Backyard Diva

6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference

I received a brochure in the mail, from Red Moon Herbs, about their 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference. The conference is a weekend dedicated to the wise women tradition, earth-based healing, local plants and deep nourishment.

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Opening Circle

Herbal Conference Details

• 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference
• October 1st through 3rd
• Camp Rockmont at Lake Eden
• Black Mountain, North Carolina

Herbal Vendors

30 vendors will be selling their merchandise, and promoting their services, throughout the duration of the conference. Vendors include:

• Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism
• Ceramic Song 
• Coyote Moon Herb Farm
• Goddess Ware
• Isis Trading
• Red Moon Herbs
• Useful Plants Nursery

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Organizers:
(left to right) Lee Warren, Programming
Corinna Wood, Director
Ema Carmona, Coordinator

Additional Information

Website: www.sewisewomen.com

The conference is presented by Red Moon Herbs.

PRESS RELEASE

Black Mountain, NC – Women from across the Southeast will gather at the 6^th annual Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference on October 1-3, at Lake Eden in scenic Black Mountain, NC. With over 60 classes by more than 30 teachers, the weekend focuses on herbal education, nourishing foods, wholistic sexuality, and ecology. The conference, which has grown to over 600 participants over the last five years, will host special guest author, and internationally renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

 

Workshops range from beginner to advanced and cover topics such as herb walks, storytelling, classic kitchen remedies, drumming, seasonal living, self-esteem.

The weekend is designed for women to learn, connect, and deepen into the Wise Woman Tradition, which organizers describe as simple living, earth-based healing, and local plants. “Women are hungry for this knowledge. The conference offers an opportunity for them to steep themselves in teachings which encourage them to take charge of their health and their lives,” says conference Director Corinna Wood.

 

Cost for the conference is $240 until August 20^th and $275 thereafter with additional costs for meals, lodging, and intensives. The conference has applied for continuing education credits for nurses. www.sewisewomen.com  877-SEWOMEN.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Herb and Small Scale Farming Magazine Recommendations

Here are a few magazine recommendations for anyone into gardening, small scale farming or herbs. I have subscribed to most of the magazines, at some point during the past few years. My magazine subscriptions are limited to just a few magazines per year, so I usually rotate my subscriptions around each year.

I have written articles in the past for Back Home and The Herb Quarterly.

Back Home

• 6 issue per year
• Focuses on do-it-yourself information on sustainable, self reliant living, including growing and cooking with herbs.
• www.backhomemagazine.com

Hobby Farms

• 6 issues per year
• A magazine for rural enthusiasts; small farm equipment, livestock, crops
• Published by Bow Tie, Inc.
• www.hobbyfarms.com

Hobby Farm Home

• 6 issues per year
• Highlights farmhouse activities such as cooking, crafting and pet care
• Published by Bow Tie, Inc.
• www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farm-home.aspx

Mother Earth News

• 6 issues per year
• Focuses on herbs, gardening, small scale farming, organic foods, country living, renewable energy
• Published by Ogden Publications
• www.motherearthnews.com

Organic Gardening

• 12 issues per year
• Organic gardening, cooking, small scale farming
• Published by Rodale, Inc.
• www.organicgardening.com
  

The Herb Companion

• 6 issues per year
• Focuses on gardening and cooking with herbs
• Published by Ogden Publications
• www.herbcompanion.com

The Herb Quarterly

• 4 issues per year
• Focuses on growing herbs, cooking with herbs, medicinal herbs, folklore of herbs
• Published by EGW Publishing Company
• www.herbquarterly.com

Urban Farm

• 4 issues per year
• Focuses on sustainable city living, local food movement, urban farming
• Available at newsstands only, not available by subscription
• Published by Fancy Publications

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make Homemade Facial Treatments

Image:  [John Feeney]/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

Facials
A facial refers to any type of cosmetic treatment meant to be used on the face such as a facial steam or scrub. Facials help to improve the appearance of your skin by removing dirt and debris from your pores.

Steam facial:

1. Fill a large bowl with boiling water.
2. Add 2-4 drops of essential oil to the water.
3. Place your face a few inches above the water then cover your head with a towel to keep the steam from escaping.
4. If you get too hot lift the towel to get some fresh air.
5. Place the towel back over your head and continue steaming and venting until the water cools down and has stopped steaming.
6. At the conclusion of the facial splash your face with cool water then pat dry with a soft towel.
7. You may want to apply a toner to your face at the conclusion of the facial to help close the pores of your skin.
8. If you have dry skin, you may want to apply a light lotion to your face after completing the facial.

Essential oils to use for oily skin:

Lemon, peppermint, rose geranium, rosemary, tea tree, ylang ylang

Essential oils to use for dry skin:

Lemon, orange, rosemary, lavender, rose, sandalwood

Floral Facial scrub:

• 2 tablespoons dried lavender petals
• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 1/3 cup uncooked brown rice

Directions for Floral Facial Scrub

1. Place the flowers and oatmeal into a coffee grinder and grind to a medium fine consistency, then pour out into a bowl.
2. Add the rice to the coffee grinder and grind to a find consistency.
3. Pour the ground rice into the ground oatmeal and herb mixture and stir until well blended.
4. To store this mixture pour it into a container with a tight fitting lid.
5. To use as a facial place 2 tablespoons of the scrub into a small muslin bag.
6. Tie the bag closed with a piece of string.
7. Briefly soak the bag in warm water to thoroughly wet the mixture then use it to scrub all over your face.
8. Rinse your face a final time with cool water then pat dry with a soft cloth.
9. This is a great way to help slough off dead, dry skin cells and will impart a more radiant and youthful glow to your complexion.
10. This recipe may also be used as a body scrub while taking a bath or shower.

Gels

Gels can be used as a general facial tonic to help moisturize and sooth your skin. Gels are gentle enough to be used on the delicate skin around your neck and chest area.

Moisturizing gel:

• 1 tablespoon slippery elm powder
• 5 ounces rose water or plain water
• 10 drops rose geranium essential oil

Directions for Moisturizing Gel

1. Mix the slippery elm powder with the rose water or plain water and place in an enamel or glass pan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes stirring continuously while the gel thickens.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the gel into a glass bowl.
4. Let the gel cool down to room temperature, which will take approximately 30 minutes, then stir in the essential oil.
5. Apply the gel to your face and neck area.
6. Let the gel remain in place for 5-10 minutes then rinse off with water and a soft washcloth.
7. Store any leftover gel in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make a Facial Toner

Toners
Toners are meant for external use only and have the consistency of water. Witch hazel is a common ingredient to use when making your own toners. It can be found in pharmacies in one pint bottles as a mixture of 86% witch hazel extract and 14% alcohol and is for external use only. Use witch hazel as a skin astringent, facial cleanser and for the relief of minor skin irritations due to insect bites, minor cuts and minor scrapes.

Floral toner:

• ½ cup rose infusion
• ½ cup witch hazel
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a glass or plastic bottle. Apply the toner to your face using a cotton ball. Toners can be used to help remove makeup and gently cleanse the skin of your face.

Cooling Toner:

Mix ½ cup of a strong peppermint infusion with ½ cup of witch hazel. Place the resulting liquid into a small spray bottle. Place this toner in the refrigerator and use it to spray all over your body to help cool you down whenever you come inside after being in the hot summer sun. Shake the bottle well before using and be sure to avoid spraying near your eyes.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make Healing Ointment for Dry Skin

Ointments are meant for external use only. They are similar to a liniment but of a thicker consistency. With the addition of beeswax and other ingredients an ointment can become as solid as a balm or as creamy as a lotion.

Homemade Healing Ointment

This ointment helps moisturize dry and damaged skin especially on the knees, elbows, heels, and cuticles. It can also be used to help heal minor cuts and scrapes. The rose water, along with orange water and jasmine water, can be found at health food stores and many grocery stores.

Ingredients for the Healing Ointment:

• ¼ cup almond oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• ¼ cup shea butter
• 1/3 cup rose water
• Contents of 3 vitamin E capsules
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 20 drops rosemary essential oil

Directions for the Cuticle Oil:

1. Place the almond oil in a small glass or stainless steel bowl, then place the bowl over a pan that is half filled with water.
2. Turn the heat to medium and heat the mixture until the beeswax and shea butter have completely melted.
3. Remove the bowl from the stove and turn off the heat.
4. Stir in the rose water, Vitamin E and essential oils.
5. Place the bowl into a larger bowl which has been filled half-way with ice cubes.
6. Use a wire whisk or glass stirring rod to continuously beat and stir the mixture until it is thick and creamy.
7. Pour or spoon the ointment into wide mouth containers.
8. Let the balm cool completely to room temperature before adding the lids.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make an Easy Herb Infused Lotion

Homemade Beauty Cream

Creams are a medicine or cosmetic applied externally to a part of the body. They usually have the consistency of a thick cold cream. Creams are an emulsion made of a blend of ingredients such as oil, beeswax, lanolin, glycerin and essential oils.

Instant Herb Infused Cream

If you want to make your own creams, but don’t have the time or inclination to make them from scratch, you can purchase aqueous cream from your local pharmacist. Plain aqueous cream is fragrance and dye free which makes it safe enough to use on small children and infants. To make your own scented cream, simply add 6-8 drops of essential oil to every 2 ounces of the aqueous cream.

Shea Butter Lotion

Local craft stores often sell 16 ounce bottles of a shea butter based lotion to which essential oils and/or coloring can be added to make your own unique lotion blends. The craft stores also sell empty 2 ounce plastic bottles for decanting your lotions into which can then be given away as gifts to friends and family.

Here are a few suggestions for making your own shea butter lotion blends:

• Lavender - calming
• Lemon & clove - invigorating
• Peppermint - refreshing
• Rosemary & patchouli - sensual

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make a Herbal Infusion

Herbal Infusions

An infusion is the steeping of leafy herbs and flowers in hot water in order to extract their aromatic and medicinal properties. Infusions can be used externally, as a compress, or added to your bathtub for an enjoyable herbal bath.

Herbal Compress

A compress is a soft pad or cloth, often made of flannel, which is applied to a part of the body to reduce pain or control bleeding. Herbal compresses are first soaked in a warm herbal infusion then rung out before being applied to the body.

When the compress has cooled down you can remove it and re-soak it in the warm infusion if a second or third application is necessary.Any leftover infusion can be stored in a bottle in the refrigerator for a few days. It’s best to make small, frequent batches of these infusions as they may begin to grow mold after one weeks time.

Rose Infusion

• ¼ ounce (approximately ½ cup) dried rose buds
• 4 cups water

Directions for Making Rose Infusion

1. Place the rose buds in a glass bowl or large glass measuring cup.
2. Bring the water to a boil and pour over the rose buds.
3. Stir well then cover the bowl with a towel.
4. Let this mixture steep until the water has cooled down to room temperature.
5. Strain out and discard the roses.
6. Pour the infusion into a container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
7. This floral scented infusion will have a pale rose color and can used to make a variety of herbal cosmetics such as lotions, ointments and toners.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make a Basic Healing Oil

Above: comfrey plant in bloom

Healing Oils

Herb infused oils can be used to create a variety of balms, creams, lotions and ointments. Herb infused oils can be made with cosmetic grade oils such as cold pressed olive, hazel nut, grape seed or sweet almond. Healing herbs to use for creating oils include arnica flowers, calendula flowers, and comfrey leaves. Arnica is a terrific all-purpose healing herb for use on minor cuts, scrapes, sprains and bruises.

Basic healing oil:

• ¼ cup dried comfrey leaves
• ¼ cup dried calendula petals
• Olive oil

Make a Healing Oil

1. Place the herbs into a pint size glass canning jar or similar container.
2. Fill the jar with olive oil making sure that the herbs are completely covered with oil.
3. Place the lid on the jar and shake well.
4. Store the jar at room temperature away from sunlight.
5. Shake the jar once a day for 4 weeks.
6. Decant the herb infused oil into another jar discarding the herbs.
7. Store the oil in the refrigerator until ready to use.
8. Keep an eye out for any mold that may form, if mold is present you must discard the oil.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Aromatherapy & Natural Beauty Books

Books of Interest
Here are a few books in my personal library that I refer to quite often when researching natural beauty treatments and all-natural cosmetics.

1. Bardey, Catherine. Secrets of the Spas. New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1999.
2. Hurley, Phillip. Herbal Alchemy. Wheelock, VT: Maithuna Publications, 2001. Original edition published 1977 by Lotus Publications.
3. Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Great Britain: Element Books, 1995.
4. Palmer, Catherine. Down-to-Earth Beauty. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 1981.
5. Tisserand, Robert B. The Art of Aromatherapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1977.
6. Worwood, Valeria Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy. San Rafael, CA: New World Library, 1991.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Essential Oils; Sweet Bay, Basil, Benzoin

Above: basil plant

Sweet basil - Ocimum basilicum - this is an energizing and uplifting oil with a very refreshing, clean scent. I often use this oil in my essential oil diffuser to scent my home office. This oil blends well with lavender and thyme.

• Planet=sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=mood elevator, leadership, prosperity, protection

Bay - Laurus nobilis - this oil is calming and grounding and blends well with all citrus based oils, lavender and rosemary.

• Planet=sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=divination, meditation, purification

Benzoin - sweet, vanilla scent, can be used as a scent extender with other essential oils.

• Planet=Sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=leadership, love magic, magic ability

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva