Iris Botanica

18/11/2023

When we become parents our brains go through the dramatic transformation of matrescence to become mothers or patrescence to become fathers. The parent brain is very different than the adult brain. It is unique with unique needs and a unique opportunity to transform mental health.

Our brain changes throughout pregnancy and continues to change postpartum. Dads and partners brain changes happen in the months postpartum. When we have a surrogate or adopt our brain will change postpartum too.

Every emotional brain area that developed in our infancy - like the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex - becomes especially plastic again allowing dramatic rewiring of our stress systems, mental health and relationships.

Your adult self can take care of these inner baby brain areas to wire you for more health and more nurtured parenting.

Guess what changes the parent brain postpartum? Nurturing our baby!!! And nurturing ourselves.

Parenthood, with a new brain, is a chance to listen to your intuition, your gut, your biology.

Join my new workshop Dec 1 to learn to nurture yourself while you have a baby from 0-3 years 🧠🧠🧠

Sign up here - https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/workshops

26/10/2023

✨🌿Aromatherapy during Labor and Birth🌿✨
True essential oil safety is much too detailed to fit into one, simple post, but for the purposes of this one, I’ve narrowed some down for you!
• Lavender and Bergamot are my go-to when combatting anxiety. There is an abundance of research and evidence out there supporting the use of Lavender for sleep and stress relief, and the use of Bergamot for anxiety relief
• Ginger and Lemon together not only smell ✨incredible✨, they’re also two of the best when it comes to reducing nausea in many situations, not just labor and birth (visit link in bio for emails & updates — Lemon Ginger Chew recipe coming soon!)
• Peppermint and tangerine are refreshing, stimulating and cheering for the mind! They work amazingly for combatting sluggish depression and exhaustion. This combo is also a secondary option for helping to reduce nausea, and combat headaches!

If you want more detailed information tailored to your specific health needs, follow the link in my bio to set up a free 20 minute coIf you want more detailed information tailored to your specific health needs, follow the link in my bio to set up a free 20 minute co !

26/10/2023

Safe infant sleep can be a sensitive topic. Firstly, I want to be clear that I fully support parents in making educated and intentional decisions. Unfortunately, there are aspects of safe sleep that are not widely discussed and infant product marketing can often be misleading.

Today I want to talk specifically about weighted sleep products and infant wearables. Frequently used products such as swaddles, sleep sacks, blankets, etc are marketed to tired parents promising fewer sleep disruptions and longer stretches for their little ones. What these products don’t highlight is how wildly unsafe these products can be for your baby, increasing the overall risk of SUIDS.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises against the use of any weighted or heavily cushioned infant sleep wearables.

Here’s why:

- Thick, cushioned, or weighted sleep products make it difficult for you baby to roll safely and/or for them to get themselves into a safe sleeping position that protects their ability to breathe.

- Weighted sleep products can potentially place too much pressure on a baby's chest and lungs.

- Some of these products have no designated TOG rating (Thermal Overall Grade) meaning that there is no indication of how warm the garment is and potentially increasing the risk of overheating.

- These products are designed to help your infant sleep deeper and longer, which can directly affect arousal during sleep. There is some evidence suggesting that inability for a baby to come into lighter sleep stages or wake themselves when needed potentially increases the risk of SUIDS.

If you are unsure of the safety of a product you’re using, I highly recommend doing more in-depth research, consulting the most up-to-date AAP guidelines for safe infant sleep, product advisories and recalls. The safety of your family is paramount.

If you are struggling with your baby or toddlers sleep and would like to ask questions or discuss a personalized sleep plan, I offer free Discovery Calls and 1:1 Sleep Coaching Sessions for anyone inside of the US and would be happy to support your family.

25/10/2023

23/10/2023

✨8 Reasons to Hire [Me as Your] Birth Doula✨

1. I can answer your questions on what to expect from labor.
2. I can help you sort out the common myths from factual information.
3. I can help you and your partner plan and organize your birth preferences.
4. I provide resources for specific mental, emotional, and/or physical challenges you are facing.
5. I also provide emotional support for your partner while you’re in labor.
6. I will help you communicate with your healthcare team to make sure all your concerns and preferences are being heard and addressed.
7. I will help you with laboring positions optimized for baby’s descent, and pain support.
8. I can guide you and your partner through mindfulness practices to further improve your satisfaction with your birthing experience.

Follow the link in the bio to learn more!!

22/10/2023

Welcome to the
🌿✨Iris Botanica ✨🌿

04/08/2023

The struggles of trying to run a business by yourself when you work a full-time day job and have ADHD….
Life is a journey, and I chose this path — and whatever additional cliché phrase you can think of… So, it’s not about what I haven’t accomplished yet. It’s about what I have yet to accomplish; it’s about my mission for true wellness and healing, both mentally and physically; it’s about waking the path of light✨
Let’s keep going!!

15/02/2023

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FRIENDS ❤️
Perhaps the two most cherished herbs for the heart are the beloved hawthorn and Valentine’s Day’s most notable favorite, rose. The very scent of a rose enlivens the heart and nourishes the soul. This beautiful blossom is revered throughout the world for promoting happiness and love. Hawthorn, also a member of the rose family, kindly acts as a calming nervine and trophorestorative for the circulatory system, helping to bring physical and emotional imbalances back to equilibrium.

❤️🌸 Herbs we love to love for the heart:

🌸 Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
🌸 Rose (Rosa spp.)
🌸 Linden (Tilia spp.)
🌸 Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
🌸 Milky oats (Avena sativa)
🌸 St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
🌸 Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
🌸 Violet (Viola spp.)
🌸 Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Members of The Herbarium, be sure to check out the "New From The Library" section. There you will see a wonderful compilation of heart opening herbs, recipes, and you can download this pretty graphic as a PDF!✨

Sending all our love, from your friends, at the Herbal Academy! ❤️

14/02/2023

✨Pre-Order Now✨
Hey everyone!! I am opening pre-orders for the Just Be: Oracle Deck and for our new products on offer…crystals!! And, of course, handmade herbal products are on the menu as well!
🌿🤍🌿
The Just Be: Oracle Deck with a guidebook will normally sell at a price of $60, but I’m selling it for $40 for pre-orders with a FREE guidebook!!
🌿☀️🌿
The crystals vary in shape and size, but I need a few pre-orders on the books before I can purchase the shipment — anyone who orders now will get an extra crystal surprise!!
✨🌙✨
Send me a DM, or a text to 503-610-8069 with any questions, or to place your order!!!

11/02/2023

This year, our dear friend Lucretia VanDyke published her first book, African American Herbalism, and it is fantastic! Rooted in African American traditions, this compilation of stories, practices, and recipes shares a perspective not heard often enough.

The article Lucretia wrote in 2021 for the Mountain Rose Herbs Blog is a glimpse at what you can expect to find in her book. https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/honoring-herbalists-of-color-through-time

You can also find her book here: https://mountainroseherbs.com/african-american-herbalism

05/02/2023

Sleepy tinctures ready for order in 2 weeks! Stay tuned ✨🌿✨