Seniors save 10% every Tuesday ~ Members of our Bulk Herb Club save 10% on all bulk purchases, all the time! Anyone can join!

Arts Alive New Year Celebration!

Join us this Saturday January 6th from 6 to 9pm for our first Arts Alive Party of 2024! We're featuring the abstract expressionism of Reuben T. Mayes, and we'll have live Irish/Celtic music with Seabury Gould and Evan Morden. We're looking forward to seeing you!

You can learn more about Reuben's inspirational artwork here.

Be part of an in-person class community filled with laughter, deep insight, creativity, and copious amounts of plant wisdom!

Join Jessica Shepherd (Community Herbalist with Humboldt Herbals for 19 years!) and Allison Poklemba of Dandelion Herbal Center for their

2024 classes:

Beginning with Herbs

Jan. 17 - March 6, 2024 | 8 Wednesdays 6-8pm + 2 Saturday Herb Walks

at Humboldt Herbals’ Classroom | Eureka, CA

Engage all your senses in this hands-on approach to learning the foundations of making and using your own herbal medicine! Fill your medicine chest with a wide variety of products we’ll create. Tuition: $435

Ten Month Herbal Studies Program

Feb. 10 - Nov. 10, 2024 | 1 Weekend per month

This monthly deep dive for the passionate herb student takes a body systems approach to plant medicine and includes the kinds of field trips every herbalist dreams of! Tuition: $2995

Limited scholarships are available for BIPOC, elders, students, and/or those experiencing economic hardship.

Save your spot and learn more today at dandelionherb.com

Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Allison at 707-407-5617 or allison@dandelionherb.com

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, dear Herb Folks! May the year 2024 bring you abundant happiness, prosperity and success. Let's embrace all the wonders the future holds and make the most of this exciting new year.

The beginning of the new year is a time to reflect on the past, learn from our experiences, and make plans for the future. It's a time where we reset and start anew, leaving behind any negativity and embracing the positive changes we wish to see in ourselves and in the world. New Year's resolutions are in the air! It's a time to set goals and aspirations, to challenge ourselves and strive for excellence. Let's make this year the best one yet, filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.

When it comes to health and well-being, it's important to remember that even small steps can make a big difference. While some may dismiss the idea of New Year's resolutions, there's nothing wrong with using the energy and motivation that comes with the start of a new year to set goals for yourself. Whether it's drinking more water, getting more exercise, or simply taking time to relax and de-stress with a massage, every little bit counts. And don't forget to celebrate your progress along the way. Remember, the goal isn't just to achieve a certain outcome, but to enhance your overall health and happiness. So take care of yourself, set realistic goals, and enjoy the journey towards a healthier, happier you.

As the weather gets colder, many of us are more prone to catching colds and flus. It’s important to take care of our health and boost our immune system. One way to do that is by incorporating healthy and nutritious foods into our diets. Luckily, many delicious recipes can help us feel better and keep us warm during this time of the year. For instance, soups and stews are perfect for the colder weather and can be packed with immune-boosting ingredients such as garlic, ginger, and turmeric. You could also try making smoothies with fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. There are many other ways to stay healthy during the cold season. Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated are all important for maintaining a strong immune system. By taking these steps, we can help ensure that we stay healthy and happy throughout the winter months.

Throughout history, garlic and alliums have been known for their medicinal properties and have been used to ward off evil spirits and diseases. In ancient times, garlic was even believed to have magical powers that could protect people from vampires and other supernatural beings. In addition to its mystical properties, garlic has also been used for its health benefits. It is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can help boost the immune system and fight off infections. Garlic has been used in various preparations, including teas and tonics, to help people stay healthy and fight off illnesses. One popular recipe that includes garlic is the Four Thieves Vinegar, which is said to have been used by a group of thieves during the Black Plague to protect themselves from the disease. Fire Cider is another popular recipe that includes garlic and other immune-boosting ingredients like ginger and horseradish. Today, garlic continues to be a popular ingredient in many dishes and is widely recognized for its health benefits. Whether you're looking to ward off evil spirits or simply stay healthy, incorporating garlic into your diet is a great way to boost your immune system and keep yourself feeling your best.

Four Thieves Vinegar Recipe

Combine the following fresh plants in equal parts with a vinegar of choice. Wine vinegar is traditional, but any good, strong vinegar will do.

Crushed Garlic

Rosemary

Thyme

Sage

Vinegar of choice

Use 1 part of herbs and two parts of vinegar. Let infuse for one moon cycle and then strain.

This recipe is famously known for keeping graverobbers and thieves from becoming sick with the plague that killed their victims during the times of black death. It is also wonderful to promote health when added to a glass of water or used on food.

Historical note: Some four thieves vinegar recipes are not meant to be ingested but can be used to protect an area by sprinkling with the infused vinegar to keep away disease and evil.

Fire Cider

Fire cider is a popular remedy that has been used for many years. The original recipe was re-shared by Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970s, and it has become a staple in many herbalists' apothecaries. This powerful tonic is known for its immune-boosting properties and can act as a natural decongestant. If you're interested in trying out fire cider, you want to check out the book "Fire Cider: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar" compiled by Rosemary Gladstar. You can find this book in the Humboldt Herbals Shop! It includes a variety of recipes that you can use to make your own fire cider, including one from our very own Hometown Humboldt Herbalist Jessica Shepard. In addition to traditional fire cider recipes, the book also includes instructions on how to make fire cider chips and dust, Four Thieves and a healthy vinegrette.

Here is a recipe i use in my house ~

A thumb sized piece of horseradish root

½ a chopped onion

A head of garlic husk removed

A thumb sized piece of ginger

A fruit of choice the size of a fist. (I've used Jujubes, pomegranates, figs and/or whatever else i have available)

1 small key lime skin and all

Place all the plant material in a blender and cover with an inch of Apple cider Vinegar.

Blend well, strain. Add half as much honey to liquid, so if you have a cup of liquid, add 1/2 cup of honey (or adjust to your own preference). I use local honey or Manuka honey. Enjoy a little every day to prevent illness, or several times a day if you have a cold or flu.

Tasty Teas and Beautiful Broth

Savor these healthy brews to keep yourself feeling energized and rejuvenated.

Immune Chai

 Blended with Reishi, Chaga, Astragalus, Cardamom, Elderberries, Rosehips, Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Ginger, Black Pepper and Anise.

Immune Boosting Broth

 Organic blend of Lycii berries, Codonopsis root, Shiitake mushroom powder, Astragalus root, Nettle leaf, Dulse, Rosemary, Bladderwrack, Parsley leaf, Thyme, Marjoram and Burdock root. Add a little muslin bag full of this combination to any soup or stew recipe, or brew and use the liquid in your beans or rice.

14 Mushroom Powder

 Contains: Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Mesima, Lions Mane, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Shiitake, Blazei, Poria, Agarikon, Sueherotake, Oyster and True Tinder Polypore in Myceliated Brown Rice. Add a delicious umami note to any savory recipe.

Stinging Nettle

 Humboldt Herbals offers some of the freshest and highest-quality nettle leaves available. Our nettles are grown by a small, organic farm in the Pacific Northwest. They produce a beautiful green brew that's packed with a variety of nutrients and minerals. Nettles are known to be beneficial for allergies, as they help reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa. They contain a long list of beneficial vitamins and nutrients, including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and more. I love the energy they provide and their chlorophyl rich leaves.

Even during winter, stinging nettle can still be found growing and can be used in cooking. The young, healthy leaves can be gently picked and added to soups and stews. To harvest them, use a pair of long scissors and a bowl. After picking the leaves, chop them up and add a handful to your pot of soup. Nettle leaves can be a great addition to a minestrone soup and can be used instead of collard greens. Or, you can saute them with other veggies to get the benefits of this iron rich food.

With that I will share my own Manifestation Mantra for the year, and feel free to create your own or use this one:

“I am a force to be reckoned with.

I am capable of facing any challenge that comes my way.

I let go of everything that no longer serves me.

This makes room for blessings beyond measure.

This year is the start of my journey towards a new level of greatness, where I am powerful, abundant, and strong.

My contagious positivity brings joy to everyone around me, and my presence uplifts those in my midst, allowing everyone to thrive.”

Place your Mantra on a mirror and say it to yourself every day as you look at yourself. Commit to excellence, commit to yourself and give yourself the soul nourishment that you need. Allow yourself to focus on one thing you can do to achieve greatness this year that will act as a catalyst to new opportunities. (One year I wrote a book using this technique) 

So, here’s to a year full of new discoveries, exciting developments, and endless possibilities. May 2024 be a year of growth and success for you, both personally and professionally. Cheers to herb enthusiasts everywhere - let’s make this a year to remember!

Jennifer Teixeira is now providing Therapeutic Massage at Mending Roots Body Therapies in Eureka. When you book a massage with Jennifer, you will be treated to an experience tailored just for you. Whether it's hip pain, low back pain, or neck and shoulder tension she has the skills and knowledge to bring some much-needed relief. It's been so inspiring to witness her enthusiasm as she joins the Mending Roots Team and brings her own blend of massage modalities into the mix.

Jennifer has been in massage therapy for over 25 years now, having worked in health care centers, spas, mobile clinics, and chiropractors offices. When someone places their trust in her hands during a session it truly humbles her - so she invites everyone out there who wants to take part in this special form of holistic healing to come see her here in Eureka where she can offer them what they need most: therapeutic touch filled with unconditional love and understanding!

You can BOOK Here for a massage to start your holiday season off right. Also check out www.humboldtwomensmassage.com if you would like more info on Jennifer and her work.

Jennifer Teixeira, renowned author of 'Temple of the Bones', '9 Moons of Hekate' and 'Sorceress of Angra' has fifteen years of invaluable experience leading ritual circles and more info on her work with Hekate can be found here: www.groveofhekate.com

Herbaria is a FREE monthly magazine of all things herbal. Sign up and receive your free copy each month in your email inbox.

Want to check one out first? Click here to download the November-December 2023 Herbaria.