Plants we love – Part 2

Hibiscus, Lavender, and Red Clover

Here you will find Herbs we have foraged and learned about. We love using these herbs for our Soap infusions. We also enjoy them for teas, oxymels, rinses, and infusing into balms.

Hibiscus

When you think of Hibiscus, colorful bright flowers come to mind. While it is an exotic plant that’s stunningly beautiful, it also contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and malic acid, all of which greatly benefit the skin.

• It protects skin from environmental aggressors: Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage, preventing the appearance of premature aging.   
•  It’s deeply moisturizing: Hibiscus boasts a naturally high mucilage content, a sticky substance produced by plants to help them retain water. Applying Hibiscus topically enhances the skin’s ability to retain moisture too, leaving it feeling hydrated, soft and supple.  
•  It soothes sensitive skin: Hibiscus also has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps to soothe skin inflammation and irritation.   
•  It has anti-aging benefits: Hibiscus flower helps prevent enzymes from breaking down elastin, the protein that is responsible for skin’s firmness and plumpness. The result? Skin looks healthier and younger for longer.
• Egyptians used Hibiscus tea to lower body temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases, and as a diuretic to increase urine production. In Africa, tea was used to treat constipation, cancer, liver disease, and cold symptoms. Pulp made from the leaves was applied to the skin to heal wounds.  
• Protect & Boost your immune system. Lower cholesterol & manage blood pressure. Support proper digestion.

This makes for a great soap, and an antiaging topical. As a tea its a great substitute for elderberry, to help fight a viral infection. A fun way to use it is to sweeten with honey and make popsicle sticks.

Want to learn more on Hibiscus Check out this article HERE

Lavender

Although ancient this plant has made a name for itself in our modern society.

Lavender has relaxing aromatic properties that are great to help clam and soothe nerves. Even simply diffusing the herb in the air brings a sense of peace to one’s environment. It contains natural anti inflammatory properties making it great topically or internally. There are many applications for Lavender. You can string a bouquet together and hang upside down to dry in your home. Allowing for a passive diffusion. You can add the dried leaves to a satchel for a dream pillow, or to a potpourri bowl . Use tea bags for an eye soother remedy. Lavender is a great addition to food, smoothies, or even a yummy coconut ice cream. A popsicle stick made from Lavender is great for soothing sore throats as well. You can also enjoy it in a bath with Epsom salt or a foot soak. Lastly a traditionally made cup of tea can always help calm nerves and restore balance to your being.

Since biblical times, it has been highly regarded for its fragrance and medicinal benefits.

Lavender combined with the lactic acid in goat milk has also been shown to promote better skin tone and assist in lightening dark spots. which is why we made a beautiful lavender goats milk soap.

With natural anti-inflammatory properties it is successful in soothing painful sunburnt skin, dermatitis and eczema.

Proven to shrink blood vessels and minimize redness, lavender is still gentle enough for rosacea sufferers to use.

Its ability to minimize our skin’s reaction to ultraviolet light also means that sun related flair ups could be reduced. Some studies suggest it also reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

We love using Lavender in our soaps. We extract it into Olive oil, for topicals and soaps. And then add Lavender Essential Oil as well. Our current favorite is our Activated Creamy Lavender Soap. We used raw cows milk, and activated Charcoal to really boost the nourishing and detoxifying effects.

Here is some more information on Lavender Tea.

REd Clover

Red Clover.. I know they don’t even look Red! You can also find them in white. These are commonly known as a weed, or used for Hay to feed cattle. (which is where we found ours, from a cattle farmer in Minnesota. But you can find them everywhere)

Red clover is a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Red clover is a rich source of isoflavones (chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants).

In other words Red Clover can benefit in the aid of treating…

Cardiovascular Health

Menopause, hot flashes, cancer,

Osteoporosis, as an ointment it can help treat eczema, psoriasis, and other Rashes.

Here is some interesting reading on RED CLOVER if you care to learn more.