Happy Hair Tea: How-To @ BHS

   

Photo by: Lauren @ BHS

Today I'm sharing a recipe from Shaaron Lavy. This simple herbal tea with a good base of alfalfa and nettles is Shaaron's daily drink for "happy hair."

Herbs in Happy Hair Tea

• Red Clover Herb
• Dandelion leaf
• Burdock Root
  
• Gingko
• Nettle Leaf
• Alfalfa
• Optional: if you want caffeine in your tea, you can add...

NOTE: As you may have read in our Herbal A-Z on Alfalfa, because of alfalfa [and red clover's] estrogenic effects on the body, this tea is not recommended for pregnant women. Also avoid using while taking blood thinning agents.

"You can also use this tea -well, almost all of those herbs are good for blood-cleansing, as well as helpful to liver and kidneys, and gingko is good for your brain. Green tea is full of anti-oxidants - so hey, you'll look younger! It has all your vitamins, so this is a good daily vita-mix. Or you can make it as a tincture; either way works great!" -Shaaron

Click here to read all the full post at BHS with details; get the neat recipe card, instructions, and info on why each herb is included!

P. S. One last thing before you leave! I'm making on mini natural hair-care series for later in the year; If you'd be so kind, share something here on A Gypsy Herbal - we'd love to have your input and would like to include some of your ideas that month!  :]

How do you care for your hair? We're working on little natural hair series, so share your ideas below! (We'd love to be able to include some of your experience & wisdom!)

 

This post is shared on: Wellness Wednesday, The Art of Home-Making Monday 

Forgotten Winter's Flower: Violets

This was posted a year ago today...what a different winter we were having!

Seems winter is forgotten around here. The sun streams warm, the flies buzz, and even the fruit trees are budding.

Even still, the violets didn't forget to bloom!!

How do you enjoy wonderful winter violets?

New Page is here: Herbs!

 Hi y'all! As I'm finishing the work on my kitchenette (and surrounding studio),  I hope you'll bear with me with a few less posts over the next month-ish. I've been making plans for the blog later in the year, so there's a lot coming up - Lord willing!

 I did get the Herb Page up though, so you can browse through the alphabetical index, get a hint as to which new post are coming up, look for your favorite herbs, or maybe find a new one! I'd appreciate your input, so please click that Herb button ^ up on the bar at the top (or click here), and leave me a comment about which herbs you'd like to see added, how you use one of those herbs, or just your thoughts! Thanks! :]

Warm & Spicy Winter: Potpourri Round-up!

Part 3 in the Warm & Spicy Winter 2014-2015 series.  

Do the holidays end a little too soon for you? I know I start to miss the festive atmosphere just about as soon as everyone starts talking New Year's, taking down the lights, and packs up the  decorations. I miss the lights, the treats, the music. I miss the scents too! If you'd like to linger over some of the scents with which we began the season, then start clicking - we have a collection of Wintertime Potpourris links just for you. 

NOTE: As suggested in part 1, store boughten scented candles don't fit in with A Gypsy Herbal's natural and homemade herbal focus. So to, here; often commercially made potpourri is heavily laden with chemical additives. We're going for natural, healthy options within this Warm & Spicy Winter series.  We'll focus on natural homemade versions of warm winter-time herbal potpourri. Take this post from Our Heritage of Health for example: Natural DIY Air Freshener Ideas for the Holidays

Announcment {and Giveaway} Strengthening the Heart of a Homemaker

Author and Bogger Kristen Smith has something really fun to share with us today! To help announce the launch her new devotional guide and to share a great giveaway with you, here's to Strengthening the Heart of the Homemaker! (Hurray ~ printables and a giveaway in the same post!) :]



As homemakers, we can easily get overwhelmed, discouraged, or a little weary with our never ending to do lists. I know that there have been many days when I've made it till bedtime, but feel so utterly drained that I wonder how I'll survive the next day.



It's normal to get tired with a job that you never leave and that never ends. But we don't have to stay discouraged or weary. There is hope in the Lord!

I'm practically giddy and way beyond excited to share something with you today. My hope is that you'll find it to be perfect for every Christian homemaker who could use a little boost of strength from time to time, and maybe even perfect for you.

It's called Strengthening the Heart of a Homemaker: A Devotional Guide for Your Homemaking Journey. Full disclosure: I'm squealing like a little girl on the inside right now as I tell you about this!

Winter Warmth: A January Day

Spending the past few days trying to stay dry and keep my toes warm has been interesting. Don't you love it when we have turns in the weather? It's been so pretty and a joy to capture with a camera (or phone, whichever is handy!).

Ways I like to keep warm

• Small Space Heater (but might try this!) 
• Hot Tea or Homemade Cocoa
• Warm Socks (playing with combinations; wool? cotton/polly?)
• Electric Throw Blanket
• Sunshine!
• Exercise (who knew that Ultimate Frisbee would be the best way to keep warm yesterday?) :]'

("Writing" on cars can damage the paint...this car is already done for, so don't try this at home!) :D

What have you been enjoying this season? Has your weather been changing, or have you had the cold for sometime now? How do you stay warm?