Soaking up the sun

Yarrow.

for those easily affected by their surroundings, and can be prone to many forms of environmental illness. easily depleted.
helps balance internal energy.

Wild Bleeding Heart.

broken-heartedness from feelings poured into another who is no longer physically present. emotional co-dependence.
ability to love within the care of Self. emotional freedom.

Chamomile.

subject to changeable moods and fluctuating emotions. trouble letting go of emotional stress.
helps release tension from the solar plexus area. emotional balance and stability.

Johnny Jump Up.

preparation for trauma. helps anticipate and prepare for trauma.

Evening Primrose.

feelings of rejection stemming from in utero or early childhood experiences. avoidance of deep emotional connections and relationships. sexual and emotional repression.
helps bring awareness and healing of painful early emotions. aids in the ability to form relationships and emotional openness.

Borage.

a heart remedy.
in grief, sadness. for a heavy heart. feeling discouraged or disheartened. lack of confidence.
helps to uplift and encourage. to have optimism and courage. to feel lightness of heart.

Red Clover.

loss of identity. susceptible to anxiety and panic.
cleanses and balances. calm and steady presence.

Daisy.

helps clear thinking, especially for new information or environments. centered.

Self heal.

lost belief in Self. for those facing healing challenges.
creates a bond between physical and emotional. self healing. restores wholeness.

One of my hidden favorites in the early summer. Pineapple weed makes a good warm cup of tea, or chilled as well. Fruity full flavor. Fragrant. A cousin of chamomile. A wonderful nervine, try a cup on a stressful day. It’s also used as a carminative for indgestion and aids in relieving menstrual cramps. Oh, how relaxing.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, and E. pallida)

Collection   Roots are harvested in spring or fall, at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. Leaves are collected throughout the season and flowers when in bloom.

The elders were in beautiful flower this spring. I’m not sure if it was me in awe of being back in spring beauty or the early rains, but nonetheless enchanting. I started collecting some flowers for drying to store for winter colds, but then got the craving to make a healing mead for spring/summer celebration.  I gathered an armload of elderflowers and quite a bit of self heal too. I then put them in a ceramic bowl and poured a mixture of water and honey over it. I did about a 1 to 6 ratio of honey to water, but if you want a longer ferment it would probably be at about 1 to 4. Add some lemons and their rinds. Stir the mixture in a circular motion as to make a sort of whirlpool. Stirring is the key to making the mead as it needs to get aerobic activity to get the fermentation process going. It’s a good idea to cover the bowl with a cloth so nothing can get in, but remember to stir whenever you get the chance. Leave it in the bowl for a whole week and then transfer to a small container (or a narrow neck container for long term fermentation.) Keep mixing and enjoy within the next few weeks. I let this mead go for three weeks. Strain the flowers and lemons, bottle up, and enjoy on a special summer night. Yum.