This past week, we lost a duck. Then another. Both attacks happened silently in the night—one clean and swift, the other nearly complete. No warning, no chaos. Just feathers. A body. And the realization that something new had entered our homestead rhythm.

You might be wondering if I grow the herbs in your tea myself. The short answer? I don’t. While I do grow and forage some herbs for skincare, I don’t currently grow herbs for my tea blends. And honestly? I probably never will grow most of them—and that’s a choice made with a lot of thought and care.

Small and unassuming, feverfew grows like a wild daisy. But its healing roots go back thousands of years — and when I first learned its story, I knew: I have to grow this. Not just for beauty, not just for knowledge — but because something deep in me believed this plant was part of my healing.

When you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s completely normal to pause and question what’s safe—especially when it comes to herbal teas. While herbal blends are some of the most nourishing, comforting drinks you can enjoy, not every ingredient is appropriate for every season of life.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of those “happy accident” herbs: plant it once and suddenly you have more than enough for every cup of calming tea you could ever drink. If you’re staring at a lush patch right now, here’s your permission slip to get creative—both in the kitchen and in your home apothecary.

When we talk about health, one of the first things we’re told is to drink more water. And while that’s solid advice, here’s the thing: Drinking water alone doesn’t guarantee real hydration. True hydration—the kind that energizes, nourishes, and supports every system in the body—happens at the cellular level. And for that, we need more than water. We need minerals. We need herbs. We need hydration that mimics nature.

Some herbs are quiet and subtle — and some walk into the room with a burst of color and confidence. Hibiscus is definitely the latter.

There’s a moment in the garlic patch that signals summer is truly here—when curly, green tendrils begin to emerge from the tops of the plants, twisting upward like nature’s own whimsical scrolls. These are garlic scapes, and if you’ve never cooked with them, you’re in for a treat.

If you’ve ever sipped a cup of herbal tea and wondered if you could grow the ingredients yourself—the answer is yes. You don’t need a massive garden or years of experience to get started. In fact, just a few thoughtfully chosen herbs can provide enough for tea all season long (and even into the winter).

We all have that one product we reach for when our skin is acting up. For me, it’s Calm & Restore—a handcrafted salve I originally formulated for dry, irritated skin. But over time, it’s become my go-to for just about everything—especially after long days outside in the sun, wind, and garden grit.

Your lymphatic system doesn’t get nearly as much attention as your heart or lungs—but it plays a vital role in keeping your body healthy. Think of it as your body’s drainage and immune transport system—carrying away waste, toxins, and cellular debris while supporting immune function. When it gets sluggish, we feel it: puffiness, fatigue, poor skin health, and a lowered sense of vitality. Thankfully, nature offers us powerful yet gentle herbal allies to support the lymphatic system—and many of them can be grown right in your backyard.

From the very beginning, God designed man and woman to walk together — distinct yet united, different yet corresponding, equal yet complementary. Not clones. Not competitors. But two reflections of His image, woven to create a union that would mirror His own heart.

When people hear the word herbalism, they often imagine something complicated — shelves full of jars, ancient recipes, a vast encyclopedia of plants. But at its heart, herbalism is simple.

Nettle may not look like much at first — especially if you’ve brushed past it in the woods — but behind its sting is one of the most nourishing herbs out there.

When people think about boosting their immune system, they often reach for herbs like echinacea or elderberry—powerful allies, yes, but not always the best fit for every situation. In fact, some herbs that stimulate the immune system can do more harm than good when used long-term or in the wrong context.

When we talk about strength, the world has plenty to say. Loudness. Dominance. Aggression. Stoicism. The kind of “strength” that conquers, demands, controls.

But biblical strength — chazaq — is different.

If you’ve ever grown squash, zucchini, pumpkins, or gourds, you’ve probably met the dreaded duo: squash bugs and squash vine borers. These pests can decimate healthy plants seemingly overnight, leaving once-thriving vines wilted and full of holes—or worse, completely collapsed.

A staple in my apothecary — and one I reach for often.

There are a few herbs I always want within reach, and lemon balm is one of them. It’s light, lemony, and just as good for the spirit as it is for the body.

Lately, there’s been a lot of noise online: seed oils are out, tallow is in. And while there’s nothing wrong with using tallow—it absolutely has traditional roots and unique benefits—it’s important to remember that plant-based oils and butters have been trusted across cultures for centuries.

When God crafted humanity, He didn’t create woman as an afterthought. He wasn’t patching up a mistake. He wasn’t giving Adam a maid, a sidekick, or a lesser being to keep him company. He was creating an Ezer Kenegdo. And if we understand what that phrase really means — if we peel back the layers of tradition and mistranslation — it changes everything.