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From Plant to Balm: Crafting Infused Oils and Salves the Folk Way

5/15/2026

There is a unique kind of magic in capturing the essence of a plant in oil. Whether it’s the sunny warmth of Calendula or the soothing touch of Plantain, creating your own topical remedies is one of the most rewarding skills in the home apothecary.

At Herbs Love + Yoga in Sandy Hook, CT, I love teaching the Folk Method for oils and salves. It’s slow, intentional, and lets the sun do the heavy lifting. This process turns simple ingredients into potent "skin food" that can support your body’s natural healing.

Step 1: The Solar InfusionThe foundation of any good salve is a high-quality infused oil.

Prepare your Jar: I prefer to work in small batches, so I use a 4 oz glass jar.
Add the Herbs: Fill your jar about 1/3 of the way with dried herbs. (Using dried herbs is important here to ensure no water is introduced, which can cause the oil to go rancid).
The Oil: Cover the herbs with your carrier oil of choice (Organic Olive oil or Jojoba work beautifully) until the jar is full.
Harness the Sun: Seal the jar and place it in a sunny window. This gentle, consistent warmth helps the oil draw out the plant's medicinal properties.
Tend the Oil: Let it sit for 4 weeks, shaking it vigorously every time you pass by to keep the herbs circulating.

Step 2: Transforming Oil into SalveOnce your four weeks are up, strain your oil through a nut milk bag or fine cloth. Now, it's time to turn that liquid gold into a portable, easy-to-use salve.

The Water Bath: Create a simple double boiler by placing a pot on the stove with a few inches of water.
The Melt: Place your jar of infused oil directly into the water bath.
Add the Beeswax: Add 2 tablespoons of beeswax pellets to the oil.
The Stir: Use a glass stirring rod or a wooden chopstick to stir the mixture. I personally prefer to avoid letting my medicinal oils touch metal tools during this stage to keep the energy and constituents as pure as possible.
Completion: Once the beeswax is completely melted and incorporated into the oil, carefully remove the jar from the heat.
The Set: Pour the warm liquid into your final storage tins or glass jars. Let them sit undisturbed until they have cooled and solidified into a beautiful, firm balm.

Why Use Salves?
Anything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream, making salves a powerful way to deliver herbal support exactly where it’s needed. Whether you're crafting a "boo-boo balm" for the kids or a soothing chest rub, the beeswax creates a protective barrier that allows the herbal oil to penetrate deep into the tissues.

Do you have a specific skin concern you're looking to support, or are you just starting your collection with an all-purpose "everyday" salve? Let me know in the comments!

Ready to start your first solar infusion? I have a variety of organic dried herbs—like Comfrey, Calendula, and St. John's Wort—available at the apothecary, along with the beeswax you'll need to finish your project.
Stop by the shop to grab your supplies and let's talk about which plant allies are calling to you this season!

Shop our Herbal Body Care

🌿 Herbs Love + Yoga is an herbal medicine shop and herbal school based in Sandy Hook, a historic village in Newtown, Connecticut. We specialize in nourishing plant remedies, hands-on education, and community healing rooted in the Wise Woman Tradition.
We offer:

Herbalist Certification Courses (Levels 1–3)
Seasonal Herbal Workshops & Plant Walks
Private Herbal Consultations
Handcrafted Herbal Products including teas, tinctures, salves, vinegars & more
Private Reiki Sessions
Reiki Certifications
Online Classes

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Follow Us on social media for FREE plant wisdom daily
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Full Moon Magic: A Ritual Guide for the Spiritual Community in Sandy Hook, CT

5/1/2026

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She rises—luminous, whole, unapologetic—and suddenly, everything feels heightened. Emotions. Intuition. Desire. Truth. For those of us walking a spiritual path, the Full Moon is more than just a celestial event; it is a mirror reflecting our own inner fullness.

At Herbs Love + Yoga in Sandy Hook, CT, we believe in honoring these natural rhythms. When we align our energy with the lunar cycle, we stop fighting the tide and start flowing with it.

She rises — luminous, whole, unapologetic — and suddenly everything feels heightened. Emotions. Intuition. Desire. Truth.

What Does the Full Moon Represent?

The Full Moon represents culmination, illumination, and completion. Energetically, this is the peak of the lunar cycle where:

Emotions rise to the surface.
Truth becomes impossible to ignore.
Seeds planted at the New Moon begin to manifest.
Our intuition speaks louder and our feminine energy expands.

The moon has always been connected to the divine feminine. Just as she cycles, so do we. Honoring her is an act of honoring our own evolution.

Releasing Energy: Letting Go with Intention

The Full Moon is the ultimate time for release work. Releasing isn’t about rejection; it’s about making space for what is next. This is the moment to let go of old narratives, limiting beliefs, draining relationships, or outdated versions of yourself.

A Simple Release Ritual:

Write down what you are ready to let go of on a piece of paper.
Read it out loud under the moonlight to acknowledge its presence.
Safely burn the paper (or tear it up) to symbolize the energy moving on.
Affirm: “I release this with love. I trust what is meant for me will remain.”

Calling In: Setting Sacred Intentions

After you release, you must invite. The Full Moon is a period of amplification. The energy you focus on now is what will grow. Remember: the moon responds to embodiment, not desperation.
Try shifting your language to reflect a state of being:

"I am open to aligned opportunities."
"I receive love that feels safe and expansive."
"I trust my intuition fully."

Botanical Allies for Lunar Work

Herbs carry their own unique frequencies. When paired with lunar energy, they become powerful allies for transformation. Here are a few favorites we use at the apothecary:

Lemon Balm: For calm, clarity, and opening the door to intuition.
Rose Petals: To invite love, self-worth, and heart-centered healing.
Mugwort: A classic lunar herb for psychic awareness and dreamwork.
Rosemary: Used for protection, purification, and remembrance.

How to use them: Add them to a ritual tea bath, burn them as incense on a charcoal disk, or dress your candles with crushed herbs and specific intentions.

What a Full Moon Ceremony Looks Like

There is no "right" way to celebrate, but if you are looking for a vibe to inspire your next gathering, follow these steps:

Create the Space: Cleanse with smoke or sound, light candles, and lay out your favorite crystals.
Ground Together: If gathering with friends, sit in a circle and take synchronized deep breaths. Sharing one word to describe your current energy can be incredibly grounding.
Reflection & Sharing: Speak your releases and invitations out loud. Witnessing each other’s journeys builds true sisterhood.
Ritual Act: Charge your water under the moon, pull oracle cards, or dance intuitively.
Close with Gratitude: Thank the moon and thank your community. Community multiplies magic.

Join Our Community in Sandy Hook

You are allowed to evolve, you are allowed to outgrow, and you are allowed to shine fully. The moon reminds us that we are whole, even in our phases.
Come join us at Herbs Love + Yoga for one of our Full Moon gatherings! We host these sacred circles in Sandy Hook, CT every Friday evening of the Full Moon. It is a beautiful opportunity to gather your girls, speak love out loud, and release what is heavy in a supportive, high-vibration space.

🌿 Herbs Love + Yoga is an herbal medicine shop and herbal school based in Sandy Hook, a historic village in Newtown, Connecticut. We specialize in nourishing plant remedies, hands-on education, and community healing rooted in the Wise Woman Tradition.
We offer:

Herbalist Certification Courses (Levels 1–3)
Seasonal Herbal Workshops & Plant Walks
Private Herbal Consultations
Handcrafted Herbal Products including teas, tinctures, salves, vinegars & more
Private Reiki Sessions
Reiki Certifications
Online Classes

Stay Connected! Sign up for our free newsletter!
Follow Us on social media for FREE plant wisdom daily
Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok | Youtube

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From Plant to Balm: Crafting Infused Oils and Salves the Folk Way

Full Moon Magic: A Ritual Guide for the Spiritual Community in Sandy Hook, CT

What Does the Full Moon Represent?

Releasing Energy: Letting Go with Intention

Calling In: Setting Sacred Intentions

Botanical Allies for Lunar Work

What a Full Moon Ceremony Looks Like

Join Our Community in Sandy Hook

Hi, I'm Alyssa

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