Mama B's Apothecary

04/29/2026

W**dy Wednesday Recipe: Dandelion Mocha, this is the recipe I followed over the weekend after harvesting roots from the garden. Let me know what you think if you try it!!

Dandelion Mocha (original recipe by: Kami McBride)

2 C milk (whatever type you prefer)
2 C water
3 T roasted dandelion root
1 T cacao nibs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 chopped date
1 T maple syrup
dash of nutmeg powder
dash of clove powder

Instructions:
1. Put milk, water, dandelion root, cacao nibs, date & cinnamon in a pot & bring to a boil with the lid on.
2. Turn temp to low and let simmer for 5 mins (watch so it doesn't boil over)
3. Turn off stove, let everything steep for 30 mins
4. Strain herbs & reheat if needed to serve
5. Garnish with maple syrup, nutmeg & clover powder

*I also added a chunk of candied ginger to the pot after removing from heat

04/27/2026

W**d of the Week! DANDELION!!

Any guesses what I did last week while the weather was nice?? That's right, I cleaned out the garden. My goodness were there a TON of dandelions!

Dandelion is such a useful w**d/herb, it's really a shame it has such a bad rap. Who doesn't love seeing those poofs all across a yard, and who hasn't blown on them as a kid making 100's of wishes?
All parts of the dandelion can be used for something. I've wilted & diffused the flowers in oil to use in soap, you can eat the young leaves (older/bigger ones get more bitter), and the root can be used as a coffee replacement. WHICH, was my reward for getting my garden all w**ded. I enjoyed a dandelion mocha on Saturday, I'll be sharing the recipe later this week.
Dandelions are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, calcium, and potassium. They are considered one of the most nutrient-dense greens you can eat 🌻
Do you find this plant a friend or foe?

04/26/2026

This verse is a tough one, it's so easy to get wrapped up in things negatively that it's easy to spew insults or hatred. For a long time I held onto that defensive position, always ready to fire back, not wanting anyone to think less of me, or think they were better, knew better, etc. It was something I saw a lot as I grew up & I've found it a really hard habit to break, to take the extra minute to realize we don't have to be so harsh, not everything needs to be taken personally.

Often times I've found that when someone is throwing insults, it's actually because they're insecure. We have a really good way of throwing things out that we actually know bother us about ourselves.... that whole "do as I say, not as I do" thing comes to mind.

I definitely don't want to make it sound like I have it all figured out, far from it. BUT, I know it's something I've been working on. It's amazing how negativity, in any form, is so easy to grasp onto, yet makes you feel so bad afterwards.
I pray the next negative interaction you come across, you choose to take the high road and send up a prayer. He's always listening 💞

04/19/2026

Have you ever stopped to think about how much thought God puts into our lives? The beauty around us, the people we meet, the sounds we hear? Take a look at this verse, Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

It says God is with us, that reminder we all need, He is always on our side, ready to fight for us. And then it says "He will rejoice over you with singing"... especially this time of year I love going out and listening to all the birds sing, so many different songs come together to wake us up in spring. Maybe those birds, the cool breeze that rustles the leaves, the water babbling in a creek, kids laughing & having fun, maybe all those sounds are Gods way of singing over us daily. So often it's those little things we overlook.

I pray you can take the time to appreciate the little things, & maybe the big things too, perhaps the sunset will burst with color and take your breath away. There are so many things I know I take for granted daily, we truly are blessed. 🙏🏻

04/17/2026

I've talked about our Facial Cleansing Oil a lot, but it is one of the products we make that I use every single night. After brushing my teeth, I use this as my makeup remover & to moisturize my face every night. The blend of oils used is good for most skin types, not too heavy, not too light. It soaks in quickly & has the benefit of the herb infused oils.
As we age our skin changes, there have been times where I use less of the oil (2 pumps), and now as I'm in my 40s I use 3-4 pumps nightly, it really is personal preference. The beauty of oil cleansing is that it doesn't dry your skin out. It washes the dirty oils we get on our face throughout the day and balances it out with healthy, beneficial oils.
Have you tried this product? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

04/15/2026

How to Prune Herbs for Maximum Production

When: Prune in the morning after dew dries; regular light pruning throughout the growing season encourages bushiness.

How much: Never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at once; this prevents stress and keeps growth vigorous.

Where to cut: Snip just above a set of leaves or a node (the spot where leaves join the stem) to encourage two new shoots.

Tools: It's best to use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears—sterilize between plants with rubbing alcohol to prevent disease spread.... although most times I end up using my thumb nail to pinch off the stems 😆

Herb-specific notes:
Mint & Lemon Balm: cut heavily in late spring and again mid-summer to prevent legginess; trim roots or divide containers yearly.

Rosemary & Sage: prune sparingly—shape after flowering and avoid cutting into old woody wood.

Basil & annual herbs: pinch flowering tops frequently to prolong leaf production; harvest from the top down.

Perennials (thyme, oregano, lavender): light shaping after bloom; avoid hard cuts in late fall.

Aftercare: Water lightly and, if needed, feed with a balanced organic fertilizer to support new growth.

***Harvesting is pruning—use picked herbs in the kitchen to reward yourself and keep plants productive.

04/13/2026

Meet Calendula (Calendula officinalis), its petals are anti‑inflammatory and skin‑soothing — ideal in infused oils, salves, and gentle facial preparations for redness and dryness. Plus these are just uplifting to see in the garden, big bright yellow & orange blooms 💞
Sow calendula in full sun to part shade in well‑draining soil; deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Harvest petals on dry mornings and dry them spread thinly out of direct sun.

04/12/2026

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." — Psalm 32:8

Take a quiet breath and remember you are not walking life’s path alone. This verse is a gentle promise: guidance that is patient, teaching that meets you where you are, and a watchful, caring presence even in small steps. Let it soften anxious plans and steady hurried hands—listen for the quiet counsel in the ordinary: a friendly word, a still morning, a nudge toward rest.

Practice: Pause for two minutes today. Breathe slowly, ask for guidance for one small choice, and notice the sense of calm that follows. Share this with someone who could use a reminder that gentle guidance is near. ✨

04/10/2026

Booboo Cream is the one thing I keep everywhere, in the medicine cabinets, in my purse, when the kids were little I had one in our diaper bag. It's just so handy, and you don't have to worry about who's little hands get into it.
Here's just a brief overview of why we chose these herbs for this product:
🏵 St. John’s wort: Soothing and anti‑inflammatory; supports skin repair and can help calm mild burns, sunburn, and irritated or inflamed skin when used topically
💐Echinacea: Astringent and immune‑supportive; may help reduce redness, promote wound healing, and strengthen skin’s resistance to minor irritations.
🍃 Plantain: Anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial; soothes itching, reduces swelling from bites and stings, and aids in gentle wound care as a poultice or infused wash.
✨ Yarrow: Astringent and hemostatic; helps stop minor bleeding, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair in small cuts and abrasions.
🌿 Rosemary: Antimicrobial and circulation‑stimulating; clarifies skin, can reduce oiliness, and supports skin tone and wound‑care when used in diluted topical preparations.
🌱 Comfrey: Cell‑regenerative and healing (contains allantoin); supports repair of skin tissue, speeds recovery of abrasions and minor wounds when used externally (avoid on deep wounds and use topical formulations).
🌼 Calendula: Anti‑inflammatory, antiseptic, and deeply soothing; excellent for calming redness, dry or chapped skin, and aiding gentle healing in creams and salves.
⏺️ Vitamin E: Antioxidant and moisturizing; protects skin from oxidative stress, supports barrier repair, and helps maintain hydration—commonly used to nourish dry or damaged skin and aid scar appearance.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Where to find & how to harvest plantain

Plantain thrives in compacted or disturbed soil and tolerates sun to shade; it self‑seeds easily—leave some seedheads for future harvests. Harvest young leaves for best tenderness. Unless your lawn is treated, there's a good chance you'll find some growing there.
Make sure to thoroughly dry leaves, then store in glass containers, out of direct sunlight. Plantain makes a fantastic infused oil, you can use it for bug bites, scrapes, itchy patches & more. Or melt some beeswax into your oil and make yourself an all purpose salve.
❗Remember to always be cautious of where you harvest plants from. Avoid places you know have been sprayed with w**d killer, or even fertilizers, many are loaded with chemicals. Also avoid harvesting by busy roadways

04/06/2026

Herb of the Week: Plantain (Plantago spp.)
Plantain is a lawn ally: broad leaves make an easy poultice for stings, scrapes, and minor skin irritations thanks to anti‑inflammatory compounds — crush a clean leaf and apply directly or wrap in gauze.

Plantain is one of the first herbs I taught my kids when they were little, if they got a sting or bug bite they would find it, chew up a leave and place it over the bite, it gives relief in a matter of minutes. It is a main component of our Booboo Cream!

How have you used plantain?