Flower Power Magic Potions

🌿 Red Raspberry Leaf 🌿

Red raspberry leaf is one of the most popular herbs employed as a uterine tonic, with at least two centuries of recorded use. It has been traditionally used during menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum to facilitate proper functioning of the uterus. Scientific data repeatedly shows it to be one of the safest herbs to use during pregnancy, with some research associating it with fewer complications in childbirth.

You'll find red raspberry leaf in my Womb Time bath teas, available at .auraarcana in Nanaimo!

🌳 Poplar buds 🌳

If you haven't yet, now is the time to harvest the leaf buds Poplar (aka Cottonwood) trees. You will notice them as long, greeny brown ovals growing alternate along bare branches. But it's the fragrance that's the real giveaway: once you've learned to recognize their warm, springy smell, you'll be able to identify them anywhere.

Before they leaf out, Poplar buds are covered in a sticky resin that is prized by herbalists for its healing properties. To draw out the resin, some infuse the buds in skin-friendly oils to use in topical applications, while others infuse them in honey to be taken internally. Because it contains salicin, it can help reduce pain, soreness and inflammation.

To be kind to the trees, try not to take too many from one tree or area, and try to harvest from fallen branches as much as possible.

{Self-Love}

At this time of year, the first flowers are blooming, songbirds are singing their love songs, and humans are making dramatic romantic gestures.

But this is also a perfect time to delve into self-love.

Whether you're partnered or not, delving into self-love is a much-needed reminder that you are more than our relationship status, you are already complete, and you are worthy of love just the way you are. It reminds us that there are many forms of love, and we can gift ourselves the love we yearn for.

Each one of my Self-Love Bath Teas and Self-Love Salves have been lovingly handcrafted with these intentions whispered into my homegrown botanicals. You certainly don't need to buy anything this Valentine's Day, but if you do, these two potions are the ones I'd suggest.

Come visit me at the Winter Spirit Market hosted by .auraarcana! It's on now until 4pm at the ❄️