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Medicinal Weeds of June: Discover Herbal Medicine Growing Wild in Sandy Hook, Newtown CT

5/31/2025

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Did you know some of the most powerful herbal medicines grow right under your feet?
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As we move through June, Sandy Hook—a historic village in Newtown, Connecticut—comes alive with medicinal plants. Many of these healing herbs are dismissed as “weeds,” yet they’ve been used for generations in herbal medicine to soothe the nervous system, support detox, nourish the skin, and calm inflammation.
​At our herbal medicine shop and school in Sandy Hook, we love teaching others how to reconnect with the plants growing all around them. Whether you're new to herbal medicine or on a deeper path of plant connection, here are six wild medicinal “weeds” you’ll find growing freely across Connecticut this month:
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✧ Plantain (Plantago major/lanceolata)Plantain is a go-to in folk herbalism for its wound-healing power. It draws out splinters, soothes bites, and eases irritation. Found in lawns, fields, and trail edges throughout Sandy Hook.
✧ Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)These pink blossoms gently support the lymph, purify the blood, and help balance hormones. A favorite herb for teas and skin health, red clover is abundant in open meadows across Newtown.
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✧ Chickweed (Stellaria media)Cooling, soothing, and nourishing, chickweed is excellent for hot, itchy skin and inflammation. Often made into salves or eaten raw, it thrives in shady garden beds, forest edges, and damp areas around Sandy Hook.
✧ Violet (Viola spp.)A tender and heart-opening plant, violet supports the lymphatic system and offers gentle relief for inflammation and emotional heaviness. Its purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves are often found in moist, shady spots and along woodland paths.
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We offer a variety of seasonal herbal medicine workshops throughout the year, including hands-on medicine making, herbal tea blending, and plant spirit connection. One of our favorite ways to teach is through medicinal plant walks, where we guide you through the fields, forests, and hidden green corners of Sandy Hook and Newtown, CT to meet the plants face to face. We lead these walks regularly in the spring, summer, and fall—each season revealing a new layer of magic and medicine. Check out our current offerings and join us for an experience that reconnects you with the land, the plants, and yourself.

🌿 About Herbs Love + YogaHerbs 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
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Come visit us in person or explore our offerings online to deepen your journey into herbal medicine.

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herbal support for the winter blues

1/12/2025

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​For many of us, as the winter wears on, we feel that the world is devoid of color, devoid of warmth and abundance, of light. It's not uncommon to feel the tug of sadness as one year ends and a whole New Year begins. Not to mention that the holidays can bring about mixed emotions to begin with. For some people there are feelings of loneliness and grief; maybe they don’t feel connected or they are wistful for years’ past and loved ones who are not here to celebrate. There are those who wish they had more( in many aspects) because when they look around it appears that the world around them is merrily basking in abundance; there is a sense of lack that gnaws at them. ​
For some, there is a longing to have a partner and a family of their own .. that so called perfect life. Even those who do have those immaterial things in place can get that feeling of free falling once the hubbub settles down and normal life continues. There’s a vast array of reasons this may come about, particularly at this time of the year. ​As a whole, our society is moving so fast, and the holidays increase this tempo significantly. Things to buy, places to be, the pressure of doing enough. We are off of our schedules, we are staying up too late, eating a bit more of the things that we don’t normally eat, maybe celebrating overmuch with alcohol, spending more money than we usually do.. essentially we are spinning our wheels and draining our coffers physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. It’s no wonder why, as January settles in, there is this uncomfortableness that settles in with it.
Another year has come and passed,and where are we? What have we accomplished? Where are we headed? It doesn’t really help that we’ve got all of these things going on that abruptly cease, and as soon as the New year starts there is the pressure behind the idea that we should be finding things to change about ourselves so that we can get on the bandwagon with the rest of society with the whole “New Year, New me” concept. Take notice how the items front and center at the stores went from” indulgent” foods and holiday cheer to so-called healthy foods and weight loss products. ​All of a sudden vitamins, bathroom scales and exercise equipment, organizational supplies and household cleaners are now on full display. Funny, right?
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What is the message here? That we can now repent for our lecherous ways? Slim down and clean up our acts!? This messaging is steeped in shame, instead of acceptance. Shame keeps us from the best parts of ourselves. We all have things that we want to do differently or stop doing or begin doing. We don’t have to tackle them all at once, or even go hard. Maybe it’s better if we simply ask ourselves how we can support ourselves so that we can make slow and steady progress towards our goals. When we go inward and slow down, just as nature does at this time of year, we grant ourselves the opportunity for true growth as the year ahead unfurls itself. 
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Our focus would be better served by acts of self care that eventually add up to big changes done out of love and not punishment. Sometimes that is a hard thing to understand, so maybe the best way to start is by thinking about how we care for or love the other people in our lives and apply that to ourselves. We all have the same basic needs and desires. We want those we love to feel happy, safe, loved, acknowledged, nourished, we want them to see their worth, be fulfilled and feel cared for. To know that they matter. ​All of those things can be applied to ourselves and come from ourselves. Practicing self care in a nurturing and loving way, will go a long way in laying the foundation for true growth and can help to lift our spirits when seasonal depression gets her claws in us.
The Big D
There are many factors that come into play when we are feeling more than a little sad at this time of year. One thing that can play a major role is the lack of sunshine, which can lead to a vitamin D deficiency. This fat soluble vitamin ( or is it a hormone?) is stored in our fat cells. Our bodies make the active form of vitamin D, calciferol in our kidneys and liver. Since we get most of our vitamin D through the conversion of UVB light from being in the sunshine, after months of less time spent outside we have depleted our stores.  ​Vitamin D is responsible for many of the processes in our bodies that contribute to our emotional, mental and physical health. Inflammation, sleep regulation, pain tolerance,calcium regulation, and immune system regulation to name a few. It may be necessary to supplement our vitamin D during the winter months, preferably a liquid supplement that includes K2, to prevent a deficiency.
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Sleep Support
We may feel more sluggish and feel the need to sleep more too, but trying to keep the mindset that we deserve rest, just as nature does reminds us that it is okay to restore ourselves through this process. Sometimes when we are feeling down we have a harder time sleeping, in this case making a bedtime routine that includes sipping a sleep supporting herbal tea or adding an herbal tincture to that routine will benefit our need for sleep in the winter. 

​Passionflower blesses us with her calming energy, providing moderate sedative effects as well as anxiety relief. She helps to break us of circular thinking while easing aches and pains too. 
Chamomile is a soothing herbal ally that relaxes our bodies and minds gently and is also safe for children. Chamomile is a wonderful anti-inflammatory with an affinity for our digestive systems. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea as part of our nightly routine can promote restful sleep free from anxiety and nervousness
Skullcap has been called upon in traditional medicine for centuries for her calming, antispasmodic properties. She is a go-to for insomnia and chronic pain that interferes with our ability to sleep. Skullcap is best used only at night until we know how our body's Individual constitution reacts to her.

Hops, yes, that Hops.. the same plant used in the process of making beer, has wonderful relaxing properties and can make it easier for us to unwind and get sleepy at night.
​Adaptogenic Support
When we feel that we need daily support because we are out of sorts sometimes we need to call upon our adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens help us to better manage daily stress by regulating how our bodies react to those stressors. They help to balance these reactions and the hormones and chemical reactions that occur so that we can be in a more harmonious state of being

Ashwagandha helps with focus and is known to reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better sleep. She can help us to feel more on top of things and to feel more in control of our response to life’s challenges as she helps regulate stress hormones.

Cordyceps helps us to have more stamina which can decrease burnout from stress. This mushroom adaptogen allows us to also connect to the divine and open us up easier for meditation practices.

Reishi is another adaptogenic mushroom. Known as the mushroom of immortality. The benefits of this plant medicine are far reaching and go beyond her adaptogenic qualities. Reishi promotes feelings of well being as she helps our bodies' stress response and improves our sleep. This amazing mushroom improves our overall vitality and can help us maintain our mental and physical health

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil is a sacred herb that has long been revered for opening up the heart and mind to gratitude and devotion to our spiritual connection. She improves our energy levels while simultaneously inducing a calm state of mind. Working with Holy Basil, her adaptogenic properties promote the balancing of our stress response, so that we have energy during the day and can sleep peacefully at night.
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Nutritive Support
Our health and overall wellbeing can be significantly improved by making sure that we are nourished, while we want to be sure that we are eating well to maintain our physical and mental health, we can also call upon the magical world of herbal medicine to help us along. There are a few wonderful herbal allies that can support us in making sure that we are getting our necessary vitamins and minerals.

Stinging Nettle is packed with vitamins and is mineral rich. She is loaded with chlorophyll, amino acids and proteins. A daily nutritive infusion can go a long way to maintain our vitality. Nettles can be bitter to some palates. I find that sweetening her brew with maple sugar works well for those of us who are put off by her strong flavor. Having the energy of the element of Fire, she warms us from the inside out while fighting inflammation.
Oatstraw is another health maintaining herbal ally for year round fortification that is especially useful in the winter months. She not only contains vitamins and essential minerals, Oatstraw also has a ton of mucilage and carries the energy of water. The winter months can really do a number on our skin, but we can help combat the effects of the cold dry air when we moisturize from within. With her mood regulating and anti anxiety properties, this gentle nervine can help us maintain our mental and emotional regulation. At this time of the year, maybe we are a little down and our nerves are frayed from the holidays. A strong nutritive infusion of Oatstraw will allow us to relax, sleep better and nourish our body, mind and spirit when we need it most. Making this ahead of time and keeping it in the refrigerator makes it easy to add it to your water to help you stay hydrated, and if you add Rose Hips to the infusion you can boost your vitamin C while you’re at it. Sometimes we need a little bit more support than we get from our nutritive herbs alone plant medicine has quite a few tricks up her sleeve, if you know which beauties to turn to.


Extra Support

Sometimes we need a little bit more support than we get from our nutritive, sleep enhancing, and adaptogenic herbs alone. Plant medicine has quite a few tricks up her sleeve, if you know which beauties to turn to.

St. John's Wort is harvested at the peak of the longest days of the year in June and July so it’s no wonder that this yellow flowering herb is brimming with the energy and mood enhancing properties of the Sun. The main chemical component in St. John’s Wort is Hypericin, which produces a lovely red medicine and has been clinically proven to increase dopamine levels, making her a potent ally in the treatment of mild depressive symptoms and anxiety. She can calm nerve pain both internally and topically which also contributes to her mood modulating effect. Spiritually speaking, Hypericum Perforatum( Her Latin Name) hints at her ability to allow light to fill the holes in our aura. With this herb, you do want to start slowly to see how it affects you because it can interfere with sleep in some people and cause light sensitivity. I’ve taken it personally and did not have any issues in that regard.

*For those who are currently on any medications for depression and anxiety it’s best to seek the advice of your health care provider before working with this herb.*

Lemon Balm has properties that help to enhance our mood and cognitive function. She promotes a happy outlook, reducing anxiety and her mild calming effects are gentle enough for children and sensitive adults, especially those who tend to have nervous stomachs. Lemon balm can also benefit heart health. *those with hypothyroidism should not consume lemon balm regularly in large doses*

Movement
Moving our bodies is important for flexibility, strength, increased energy, and better mental health, we all know this. Making lofty goals to go to the gym or begin a grueling workout regimen is a typical resolution when the New Year rolls around, but for a lot of us this is not something we enjoy or something that we can maintain long term.

When we set goals and cannot see them through this can lead to disappointment or shame. Finding other ways to keep ourselves moving can boost our self esteem and help us connect our minds, bodies and souls. Walking even if it’s cold outside we can bundle up and take short(or long) walks. At the same time being outside will allow us to take in some sunshine and convene with nature.

Yoga enhances our flexibility, balance, posture, and strength, while improving our mental and emotional health. Breathing practices that are a part of yoga, along with gentle stretching help to alleviate stress and improve our cardiovascular health. Joining a yoga class also invites us to be a part of a community of like minded people, and we can all benefit from the support of community through group yoga

Alyssa, at Herbs, Love, and Yoga has a large variety of herbs and tinctures as well as tea blends that can help to support us through the Winter Blues, and she employs her vast knowledge in order to help find the right herbs for each individual. Seeking the advice of someone like herself can really help us to support ourselves when we need it most.

Winter Light

The bluest of skies are borne by the magic of Winter light
In the bated breath before a Winter sunrise and within the last exhalation of her setting sun, our eyes are bathed in the saturation of Divinity. The light is fleeting, the time in which she is available to us is short lived, but oh so rich!
Her magic is unmatched, as she reveals all that is hidden.
The color that paints our world has been sent up into the cosmos for a time, having faded away from where we roam, the only thing left is the light and shadow, the very bones, the foundation from which everything else derives. See not the absence of life, but the beauty of deep rest in the brown and gray.
The magic of the winter light is meant to open our eyes to the unseen. The way in which her sparkle swaths the frozen landscape leaves no darkness untouched as winters’ accompanying winds shift the shadows like a kaleidoscope.
In our acceptance of rest, we allow her light to influence the light within, to caress the shadows that lie in our depths. Every part of who we are is meant to be kissed by the light. Our stillness is vital, may our spirits, like the wind, reveal the parts of our souls hidden by our willful pursuit to keep us safe in the act of staying busy. By being pretty. By being full of life.
Welcome Winter, her magical light.
Welcome rest, we are worthy.
Welcome the drab, the brown, the gray
The ground will thaw and the color shall return, once again there will be much to do. Rest.

This post was written by Debra Romano, a Herbs Love And Yoga herbal apprentice.
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Yule: deck the halls with boughs of Holly✨

12/14/2024

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The holiday season is in full swing! Many people, including myself, are so busy and overwhelmed trying to get everything in place to make the holidays special, and trying to find the time to also enjoy what is supposed to be the most magical✨ time of the year. It’s lovely, and it can be stressful, so what if we took some time to slow down and look at the traditions that came before the widely celebrated winter holidays of today? The ancient Scandinavian, or Norse Cultures( also known broadly as Old Germanic/Pagan) celebrated the winter solstice with festivals centered around light, fire, community, and feasting. Winter, on the wheel of the year in many cultures, represents death, our ancestors and their wisdom, and the coldest and harshest turn of that wheel. Yule celebrates the rebirth ✨ of the sun after the shortest and darkest day of the year. Celebrated for twelve days with festivities beautifully decorated with nothing more than the magical abundance all around us. Each day of Yule represents a slightly different theme but what ties each of them together is that they all revolve around our meaningful relationship to nature, ancestors, family, friends, community, and self reflection. The Yule log is the most well known image from this celebration. It originates from thousands of years ago when a large tree would be felled and burned to light up the night and warm villagers with its protection, honoring the returning sun. It would burn for all twelve days while the merriment continued through the last day of the solar year. Making a Yule log is a fun and practically free way to rekindle the spirit of what the Winter Holidays derived from. Sometime after Thanksgiving I start scoping out the roadsides and keep my eyes open while I’m walking in nature for the perfect log to bring home. I prefer to get one that isn’t very big because I don’t plan on burning it for twelve days. As a matter of fact, I don’t burn it at all, instead I write down things( on small bits of paper) that I want to let go of that I’ve recognized this past year that aren’t serving me any longer. I write down my goals and wishes for the year to come, things I want to see come to fruition. I place these on or around my Yule log, and I light them ablaze with the candles I’ve adorned my log with. This year I’m stepping it up a notch by writing some of my reflections on bay leaves, as their magical properties will help to make something magical even more potent. Once I have decorated her, and have her in place, I invite my family to also write down their thoughts so we can all slow down for a bit and take some time to reflect, give thanks, and notice what we want for ourselves in the year ahead. I do try to leave her out for a few days, lighting her candles when I’m home, and on the night of the winter Solstice( not always-I’m busy!) we send our intentions up into the cosmos with the burning of our written words.
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This is my Yule log from last year, if you decide to make one then you can festoon it any way you like. I personally like to find twigs and branches that have fallen from the Evergreen Trees, Pine Cones, dried up berries from bushes I encounter, and rocks and Herbs that I already have on hand. I’ll also cut up an Orange and a Lemon for their bright and cheery color. I usually have twine or ribbon laying around that I use, but I like to keep it simple. Herbs like Rosemary for remembrance and clarity, Cinnamon for abundance and prosperity , Cloves for protection and creating valuable connections, Star Anise with its deep connection to Jupiter opens pathways for growth and expansion , Thyme for compassion and emotional/spiritual healing, and Sage for heightened intuition and connection to the Divine are all wonderful additions that hold great power.( and smell amazing!) During Yule you could also create a simmer pot with the aforementioned herbs. Adding Balsam Fir for its lovely aroma and Juniper Berries as they were sacred to the Norse culture and offer a plethora of magical energy. Besides Herbs, I love adding citrus fruit into my simmer pot, as it embodies the warmth of the sun. Slow down, Be Happy, Stay warm, and Make a Yule log.. you won’t regret it!!

​The first night of Yule begins on December twentieth, and it is known as Mother’s Night. This night honors divine feminine energy, motherhood, our female ancestors (particularly, but not exclusively our maternal lineage), goddesses, fertility, and Mother Earth herself.. for they are how we have sustained life. Lighting a candle in their honor, telling stories of those who came before us, reflecting on nurturing energy, or even making a recipe passed down are simple ways to celebrate Mother’s night. We can also honor our own divine feminine, thus celebrating from whence we came by nurturing and caring for ourselves. Recognizing that when we nurture ourselves, when we heal ourselves, we are also in effect healing and caring for all of our Grandmothers who came before us✨

​💛 Goddess Herbal Tea Bath

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Even if we only have a small amount of time to set aside for ourselves, at any time during the holiday season, this simple yet nurturing act of self care will leave us feeling like the goddesses we are meant to be
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Rose, the ultimate GODDESS herb. She reminds us to love and honor ourselves. Her connection to the element of water, and her planetary alignment to Venus, allows us to see the true reflection of ourselves: that we are BEAUTIFUL, we are SACRED, we are SOFT and DESERVING of our own PROTECTION. Rose is GENTLE and MOTHERING. *She calms the skin with her antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and her scent is feminine, sweet, divine. Red Raspberry Leaf, a well known woman’s herb, who, similarly to Rose, is a water/venus herb. She also carries potent moon energy, so she invites us to EMBRACE OUR EVER-CHANGING SELVES, to KNOW THAT WE ARE ALWAYS WHOLE, and our bodies HOLY. Red Raspberry shows us how to SIT IN OUR FEMININE ENERGY, to BE EMPOWERED by our own STRENGTH. Her energy lets us RELAX, LET GO, and BE PATIENT. *Her tannins help to protect our skin from free radicals and her astringent properties help with oily skin and acne. Jasmine enrobes you in her PEACEFUL, CALMING energy. She INVOKES the GODDESS within, bringing out our FEMININE ASPECTS. Jasmine’s planetary alignment with Jupiter brings about GROWTH and EXPANSION. *promotes peaceful sleep and beautiful dreams while relieving stress and anxiety. Her medicinal properties like an abundance of antioxidants can help our skin feel rejuvenated. Orange peel brings the YANG into the YING with MASCULINE and EXPRESSIVE energy. Orange peel’s association with the SUN and the element of FIRE adds warmth to the darkest time of the year, while UPLIFTING and INVIGORATING our senses with her beautiful fragrance. *promotes soft and bright skin, loaded with vitamin C, is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Honey, with its lovely GOLDEN color and SWEET DEMEANOR, symbolizes the WARMTH and LIGHT of LOVE. Referred to as the nectar of the Gods( and GODDESSES). Honey is used in Ayurvedic Practices to treat imbalances in the body. *naturally promotes water retention in the skin with its humectant properties, and is an emollient, so it smooths and softens skin as well. Sea Salt cleanses your Aura. imbued with both SOLAR and LUNAR energies, Sea Salt promotes BALANCE and SERENITY. *helps to detoxify skin, improve circulation, ease anxiety, and restore minerals in your body

This post was written by Deb Romano an herbal apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga. 
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Calendula & Marigold: Discovering the Physical and Spiritual Benefits of These Healing Blooms

10/27/2024

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Calendula 

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In Europe Calendula had been called Marigold for thousands of years, and then when the

Spanish brought Marigold seeds that they had taken from the Aztecs, Calendula started being referred to as Pot-Marigold. The name Marigold itself, evolved due to its sacred connection to the Virgin Mary- Mary’s gold, however in Latin the name would translate to bitter or rebellious gold- precious metal. Precious, she is indeed! While the two plants are both in the Daisy family( Asteraceae) and do have some similarities, they have different medicinal as well as spiritual properties.

Calendula
Calendula Officinalis~Pot Marigold
Hailing from Central Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Iran, her name in Latin derives from the word Calendae~meaning first day of the month, or even farther broken down Calea~meaning warmth, flower heat. Her blooms are bright yellow to orange with a definitive center, where long petals stretch out from, she is similar in appearance to the daisy flower in that way. Calendula blooms cyclically every month( all year, in warmer climates) ; she also opens up in the morning sun and closes when the sun fades from the sky. The Pot-Marigolds’ deep, rich color has been used for dying fabrics, and coloring foods in place of Saffron. Her flowers are edible and nutritious, and known to encourage healthy eyesight.

An amazing ally for the skin, she is a wound healer and soother. This is mild medicine that can be used for children, even babies. She can stimulate the uterus when taken internally though, so she is not indicated for use during pregnancy. The energetic qualities of this herb are spicy, bitter, neutral-cooling, the cooling part is unusual since her planetary influence is that of the sun, her element fire.
Calendulas Medicinal properties give her the ability to help with:

​~Topically~ 
rashes fungal infections burns prevention of scars diaper rash sunburn dry, cracked skin sores cuts bruises herpes shingles

~Internally~candida infections cervical irritation delayed and irregular menstruation
liver issues healing of old inflammation ulcers gastritis colds and flu lymphatic congestion


~Spiritually, Calendula can be a beautiful ally as well. Working with her can be helpful when you need:
a boost of brightness in your life clarity to listen to hear a message, not just to listen to respond better communication a renewed sense of how you deal with the world around you ease when healing and
growing to work on your warmth and receptivity

I personally like to work with Calendula during Beltane and Samhain. Before the Marigold

that we know as Marigold today came to Europe, the ancient Druids and Pagans had never seen today's Marigold. I find that Calendula has strong protective qualities. She can allow us to be a great communicator so she facilitates our ability to reach out to the unseen( but felt) realms as well as teaching us to listen. She creates a space for us to be able to show reverence for those we have lost with a sense of warmth and ease. She closes her petals in the evening and catches the nighttime dew, and when she opens up again in the morning she weeps, I see this as a message that in order to experience the light and warmth of the sun, we must let go of what we hold onto in the darkness

Marigold

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Tagetes Erecta~Cempoalxóchitl(sempa-soo-cheel)
Aztec Marigold is sometimes called African Marigold, but these plants are Native to Mexico and Guatemala, where they grow in the wild. The Ancient Meso-American civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs revered the Marigold as medicine and as a sacred plant. Like Calendula she can be used to dye fabrics and foods and is edible. In modern Mexico she is integral to their Day of the Dead celebrations. Her pungent aroma guides the spirits of the dearly beloved back to the earthly realm to visit, and her bright orange and yellow colors invoke a connection to the sun; the bearer of warmth and of life. Marigolds keep pests, both above and below ground, at bay-interestingly this could apply to both physical pests and spirits that mean harm. The energetic qualities of Tagetes are pungent, bitter, astringent with planetary influences from the Sun and the sign of Leo.

Cempoalxótchitl can be called upon medicinally for a variety of conditions:
  • degenerative eye diseases sore eyes
  • stomach upset ulcers low platelet and white blood cell count reduction of bleeding and reduced clotting time cancer prevention fungal infection parasitic infection diabetes
  • wound healing fevers bacterial infection
  • liver inflammation skin aging reduce inflammation reduce cytokines soothing of the nervous system

The oils of this plant are also helpful to:
  • repel mosquitos: it produces naturally derived herbicides, larvicides, and pesticides, reducing the use of manmade chemical agents

Spiritually speaking, the Marigold( Tagetes) is beautiful to work with for support in the following ways:
  • building a bridge to connect to your ancestors
  • uplifting your mood warming your spirit, when you are feeling disconnected protection from less desirable energies bringing healing allowing oneself to let go of the connection to the people and things that bind us, while keeping the connection to how those experiences served us and shaped us while it was necessary to do so
  • Absolutely a lovely companion for shadow work. Because we do not need to be fixed, but we need to learn to welcome all parts of ourselves, past, present and future.. the Marigold holds that welcoming and that surrender so that we may do just that

​This post was written by Debra Romano, a Herbs Love And Yoga Apprentice.
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Celebrating El Día de los Muertos/Day of the dead: Traditions, Rituals, and Foods to Honor Loved Ones

10/27/2024

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El Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead 

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The Day of The Dead is a celebration with ties to Meso-American Culture( Aztec, Mayan, Toltec....)with hints of European and Spanish Culture blended with Christianity. Widely celebrated in Mexico, it is a holiday to remember, honor, and welcome home passed loved ones and Ancestors. Día de los Muertos also falls at the same time of the year as Halloween and Samhain. Coinciding with the thinning of the veil, and the ending of Summer, the Day of the Dead is celebrated between the end of October(27th) and the first week in November. Most notably November 1st. Different families may have their own number of days that they celebrate. The Day of the Dead is a happy and joyful time and the excitement builds as the day the ancestors and loved ones return to visit draws near. Like Samhain, this holiday calls its celebrators to create an Altar to honor and welcome the dearly departed. An Altar for El Día de los Muertos is sometimes called the Ofrenda( offering). The space that will be used for the Altar will be cleaned l lovingly, and Copal or other sacred cleansing herbs may be burned to cleanse the space and the offerings. Placing a cloth down is also common practice, before setting up:
  • Photos of Ancestors and passed Loved ones
  • Lots and Lots of Marigold Flowers( fresh and sometimes made of paper), in vases, placed directly, in garlands and arches. in Mexico and Central America these flowers will still be blooming because of their warmer climate-in places where they are not available, making paper Marigolds is part of preparing for this holiday. Marigolds have represented the sun since the days of the Ancient Aztec and Meso-American civilizations. Their strong scent and bright orange color is said to guide the spirits of lost loved ones back to their families.
  • Pictures of the loved ones whose spirits you are welcoming home
  • Monarch butterflies ( the migration to Mexico of the Monarchs coincides with The Day of the Dead, and Monarchs symbolize the return of the souls of those who have passed)
  • Food and Drink items that our loved ones enjoyed , so that they feel welcomed as they return.
  • Colorful paper banners called papel picado
  • Candles-most notable Veladoras- candles that have pictures of saints, as many people of Mexican heritage practice Christianity.
  • Water -to quench the spirits' thirst after their long journey home.
  • Many Ofrendas also have a Cross to represent the four cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West.
  • Xoloitzcuintli statues( Xolo’s-for short) are a hairless dog breed that have been considered sacred since the days of the Ancient Aztecs. They are sacred because they are believed to guide the souls of the dead through the underworld-some people even make Ofrendas to honor their deceased pets, so that they can visit during the thinning of the veil.
  • These items represent each Element- Air- papel picado, Water, Earth-food, and Fire-candles.
  • Sugar Skulls-skulls made from sugar, wood, carved bone... etc.. painted brightly and beautifully.

During El Día de Los Muertos there are parades and fiestas, music and dancing, children dress up, adults dress up too as Calaveras and Calaveras Catrinas( caricatured,fanciful skeletons, that are truly beautiful).

​Food plays a big role in the Day of the Dead.
  • Pan de Muerto-a sweet round bread that symbolizes the deceased. Pieces of dough, shaped like bones, baked on top. They are flavored with Anise and citrus.
  • Atole-a corn based drink ( not alcoholic) made with corn flour that the Pan de Muerto is dunked in
  • Tamales
  • Mole sauces
  • Caramel Flan
  • Champurado-a drink that dates back to the Ancient Aztec civilization made with Cacao♥ Fresh Fruits
This post was written by Debra Romano, a Herbs Love And Yoga apprentice
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How to Make a Golden Rod Broom for the fall equinox

9/13/2024

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I don’t quite remember when I first started the tradition in my home, or where I came to learn of it, but for years now around this time of year I honor Goldenrod by harvesting a few of her stalks and creating a broom to bless my home with her radiant sunshine and good fortune. I will share with you a simple way to bring the warmth and prosperity of Goldenrod into your own home as summer fades. All winter long you too will be blessed with her warmth and good cheer!!

Preferably, you would want to pick a day that is dry and sunny to go out foraging for the threeGoldenrod stalks that you will need to make your broom. On that day, it’s best to set out with a pair of scissors and a sense of gladness and joy. Spend some time walking amongst nature, reveling in her beauty, and feeling the warmth of the sun. One by one I like to choose the Golden rod plants that just seem to call to me. Offering thanks ( in my heart or out loud- usually both) I snip the Goldenrod, give her a gentle shake to make sure any little insects stay outside where life is best suited for them, and head home. You want to remove the leaves on the stems below where the flowering tops begin-you can leave a few leaves at the top, if you feel so inclined. To do this just wrap your thumb and pointer finger around the stem and pull downward. The leaves come off pretty easily. You should trim the ends of the stems so that they are all the same length.
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Next, you wrap all three stems together with twine or ribbon beginning with the top by the base of the flowers. You want to wrap it pretty tightly so that it doesn’t come apart. Then you gingerly twist the stems a bit as you work your way down and do the same thing at the middle and again at the end of the stems. You’ll want to create a loop at the ends before you tie it off so that you will be able to hang the broom. You can hang her anywhere you like, some say it is tradition to place her above your front door. I prefer to find a place in my kitchen because that is where I spend most of my time and I enjoy the sunshine and good cheer she blesses me with all year long. In the photo here to the left, you’ll see how last year’s Goldenrod broom has faded, which is why I like to create a new one each year. I’ll take down the broom I made last September, offering thanks for her blessings, and place her in my garden so that she may return to the earth once more. May you enjoy Goldenrod’s yearly gift as the Autumnal Equinox approaches, and may she bring you through the winter with prosperity and warmth.

This post was written by Debrah Romano, an herbal apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga. 
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Plant Spotlight: goldenrod

9/13/2024

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Ah! As the autumnal equinox approaches, we are so fortunate to be able to see how nature surrounds us with her unimaginable beauty everywhere we cast our eyes. Here, on an ordinary Thursday, I am blessed to find myself in a field bejeweled with Goldenrod.
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Goldenrod has been called on as medicine for centuries in Europe and for thousands of years by Indigenous Native Americans. Today she is still an asset in Herbal Medicine. The top one-third, or aerial parts are made into teas, tinctures, oils, and salves. Gldenrod can be employed for her diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, which is beautiful medicine for urinary tract issues and supports the body in the prevention of kidney stones. Her medicinal properties are also great to ease sore throats as well as mouth and gum infections. Her antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties are helpful for those dealing with rheumatism, sore muscles and gout. Herbalists also call upon Goldenrod when looking for an herb to treat allergies, colds, and flus because she is also a decongestant and a diaphoretic ( sweat that fever out!) Her bright golden plumage is a great addition to salves used for eczema, skin conditions and wounds too. What a beautiful gift she is!!

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NOurishing the fire within: yoga, fennel, and digestive harmony for the third chakra

1/4/2024

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The ancient practices of yoga and herbalism have long been revered for their holistic approach to well-being, delving into the intricate connection between mind, body, and spirit. In this exploration, we'll uncover the profound synergy between yoga, specifically spinal twists, the herb fennel, and the Manipura Chakra, also known as the third chakra.

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Navigating the Seasons: Embracing the Winter Solstice with Yoga and Herbs

12/17/2023

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As the earth gracefully shifts on its axis, we find ourselves amid yet another seasonal transition, preparing for the enchanting arrival of winter. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year and marks a profound shift in nature's rhythm. It has been celebrated across cultures and traditions as a time of rebirth, renewal, and the gradual return of light. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, this natural pause invites us to slow down, connect with the stillness within, and align with the energies of the season. The powerful synergy of yoga, meditation, Reiki, and herbs can help you connect with your inner stillness during this reflective time.  

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Cultivate Stillness through Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation
The Winter Solstice beckons us to embrace the stillness of the longest night. With its rich tapestry of postures, breathwork, and mindfulness, yoga serves as an anchor during the turbulent seas of seasonal change. In its truest form, yoga is a preparation for meditation. The body acts like a tool for us to anchor our attention to and ease into a meditative state. Additionally, yoga helps loosen and prepare the body to sit for extended periods. Get into your yoga flow by joining one of our many yoga classes. Take advantage of our New Student Special: $59 for 30 days of unlimited yoga classes at Herbs Love and Yoga in Sandy Hook, CT. 
Starting A Meditation Practice To Cultivate Stillness and Mindfulness
Meditation becomes a potent practice during this time, allowing us to connect with the introspective energy of the season. Consider sitting in serenity, focusing on your breath and the gentle rhythm of your heartbeat. Counting the breath is a simple yet powerful meditation technique that helps focus the mind and cultivate mindfulness. Here's a step-by-step guide to a meditation practice of counting the breath:
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​Find a Comfortable Posture: Sit comfortably on a cushion or chair with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed. You can also lie down if that is more comfortable for you.
  1. ​Close Your Eyes: Close your eyes gently to minimize external distractions and turn your attention inward.
  2. Take a Few Deep Breaths: Begin the practice by taking a few deep, intentional breaths. Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your lungs to fill with air, and then exhale through your mouth, releasing any tension.
  3. Shift to Natural Breathing: Allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm. Observe the natural flow of your breath without trying to control it.

4. Start Counting: As you breathe in and out, silently count each breath. For example, as you inhale and then exhale, say "one" in your mind, and as you inhale and exhale again, say "two," and so on.
5. Stay Focused: Keep your attention on the counting. If your mind begins to wander (which is natural), gently acknowledge the distraction, and bring your focus back to the count without judgment.
6. Count to 10 and Start Again: Keep counting the breath until you get to 10. If you get lost in your thoughts or lose count, start over again at 1.
7. Continue for a Set Duration: Continue counting the breaths for a predetermined amount of time. If you're just starting, you may choose to meditate for 5-10 minutes and gradually extend the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.
8. End Mindfully: As your meditation time comes to an end, gradually become aware of your surroundings. Take a few deep breaths before opening your eyes.
9. Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on how you feel after the practice. Notice any changes in your mental state or overall sense of well-being.
This counting-the-breath meditation is excellent for cultivating mindfulness, improving concentration, and calming the mind. Consistent practice can help reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote a greater sense of inner peace. 
Creating a Meditative Space By Burning Plant Resins

Resins such as frankincense and copal help set the mood for meditation and signal to your body through the sense of smell that it's time to begin your practice. To learn more about burning resins, check out this video. 
Frankincense Traditional Uses: Burn frankincense resin as incense during meditation to ground and protect. Its rich aroma elevates the spirit and promotes a connection to the divine.
Copal Traditional Uses: Copal is commonly used in meditation practices and rituals to aid in focus, grounding, and centering. It is associated with promoting mental clarity and calmness.
Finding Moments of Tranquility with Reiki
In the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives, finding moments of tranquility is essential for our overall well-being. Enter the transformative practice of Reiki, a powerful tool for cultivating stillness amidst the chaos. Through gentle channeling of universal life force energy, Reiki creates a sacred space for inner peace to blossom. Join us on this journey of self-discovery as we delve into the art of cultivating stillness, releasing tension, and inviting balance into our lives with our Reiki Certification Courses, FREE Reiki Circles, and Reiki Sessions offered at Herbs Love and Yoga in Sandy Hook, Newtown CT. 
Herbal Allies to Cultivate Stillness and Reflection
Incorporating herbs into your winter routine can be a transformative practice, supporting your well-being in harmony with the changing environment.  Herbs such as passion flowers help calm down mental chatter, connect you to your heart center, and nourish the nervous system. 

Passion Flower (Passionflora incarnata)

Traditional Uses: Restless agitation, Improved concentration, Anxiety, Stress, Insomnia, Inflammation, Blood Pressure Regulator

Traditional Spiritual Uses: Grounds and centers the mind. Quiets mental chatter. Heightened states of awareness. 

Passion Flower Focus Tea Recipe:

Ingredients:
  • 1 teaspoon Passion Flower
  • 1 teaspoon Ginkgo
  • 1 teaspoon lavender
  • 2 teaspoons of Peppermint
  • 4 cups Water
  • Honey or sweetener of choice (to taste)

Instructions:
  1. Boil 4 cups of water
  2. Place herbs in a quart glass canning jar
  3. Pour boiling water over herbs
  4. Cover jar with lid
  5. Brew tea or 15-20 minutes (this allows for the beneficial plant constituents to diffuse into the water).
  6. Sweeten with honey or your preferred sweetener to taste.

Want to learn more about herbal medicine in a fun and supported environment? Sign up for our weekly herbal workshops at Herbs Love and Yoga in Sandy Hook, CT or check out our Herbal Medicine Blog and YouTube Videos

Embracing Winter’s Tranquility
In the gentle embrace of the Winter Solstice, our journey through the seasons takes a reflective turn. This sacred time becomes an opportunity for introspection and renewal. Yoga, with its harmonious blend of postures and mindfulness, anchors us in the stillness of the longest night. Guided by the breath, meditation becomes a powerful companion, weaving us into the introspective energy of the season. To enrich this solstice journey, our herbal allies – passion flower, frankincense, and copal – join the narrative, nurturing our well-being in harmony with the changing environment. 

As winter's tranquility unfolds, let yoga, meditation, and herbs illuminate your path of self-discovery and well-being. Join our transformative courses, Hatha Yoga Classes, and Herbal Workshops to delve deeper into the essence of the season. Embrace the stillness, release tension, and invite balance with Reiki. Cultivate stillness and reflection with our passion flower-focused tea, a gentle sip of calmness. Winter is the canvas; let yoga, meditation, and herbs paint your masterpiece of well-being. 🌿✨

With Love and Light, 
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Alyssa
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Delving into Herbal Decoctions: A Guide to Unlocking Potent Plant Medicine

12/17/2023

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In the alchemical dance between nature and nurturing, herbal decoctions emerge as a time-honored method, offering a robust infusion of plant medicine. When it comes to hardier, more fibrous plant parts, decoctions step into the spotlight, harnessing the medicinal bounty hidden within. In this exploration, we'll discover why certain plant parts are decocted and unravel the art of preparing an herbal decoction, inviting you to embark on a journey of herbal wisdom. But what exactly is an herbal decoction? Keep reading to find out!
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What is an herbal decoction?
Herbal decoctions are when you boil herbs on the stove in a pan of water for at least 20 minutes.

Why Decoct? Unraveling the Tough and Fibrous Nature:

Certain plant parts, often the roots, bark, and berries, boast a tougher and more fibrous composition. These tenacious structures house potent medicinal compounds, but their resilience demands a bit more coaxing to release the full spectrum of benefits. Decoction, a method involving prolonged boiling, proves ideal for these hardy plant allies. The extended exposure to heat facilitates the breakdown of cell walls and allows for a thorough extraction of medicinal constituents. If you are preparing a medicinal tea for the more delicate parts of the plant such as the leaves, flowers, or seeds- then you would prepare the tea using a standard herbal infusion

Ideal Plant Parts for Decoctions:
  1. Roots: The powerhouse of many medicinal herbs, roots like ginger, turmeric, and burdock are decocted to extract their valuable compounds.
  2. Bark: Plants with protective bark layers, such as cinnamon and willow, lend themselves well to decoction, offering anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
  3. Berries: Tough berries like hawthorn may be decocted to unlock their therapeutic potential.
  4. Woody Stems: In herbs like astragalus, where the medicinal virtues reside in the woody stems, decoction ensures a comprehensive extraction.

Crafting Your Herbal Decoction:
Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoons of dried herbs (double if using fresh)
  • 16 ounces of water
Instructions:
  1. Measure the Plant Material: For dried herbs, measure 1 tablespoon per cup of water. I usually decoct nothing less than 2T of herb with 4 cups of water. Add herbs to a pan. 
  2. Boil Water: Add water to the pan and bring water to a vigorous boil. The robust heat is essential for coaxing out the medicinal compounds.
  3. Simmer and Decoct: Lower the heat to a simmer after adding the plant material. Allow the concoction to simmer for approximately 20 or until the water reduces by half. 
  4. Strain and Collect the Decoction: Once simmered, strain the decoction, separating the liquid from the plant material. The resulting liquid is your herbal decoction, rich in medicinal goodness. Save your herbs and put them back in your pan or step 6. 
  5. Enjoy Hot or Cold: Your herbal decoction is ready to be savored. Whether you prefer it hot or chilled, let the liquid embrace you with its medicinal warmth.
  6. Repeat steps 2-5 again with the herbs you collected from step 4. We always use our herbs twice- there is plenty of medicine still in them to make a second batch of tea. 
Herbal decoctions stand as a testament to the art of herbalism, where the resilient nature of certain plant parts meets the alchemy of heat, unveiling a potion rich in medicinal depth. Embrace the practice of decoction as you venture into the world of roots, barks, berries, and woody stems. Allow the ritual of boiling to become a conduit for extracting the wisdom of nature, sip by sip, unveiling the potent medicine hidden within.

Interested in learning more about herbs? Join one of our Herbal workshops or sign up for a personalized herbal consultation​​
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    Hi, I'm Alyssa

    Mindfulness, yoga, and herbal medicine have been fundamental to my own journey in life. I hope to share my experiences and perspectives in order to inspire and connect with others.

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