Greetings from Herban Paradise!

In this issue you’ll find:

1. * Living Large on the Micro-Farm
   

2. * Spring Cleaning in the Online Store
   

3. * Herbal Lore: Chamomile
   

4. * D.I.Y. Herbal Facial Steam
   

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today! Happy Spring :)

sheri, Herban Gardener & Herbal Mixtress

Living Large on the Micro-Farm

Paradise Under Glass

And we’ve just started picking lettuce and arugula :)

We’re gearing up now for the coming season and are very close to putting up the hoop house. All the pieces are here- We’re just waiting for the ground to thaw and for schedule-coordination with our kind volunteer helpers.

In the garden, Garlic sprouts have appeared, along with Chamomile, Chickweed and Comfrey. The Catnip is greening up and putting out new leaves. One purple Primrose is flowering, and the Crocuses look just about to bloom.

Some big news for the little farm: We’ve been accepted to be a new vendor at the Florence Farmers Market!

The Florence Civic Center (Main Street & Park Street) hosts this popular Wednesday afternoon meetup spot April 24 thru October 30, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m..

We’ll be there every other week with our handmade vegan bodycare, olive oil soaps, fresh-cut herbs, heirloom vegetables, and log-cultured mushrooms.

Hawkeye and I are so excited to be joining the fun!

New in the Online Store

Spring Cleaning

I’ve had this “cleaning itch” about my online store too. You may remember that I used to offer different fun things that changed with the season. This dwindled as I moved from craft fairs and farmers markets into selling primarily through retail shops.

Having a more limited, “fixed” set of bodycare products made it easier for me to make them in greater numbers (I still do almost everything by hand) while helping trim losses from spoilage (fresh and natural spoils so much quicker).

But the downside is, well, it gets boring! So I’m taking a cue from the renewal happening out in the garden and reinvigorating my crafting (and therefore, my life)!

Being back at a farmers market this year gives me a little space for experimentation. I’ve been collecting so many fabulous recipes- I can’t wait to share them with you!

Along with new recipes, I’m excited to be working more with a wider range of herbs, including Sage, Elder Flower, Linden Leaf, and Pine Needle. You’ll grow to love them as much as I do ;)

Everything will be available both in the Paradise City Herbal Online Store as well as at our booth at the Florence Farmers Market.

I’ll be doing a bit of remodeling in the store too, so please pardon the dust over the next couple weeks….

Herbal Lore

Chamomile

A member of the Daisy Family, Chamomile contains calcium, potassium, vitamin B2, flavonoids, coumarins, and salicylates. The flowers are used for their antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and vulnerary properties.

The flavor is described as both sweet and bitter. You’ll notice its appley aroma which is just how it tastes, but if you make the same mistake I did and steep your tea extra long (medicine-making style), it becomes really bitter!

Chamomile is used in skin care to soften dry skin, clean pores, clear acne, and reduce puffiness. It’s also a key herb to use for healing wounds and inflammations such as burns, itches, and bug bites.

Try using Chamomile in a steam to ease nasal congestion. Used as a bath herb, Chamomile can relieve stress and calm cranky children.

I also like to use Chamomile to make a massage oil that soothes sore muscles and aids relaxation. This oil is wonderful on sore, swollen feet!

* If you are sensitive to ragweed you may be allergic to Chamomile. Be careful when you first try it. Otherwise, it’s considered very safe.

D.I.Y. Herbal Facial Steam

for Stressed City Skin

Facial steams are easy to do and take only about 15 minutes! Use once or twice a week if your skin is oily, less if skin is dry or sensitive.

My method:

1. 1. Combine your herbs in a bowl and pour boiling water onto them.
   

2. 2. Let the herbs steep for a moment before draping a towel over your head to create a “steam tent”.
   

3. 3. Steam your face for 5-10 minutes, adding more hot water to the bowl if necessary.
   

4. 4. After steaming, deep clean and exfoliate using a gentle facial mask or scrub. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
   

5. 5. Mist face with hydrosol to hydrate.
   

6. 6. Moisturize with a facial oil, serum, or creme.
   

To see a facial steam demonstrated (with a different skin-stimulating recipe that uses Epsom Salt and Peppermint or Tea Tree essential oil), check out the video below that I’ve added to the Paradise CIty Herbal YouTube Channel.