Oakria Wellness

🌿 When the body is dry, the medicine is often moisture 💦

Have your kids ever had that dry, scratchy throat that’s worse at night… then turns into a barky little cough by morning?

That’s what we’ve been navigating this week.

After a long stretch of dry air and outdoor play, my kids started feeling it. That dry, scratchy throat, a barky cough… that slightly raw, irritated feeling that shows up at night and first thing in the morning.

Even their lips and skin were dry, it wasn’t just a sore throat, it was a whole dry, irritated tissue state.

Instead of jumping straight to “what kills this?”
I paused and asked:
👉 What do their tissues actually need?

The answer felt simple: soothing + moisture

So we turned to marshmallow root
a gentle, powerful demulcent that works by:
→ coating the throat
→ hydrating irritated tissues
→ calming inflammation without shutting the body down

I made a cold infusion
just fresh root + water, left to sit for a few hours

And when you strain it… it’s slightly silky
almost slippery

That’s the medicine ✨

Why cold instead of hot?
Because marshmallow is rich in mucilage, and heat can break some of that down
cool water helps preserve that soothing, coating quality

And tinctures don’t quite capture that same effect.

So the kids & I have been sipping it throughout the day with a little honey 💛

This is the kind of herbalism I teach:
🌱 not just “what herb for what symptom”
🌱 but learning to read patterns, like dry vs. moist, hot vs. cold
🌱 and choosing plants that restore balance, not override it

In this case:
dry environment + irritated throat = demulcent support

Simple. Effective. Rooted in nature.

💛 And maybe my favorite part…
This plant was growing right in our garden
and my child asked about it the day before we needed it

That’s how connection begins.

If you’re a mama wanting to learn how to use herbs like this at home, I’d love to connect with you 💛

What’s something your body has been asking for lately?

Have you ever worked with marshmallow root before?

Today I witnessed the first flower of the season.

Tiny. Quiet. But fully here.

I heard the call of a turkey in the woods, saw my first dragonfly, and felt the shift in the air as the wind picked up. Something is changing.

The New Moon in Aries today calls us to begin again. Take a moment to write down what you are ready to release and what you are ready to step into. Keep it simple and honest. Tear it, burn it, or return it to the earth. Then stand up, take a breath, and move your body. Let yourself feel the shift.

I took a moment today to release and sat at the nature center while my kids had their program. I let the wind move through me, listened to the calls of the birds, and could feel the tension begin to soften. Not all at once, but enough.

This is the work I keep coming back to. Helping the body feel safe enough to soften.

Because when the body softens, it can begin to heal.

Through bodywork, we can gently unwind held tension and bring awareness to where support is needed.

And through plant allies, we can restore balance, supporting the body so it can return to its natural state of homeostasis.

The plants do so much of the heavy lifting. We just have to listen and invite them into our lives.

If you have been feeling tight, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your body, there is another way.

I have space for a few clients right now. If you feel called, reach out for a session..

Or simply step outside today and notice what is beginning to open.

Happy spring 🌿

Spring is my absolute favorite time of the year.

As our plant allies emerge from their winter rest, it feels like a reunion with old friends. I cannot help but squeal a little.

"Why hello, dandelion! Nice to see you again."

Out in nature with my children, this is how we learn. Not from a book first, but from relationship. We notice what is growing. We greet the plants. We use our senses to experience what the plant has to teach us.

When we slow down and taste, touch, and observe, the plants begin to tell us who they are.

Dandelion, you can taste the bitterness right away. That bitterness tells us it is supporting the liver, helping things move.

Nettles, you can taste the mineral richness in its salty quality. Blanch it first so you do not get stung 😉

Chickweed feels cool and tender. That softness shows us how it soothes, gently clears, and brings relief to irritated tissues.

Gentle allies for spring cleaning, helping the body awaken, move, and soften back into balance.

The plants are our teachers.

They show us timing. Rhythm. How to live in relationship with the land and our own bodies.

This is the kind of learning that stays with you. The kind you carry into your home, your seasons, your family.

Step outside. Take your time. See who is waiting for you.

Your allies are back 🌱

What are you noticing when you step outside right now?

Feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in survival mode?

You’re not broken. Your nervous system is just asking for a pause.

Coming Back to Calm is a gentle space to soften, breathe, and return to yourself. Through simple practices, grounding support, and intentional rest, we’ll create room for your body to remember what calm actually feels like.

This isn’t about fixing or pushing.

It’s about slowing down, listening inward, and reconnecting with a sense of safety and ease.
If your body has been whispering or yelling for more calm, this is your invitation.

Come as you are. Tired, tender, curious, or craving quiet.

✨ Drop a 💚 or send me a message if you’d like more details.

creatyl.com Right now, many people are carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty in their bodies, not just in their thoughts. Across the world, communities are being shaken by violence, displacement, and systems that create real danger and ongoing stress. When safety feels uncertain, the nervous system responds exa...

A moment of childlike peace reminded me how deeply our nervous systems carry collective fear.

Yesterday I took my children to the planetarium and the Bell Museum. For a few hours, I was lost in the stars, wandering through exhibits, soaking in childlike wonder, and feeling a sense of safety and peace in my body.

For a brief moment, I even forgot about the injustices happening in our communities.
It felt so good.
But it did not last.

On the drive home, we were sharing our favorite moments from the museum when I noticed, in my rearview mirror, an ICE agent driving behind me. There was a cage in the back of his vehicle.

Instantly, my body shifted into fight or flight.
My heart rate soared.
My palms grew sweaty.
My breath became shallow.
My body braced.

I want to be clear. I am not in the target demographic. I was not in immediate danger. But my body did not know that.

My body knows the danger our communities face.
My body remembers the fear.
I have witnessed violence and death, and my nervous system holds those memories.

I focused on my breath, exhaling longer than my inhale to signal safety through my vagus nerve. When the ICE vehicle finally disappeared from view, tears streamed down my face. I stayed on edge for hours afterward.

Thankfully, my kids had an activity that evening and their dad took them, so I had quiet time at home to tend to my nervous system.

I brewed tea with supportive nervines.
I chanted and sang, sending signals of safety to my brain through my vagus nerve.
I practiced pranayama, specifically alternate nostril breathing, which helped restore balance and gently guide my body back into parasympathetic mode.
I moved through gentle yoga.
By the time my kids came home, I was calm and regulated, able to meet the chaos without losing myself.

The truth is, we live in a world that keeps our sympathetic nervous system in constant overdrive. If we do not have tools to regulate, it takes a real toll on our bodies, our families, and our communities.

That is why I created Coming Back to Calm: A Holistic Nervous System Toolkit, filled with practical, accessible tools for nervous system regulation.

I offer it as pay what you can, because nervous system support should be available to everyone.

Please share this so it can reach those who need it.
Thank you 🕉️☮️

https://creatyl.com/nettynetty00/products/381/coming-back-to-calm-a-holistic-nervous-system-toolkit

creatyl.com Right now, many people are carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty in their bodies, not just in their thoughts. Across the world, communities are being shaken by violence, displacement, and systems that create real danger and ongoing stress. When safety feels uncertain, the nervous system responds exa...

Imbolc Blessings + the Full Snow Moon 🤍🌕🕯️

Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is a threshold of home and hearth, when the returning light is still subtle but deeply felt.

This year, Imbolc arrives alongside the Full Snow Moon, amplifying this energy of reflection, release, and gentle renewal. Full moons illuminate what is ready to be seen, felt, and softened. They invite us to slow down and tend to our inner and outer spaces with care.

This is a beautiful time to support the nervous system by creating warmth, order, and simplicity at home.
Light a candle to honor the returning light and bring steadiness to the body.

Tidy or cleanse a small area of your home, especially the kitchen or hearth, to invite clarity and calm.
Open a window briefly or let fresh air in, even in the cold, to shift stagnant energy.

Sit quietly and notice how your body responds to the light, the warmth, and the stillness.

If you have children, invite them to help light a candle, wipe a table, or share something that helps them feel safe and cozy at home.

You might also choose to weave a simple cross from reeds, straw, paper, or yarn. The slow, repetitive motion is grounding and calming for the nervous system, and the cross can be hung in the home as a symbol of protection, renewal, and the returning light.

May this Full Snow Moon illuminate what needs tending.

May your home feel held and protected.

May your nervous system soften as the light slowly returns.

May the path ahead grow clearer with each passing day.

Imbolc blessings to you and your hearth. 🕯️❄️🌱

🕉️☮️

I just want to take a moment to say thank you 💛

I shared Coming Back to Calm a couple of days ago, and I have been so grateful for the likes, comments, shares, and purchases. Truly. It meant a lot to feel the resonance and to hear how many nervous systems are needing gentle support right now.

Since sharing it, I have added two things I wanted to let you know about.

I created a free Nervous System Self-Assessment as a gentle place to begin if you are feeling overwhelmed, tense, or just not quite yourself.

I also added a Five-Minute Nervous System Reset that is now included as a bonus when you purchase Coming Back to Calm. It is something simple you can return to anytime you need a pause.

If you already purchased Coming Back to Calm, be sure to check your email for the reset.

I am also curious and would really love your input. I am considering creating more guided nervous system reset practices such as breathwork, tapping sequences, and gentle yoga. Before I spend hours creating, I want to know if that is something you would actually find supportive and useful.

If guided practices for calming and regulating the nervous system would be helpful for you, feel free to comment or send me a message. I am listening 🌿

You can explore the free self-assessment: https://creatyl.com/nettynetty00/products/452

Coming Back to Calm - A Nervous System Toolkit is still available as a pay what you can offering, so you can choose what feels supportive and accessible for you right now
Coming Back to Calm:
https://creatyl.com/nettynetty00/products/381

creatyl.com Right now, many people are carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty in their bodies, not just in their thoughts. Across the world, communities are being shaken by violence, displacement, and systems that create real danger and ongoing stress. When safety feels uncertain, the nervous system responds exa...

Like many of you, I have been feeling the weight of what is happening around us. There is real fear in our communities right now. Real grief. Real uncertainty. And our bodies feel it, even when we do not have the words.
When safety feels fragile, our nervous systems do exactly what they are meant to do. They protect. They brace. They stay alert.
I created something as an offering for times like these.

Coming Back to Calm is a gentle, holistic nervous system toolkit. It is not about bypassing what is happening or forcing calm. It is about helping the body feel a little more safe, steady, and supported so we can breathe, rest, and keep going together.

Inside, you will find real, practical tools you can use right away.
Clear nervous system education. Gentle plant allies. Simple daily rituals. Breathwork, tapping, restorative movement, and other practices that support regulation. You can move through it at your own pace, choosing only what feels supportive.

This guide is for anyone whose body feels tired of being on high alert. For anyone feeling on edge, exhausted, or overwhelmed. For anyone who needs a soft place to land and breathe.

It is offered pay what you can, because care should be accessible.
If this feels supportive for you or for someone you love, it’s available below. https://creatyl.com/nettynetty00/products/381

Please feel free to share it with anyone who may need it.
Take good care of yourselves. The scary times are real. This is one way I know how to offer love.

creatyl.com Right now, many people are carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty in their bodies, not just in their thoughts. Across the world, communities are being shaken by violence, displacement, and systems that create real danger and ongoing stress. When safety feels uncertain, the nervous system responds exa...

White Pine is one of the powerful herbal-infused oils we’ll be exploring in our upcoming Herbal Oils for Self-Care Workshop on Saturday, March 22, 2025! Known for its warming, soothing, and respiratory-supporting properties, White Pine is just one of the many incredible herbs we’ll work with to craft nourishing oils for body and mind.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create your own custom blend of herbal-infused oils, designed to support your unique self-care needs. Enjoy a day of hands-on learning, relaxation, and connection, as we guide you through the art of herbal oil infusion, self-massage techniques, and mindful wellness practices.

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today and experience the beauty of herbal self-care!