Happy New Year Everyone!


A heartfelt thank you to all of our wonderful customers for sharing a bustling and exciting holiday season with us!

The Expansion!
Many of you have heard or seen the signs and new awning, but in case you missed it… Rebecca’s has expanded into the adjacent shop space! What does that mean? Well, for us it means space to breathe and grow. Our retail store will remain very similar to how it has been. The expansion has given us a beautiful new space for our kitchen/production area, shipping, storage and general office space. Rebecca has her very own desk for the first time in 10 years! We also are gaining a lovely space for classes and events taught and hosted by Rebecca’s staff, as well as being available as a rental for other community happenings. We still have a bit more construction left to do, but we are in the home stretch. A big thank you to Leaf Running-Rabbit our awesome general contractor and new friend.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2015 from all of the herbalists at Rebecca’s Apothecary!

New at Rebecca's 

 

Online Class Sign up and new Class Space!

In addition to having a lovely new space for classes we now have easy online sign up and registration. Yay! Simply go to rebeccasherbs.com, click on “Classes”, view the ones you are interested in, and register with your credit or debit card in real time online. It’s just that easy.
 

More Local Herbs!

We just received a fabulous batch of Local Herbs from McCauley Family Farms in Longmont, Colorado. Check out the gorgeous local Hawthorn Berries, Tulsi Basil, Purple Basil, Chamomile, Lavender and more. The McCauley Family uses Biodynamic farming methods, all their herbs are grown without chemicals and they are in the process of getting their organic certification.
 

Bulk Unscented Liquid Soap is back!

An all-purpose unscented liquid soap with wholesome, organic ingredients you can feel great about. Made with moisturizing saponified oils such as Olive, Jojoba and Coconut oils with Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerine and Rosemary Antioxidant extract (natural preservative). Enjoy the simplicity of this unscented all natural body soap or add your own unique scent with your favorite essential oils at home. This bulk soap can be used as a shower gel, shampoo and basic hand soap. 

Sale Items

 

Neem Oil

For a limited time, we are offering a 20% discount on the 2 ounce bottles of Neem infused oil. Our Neem infused olive oil is a perfect complement to many early springtime body care and garden recipes. Traditionally used for its antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal, and antifungal properties, Neem is a valuable plant that can be applied in a variety of ways.

Mulling Spices

Mulling Spices

Now on sale for 10% off. Aromatic and festive, this rich blend of roots and spices is blended together to create a seasonal favorite. Mulling spices are a traditional herbal mixture used to infuse cider or wine with a warming, spicy and sweet flavor. Cinnamon, Clove, Star Anise, Allspice and Orange peel add a festive taste to your holiday drinks. They can also be used to add a sweet and spicy seasonal air to your home by simmering the mulling spices in water or by placing them in a bowl as holiday potpourri.

Staff Picks

 

Lauren's Pick

Dragon OilDragon Oil

Rebecca’s Dragon Oil provides a balanced blend of warming and cooling properties that help dissolve tension and pain while stimulating healing circulation.  This beautiful red liniment combines Ginger and Cayenne infused Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Menthol crystals and essential oils of Lavender, Wintergreen, Ginger CO2 and Eucalyptus globulus creating a pleasant swirl of mentholated spice that allows me to breathe more easily when my head is stuffed up.  While I love the icy-heat quality of Dragon Oil for sore muscles and joints, my favorite use is as a chest rub for congestion and coughs that interfere with sleep.   Rubbing some of this oil on my chest and upper back before snuggling up under the blankets, I find I can rest and heal more quickly from any cold or flu.

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 can be made online using a credit or debit card. 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: $20.00Chocolate Making Class

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!
 

Herbal Chocolate Making

Wednesday, February 11th, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: 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: $35.00Making Body Butter

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, and essential oils for natural hair care.

Herb of the Month

Each 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: Ellie Martin, certified clinical herbalist 
Codonopsis pilosula
Herb Name
Common & Latin: Codonopsis, Codonopsis pilosula

Parts used
Root

Medicinal Properties
Codonopsis, like many plants, is known by a variety of common names. Some of these include Dang Shen, Poor Man’s Ginseng, and Bonnet Bellflower. It is said that the name comes from the Greek “Kodon” meaning bell, and “Opsis” meaning likeness. The flowers are bell-shaped, and are green in color with purple veins. 

Native to Northeastern China, this herb has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a gentle tonic that is also building to the body and more specifically to the blood. Codonopsis is an adaptogenic herb which means that it has been shown to help the body adapt to and defend against the effects of environmental stress. Historically, Codonopsis has been utilized as a gentle way to promote digestion, strengthen immunity, and to relieve symptoms of stress, illness, and fatigue. It is also a balancing herb that nourishes and tones the body without being too extreme. For this reason, Codonopsis can be taken by those for whom Ginseng is too strong. According to herbalist Michael Tierra, “it increases vital energy… can be used as a substitute for Ginseng and is considered safer for both sexes and in all climates”.

As a testament to its balancing nature, Codonopsis has expectorant properties that can soothe mucous membranes in the respiratory tract while also simultaneously clearing excessive mucous. It has traditionally been used for respiratory issues including shortness of breath and asthma.

Codonopsis is a demulcent root, meaning that it is moistening to mucous membranes in the body. In this case, its demulcent properties lend themselves especially to respiratory issues and early motherhood. In China, Codonopsis is taken by nursing mothers to boost breast milk production and to increase their strength.

Preparations & Applications
Codonopsis can be taken in tea form, in capsules, or even cooked into food! The most common way is to include it in your tea blends, as in the recipe below.

Astragalus Chai (with Codonopsis)
This recipe is a new spin on the more traditional chai and was created by Rosalee De la Foret. I love the addition of Codonopsis and Astragalus slices as these two herbs have a long history of being used to improve wellness and vitality over the winter months! This tea can be enjoyed daily.
Codonopsis pilosula root
Makes 2-3 servings
2  Cardamom Pods, green, whole
1  teaspoon Black Peppercorns, whole 
3-5  Clove Buds
1  Tablespoons Cinnamon Bark (Cassia), chips
2  Tablespoons Ginger Root (dried cut root- if using powder, you may want to use less)
2  Tablespoons Orange Peel 
3-5  Allspice Berries
2  Tablespoons Codonopsis Root
4  slices Astragalus Root

Combine herbs in a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Keep on a simmer for 1 hour. You can also combine the herbs in a crock pot on low overnight. Strain, and add honey or milk to taste.