April CSA Share

April showers bring May flowers and we couldn't be happier for it!

Spring Cleanse Elixir

Comfrey, Plantain, Evening Primrose, Violet Leaf, Flowering Skullcap, Lavender, Rosemary, Honey, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Honey, Agave, Organic Sugar, ALC 40%

Jump into spring with our delicious berry elixir! It's intended to awaken all parts of the body and act as a tonic to our sleepy winter systems. Nutritive and tasty, add to tea, water, juice, or take a spoonful on it's own, 1-3x daily

Deep Forest Salve

Pine resin, Self Heal, Elder Leaf, Olive Oil, Local Beeswax

A wonderful removal/moving salve. Great for splinters, slivers, bug bites, spider bites and any deep old wounds that are taking to long to heal.Pine is great for moving blood thus it works wonders on old yellow or green bruises, and wonderful for sore muscles and topical pain related to bruising or sore muscles. This salve is harder then our typical salves due to the resin +, scrape out some with the flat of your nail and warm between fingers for easier application

Spring Renewal Tea/Tisane

Nettles, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Linden Flower, Hawthorn Berries, Blueberry Leaf, Licorice

This falls into the category of what I call a "green tisane" (A tisane is any tea that does not contain the tea plant. Most of our herbal teas are actually tisanes.) A Green Tisane, is a tisane that is nourishing and full of lots of vitamins and minerals that come from green foods. Nettle, red clover, and alfalfa based teas fall into this category. Nettles are high in iron, calcium and magnesium. Red clover is particularly high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin C. Alfalfa is rich in calcium, vitamins A, K, C, and D. Linden flowers have been used in folk medicine to relieve anxiety and insomnia. This tisane is pairs quite nicely with a splash of our Spring Cleanse Elixir!

Osha Tincture

Osha, Honey, ALC 40%

Osha is an intoxicating plant that hails from the high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains. Warming and diffusing, this root has a specific affiliation with the lungs. Works wonders against respiratory infections, and achy sore throats. It's an expectorants to it will draw out congestion in the lungs as well. Take 1/2 dropper to full dropper full 3x day for 5 days, resting for 2 and repeat.

Berry & Green Tea Kombucha

Green Tea, Hibiscus, Raspberry, Blackberry, Chicory, Rose Hips, Orange Peel, Blackberry Leaves, Red Raspberry leaf

Tasty and full of probiotics for healthier gut flora and an important dose of antioxidants for fighting free radicals

Kahlua 

Organic Coffee, Organic Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cocao Nibs, Rum,

This kahlua is a tasty treat! You can use it in your coffee, to make white russians, or as an ingredient in baking.

March Box

It's almost Springtime, hang in there every body! We've got a delightful kit of herbals for you for March.

Here it is:

Sunny Time Tea

tulsi, st. john's wort, calendula, oatstraw, violet leaf, lavender, lemon balm, dried mango 

This is a nice relaxing and stress relieving tea blend. The calendula and lavender flowers give it a nice floral taste and reminds me of summer. Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is an adaptogenic herb that has many healing properties. It's good for coughs, colds, relieving stress, strengthening the heart and kidneys, respiratory disorders, and more. It also has a delightfully sweet flavor that reminds me of bubble gum. St. John's wort gives a nice lift to the spirits and calms the nervous system. Caution: St. John's wort may interfere with some prescription medications including antidepressants and hormonal birth control. Please consult your healthcare provider before using if you take these kinds of medications.

Warming Pain Relief Salve

cayenne, cottonwood bud resin, cayenne, olive oil, beeswax

This combination of herbs reduces inflammation while increasing circulation to an affected area. Great for arthritis, sore muscles, and pain/swelling in the joints. Caution: Cayenne burns when it comes in contact with mucous membranes, so take care and wash hands after using this product! For external use. 

Herbal Soup Supplement

shiitake mushroom, nameko mushroom, nettle, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, dulse, dandelion, burdock

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most medicinal mushrooms! They are anti-cancer, stress relieving, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and are also a great source of vitamin D. Dulse is a kind of seaweed that is full of trace minerals. Nettles are rich in iron and nourishing to the kidneys. Dandelion and burdock roots are both also rich in iron and cleanse the liver. Suggested use: Add 1-2 teaspoons into a soup broth (like miso) or into rice or quinoa while it cooks.

Clementine Conifer Elixir

Eastern red cedar, Douglas fir, white pine, clementine & mandarin oranges, lemon balm, 50% alc, honey

A most exciting and delicious elixir that can be enjoyed sipped on it's own as an alcoholic beverage, or used as daily supplement by adding 1tsp-1tbsp daily to water, juice, kombucha etc. Conifers are Winter's vitamin, high in Vit C and minerals and are a wonderful expectorant to relieve stagnant lung congestion and good for sore throats. Conifers can also be warming, anti-bacterial, and aid circulation t0 assist the body's natural detoxification that happens during spring.  Lemon balm and oranges help to boost the immune system in a variety of ways, making sure you get off to spring with a good start!

Yarrow Antibacterial Spray

yarrow flower, witch hazel

A powerful healing agent to be used on fresh cuts, scrapes, rashes, red irritated skin, fevered skin, cat scratches. Yarrow is a strong antibacterial plant, used as an anti-infective topically, and to stop bleeding. Witch hazel is a soothing astringent for skin, cooling red inflammation and relieving pain. Suggested use: 2-5 sprays on fresh wound, and follow up with as many sprays as needed for the next few days, depending on severity and size of wound.

Kombucha

jasmine-green tea, yerba mate, nettle, sugar, SCOBY, apple juice 

Bright and sparkly, with many bubbles!

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.

2014 Herbal Classes

Herbal Classes

with 

Wild Rose Apothecary

Monthly herbal classes held the last Sunday of each month. We'll focus on seasonal herbs and how to identify, harvest, and make various herbal medicines to keep you healthy throughout the year. 

Classes will run March- November.

$25/per class, discounts available for our CSA members and folks who sign up for the whole series!

To Sign Up, please email us at wildroseapothecary(at)gmail(dot)com

Classes will cover:

Plant identification

Ethical wildcrafting

Growing your own herbs

Herbal vinegars

Herbal syrups

Elixir making

Tea blending

Oil infusions

Salve making

Tinctures

DIY Kombucha

Come learn with us! 

February Box

Box Contents

Snuggle Elixir
ashwagandha, cacao, honey, skullcap, glycerin, damiana, brandy, vanilla bean, distilled water
A chocolate-y libido enhancer that tones the reproductive system, nerves, kidneys, and heart. Damiana is said to relax the mind while improving circulation and arousing desire. Here damiana is paired with ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb that boosts energy, focus, and increases stamina, while also helping the body to cope with stress. Over time, taking ashwagandha has been known to encourage sounder sleep. This elixir makes a wonderful daily tonic, in teaspoonful to tablespoonful doses in a little water. It makes a nice hot toddy too-- add 1-2 tablespoons to a cup of warm milk. Or, enjoy Snuggles as a cordial-- add a tablespoon of elixir to an equal part heavy cream and an ice cube. Snuggles is also delicious and decadent drizzled on ice cream! **Refrigerate this elixir, to extend its shelf life. Separation is natural, shake gently before pouring. Best by 05/2014.

Winter Moon Chai Blend
conifer needles, juniper berries, reishi, orange peel, black tea, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, fennel 
Warming and cozy, chai blends are perfect for the last months of winter. Local conifers are paired with the traditional flavors of chai tea herbs, for an Iowa twist on a familiar hot beverage. Black tea-- traditional in most chai blends-- gives a little caffeine kick. Juniper berries impart a "winter taste," along with vitamin C and minerals. These aromatic little berries contain a strong volatile oil and are affiliated with the kidneys, so this herb can help jump start your spring kidney cleanse. Sip on a cup daily for immune building properties of reishi mushrooms, and say goodbye to the winter cold. Simmer 1tsp of the mix in 10oz water for 25-45 minutes. Strain tea mix from liquid. Add cream and honey to taste.

Love Lotion

coconut oil, cocoa butter, apricot oil, vitamin E, beeswax

This lotion is made with pure enough ingredients that it’s actually edible! It can be used all over the body, but is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Enjoy!

Kids' Cold & Flu Tincture
echinacea, elder flower, lemon balm, thyme, licorice root, elderberries, honey, cinnamon, ginger, rosehips, alcohol, distilled water
Supports the immune system while it aids in fighting off viruses. This tincture can help calm the symptoms of colds and flus, such as body aches, fevers, runny nose and cough. Dosage would be 10 drops (small children), or a dropper full (adult), in a little water, 3 times a day as a preventive. When symptoms are occurring, take half those amounts as often as every hour. Remember to continue taking the tincture for about a week after symptoms have subsided, as this practice will strengthen the immune system and lower susceptibility to other colds, flus, or viruses. You can add your dose to a cup of tea. Feel free to sweeten your cup with honey, but remember that sugar can compromise the immune system!

Breast Health Massage Oil
dandelion flowers, violet flowers, olive oil
Strong lymph cleansers, these flowers are wonderful to use topically to break up stagnant toxins and fluids. Combined with a natural cleansing massage this oil is to be used daily or weekly for breast health.

Bourbon Balls
gluten-free ginger snaps, powdered sugar, pecans and walnuts, Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey, cocoa powder, honey
A distinctly adult sweet, included in this month's CSA for no reason other then for a little boozy treat. Enjoy! **This item contains nuts.

Kombucha

green tea, jasmine, yerba mate, nettles, peach nectar

Mmm, floral tastes of summer! It will be warm again one day...

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.

Kits & Seasonal Goods

Check out our work for the past few months!  We have pulled together several bags suiting a variety of needs and would love to send them out to you. Great for self care or gifts to loved ones. We have also listed a handful of seasonal items which can be purchased a la carte. 

Email wildroseapothecary@gmail.com to order or inquire further about these items. 

Kits:

Winter Wellness Bag (Fire Cider Tonic, Winter Buster Syrup, Warming Respiratory Elixir, Bees' Knees Anti-Microbial Tea, Sore Throat Pastilles) $50

Moontime Kit (Pre-Moon Tincture, Red Moon Syrup) $40

Beauty Bag (Prairie Rose Sugar Scrub, Sweet Pits Deodorant, Rose Chamomile Facial Toner) $30

Calming Concoctions Bag (Cool Blue Elixir or Three Little Birds Elixir, Calming Tea Blend, Russian Sage Bath Soak or Oats & Rose Bath Soak) $35

Fertility Kit for Women (Mama Tea, Sweet Tart Liquid Vitamins, Vitex Tincture, Love Lotion) $45

Lovers' Bag (Snuggle Elixir, Herbal Hot Cocoa, Stress Less Relaxing Tea, Love Lotion, Peppermint Bark Chocolates or Adaptogen Pastilles) $40

First Aid Bag (Heal All Salve, Herbal Disinfecting Tincture, Belly Calm Elixir, Rose Vinegar, Yarrow Tincture, Skullcap or Valerian-Hops-Passionflower Tincture, Warming Pain Relief Salve) $60

Healthy Pregnancy Bag (Mama Tea, Oats & Rose Bath Soak, Growing Belly Balm, Nerve & Muscle Repair Salve) $50

Birth & Beyond Kit (Nursing Mama Tea, Soothe & Stretch Peri Oil, Motherwort Tincture, Post-Birth Sitz Bath Blend, Baby Balm) $50

Other Seasonal Items (a la carte):

Happy Heart Elixir, 4oz $20

Elder Immune Elixir, 2oz $12 or 4oz $20

Inner Fire Cider, 4oz $15

Immune Roots Chai with Reishi Blend $8

Breathe Deep Chest Rub $10

Oats & Rose Bath Soak $6

Body Butter Bars, 2 for $5

Warming Pain Relief Salve with Cayenne, 2oz $7

Bones & Joints Anti-Inflammatory Tea Blend $6

Cold & Flu Tea Blend $8

Kids' Cold & Flu Tincture $10

Herbibiotic Tincture (usnea, echinacea, Oregon grape, honeysuckle) $10

January Box

Box contents...

Immune Flow Tonic

apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, echinacea, astragalus, licorice root, rosehips, distilled water

A licorice-sweet gingery tonic that stimulates the body to fight and clear active infection. Take 2 teaspoons full every few hours at first indication of a cold or illness. You can take doses straight or in a bit of water. This formula is great for kids, too, and pairs nicely with our Kids’ Cold and Flu Tincture or Elder Immune Elixir. You can also take this formula as a tonic (one tablespoon full in water, daily) to bolster your immune system during a period when those around you are falling sick but you have not yet succumbed. However, it is best to not take this tonic for a more than a few weeks at a time. **Keep refrigerated. Best by 02/28/2014. 

Calming Tea Blend

rose petals, chamomile, catnip, St. John's wort, kava kava root

Calm down after a long day with this delicious and soothing tea blend. Helps relax for a good nights sleep and also ideal for uplifting your mood. Combine with a gentle green tea for a morning tea blend that is sure to get our day started off on the right foot.

Adaptogen Pastilles

honey, tulsi, ashwagandha, slippery elm powder, nettle, nettle seed, turmeric, cinnamon, tulsi glycerite, raw cacao

These sweet cacao-coated tablets can help your body adapt to stress and thereby be less susceptible to illness. They contain herbs that are especially nourishing to the nerves, kidneys, and adrenals. Take up to three per day. Nettle seed can be very energizing-- a little goes a long way.

Heal All Salve

calendula, comfrey, plantain, yarrow, olive oil, beeswax

A supreme combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, restorative herbs that encourage body to repair itself where damaged. Good for bumps, scratches, abrasions, rashes, bites, boils, bruises, and burns that are already on the mend. Do not rub salve directly into an open wound; rather apply it around/near the site. External use only. **As with all salves, please be mindful that you clean the wound first so as to not seal in any infection or debris.  For burns, wait "until the fire is out" (cold water, lavender essential oil, or rose vinegar spritz can help with initial cooling) to apply the salve.

Herbal Disinfecting Tincture

chickweed, plantain, cleavers, essential oil of lavender, alcohol

Drawing, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory herbs in alcohol. This formula soothes and tightens tissues to help stop the bleeding of minor cuts and scratches. Plantain has been known to even draw out infecting agents. Helps with cat scratches and a wide range of insect bites. This is a great formula to have on hand at all times, especially on outdoor excursions. External use only.

Ginger Chew Chocolates

organic ginger chews, dark chocolate chips, ashwaganda, slippery elm, astragalus

Spicy chocolate, with fortifying and immune-supporting herbs. 

Choice of probiotic drink: 

Ginger Brew 

ginger, lemon, distilled water, organic sugar, ginger "bug" (aka ginger culture)

A wild fermented ginger culture is used which metabolizes the sugar in this concoction, leaving a ginger ale-like beverage which is low in sugar content and supports the proliferation of healthy gut bacteria. Sip on about a cup at a time, up to 2 cups a day, a few times a week. Ginger is soothing to the digestive system and gives the immune system a nice boost!

--or--

Jasmine & Nettle Kombucha

jasmine green tea, yerba mate, nettle, organic sugar, kombucha SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), apple juice

Kombucha is another fermented drink which is low in sugar and supports healthy flora in the digestive system. The SCOBY is responsible for metabolizing the sugar and caffeine content of the tea we start with; if it has done its job, there will be very little to no caffeine and sugar remaining in the bottled drink.

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.

December Box

Box Contents

Wild Cherry Cough Syrup- wild cherry bark, white pine, licorice, sarsparilla, osha, echinacea root, hops, plantain, reishi mushroom, sage, thyme, honey, pleurisy root, crampbark, motherwort, passionflower & vanilla

A tasty blend that will quell and soothe that hacking cough that just won't stop. It will also encourage expectoration (clear mucus). Combine with the Breathe Deep Chest Rub for maximum cough-clearing effect and a good night's sleep.

Comfy Cold and Flu Tea- yarrow leaf and flower, reishi mushroom, mullein leaf, rose hips, licorice root, lemon balm, spearmint, corn silk, catnip
A tea blend potent enough to fight the viruses associated with colds and flu, and soothing enough to subdue even the worst fevers, body aches, headaches, congestion, dryness and coughs. A combination of anti-microbial herbs, antiviral herbs, and immuno-stimulants, this tea will have you back on your feet and feeling better in no time. Recommended dosage is 4-6 cups (8oz cups for adults and 4oz cups for kids) at the onset of symptoms, or one cup a day as a tonic. Complete your Cold and Flu care with Kids Cold and Flu Tincture, Fire Cider and Elderberry Syrup. Additional allies include Wild Cherry Cough Syrup, Breathe Deep Chest Rub, Conifer Bath Soak and Sore Throat Pastilles depending on symptoms. The more ways you consume these magical herbs the better! **If symptoms last more then 10 days contact us for consultation. Avoid over the counter medicines as they mask symptoms yet leave the body drained and more susceptible to further infections. Take tea and tinctures for 2-3 days past symptoms. Increase/decrease tea dosage based on intensity of symptoms.

Sore Throat and Immune Pastilles- echinacea, licorice root, slippery elm, sage- osha- and lemon balm-infused honeys, echinacea and propolis tinctures, cinnamon

Used as lozenges (dissolved in the mouth/back of the tongue), these cinnamon-coated pastilles soothe and numb a sore throat quickly. They are packed with immune-boosting herbs and can be taken as a tablet (chewed or swallowed) at the first sign of any cold or flu, even when sore throat is not a symptom. Three forms of echinacea (powdered herb, decoction, and tincture) enhance the effectiveness of this formula. And our precious propolis and herb-infused raw honeys make these little sweeties beelicious! One pastille every couple of hours to soothe the throat or to stimulate the immune system.

Breathe Deep Chest Rub- menthol, mullein, olive oil, thyme, eucalyptus, beeswax

It's like Vick's Vapo-Rub, only way better, and all natural! Rub on the chest and upper back to help clear congestion. This ointment can also be helpful for asthma. **Avoid use on the face, and know that a little of this ointment goes a long way!

Conifer Bath Soak- combination of pines, spruce, and cedar, rosemary 
Wonderful expectorant, clears out congested lungs and sinuses. Especially good for old dry congestion that just won't clear. The added heat of the bath feeds the medicinal properties of these plants directly into your skin. Combine contents with 1 qt of water, simmer over low boil on stove, covered for 45 min. Strain out tea mix and discard in compost, add tea liquid to steamy bathwater, relax and enjoy for 20-45min. Additions to add to bath include epsom salts for body aches and rosemary essential oil for added decongestant properties. Cold and Flu Kyphii would be a great thing to burn in the bathroom during the soak.

Thumbprint Cookies- brown rice flour, millet flour, organic butter and eggs, organic cane sugar, baking soda, baking powder, kosher sea salt, vanilla extract, ginger spread (ginger and sugar), blueberry-lavender jam
Gluten-free shortbread cookies topped with two different herbal jams, a spicy ginger spread and Christy's homemade blueberry-lavender jam. **Enjoy these when you are not sick, as sugar does feed a cold.

So sorry no kombucha this month. As the weather gets cooler our mother cultures take longer to brew. Upcoming in our next CSA cycle (email wildroseapothecary@gmail.com to sign up), you can look forward to Mandy's probiotic ginger brew in the boxes until we pick back up with kombucha! More variety of yum for your tummies. You can also sign up at our table at What a Load of Craft, happening next Saturday (12/14) from 11-6, at the Johnson County Fairgrounds!


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.