I'm so glad you asked!
Plant medicine provides restorative and balancing effects that nourish both body and soul. Through their gentle guidance and nourishing support, these botanical allies help us reconnect with the Earth and our place within it, fostering harmony and vitality in our lives. Both the teachings and gentle embrace of these herbs offer us a chance to reclaim our health and ultimately encourage us to take back our power and align with our higher purpose.
Plant medicine is deeply rooted in the respect and trust of the Earth, embracing healing, learning, and connection with nature. It preserves the history and knowledge passed down by our teachers before us, honoring their wisdom and guidance. By utilizing sustainable practices, it invites others to learn how to care more deeply for the one planet we call home, ensuring a harmonious relationship with our environment for generations to come.
Each product is made in small batches to ensure the highest quality and consistency. The tallow is always sourced from local, as in less than 10 miles away, and regenerative focused farms. This not only aligns with the ethics of Short Hill Mountain Medicine, it also means nutrient density and a vitamin rich product.
The carrier oils used for herbal infusions, whether it be Camelina oil or Olive oil are also sourced from high quality businesses like Mountain Rose Herbs and Frontier Co-op. Both are purveyors in sustainability and education.
The plants themselves are grown by me here in Lovettsville Virginia, wild- harvested from the surrounding area, or sourced from the above named businesses. For those plants grown by me there is extensive planning and preparation that has to be done before a balm can be made. I will start seeds as soon as mid March to establish plants by late spring and early summer. Plants such as Calendula will continue to flower thru December if kept protected in our hi-tunnels.
Yarrow and St. John's Wort, two of my favorite teachers, grow quite rampantly here in the foothills of the Short Hill Mountains and so I am offered ample opportunity to harvest and utilize their powerful medicine. At many points during the high summer my home will be filled to the brim with old window screens repurposed as drying racks for plant material.
Each plant is chosen for its unique healing ability and reparative qualities. The beautiful thing about plants is that they work synergistically with one another for a balanced and holistic form of nourishment. Each balm is gentle enough for the most delicate skin yet strong enough to restore the natural biome of your skin. From oily skin to acne to eczema to wrinkles to sunburns- these balms offer a powerful ability to restore your naturally beautiful skin. Though they are not intended exclusively for this use- many of my balms are safe for minor cuts, scrapes, bites, and burns on both you and your furry friends. I personally have used my products on my beloved dog and many horses I have worked with over the years.
For many of the infused oils I use the Folk Herbalist approach - meaning that I pack the jar halfway with dried herbs and then fill the jar with oil to cover all plant material. I rarely measure or weigh my plant material thus resulting in slight variations from balm to balm. I have a system of two weeks on a shelf, two weeks on a sunny window sill, and finally about 30 minutes in a double boiler on low heat before straining all plant material. The final product is a beautiful infused oil that will then be mixed with tallow and other infused oils to create the nourishing balms you are sure to love!
Each plant is chosen for its unique healing ability and reparative qualities. The beautiful thing about plants is that they work synergistically with one another for a balanced and holistic form of nourishment. Each balm is gentle enough for the most delicate skin yet strong enough to restore the natural biome of your skin. From oily skin to acne to eczema to wrinkles to sunburns- these balms offer a powerful ability to restore your naturally beautiful skin. Though they are not intended exclusively for this use- many of my balms are safe for minor cuts, scrapes, bites, and burns on both you and your furry friends. I personally have used my products on my beloved dog and many horses I have worked with over the years.
