Sweet Cedar Kyphii Incense- Batch 1

I've made my own incense for years.  Partially because I couldn't stand that thick artificially scented stuff, and also for the sheer joy of making something myself to use ceremonially.  However, the incense I've made has usually been from mixing different resins, and with a makko powder base. It works, I roll little sticks or form cones, mixing in other resins and sometimes essential oils. 

It wasn't until this year that I tried making a bioregional incense.  An incense that I (mostly) wildcrafted, one that not only smells beautiful but is truly la medicina for the soul. (And, with all the allergies I've had this year, one that was going to be good for my lungs as well!) 

Cedar, Rose Petals, and Cottonwood buds: My foundation

I started with cedar that I harvested this spring. In some Native American traditions cedar is used for blessings, and put on the ceremonial fire with intentions and prayers. Rose petals, of course! And anyone who knows my love affair with cottonwood trees and cottonwood medicine would not be surprised to find this in my incense. 

The mixing began, and continued for a literal 3 months on my altar. I added white sage, mullein, elder berries, pine pitch, honey, Ansel's home brew meade,  local beeswax, and frankincense. (It's not entirely bioregional, I did harvest the pine pitch and white sage in Colorado, and the frankincense is from Egypt.) If you didn't know, mullein smoke actually helps to clear the lungs. More on that here.

The end result is lov-er-ly! I could not be more pleased with this incense. It is truly a "Food for the Gods." I recommend burning it on a coal (the kind you'd use for a hookah, or one from your wood stove or ceremonial fire), and using it ceremonially. Set your intentions and let the smoke carry your prayers to the heavens.

Blessed be!

September Box

Contents and instructions...

Cooling Tea Blend-

hibiscus flowers, apple mint, peppermint, rose petals, wild rose whole plant
This tart and minty tea is thirst-quenching, cooling, and nourishing. Hibiscus is high in vitamin C, which we need for a healthy immune system and for iron absorption. This tea also improves digestion-- hibiscus stimulates bile production, and mint soothes indigestion and dispels gas. Did I mention this blend is delicious? Watch your kids slurp it up and want more! Drink it warm with honey or iced. A tablespoon will make a nice quart of tea. I like to blend one quart tea with half a quart of lemonade-- makes some awesome popsicles!


Cottonwood & Propolis Salve-

cottonwood infused olive oil, propolis extract, honey, beeswax

Cottonwood salves are great for relieving sore, tight muscles.  Cottonwood is pain relieving and anti-inflammatory. Propolis is especially antibacterial and anti-infective adding these qualities to this amazing salve. We've had great results using this salve around inflamed wounds. (As with all salves, be certain you've cleaned the wound thoroughly, and wait to apply on directly on top of the wound until the skin has closed.)

Three Little Birds Elixir

fresh and dried herbs (blue vervain, lemon balm, St. John's/Joan's wort, and roses) extracted in brandy and honey

Both heavily aromatic and slightly bitter, this concoction of relaxing herbs nourishes brain and nervous system. For those of us who struggle with bouts of anxiety, tension, or who go through phases of nervous irritability or overactivity, this elixir provides respite. Lemon balm uplifts mood and brings us calm. Balm also settles the stomach, easing indigestion and nausea, whether those troubles are of nervous origin or caused by virus. Lovely rose herb cools body and emotions and is known for gladdening our hearts and opening us up to joy. St. Joan's steadies mood; over time, an alliance with this herb tames the blues in people prone to getting them. Blue vervain, lemon balm, and St. Joan's are all known for alleviating physical pain and spasm rooted in an under-nourished or inflamed nervous system. Take this elixir every day to allow the herbs to do their tonic work. Stick to the recommended dose, as blue vervain can cause nausea in too large a dose. Avoid taking this elixir during pregnancy or giving to the kiddos. One-two teaspoons full daily, taken in water, tea, juice, kombucha, or other beverage. Try dribbling your daily spoonful on a scoop of ice cream-- yum!

Sage Witch Hazel Facial Toner-
sage, witch hazel
Spray this toner on your face and body to revitalize skin. It will clarify while also calming redness and irritation. Both sage and witch hazel are mildly astringent, antiseptic, and balancing for most skin types. The aroma of sage relaxes while improving mental clarity and memory. Sage is also known to  rejuvenate aging skin.

Herbal Vinegar Hair Rinse-

apple cider vinegar and fresh rosemary, nettles, and horsetail herbs, with rosemary and lavender essential oils, diluted with pure water
Did you know that apple cider vinegar is great for the hair and scalp? This rinse closes the cuticle after shampooing, restores pH, and makes the hair smoother, healthier, and shinier. It corrects any dry/flaky scalp conditions and works great for all hair types. Slowly pour or dribble the rinse on your head after washing hair, making sure that it saturates the scalp. I use up about a half cup with each application and do it about once a week. There is no need to rinse the vinegar away after applying-- we added lovely lavender and rosemary essential oils to mask the vinegar smell.

Member's choice of one of our freshly pressed tinctures (herbs extracted in alcohol)-

Skullcap tincture: Relaxes body tissues that are constricted by nervous tension, thereby relieving pain and inflammation. It is one of the best herbs to have on hand for moments of great stress or agitation. This herb has been known to ease headaches, insomnia, panic/anxiety, and muscle spasms. Up to half a dropper full can be taken at a time. As with all tinctures, take a drop or two and wait for 15 minutes, giving yourself time to watch for any unwanted or unexpected reactions to the herb. 

Dandelion Root Tincture: Strengthens the liver so it can do its filtering work more effectively. Stimulates bile production and promotes better digestion overall. Helps kidneys remove wastes from the blood. Encourages movement of lymph and blood to congested and inflamed areas. Herbalist Susun Weed points out that dandelion root can help relieve food allergies and sensitivities and repair damage done to the liver by drugs, chemicals, alcohol, and infections such as hepatitis. Take several drops before each meal, or at least a couple of times a day.

Breast Health Compound Tincture (dandelion root, lady's mantle, violet): Supports healthy breast tissue by clearing lumps or cysts and by fighting and preventing breast infection (i.e., mastitis). These herbs are also touted for their anti-cancer properties. Lady's mantle and dandelion root are tonic to the female reproductive system and balance the hormones, thereby normalizing menstrual flows and easing pre-menstrual symptoms. A tonic dose would be 10-30 drops once a day, taken in tea or water. Take the tincture at a lower dose (10 drops) more often (three times a day) if you are actively trying to clear plugged ducts or lumps. 

White Sage Bundle-
White sage is used traditionally used to purify the mind, the body and the atmosphere. It is usually burned (plate/bowl/shell) and the smoke is wafted around the area for purification. Be sure you fully extinguish the smudge stick after each use.


Kombucha-
black tea, yerba mate, wild rose white tea, passionflower herb
Ready to drink. Passionflower is a calming and gladdening herb. We like to use yerba mate in the tea blends we feed to our kombucha SCOBY, because of mate's vitamin and mineral profile-- magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc, along with other nutritive goodies. If you like your kombucha a bit sweeter, you can add a tablespoon or so of fruit juice to your glass or to the bottle.

Disclaimer:  All information here within is for education purposes and is not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any disease.  Consult your healthcare provider before self-treating.