Sheer Roots Apothecary

Aren’t they beautiful? Any guesses on the herbs?

What you are looking at are two jars of the highest quality of herbs! They have been carefully measured and are now submerged in their own menstrum and tucked away for the next 6 weeks: one in alcohol, and one in a mixture of glycerine and distilled water. Same exact herbs, but I used different liquids to extract the medicinal constituents from the plants. Alcohol makes the most potent tinctures because it is able to extract more efficiently. But not everyone can tolerate alcohol so the same herbs are extracting in another jar and the dosage will need to be increased to get a similar effect. These tinctures have been carefully formulated to decrease anxiety and stress.

Introducing “Just Heal” salve.

This is a simple, hardworking herbal salve crafted with some of nature’s most trusted ingredients.

I slowly infused comfrey and plantain (the plant not the banana🤣) in organic extra virgin olive oil to extract their medicinal constituents. Then blended the infusion with beeswax and nourishing shea butter to create a rich, protective balm.

Then I added Vitamin E to preserve the oils and lengthen the shelf life, and my own personal favorite oil, Manuka. Manuka oil has been my “miracle oil” as a mom. It has been my go to oil whenever someone has a skin irritation. It’s basically my version of Windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding! 🤣I added it for another layer of botanical goodness. Then a touch of menthol crystals finishes the blend for a refreshing cooling sensation.

The result is a silky, deep green salve designed to moisturize, comfort, and support healing. Perfect for keeping on hand for everyday skin care and especially for those moments when your skin needs a little extra herbal TLC.

This may just become the product you reach for again and again. Every home deserves a good herbal salve in its first aid kit!

Any guesses on what’s being formulated this weekend?

Already time for our first harvest! 🌿

Made hibiscus tea today! It’s made with dried hibiscus, cloves, fresh ginger, oranges, and lemons. I threw a few turmeric tea bags in there towards the end of the brewing time too to help with inflammation. And then sweetened with raw honey. So refreshing, and loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, anti-inflammatory herbs, and digestion-supporting spices!

It can be diluted with additional water, added to sparkling water, or even an adult beverage. I prefer the strong flavor and just add ice to it. Delicious! Perfect for Arizona summers. 🌵

I’m in the midst of all of the end of the year chaos and exhaustion of being a middle school teacher! 😆I won’t be posting much for the next couple of weeks, but I want to leave you with a cool tip!

About six months ago, I read about the benefits of cloves. I’ve only used cloves on baked ham before so I decided to start dropping them in tea. Then it occurred to me that I can drop them in any hot beverage, so I started dropping a clove or two in every cup of tea and coffee that I consumed. I just drank around them and tossed the cloves when I was done with my cup.

I’m an oddball that has to get her teeth cleaned every 3-4 months, if not, I have to get my teeth deep cleaned. I wondered if my clove experiment would benefit me at all. At my last visit, the hygienist rattled off numbers while measuring my gums and I noticed that my numbers were actually great! I was thinking to myself how I was going to ask her about seeing an improvement, and instead SHE asked ME what I was doing differently! 🤯

My gums measured in the healthy range for the first time in 30 years! It has been that long since I was first told that I had to get cleanings every 3-4 months instead of the regular 6 months like normal people. I told her about my experimentation with the cloves, and she said she never heard of it, but to keep doing it! I could overhear her telling others about my findings when I was checking out. They were as excited as I was!

Cloves. God’s medicine. Let’s learn together. 🌿

Joe and I had a great time at Tonto National Park with foraging expert, John Slattery, today! We learned how to identify, harvest, sanitize, and process. We left before the cooking portion as I couldn’t handle the sun anymore. (I have a sun allergy.) But what an awesome experience! Plus, John signed my books!

Exciting news! My business name Sheer Roots Apothecary got approved by the state. And I also got legally registered as a LLC today! Two steps completed! 🎉🙌