We have two new specially formulated Rebecca's products!

Wisdom Tea — This delicious new blend contains Holy Basil, Wood Betony, Lemon Verbena, and a touch of Red Roses. Wisdom Tea is grounding, balancing, and strengthening to the nervous system. Drink this tea when you want to relax and stay present in the moment. Great before meditation, yoga, journeying or for other centering practices. Drink daily to ignite the deep wisdom within!

Ear Oil — This amazing oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving. Indicated for ear infection, swimmers ear, or a build-up of ear wax. We've been getting really good feedback on this oil. Place 2-3 drops of warm oil into each ear 1-3 times a day. A simple way to warm your oil is to vigorously rub the bottle between your hands.

We also have two new delicious Chocolove Chocolates!!

Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate — 55% Cocoa Content
Coffee Crunch in Dark Chocolate — 55% Cocoa Content

Each month one of our staff members picks one of her/his favorite items in our shop to tell you about.

Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family

This is a great household book, complete with home remedies for the entire family. Gladstar combines everyday herbs into fun and creative recipes for all to enjoy!! Catered to adults, babies, children and elders, this is the perfect book for a single person or family looking to embrace a natural, healthy lifestyle.

Gladstar provides herbal remedies for everyday life using easy to follow recipes. She walks you through every step of the medicine making process, including growing, harvesting, preparation and dosage directions. This is the most popular book in our store.

Below is our Spring Class Schedule. Look for more seasonal classes to come. For full class descriptions and an archive of past classes please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes.html.

Wednesday, March 10th, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Janet Roberts, MA
Cost: $58 (materials included)

Tuesday, March 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35

Parents must accompany
2nd Sunday of each month, April-June 2010, 10:00-11:00am
Instructor: Katie Browning, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $20 (All materials included)

Tuesday, April 6th 2009, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Lelia Lyon, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $35

Wednesday, April 21st, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35

Each month one of our staff members picks an herb that she/he is drawn to, and shares some experiences, thoughts, medicinal uses and a bit of traditional lore about their selected plant. As each plant is unique, each Herbalist and point of view is unique. We hope you enjoy this tradition.

Common Name
Pasque Flower, Wind Flower or Anenome

Latin Name
Pulsatilla Vulgaris (European origin); Pulsatilla patens (North American origin, blue/purple flower species found in prairies or sub-alpine, common name prairie crocus or common pasque); Pulsatilla occidentallis (white flower species found in moister montane, sub-alpine and alpine zones in Western Canada, Montana and Idaho) *Note: The old Latin name genus is — Anenome

Family
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Description
Pasque is a beautiful, fuzzy, blue/purple or white flower that is usually one of the first to pop its head through the snow in spring! It is usually only 5-10" high, with tiny silky white hairs encompassing the thick stems, leaves (that are deeply sub-divided) and flower. The flower is large in comparison, usually 2-3" in diameter. Bloom time is generally April to June.

Parts Used
The leaves, flowers and above ground parts of the plant.

Folklore and Mythology
The name Anenome comes from the Greek word for wind; anemos. Anenome or Pasque flower is associated with the wind and the Greek myth of the Nymph Anenome, who was the beloved mistress of Zepher, God of the west wind. The Goddess Flora, Zepher's wife in a rage of jealousy turned Anenome into the little wind flower. In the language of flowers Anenome or Pasque represents all that is forsaken in love.

Medicinal Properties
Pasque is an excellent nervous system remedy. It specifically helps for anxiety that is associated with insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations and weepiness where the person feels vulnerable and frail. It is also great for emotions associated with hormonal fluctuations, life transitions, or changes, such as; menopause, divorce, and anxiety about birth. Pasque also has anti-spasmodic and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. It can soothe dysmenorhea (painful periods), digestive colic/cramping, respiratory and muscle spasm. Pasque also increases venous circulation, to induce sweating and break fever (diaphoretic), and eruptive infections. The homeopathic preparation has similar applications and also is used for mucus membranes where there is yellow-thick green catarrh. The flower essence is particular for people who have changeable emotions. It engenders inner strength, vitality and stability.

Contra-indications/Precaution!
Pasque is potentially dangerous in normal herbal doses. Drop doses, homeopathic or flower essence preparations are recommended. Toxicity can included skin allergy, urinary/kidney irritation, decreased heart rate, and convulsions. It should never be taken without consultation with a qualified health practitioner.

Preparations & Applications
Tincture — An alcohol extract of the fresh plant. Use drop doses, 1-5 drops.
Flower Essence — 1-3 drops in water or under the tongue as needed.
Homeopathic — 5cc to 30cc; consult with your homeopath.

Sources
Kershaw, Linda: Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies
McIntyre, Anne: The Complete Floral Herbal
Tilford, Gregory L.: Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West
Van Wyk, Ben-Erik and Wink, Michael: Medicinal Plants of the World