February 23 Update

We have just two beds remaining for the spring retreat! Details follow. I'd love to have you join us. 

I promise to stop with the retreat talk in just a moment! But today is the last day for registration for our spring gathering.

I'm hoping to have the last remaining slots filled soon! 

And while I can't speak for you, the idea of mindfully gathering and learning these ancient skills feels resonant with me now more than ever.

To gather with community, forge friendships, learn from one another, and develop skills to care for our families with what nature provides? Now feels like the perfect time.

If you'd still like to join us just drop me a note and I'll send you an official invitation. This spring we'll be gathering in a new location and I'm excited to be adding a guided plant walk to our weekend agenda as well, so we can hopefully forage some plants for a few of our recipes.

Below are a few favorite moments from the first retreat that we held in November on the shore of Lake Superior.

I can feel my shoulders soften just looking at these. What a wonderful three days it was! 

Ah, yes. What a delightful and lovely weekend it was. I can't wait to do it again next month!

Just popping in with two quick pieces of business!

First, a heartfelt thanks. Your words yesterday were so kind and understanding. Thank you for sharing your voices here. It means more than you know.

And second, the Spring Herbal Retreat is beginning to fill. Hooray! We have just seven beds left – and I'm saving one for you.

If you did not receive your invitation please let me know by email and I'll send it out again.

This retreat is shaping up to be as lovely as the last, and I can't wait to gather with you.

Love,
Rachel

The Spring 2017 Women's Herbal Retreat is officially scheduled! And I can hardly wait.

"This was, hands down, the BEST THING I EVER DID!! Spending 3+ days learning about herbal medicine; making tinctures and teas, balms and bitters, syrups and oils; meeting inspirational and like-minded wonderful women; eating incredible, healthy meals; all in an amazing setting[…]!" ~ D.Z.

I had every intention of being productive today. I even set an alarm. (Something I've only done a handful of times in the past decade.) And, well, a solid two hours after my alarm went off I finally stumbled out of bed to attempt to start my day.

In the past few weeks many people have mentioned turning away from current events. They are powering off the news and social media. Because it's all too much.

From Syria to Standing Rock; elections to the environment – it's been too much to bear.

The fear.

The anger.

Anxiety and grief.

We feel powerless to change the future and we lie awake with worry at what the next chapter will hold.

And in self-preservation, we turn away.

As someone who hasn't been able to listen to the news for over 12 years, I understand the sentiment. Fear for the future and deep concerns for what's happening around the world is enough to shut down even the fiercest among us. 

And we worry: what sort of world will we leave to our children?

And we turn away again.

What sort of world will we leave our children?

It's a question I sit with often.

But there, perhaps, is the sliver lining our hearts need most of all. Because the answer is beautifully simple.

We will leave them the world that we choose to create.

A world built of compassion and caring, and the courageous choice to not look away. If, that is, we can find it inside of us to lend our hands. 

With that in mind this weekend, I transformed my feelings of fear and sadness through small simple acts.

I donated money. I wrote a letter. And I made medicine to send to Standing Rock.

And as we mixed and stirred the herbs into the simmering pots, I realized what an achingly beautiful metaphor it was.

Because we all have medicine to give. If only we have the courage to turn back toward what we fear and set to work.

Your challenge then, is to find the medicine that you have to offer.

And when everything feels desperate, out of balance, or out of control – when you have to look away to keep your heart from breaking – I ask you to make your medicine.

Literally or figuratively, find the medicine you can offer to the world and then give it away.

Because medicine of all sorts can heal us, even if it only passes through our hands.

Your medicine might be buying mittens to donate to the homeless shelter. Your medicine may be the eye contact, dignity, and a hot meal you serve at a a local soup kitchen. Your medicine might be volunteering at a nearby food pantry or defending those who are persecuted. Your medicine may be kindness to those who need it most.

What medicine do you have to offer the world?

Whatever it is, it's needed right now.

It's time.

It's time to make medicine and give it away.

Where can I possibly begin?

Because – and this is rare! - I'm truly at a loss for words. (In the best possible way.)

I returned last night from four days in the woods with fifteen of the most inspiring women I've met in a long time. And out of this collection of strangers – new mothers and grandmothers; city dwellers and farm girls; full-time-mums and business women - we forged deep connections, lifelong friendships, and a profound sense of community.

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time, nor given my energy so fully to get to know a group of people, their passions, and their stories.

And as our weekend unfolded, one of the strongest messages I felt was that desipte our inevitable differences, we had so very much in common.

Kindness and humor, passion and curiosity, caring and humility – and an overarching desire to become the best version of ourselves that we can. 

And the herbs! Oh, the herbs. Together we made tinctures and teas, balms and oils, bitters and more. It was all that I had hoped for and then some. This gathering was the realization of a long-time dream to share plants with others and create remedies side by side from the bounty of nature. And that we did.

It was so good. 

And with that, I'm settling in back in to the rhythms of home. I'm thankful to have my family close once more, yet feeling so inspired by the few days we spent apart.

And I can't wait to do it all again.

Thank you to Becky, Kate, Jill, Donna, Betsey, Erin, Lise, Karen, Hayley, Heather, Tara, Laura, Krystle, Liz, and Chelsea. You were funny, kind, helpful, forgiving, and all of the things that I aspire to be. I am humbled and honored to have played my part in our gathering. Together we created something magical. 

P.S. If you'd like to be added to my mailing list for future retreat announcements, please send an email to retreat@lusaorganics.com with the subject line of "retreat mailing list" and I'll add you right away!

Oh, my! Am I ever in the thick of it over here! In just two days I will gather with a group of women on the shores of Lake Superior for the Women's Herbal Retreat. Four days together learning about and making plant remedies, walking along the lake shore, and conversing by the fire. 

I can hardly wait. (But first, I need to see if I can fit all of these totes of food and plant remedies in my car! Goodness I'm not packing light for this trip.)

Truly, I can't wait to meet some of you in person very soon. And for the rest of you, I'll be sure to share some pictures and stories when I return.

Be well,
Rachel

Yesterday it was warm enough here for me to kick off my mud-caked boots and work barefoot in the sunshine, scrubbing roots and tossing dock leaves to the rabbits. What a rare delight that was for October. 

I was harvesting medicine plants for the upcoming retreat – dock and dandelion, elecampane and horseradish, burdock and sage. 

The retreat is just a few weeks away, so some of these roots will stay fresh in the fridge until then; the others are tucked into a borrowed dehydrator and will head into mason jars this morning.

Prepping these plants was deeply satisfying for me – in many ways. It was a glorious October day, so the sun on the autumn trees painted my experience, of course. And my children were away, so working alone in rare silence was something of a meditation. 

But it was more than that.

At it's heart was the idea that not only will I will make medicines from these plants for my family, but I will place these plants in the hands of other women so that they may learn how to create their own medicine. To share not remedies but knowledge? That is something that will nourish these families far beyond a single season.

What a wonderful gift – for all of us. 

Not so many generations ago I suppose this was simply how communities prepared for the coming season. To dig and prepare and teach and learn – together. As a community.

But today 'community' has so many meanings. It's more than the people who live in your town. I have a neighborhood community and a larger local community; a social media community and a blog community; a homeschooling community and a community of other medicine makers. And on and on and on.

And while I know the retreat is not a logistic or financial reality for everyone, I feel pulled to share this knowledge with more of you.

I'm not yet sure what that means, but I'm open to suggestions. Perhaps one-day gatherings or YouTube videos; books or blog posts. 

It is something I feel incredibly called to do and something that is a synthesis of so many parts of who I am – the naturalist, the forager, the herbalist, the body care maker, the teacher, the writer, the photographer – it all comes together here. I'm just waiting to see how it unfolds.

If you have suggestions I'm all ears. Because the experience of this retreat is something I can't wait to share with the fifteen women who will attend, but I would love to offer something to the rest of you as well.

Indeed, I can hardly wait.

Love,
Rachel 

This weekend we immersed ourselves in all things goldenrod. 

This sweet, magical wildflower is truly an herb of many uses. And as I've just begun learning about them, I'm rather smitten.

Each season I challenge myself to fall head-over-heels in love with one new plant.

In other seasons past we've explored nettle, New England aster, yarrow, blue vervain, and monarda. This summer (thanks to the help of an herbalist friend and a few favorite books) it's goldenrod we're discovering.

A plant (dare I say "weed"?) that I've know for my entire life, but one that I didn't think offered us much more than seasonal allergies until a few of years ago.  

How very wrong I was!

First, a couple of quick facts:

No, goldenrod is not a weed.

It's a wildflower and an herbal ally. A weed, as we've discussed at length, is "a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." (Or so says Emerson and I agree.) And goldenrod has a plethora of virtues. The more I learn about goldenrod the faster it is rising to the top of my favorite plants list. 

Also no, you're not allergic.

Really! It's just a matter of unfortunate timing. You see goldenrod is showy and hard to ignore. And it just happen blooms at the same time as the easy-to-miss yet horrifically-irritating-to-so-many-people ragweed. Want to know when ragweed season begins? Watch for goldenrod. They bloom within days of each other. 

And unlike ragweed's abundant, airborne pollen, goldenrod's pollen is sparse and sticky and stays on the flowers until it's picked up by pollinators. So it's not an allergen at all. 

Then what is goldenrod?

It's a useful, beautiful wildflower that has so much to offer both bees and people alike. For bees it has nectar and sticky pollen to share. For people it has vibrant fiber color and good medicine to offer. 

Here's what we did with ours.

Infused in oil, goldenrod is a wonderful tonic for sore muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints. Think arnica but better. And growing wild, right here in your own backyard!  

We set a huge batch infusing at LüSa Organics for a limited edition product I'm dreaming up for a future Treasure Box. 

Goldenrod also makes a vibrant fiber die that is a dead ringer for the color of it's blossoms. This wool is from our sheep, and I'm planning some cheerful winter woolies from these skeins. Yellow is the easiest color to achieve with natural dyes, but this shade is surprisingly vibrant.

And as a bonus, my yarn smells like flowers. (You don't get that with synthetic dyes.)

Tinctured, goldenrod is helpful for a variety of conditions including kidney and sinus issues and preparing the immune system for winter. Its' a great remedy for UTI's which is reason enough this medicine keep it on hand.

I've never taken goldenrod tincture before but after learning about this powerful herb I really felt called to tincture it. 

And dried for tea, goldenrod is a digestive stimulant and good remedy for sinus congestion.

So many wonderful uses from one humble plant. One plant that I'm happy to get to know better this season.

Perhaps a wonderfully wild about goldenrod is in order. What do you say?

I’ll be honest. This is not a post I planned – or even wanted – to write.

Because that would mean I needed actual real-life (recent!) experience on the subject.

Which I was sure I did not want.

Because I had plennnnnty of practice as a kid. I was a P.I.-pro. I used to say I didn’t even need to touch poison ivy to get a rash. I just had to walk past it or think about it and boom! Rash. Everywhere.

I had no need to go back that place. Again. Ever.

Until.

Until!

I had the misfortune last weekend of revisiting my childhood with an epic poison ivy rash on both of my arms. More on one and less on the other, but enough on either to make me insane.

Now double it.

Oh, this itching. It’s really unlike any other.

So since I’m over here, slightly out of my head with oozing, itching, blisters I thought the time was right to test natural remedies for PI care.

Because I love you that much!

You’re so welcome.

(You know me. Just takin’ one for the team.) Okay. Not really. Just desperate for comfort. Desperate, I tell you!

So here’s my take on the best-of-the-best natural ways to beat the itch of Poison Ivy.

If you don’t need it now, pin it for later. Because you never do know!

(Sorry in advance if I just cursed you.)

Natural Poison Ivy Care

Plant ID

Knowing how to identify poison ivy is your first and best defense!

Poison ivy tends to be found in abundance in disturbed areas like along trails, roadways, or in campgrounds. This fun green party is right across from my mailbox. Good times abound.

Here are three simple rhymes to help you ID poison ivy when you’re out and about:

Leaves of three, let it be.

Red leaflets in spring is a dangerous thing!

Longer middle stem? Stay away from them.

Other key distinguishing characteristics are the slightly shiny leaves and a red or pink base of each leaflet stem where the three leaflets come together. (See photo above, bottom right and upper left).

Being sensitive to PI since childhood and also being a naturalist, I have ID’d and avoided the plant easily for years. (You only have to roll around in poison ivy once as a kid to never again miss-identify this plant! Yes. Really.)

So how did I get such a bad rash this time around? I picked it up off of my goat! She was helping me clear out a nasty patch along our road (by eating it, as goats will do), and days later I came in contact with her hair, unfortunately transferring and abundance of the oils to my skin.

Bummer, right?

I know.

So let’s pretend that you either messed up on the ID part or were hanging out with my goats and think you have come into contact with poison ivy. Now what?

Wash Up!

If you suspect you have come into contact with poison ivy wash up your skin. And fast!

Soap and water are ideal, but if you’re out for a hike that’s rarely possible.

Because I’m so sensitive to poison ivy I often carry homemade baby wipes with me on hikes. If my children or I stumble into a plant I quickly and thoroughly wipe us down, then toss the contaminated wipes in an empty zip bag. (I use washcloths soaked in my Baby Wipe Juice but store-bought or homemade disposable wipes work, too.)

If you don’t have wipes with you, use soap and water to wash up as soon as possible! For. Real.

Edited to add: no short of a dozen of you sent me this video after I shared this post. And it makes so much sense! Give it a watch and use this technique next time you think you may have been exposed.

Clean Your Stuff

Don’t stop with skin! When you get back home also launder all clothes, shoes, socks, bags – anything that might have come into contact with the plant oil.

Things that are not washable (your camera for example) can be carefully wiped down with alcohol or witch hazel dampened paper towels.

Wash hands well after this job.

Treat the Rash

So let’s say (hypothetically speaking) that you end up with a rash anyway.

What now?

Since I took one for the team this week and slathered myself in PI oils, I’ve tested bucket-loads of remedies. And I’ve got the scoop on what works and what doesn’t.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to reduce the itching and speed healing (and – hopefully – keep your sanity while you do it), as well as a couple of “eh” remedies that didn’t work for me but might be the ticket for you.

We all have different skin types and there is not magic bullet that will work for everyone. Experiment and see what is best for you.

Edited to add: my poison ivy got very bad very fast after I shared this post. In the end one of my favorite items never made this list since I posted before I discovered it. I mixed french green clay with with witch hazel and peppermint essential oil and spread it on my rash as needed. It worked beautifully. 10 out of 10.

Rhus Toxicodendron

The homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox. has been my saving grace. If you are anxious and agitated with your rash, this might just be your remedy! Try a 12 C, 4 pellets at a time as needed to quiet the itch and your racing brain.

I sleep with one under my pillow and completely freak out when I can’t find it. No. Really.

I give this remedy 10 out of 10 points. If you see me this week ask me where it is. I promise it’s in my pocket. Because I can’t cope without it.

Jewelweed Oil or Salve

Jewelweed is the herbal antidote to poison ivy. Where you find one growing you often find the other, and the juicy, tender leaves and stem of jewelweed can both help prevent a rash and help sooth one you already have.

Harvest jewelweed (look along creeks and streams), bruise the leaves, and rub gently onto your rash. Instant aaaaahhh! Or immerse the plant in olive oil to cover, warm gently, and allow to steep for 24 hours or more.

Apply oil to rash as needed to quiet the itch.

I like this. I like it a lot. 6.5 out of 10.

Da Balm

Full disclosure: I make and sell Da Balm. You know that already. But despite my bias of devotion and love for this herbal salve, I think you’ll find it’s tops – as I do – for red, itchy rashes.

So now that I have poison ivy for the first time since I started making Da Balm it was the first remedy I had to try. Along with the other natural treatments listed here I’ve been applying Da Balm daily and finding comfort in the chickweed, burdock, and calendula infusion I base the salve on.

While it doesn’t get rid of the itch completely, it’s helping! I keep one in my back pocket when I’m out and about.

I give it a 5 out of 10 for quieting the itch, 6 out of 10 after I mixed in a few drops of peppermint EO.

Baking Soda

 A paste of baking soda has been the greatest comfort I have found on the days the rash is raging and the itch is making me insane.

Make a paste of baking soda and water, and gently pat onto your rash. The soothing comes fast! Ho. ly. Cow.

It’s a bit of a mess though, and not at all suitable for when you’re out and about.

I was desperate enough for the comfort of baking soda that I cut off a chunk of my baking soda-based deodorant and combined it with a little Da Balm to soften it. It was good comfort all day, but was still a little gritty for my liking.

I give baking soda paste a 9 out of 10 for quieting the itch, but a 1 out of 10 for the epic mess it causes.

Calamine Lotion

The gutter over-the-counter version of this that I found in the back of our medicine cabinet is another weapon in my PI arsenal. As I looked over the ingredients I kept thinking, “I could surely make a better version of this…”

And it turns out you can! Here is a brilliant formula for all of us to make. Yes, please!

I give even my skanky OTC version a 7 out of 10 for quieting the itch and a 4 out of 10 for being an ugly mess all over my bathroom. And now I need to mop.

Apple Cider Vinegar

The theory goes that you soak a thin cotton towel in apple cider vinegar and drape it over your poison ivy rash. The ACV is supposed to help draw toxins from your rash as well as cool the skin and soothe the itch.

Okay. Nice theory.

I tried this method and while everyone’s body is different, it didn’t work for me. It actually burned a bit which made me never want to try it again.

And as Sage put it, “WHAT is that horrible smell? Oh. Of course. Vinegar again.”

0 out of 10. It sucked.

(But who knows. It might work for you!)

Lavender Essential Oil

If you find yourself being driven wild with the itching, calm your mind with lavender EO. I have been reaching for my Relaxing Essential Oil blend constantly during the past three days.

Thank goodness for this.

I actually rubbed it on my face yesterday trying to calm myself down. Yeah, I’m that girl.

10 out of 10 for keeping me sane. Good for everyone in my life. For reals.

Baby Wipe Juice

As I researched the best way to quiet the itch and heal the rash of PI I noticed a pattern. Many of the remedies I had already combined in my Baby Wipe Juice concentrate. Like witch hazel, calendula infusion, aloe juice, and soothing essential oils. So I tried it on a whim/in a moment of I’m-going-insane-with-this-horrific-rash.

And… it worked. Like magic.

Soothing, cooling, itch-quieting. Yes, yes, and yes. Is all the itch gone? No. Is most of it? Hell yes.

I used it undiluted, but diluted would probably be a good idea.

Most amazing? How long this remedy is lasting. I applied it two hours ago and only just no needed to reapply. Winning!

9 out of 10. Feels like magic.

Aloe and/or witch hazel with peppermint EO

I didn’t try either of these solo since I only had my After Sun Aloe and Witch Hazel spray on hand. But combined? It was cooling, soothing, and just what I needed to take of the itchy edge while out and about.

6 out of 10. Slower to start with the comfort, but super long-lasting on the cooling and itch-quieting fronts. Thankful for this experiment right now.

Edited to add: when my PI got very, very bad I slept with this under my pillow. It rose to a 8 out of 10, especially after the rash was mostly gone but I had the post itch-itch of healing.

Here is how I made it:

• 2 parts witch hazel extract
• 1 part aloe juice
• a few drops of peppermint EO

Put in a spray bottle and use as needed.

Other helpful Tips

Wrap it up

Keep your rash completely covered at night. Otherwise you’ll scratch the h**l out of it in your sleep and really regret it.

Tuck a bottle of Rhus Tox under your pillow while you’re at it. No, really. Do it now.

Don’t leave home without it

Keep your remedies with you! Don’t leave home without your homeopathic remedy or your Baby Wipe Juice – whatever is working magic on your rash.

Vitamin C?

When I shared last night that I’m struggling with poison ivy a blog reader suggested I try a vitamin C protocol. Essentially high-dose vitamin c to reduce swelling, oozing, and itching. I’m trying it, but it’s too soon to know how well it’s working. (Thanks, Elizabeth!)

Soaking with pink salt, black tea, baking soda, or oatmeal

Friends have recommended these three for soaking the rash in. I have not tried them yet, but intuitively all sound like they would be incredibly soothing.

And no, the rash is not contagious

Contrary to belief when I was a kid, you can’t catch the rash from someone else’s rash. Once the oil has been washed off you won’t be sharing with your friends. Fear not.

Support your immune system

I’m taking elderberry and echinacea tincture twice a day (1 tsp of each) to help boost my immune system to speed healing.

Don’t mess around

If you are seeing signs of infection or have a truly awful case, get in to see your doctor. And soon. PI takes a toll on your body and can cause serious infections if not treated properly. Don’t hesitate going in for some off-the-natural-list help.

And with that, we’re healing.

Here’s hoping you never need this advice. Ever, ever, ever.

But if you do? I’m here for ya.