Kristyn Helgeton, RMT

🔥Traditional Fire Cider 🔥

It’s a good time of the time of year to start thinking about immune support and for me, that means getting my winter herbal tonics and tinctures underway.

Fire cider is a traditional folk herbal preparation made by infusing pungent roots, herbs and spices in apple cider vinegar. There’s no single recipe, and traditionally it was made with whatever warming, pungent plants were available. My batch has horseradish and jalapeño (must-haves) along with garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, citrus and warming spices.

The pungent ingredients are what give fire cider its characteristic heat. Garlic, horseradish, and ginger and have all been used traditionally in herbalism for their warming, stimulating qualities, while apple cider vinegar acts as the menstruum to extract and preserve the preparation.

After it has infused for several weeks, it will be strained, combined with a little honey, and taken by the spoonful, diluted in water, or used in food as a daily support or when I feel the dreaded tickle or ache.

I love these old kitchen preparations because they’re simple, practical, and rooted in the tradition of keeping herbs as part of everyday life. Give it a shot! It’s super easy to make and so rewarding to have your own homemade kitchen medicine on hand. 🌿

Playing around with something new. 😶‍🌫️

Slow mornings are medicine. 🤍🌿

(…too early to endorse this book- I just started it, but I’m really looking forward to seeing where it takes me. You guys reading anything good lately?)

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 🤍

Chamomile is a versatile herb and a favourite in my apothecary. Well known for promoting relaxation and restful sleep, it also helps soothe digestion, calms the nervous system, and eases irritated & inflamed skin.

I use chamomile in lots of products, from calming tea blends and the Luna Sleep Tincture to the popular Itch Balm and botanical skincare- where its gentle, soothing properties shine.

A pretty little flower with a long history of bringing comfort, inside and out. It even blooms gently, doesn’t it? Always happy to see chamomile make its appearance. 🙂

Day Oil Restock 🌻

Formulated for mature skin that prefers simplicity, this lightweight blend combines argan and jojoba oils infused with calendula & rosehips, then finishes with bakuchiol: a plant based extract often called ”nature’s retinol”.

This oil helps support smoother, healthier-looking skin without the increased sun sensitivity associated with retinol, making it a beautiful choice for us summertime sun-worshippers who like to keep it clean.

Gentle enough for daily use, effective enough to not bother with a bunch of other stuff. Holler to try it out!

Hanging out on the step with my wild flowerbeds watching the clouds roll in and sipping on some herbal iced tea. Not the worst way to end a serious Monday!

Tonight’s blend is Lemon Hibiscus. Bright citrus, a little tang, and a cool fruit-punch vibe. This iced tea is easy to make, easy to reach for, and a guilt-free way to wind down with a little treat.

Summer is short. Drink good tea!

First time out at hustling massages. Not the exact weekend we had planned, but it was definitely a great opportunity to get my “feet wet” in the overland community. 😏 Great people, great atmosphere, and great experience despite the generous raindrop therapy.

Thanks for having me, and and a shoutout to all the other welcoming folks who I had the pleasure of hanging out with. 💚

When all else fails, adjust the lighting and create something new. 🐦‍🔥