Spring has Arrived!

April is an excellent time to shake off the lethargy of winter with cleansing and nourishing herbs. Some of our favorite spring time tea blends are the Root, Leaf and Flower, Nourishing Tonic and Sweet Mint. These custom blends can be gently detoxifying and deeply nourishing, and have traditionally been used to help prepare for an active and healthy spring. In addition to spring tonics, we also have a nice selection of organic seeds from Horizon Herbs to start your very own herb garden.

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New Products & Promotions

Sweet Spring Lotion

Our smooth and nourishing scented lotions are made from of our local unscented lotion base blended with 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. The essential oils of Jasmine, Neroli and Tangerine are blended together in this lotion to create a joyous aroma. The gentle warmth and positivity of this blend is soothing to the soul and can help to clear away the stagnation of winter and prepare for the gradual release into a sunny spring.

Mica

Mica is a fun translucent mineral that can be added to color lip glosses, homemade makeup, lotions or can be applied directly to the skin for color and sparkle. We currently carry over 15 different colors of Mica in varying shades of red, pink, gold, orange, dark green, purple and shimmers. The different colors are produced through a gentle application of pressure and heat or by bonding the Mica to other minerals. All of our Micas are lip, eye, and cheek safe. Add some sparkle and shine to your life with the fun and colorful world of Micas!

Henna

Henna is a plant that has traditionally been used to color and condition hair. Lawsonia inermis (True Red Henna) is an all-natural hair dye used to create a wide range of red hair colors. In addition to the premixed Henna blends (light brown, sherry, mahogany, etc) we are excited to now carry the individual organic hair dyes of Cassia obovata (Neutral Henna) and Indigofera spp. (Indigo or Black). These two plants are great for blending with Lawsonia inermis (Red Henna) in order to create a wide range of colors for natural hair dye.

Staff Picks

Kate's Pick

Sri Lankan Sandalwood
True Sandalwood (Santalum album) has been coveted for thousands of years in spiritual, religious, and medicinal realms. Its popularity lead to overharvesting and poaching of wild stands in its native habitat of the Mysore region of India. A positive movement to cultivate sandalwood sustainably has led to the emergence of new plantation-grown sources.

Rebecca's is proud to carry Sri Lankan grown Sandalwood. Steam distilled from the tree's heartwood, the new Sandalwood essential oil is both organic and ethically harvested. Considered one of the first perfumes, Sri Lankan Sandalwood is powerfully sweet with a balsamic base note and woody undertones.

The oil has traditionally been used for repairing dry and damaged skin conditions -- specifically eczema, psoriasis, and inflammation. It can have a remarkable systemic cooling effect on the body -- limiting inflammation, relieving pain, and nourishing a hot-wired nervous system. In spiritual practice, Sandalwood is clarifying to the mind and grounding to the body.

Classes

Below is our class schedule, for full class descriptions please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes/. Your space in the class is reserved once payment is received. Payment for classes is made by cash or check payable to the instructor. Please be aware that classes fill up quickly, so sign up early. Pre-registration is required.

Making Herbal Infused Oils & Salves

Thursday, April 17th, 2014, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen Rodgers, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Join us to learn how to make therapeutic herbal infused oils and salves.

Herbal Tea Blending

Monday, April 21st, 2014, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Liz Philbrick, certified clinical herbalist & nutritionist
Cost: $35.00
Herbal Teas are a wonderful and tasty way to use herbs medicinally or for pure enjoyment! In this class we will explore the basics of tea blending.

Naturals Remedies for Healthy Travel

Thursday: May 1st, 2014, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor, Brigitte Mars, medical herbalist, nutritional consultant
Cost: $35.00
Learn about herbal and folk remedies to deal with common travel concerns such as: jet lag, motion sickness, immunization alternatives, parasites, stress, digestive distress, infection and much more.

Tincture Making

Wednesday: May 12th, 2014, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor, Liz Philbrick, certified clinical herbalist & nutritionist
Cost: $35.00
Tinctures demystified! Tinctures are made with alcohol and water to extract the medicinal properties of herbs. They are a wonderful and convenient way of taking herbal medicine.

Homemade Summer Skin Care

Thursday May 22nd, 2014, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen Rodgers,certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Join Faith Rodgers in a fun DIY class where you will learn to make various skin care products to protect and soothe your skin in the summertime including herbal sunscreen, deodorant, bug repellent and more!

Spring Herb Walk

Sunday, May 25th, 2014, 10:00-12:00pm
Instructors: Tzuria Malpica, certified clinical herbalist and Amber Brisson, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $30.00
Come explore the fresh sprouting plants of spring with two local herbalists on an informative and fun herb walk!

Making Herbal First Aid Kits

Thursday, May 29th, 2014, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructors: Kate Briggs, certified clinical herbalist and Amy Timmons, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Be prepared for your favorite outdoor activities with a personalized and homemade herbal first aid kit.

Herb of the Month

Each month one of our staff members picks an herb that they are drawn to, and shares some experiences, thoughts, medicinal uses and a bit of traditional lore about their selected plant. As each plant is unique, each Herbalist and point of view is unique. We hope you enjoy this tradition!

Herb of the Month — April
Amber Brisson, Certified clinical herbalist & nutritionist

Common Name
Chickweed

Latin Name
Stellaria media

Parts used
Leaves, fresh or dried

Medicinal Properties
Chickweed is a small annual plant with succulent leaves that grows in temperate zones throughout Europe & North America. It thrives in moist, shady spots in yards and woods, especially around the bottom of trees. The Latin name Stellaria means little star, in reference to the white star shaped flowers. The fine hairs along the leaves differentiate Stellaria media from other plants in the Chickweed family.

Chickweed is one of the first plants to appear after winter and can be used fresh or dried for later use. This nutritional powerhouse is packed with many vitamins & minerals including B6, B12, D, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, and more. It has been used to help the body assimilate nutrients more efficiently and the fresh leaves are a delicious and nutritious addition to spring salads. As a spring tonic, Chickweed has traditionally been used to help cleanse the blood and will add strength and vitality to any person after a long winter.

This simple and tiny plant has a wide range of medicinal properties as Jethro Kloss author of Back to Eden explains, "It heals and soothes anything it comes in contact with". Eclectic herbalists from the early 19th century prized this herb & its ability to alleviate and cool inflammation both internally and externally. Used in a bath, or as a poultice, wash, and salve, Chickweed has traditionally been used to calm itchy skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. The external application of this herb has also been used to soothe wounds, arthritis, sore eyes, and hemorrhoids.

Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar elucidates on this virtuous herb, "Chickweed is very powerful. It cures through nourishment, especially helping the kidneys to regulate water." Historically used to drive off excess dampness and fats, Chickweed has been used to support the process of metabolism and balance water levels in the body. A decoction of this plant has been used as a gentle and safe way to relieve constipation. This little plant is a reminder that some of nature's best medicine comes in nearby, discreet and safe forms.

Preparations & Applications
The leaves are prepared fresh or dried as an infusion, decoction, tincture, salve, or poultice. Steep 1 Tbsp per cup water for 30 minutes or bring to boil 1 Tbsp herb per cup water then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Spring Cleaning Tea
1 pt Nettle
1 pt Dandelion leaf
1 pt Chickweed
1/2 pt Rosehips
1/2 pt Spearmint
1/2 pt Linden

1 Tbsp tea blend per cup water. Pour hot water over and steep for 15 min -- 8 hours. Longer steep times increase bioavailability of minerals and nutrients. Strain and enjoy!