully added by my dearest lexi to keep my chest spasming down to a minimum and my voice from sounding like a 90 year old chain smoker all the time. I am so glad that she has been with me though my herbal journey and may not know exactly why she chooses the herbs she does but does so intuitively and from her heart and soul. Be on the look out for items in her own shop as well I know she has plans and much like me has so many ideas she is having trouble figuring out just exactly where to start!

Thank you Lexi I love you!

How I spent Mother's Day

Posted on May 11th, 2010 in blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

Woke up EXTREMELY sore from the windfest and tent holding the pervious say at Squidfire’s Art Mart, but still I wanted to go to the JFX Farmer’s Market. So even though it was only 8am I had a cup of coffee (ok I had 2) and started sending kids off to get dressed. It was cold yet bustling all those plants wanting to come home with me. Instead we got some greens, asparagus and strawberries because they were so yummy and ripe smelling.

Afterwards we headed to Lowes to finish getting rocks and dirt for the raised beds Steve and the kids had built me a few weeks earlier.

So a shopping cart and contractor’s cart later home we head. After a few hours of work where I over worked already sore muscles and this is what I ended up with. Potato bins to the left, the raised bed, and sweet potato and garlic to the right with some marigolds tossed in to hopefully protect everything.

Then on the patio table we never seem to use I have some herbs and my tea cup planter full of Red Clover and Dandelions.

My favorite part of the day was sitting with the kids and planting their seeds in their Sesame Street planters.

Jack planted Bert & Ernie Peppers, Lexi planted Oscar the Grouch Green Beans, Finn some Elmo Tomatoes and Rory the pink Abby Cadabby Pumpkins.

Steve even put some wire on the bottom of the compost bin and got that set up for me too. I’m so excited about our little garden in the city this year!

We even had our first harvest of greens for a salad to add to dinner.

How I spent Mother’s Day

Posted on May 11th, 2010 in blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

Woke up EXTREMELY sore from the windfest and tent holding the pervious say at Squidfire’s Art Mart, but still I wanted to go to the JFX Farmer’s Market. So even though it was only 8am I had a cup of coffee (ok I had 2) and started sending kids off to get dressed. It was cold yet bustling all those plants wanting to come home with me. Instead we got some greens, asparagus and strawberries because they were so yummy and ripe smelling.

Afterwards we headed to Lowes to finish getting rocks and dirt for the raised beds Steve and the kids had built me a few weeks earlier.

So a shopping cart and contractor’s cart later home we head. After a few hours of work where I over worked already sore muscles and this is what I ended up with. Potato bins to the left, the raised bed, and sweet potato and garlic to the right with some marigolds tossed in to hopefully protect everything.

Then on the patio table we never seem to use I have some herbs and my tea cup planter full of Red Clover and Dandelions.

My favorite part of the day was sitting with the kids and planting their seeds in their Sesame Street planters.

Jack planted Bert & Ernie Peppers, Lexi planted Oscar the Grouch Green Beans, Finn some Elmo Tomatoes and Rory the pink Abby Cadabby Pumpkins.

Steve even put some wire on the bottom of the compost bin and got that set up for me too. I’m so excited about our little garden in the city this year!

We even had our first harvest of greens for a salad to add to dinner.

Photo of the Day

Posted on February 15th, 2010 in Lana Bella by jenni

What I'm working on …. Soap of Course

Posted on October 27th, 2009 in Lana Bella by jenni

Its been busy busy here! Fall is HERE in Baltimore which means for the girl who has been living in sunny warm South Carolina for the past 4 years its COLD! There are adjustments being made with my children and I who are just not used to cold like this so early! With the cold and the rain .. oh the rain there is much more time being spent inside so there has been much more crafting going on.

Soap making in action. Believe it or not these pictures are not as easy to take yourself WHILE making soap!

What I'm working on …. Elderberry Immune Support Syrup

Posted on September 25th, 2009 in Baltimore Craft, Lana Bella by jenni

We have been taking elderberry syrup in my home for years to help with everything from being run down, common colds and illnesses, allergies and I even took it this past year to help boost my immune system from a case of mastitis. I adjust the recipe here and there to provide better benefit for the issue at hand.

My current batch of elderberry syrup is inspired from the hard crafting ladies of BEST who have been working so hard to make wonderful treasures and goodies for you. Lack of sleep is the worst thing you can do to your body as that is when we heal and replenish ourselves. On top of lack of sleep they are going to have many many interactions with hundreds of people and anytime you interact with many people you introduce yourself to different things not bad just different and its those interactions that put our immune systems on alert. I want these new friends of mine to not have to worry about coming down with a cold when they can least ‘afford’ to thus Elderberry Immune Support Syrup!

Organic Ingredients: Filtered Water, Honey, Elderberries, Licorice Root, Rosehips, Echinacea, Cinnamon Bark, Elecampane, Slippery Elm Bark, Ginger Root, Oregon Grape Root & LOVE

What do these herbs do?
Elderberries are known to be effective in fighting at least eight 8 strains of influenza suggesting elderberry is superior to vaccines in flu prevention because vaccines can only protect against know strains that are also continuously mutating. It was also found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to invade otherwise healthy cells in the linings of the throat and nose. Taken before an infection it will help prevent an infection, after it will help prevent the spread through the respiratory and other systems.

Licorice Root’s most common use world wide is to treat common colds and coughs. In Chinese Medicine it is also used to treat fatigue. Has a generally pleasing taste.

Rosehips have one of the most concentrated forms of vitamin C that is available which has led to them being included in many cold preventatives and remedies such as this very syrup. In addition to vitamin C, rosehips also contain vitamins A, D and E, as well as antioxidant flavonoids that may reduce the effects of aging and help prevent cancer. The various flavonoids in rose hips have potent antioxidant action, helping to protect the body from the effects of stress, aging and the environment. The iron in rose hips make them an excellent supplement for women.

Echinacea is one of the first choice herbs for the treatment and preventions of colds because of its immune stimulating qualities.

Cinnamon is one of the most recognizable of flavors in the world, has been used  in just about every type of food product available. Cinnamons beneficial effects on the digestive tract are attributed to its antioxidant catechins, which may also help fight bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Cassia bark has been used for over a thousand years in both Eastern and Western medicine in treating chronic diarrhea, colds, kidney trouble, abdominal and heart pains, hypertension, and cancer, among others.

Elecampane related to both sunflowers and ragweed is named for Helen of Troy, who carried its flowers with her. In traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine it is recommended for bronchitis and asthma. During the middle ages it was regarded for restoring health to the heart. It is an antiseptic expectorant and will relieve chest congestion. As a bitter it will also stimulate digestion.

Slippery Elm Bark added to hot water has a slippery consistency and was also served as a food during famine and for making porridge for small children and elderly persons. The mucilage in slipper elm bark also relieves inflammation and irritation in the throat and urinary tract. Slippery elm also helps neutralize excess stomach acid.

Ginger Root is probably the most widely used remedy on the planet being used as both food and medicine. Fresh ginger is used to relieve dryness and heat, while dried ginger is used to relieve dampness and chill. Scientists have found evidence to support ginger’s wide range of medicinal actions including lowering cholesterol levels, relieving allergies and asthma, arthritis, colds, and nausea; and protecting the digestive tract and liver against toxins and parasites. Laboratory science confirms the concentration of compounds found in raw ginger  kills cold viruses. Ginger is especially useful in small doses in pregnancy as  an age-old remedy for morning sickness.

Oregon Grape Root is a useful substitute for goldenseal, which has been over harvested in the wild. Oregon grape root may also give the immune system a mild boost. Oregon grape root and other herbs that contain berberine are scientifically proven to protect against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, worms, and chlamydia.

So there you have it a handcrafted alternative to chemical laden over the counter cold products. Herbal syrups are fun and easy to make and last typically 2-4 months if refrigerated and taste good too! Enjoy I know my family does.