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We must come to terms with the matter of plant consciousness. When we say "vegetative", we think of absence: no feeling, no willful acts, only passive reaction. But that does not describe the vegetal kingdom: sensing and moving to satisfy its wishes, a plant can hold abstract thought, plan for the future, and coordinate with kin. Plants have memory, sophisticated senses, and exquisite control over how their genetic blueprint unfolds into physical form. We dismiss them simply because of a difference in perspective, and do so at our peril.
Creativity in the kitchen is one of the purest forms of self-love and devotion, especially when it involves herbs! Over the years we've gotten very comfortable with adding medicinal plants to our desserts and meals and are excited to share that passion with you.
Growing up on the sunny side of the Alps, on the gentle slopes that would run down into the fertile valleys of northern Italy, I listened to the fairytales and lore of a people who had lived in those craggy mountains for thousands of years.
If you are looking for a creative way to keep with your herbal regimen, consider the easy solution of blending herbs and raw honey. Honey has long been called the food of the gods, or the elixir of life, and as herbalists, we understand why--there's nothing quite like the sweetness of honey, miraculously synthesized from the pollen and nectar of flowering plants...
When we think about using herbs in our everyday life, there are a few ways that come to mind; fresh harvest from the garden, herbal infusions (tea) and herbal tinctures. While many of you know what a tincture is and use them often, many folks don't, and our goal at Urban Moonshine is to get more people comfortable using plant medicines and to be inclusive in our information...
We take digestion for granted, but it's not an easy task: we consume a range of foods, at different times, under changing circumstances. Balancing all these variables, our guts distil macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbs) and process micronutrients and phytochemicals.
We all know what happens with grandiose New Year’s resolutions: they aren’t usually very lasting. The desire to become a happier or healthier version of ourselves inspires many of us...
If you follow the sun, you’ll find that, as fall edges into winter, it slips further and further south. The angle of the sun’s rays...
We know there are many herbs that can affect mood. Some, like coffee, are strong energizers. Others, like kava, are powerful relaxers. But there is a whole class of medicinal plants--the aromatic nervines--that act as tonics to the nervous system and spirit, helping to find the place of balance between enlivening inspiration and gentle relaxation.
Our annual gift guides aim to make your holiday shopping personal, thoughtful, and healthy; for your friends and family, and the planet. Our bitters make great gifts, and our stress and mood tonics take it to a new level, as you gift with intention this year.
A long time ago, Anne and I traveled to Ireland. We vagabonded slowly down the west coast from hostel to hostel, over green hills to ragged seaside cliffs, stopping at standing stones and the ruins of circle forts, visiting old-growth forests left intact for hundreds of years.
We created some DIY recipes, shared below, and paired them with a few of our favorite products. Gifting with intention has been our theme this year, and it seems especially important these days, as we live in such challenging times. As herbalists, we love to give herbal gifts, and what better way than to gift something with the idea of good health behind it, made with love, and from your own home. These gifts are unique and are always well loved.
