Traveling Companions: Assembling a DIY Herbal First Aid Kit for Your Next Adventure Whether you’re heading out on a road trip, hopping on a plane, spending the day at a music festival or sending your firstborn off to college, you can never be too prepared! This DIY herbal first aid kit is specific to the size of the adventure and your family’s needs. To assemble your custom first aid kit, consider what needs are most likely to arise when you’re away from home. For example, when you travel and try new foods, do you suffer from indigestion? How will you adjust to the change in time zones? Do ..read more

DIY Floral Hydrosol: Make This Surprisingly Easy Flower Water at Home What is a Floral Hydrosol? Hydrosols are fragrant waters infused with the subtle aroma of flowers and other aromatic plants. Hydrosols are created during the steam distillation of an essential oil. Though mild and delicate in comparison, hydrosols have many of the same therapeutic properties as essential oils and can be used safely on the skin and even ingested. Hydrosols are sometimes referred to as flower waters, but not all flower waters are true hydrosols. If you purchase a “flower water,” read the label carefully to ..read more

HERBS FOR DETOXIFICATION: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO A WHOLE-BODY CLEANSE Why take a holistic approach? The human body has a complex and elaborate system for cleansing and detoxification. The skin, lungs, kidneys, lymphatic system, the gut, including the bowels, and liver all play a part in neutralizing toxins and eliminating waste. However, during a cleanse many people make the mistake of focusing only on the bowels. Indeed, the bowels need to work well for the body to eliminate waste, but a holistic approach will promote all the body’s pathways of detoxification. Along with other holistic pra ..read more

Capsule, Tea, Oil or Extract: A Guide to the Many Forms of Herbal Medicine Understanding the forms of herbal medicine is crucial for helping you make informed decisions when choosing herbal products. Almost daily someone comes into Nectar and gazes with awe and wonder at the extensive array of bottles and jars. Many people think that all the little bottles contain essential oils, but that’s only one type of herbal medicine you have to choose from. There are also bulk herbs and tea, liquid herbal extracts (called tinctures or glycerites), and herbal capsules. You can also choose herb-infused ..read more

Reap the Health Benefits of Cacao with Herbal Dark Chocolate Truffles These herbal chocolate truffles are dark, rich, coated with herbs and so delicious. If you choose the best chocolate, your truffles will also be organic, vegan, fair trade, gluten-free and loaded with the health benefits of cacao! The herbal coating on these dark chocolate truffles gives them an extra boost! How’s that for a guilt-free indulgence? Health Benefits of Cacao Used for millennia as food, medicine, and even currency, chocolate comes from the seed of a tropical evergreen tree known as Theobroma cacao. Theo o ..read more

4 Simple Yet Luxurious Homemade Herbal Gifts Whether it’s a special occasion or just because, handcrafted gifts infused with your love speak right to the heart. These homemade herbal gifts are not only special because you’ll have made them, but because they’re chock full of herbal benefits. And don’t’ forget your own precious self. These herbalicious recipes are a great way to help you remember that you too are special and deserving of your own loving care. Homemade Herbal Gifts 1. INFINITE LOVE ROSE SYRUP Exquisite, euphoric, sensual are just some of the words you might use to describ ..read more

Three Herbal Anti-Aging Tonic Recipes for Health & Vitality Taking herbs is not just something to do when you’re sick. Taken regularly, herbs can enhance well-being, increase energy and vitality, and reduce the risk of age-related conditions. These three herbal anti-aging tonic recipes are all formulated to support radiant health, and contain herbs to strengthen the body and improve resistance to stress and disease. They differ in their concentration of herbs for overall health, cardiovascular function, and brain health. Herbal tonics are defined in various ways. The American Botanical ..read more

12 Homemade Herbal Gifts that Surprise and Delight These homemade herbal gifts infused with love and your personal touch are perfect for the most special people in your life. For inspiration, we rounded up twelve of our favorites from the Nectar blog. From culinary treats to skincare, aromatherapy, cocktail mixers, and infused honey, there’s something for everyone on this gift list. Many of these homemade herbal gifts can be made quickly and easily in less than a day. Some require more lead time. All make beautiful, original handcrafted gifts that can be included in a basket of goodies, or ..read more

Filled with easy-to-make herbal products, this DIY self-care kit is an invitation to nourish the body, mind and spirit. It makes a luxurious gift for that special person who’s always there for everyone else, but rarely allows time from themselves, or even better – as a simple pleasure for yourself. I’ve filled this box with herbal bath and body care creations, but it can easily be customized with your favorite DIY self-care products. Here you’ll find all the recipes you need to create this thoughtful gift box. Add a candle or some incense for a spa-like bath experience, or any other self-c ..read more

NECTAR CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT | JANET WILSON This month’s Nectar Spotlight belongs to Janet Wilson, an herbalist-in-training and professional gardener with a deep connection to plants and the natural world. When I met Janet, I felt an immediate connection. From new gardening projects, fermenting in her kitchen, growing new plants, or brewing up new potions, Janet always has something new and interesting to share. We love having her vibrant and genuine soul as a part of our community at Nectar. Here’s more about Janet in her own words. Would you share a little about yourself, your background ..read more