Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained? Nervine herbs are nature’s gentle allies for calming the mind, restoring the nervous system, and lifting the spirit. In this article, I share my favourites including Skullcap for mental clarity, Rose for emotional healing, and Blue Lotus for joy and creativity. Learn how to use relaxing, restorative, and uplifting herbs to support your nervous system naturally.

Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) , also known as the Egyptian Blue Water Lily , has been revered for thousands of years as a sacred flower of joy, sensuality, and higher consciousness. Once prized by the pharaohs for its connection to the sun god Ra, this celestial bloom offers a calm yet euphoric sense of presence, creativity, and peace. From dreamy evening teas to anointing oils and tinctures, Blue Lotus remains a beautiful ally for relaxation, deeper connection, and inspired living.

This incredibly simple and delightfully delicious no-churn ice cream recipe became a summer staple for us. It was the perfect way to showcase the abundance of summer fruits. During Christmas dinner, my mother wowed everyone with her impressive three-layer version, with separate tiers of almond, chocolate, and vanilla . It was one of the many highlights of the meal.

Tap into spring’s vibrant energy with a herbal succus! In this guide, herbalist Penelope Maguire shares the magic of freshly pressed wild greens, cleavers, chickweed, yarrow, blended with ginger, lemon, and cayenne for a fiery, energising “Wild Greens Succus Hot Shot.” Discover how this traditional spring tonic delivers minerals, enzymes, and raw plant energy straight to your cells, plus tips for enjoying it fresh or preserving it at home. Perfect for boosting circulation, supporting digestion, and feeling alive with nature’s seasonal power.

Learn how to make a simple folk tincture with bark and blossoms of Albizia julibrissin 'the happiness tree' to ease grief, calm stress, and invite more joy into daily life.

Unlock the digestive power of yarrow with our in-depth guide. Learn about its digestive benefits and get our DIY digestive bitters recipe to enhance your gut health naturally.

A nourishing, belly-warming favourite I’ve made for years—pumpkin, lentils, coconut cream, and whatever pulses you have on hand. Comfort food that’s simple, affordable, and seriously deliciou

A one-bowl wonder to have up your sleeve—these chewy choc chip cookies come together in under an hour and are endlessly adaptable. Whether you're folding in dried petals, a hint of spice or your favourite chocolate, this is a pantry-friendly recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Explore the benefits of Yarrow in promoting oral health. This article delves into its traditional uses for gum health, toothache relief, and healing mouth sores. Learn how to incorporate Yarrow into your oral care routine with practical methods such as fresh leaf chews and yarrow tea rinses, and access our comprehensive herbal mouthwash recipe

"Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a powerful medicinal herb with a long history of use—but do you know how to identify it safely? This guide covers key features, common lookalikes, and expert foraging tips to ensure you’re harvesting the right plant. Perfect for beginners interested in wild herbs and herbal medicine!"

Crème de Lilac~Rose Recipe

This beautiful fragrant liqueur captures the delicate perfume of lilacs and rose at the peak of their season so you can enjoy them over the coming months and years. The three day infusing technique is a little more work than a standard single step infusion, but results in a less bitter, more perfumed extract.

Alcohol infusion step:

Ingredients

• 1 C (approximately) fresh lilac blossoms per day for three days

• 1 C (approximately) fresh rose petals per day for three days (the more fragrant the better)

• 2 C vodka

Method

1. First Day – Start the Infusion:

   • Place 1C of the lilac blossoms and 1C of the rose petals in a mason jar

   • Pour vodka over the flowers until fully submerged. Seal the jar, shake and set it in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.

2. Second Day – Refresh the Flowers:

1. • After 24 hours, strain out the flowers with a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.

   • Compost the used flowers and add another 1C of fresh lilac and rose petals to the infused vodka. Seal and shake the jar again and let it sit for another 24 hours.

3. Third Day – Final Infusion:

1. • Strain out the flowers again, discard, and add the final 1C of fresh lilac and rose petals. Seal and let it sit for another 24 hours.

4. Strain and Filter:

1. • After the third infusion, strain out the flowers and filter the infusion through a coffee filter or fine cheesecloth for clarity if you like.

Infused Floral Syrup step

Ingredients

• 1 C water

• 1 C sugar

• 1 C fresh lilac blossoms

• 1 C fresh, fragrant rose petals

• Small handful of dried butterfly pea flowers (for natural lilac colour)

• Small pinch of citric acid (about 1/8 tsp, to adjust colour and add brightness)

Method for Infused Syrup

1. • In a small saucepan, combine water and butterfly pea flowers, bring to a boil then add the sugar. Heat gently over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and allow to simmer around 5 minutes to thicken slightly

   • Add lilac blossoms and rose petals to the syrup and turn off the heat. Cover, and infuse at room temperature overnight.

   • Add a small pinch of citric acid to the syrup. This will shift the colour to a lilac hue.

   • Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flowers, then set aside.

Combine the Syrup and Infusion

• Add the cooled floral syrup to the triple-infused lilac and rose vodka mixture and shake well.

• Pour the final product into the prettiest (sterilised) bottle you have, seal, and let it rest for at least two weeks to allow flavours develop complexity.

This will last last in a cool dark place for years. Drink as is over ice, or add soda and  squeeze of lemon for a beautiful, simple and natural cocktail.

Gluten free blood orange almond cake