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juniper stokes 4/11/25 juniper stokes 4/11/25

Astro Guidance for the Libra Full Moon in Aries

Today, the cosmos bring us a Libra full moon right in the middle of our Aries sun season. This is one of my favorite celestial moments…

Ruled by Mars, Aries season is all about individuality and action.

With the emergence of spring, our spirits are refreshed and ready for the passions of the summer to come. The wild and wonderful Ram of Aries helps us focus on our own needs and desires, following the callings of our heart towards adventures that will fuel our soul.

Ruled by Venus, this Libra moon is all about relationship and beauty.

Lover of the arts and high culture, Libra carries the scales of balance and sword of justice — because Libra knows that the ultimate expression of divine beauty on Earth is fairness and harmony. At her heart, Libra believes that what is best for the collective is best for the individual.

The Libra full moon in the midst of Aries season invites us to take a pause and check in with the goals and desires we are so energetically pursuing.

This is a moment to ask yourself who or what your actions are in service of. Are you contributing beauty to the collective as you fill your own cup? Or do your intentions perhaps need a wee adjustment to come into more balance?

I love this moon because Libra and Aries, sitting on opposite sides of the zodiac, need each other.

Without Aries, Libra can become self-sacrificing. An unbalanced attempt at balance leaves Libra unable to take action for fear of hurting others. Yet without Libra, Aries storms ahead in pursuit of personal benefit, forgetting that we are all connected and here to contribute to an ecosystem of goodness for all beings.

Resistance to this partnership can show up as aggression, unhealthy competition, hoarding of resources, depletion and self-sacrifice, nonsensical decision-making, and either over-attachment or complete lack of boundaries around self and chosen tribe vs other and diverse collectives. (Seeing any of this in our world?)

Yet when the two merge in healthy partnership, we remember that both approaches to life are true: we need to take care of ourselves and prioritize our joy, and our joy so often comes in celebrating our ability to be of service to the world around us.

My favorite plant ally combo for this celestial event? Rose & Nettle

Rose, the blossom of Venus, blesses us with beauty inside and out. It opens our hearts to the needs of others in boundaried and compassionate ways.
Nettle, our prickly healer, is one of the first spring greens to awaken during Aries season, filled with nutrients to revitalize our systems after long, dormant winters. This Mars-ruled green stings us into action and protects what is ours to keep.

A combination of Rose & Nettle flower essences can be energetically supportive this full moon. Personally, I love sipping an herbal tea featuring these allies. You could just combine rose and nettle, steep, and sip. But I find the following more tasty:

Aries-Libra Harmonizing Tea

1 part nettle
1 part lemonbalm
1/2 part mint
Pinch of rose petals

Steep about 1T/cup water for 5-10 minutes and enjoy 🙂

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The Kitchen Alchemist’s Guide to Liquid Herbal Preparations

There's something magical about transforming plants into medicine in your own kitchen.

Each time we create an herbal preparation, we're participating in an ancient tradition that connects us to both the practical wisdom of our ancestors and the subtle energetic properties of the plants themselves.

There are of course a billion ways to incorporate plants into your kitchen witchery…I share some of my favorites here and here.

In these cold winter months, I’ve been sipping teas and broths constantly. I just strained my homemade fire cider and got an herbal wellness tincture going for some upcoming travels.

Communing with these healing remedies in my kitchen has been inspiring me to write some of the content for my upcoming Wild Alchemy Apprenticeship — I’m even trying my hand at making some how-to videos as I write down the real life recipes I’m making these days :)

And, this process has got me reflecting how many different liquid extraction methods there are for herbs!

Teas, tinctures, and broths…and also oxymels, infusions, syrups…even mocktails!

Traditional herbalists understand that different extraction methods draw out different properties from plants, just as different plants share their wisdom and medicine in unique ways.

Being the maximalist I am, I thought it would be fun to share an overview of the many liquid preparations herbalists turn to.

Keep in mind, this is an overview — so if you want to dive deeper into why you’d use different extractions for different herbs, even more recipes, and more about the benefits of each, definitely consider joining the apprenticeship ;)

Water-Based Preparations

Simple Teas & Infusions

One of the most accessible form of herbal medicine, teas and infusions are essentially water-based extracts. While a tea steeps for 5-15 minutes, an infusion is steeped for several hours, drawing out more nutrients and medicinal compounds.

Best for: Delicate plant parts like leaves, flowers, and tender stems; can be made with fresh or dried plants
Spiritual qualities: Tea-making can be a mindful ritual, a gentle moment to connect with a plant's energy (find my favorite tea ritual here)
A few favorite herbs for teas: mints, nettle, chamomile, lemon balm

Find dreamy tea blend below!

You may be wondering…Do those little tea bags you buy at the store really have medicinal effects? Maybe. I prefer a bigger dose of dried herbs than those tea bags have. Still, steeping for at least 10 minutes will help you make the most of whatever you have.

Decoctions

These are long-simmered preparations perfect for tough plant materials that need more time to release their properties.

Best for: Roots, bark, berries, and mushrooms
Spiritual qualities: The slow extraction process teaches patience and deep listening
A few favorite herbs for decoctions: Astragalus, reishi, dandelion root, burdock

My favorite decoction is a “winter brew”. This is my own made up remedy that’s sort of like an herbal coffee meets chai, but simmered with immune boosters like elderberry, rosehips, and echinacea for hours. I swear by it. If our household is coming down with something, I make a crockpot of winter brew and keep it going for all day sips. It works!

Hydrosols

The gentle aromatic waters produced through plant distillation.

Best for: When gentle medicine is needed
Spiritual qualities: Captures the most subtle, ethereal aspects of the plant
Favorite herbs: Anything you can gather a lot of

I love hydrosols so much that I wrote an entire, comprehensive guide covering everything about them. Find the hydrosol guide here.

And, I even made a PDF with 44 ways to use hydrosols, which you can download here:

Broths

These mineral-rich preparations extract the medicinal properties of herbs through long, slow simmering in water — often with the addition of mushrooms, seaweeds, or vegetables. Though bone broths have become quite vogue in recent years, a good mineral rich veggie broth is my preference :)

Best for: Mineral-rich herbs, adaptogenic mushrooms, nutritive plants
Spiritual qualities: Connects us to the ancient tradition of healing soups and the wisdom of slow food
Best herbs: Astragalus, reishi, shiitake, kombu, nettles, burdock

I love a good sipping broth. Garlic, onions, turmeric, ginger, shiitake, kombu, astragalus, and a bit of miso stirred in at the end is a favorite. So is garlic, onion, leek, carrot, celery, fennel, mushroom, and sweet potato, with a whole lot of culinary herbs and nettle.

Alcohol-Based Preparations

Tinctures

Tinctures are alcohol-based extracts that preserve and concentrate herbs' medicinal properties. Vodka and brandy are common carriers. Tinctures last for several years when properly made and stored.

Best for: Nearly all herbs, especially those with resin or volatile oils
Spiritual qualities: Tinctures capture both the physical and energetic essence of the plant
A favorite: Motherwort tincture for heart health and emotional balance

Tinctures are one of my favorite ways to work with local, wild plants. Here in Oregon, Oregon Grape is everywhere! Even my own yard :) Oregon grape root is good for a ton of things…but especially stomach bugs! I took a bottle of homemade Oregon grape root tincture with me on my last trip to Mexico…and my digestion was never so amazing. (I mean — who’s stomach gets better in Mexico?)

Herbal Liqueurs

These spirit-based preparations have a long history as both medicine and pleasure. From medieval monasteries to modern Italian cafes, herbal liqueurs represent some of our oldest recorded herbal formulations.

Best for: Digestive herbs, aromatic spices, bitter roots
Spiritual qualities: Connects us to ancient traditions of monastic herbalism and folk medicine
Notable examples: Chartreuse (made by monks since 1737), B&B, Jägermeister (originally medicinal!)

Once upon a time (this is a true story)…

I was on the Greek Island of Amorgos in early September, just after most tourists had left. My girlfriend and I set off on a hike up a steep cliffside to a beautiful and rugged monastery. Low and behold, the hottest monk I’ve ever seen (not that I’ve seen a lot of monks in person), appeared and offered us each a small glass of the most deliciously sweet herbal liquor.

So yes. Climbing a mountain and being served sweet elixirs by a hot monk is a thing. Definitely a medicinal, spiritual thing.

If you’re into infused liquors and spirits, the book The Good Reverend's Guide to Infused Spirits is one of my favorite resources.

Bitters

These potent herbal preparations are experiencing a renaissance both in craft cocktail culture and herbal medicine.

Best for: Digestive herbs, aromatic plants, and flowers
Spiritual qualities: Bitters help us digest food and life
A few choice herbs: Gentian, artichoke leaf, dandelion, yellow dock, angelica

I went down the bitter-making rabbit hole a few years ago, making all sorts of fun themed bitters — love bitters, chill out bitters, tropical bitters… My Alchemessence Bear Bitters had osha, honey, cacao, medicinal mushrooms (double extracted), and bitter herbs and were ridiculously delicious. Now that I’m writing this, I think I’ll get another batch started and share the recipe in the apprenticeship ;)

For those of you who can’t wait to get started, check out the book Botany at the Bar.

Sweet Preparations

Glycerites

Glycerites are sweet, alcohol-free extracts made with vegetable glycerin.

Best for: Herbs for children or those avoiding alcohol
Spiritual aspect: Glycerites carry the gentle, nurturing energy of plants
A few favorite herbs: Lemon balm, chamomile, marjoram

I love making relaxing “garden glycerites”. I add lemon balm, mints, strawberry leaves, skullcap, edible flowers…all sorts of fragrant, sweet, garden grown summer herbs. Then, whenever I need a winter pick-me-up, I take a dropperful. :)

Elixirs

“Elixir” is a bit of an umbrella term that generally refers to any sweetened herbal preparation, though they are often alcohol-based. (Oxymels, syrups, and glycerites can all be thought of as elixirs!)

Best for: Making medicine you keep coming back for
Spiritual qualities: Elixirs were traditionally associated with life extension and vitality — who doesn’t want a longevity elixir?
Best herbs: hawthorn, rose, holy basil, damiana

One of the first elixirs I made was a violet one…made from violets gathered in a cemetery of all places. I was studying with a Mayan shaman at the time, and that is where our class was held! I infused violet blossoms in brandy and added maple syrup. Delicious and heart healing.

Syrups

These are concentrated herbal decoctions preserved with honey or sugar.

Best for: Respiratory herbs, bitter herbs that need tastier delivery, herbal flavoring
Spiritual qualities: “just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down!” right? Healing can be sweet :)
Favorites: elderberry for wellness, hibiscus for summer fun

While I make medicinal syrups with honey, I’ll often use a lighter agave for syrups meant to be used in mocktails or more for flavor. This summer, I made a lovely mint simple syrup that added digestive and uplifting qualities to sparkly summer elixirs.

Psst: Find a recipe for healing elderberry syrup in the section at the end of this article!

Moon Milks

These warming, nurturing drinks blend herbs with milk (usually plant-based) and often include adaptogens and spices. Moon milks definitely don’t need to be sweetened, but since they often do have a touch of sweet added, I’m including them in this sweet section.

Best for: Evening rituals, stress support, sleep
Spiritual qualities: Connected to lunar energy, self love, and Ayurvedic wisdom
Favorite ingredients: turmeric, rose petals, warming spices, butterfly pea flower, cacao

I don’t know where the term “moon milk” got started, but I put all sorts of milky beverages in this category — from golden milk to chai lattes to cacao elixirs.

Psst: I’m sharing an extra-rich and delicious moon milk recipe at the end of this article ;)

Vinegar-Based Preparations

Image from Fare Isle, with an lovely recipe here.

Infused Vinegars

Herbs extracted in vinegar offer medicinal properties, culinary applications, and spiritual cleansing.

Spiritual aspect: Vinegar transmutes and purifies while extracting medicine
Best for: Mineral-rich herbs, immune-supporting plants
Perennial Favorites: Fire Cider, Queen of Hungary Water

I’ll probably share a whole how-to guide for fire cider at some point. There’s a ton out there, but I have a special approach that involves seasonally collected wild plants ;)

Another really great use of infused vinegar is for spiritual washes. Infuse some potent, protective plants — like rosemary, evergreens, rue, mugwort, lemon — into a basic white vinegar. Then, dilute this infusion with water to use as a purifying floor wash. Bad juju be gone!

Oxymels

These are preparations combining honey and vinegar with herbs.

Best for: Respiratory support, immune herbs, wellness
Spiritual aspect: Represents the balance of opposites — sweet and sour, warming and cooling
Example: A thyme and elderberry oxymel for winter wellness

Local honey is said to help with allergies! So, I make a special springtime oxymel with local honey, raw apple cider vinegar, and flowering herbs from my garden — especially nettle, a must have during allergy season. When the pollen count goes up, a spoonful of oxymel in sparkling water becomes my daily ritual. Plus, mixing honey and vinegar is the best kind of kitchen witchery — a little sweet and a little sour, just like life ;)

A Bit of Everything

Tonics

Like “elixirs”, this is more of an umbrella term than a specific liquid extraction — which is why I threw it in this section. Tonics can include broths, teas, tinctures…Any nourishing preparations designed to be taken regularly for overall wellness and vitality, tonics generally work gradually to build strength and resilience. They “tonify” our organs and bodily systems with targeted vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Best for: Adaptogenic herbs, nutritive plants, immune supporters
Spiritual qualities: Represents commitment to self-care and the slow medicine of prevention
Some favorite herbs: Astragalus, codonopsis, American ginseng, nettles, raspberry leaf

Herbal Mocktails

Mocktails are everywhere these days — and you can be so endlessly creative with them that pretty much all of the previous preparations can become mocktail ingredients, which is why they get their own category :)

Best for: Adaptogenic herbs, nervines, and aromatic plants
Spiritual aspect: these offer multidemensional experiences for multidimensional beings
Some favorite herbs: Holy basil, hibiscus, rose, lavender, mint, lemon balm, bitters, berries

I make my own tonic syrup with real quinine, juniper berries from my yard, and a variety of citruses. So potent and delicious in all sorts of drinks!

That recipe is a bit complex…but your mocktails don’t have to be. I share a simple, refreshing recipe below :)

Beyond the Basics

Each herbal preparation is born from a unique relationship between you and the plants. As you work with these different forms, you'll continue to develop an intuitive sense for which preparations are best for different plants, at different times, with different intentions. The creative possibilities are endless.

The key to any successful herbal preparations lies not just in technique — but in the authentic connection we form with the plants who support us.

If you are craving a nourishing and deep connection with plants , join the yearlong Wild Alchemy program. You'll learn to make healing preparations while developing your own spiritual connection to the plant realm.

Starting in September, we spend an entire year diving into ceremonies, rituals, elemental magic, and more — so you can embody the wisdom of plants and share this magic with your own communities.

No matter what kind of healer you are — from shamans to stay at home moms to acupuncturists to psychotherapists and Reiki Akashic Astro IFS Animists… partnering with the plants in an intentional, spirit-led container will 100% transform your offerings to the world.

This is a seasonal program, and our learning and practices will be guided by the sun, moon, and stars.

Learn more and join us here:

The Wild Alchemy Apprenticeship

Your Turn!

What are your favorite preparations and recipes? What did I forget? Let me know any favorite liquid remedies I’ve missed in the comments and I’ll add them to the list :) This is just an overview, and one that hopefully inspires your own creative remedies!

Recipes

Simple Dream Time Tea

2 parts chamomile
1 part lemon balm
1 part spearmint
pinch lavender and/or rose petals

Steep in hot water for 10 minutes.

Elderberry Syrup

This elderberry syrup recipe combines the immune-supportive benefits of elderberries with additional herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and echinacea for a powerhouse blend to help fortify your defenses.

Ingredients

1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh elderberries)
4 cups filtered water
1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, grated (or 1 teaspoon dried ginger)
1 cinnamon stick (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
4-5 whole cloves (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves)
1 teaspoon dried echinacea root
2 teaspoons wild cherry bark
1 teaspoon dried orange peel
1/2 to 1 cup raw honey (you want about a 1:1 ratio of honey to liquid, though can be a little less)

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse elderberries if fresh, and ensure they are free of stems and debris. Grate the ginger if using fresh.

Simmer the Herbs: In a medium saucepan, combine elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, echinacea root, and orange peel (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Cook Down: Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the liquid reduces by half.

Strain the Mixture: Remove from heat and let cool so it won’t burn your hands. Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a bowl. Press or squeeze the berries and herbs to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.

Add Honey: Once the liquid has cooled to warm (not hot), stir in the raw honey. Mix well until fully incorporated. The honey not only sweetens but also adds antimicrobial properties.

Store the Syrup: Pour the syrup into a sterilized glass jar or bottle. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Enjoy your elderberry syrup as a daily immune boost, drizzled over pancakes, stirred into teas, or simply by the spoonful!

Dreamy Moon Milk with Cacao Butter

This luxurious moon milk is perfect for winding down in the evening. It’s thick, creamy, and infused with cacao butter for a velvety texture, along with relaxing herbs and spices to help you drift into peaceful sleep.

Ingredients

2 cups plant milk (my favorite is Elmhurst cashew milk)
1 tablespoon cacao butter (adds creaminess — so worth it)
1 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple syrup or raw honey to taste
Pinch of sea salt
Optional garnish: a sprinkle of cinnamon or edible dried flowers (like lavender or rose petals)

Instructions

Warm the Milk: In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, warm the plant milk until it’s steaming (but not boiling).

Melt the Cacao Butter: Add the cacao butter to the milk and stir until fully melted. This creates a luscious, creamy base.

Add the Herbs and Spices: Stir in the ashwagandha powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk well to combine.

Sweeten and Flavor: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Blend for Frothiness (Optional): For an extra-smooth and frothy moon milk, pour the mixture into a blender and blend on low for 10-15 seconds.

Serve Warm: Pour the moon milk into your favorite mug. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or dried edible flowers if desired.

Why I love this one

Cacao Butter: Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, it creates a velvety, soothing texture.
Ashwagandha: Known as an adaptogen, it helps promote relaxation and stress relief.
Warm Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg offer gentle warmth and comfort, perfect for bedtime rituals.

Pair this moon milk with a relaxing evening practice like journaling, a short meditation, or reading a favorite book. This cozy drink is a hug in a mug—perfect for preparing the mind and body for sweet dreams.

Citrus Thyme Bliss Sparkling Herbal Mocktail

This vibrant, refreshing mocktail features immune-boosting thyme, bright citrus, and sparkling water for a delightful drink that feels fancy yet nourishing. It's perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo.

Ingredients

a few sprigs fresh thyme or about a teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon raw honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
1/2 fresh orange, juiced
1/4 fresh lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
6 oz sparkling water
Ice cubes
Garnish: a thyme sprig, orange slice, or edible flower

Instructions

Make the Thyme Infusion: In a small bowl or glass, muddle the fresh thyme with honey (or maple syrup) to release the herb’s oils. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. If using dried thyme, steep it in 2 tablespoons of hot water for 5 minutes, then strain and mix with the honey.

Mix the Citrus Base: In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine the orange juice, lemon juice, and grated ginger (if using). Add the thyme infusion and stir well.

Shake it Up: Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker/jar. Cover and shake for 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture.

Assemble the Mocktail: Strain the citrus and thyme mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and gently stir to combine.

Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a sprig of thyme, a slice of orange, or an edible flower for a touch of elegance. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Why I love this one

Thyme is not only flavorful but also known for its antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. The citrus provides a dose of vitamin C, and ginger adds a warming touch, making this mocktail a perfect blend of delicious and functional.

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3 Simple Ways to Rewild Your Thanksgiving Table + A Wild Winter Recipe

Eating wild foods attunes our energy field and our DNA to the land we live on, and when done with reverence and gratitude, shows the spirits of the land that we don’t take our abundance for gratitude. It’s a way to nurture our relationship with place, open our hearts to mothering from our earth mother herself, and tend our wellbeing in physical and energetic realms.

Want to add a few wild bites to your Thanksgiving feasts this year? Here are a few simple wild foods available just about anywhere in the states:

Thanksgiving mythology tells us that this holiday marks a time when native peoples helped pilgrims survive by sharing the bounty of a new land with them.

Obviously, the actual history of the holiday is a lot more complicated and painful than this simple recounting—something I reflect on here—yet the ritual of pausing to honor and show gratitude for the abundant gifts of the earth is one I continue to love in the midst of a complex history.

One of my favorite ways to truly celebrate the abundance of the earth, as well as the ancestral spirits of the land, is to incorporate local, wild foods into our menu.

Want to add a few wild bites to your Thanksgiving feasts this year? Here are a few simple wild foods available just about anywhere in the States…

Wild Greens

If you’ve been following along here and have some wild greens infused vinegar on hand (usually made in the spring), use it to replace any other acids in your recipes. It’s great for brightening up butternut squash soup and mixing into wild salad dressings.

Depending on where you live, you might still be able to gather some wild hearty greens in your area…even your backyard! Mallow, dandelion, chickweed, and nettle can often be gathered in small quantities even after the first snow. Sprinkle a few greens on side salads or even stir them into stuffing—the mild flavor goes with everything.

Rosehips

Rosehips are best collected after a few frosts, which heightens their sweetness. If you gathered hips earlier in the autumn, great! If not, even wilty looking rosehips can be gathered and cooked into tart cranberry sauces or brewed as nutrient-rich teas. (Just be sure to remove the hairs and seeds first!)

Evergreens

Evergreens are an abundant winter wild food available almost everywhere. Rich in vitamin C and other phytonutrients, evergreen needles can be infused into butters and finishing salts for a fresh, herbaceous flavor, or brewed into healing teas.

Most evergreens are edible, so you don’t need to worry too much about identification here. The two exceptions (that I know of at least) are yew trees and ponderosa pines. There’s mixed messaging on the edibility of both, but general consensus is to steer clear to be safe. Firs, spruces, and most other pines are just fine!

Yews are easily identified by their distinctive orange-red berries—see below. But, the berries aren’t always in season, so if yews are in your area make a positive identification first!

yew tree and berry — The signature berry of the yew tree—one of the few non-edible evergreens.

Ponderosas can be a bit trickier. If you know you have ponderosas in your area, watch out for tall strong trees with large pinecones and extra long needles. Any time you use any wild food, please quadruple check your identification. And then triple check again.

A Fragrant & Festive Wild Tea

This tea is based around two wild ingredients—evergreen needles and rosehips. From there, you can get creative with all sorts of fragrant herbs and spices.

Ingredients

2 cups water
A handful, roughly chopped evergreen needles
One extra large handful of fresh rosehips, or a smaller handful dried (either leave whole or remove seeds and tiny hairs if chopping)
3-4 slices of fresh organic oranges
One cinnamon stick
2-3 stars of anise
Lemon and honey to taste

Directions

Place water and herbs in a pot and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in honey and lemon, and serve in festive mugs. Enjoy!

As always, whenever you’re working with wild foods, it’s wise to follow basic ethical and safety practices. In short, triple check your IDs and prioritize the health of the ecosystem above your own gathering needs.

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3 simple ways to rewild your thanksgiving

juniper stokes 12/8/21 juniper stokes 12/8/21

Healing Pumpkin Soup with Cozy Autumn Spices

An easy, healthy soup to warm your body and boost your immune system this season.

This year, Mike and I had a pretty epic harvest of various winter squashes—lunga di napoli (scroll down to see crazy pics here), red kuri, spaghetti, cinderella, blue hokkaido, pumpkin pie, delicata, and a few mystery hybrids all graced our little backyard in the city.

Now, as temperatures fall and pumpkin spice fills the air, I find myself experimenting with endless plays on basic pumpkin soup. This particular version, which I'll share with you now, has to be one of my favorites so far. It's rich and creamy, full of medicinal herbs and warming spices, and so easy. Plus vegan and paleo so you can serve it to all your friends.

A few notes on the recipe:

I used some of my giant lunga di napoli for this recipe, but any kind of winter squash would work well—I think butternut or Cinderella pumpkin would be especially good.

I'm pretty loose with my spices, dumping whatever I feel like into the pot like a mad scientist. Take the following as suggestions, but keep tasting and adjusting to your liking. Also, this might look like a lot of garlic, and it is! Hehe. I loooove garlic and add a ton to everything. Feel free to start with less.

If you have the time and want even more flavor in this soup, feel free to roast the squash while you prepare the other ingredients. I needed an easy one-pot meal so mine went raw straight into the soup and was still delicious.

I used Elmhurst cashew milk for this recipe. It's my absolute favorite nutmilk—creamy and the only ingredients are cashews and water. Cashew milk was my choice because I really wanted the flavors to stand out without coconut undertones, but I think coconut milk would also work perfectly well.

The lemon juice really brightens this soup up. If you don't have fresh lemon on hand, you can substitute apple cider vinegar (fire cider would be even better!).

Why this soup works:

The garlic, onion, sage, and astragalus offer healing, anti-viral benefits
The winter squash and nettle are full of essential nutrients
The warming spices bring balance to your constitution throughout the fall and winter seasons

Healing Pumpkin Soup with Cozy Autumn Spices

Serves 6-8 as sides and 4 as mains.

Ingredients:

1 small-medium white or yellow onion, chopped
1 head garlic, minced and let to rest at least 10 min
1 tablespoon oil (avocado, olive, and coconut all work)
4 cups peeled and cubed winter squash or pumpkin
6-8 sticks astragalus
1/2 cup dried nettle
6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
4 bay leaves
lemon juice to taste (I used the juice of about 1/2 lemon)
4 cups broth or water
salt and pepper to taste
Plus...a bunch of spices totaling to about 2 tablespoons:
- cinnamon
- turmeric
- nutmeg
- mace
- cardamom
- powdered ginger
- star anise
- allspice
- cloves
- red pepper flakes
I also added a big pinch of finely ground rose petals, lavender, and orris root because I have them and I'm fancy. I'm not sure you could even taste them, but now you know 😛

Directions:

Sauté the onion in oil over medium heat until just turning translucent. Add the squash and garlic and continue to cook for another couple of minutes, stirring regularly.

Next, add all the spices, fresh sage, and salt and pepper. Continue to sauté until the squash/pumpkin begins to soften and most liquid from the vegetables has been absorbed.

Add the broth or water, bay leaves, astragalus, and nettle. Bring to simmer and continue to cook until the squash is completely done (about 20-30m). You can tie the bay and astragalus in twine to make them easier to remove, but I didn’t bother.

Stir in the nutmilk and lemon juice. Continue to cook for about 10m to let the flavors merge. Remove bay leaves and astragalus sticks.

Turn off the heat and puree the soup to your preferred consistency (I like mostly smooth but still a little chunky). You can use a handheld immersion blender, or you can carefully transfer the soup to a blender. If going the blender route, be sure to allow the soup to cool a bit first. You may need to blend in batches.

Serve warm and top with fried sage leaves and a sprinkle of paprika if you're feeling fancy. Tastes even better the next day.

juniper stokes 11/13/21 juniper stokes 11/13/21

Wild Mushroom Pate

Wild and organic mixed mushrooms make the perfect vegan pate. Seasonal, celebratory, and easy!

Wild Mushroom Pâté

Fall is for foraging mushrooms. The cool temperatures have laid most of our natural harvest to rest, but the moist earth continues to support the hidden treasures of the fungi kingdom.

Maybe someday I’ll actually gain confidence in mushroom identification, but as of now, I’m sticking to what I know and purchasing from local shops for as long as the season lets me ;)

If fresh wild mushrooms are difficult to come by, look for dried ones. They’re a great way to add that wild mushroom goodness when all you have is a pack of Costco creminis. That said, this recipe works beautifully even without any dried mushrooms at all. Simply omit that ingredient and you’ll be fine.

I’m addicted to mushrooms and always looking for fun ways to incorporate them into our diets. This paté has become one of my go-to recipes in recent years. Filled with the best umami and healthiest ingredients, it comes together quickly in a food processor and is another crowdpleaser.

Rich, vegan, and gluten-free—who can say no? Plus, the earthy flavor here is perfect for autumn and winter feasts. I’ll be serving this one at our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables!

Ingredients

About 4 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound mixed fresh mushrooms, chopped (cremini, maitake, oyster, enoki, chanterelle, trumpet, porcini , cinnamon cap…whatever you can find!)
1/2 ounce dried mixed wild mushrooms (optional)
1 cup water
1/2 cup walnuts (or more if you’d like, because really, I measure nothing)
2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (sage, rosemary, and thyme)
⅓ cup red wine
1-2 T balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Truffle oil (optional)
Fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 and set water to boil.

Soak dried mushrooms in one cup boiling water for 25 minutes. Once rehydrated, strain, roughly chop, and reserve the liquid for later.

Roast the walnuts on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes. Check often - you’re looking for a nice toasty golden color. (Also, make extras - these warm walnuts fresh from the oven are so satisfying to snack on while you cook!

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for a couple minutes.

Add the fresh mushrooms and a pinch or two of salt and cook over medium low heat for another 10 minutes or so. You’re looking for the onion and mushrooms to become slightly caramelized.

Add the herbs, pepper, salt to taste, and cook for another two to three minutes.

Add about ¼ cup reserved soaking liquid and cook for another five minutes.

Stir the walnuts and two more tablespoons olive oil into the mixture. Transfer to a food processor or Vitamix. Add the optional truffle oil and process until the mixture's texture is to your liking—smooth or chunky :) You can add more olive oil or reserved mushroom water if needed.

Serve at room temperature with crackers, flatbread, veggie sticks, or whatever else you feel like. Top with fresh parsley.

juniper stokes 11/12/21 juniper stokes 11/12/21

The Best Wild Rice Salad

My all-time favorite wild rice salad, filled with seasonal ingredients that honor the Americas and will wow guests at your holiday tables.

Here it is—one of my all-time favorite recipes for the holidays (and anytime, really). This wild rice salad uses seasonal ingredients like winter squash, leeks, and cranberries, but add a surprising twist with fresh basil and rosemary. I found the original recipe for this salad from the talented chef at the HeartBeet Kitchen years ago, and I’ve been making versions of it ever since. Here is my favorite :)

Wild Rice & Winter Squash Salad with Cranberries and Maple Balsamic Vinaigarette

Serves 4 as a main, more as a side.

Ingredients

Dressing:

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced

Salad:

2 ½ cups peeled and finely chopped winter squash (butternut, pumpkin, etc)
2 tablespoons olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
2 bunches very thinly sliced kale (lightly massaged)
1 thinly sliced leek, both white and green parts (or any onion works — add to taste)
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
3 cups cooked wild rice

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss squash with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes, stirring once, until fork tender.

Prepare dressing by pureeing all ingredients with an immersion blender or by vigorously whisking.

In a large bowl, combine kale, leeks, cranberries and basil. Stir in warm rice and squash so that spinach wilts slightly from the heat. Stir dressing into salad; taste and adjust salt level if needed. Serve at room temperature.

juniper stokes 11/10/21 juniper stokes 11/10/21

Magical Bread Rolls with Pumpkin & Buckwheat

Vegan, gluten-free bread rolls - endlessly customizable and so good for you!

The bread rolls are magical. Really—they are endlessly customizable, filled with fiber and protein, the perfect way to use up veggies, and absolutely delicious. Plus they’re no-rise, gluten-free, vegan, and still have a wonderful texture.

The secret? Psyllium husk. Yup—this fiber-rich plant provides the perfect binder for the buns. Whip in lots of air bubbles while the psyllium-liquid mix is setting, and you’ll end up with fabulous balls of goodness.

Since these are no-rise and the psyllium husk is such a great binder, you have a lot of room to experiment with flours in this recipe. I always use at least some buckwheat flour, as it gives these buns an extra rich flavor, but I go crazy with the full mix—almond, chickpea, rice, coconut, cashew, sorghum, quinoa, cassava, oat, and amaranth have all made the mix at some point.

When selecting flours, I like to go for a good mix of high-fiber (like oat and sorghum) and high-protein (like chickpea and quinoa), with at least one nut (usually almond). But really, you could use a single flour, a gluten-free flour blend, wheat flour if you’re not gluten-free, or a little bit of everything*. These just work!

*I only make adjustments for coconut flour. It’s so absorptive that an extra fourth cup liquid can help.

Beyond the flour, the rest of this recipe is pretty flexible as well. Mix in wild greens (I made these with nettle puree in the spring), add spices (they’re amazing with sundried tomatoes, chopped olives, and red onions), stir in a cup of quick oats or nutritional yeast, or even swap out the squash puree with another veggie or fruit -- shredded zucchini, apple puree, mashed bananas...as long as the end texture is similar, you can get wildly creative with the “magical” buns.

Magical Bread Rolls

Makes about 18 rolls

Ingredients

3 tbsp psyllium seed husks
1 cup lukewarm water or plant milk
1.5 cups pumpkin or winter squash puree
4 tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 tsp sea salt
4 cups mixed flour

Directions

Set the oven to 375°F.

Add psyllium, water/plant milk, and squash puree in a large bowl. Stir to combine and leave for about 15 minutes to thicken. Then beat the psyllium gel vigorously—your hand and a wooden spoon is fine—to get as much air as possible into the gel.

Add salt and 2T oil and whisk for another minute or until all is combined.

Fold in the flour. I find that I need to use my hands and get messy to work the flour into a dough.

Roll the dough into 18 or more equal pieces (or 12 big ones, 24 little guys…whatever!) Dip your hands in warm water to avoid the dough sticking to them.

Brush with the remaining olive oil (optional but tasty) and bake for about 45-60 minutes (depending on the size of the buns and your oven). They are ready when the crust is just turning golden and firm and the inside sounds hollow when you knock on the bread. If they have a soft crust, they need more time.

Important—let these cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing them open—they’ll continue to cook inside, and if you open them too soon they could be a bit mushy.

Enjoy!

Me with my harvest of the giant lunga di napoli squash toddlers.

Slicing open the smallest of the bunch — still got enough to fill 8 gallon-size freezer bags!

Want to grow your own giant squash? I’ll include a few seeds with any purchase from my shop — just send me a note a checkout! (While supplies last, of course.)

juniper stokes 11/6/21 juniper stokes 11/6/21

Pumpkin White Bean Dip

A deliciously festive seasonal appetizer using long-lasting produce and pantry staples. Vegan, gluten free.

Pumpkin White Bean Dip

Last year, when trips to the store were few in between and shelves were bordering on bare, I got really creative with my cooking—using every little thing in our pantry, paired with wild greens and garden produce to avoid any unnecessary trip to the store.

I’ll admit, I do have a very well-stocked pantry. The kitchen is my happy place and enjoying the flavors of the world is one of my favorite ways to take pleasure in this human body.

So, with pumpkin from our garden, white beans from the pantry, and my plethora of spices, this recipe was born. It’s absolutely delicious—celebratory, seasonal spices meet with sweet pumpkin puree and tender white beans to create an autumn dip more than worthy of your Thanksgiving tables.

Ingredients*

*I’m not much for measuring or following recipes, so please adjust these guestimates to taste!

About 2 cups cooked white beans (or a can, rinsed)
2/3 cup pureed pumpkin or another winter squash
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice to taste
2 Tbsp tahini
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 big pinch nutmeg
1 big pinch cinnamon
1 pinch cayenne pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions

Rinse and drain white beans. Add everything to a food processor and purée until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.

Serve with veggie sticks and crackers. Top with fresh cilantro for a festive touch.

Adapted from Minimalist Baker’s White Bean Pumpkin Hummus

juniper stokes 2/6/21 juniper stokes 2/6/21

Aphrodisiacs - essential oils, flower essences, and crystals

Aphrodisiacs, named for one of my patron goddesses, the great Aphrodite, enhance sexual desire and pleasure. Some work by helping us relax, while others rev us up. The following are just a few of the many aphrodisiacs you might like to incorporate into your Valentine’s Day ritual.

Crystals

Place some crystals in your bath water to absorb their essences. Place the rest around the ledges of your bath and on your bath tray. You can also add crystal essences directly to your bath water.

Rose Quartz — to open your heart and enhance feelings of love
Garnet — for passion and physical connection
Carnelian — for a healthy sacral chakra and creative expression
Moonstone — for tuning into your natural cycles and enhancing connection and passion
Lapis Lazuli — for enhancing love on a spiritual level
Green Aventurine — for luck in lasting love
Amber — for spontaneous, passionate encounters

Flower Essences

Add 2-3 drops of desired essences to your bath.

All Lilies — for connecting with the divine feminine, healthy sexual energy and expression
Rose — for romantic love and an open heart
Basil — to integrate sexual and spiritual energy
Bleeding Heart — to feel unconditional love
Hibiscus — to enhance sexuality and connection with the body
Pomegranate — for joyful feminine expression

Essential Oils

Add about 6 drops of essential oils to either a bit of oil or bath salts first, and add this blend to your bath once it’s fully run.

Floral essential oils open us to love on spiritual levels and enhance romantic, sexy moods. Warming and spicy essential oils can increase circulation and energy. And citrus scents add joy, ease, and playfulness.

Rose — enhances love and supports a balanced loving heart
Jasmine and Ylang Ylang— seductive, sexy flowers with a special affinity for the sacral chakra
Patchouli — this earthy, musky scent grounds us into our sensual natures
Black Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, and Coriander — these spices can help spice up your sex life
Sweet Orange — adds some playful joy
Myrtle — sacred to Aphrodite, myrtle enhances true love and increases physical pleasure
Lavender — melt away tension
Sandalwood — has an affinity for the sexual centers
Vanilla — warm, playful, and edible

Recipes

These above all go together beautifully—feel free to mix and match anything from these lists. Or, try one of the following magical blends. Each blend can be added to a mist, diffuser, bath, or body oi:

An Erotic Blend — 2 drops jasmine, 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops sweet orange, 1 drop garnet essence, 1 drop amber essence, 1 drop basil essence

A Sensual Blend — 2 drops rose, 3 drops patchouli, 1 drop ginger, 1 drop moonstone essence, 1 drop lily essence

A Loving Heart Blend — 1 drop rose, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop rose essence, 1 drop bleeding heart essence, 1 drop rose quartz essence

A Balancing Blend — 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 1 drop moonstone

A Spicy Blend — 1 drops cardamom, 1 drop vanilla, 2 drops rose, 2 drops patchouli, 1 drop amber essence, 1 drop hibiscus

A Stress Relief Blend — 3 drops grapefruit, 2 drops ginger, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop pomegranate, 1 drop green aventurine

juniper stokes 5/28/20 juniper stokes 5/28/20

8 Essential Oils to Kickstart Your Next Creative Project + 3 Aroma-Rituals

Tune into your inner muse and break through creative blocks with aromatherapy. Plus discover three potent rituals and recipes to support your creative projects.

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Warmer weather and sunny days are finally upon us, and I’ve been feeling a big shift in energy lately—from the dormant and reflective energy of winter to the fertile and creative energy of spring and summer. The Earth is waking up, and so am I.

It’s only natural for us humans to join our animal friends in coming out of hibernation at this time of year, and I’m guessing that many of you are feeling the impulse to begin new projects, express yourself creatively, and bring a bit more celebration into your lives.

Here’s the thing—feeling the creative impulse and acting on it are two different things.

Maybe you’re flooded with ideas but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you feel out of practice or intimidated after a winter of rest. Or maybe you just want a creative boost.

If you’re ready to ignite your creative spark this season, aromatherapy can help release blocks, increase inspiration, and motivate creative action.

Essential Oils for Creativity

Floral essential oils and absolutes are wonderful for creative expression. Many floral oils have an affinity for the sacral chakra. As blossoms open to warm weather, these oils help our creative centers open to inspiration.

Neroli—Relieves anxiety around creating while deepening our connection with our higher selves . . . even Leonardo da Vinci is said to have breathed in the perfume of neroli while he worked.

Ylang Ylang—Brings us directly into our creative centers with its seductive fragrance. Especially useful for sensual creations—culinary endeavors, body products, and natural perfumes.

Geranium—Eases perfectionistic tendencies, irritability, and frustration. This is the oil you want to help move through resistance to creative action.

Rose—Opens the heart center, allowing us to trust and love with abandon. Use rose to merge the love in your heart with your creative impulses—a powerful combination.

Jasmine—Shares a joyful energy that removes inhibitions and increases self-confidence, allowing you to more fully invest in your creative expression.

In addition to the florals, citruses and spices can also enhance our creative works:

Patchouli—Another wonderful oil for connecting us to our sensual, creative selves. Patchouli also introduces an earthy element into the creative process, helping us ground our inspiration in physical form.

Sweet Orange—Orange is the color of creativity, and sweet orange carries this resonance perfectly. Plus, as a citrus, it uplifts us as we work, reminding us to take joy in the creative process.

Ginger—Energizing and warming, ginger is perfect for those who have a creative vision but lack the motivation to see it through. Ginger essential oil helps us take optimistic action in our creative work.

These are only a few of the many essential oils that can assist us with releasing our creative energy this season. Let your own creative impulses guide you to the perfect oils and blends for your unique creative spirit!

Aroma-Rituals

Heart-Centered Ritual

Add three drops sweet orange, two drops patchouli, and one drop rose to an essential oil diffuser. Run the diffuser throughout this entire process.
Take a meditative seat and breathe deeply until you feel centered in your body.
Bring awareness to your root chakra. Affirm, I am grounded and supported by the earth.
Bring awareness to your sacral chakra. Affirm, I joyfully allow the creative impulses within to flow into form.
Bring awareness to your heart chakra. Affirm, With an open heart, I infuse my creations with love.
Continue to diffuse these oils throughout your creative session.

Ritual to Break through Blocks

To a 1oz glass spray bottle, add: 2 drops ginger, 2 drops geranium, and 2 drops neroli. Fill the rest of the bottle with spring water.
Shake and mist yourself and your space.
Speak these words as you mist: I call upon the benevolent spirits of ginger, geranium, and neroli. May these plant guides clear any fears I have around expressing my creative truth. I gratefully receive their blessings of creative inspiration and motivation.

Magical Paint Water

Take a meditative seat and breathe deeply until you feel centered in your body.
Ask your intuition, Which essential oil or oils wish to support my creative process today?
Allow the answers to arise. Trust what you receive.
Fill your painting water vessel and add 2-3 drops of your oils.
Whisper an intention for your painting into the oil-infused water—perhaps May this work of art carry the essence of divine love or May the truth in my soul take form in this painting.
Use this magical water throughout your painting process, recharging with oils and intentions as needed.

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juniper stokes 5/6/20 juniper stokes 5/6/20

Dandelion Magic: Wild Spring Greens & Tarragon Pesto (Plus a Bonus Healing Herbal Salve Recipe)

The beauty of wild spring greens and dandelion—plus a spring tarragon pesto and herbal healing salve recipe.

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My “lawn” would make many a homeowner cringe. But every time I step outside and say hello to all my botanical friends, I’m filled with so much gratitude and joy.

I see a field of yellow, purple, and green. I see buzzy bees and fertile soil. I see such a happy yard that even lettuce and arugula from last year’s garden are sprouting up next to mallow and mustard. I see a small patch of chickweed thriving under my blue spruce. I see my sweet woodruff blooming just in time for Beltaine’s Maywine. I see emerging violets that will add a pop of color to my spring salads.

Spring greens emerge after each winter’s slumber with offerings of fresh vitamins and minerals. Their bitter green medicine helps reset our digestion after the heavy foods of winter.

This year, I’ve felt even more grateful for the fresh greens that have been emerging in my yard since early March. With a growing pandemic and shelter-in-place orders—and a pantry full of beans—I’ve been able to avoid unnecessary trips to the store and thrive on wild greens.

Even if you don’t have a yard, many of these plants grow in disturbed areas, cracks in the sidewalk, parks, trails, and alleyways...just be mindful of pollution and pesticides.

If you’re new to foraging, triple check your identification and do your research on the location for safety and sustainability. There is a ton of info on this online—please be responsible!

Dandelion Magic

I love dandelions. Not only are they one of the first sources of pollen of the year for our beloved bees, they provide us with both food and medicine. The entire plant is a gift.

Allowing dandelions to spread in your lawns is actually beneficial to the soil health. Their deep roots prevent erosion and draw nutrients to the surface. Their leaves shade the soil so more microbes can flourish. And their sunny blossoms attract pollinators that benefit the entire garden.

Medicinally, dandelion is a great lymph mover, liver cleanser, and supports digestion with its prebiotic roots and bitter greens. The flowers are also wonderful for the skin and contain pain-relieving properties.

As a food, dandelion gives us a power-packed dose of minerals and vitamins—including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, folate, manganese, and Vitamins C, A, E, K, and B6.

Energetically, dandelion offers us the gift of resilience. No amount of pavement can stop these spring beauties. No matter how depleted the soil, dandelion can help restore health. Dandelion’s sunny countenance connects us with the healing energy of the sun, which can support us in letting go of behaviors and thoughts that no longer serve us as we come more fully into the present moment.

Embrace the healing gifts of dandelion with these recipes for the whole plant.

DANDELION ROOT

Dandelion Root is a tonic herb that supports our liver and digestion. Harvest the roots in the fall and use them as any root vegetable in soups and stir fries. They also make a wonderful tincture.

Perhaps the best known use of dandelion root is for herbal coffee—gather, clean, chop, and roast. Then brew for a rich coffee substitute. If you do well with a bit of daily dandelion, you can add 1 part roasted dandelion root to the recipe found here.

Note on the coffee: The root is so incredibly cleansing that my body prefers to have it only on occasion rather than daily, but many people seem to do well with a daily dose. Listen to your own body :)

DANDELION LEAVES

The leaves of dandelion are nutritive and bitter, making them a healthy food that supports digestion...and is free! Plus, they’re wonderful for nursing mothers.

Greens are less bitter in the spring and can easily be substituted for any green in a recipe, cooked or raw. Here is one of my new favorites, just created this spring ;)

Spring Green, Tarragon, and Walnut Pesto
vegan, gluten-free

This versatile green sauce is packed with nutrients and wild food goodness. Though it doesn’t look like much tarragon, the flavor is just right. I used a wild greens infused ACV for even more wild goodness.

Ingredients

2 cups loosely packed spring greens (dandelion, blue mustard, chickweed, etc)
¾ cup walnuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
2 cloves garlic (more or less depending on how garlicky you want to go)
2 tablespoons capers
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon ACV
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until pesto-like texture is achieved.

Serve over pasta, on flatbread, in salad dressings, or with roasted vegetables.

I served this with a spaghetti squash primavera topped with Rancho Gordo Christmas lima beans and it was absolutely divine.

DANDELION FLOWERS

Another edible part of the plant, dandelion flowers are great for the skin and have pain-relieving properties—plus they make a lovely flower essence.

Dandelion Salve

Begin by infusing freshly wilted dandelion blossoms in oil. Any type of oil will do—jojoba, sunflower, sweet almond, coconut, olive...use what you have.

Place the dandelion flowers in a mason jar. I like to allow them to wilt just a bit—this gives little bugs a chance to escape and takes out a bit of the water content. Then, cover in a mason jar with oil and let sit in a dark place for a week or two. No need to take off the green bits or measure precisely—this is folk medicine :)

After about two weeks, strain the flowers from your oil using a cheesecloth or other fine strainer.

Here’s the general ingredient ratio for the salve:
You can adjust this based on how much oil you’ve made.

¼ cup (2oz) oil
1T beeswax or a vegan wax alternative
30-40 drops essential oils (optional)

To make the salve:

Heat the oil and wax in a double broiler.
Stir until the wax is totally dissolved and remove from heat.
Quickly stir in the essential oils.
Pour into containers.

If you’re making a skin salve, essential oils such as immortelle, carrot seed, and rose are lovely. If your salve is for pain, try peppermint, basil, and lavender.

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juniper stokes 4/22/20 juniper stokes 4/22/20

How to Boost Your Immune System with Essential Oils

Seven fun ways to boost your immune system with essential oils and aromatherapy.

Remember to check out my comprehensive list of immune-boosting essential oils.

How to Use Essential Oils for Respiratory Health and Immune Support

Diffusers

Make your own anti-infectious diffuser blend to get rid of airborne microbes. If the room is well-ventilated, feel free to enjoy the aromas. But, the germ-killing works best if done in a closed room for a few hours. You do not want to be in this closed room during the diffusion—and you really don’t want kids or pets in the room. Instead, let the room air out a bit before returning to it.

Sprays

Sprays can have a similar effect as diffusers, but you can be more targeted in where you use them. I love to mist myself, my sheets, and my man (hehe) often. Sprays are also great for the shower: As soon as your shower starts, mist the entire area with your spray and enjoy the steamy aromas.

Pro Tip: Spray the inside of your mask before you go out in public! Remember the masks from the Black Death? Well, those beaks were full of herbs and spices. You can make yourself an updated version with a homemade mask and essential oil spray.

Inhalers

Reusable personal inhalers with cotton wicks are easy to find online. These are a great way to support your nasal passages and avoid germs on the go, especially if those around you are sensitive to smell.

Steams

Add about 6 drops of essential oils to a bowl of hot water. Close your eyes, place a towel over your head and the bowl, and continue to deeply inhale for as long as you can. Once the water cools, you can stop.

Important! I’m not kidding about closing your eyes! The steam/EO combo can really sting.

Massage Oils and Lotions

Add about 6 drops of EOs to 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (even olive oil will work) to make a massage oil, or use the same ratio with an unscented lotion. Massage into your chest, neck, temples, or sinuses as needed. (Be careful with getting the oils close to your eyes though—even if they don’t get in your eyes, God forbid, stronger oils can still sting a bit.)

Salves & Rubs

Make your own natural version of a vapor rub with essential oils and even menthol crystals. You can easily find instructions online, and I’ll be posting more salve recipes in the future.

Baths

There’s nothing like a steamy bath for a congested, achy body. Most of the oils listed here also soothe joints and muscles, so get the steamy soothing going with a hot bath. Mix 6-8 drops essential oils with either a bit of oil or bath salts. Then add to the bath after you’ve finished running it for max therapeutic qualities.

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juniper stokes 4/22/20 juniper stokes 4/22/20

Essential Oils for Respiratory Health

Essential oils have powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties—plus many of them open the lungs and soothe coughs. Learn to use aromatherapy to support you and your family during cold and flu season.

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Support for respiratory health is on a lot of our minds these days, and essential oils have many benefits when it comes to keeping our airways open, clear, and soothed—not to mention their antiviral and antibacterial properties!

Take a look at some of my favorite EOs for respiratory health—and then experiment with the many ways to use them at the end of this article :)

The Trees

You might have heard people say that “trees are the lungs of the earth”. It really is true. Trees breathe, and we are able to breathe because of trees.

It makes sense then that tree essential oils tend to be extremely supportive for our lungs. They open our airways, clear congestion, soothe coughs and inflammation.

Plus, all the trees have potent antimicrobial qualities, meaning they’re helpful in preventing both bacterial and viral infections, especially airborne ones.

Energetically, trees are both grounding and revitalizing, and they help strengthen our connection with spirit.

The following trees are all amazing when it comes to the respiratory system—you really can’t go wrong. I’ve included a few energetic components for each to support your blending.

Knowing that each of these oils will support your lungs, which energetic qualities do you also want to include?

Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) — grounding and emotionally healing
Pine (Pinus sylvestris) — helps with the circulation of both our physical and energy bodies
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) — supports us during times of transition and grief
Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) — a long history of purification and protection
Spruce (Picea mariana) — revitalizes your sense of self during times of confusion
Fir (Abies sibirica) — comforting and soothing to us energetically, lifts our spirits
Larch Tamarack (Larix laricina) — supportive during challenging times and big change

1,8 cineole essential oils

Essential oils high in 1,8 cineole are wonderful choices for cold and flu. Why? 1,8 cineole is a compound known for its antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and mucolytic properties—aka, it’s amazing for both preventing and soothing colds and coughs. As a bonus, 1,8 cineole rich essential oils tend to also be good for muscle tension and headaches.

Just be careful with these oils—many of them are too strong to use around children, babies, or those with compromised systems.

Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus and radiata) Hands down, eucalyptus is my favorite 1,8 cineole oil when it comes to airway and sinus support (and yes, it’s a tree, too). It’s especially good for loosening mucus and congestion. Eucalyptus is also a very uplifting oil—a quality we could all use a bit more of these days.

Other essential oils high in 1,8 cineole include:

Saro (Cinnamosma fragrans)
Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora ct 1,8 cineole)
Helichrysum (Helichrysum gymnocephalum)
Laurel Leaf (Laurus nobilis)
Niaouli ct 1,8 cineole (Melaleuca quinquenervia ct 1,8 cineole)
Hyssop ct 1-8-cineole (Hyssopus officinalis var decumbens)
Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron var. Cajuputi)
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Rosemary ct Camphor (Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor)
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Citrus Essential Oils

All citruses have both antimicrobial properties and uplift the spirits. Pick your favorite and add it to any blend for a boost of healing sunshine.

A few of my favorite citrus oils are:

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
Yuzu (Citrus junos)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Rhododendron (Rhododendron anthopogon)

Rhododendron is a beautiful oil, usually from Nepal. It’s both supportive for the lungs, especially with congestion, and the adrenals, making it a good choice when a lot of stress is involved with the sickness.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree can support lung health, but it’s even better known for being an antimicrobial power house. Tea tree is a great oil to add to blends when you suspect an infection is present.

Fragonia (Agonis fragrans)

Fragonia supports the breath while also carrying the antimicrobial benefits of tea tree. It’s a great oil for breaking through energetic blocks, as well.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Of course peppermint makes the list! You probably know that menthol vapor rub smell . . . well, peppermint is the original source, with peppermint essential oil containing roughly 40% menthol!

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender not only boosts the immune system, but it’s also anti-inflammatory and incredibly soothing, making it a nice addition to any steam inhalation. Plus, lavender can bring the calm you need when you’ve been sick and support better sleep.

Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Germs do not stand a chance when cinnamon leaf is around. As one of the most anti-infectious essential oils we have, I’m never without some cinnamon on hand.

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How to Use Respiratory Supporting Essential Oils

First, be sure to check out my top 7 ways to use essential oils here. Using even one oil from this list will work :) But if you want to Then get creative wit your blending, here are a few tips to get you started:

Start with using just 3 oils for your blend. 3 is a magic number when it comes to blending—you’ll get a perfect synergy of benefits without a chaotic aroma.
Use what you already have. Each tree oil will have similar benefits, as will the citruses and many of the others on the list. There’s no need to rush out and get something new and exotic.
Choose a different oil from each category. Start with one tree, one citrus, and one 1,8 cineole-rich oil to start.

Need recipe inspiration? I share many recipes on my Instagram and Facebook accounts—be sure to follow and try them yourself!

You might also like:

juniper stokes 3/16/20 juniper stokes 3/16/20

Simple Tricks to Add More Health-Boosting Herbs into Your Daily Routine

I think most of us are facing the first truly global pandemic of our lifetimes. This can feel scary, and it’s so new that we don’t really know what will work or not. But, we can take general actions to boost our immune systems and fortify ourselves for the times to come. Here, I’m sharing a bit of my personal daily daily routine for wellness with herbs.

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We have so many herbal allies when it comes to our health, and I’ll be sure to share many more tips and recipes—especially for when you’re not just preventing sickness but actually feeling ill.

For now though, here are some easy ways to add healing herbs and foods into your daily routine:

Herbal Teas for wellness

The magic of herbal teas is endless—so drink a variety of tea and drink it often. Anxiety is on the rise and we know stress lowers the immune system, so here’s a family-friendly relaxing tea to support your overall well-being.

Rest & Relax Tea

Mix together equal parts:

lemon balm
passionflower
skullcap
spearmint
chamomile

Steep about 2 tsp mixed herbs per 6 oz hot water.

Medicinal Mushrooms for Immune Boosting

Medicinal mushrooms such as turkey tail, chaga, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane are known to do everything from prevent cancer to boost your immune system. If getting more exotic sounding mushrooms into your diet seems like a challenge, check out some of these super easy tips:

Sprinkle some medicinal mushroom powder into your smoothies, salad dressings, and soups.
Make a medicinal seasoning salt by mixing together mushroom powder, dulse (a nutritious seaweed), and pink Himalayan sea salt.
Add medicinal mushrooms to your morning coffee—I love chaga and reishi for this—or make an herbal coffee blend. Here’s one of my personal recipes:

Note: Many people like to add roasted dandelion root to their coffee blends. This is great once in a while, but not something you want to do daily for extended periods of time, especially if you tend to have a sensitive system.

Ginger for Antiviral Support

According to herbalist Stephen Buhner, fresh ginger (not dried) is a great antiviral, and in my experience, ginger has worked wonders for fighting off illness at the first signs of imbalance.

Try adding fresh ginger to soups, stir fries, and salad dressings (it makes a surprisingly good addition to homemade caesar dressing!). You can also make ginger juice tea for a super potent brew:

Recipe for Ginger Juice Tea

To make: Juice fresh ginger and add hot water, lemon, honey, and cayenne. If you don’t have a juicer, you can blend fresh ginger with water until it’s drinkable. I like to freeze the juice in ice cube trays so I can just add hot water when I need it.

From Bruhner: Have one cup daily as a preventative. If you feel a tickle of something "off", bump up your daily dose to 4-6 cups a day with 3-4oz of ginger per cup. Even if this doesn't completely wipe the illness out, it should slow the spread of the virus in the body and help protect mucous membranes from damage.

Note: This is a medicinal dose of ginger and not recommended for pregnancy. Check with your doctor to see if you have any other contraindications.

Garlic & Onions for Winter Wellness

I once had a shamanic and herbalism teacher who had studied with a Mayan healer for decades. In the paraphrased words of her Mayan teacher, “Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t eat garlic.”

Some fun ways to get more garlic in your diet:

Chimichurri (especially with oregano) and pesto (especially with nutritional yeast instead of parm)
Throw one or two cloves of garlic into homemade salad dressing
Add raw onions to salads and salsas
Make some garlic and herb infused olive oil
Add extra garlic and onions to soups and stir fries
Stock up on fire cider and use it in your salad dressing or anywhere else you need vinegar—there are tons of recipes online

Raw or cooked? Raw garlic has amazing benefits—but you don’t have to eat it raw if you don’t want to. If you’re going to cook your garlic, just mince it and then let it rest. I’ve read everything from 20m to an hour is necessary to retain the key healing benefits, so I try to err on the side of caution.

How to Make Healing Broths

Nothing feels more nourishing than a nutrient-dense, medicinal broth. Plus, staying hydrated is a key part of a healthy immune system. Here are a few of my most used broth bases. Together, they can be adapted for a variety of healthy soups.

Broth Base 1

This mix is wonderful for soups such as minestrone, lentil soups, ribolita, and other Italian-style or bean soups.

Sauté your aromatics in olive oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.
Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic.
Add ½ cup mixed dried herbs—rosemary, oregano, and thyme have antiviral properties, so if you go for a good Mediterranean seasoning blend, you should be covered.
If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.
Add 4-6 cups water and bring to a boil.
While water is coming to a boil, add
- 3 slices astragalus
- 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)
- ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)
- ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)
- A few bay leaves
Stir in lentils or precooked beans, if using, or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.
Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.
Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves
Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just another 5 minutes.
Enjoy :)

Broth Base 2

This soup base is fantastic for curries!

Sauté your aromatics in coconut oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.
Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic.
Add as much minced ginger as you can handle.
Add ¼ - ½ cup good curry powder. If your curry doesn't have a lot of turmeric, add another tablespoon of that.
If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.
Add 3-4 cups water and bring to a boil.
While water is coming to a boil, add
- 3 slices astragalus
- 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)
- ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)
- ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)
- A few bay leaves
Stir in lentils or precooked beans, if using, or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.
Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.
Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves
Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just other 5 minutes.
Stir in 1-2 cans coconut milk (optional).
Enjoy :)

Broth Base 3

My favorite for chili! And any Southwest or Mexican style soups :)

Sauté your aromatics in olive oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.
Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic.
Add ¼ cup chili powder, ¼ cup oregano, and 1 tablespoon cumin. You can add turmeric to taste for an extra boost.
If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.
Add 4-6 cups water and bring to a boil.
While water is coming to a boil, add
- 3 slices astragalus
- 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)
- ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)
- ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)
- A few bay leaves
Stir in precooked beans, if using, or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.
Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.
Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves
Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just another 5 minutes.
Enjoy :)

These bases can also be strained to make a pure broth for sipping or freezing.

Happy healthy eating and drinking! Be sure to subscribe for more healing recipes.

juniper stokes 2/11/20 juniper stokes 2/11/20

Love & Libido—Rituals and Recipes for Valentine’s Day

Rituals, recipes, and aphrodisiacs to enhance love and sensual pleasure this Valentines Day.

Look. I get it. When you’re single, Valentine’s Day can feel like a sucky reminder of your “I’m going to be alone forever” status. And even when you’re in a relationship, the pressure to have a ridiculously romantic evening can seem more stressful than fun. And that’s not even going into the somewhat dark origins of Valentine's Day . . .

Still, Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Even when I was single (and let me tell you, I was pretty consistently single for most of my adulthood), I would treat myself to flowers and dark chocolate, take long and luxurious baths, and practice gratitude for all the ways love already showed up in my life.

LOVE in all its forms is an expression of divinity we can all use more of. And SENSUAL PLEASURE is one my favorite perks for coming into a human body. For me, Valentine’s Day is both a reminder and an excuse to fully indulge in some love-and-libido-centric alchemy.

Whether you’re looking forward to an evening with your honey or feel suuuper single right now, intentionally tending to your own sensuality and heart helps shift your vibration so you can experience and attract more love and pleasure into your life.

Read on for a sensual self-care ritual and some easy DIY aphrodisiac recipes . . .

sacred Self care Ritual for valentine’s day

I love to spend a few hours dedicated to sensual self care on Valentine’s Day, but I know that taking this much time out of your day isn’t always an option. As always, pick and choose the parts of this ritual that resonate, and feel free to drop or change anything that doesn’t :)

Part 1: Movement

Sensuality is all about being in your body, and what better way to get in touch with your physical body than through movement? There’s no wrong way to do this part - go with what feels right to you. A few of my favorite ideas:

Dance — Whether you’re going old school romantic with some Marvin Gaye or D’Angelo or rocking out to your favorite dance tracks, take some time to feel the joy of being in a body that can groove.
Yoga — Try a heart-opening or hip-opening sequence depending on your mood ;) Or check out this one-hour yin yoga for libido session.
Workout — Get your heart pumping however you want. You’ll sweat out toxins, boost serotonin, and feel extra confident, which is essential for showing up with your full, embodied, sensual self.

Part 2: A Ritual Bath

I love to treat myself to full at-home spa sessions for special occasions. When you really take the time for this type of sacred indulgence, you send yourself the message that you’re worthy of pleasure and love—especially self-love. Incorporate some aphrodisiac ingredients and you’ll be ready for whatever the night brings ;)

My self care spa session involves a ritual bath, a full facial, and a short meditation. Here are some basic instructions for a ritual bath . . .

10 Steps for a Perfect Ritual Bath

Step 1 — Put on music to enhance whatever mood you want to create
Step 2 — Run a hot bath. Turn on the water as hot as it will go and seal your bathroom. This creates a nice steamy atmosphere. The water will cool while you complete the other steps, and you can add some cold water right when you get in, if needed.
- Tip — The spirit of water is alive and powerful. Give thanks to the spirit of water as you run your bath and ask it to support you in whatever intentions you hold--cleanse and release blocks to love, for example, or receive a blessing from the divine feminine.
Step 3 — Add bath salts. I like a cup each of sea salt and Epsom salt. If you’re using an herbal sachet or milk bath, now is a good time to add that, too.
Step 4 — Select crystals and flowers to adorn your bath. Add crystals to both the water and decorate whatever surface areas are available. Fresh flowers and petals are wonderful to float in the water, though dried are lovely as well.
- Tip — Add a touch of luxury with a bath pillow and bamboo tray. I have this pillow and this tray.
Step 5 — Light candles. You obviously need candles.
Step 6 — Prepare your beverage of choice—an infusion of aphrodisiac herbs, a glass of your favorite wine, or sparkling water with bitters and berries.
- Tip — Remember to also have a giant glass of water nearby and DRINK THE ENTIRE GLASS during your bath. You will be hot and sweating in this bath, and I don’t want anyone getting dizzy or passing out.
Step 7 — Add essential oils, along with flower and crystal essences. Essential oils are very volatile, so in order to receive the most benefit from them, it’s best to add them right before you get in. Since they don’t dissolve in water, you’ll want to mix them into a bit of oil, milk (coconut milk is great), or more bath salts before you add them--otherwise they’ll float in blobs and potentially burn your skin. For real.
- Tip — Use about 6 drops of essential oils per bath. A list of aphrodisiac essential oils follows ;)
Step 8 — Dry brush. Start from your extremities and work your way towards your heart. Dry brushing exfoliates your skin and encourages lymph flow, so if you have a brush and the time, this is a great addition to a spa session.
Step 9 — Enjoy that bath. Grab your favorite book and beverage, make sure your music is still going, and relax. Meditate and ask for a blessing from sex-love-romance deity such as Aphrodite, Bastet, Oshun, or Freya. Let your mind drift, treat yourself to a body scrub, and allow gratitude to infuse your every cell.
- Tip — Shallow tub? Soak a washcloth in the hot water and place it on your chest.
Step 10 — When you’re ready, drain the bathtub, wash your hair, and move on to whatever body oils, facial materials, and other self care you have planned.

Part 3: A Love Note

For the final part of my Valentine’s Day ritual, I like to draw a card to receive a message about love in my life. Get your favorite deck, center yourself, and ask, “What message would be most beneficial for me to receive regarding . . .

Creating more romance in my life
Calling in the perfect partner for me
My love life in general
How I can express more love in my everyday life
My current relationship
How I can increase self-love
A loving note from the universe
Or wisdom from the goddess you connected with during your bath

Allow this message to fully absorb into your being, and enjoy the rest of your Valentine’s Day.

Aphrodisiacs for Ritual Love

Crystals

Place some crystals in your bath water to absorb their essences. Place the rest around the ledges of your bath and on your bath tray. You can also add crystal essences directly to your bath water.

Rose Quartz — to open your heart and enhance feelings of love
Garnet — for passion and physical connection
Carnelian — for a healthy sacral chakra and creative expression
Moonstone — for tuning into your natural cycles and enhancing connection and passion
Lapis Lazuli — for enhancing love on a spiritual level
Green Aventurine — for luck in lasting love
Amber — for spontaneous, passionate encounters

Flower Essences

Add 2-3 drops of desired essences to your bath.

All Lilies — for connecting with the divine feminine, healthy sexual energy and expression
Rose — for romantic love and an open heart
Basil — to integrate sexual and spiritual energy
Bleeding Heart — to feel unconditional love
Hibiscus — to enhance sexuality and connection with the body
Pomegranate — for joyful feminine expression

Essential Oils

Add about 6 drops of essential oils to either a bit of oil or bath salts first, and add this blend to your bath once it’s fully run.

Rose — enhances love and supports a balanced loving heart
Jasmine and Ylang Ylang— seductive, sexy flowers with a special affinity for the sacral chakra
Patchouli — this earthy, musky scent grounds us into our sensual natures
Black Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, and Coriander — these spices can help spice up your sex life
Sweet Orange — adds some playful joy
Myrtle — sacred to Aphrodite, myrtle enhances true love and increases physical pleasure
Lavender — melt away tension
Sandalwood — has an affinity for the sexual centers
Vanilla — warm, playful, and edible

These scents all go together beautifully—feel free to mix and match anything from this list to create a Ritual Bath that’s just right for you. Or, try one of the following blends…

Aromatherapy Recipes for Aphrodesiacs

An Erotic Blend — 2 drops jasmine, 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops sweet orange

A Sensual Blend — 2 drops rose, 3 drops patchouli, 1 drop ginger

A Loving Heart Blend — 1 drop rose, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot

A Balancing Blend — 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium

A Spicy Blend — 2 drops cardamom, 1 drop vanilla, 1 drop rose, 1 drop patchouli

A Stress Relief Blend — 3 drops grapefruit, 2 drops ginger, 1 drop ylang ylang

Bonus

Make a sensual body oil to go with your bath.
Add 6 drops of your essential oil blend to 1oz (about 6 tsp) carrier oil. Good carrier oils for a massage oil are jojoba, sweet almond, and apricot kernel. But just about anything in your kitchen will work—no doubt the Greek Goddess Aphrodite anointed herself with good old olive oil ;)

May your Valentine’s Day bring you love and pleasure!

juniper stokes 6/28/19 juniper stokes 6/28/19

A DIY Essential Oil Travel Kit

Get ready for summer travel with a DIY essential oil travel kit! My top 3 essential oils for travel—plus easy aromatherapy recipes.

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I consider myself to be a pretty well-seasoned traveler, with nearly 40 countries and 6 continents under my belt. Over the years, I’ve refined my packing list, and I’m sharing my aromatherapy secrets here!

In order to cover as much as possible and still pack light for travel, you need multi-taskers! I’ve chosen 3 multi-tasking essential oils that just about have you covered for the following travel issues…can you guess what they are?

Boosting your immune system
A disinfectant
Cuts, scrapes, and bites
Rashes, bruises, and sunburns
Sore muscles and poor circulation
Headaches
Anxiety, stress, and insomnia
PMS & jet lag, depending on the circumstances
Insect repellent
Digestive issues
Smelling good and feeling good ;)

Read on for my top three essential oils—plus recipes!

Before we begin, important notes on safety:

As a rule, you should never use essential oils “neat”—or undiluted—on your skin. However, the following three oils are generally safe to apply undiluted on occasion—but only in small amounts (think 1 drop), and only for a limited time, and only on adults.
Excessive use of undiluted essential oils—even the generally safe ones here—can lead to sensitization over time. This means that you could be using an oil with no problems for quite awhile, and then one day have a terrible reaction from seemingly out of nowhere. Plus, sensitization lasts. If it happens to you, you’ll have to say goodbye to one of your favorite oils, perhaps permanently.
The following advice is for ADULTS ONLY. Children and animals have very different needs and tolerances. If you’re interested in more child-safe recipes or pet-safe information, let me know in the comments or contact me directly—I’ll see what I can do!

My Top 3 Essential Oils for Travel

When you’re traveling light and your liquid carry-on bag is already stuffed to the brim, you need multi-taskers! Together, the following three oils should have you covered for just about anything you need.

I recommend bringing a 1oz plastic spray bottle and a small bottle of unscented lotion with you. This will give you an easy way to dilute whichever essential oil or oil blend you need on the go.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

This is my number one essential oil for travel. I actually carry a little bottle of tea tree in my purse year round. Why? Tea tree is a mega antibacterial and anti-fungal powerhouse.

Physically, tea tree reduces infections, supports the immune system, and is even useful for the respiratory system.

Emotionally and spiritually, tea tree uplifts the spirits and gives you confidence and strength.

During your travels:

If your skin goes a wee bit crazy during travel, try dabbing a bit of tea tree oil on zits and other trouble spots.
Use tea tree on cuts and scrapes to prevent infection. True story: I was once bitten by a stray cat on an island in Thailand. I immediately put tea tree on the bite and repeated every few hours. No infection emerged and the bite healed quickly!
Stinky shoes? Summer travel means sweaty feet, and sweaty feet can mean stinky shoes . . . which can then lead to stinky car rides and hotel rooms. Add 10 drops tea tree to 1oz water in your spray bottle, and spray the inside of your shoes between each use. (You can also do half tea tree and half lavender for this!)
Sore throat? Need mouthwash on the go? Mix up to 3 drops of tea tree oil in one inch of water for a gargle—just make sure not to swallow and use high quality organic tea tree. Tea tree’s antibacterial properties will kill germs, preventing illness and bad breath. (If you have extra room, there’s a recipe for a mouthwash below.)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is a great all-around essential oil, helping with everything from bruises and scratches to relaxation and de-stressing.

Physically, lavender has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, which make it helpful for sore muscles, bruises, rashes, and other skin irritations. Plus, it’s just about the best essential oil out there for burns. Like tea tree, lavender has antibacterial properties—using lavender and tea tree together creates a powerful synergy for treating infections and wounds.

Emotionally and spiritually, lavender is soothing and harmonizing. It can help with anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia. Plus, it works to harmonize all chakras.

During your travels:

New environments and time zones can make regular sleep difficult. Try dabbing a bit of lavender essential oil on the edges of sheets and pillows to help you calm down, relax, and sleep deeply. You can also mix 6 drops lavender in a 1oz spray bottle and mist your room, the bed, and even your face.
You can also use this mist if travel makes you anxious. Close your eyes, mist your face, and inhale deeply as needed.
Lavender is great for sore muscles, bruises, and other skin irritations. Mix 1 drop lavender into a generous amount of lotion and massage into your skin. (I love a bringing healing balm made of lavender and tea tree for this, too).
Too much time in the sun? Lavender is the number one oil for burns. The mist or lotion from above will work, but aloe jelly is even better. Add 10 drops to a 1oz bottle filled with aloe for maximum relief.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

A high-quality peppermint oil is another great addition to your essential oil travel kit, as it helps with loads of jet lag symptoms.

Physically, peppermint increases circulation, eases nausea, and supports the respiratory system.

Emotionally and spiritually, peppermint is energizing, uplifting, and good for mental clarity.

Travel tummy issues? Peppermint soothes the digestive system and can help relieve nausea and flatulence. Try rubbing a bit of peppermint oil onto your belly for almost instant relief (mix 1 drop with a bit of lotion or oil in the palm of your hand).
Swollen ankles and sore muscles from long airplane or car rides? Massage in bit of peppermint lotion for increased circulation and tingly-good relief.
Peppermint’s circulatory effects can also help with headaches. Rub a bit of peppermint lotion into your temples, forehead, and the back of your neck for relief. Just be careful not to get any in your eyes.
When jet lag is giving you brain fog, peppermint comes to the rescue. Simply inhaling from the bottle will give you a good pick-me-up. I also like to rub a bit of peppermint lotion into my feet.
Bug bites are no fun, and I’m terrible with wanting scratch mosquito bites until they’re raw, but dabbing a tiny drop of peppermint oil directly onto a bite can help relieve the itching. I find that if I put one drop of peppermint directly on a mosquito bite as soon as I notice it, and then DO NOT SCRATCH (that part is important!), then the inflammation and redness go down and the itching stops.

The Recipes

Here are a some super simple recipes for when you have the luxury of bringing a few more items in your travel kit . . .

Aromatherapy Sprays

To make each spray, simply combine the ingredients in a 1oz bottle and fill with water. Shake and spray!

Purification Spray

A simple, smell good spray to disinfect whatever needs disinfecting during your travels.

10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
½ tsp vodka or witch hazel

Uses: spray old clothes and inside bags/suitcases to keep clothes fresher longer, mist sheets and use as an air freshener, spray inside smelly shoes, clean up counters and toilet seats

Hand Sanitizer

A natural version to take on-the-go.

6 drops tangerine
6 drops lemon myrtle
6 drops lavender
½ tsp aloe vera
½ tsp vodka

Uses: spritz your hands and rub them together (no need to rinse), also great for wiping down airplane trays

Bug Spray

5 drops citronella
4 drops Egyptian geranium
4 drops lemon eucalyptus
3 drops patchouli
3 drops Virginia cedarwood
2 drops catnip
½ tsp vodka or witch hazel

Uses: pray to prevent but bites as needed (an be used as a disinfectant, too)

Lotions

Here are a few of my favorite multipurpose travel lotions. To make each recipe, fill a 1oz bottle with natural, unscented lotion leaving a bit of space at the top, add the essential oils, and shake vigorously.

Balance Blend

This blend is supportive for jet lag, PMS, and general emotional balancing—plus, it has skin-soothing properties and smells divine.

8 drops lavender
8 drops geranium
8 drops clary sage

Sore Muscles Blend

Another great all around blend, this reduces pain in sore muscles and increases circulation for swollen joints. It also can help relieve headaches when applied to the back of the neck and temples and indigestion when massaged into the stomach. Plus, it can help open the airways when you’ve caught a cold and wake you up when it’s time to get moving.

8 drops cypress
8 drops peppermint
8 drops eucalyptus

Digestive Blend

Massage this into your belly for nausea and digestive support.

5 drops cardamom
5 drops Roman chamomile
5 drops laurel leaf

Mouthwash

Mouthwash Stock Blend

As promised, here’s my mouthwash recipe. To use, add about 2 drops to an inch of water, then swish, gargle, rinse, and try not to swallow. Make sure to buy organic essential oils. Then, fill a 5ml essential oil bottle with:

60 drops tea tree
30 drops myrrh
10 drops clove

Sourcing Your Essential Oils

Wondering where to get started?

There are a lot of great essential oil companies…and some pretty terrible ones. Choosing quality essential oils will be a post of its own. This post has my best tips!

Happy making and happy travels!

Psst — Flower essences are some of my favorite travel companions too! Check out this free guide to learn more about how amazing these little elixirs are :)

You might also like:

juniper stokes 6/4/19 juniper stokes 6/4/19

Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Purée

Perfectly roasted asparagus served over a smokey pistachio puree, topped with fresh tarragon from the garden—this is a late spring dish you’ll want to make before the season is over!

Part of living a shamanic way of life is tuning into the seasons — and one of my favorite ways to celebrate the seasons is through food. Before it’s officially summer, let’s celebrate with some spring green magic . . .

Here in Colorado, the farmers markets are full of fresh bunches of bright green asparagus shoots. I’m usually incapable of actually following recipes—I’ll replace spinach with nettle from the garden, add 4x the suggested spices, or throw in some lemon zest just because I love it—but when I came across this recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Puree from Michael Natkin, I felt inspired to follow it as closely as possible to see what would happen.

Deliciousness. That’s what happened.

Perfectly roasted asparagus served over a smokey pistachio purée, topped with fresh tarragon from the garden—this is a late spring dish you’ll want to make before the season is over.

I learned a few new tricks while taking the time to follow this recipe, but still made it my own by discovering some mouthwatering ways to serve the leftovers.

This entire dish took just a little over half an hour to put together, including the cooking times. It’s impressive and easy. Go for it.

Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Purée

Ingredients

Pistachio Purée:

2 cups unsalted, roasted pistachios*
juice of one organic medium-sized lemon
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup water

Roasted Asparagus:

1 bunch organic asparagus spears, the fat kind, trimmed
extra virgin olive oil
Maldon Sea Salt
organic balsamic vinegar reduction*
1/4 cup unsalted, roasted pistachio kernels, coarsely chopped
fresh tarragon leaves (from the garden, if possible!)

Directions

Pistachio Purée:

Combine the roasted pistachios with the lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and half the olive oil in a vitamix. (The original recipe uses a regular blender, so don’t shy away if you haven’t yet gone pro with your blending utensils.)

With the lid on and at a medium-low speed, drizzle in the rest of the olive oil followed by the water. Blend until mostly smooth but not totally creamy—you’ll want a bit of texture here.

Once the initial ingredients are blended, you can tweak the flavor if needed. I added a bit more salt (I like salt) and another pinch of smoked paprika, but overall, I didn’t feel the need to change much at all. Make sure to keep the puree covered, as the beautiful green will oxidize and turn brown on top, just like guacamole.

Roasted Asparagus:

As soon as you take the pistachios out of the oven, turn up the heat to 400 F. Toss the asparagus with a bit of olive oil and salt, and roast on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes.

Once the asparagus is tender, turn on the broiler and cook until it becomes blackened in spots. This last step is important—the crispy asparagus heads and crunchy black bits add a great texture to the final dish.

To Serve

Spoon the pistachio purée onto a plate and place the asparagus on top. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over everything, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar reduction*, and garnish with fresh tarragon leaves. Add a bit more salt to taste.

*Roasted Pistachios

I bought raw, unsalted, organic pistachios, so I needed to roast them myself. In order to do this:

Preheat the oven to 325 F.
Spread the pistachios in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Cook for about 10-12 minutes.

The nuts will be warm, chewy, and slightly brown when done. Yum.

*Balsamic Reduction

I decided to try my hand at making my own reduction. It worked perfectly, and I’ll definitely be making more. To make your own reduction:

Pour a bit of balsamic vinegar into a small pot or pan.
Bring to a boil.
Add sugar—I think I used equal parts organic unrefined sugar and balsamic vinegar.
Reduce to medium-high heat and continuously whisk the mixture until it reduces by half or just a bit more.
Drizzle away!

More Pistachio Puree Ideas

This recipe makes far more puree than you’ll need—after all, it’s basically a fancy nut butter. Luckily, it keeps for up to a week in the fridge and is so delicious you’ll be happy to have extra.

Natkin recommends serving the leftovers with other types of veggies, such as raw endive or roasted cauliflower. I used a bit of my leftovers as a dip for baby carrots, and heated the rest up in the oven to make a hot dip for some homemade bread. I highly recommend heating up the leftovers. The hot dip was gooey and yummy and rich—yet totally vegan. It would make a great sauce for pasta, as well.

Enjoy!

Did you try this recipe? Let me know how you liked it! Tag me on Instagram @alchemessence.

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