Salves and Oils – Blackbird's Backyard Pharmacy

Drumming Salve ( ARNICA)

My husband and I started taking a djembe drumming class a few months ago. It has helped us to feel less isolated and meet people over the age of 45. Our teacher is great fun and so creative. I can’t leave the circle without having experienced lots of laughter. We are now advanced beginners andContinue reading “Drumming Salve ( ARNICA)”

Detox Salve( RUE )

This creation of this salve was inspired by the year I studied the traditional medicine of New Mexico. In the American Southwest rue, lemon, and oregano are common medicinal herbs found in all kitchen gardens or spice cabinets. Most Hispanic families have an assigned elder that everyone goes to when there is illness, accident, orContinue reading “Detox Salve( RUE )”

Sugar Cookie Lotion Bars (yarrow)

I was invited to participate in a holiday fair to raise money for a local non-profit. While I had a lot of stock on hand for my crisis care packages, there were no items with a clear Christmas theme. Adapting my go to recipe to create these really cute lotion bars proved very easy toContinue reading “Sugar Cookie Lotion Bars (yarrow)”

Whipped Body Butter (calendula)

It is mid November. Shortly before Halloween autumn arrived suddenly and left. Winter is officially here, bringing snow, ice, and cold temperatures. My perennial chrysanthemums never managed to fully bloom. Many herbs did hang on through our brief fall. I still had small harvests of motherwort, oregano, mint, comfrey and plantain. The herbal year lengthenedContinue reading “Whipped Body Butter (calendula)”

Healing Oil (COMFREY)

When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, Comfrey was a plant to be feared. Do too much digging around it, and this plant will quickly take over a garden bed. This herb is never to be easily removed once happy and established. Comfrey is best added to a backyard pharmacy by ordering the rootstock fromContinue reading “Healing Oil (COMFREY)”