Valentine's Day

Spice up your Valentine's Day with Herbal Delights from Rebecca's!

A wonderful time of year to honor the cherished relationships in your life with gifts of herbal goodness. Rebecca's is here to help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones or for simply treating yourself. Choose from a variety of Valentine's goodies, made with love right here in our kitchen.

New Products and Promotions


Gift Bags

Valentine’s Day Spritzer

Just in time to celebrate this holiday of the heart, an aromatherapy spritzer that is sweet, spicy and sensual. With essential oils of Ylang Complete, Jasmine, Cinnamon Bark, Vetiver and Fir Balsam, this spritzer is fabulous and sexy for men and women alike.
 

Lavender & Rose Gift Bags

A truly unique, local and lovingly made Valentine’s gift, our Lavender and Rose Gift Bags are too good to pass up!  Each bag contains a delightful medley of either Rose or Lavender goodness; including the Beautiful Blend, Scented Bath Salts, Infused Coconut Oils, Lip balms, Perfume rollers and Scented Shea Butters, this gift bag is sure to make its recipient feel loved and pampered.
 

Ultimate Love Bath & Body Oil

Ultimate Love OilSoft, spicy and sweet, this sultry blend of Cinnamon and Jasmine essential oils in a base of Jojoba oil and Comfrey leaf infused olive oil is a balanced aphrodisiac for men and women alike. Used as a massage or bath oil, or worn as a light perfume, you are sure to bliss out with this blend.
 

Lover’s Perfume Roller 

The most natural perfume you can find! Our perfume oils are a blend of first pressing golden organic Jojoba Oil and 100% pure essential oils including Jasmine, Ginger, Vetiver & Ylang extra. Great for both men and women, this blend contains oils traditionally used as aphrodisiacs which encourage feelings of comfort, and confidence whilst making the senses more acute.
 

Our seasonal specialty carrier oils are back!

Raspberry seed oil

Red Raspberry seed oil is a cold pressed, extra virgin carrier oil used in a variety of skin care recipes. High in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in addition to many beneficial antioxidants, Red Raspberry seed oil has traditionally been used for skin repair, conditioning, and to aid in moisture retention. This carrier oil has been shown to have a range of 30-50 SPF and can be added to homemade sunblock recipes to increase protection from harmful UV rays. 
 

CarrotCarrot seed oil

Cold pressed from the seeds of a plant known as Queen Anne’s lace, Carrot seed oil has conventionally been used to rejuvenate and regenerate skin tissue. It is considered supportive for all skin types and especially for dry and mature skin. High in Vitamin A and beta-carotene, this oil has been used to balance skin complexion and to help retain moisture for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. With a lovely scent, this oil acts as a great conditioner for all hair types. Reputed to have a range of 30-40 SPF coverage, Carrot seed oil is an excellent addition to sunblock and a variety of other skin care recipes.

Classes

Below is our class schedule, for full class descriptions please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes/ Your space in the class is reserved once payment is received. Payment for classes is made by cash or check payable to the instructor. Please be aware that classes fill up quickly, so sign up early. Pre-registration is required.

 

Kids Herbal Valentine’s Day!

Saturday, February 7th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Instructor: Ellie Martin, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $20.00
Join us for a fun interactive kid’s class. Together we will make and taste some yummy, healthy (and allergen free) herbal sweets.  We will be making herbal Valentine’s Day cards and more! 
 

Chocolate Making ClassHerbal Chocolate Making

Wednesday, February 11th, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructors: Liz Philbrick, certified clinical herbalist & nutritionist & Corrie Bradley, certified clinical herbalist & nutritionist
Cost: $35.00
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolate? In this class we will cover the history and benefits of chocolate as well as how to make herb infused chocolates.
 

Making Body Butters

Saturday, February 21st, 2:00-4:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen Rodgers, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Learn to make decadent and nourishing body butters in your own kitchen!  This is a fun class where you will get to learn about different natural butters including shea, cocoa, and mango butter.
 

Herbal Hair Care

Thursday, February 26th, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Amber Brisson, certified clinical herbalist and nutritionist
Cost: $35.00
Come explore all the simple and chemical free ways to nourish and strengthen your hair! Learn how to keep your hair healthy from the inside out with tasty tea blends, herbal hair rinses, alternatives to shampoo & conditioner and essential oils for natural hair care.
 

Soap making classSoap Making 101

Saturday, March 14th, 11:00am-1:00pm
Instructor Corrie Bradley, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $40
The art of cold processed soap making is intoxicating. Learn to make beautiful soap out of simple, quality ingredients.
 

Herbal Bar

Wednesday, March 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Participants must be 21 or over
Instructors: Liz Philbrick, certified clinical herbalist and nutritionist, Amber Brisson, certified clinical herbalist and nutritionist
Cost: $40.00
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own bitters or spice up your favorite cocktail? Come explore how to make all of the mixers and main ingredients needed to stock your very own herbal bar.
 

Healthy Pregnancy with Herbs

Saturday, March 21st, 3:00-5:00pm
Instructor: Ellie Martin, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $25.00
Come and learn about a wide variety of herbs that can ease the discomforts of pregnancy and keep you and your baby comfortable. We will cover safe and gentle herbs & nutritional therapies that can be used during pregnancy and postpartum.
Lotion Making


Lotions & Creams

Saturday, March 28th, 2:00-4:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen Rodgers, certified clinical herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Learn to make decadent lotions & creams in your very own kitchen.  This hands on class will give you simple techniques, tips and easy to follow recipes for making lotions & creams.

Herb of the Month


Hawthorne BerriesEach month one of our staff members picks an herb that they are 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.

By Becca Wasserman, Certified Clinical Herbalist

Common Name
Hawthorne

Latin Name
Crataegus spp

Parts Used
Leaf, Flower, & Fruit (berries)

Medicinal Properties
Hawthorne, of which there are many species, varies in shape from wild and shrubby, to wisened and treelike. True to their name, Hawthorne trees typically have characteristic thorns on their branches or trunks. The flowers and leaves are harvested in the spring, and the berries are harvested in the fall. Should one be overcome by herb-lust, the thorns are quick to share the deeply valuable lessons of harvesting with care and respect! Northern European folklore has long associated Hawthorne trees with the fairy realm, regarding them as fairy homes or sacred fairy places that should be respected and left undisturbed in order to avoid bad luck.

In Western Herbalism, Hawthorn is often referred to as a premier cardiotonic—strengthening and balancing to the heart and circulatory system. It has been traditionally used for a wide range of cardiovascular and circulatory issues, including regulating blood pressure, calming nervous heart palpitations, and supporting vascular integrity. Hawthorn is rich in antioxidants, beneficial not only for cardiovascular health but also for immune function and modulating inflammation in the body.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine Hawthorn berries are used for food stagnation—aiding in proper digestion. The sour taste of the berry is said to contract overly-relaxed tissues, normalize digestive secretion, and increase assimilation.

Hawthorn is calming to the nervous system and spirit, and has been used to soothe tension and anxiety. Energetically Hawthorn has a strong protective and magical quality, and is specifically indicated for emotional and spiritual heart-ache and grief. As their thorns indicate, Hawthorn can also be used to help work energetically with boundaries, whether they be too firm or too loose.

Hawthorn is a nutritive and restorative tonic that is most supportive when used long term, 3+ months. Hawthorn is lovely when prepared with all 3 parts combined (berry, leaf, & flower), although the berries or leaves & flowers can also be used alone.

Contraindications & Safety
Hawthorne may interact with heart medications, therefore anyone taking heart medications should consult with their health care practitioner before using Hawthorne. 

Preparations & Applications
Hawthorne leaves, flowers and berries can be prepared as tea, tincture, medicinal food and syrup. Tea preparations are as follows: Berries-Gently simmer 1 tablespoon of berries in 1 cup of water for 20-30 minutes. Or steep for 30+ minutes. Leaves & flowers— Infuse 1 tablespoon of leaves & flowers in 1 cup of water for 15-20 minutes. All three—  Infuse 1 tablespoon of berries, leaves, & flowers in 1 cup of water for 30+ minutes…OR gently simmer 1-2 teaspoons berries in 1 cup of water for 20 minutes; pour decoction over 1-2 teaspoons of leaves & flowers, steep 15 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Fresh berries can be harvested in fall and eaten as is, or made into preserves/jam. Beware of seeds.

We are so excited to have some incredible local Hawthorn berries in the apothecary right now from our friends at McCauley Family Farm. Come share in their rosy-apple sweetness while they last!

Recipe
The following recipe is a delicious heart tonifying, spiced, aphrodisiac syrup! Add 1-2 tablespoons to warm water or tea, on dessert (ice cream, pie) or in a Hot Toddy on a cold night.

Hawthorne Cacao Elixir
(yields approximately 16 oz. of elixir)

Combine the following ingredients in 2 cups of water:
Hawthorne berries1 heavy tablespoon Hawthorne berries 
½ teaspoon dried Ginger root
½ teaspoon Cinnamon chips
1 Anise Star
1 Clove
1 - 2 Cardamom pods
Pinch of Orange peel (if desired)

Cover and decoct (a very gentle simmer) until reduced by half, about 30 minutes.

While waiting for your Hawthorn decoction, very gently heat 1 cup of honey in a double boiler or warm water bath until it becomes runny in consistency. Feel free to use a honey that has been previously infused with herbs, or toss in a few slices of raw ginger while it’s gently heating—don’t forget to remove the slices before completing your elixir!

Strain your Hawthorne decoction, remove honey from heat, and combine 1 cup of decoction & 1 cup of honey.

Stir in ¼ cup of Cacao tincture, and a tiny pinch of Cayenne powder (can also be prepared without Cacao tincture). Mix well. Enjoy!

Note: Elixir may separate, be sure to shake well before each use. Best if kept in the fridge, although not necessary. Last about 3-6 months.

Resources
Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, Michael Moore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra
Making Plant Medicine, Richo Cech