Natural Hair Loss Remedy

Naturally dyed hair with indigo and henna. 

The aging process. Sometimes it’s a thorn in my side, other times, it feels comforting. You know… like that warm feeling you  get when you’ve given someone  a good piece of advice based on your past  experiences so that they might not have to climb those rocks you did…and then they thank you for it cause it really worked for them. Yeah! A great feeling. But then there’s that thorn….a thorn that no matter what you do or whose advice you follow, it just won’t come out.

     My thorn: chronic hair loss. I’d really been fighting this uphill battle for about 3 years now. Initially, I was convinced that my age (I just hit 50) was the leading factor. My MD said, “It’s your age. Women approaching Menopause often experience this problem. Eat a healthy diet and take vitamins. But, it probably won’t help. It’s most likely an Estrogen issue.” Hmm, ok…an Estrogen issue. So I loaded up on Phytoestrogens, vitamin supplements like C, D, E, and Zinc along with my healthy diet and….my hair kept falling out. Next possible solution: Stress reduction. Everyone knows that stress can have some pretty serious side effects on the body; one of those being hair loss. I had a lot of stress, to put it lightly. So I eased back on my business, started practicing Yoga on a regular basis, and taught myself how to not take everything so severely. Yes, I’m a bit Type A. Not extreme, but it’s in my nature to be a bit of a perfectionist. Well, guess what? My hair STILL kept falling out…in handfuls. The situation really was getting scary. I thought, “If this keeps up, I’m going to need to start wearing a wig in a year or two.”

     And then I stumbled across several blogs and websites written by women (of all ages) who had suffered from hair loss problems and/or were providing information about addressing the issue as allergy related and not nutritional or age. OMG! Why hadn’t I ever thought of that? I’m so puritanistic about the foods I put into my body: Gluten free, no processed sugar, high fiber, minimal animal protein, etc. But, I never once thought about the products I put on my head. After all, these high end store bought concoctions smelled so good and WOW, did they make my hair shiny! How could they be bad for me? The more I began to research, the more I recognized the symptoms I was experiencing were allergic reactions.  Even many of the advertised “All Natural” products aren’t really as natural as they claim. They’re full of toxic chemicals like PPD (Para-Phenylenediamine: found in almost all hairdyes, even the natural ones!), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (in many shampoos, yes even the natural ones but under different names; sneaky!), and Parabens (in many conditioners). These are just a few of the nasty chemicals found in most common store bought products and the list is endless. Many of the companies that produce hair products alter the ingredient names so that they sound natural and…healthy.

     So, once I discovered this well-kept secret, I decided to find the most natural products I could for myself and then try them out to see was I really having nothing more than allergies? To make a long story short, I settled on homemade Soapnut/castille soap shampoo, Argan oil (for combing out – I have long hair), no conditioner, and henna/indigo dye (every 3 weeks). Result: my hair stopped falling out immediately! Oh yes, I do have normal daily hair fallout, but the handful days are gone and my bathroom trash is now full of tissues and Q-tips and not my long beautiful tresses. My hair is healthier and fuller, too! Hair has even started growing back in places that were beginning to bald. I’m ecstatic! And…my thorn is gone.

I’m listing my favorite places where I get my supplies from so that, hopefully, if you or anyone you know is suffering from mysterious hair loss this article might be of service to you and those you care for. Have a blessed day full of love, peace, and good health!

1. Mountain Rose Herbs – www.mountainroseherbs.com

     This is where I get all of my herbs and oils from. One of the few places online to find Soapnuts. Small quantities and bulk pricing available.

2. Mehandi – www.mehandi.com

     Favorite online source for Henna and Indigo dye. Their products are tested for purity and this site has a wealth of information concerning Henna, Indigo, and the hair coloring process. Their customer service is very helpful if you have questions.  (By the way, using henna isn’t just for achieving red hair! For dark hair, blend henna and indigo to get a fabulous dark color mix. My hair is medium dark brown with red undertones. If you don’t want red undertones, then add Amla to the mix and it will tone down the henna. I add fresh ground Cloves and Cardamom to my mix and my hair smells divine for weeks.)Messy… but so worth the trouble!

3. Trader Joes – www.traderjoes.com

     Best price I’ve found for Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Pure Castille Soap. My favorite is the Peppermint!

Dried Soapnuts

Soapnut Shampoo Recipe –
     5-6 soap nuts
     2 Cups Water
     ¼ C. Liquid Castille Soap (optional) 

In a small pot, boil Soapnuts in water at medium heat for about 20 minutes. Let cool. Strain liquid into glass jar/container. Add Castille Soap & then mix. (You can add more Castille soap if you really prefer a lot of lather in your shampoo. Soapnuts do not lather.) Pour needed quantity onto hair, work well into scalp and hair, and clip up for about 5 minutes while you’re shaving and showering. Rinse thoroughly. (Note: this shampoo needs to be refrigerated; will keep for about 4-5 days. Also, don’t get this in your eyes. It burns!! If you do, rinse your eyes really well. It may take several tries. You won’t go blind and, trust me, you’ll never let it happen again.)

Fire Cider Season

It's that time of year again! Cold & flu season are in full swing, so I've been busy making fire cider to keep sickness at bay. If you've been with The Wildcraft Chronicles since the beginning, you'll remember we posted a recipe just last year. I decided to revise the ingredients just a bit, hence the reason for this blog post. I originally found this wonderful concoction in Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health; although her recipe is quite potent, I like to add a bit more kick to mine. You can always adjust the spiciness according to your liking. As for my taste, the spicier, the better.

If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, well then, you're in for a treat! Fire cider is a wonderful way to start the day. This special concoction is quite similar to pickled vegetables in brine. The only difference is that the brine is the most important part. Taking a few tablespoons of the spice infused vinegar protects your immune system and warms up your entire body--great for those cold mornings when it's hard to get out of bed! In addition, it's incredibly beneficial for those of us with bad blood circulation (like diabetics). Last year was the first time I made fire cider, and I can honestly say that it improved my overall health and even prevented me from catching any serious illnesses, like I usually do.

I found that fire cider also makes for a wonderful gift as well.  Nothing like ensuring your loved ones stay healthy this year!

Fire Cider
ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped into wedges
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp grated horseradish
1 pepper (I used an Anaheim pepper, mildly spicy)
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 sprig of rosemary
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 chunks of dried ginseng root
Honey to taste
Apple cider vinegar with mother 

preparation:
 1. Place all of the herbal ingredients into a jar. Pour enough apple cider vinegar to cover herbs, leaving an inch of "breathing space". Seal jar tightly, shake, and place in a cool, dark place for 30 days. Remember to shake your jar once a day.

2. After 30 days, separate the vinegar from the herbs and spices. You can either toss the herbs/spices or keep them refrigerated in a separate jar (I like to add them to salads or just eat them plain. The onions are especially delicious!). Take a teaspoon or two every morning for best results.

Garlic Ginger Cough Syrup

Do ya'll remember me mentioning that I was sick earlier this week? Well, it wasn't just any old cold... it was the whooping cough.

Even though I had been vaccinated as a child against this old-timey disease, it took a swing at me anyway. There's been a recent revival of this epidemic in the U.S. and it's grown to withstand our vaccines. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the symptoms of whooping cough, they include:  a dry and harsh cough, "coughing spells" that can last up to five minutes, and even turning red/blue from the violent, prolonged coughs. Although this infection is more likely to develop in children, adults can get it too. In fact, as the symptoms get worse, your body begins to suffer from exhaustion and you are more likely to force a hernia or even crack a rib.

Honestly, I've  had quite the number of painful and troubling infections in my life, and this ranked number 2! Although whooping cough can easily be remedied with antibiotics, I really didn't want to visit the doctor. I don't particularly like antibiotics--they are over-prescribed and are actually the reason why so many diseases are mutating and making a comeback. In addition, they completely dishevel the balance of your digestive system. Anyway, I decided to treat myself with herbs and natural remedies. If things got too serious after a few days, then I would make a visit to the doctor. 

Firstly, let me tell you just how much I enjoy creating my own remedies. As a wildcrafter, you are your own healer. Preparing the herbs and spices is a ritual in its own right. It's the process and the tender love and care which you prepare your ingredients that makes them so powerful and healing, instilled with your good intent and personal magick. Likewise, if you trust in the gifts of nature, you will certainly have a better chance for a speedy recovery. 

Among the MANY natural remedies against whooping cough, I found two which easily accommodated my spice cabinet. The first was incredibly simple, and something which I actually do quite regularly to fight off other illnesses. Since whooping cough is a bacterial infection, a natural and potent antibiotic that can begin fighting off this illness is none other than garlic! While eating a couple cloves a day was a bit unsettling for my stomach at first, I soon realized how my overall energy improved within a few short hours. On top of that, I found another fast and simple way to ease my coughing: cough syrups from the general drug store seemed to have absolutely no effect on my cough,  so I took it upon myself to make a homemade, natural cough syrup. Here's a brew that I created using several recipes:

Natural Cough Syrup
ingredients:
1 cup of water
1-2 minced cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
1/8 tsp of turmeric
1/8 cup honey

method:
Bring the water to a soft bubble over medium/high heat. Throw in the garlic, ginger,and turmeric and lower to a simmerfor five minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and add honey. Take as often as needed.

The syrup is simply magic. It tastes absolutely heavenly and it completely settled my nagging cough. This syrup doesn't just treat whooping cough, it's soothing enough to apply to any throat problem. The garlic, honey, and turmeric all clear bacterial infection, while the ginger helps with inflammation and irritation.

I do encourage you to keep healthy and seek natural remedies before sick season fully sets in. It's never too early to prepare. And if you care to learn more about whooping cough and natural remedies, I highly suggest you start here. 

Love & Light

Apothecary: Aspen Anxiety Tonic

Though anxiety is much less common than everyday stress, the feeling can be completely overwhelming and paralyzing. Luckily we can turn to our magickal plant friends to help us unwind and relax.

I used to suffer from anxiety attacks last year and often resorted to shutting myself away in my room for hours on end. Naturally, my anxiety got even worse, especially when I had to socialize at work or during classes. This was also around the time when I was first exploring paganism and traditional healing with herbs; it seemed too good of a coincidence that the old ways had caught my attention when I suddenly needed a cure. In desperation for a remedy, I searched my bookshelves and finally came across a list of medicinal and magickal plant essences. Lo and behold, aspen was the corresponding flower essence said to calm anxiety attacks.

My little bottle of aspen anxiety tonic was a miracle. Every time I was sure to have an attack, I would place three drop under my tongue and melt away into relaxation. The sensation of the essence not only made my mouth tingle with numbness, but it also slowed my breath and made me feel more stable. After two weeks, I didn't even have to depend on the aspen any longer. I was finally over my anxiety, thanks to that lovely little flower.

I have made this remedy and many other similar tonics for friends and family and all have sworn by it. Be it depression, anxiety, despair, or any other gloomy emotion, there's most certainly a flower for you.

So you're probably wondering how I made the tonic. While most tonic and tinctures call for brandy as the base liquid, I substituted for vegetable glycerin. It's much more affordable and doesn't require you to be of drinking age to purchase. So anyway, here is the perfect recipe for preparing your lifesaving nectar:

Materials/Ingredients - 

1. 1 Small amber bottle with a dropper
2. Distilled water
3. Flower Essence (Aspen or otherwise)
4. Brandy or Vegetable Glycerin

After sanitizing a small bottle with the dropper, fill the amber bottle a little less than half way with brandy or vegetable glycerin (you can find the veggie glycerin at most health food stores). Continue to fill the other half of the bottle with distilled water. I would not suggest using tap water or otherwise because the tincture will not last as long and lose its potency. Top off the bottle with 15-20 drops of the aspen flower essence and shake/stir the mixture well. Voila. Take as many drops as you please or as needed. 

Anyway, I hope that this recipe is as useful to you as it was for me. Blessed be.

P.S. This is my first Pagan Blog Project kick off post for the year! I'm planning to follow up with an additional post on the history of the apothecary. See you soon!

Wild Ginger Hunting

Well, it's not exactly the season for wild ginger hunting per say, but I've been having a certain craving for it. I've been dreaming and drooling ever since I happened upon a patch last week on a walk through the forest.

What with Samhain on the way, I've decided to prepare a few gifts to honor my friends and family. I could think of no greater gift than that of candied ginger and syrup. Yum!

Wild ginger can usually be found in Northern California's damp forests, among the redwoods and under the protective skirts of the ferns. They tend to like the shadier nooks, where the soil is cool and moist (I found the ones pictured above nestling under a sword fern, sneaky little buggers!). Their leaves are smooth, somewhat shiny, and of a soft heart shape. They're commonly mistaken for wild violet leaves, which are also edible, but definitely not the taste we're looking for. Along with their distinctive heart shape, it's generally easy to identify the roots because they also smell and taste similarly to Asian ginger, only with a subtler punch.

Unlike the common Asian ginger root found in most grocery stores, wild ginger has pretty lanky roots, usually no thicker than pasta noodles. Even though there's not much to work with, the end result is very much worth the toil. 

The indigenous peoples of area have incorporated wild ginger root in their medicinal workings as well as daily diets for hundreds of years. It's no wonder it cures tummy aches and bloating when ingested. Ladies, if y'all are on your moon, I promise chewing a couple pieces of raw ginger will leave you feeling quite pacified. Plus you get a tasty treat.

Also, as with any herb or plant that you harvest, be it wild or homegrown, give thanks! Sing a song, breath life unto the plant, leave an offering (such as tobacco or cornmeal), caress it, or simply say thank you. Another habit I've come to be mindful of is over exhausting the plant; that is, don't harvest the entire plant. Leave some room for regeneration. It's not only beneficial for the plant, but you'll also always have a source to go back to.

Anyway, here's two personal recipes for y'all to try out. I like to incorporate every part of this plant, leaves and root, when making candy and syrup.

What you'll need for candied wild ginger root and wild ginger syrup:
- 11/2 cup of fine white sugar
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of fresh, wild ginger root (chopped into 1 inch peices)
   *Dont have access to wild ginger root? Not a problem. You can easily substitute Asian ginger root, fresh or dry. :)

Instructions:
1. Add the sugars (11/2 cup of fine white sugar & 1/2 cup of brown sugar) to a sauce pan along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add the ginger root. Continue to let the syrup and roots boil for another 5-10 minutes.
3. Turn down the heat and let simmer for about an hour.
4. Let it cool and pour syrup and ginger roots into a jar. Let sit in a cool dry place for 3 days. (Such a painful wait! But alas, magick is afoot!)
5. After 3 days, pour the syrup sauce pan -hold the ginger roots back for now- and bring to a rolling boil.
6. Add ginger root to the syrup and boil again for 15-20 minutes.
7. Remove ginger and place on a metal rack to drip dry.
8. Once the syrup ceases to drip from the roots, place the roots in a pie plate and cover with fine white sugar, making sure each piece is coated in the sugary grave. Let sit over night. (Almost done!)
9. Voila! All done! Now you have your own, homemade, candied ginger. You can do whatever you please with the remaining syrup. I usually use it to put into my tea or to top of my ice-cream. Yummy!



What you'll need for wild ginger & mint leaf syrup:
- 11/2 cup of fine white sugar
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of fresh wild ginger leaves and stems
- 3 sprigs of fresh mint leaves

Instructions:
1. Add the sugars (11/2 cup of fine white sugar & 1/2 cup of brown sugar) to a sauce pan along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add the ginger leaves and mint. Continue to let the syrup and leaves boil for another 5-10 minutes.
3. Turn down the heat and let simmer for about an hour or until it reaches the desired thickness.
4. Let it cool and pour syrup into a jar (you can take out the leaves now, if you please).
5. Done! Use it for teas or to top off some ice-cream.

Hope you enjoy these recipes.

Let me know how it goes!

Blessed be.

Teasday: Week Two

Tea is so incredibly comforting, whether it be iced or boiling lobster. I'd drink it any way, any day.

Today was, of course, the perfect day for tea as it is in fact Teasday.  It was also the first day of classes for my second semester. Before the oh-my-gumdrops-here-we-go-again panic settled in completely, I made sure to add a little extra sweetness to my morning cup. And by sweetness we all know by a "little" i actually  mean lots and lots of sugar. Probably not the healthiest choice, but hey, I was in a crisis, people.

Today's brew was yet another black, however Snow Monkey Plum Tea is surprisingly light and refreshing, making it perfect for either the summer or winter. The tea blend is standard harvested black tea leaves to which they add dried plum blossoms. Yumm.

What did you drink today?

Spicy Super Heroes

It's officially that time of year again. The holiday season has always been about bringing families together, but it also brings another not-so-pleasant surprise... viruses! Even as I write this, I too have fallen victim to the clutches of the flu. Go figure.

Since I've been busy plodding away with finals, I unfortunately have no one to blame but myself! That said, it's never too late to reverse the flu and put up a fight. What better spices to help than cayenne and cinnamon? These two spices are definitely the best reinforcements if you want to get better quick!

I find it best to add cayenne and cinnamon to my morning tea. This may sound odd, even disgusting, but the spicy hot of the cayenne and the subtle comfort of the cinnamon really helps clear up a stuffy chest or sore throat. Along with clearing up congestion and fighting bacteria within your body cayenne and cinnamon are pretty much the super heroes of the spice family. To name a few, here are some of their magical powers:

Cinnamon:
1. Lowers bad cholesterol
2. Helps regulate blood sugars and helps regulate weight
3. Has an anti clotting effect on blood
4. Simply smelling cinnamon improves memory
5. Natural remedy for headaches and migraines

 Cayenne:
1. Eases an upset stomach and remedies diarrhea
2. Natural anti-allergen
3. Detoxes your body
4. Remedies a toothache
5. Improves heart-health

Like I said... super heroes! You don't have to limit yourself when adding these spices just to your tea. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of you morning cereal or grill up some chicken rubbed down in cayenne. Be creative!

Don't forget, it's really important to buy fresh spices from your local natural foods store or herbalist. Fresh spices make all the difference. When powdered spices like cinnamon have been sitting out on the shelf for too long, they loose their curing properties and potency.

Also, cayenne is very hot! A little goes a long way. Just adding a pinch to my morning tea really gives it a kick.

Hope this was helpful and I hope y'all are staying healthy this season. Feel free to share any comments or recipes with Indigo and me. We love feedback! Blessings and enjoy the Yule season!

P.S.

Rather than beating around the bush and taking an entire post to introduce Indigo and myself, we've created an "about us" tab. Feel free to check it out!