Hedgecraft Herbals

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

Many naturally minded people think of essential oils as being totally benign because they're "natural". Personally, I consider them the pharmaceuticals of the plant world and for a number of reasons I don't make a habit of using them.

My husband recently started using a camphor massage oil on his back before bed at night, on the recommendation of his very very skilled and highly educated Osteopath.

Also recently, a few minutes after he goes to bed, our thermostat has been sending a notification that the air quality in the house has dropped and we should open a window. I opened the thermostat app tonight to see what was going on, and it was a high VOC alert.

Light Bulb💡!

VOC's are volatile organic compounds that can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system as well as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and more. His massage oil - which is made with 5% camphor in jojoba and I'm only using about 3mL of total (so, 3 drops of EO) - contains enough VOC's to trigger our thermostat sensor.

This is just one reason of many why it's important to be mindful of how we use essential oils, especially with those who are young or otherwise vulnerable.

Just a tiny amount impacts indoor air quality and while there are potential benefits to essential oils, they are not without risk even when used according to best safety practices.

28/02/2025

Jewelweed is also an amazing medicinal plant - one of the very first I ever worked with.

I just learned about jewelweed the other day. Gorgeous.

26/02/2025

🌍 We Are All a Part of Something so Much Bigger When We Plant Native 🌿✨

Every plant we choose has the power to restore, reconnect, and rebuild the natural world around us. By planting native species, we help bring back declining wildlife by bringing back the plants they depend on, we strengthen ecosystems, and create landscapes that thrive for generations to come.

Nature depends on us, just as we depend on it. Every garden, park, and green space can make a difference. Let’s plant with purpose and be part of something bigger. 🌱💚

14/02/2025

10/02/2025

A Practical Guide for Families & Communities: Learn herbal strategies for emergencies, first aid essentials, and building resilience together.

25/01/2025

Someone in a local group asked tonight where they could buy white sage to smudge with. They knew white sage was a sacred plant so didn't want to buy from just anywhere, which is a good thing.

Many people of course suggested going to one of the nearby Reservations. And buying ethically is a good place to start. But truth be told smudging with white sage is a closed practice which means unless you are Indigenous that practice is not for you. Even if someone wants to argue they have a special exemption and white sage IS ok for THEM to use, there are real environmental reasons (like over harvesting for the retail market) why white sage should be left alone by us and other plants used instead.

Thankfully there are a multitude of plants which can be used for smoke cleansing. Choosing plants that are local to you and/or would have been used by your own ancestors is a great place to start.

This article from Bustle goes into more detail and is an excellent read on the topic.

If you've ever wondered, "Is burning sage bad?" it's important to be aware of the history of smudging and how to do it it sensitive ways.

19/01/2025

A recommended read currently available as a Kindle ebook for $3.99.

Limited-time deal: The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

The first forty days after the birth of a child offer an essential and fleeting period of rest and recovery for the new mother. Based on Heng Ou’s own postpartum experience with , a set period of “confinement” in which a woman remains at home focusing on healing and bonding with her baby, ...

15/01/2025

03/11/2024

I don't care where you buy your essential oils. I don't even care if you buy essential oils! That doesn't line my pocket! I care that you are using essential oils safely.

I care that your CHILDREN are not breaking out in rashes or screaming from the pain of undiluted essential oils.

I care that YOU are not damaging your insides and liver by consuming essential oils daily.

I care that YOU are not having drug interactions or bleeding out because you were exposed to germ-fighting blends in a doctor's office.

I care that your CHILDREN are not struggling to breathe because Eucalyptus was diffused in the preschool.

I care because these things are so preventable!

I care because once you know better, you can do better.

It just takes empowering yourself with the knowledge you need.

04/10/2024

Fall is known as harvest season, but how can we harvest plants to respect the life and spirit 👻 of the plant? As herbalists, we are stewards of the earth and in many cases, such as root harvests in the fall, we may end the life of that plant entirely. It’s good to be intentional in how to receive from our giving allies! How do you honor a plant?

18/09/2024

The iconic Monarch butterfly is now officially an endangered species in North America. 🦋😔

Among the causes of their steep decline, the lack of milkweed (their caterpillar's host plant and exclusive food source) in undeniably the main one and by far. Together, we can reverse this course. Together, we can plant milkweed seeds and give monarchs a much needed breather.

Fall is the best season to plant milkweed. Our cold winters create physical and chemical reactions in milkweed seeds and increase their germination rates the following Spring. 🌱

It's a small but very useful gesture, plus it makes a great gift for your loved ones!
Monarchs will surely thank you for it by paying you a visit next Spring 🦋🧡💪