Welcome to 2023!
With the turning of the new year, we find ourselves shifting away from the festive holiday season and into one filled with good intentions and manifestation. This year we invite you to set intentions with us to learn something new. Whether it be gardening, growing your own herbs, learning about herbalism, drinking more tea, or anything else! We welcome you! Here are some of our January shop favorites to fold into this magical season!
Top picks for January.
Books: Backyard Foraging & Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies
Known as the "Flower of Enlightenment".
"Known to induce deep meditative energy, enhance third eye function and motivate lucid dreaming"- from Anima Mundi
Herb of the Month - Meet Holy Basil!
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum syn. O. tenuiflorum) What is Holy Basil ? Holy Basil is a member of the mint family and cousin to sweet basil and features a purple stem. comes from India, where it is revered as the herb sacred to the goddess Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu, the god who preserves life. As Rosemary Gladstar says, "the daily use of holy basil is believed to help maintain the balance of chakras, or energy centers in the body, and bring out the goodness, virtue, and joy in humans! Bring out the Tulsi." Parts of Holy Basil used: Aerial Parts Holy Basil Benefits In Western Herbalism, Holy Basil is considered an adaptogen & general tonic, helping the body to adapt to new demands and stress while being invigorating, and useful for overall improving the feeling of vitality. Holy Basil Benefits to Nourish in the New Year!
May bring mental clarity
Relaxing for an overwhelmed nervous system
May support the response to inflammation
Supports immune system health
Tastes delicious!!
Different Types of Holy Basil (Herbs with Rosalee) There are at least five different types of holy basil, and while they can be used somewhat interchangeably, they also have their slight differences. Rama tulsi (Ocimum sanctum syn. O. tenuiflorum) has green leaves and is the most commonly cultivated holy basil and the easiest to find in commerce. Krishna tulsi (Ocimum sanctum syn. O. tenuiflorum) has leaves that are more purple in color. Amrita tulsi (Ocimum sanctum syn. O. tenuiflorum) has green leaves with purplish highlights. Kapoor tulsi (Ocimum sanctum syn. O. tenuiflorum) has green leaves, compact growth, and a fruity fragrance. Vana tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum), also known as African basil, is a perennial basil that is less commonly found in commerce. Native to India and East Africa, it grows in the wild and it can be easily cultivated in tropical or subtropical climates. Interested in hearing more about Holy Basil? Tune in for this podcast with Herbs with Rosalee w/ Lucretia VanDyke. Ready for more Holy Basil? You can find Holy Basil in these incredible blends at The Vervain Collective. We also carry dried Holy Basil, with a locally grown and harvested kapoor option from Purple Sage Farm. Immune Support Tea Dream a Little Dream Tea Tranquilium Tea Va Va Voom Tea Tulsi Tincture Cerebrum Tonic Viridem Elixer RaDiAnt Body Butter By Jodeen Revere Tulsi Essential Oil The Mind Powder
Ritual:
Come Home To Yourself
"Tulsi asks you to come home to yourself. We often look externally for the sacred while treating ourselves - our bodies, our inner knowings, our spirits - like so much flotsam on life's current. Holy Basil knows that coming home to yourself is not something you do once but practice to be repeated over and over. Her presence is your reminder: Come home."
The Illustrated Herbiary, Maia Toll, Pg. 150
Perhaps you've heard it said that "all disease starts in the gut.” We prefer to think of it as “The road to health is paved with good intestines!” (thank you to Sherry A. Rogers for that gem:) 2023 is the year of the happy, healthy belly in Dr. Pierce's practice. She's been busy working on several resources and courses focusing on digestive health (which is inextricably linked to all facets of health!) To start the new year out right, Dr. Pierce is offering you free access to one of these resources: the Healthy Belly Habit Journal!
For those of you who are local, please join us for the first in-person installments of the Healthy Belly Jump Start classes (see below) and watch your inbox and our IG/FB pages for more info about upcoming classes in the Roots/Vervain classroom as well as opportunities to work one-on-one in her onsite private practice. Don't let bloating, gas, pain, heartburn, and malabsorption get you down in 2023; join Dr. Pierce for relief!
Healthy Belly Jump Start class at Vervain!
1/26, 2/2, 2/9 5:30-6:30 in the Vervain/Roots classroom space at 3308 W Chinden Blvd.
Practitioner Appointments Available!
Book an appointment with one of our Practitioners at The Vervain Collective!
If you're a practitioner who would like to be more involved with The Vervain Collective community, please get in touch! We have many entry points - including using our apothecary for custom blends, teaching classes, meeting with patients/clients, and more! Here is our "For Practitioners" resource page.
Interested in learning about Herbalism???
Are you curious about caring for yourself and your loved ones with natural and botanical remedies? Would you like to learn something new in a friendly and healing environment?
Join us for a 10-month journey exploring herbal medicine that will engage the senses and the intellect while introducing you to a wide range of herbal topics and techniques. In this small-group setting, we will help you cultivate the confidence to support radiant health and address a myriad of health complaints using herbs. This program is designed to be fun and challenging as it guides students in extensive study – expect to spend about 20-30 hours outside of class hours per month studying and completing the homework assignments (official certification available but not mandatory).
February Start Session: 3rd Saturday each Month from February - November (11am-4pm), payment plans available.
ACT NOW: Registration increases after January 31st!
Space is limited!!!
Click here for more information!
Learn to make your own herbal recipes such as:
Herbal Extracts (Tinctures)
Tea Blends
Oxymels
Salves
Herbal oils
...and More!
All while being a part of the incredible herbal community through The Vervain Collective!
Please note our hours! The Vervain Collective is open Tues-Sat 9-7 and Sun 11-5. Our online store is open 24/7 for shipping and pickup.
We can't wait to see you!