Terri's Thyme

Herbalism is for everyone interested in self-health, well-being and healing and is easy for everyone to learn. – Rosemary Gladstar

When I started the class for Herbalism, I was looking to learn something new to improve my dry skin, thin hair, and health as well as move forward in my life. It has been interesting, scary, intriguing, fun and full of information. There is has been so much information and I have found that I need to gather it in a way that I find value……As an accountant, my information needs to be in excel where I can filter, table, and study….and yes, I am building that for me. Until my spreadsheet is more complete, I have found some that keeping it to 3-6 sources and trying to keep it to Minnesota/South Dakota because of where I live is as important as using the truth method.

My skin has always been dry, my hair got thin when I was ill 5 years ago, my nails are full of lines and brittle, and it makes me self-conscious. The evening that Connie talked about Horsetail – I kept finding myself heading back to it……. Why? Yes, it is important to follow your heart.

Your skin – it is the largest organ of your body. It holds you together and even though all your body changes over every 7 years – your skin sluffs of more often than that. My skin is dry, rough, and loose…. putting lotions on it is not the only solution. I need to heal from the inside as well as the outside.

Horsetail – take as a tincture as well as putting it in oil to put directly on the nails. I have learned that horsetail can not be taken long. It lowers blood sugar, but it also depletes potassium. I don’t need to have aches and pains too. Did you know that you can eat horsetail like asparagus early in the spring? It is a great source of silica which helps with the production of collagen which we all know helps with wrinkles and skin rejuvenation

Rosemary essential oil is good for the hair. I have put it is a solution to put on my hair after it is washed. The thinning has improved. Lesson learned – take pictures of before as it will help you measure the after.

Aloe Vera is an excellent Moisturizer. The warning with Aloe Vera is that caution should be used for long term use as it contains Latex. Avoid if pregnant, have Hemorrhoids and kidney issues.

I have also learned that Evening Primrose, Sage, Comfrey, and Saw Palmetto are good for the skin as well as Black Cohosh and White Oak are good for toning.  I found some specific information about Chapped Lips that may be worth more research – Balsam Fir, Calendula, and Cottonwood.

Truly self-care is important. For me, the Mayo clinic stated that I needed daily:

• Protein to be my primary priority – 60 grams a day
  • B12
  • 2 Multivitamins a day – Flintstones complete (1 morning, 1 evening)
  • 6 – 8 glasses water
  • 1 cup of coffee a day
  • Yoga 4 -5 days a week and remember to also meditate

Additional things I have learned

• Dry brushing
  • Tongue scraping
  • Oil Pulling
  • Tinctures
  • Lotions
  • Cup of tea for the afternoon
  • Adding nutrients in my food
  • Applying lotion after a shower when your pores are open and warm to except the ingredients
  • Epsom Salts for bathing (full of magnesium as well as detoxifying)
  • Need to work in Vitamin E as well

We have discussed some about Horsetail in class. I would like to keep learning about some of the other items I have learned in my research.

Internally – there is a Skin-Detox connection. You want to cleanse the Liver, Lymph, and kidneys. When other parts of your body are sluggish, your skin tries to pick up the slack. Here is where Burdock, Dandelion, yellow dock, Red clover, Calendula and nettle are good. Externally – use Calendula, lavender, plantain, yarrow, witch hazel, Gotu Kola, Comfrey, Rose, Thuja, and Chaparral

Next to make Calendula Cuticle Oil which includes castor oil, sesame oil, olive oil and Calendula.

Then to make Aloe and Neroli dry skin toner which is Aloe, Neroli, Calendula and glycerin.

Plus just because it sounds fun….Honey and Wine Mask which is Honey, Red wine and ground chia seeds. Since it is to stay on your face for 15 minutes it may be time to have a class of wine as well.

Some of references besides class

• Earthwise Herbal volumes 1 and 2 by Matthew Woods
  • Botanical Skin Care by the Herbal Academy
  • Body into Balance; An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self -care by Maria Noel Groves
  • The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies by Nicole Apelian, Ph. D, and Claude Davis
  • Mayo Clinic

As the Make MN article on Herbs this printing – Keep it simple to start – get to know the herb – properties, touch, smell, taste, and how it relates to you and your environment.

I am looking forward to continuing to learn, grow and sharing this information with my family and friends.

I want to end with this phrase from the Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book from the Herbal Academy:

            The very act of creating and using homemade body care products is a self-care practice: you take time to evaluate your needs, gather ideas and ingredients, carefully combine and refine your formulas, and then treat yourself to the finished product as a reward.