Welcoming 2021 with Open Arms
Happy 2021, Happy February, and Happy Black History Month! We continue to learn from Black herbalists, growers, makers, and educators as we endeavor to recognize the traditional wisdom and continued shared inspiration of the people of color who forage, grow, gather, and create on this land.
Give these accounts a follow; we think you'll enjoy them as much as we do!
@blackforager
@blackmenwithgardens
@ndsofcolor
@heyalinaalive
@empresskarenmrose
@thenapministry
@blackwithplants
@blkandgrn
@drnaika
@greengirlleah
And last but certainly not least: Vervain shop steward Kristin Reed's insightful and supportive account @fullydiscoveryou!
Please reply and let us know some of your favorite resources and inspirations!
Valentine's Day is this weekend!
We love LOVE and Valentine's Day is a fun reminder to celebrate the love you have for yourself and others! We've sourced some lovely and stimulating goodies for your heart, soul, and body! Come check out our unique VaVaVoom tea blend featuring the amazing and beautiful chameleon Butterfly Pea Flower (Latin name: Clitoria ternatea for obvious visual reasons), an assortment of sensual oils & candles, herb-infused chocolates, unique cards, luxurious oils & soaps, and more!
There are so many different ways to profess your love, and the lovely staff at Vervain are here to help you express yourself! Click through these pictures for ideas and links to our online shop! Delivery & pickup options are available!
The Science & Art of Herbalism
Are you herbal curious? Have you ever wanted to be able to create your own herbal medicines for yourself and your loved ones?
Here at The Vervain Collective, we believe that plant medicine and affordable holistic healthcare should be accessible to all, and that begins with passing on the knowledge and education of the original keepers of the land and the herbal pioneers who came before us.
Our second annual Science & Art of Herbalism training series, developed by Rosemary Gladstar, is right around the corner and we'd love to have you join in the fun!
This course, beginning February 20, 2021, is presented in 10 monthly lessons and includes Rosemary's core curriculum, a specially designed binder, homework sharing, and certification options. The lessons are designed to provide practical, hands-on experience with each assignment designed to enrich your personal experience with the plant world. Each lesson provides directions and recipes on making herbal preparations, dozens of herbs to research, projects such as making an herbal first aid kit, designing an herb garden, making your own herbarium and much more!
In addition to the curriculum presented by our in-house experts, we will also be welcoming remote and local teachers and guest speakers to share their wisdom and expertise with us. Naturopathic physicians, Chinese medicine practitioners, herbalists, makers, growers, and holistic veterinarians were among last year's special guest educators, and this year we will be adding to our lineup!
Weather and COVID restrictions permitting, we'll have in-person, outdoor gatherings, forage our own surrounding herbs, and enjoy hands-on activities designed by Vervain staff right here on site!
As Rosemary says, while this course "thoroughly instills in the student the practical skills necessary to practice herbal home health care, it doesn’t ignore the rich spirit and essence of herbalism. The heart of this course is the development of a deep personal relationship with the plant world."
If you've ever wanted to learn more about herbs or how to care for yourself and loved ones (including your furry friends!), the time is now.
Register here! Payment plans are available. Please email us at hello@thevervaincollective.com for more information.
We cannot wait to have you join us and be a part of this fun, life-changing experience! Here's to an herb-filled 2021!
HERB OF THE MONTH
We are beginning a fun, new addition to our newsletter: Herb of the Month! Every month, we'll share with you our HOTM, its uses and benefits, recipes, and more! To kick us off, rosehips will be making a special appearance. What are rosehips? Rosehips are the fruit of rose plants. They're typically red or orange, but can be purple or black. They ripen in late summer and early fall. They're on their way out, but there's still time to harvest your own rosehips! Collect some to eat fresh (though not as tasty) or infuse in teas, syrups, tinctures, & more! We're also stocked here at the shop, so if you can't get your hands on any out there in the wild, stop in and we'll be happy to assist you. Rosehip Benefits Rosehips are prized for their high concentration of vitamin C; in fact, they contain 50% more vitamin C than oranges! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is essential for the immune system and can help our bodies stimulate white blood cell production. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties, supporting you in alleviating pain and inflammation. Some other benefits and uses of this prized fruit include regulating blood circulation, strengthening capillaries, relieve teething issues in infants, protecting against heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and supporting conditions such as menstrual cramping, varicose veins, bladder and urinary irritations, arthritis, and more. Need we say more about incorporating this powerful food into our diets? Okay - one more thing! Enjoy this tasty concoction created by our very own shop steward and herbalist, Erika. Rosehip Vanilla Infusion 1/2 cup fresh rosehips (or 1/4 dried rosehips) 1/4 cup fresh hawthorn (or 1/8 cup dried hawthorn) 2 tbsp rose petals 1 vanilla bean Brandy or other liquor of choice Place herbs in a glass jar or bottle and fill with brandy so herbs are completely covered, plus 1-2" extra. Shake regularly and leave to infuse for 6-8 weeks. Strain and enjoy!
THANK YOU for being here with us!
The Vervain Collective apothecary is open Tues-Sat 11-7 & Sunday 11-5! Our online store is open 24/7, and delivery, shipping, and curbside pickup are available! We can’t wait to see you!