Man in the Moon Herbs

We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, and then we return home. ~Australian Aboriginal saying♥

Toilet cleaners are among some of the harshest, most chemical laden cleaners out there. There are a couple of totally natural, Earth friendly alternatives. ~Pour one cup of white vinegar into the bowl. Let it set for several hours or overni ght then brush as usual. ~Sprinkle 1/4 cup of borax in the bowl, swish around with the brush to dissolve, and again, let it set for several hours, then use the toilet brush to clean. ~I use my Lavender Laundry Detergent in the same way as the borax . Sprinkle 2 tablespoons in the bowl and let soak for a while before brushing. The fresh, lavender scent is an added disinfecting bonus. While these alternatives take a little more time than conventional cleansers, they are effective and easy on the environment. Either one can be added before you go to work and will work while you're away.

Beautiful bloodroot (sanguinaria canadensis) was in bloom in my garden very early this year due to the mild winter! It is one of the plants I forget I have until I see its lovely white flower nodding gently above the heart shaped light green foliage. It's pretty easy to grow and spreads nicely if it likes where it is. Plant yours in a cool, moist spot rich with leaf mold. It can be grown from seed but propagation with root sections in the early Autumn tends to be more successful. The root produces a red sap that gives it it's name and can be used for dying fabric. While it has several medicinal uses, those applications should be done only by an experienced herbal practitioner and never while you are pregnant.

Brighten your whites without using bleach! Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the final rinse and hang outside in the sun to dry. The fresh scent is an added plus.

Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid... and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else. ~Joseph Campbell~

One of the fleeting pleasures of Spring is violets. Here is a way to enjoy them that is good for your winter weary skin. ~Violet Cleansing Milk~ Place 3-4 tablespoons of freshly picked violet blossoms in a small non reactive bowl. Add 1 c up of milk and place over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Cover and heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Remove from heat. Let the violet infused milk cool to room temperature with the lid on then strain. Store in a bottle with a lid in the fridge to use within 2-3 days. To use, saturate a cotton ball with your Violet Milk. Cleanse your face using a circular motion and working from the neck up. Replace with a fresh cotton ball as needed Rinse with cool water and gently pat dry. If you have any Violet Milk left on day 3, add to a warm bath for an all over body treatment!

Here is a great all purpose soap for your Spring cleaning. The eucalyptus and peppermint are disinfecting and has the added bonus of repelling creepy crawleys and flies! ~5 cups grated castille soap ~1/2 cup baking soda ~1 teaspoon borax ~ 6 cups of strong, hot peppermint tea ~1teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil Put the grated soap in a large stainless steel pot and add the mint tea. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes and remove from heat. Add baking soda and borax and mix thoroughly. When cool stir in the eucalyptus oil. Store in a labeled squirt bottle. To use shake well and add a generous squirt (1/4 cup or so) to a sink or bucket full of water.

Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth:- Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty. Native American Elder

Get great looking laundry without the use of harsh chemicals. Not only are these tips good for the Earth, they are good for your wallet! ~Start with a natural laundry detergent like my Lavender Laundry Detergent . Costs pennies per load, rinses clean and is easy on the environ ment. ~Looking for an all natural fabric softener for your laundry? Look no further than your kitchen cupboard! Simply add 1/4 cup of of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle of your wash to remove any leftover soap residue and soften your laundry. ~Brighten your whites without using bleach! Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the final rinse and hang outside in the sun to dry. The fresh scent is an added plus.

~Simple Nourishing Face Mask~ Add one teaspoon of apple cider or red wine vinegar to one tablespoon of honey and mix. Massage into clean skin and leave on 15-20 minutes then rinse off with tepid water. Gently pat your face dry. Honey is ant ibacterial, soothing and healing. The vinegar helps balance pH and is softening. You can also add one drop of the following essential oils depending on your skin type- ~oily skin- peppermint, rose, lavender or tea tree ~Mature and/or wrinkled skin- frankincense or neroli ~Normal skin- lavender or ylang ylang `Dry skin- carrot seed

All that we are, arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world. ♥Buddha