Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: apothecary

  • FROM EARTH

    FROM EARTH

    A GUIDE TO CREATING A NATURAL APOTHECARY

    Going back to basics in skincare and healthy living is the impetus that has led Charlotte Rasmussen to create her highly successful skincare business From Earth, which has lead onto her desire to share her knowledge on a wider basis; hence writing it down and offering her years of knowledge as a wonderful guide to removing chemicals from your life, particularly from your skin care regime.

    Somewhat in the style of a ‘cook book or cookery course’, Rasmussen explains where she learned the skills she now uses and shares with many who feel a strong need for health or other reasons, to rid their lives of many of the chemicals that are hidden in many common use products.

    Growing up in Scandinavia, she spend a lot of time with her grandparents on their farm. The open spaces and areas of forest, fresh air and natural curiosity of a small child about the world around her, saw her collecting leaves, berries and fruit.

    From a young age her grandmother taught her about the plants in the garden, how to dry them and blend them into oils for later use. Moving to Australia and her life as a mother to three children, saw her loose interest in natural herbs, remedies and skin care elements for many years; thanks to her children, her interest slowly revived.

    Her desire to teach her children what she had been taught by her grandmother, saw long forgotten skills re-emerging as well as her natural curiosity, which led her to further discover what can be done when you make the decision to use natural products only.

    As the emphasis is in general throughout From Earth about learning how to make your own products, the items needed as a basic ‘kit’ to commence making your own skin care products are also listed.

    Natural remedies follow which is an important element of skin care products, therefore an important chapter to read carefully and understand the power of what seems like simple fragrances, dried herbs or plants and the properties of various carrier oils.

    To get you started there is a quick guide to simple mixtures to deal with migraine, period pain and depression among many other conditions. As the chapters unfold each page is complimented with clear photographs of the various herbs which can be collected and dried.  Recipe’s for most common requirements for skin care or various daily requirements n any household are set out in the chapters.

    Beautifully created, as well as being easy to follow and use, From Earth is a book which, should you be considering investigating a chemical free lifestyle, be used as a secure reference book towards a healthier, eco-friendlier, chemical free lifestyle.

  • PLANTS OF POWER

    PLANTS OF POWER

    CULTIVATE YOUR GARDEN APOTHECARY AND TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE

    For everyone who has a garden, and enjoys time spent in it, this book will become a trusty friend for many years. Both Stacy Demarco and Miranda Mueller passionately believe that our ancestors had a binding relationship with plants. They nourished us until we died, then we nourished them. Science has confirmed what many ancient tribes understood and used in the plant world.

    Both these women worked in the corporate world but found something missing in their lives. Stacy is a Witch and is in service to the Community. Miranda escaped from her high heels and began her journey by studying Permaculture.

    So, you’re not a gardener. It doesn’t matter. You need the desire (as Prince Charles has), to value your plants and listen to what they may say. This requires patience, and in the beginning, careful planning. Any small patch of land is able to produce plants, which will in turn attract bees and other insects. Slowly, you can build up a healthy community by nurturing and caring for the plant life.  

    The practical and easy steps which are mentioned here, make sense. Firstly, with your plot of land, you need to identify each little micro- climate.  The gardener can then gradually build a picture of the area for those plants that will thrive where the sun shines longest, where the wind is constant, or where the soil is sheltered from the rain.

    There are many tips on composting and care of soil. But by far the largest portion of Plants of Power is taken up by individual plants. There is a full-page illustration of a plant (ginger), then other names are given for it. The properties of that plant are given, and its healing benefits discussed. This is followed by ideas the authors have for utilising this product. Here we see a recipe for “Kick -Arse Candied Ginger,” a delicious way to use this plant.

    The photographs and information mean Plants of Power will find a lasting place in the homes of those who spend their lives caring for our soils and relating to plants.

  • The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary

    The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary

    From the beginning of this beautifully presented subject of Herbal Apothecary it is clearly explained that we are more than just our human form, that “We are not a part of nature. We are nature.” This, while it appears to be simplistic is far from that, as it is the basis of understanding the connection between the sacred Earth and ‘self’.

    As The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary unfolds, each of the chapters carefully sets out and explains the many facets of what it is to be ‘working witch’, dealing in the mystical elements of healing, with the offerings from Mother Earth as she and the plants are ready to offer their wisdom and healing to all who would chance to listen and understand.

    But do you have to be a witch to do this, you may well ask and the answer is no, as all you do need is a true heart, a desire to heal and understand the ‘magik’ all around. Understanding the wicca arts is most helpful though, as it definitely adds a further dimension of understanding and healing.

    If you enjoy rituals, remedies, recipes and potions, with a delightful smattering of seasonal content The Witches Herbal Apothecary is ideal, especially should you be a beginner in the arcane arts.

    Divided into three sections, which are then subdivided into specifics, is excellent as this allows a very large amount of information be easily read, understood and enjoyed, as there is nothing simple about understanding many of aspects of heavenly and earth energies, which without a doubt, are powerful.

    Pleasingly set out, the illustrations throughout help break down the text, creating a lovely, almost whimsical, aspect to what is serious subject matter. As with all books written on a spiritual plane, those who are seeking will find information to be treasured, while others will enjoy the work as informative and structural.