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Rose

It may seem cliche that we chose rose for February and maybe it is. But we just love roses. The scent, the colorful flowers, the thorny warning system, what’s not to love?

Growing up, rose was far from my favorite flower. I only knew of it as the one flower that got all the attention. It was the one used in showy bouquets or a single rose was a somewhat dramatic display of affection. The older I have gotten though, the more roses have grown on me.

One of my first experiences in appreciating roses is when I rented a house with old rose bushes that grew in the front and on the side of the house. They were a bit unkempt and would snag my clothes when I would open the front gate if I wasn’t paying close enough attention to them. At first they seemed a little needy, always grabbing me and demanding that I notice them. But then spring came and the roses bloomed. They were beautiful golden roses.

The plant was filled with happy yellow flowers that reach all the way to the roof. Now I have always had trouble harvesting flowers. I’m the type of person who gets so excited to plant new herbs and then I just love them so much I can never cut off their beautiful flowers.

But the roses taught me that the more I gathered the more seemed to bloom. I started gathering the roses that were clearly on their last leg and slowly I realized that the rose seemed to flourish when I attended to it. The more attention and love I gave to that plant, the more roses kept showing up.

I began making massive amounts of rose water with all the petals I gathered. I had very problematic skin at the time and was looking for anything to calm my breakouts. I found rose water to be soothing and refreshing, but also expensive. So I ventured into making it and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I still have some stashed away.

Rose Water

To make rose water, gather rose petals and put them in a deep pot with enough water to submerge them. Place a small glass bowl upside down in the pot. Balance another glass bowl on top to collect the droplets that form on the lid. Cover the pot with a lid and turn your stove to low. As the roses heat in the water their amazing properties infuse. Then the heat rises the little droplets to the lid of the pan where they will drip into the bowl.

Transfer your rose water to a glass spray bottle and spritz your face freely.

Properties

Rose is very soothing to the skin and contains antioxidants for skin protection. It is anti-inflammatory and may help with reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Rose is also a very uplifting scent so it can help when you are having a difficult time.

We include rose in our Royal Bee Facial Serum and Queen Bee Face Butter for these amazing properties. The sweet soothing scent is a wonderful way to start the day and to drift into sweet dreams at the end of the day.

Rose does seem to be one of those polarizing scents. Some people love it while others really don’t care for it much at all. I have really grown to love rose. Every time I pass a rose bush I just have to stop and smell the roses.

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Lavender

Lavandula officinalis

Lavender is our herb of the month this month. Since it is part of our logo and one of my all time favorites, I felt that it was the perfect choice. Lavender is often my go to herb for pretty much everything. The smell, the colors, the calming vibe, what’s not to just love about this amazing plant teacher? Not only is lavender a delight to have in the garden, it is also super easy to grow. It is drought resistant, loves the sun, does well in different types of soil, especially the sandy kind, and draws in our favorite pollinators. Lavender spreads out and shows us how to fill space in a sweet and unimposing way. From a small start, lavender grows and expands to a hearty shrub up to three feet tall. They do grow large so try to plant lavender where it has room to become the showy plant that we love. We have much to learn from the lovely lavender.

Lavender plants grow plentiful flowers in a beautiful pale purple or lilac color. They are easy to harvest and dry and hold their scent for a long time. The flowers are what is used in herbal preparations. The smell is calming, peaceful and inspires joy. The whole plant itself is such a gift to look at. A sea of pale blue green and purple, just feels relaxing. Although we are now reaching the end of the lavender flowering season, as I sit here with the lavender plants that live in my yard, they are still filled with visiting pollinators. These plants are still drawing in the bees and butterflies in a mutually beneficial dance of nature.

This amazing plant is an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti inflammatory, anti convulsive, and antidepressant. 

One of my favorite ways to enjoy lavender is in tea. It adds an extra feeling of comfort and calm to any tea formula, especially a nice evening blend of lavender, oat straw, and lemon balm. I love using teas as a way to truly get to know a plant and its characteristics. I also find that it is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience nature. Taking a little time out of the day to get to know yourself and a new plant ally is one of the most sincere and heart opening ways that I have found to connect with our natural world. When I make tea I make sure to use that time to step away from any stresses or concerns and just be fully present. I like to breath the steam in deeply and take some time to fully appreciate the moment and the herbs swirling around in my little tea cup. The scent of lavender in particular, instantly transports me to a place of serenity. 

I struggle with anxiety so lavender has been an amazing source to remind me that everything is ok. I use it so often in my daily life that I always make sure to have a bottle of the essential oil in my toiletry kit. I always have some at home and travel with a little bottle as well for anytime I feel overwhelmed or stressed. I put a couple of drops on my wrists and my neck and I feel some relief (it also just smells really nice, which is a plus for anyone around me.)

There are just so many things you can do with lavender. It is so versatile it can be used in teas, tinctures, topicals, facial steams, aroma therapy, or any other way you could think of. It adds a little extra to a refreshing lemonade or a kombucha. Lavender can also be quite a savior in the summer time. Not only is it refreshing to drink, it can also be added to a spritz for after sun care or some cooling relief in the hot sun. Peppermint, aloe, and lavender are a trifecta of summer care and relief. Lavender oil is also wonderful for skin care. It is helpful for bug bites and acne. I used a combination of lavender and tea tree to treat acne and shrink pesky pimples. 

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Herb of the Month : Poppy

Humble Bee Herbal

Eschscholtzia Californica

For our first ever Herb of the Month, we have chosen the California Poppy. How could we not? Living in California, these showy blossoms spread out all over our beautiful state all spring and summer.

To be honest, when I was younger I didn’t understand why we had such a simple flower as our state flower. I wondered why we didn’t chose a more colorful or more intricate flower. But as I got older and started to study herbs, I realized that the poppy is magical. The range of colors from yellow to orange to red is always so vibrant. The bright blossoms set against their pastel green leaves really makes them stand out even more.

More importantly, the bees love poppies. I often see a few bumbling bees hover over the wide open blooms before diving in and gathering all the pollen that they can carry. The deer also love poppies. I have often watched as the poppy flowers in my backyard get chomped up. In a matter of minutes a once full backyard of orange becomes a field of green. The deer must know the magic of the poppy. Do they feel its soothing and calming energy or are they just a tasty treat?

Poppies have a lot to offer as a group, but California Poppies in particular deserve some recognition. California Poppies are a calming subtle plant teacher. They stretch out their lacy dusty leaves and slowly creep into open spaces. Then their little orange buds slowly uncurl into vibrant flowers that open to the sunlight and sleepily close at nighttime to tuck themselves in.

Growing and Harvesting

Poppies are illegal to pick in California. For this reason wildcrafting is not an option. It is best to leave these wild creatures alone. They are beautiful, but it is important to resist the urge to pick them.

If you would like to harness the energy of the poppy you can always grow your own. They are tenacious plants that will really spread out when given the room. These plants are drought resistant, which is how they were able to survive in California for such a long time. They are the state flower and are protected as such. Poppies are very hardy plants and thrive in a variety of soil types. The whole plant can be used.

Properties

California Poppies are mildly sedative and analgesic (pain reliever). It can be helpful for insomnia, some agitation, and mild anxiety. It is gentle when easing aches and pains. This plant can also be used to treat a spastic colon, diseases of the bladder, liver, and gallbladder issues. It is safe for children and can be used to calm hyperactivity or bedwetting.

Preparation

California Poppies can be eaten, and make a really lovely tea. The plant can also be used in topicals live salves and lotions. Tinctures of the plant can also be a relaxing way to prepare poppies.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy California Poppies is a mellow evening tea. I like to gather equal parts poppy and lavender to infuse for 15 to 20 minutes. That way I have a lovely, relaxing night time tea that soothes my soul!

Where ever you are, if you see a California Poppy, be sure to appreciate it as one amazing plant.