Homemade Deodorant

“If it can’t go in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin." -Rosemary Gladstar

Homemade Deodorant Recipe

Ingredients:
6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder

Directions:
Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder to thicken. Enjoy!

All natural Hair Gel

Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum)

Internally flax seed is used in chronic constipation. It is indicated for the treatment of many chronic diseases, including arthritis, psoriasis and prevention of arteriosclerosis. It is used for cancer prevention, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders where inflammation occurs. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids.

It can be added to most any food, in the form of oil or seed, including baked goods, yogurt, smoothies/juices, and salads. Flax is a lovely demulcent. Taken as a tea it soothes irritated mucous membranes. Drink when you have a sore throat, IBS, lungs irritated from coughing, or kidneys and bladder irritated from passing stones. Flax tea is very moistening and very welcome in the winter when you are feeling cold & dry. It has a mild nutty flavor & tastes good with spicy, warming herbs like cinnamon.

Externally flax has the same soothing, moistening properties. It can be made into an all natural hair gel that doesn't dry out and damage your hair the way commercial hair gel does. Plus, it is super easy and cheap to make.


Flax Hair Gel

1 tbs. flax seeds
1 cup water
aloe vera gel (optional)
essential oil (optional)
Small glass bottle with lid

Simmer flax seeds in water until the liquid is reduced by half.
Strain seeds.
Add a about a quarter as much aloe vera gel (for extra moisturizing) as you have flax gel.
Add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice (I like lavender) to help preserve the gel & smell nice.
Stir together & then bottle.



Because this is a natural product it will not last as long as commercial hair gels, which is why I make it in small batches & keep it refrigerated. I have had flax hair gel in the fridge for 6 months (then I had to make more) and it was still good. I use right after the shower and rub through my hair while it is still damp. Enjoy!

Fresh, new products for sale!

Facial Grains Scrub & Mask



Honey-Beeswax Lip Balm



Violet & Plantain Salve


Shop Green Feather Herbs: www.etsy.com/people/GreenFeatherHerbs

Herbal Shampoo

Commercial shampoo is full of toxins that are bad for your body and the environment. These chemical toxins in shampoo are used to extend the shelf-life and to make products more cost-effective for the manufacturers. Some of these toxins are carcinogens (which means it directly causes or promotes cancer) and cytotoxins (a term used to refer to a substance that has a toxic effects on cells).

By making your own shampoo you can stop supporting companies that use chemicals, stop putting harmful and hazardous chemicals into our water and ground, and stop adding unnecessary toxins to your body.

Here is a simple recipe for herbal shampoo:

8 oz distilled water

1 oz herbs*

3 oz castile liquid soap

1/4 tsp jojoba oil

optional: 20 drops of pure essential oil

Bring water to boil.

Add herbs, cover, & let simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.

Strain & cool.

Slowly add castile soap then add jojoba oil & essential oil.

Enjoy!

*calendula, nettle, and marshmallow are great for dry hair while rosemary and yarrow can be used for oily hair

Marshmallow

I've been so busy lately teaching & going back to school for my masters. I've been drinking lots of tea now that it's cooler here and using a lot of tinctures to prevent from getting sick. Today I had some down time (finally!) and read this article and was reminded how great Marshmallow is. I usually include Marshmallow in decoctions when I have a sore throat or am getting sick. This article includes a whole ranges of uses for this wonderful herb.

Soothing Marshmallow & Marshmallow Infusion
by Rosalee de la Foret

I love single herbs that seemingly do everything.

Their complexity could inspire a lifetime of devotion to learning the intricate ways they could be used for food and medicine, as well as the ways they support their habitat and the gifts they bring the earth. Single herbs that can be used in a variety of ways are called "polycrest herbs."
At first glance marshmallow seems like a specific plant. Its claim to fame is being the #1 go-to demulcent herb for many herbalists.

Demulcent herbs are slimy and thick and are typically used to soothe mucous membranes. Like many demulcent herbs, marshmallow is cooling and moistening, bringing relief to hot and dry conditions.

Despite having the specificity of being a demulcent herb, marshmallow (Althea officinalis) is a polycrest herb. It’s been used for centuries in a broad range of ways. The genus name for marshmallow is derived from the Greek word altho, which means to cure. This gives us a powerful indication of how highly regarded this plant was in ancient times.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know this wonderful plant on a deeper level by making a variety of preparations with it. Most often though, I use it as a tea.

The majority of the time we make teas and long infusions we use hot water to extract the plant material. But marshmallow roots are typically prepared using cold water.
Marshmallow roots are high in polysaccharides and starches. By using a cold infusion you extract mainly the mucilaginous polysaccharides. If you simmer the root you also extract the starches in the plant (which is okay; the cold infusion is considered to be a purer extract of the mucilage.)
In today’s HerbMentor News we are going to learn how to make a cold infusion out of marshmallow roots and then explore the myriad of ways this single preparation can be used.

To make a cold infusion you will need:
• a jar and lid
• marshmallow root (You can buy marshmallow root here)
• lukewarm water
• time

To make this preparation, simply fill a jar 1/4 of the way with marshmallow root.

Then fill the jar with lukewarm water and cover with a lid.

Let sit for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight. The water should change color to a soft yellow.

Strain off the roots. The resulting liquid should be thick and viscous.

Now that we see how easy it is to prepare this root let’s look at the many ways we can use it!



Mouth WashMarshmallow makes a wonderful mouth wash for painful mouth conditions. Mouth ulcers, canker sores, cuts on the inside of the cheeks, inflamed gums and even sore throats are soothed with a marshmallow rinse. Simply swish the cold infused tea around in your mouth to coat the affected tissues.

Heartburn and Ulcers
Try adding a little peppermint to the cold infusion to find relief from heartburn, peptic ulcers, and inflamed intestines. Besides being able to soothe inflammation, marshmallow root is also a vulnerary, healing wounds within the digestive tract. Herbalist Paul Bergner calls this a bandaid for the stomach. Of course, addressing the root cause of these issues is recommended for long term care.

Skin WashMarshmallow is an amazing topical treatment for wounds and burns. In the past it was called mortification root because of its ability to prevent gangrene.
Externally, marshmallow root is very useful in the form of poultice, to discuss painful, inflammatory tumors, and swellings of every kind, whether the consequence of wounds, bruises, burns, scalds, or poisons; and has, when thus applied, had a happy effect in preventing the occurrence of gangrene. The infusion or decoction may be freely administered.
–King's American Dispensary, 1898
Marshmallow works in complex ways. It is used as a lubricating demulcent for the lungs and for the urinary tract, even though it never comes in direct contact with these surfaces.

Herbalist Jim McDonald explains:

Though it makes sense that demulcents coat tissues, the physical mucilage is actually very poorly absorbed by the body, and certainly isn't traveling through the blood to the kidneys. Rather, the ingestion of mucilage seems to promote a systemic moistening of tissues throughout the body, with some demulcents being more specific to particular organ systems.–Jim McDonald, Herbalist

Colds and FluMarshmallow is a wonderful plant for the cold and flu season. It can soothe an inflamed sore throat. It stimulates phagocytosis, an important part of the immune system and it's even used to moisten the lungs in cases of dry hot conditions, such as hot coughs with little to no expectoration. Recent scientific research has shown it to be a powerful anti-tussive herb as well. I commonly recommend it for post infection coughs - these are the ones keeping you awake at night long after the illness has passed.

Urinary infections
Herbalists frequently use marshmallow for urinary problems such as cystitis, kidney stones, and bladder infections. Besides soothing the urinary tract it is also a diuretic, which can be of further aide in many urinary problems.

Marshmallow is considered safe for everyone to use although it is recommended to be taken several hours after taking prescription medications as it may inhibit the absorption.
Marshmallow plant is specific for many common ailments, yet has a complexity that renders it useful for a myriad of problems. We hope you enjoy learning about marshmallow and are able to create a variety of herbal remedies from this versatile plant for the well-being of your family.

-Rosalee

www.learningherbs.com

Jewelweed & Poison Ivy

Almost everyone gets it. It's practically unavoidable. Poison ivy is spouting up everywhere! Thankfully in New England along with the bountiful poison ivy plants there are plenty of remedies around too.

The best known remedy usually grows near poison ivy in fact: Jewelweed (impatiens capensis AKA Touch-me-not or silverweed) grows in wet areas, near swamps and streams, and can be used topically to treat poison ivy.

How to use Jewelweed...

Pick a bunch, crush it, and rub it on exposed parts of your body that might come in contact or have already come in contact with poison ivy. It is a juicy plant and breaking it up and rubbing it on your skin is very easy to do. It is more effective before the oils set into your skin that cause the rash.

Jewelweed tea

Collect a bunch of jewelweed and make a tea: Bring about 4 cups of water to a boil , chop a large handful of jewelweed and add it to the boiling water. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then strain it out.

You can bath in this tea, just treat the affected area OR freeze it into ice cubes. You can apply the ice to exposed areas or areas that are already suffering from the rash. Ahhh, relief!

Green Feather Herbs Product List

BODY CARE


Body Powder
Lavender and Rose
4 oz $6.00

Peppermint Foot Cream
To awaken, refresh, cool, and moisturize.
2 oz $8.00

Herbal Bath Blends
Stimulating Bath Blend- Peppermint, Calendula, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Sage

Relaxing Bath Blend- Chamomile, Lavender, Roses, Hops, Passionflower

Winter Bath Blend- Calendula, Cinnamon, Lavender, Cloves
Pack of 4 $10.00


FACIAL CARE

Nourishing Face, Hand, and Body Cream
A lightly scented rich and nourishing moisturizer.
2 oz $10.00

Sugar or Salt Scrub
Exfoliating and moisturizing for face and body.

Relaxing Blend- Lavender and Geranium Essential Oils

Invigorating Blend- Lemon Eucalyptus and Peppermint Essential Oils
8 oz $10.00

Eye and Facial Gel
A soothing and anti-inflammatory blend of essential oils that improves complexion and adds tone and elasticity to sensitive skin . This is an excellent panacea for premature aging and keeping wrinkles at bay.
2 oz $9.00

Facial Scrubs/Masks
Deep Cleansing- Exfoliant for treating all skin types, especially beneficial for oily skin and problems associated with acne. May either be used as a facial scrub or as a facial mask.

Facial Grains- A gentle, rejuvenating and non-drying face and neck exfoliate. It may be used as a mask when combined with yogurt, honey, or any hydrosol.
6 oz $10.00

Honey Lip Balm
1/2 oz $4.00
1 oz $7.00
(natural plant-based pink/red color can be added if you wish)


MISCELLANEOUS

Salves
Healing Salve- This salve is used externally on dry or chapped skin, eczema, burns, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, poison ivy, or any general skin irritations or inflammation.

Muscle Salve- This salve is used for joint inflammation, sprains, strains, muscle soreness, swelling, bruising, varicose veins, and arthritic discomfort (not to be used on broken skin or mucous membranes).

Breath Easy Vapor Balm- This is a safe and stimulating rub for both children and adults suffering from the common cold, allergies, influenza, congestion, and upper respiratory infections. Rub liberally on both chest and upper back several times a day.
2 oz $10.00

Aromatherapy Eye Pillows
Relaxing Pillow- Lavender and Chamomile flowers
Decongesting Pillow- Peppermint and Eucalyptus leaves
$12.00

Tooth Powder
These old-fashioned tooth powders don’t have the consistency that most people associate with toothpaste, but they leave your teeth feeling clean and healthy.

Traditional Peppermint
Citrus Mint
Cinnamon
4 oz $8.00

Insect Away
This insect repellent is safe for children, adults and pets. Apply liberally to exposed skin every two to three hours.
2 oz $6.00


SINGLE HERBAL EXTRACTS (Tinctures)
1/2 ounce $6.00

MulleinLiquid extract of fresh leaves
Ratio- 1:1
Uses: Inflammation of respiratory system and urinary passages; dry coughs and hoarseness; cystitis and burning urine. Sores in mouth and throat. Diarrhea. Lymphatic irritation and swellings, mumps.
Dose: Take 30-60 drops, 2 to 5 times per day.


Yarrow
Liquid extract of fresh leaves, stem, and flower
Ratio- 1:1
Uses: Excellent for inducing sweat and lowering fevers (taken in hot water); colds and flu. Passive bleeding and excessive menstrual flow. Varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Stimulates appetite and improves digestion.
Dose: Take 30-40 drops, 2 to 5 times per day. To enhance appetite and digestion, take 15 minutes before meals.
Caution: Larger doses may cause nausea.


Red Clover
Liquid extract of flowering tops
Ratio- 1:1
Uses: Coughs, bronchitis, and weak lungs. High in minerals and strengthening to the body. Acts as a mild sedative, useful for children and the elderly. Used to keep skin supple and healthy. Moderate the intensity of hot flashes. Prevent and reverse breast cancer. Taken as a warm infusion it is soothing to the nerves
Dose: 15-25 drops, 1-4 times a day
Caution: Red clover should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, as the effects on developing fetus and infants is not determined. There are some studies that suggest taking red clover may affect fetal development. It is also recommended that you do not take red Clover while on blood thinning medication.


GoldenrodLiquid extract of fresh flowering tops
Ratio- 1:1
Uses: Goldenrod is used in conjunction with other remedies and/or medications for the treatment of bladder infections, irritation of the urinary tract, and bladder/kidney stones. It increases the flow of urine, which helps wash out bacteria and kidney stones. It may also soothe inflamed tissues and calm muscle spasms in the urinary tract as well. Goldenrod cannot treat urinary conditions alone, but works very well with other treatments. Used in the treatment of arthritis. Clears mucus from the upper respiratory tract
Dose: Take 6-12 drops in liquid or under tongue, 1-3 times/day
Caution: Do not use during acute attacks of kidney stones or other kidney disorders.


Queen Anne’s Lace Seed (Wild Carrot)Liquid extract of fresh seeds
Ratio- 1:1
Herbal contraceptive for women--prevents egg implantation.* Helps to loose weight gained by water retention. Helps relieve pain from arthritis and gout. Thyroid tonic.
Dose: 10-20 drops, 1-4 times a day
*(Before using and for more information on Wild Carrot has an herbal contraceptive go to www.robinrosebennett.com)

Ordering:
Please email greenfeatherherbs@yahoo.com

Products are made to order so please be patient :)

All products are organic and/or locally wild harvested and made with prayer and love by
Green Feather Herbs

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Essential Oil Hand Sanitizer

Monday through Friday I'm inside a huge school filled with germy children who don't wash their hands enough and rely on alcohol & chemical based hand sanitizer as a cure-all. I do my best by eating nourishing foods (raw garlic!), using a neti pot, getting plenty of sleep, and making lots of preventative herbal decoctions and infusions. Sometimes though, I need another line of defense.

A couple days ago I threw together an essential oil hand sanitizer that doesn't contain all that weird stuff that commercial hand sanitizer contains and doesn't dry out my hands with alcohol. Because many viruses are airborne I also wanted something that I could dab under my nose to help keep the air I breath as virus-free as possible.

About the essential oils:

I chose Tea Tree because it's antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-infectious, fungicidal, antiseptic, antiviral, and MORE...a powerful essential oil! Lavender is a lovely smelling stimulant that is antimicrobial and antiseptic. Lemon Eucalyptus is antibiotic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal.

Essential Oil Hand Sanitizer

Store in a small spray bottle

1 tsp. aloe vera gel

3/4 cup witch hazel

15 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree essential oil

5 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil