The Wild & Weedy Apothecary

04/01/2026

03/21/2026

Sometimes the simplest habits can have a meaningful impact.

Even short periods of natural sunlight can influence mood regulation, energy levels, and emotional wellbeing.

A gentle reminder to step outside when you can.

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Integrative Psychological Professional Service, PLLC is an online therapy practice dedicated to creating a safe space for the mental health and wellness of professional minorities, particularly persons of color.

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03/16/2026

CAL-POP SALVE SOOTHES AND CALMS

Cal-Pop Salve is a topical remedy with anti-microbial properties for wound healing and for various skin conditions such as eczema and minor cuts or scrapes.

Our formula is made with coconut oil and is double infused with whole-plant Eschscholzia, that is, flowers, leaves, roots and all, then hardened with beeswax…
and a few drops of frankincense essential oil for additional anti-inflammatory properties and to help preserve the salve.

Focusing our attention on the particular properties of this special balm, California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and sedating, making it useful for neuralgia and neuropathy.
It has even been used for restless leg syndrome, and it was found to act faster and last longer than homeopathic cream.

Try it for any type of nerve or muscle pain. It can also be applied to the abdomen for menstrual or intestinal cramps.

We have used it in lieu of homeopathic cream for restless legs and found it to be equally if not more effective, going to work faster and lasting longer.

This plant contains no o***m even though it is a poppy. It is safe for children, and often used as a gentle nervine for anxiety and irritability.
Try a little dab on baby’s gums when they are teething.

© DDoreen Shababy
https://doreenshababy.com/cal-pop-salve-soothes-and-calms/

03/16/2026

PLANTAIN --
Broadleaf (Plantago major) and Lanceleaf (P. lanceolata) –

Appearing early in the spring, even remaining overwinter.

These plants, which can be used interchangeably for our purposes here, are native to Europe, and the Broadleaf Plantain is sometimes called “white man’s footprint” in North America since it grew wherever the immigrants journeyed; use by Native American herbalists is widely recognized.

Plantain leaf is a topical-relief analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and contains mucilage which soothes the injured skin, tannins which tighten and protect, and allantoin, a compound also found in comfrey (Symphytum officinale), which encourages the healing of wounds and rehydrates injured tissue.

Use plantain leaf for external skin irritations, stings and bites, anything that itches. Simply “squish & apply”, which is basically an herbal poultice; you can even chew it up into a pulp and slather it on your boo-boo.

03/13/2026

LEMON BALM - SWEET MELISSA
Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm is very attractive to bees.
It’s botanical name Melissa means “bee” in Latin, and it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years as a bee plant.
We grow a lot of Lemon Balm, both in and out of the garden.

There is a curious concoction dating from around the early seventeenth century called Carmelite Water.
The curious feature of the concoction was that it was used as both a perfume as well as a remedy for headaches.
Lemon Balm (often simply called Balm or sometimes Melissa) is one of the main ingredients; also included are angelica leaves, clove buds, coriander seed, nutmeg and cinnamon, preserved in grain spirits.

Carmelite Water – A curious cordial

This curious concoction from the early seventeenth century called Eau de Melissa Carmes, or Carmelite Water, was supposedly invented by the Carmelite order of nuns (some sources say monks, but whatever) in paris in 1611. It was used as a perfume as well as a cordial, having a nervine effet as well as being useful for headaches – just imagine, drinking your perfume! Here is a recipe similar to one I found by accident on recipezaar.com. I’m surprised I hadn’t come across it sooner since I have studied herbs for many years. I decided to add a touch of sweetener for taste.

4 tablespoons dried lemon balm leaves
3 tablespoons dried angelica leaves
2 tablespoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon whole coriander seed
1-2 teaspoons sugar or to taste
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
2 cups good-quality vodka

Place all the herbs, spices and the sugar in a clean quart jar. Pour the vodka over all, adding more if necessary to cover completely.

Place a small piece of parchment paper between the jar and the lid, and cover tightly; label and date. Shake every day for 3 to 4 weeks. After this time, strain the Carmelite Water into a clean decanter.

This cordial will keep about six months in a cool, dark place. If you can’t find angelica leaves, use 1 tablespoon dried celery leaf instead.

LEMON BALM FOR HEADACHES and other concerns --

As to Lemon Balm being useful for relieving headache, a dropperful of the tincture or even a cup of hot lemon balm tea makes an effective remedy for relieving the tension and irritability associated with this ailment.

It is a mild anti-depressant and nervine that is safe to use for children as well as adults.
It is excellent for children experiencing mild fever, sleeplessness and achiness caused from the flu.
A strong infusion added to the bath is one good way to use lemon balm for kids.

Lemon Balm tea can be drunk for relief from menstrual cramps and tummy-aches (including diarrhea) as it is also anti-spasmodic. There are no known negative side-effects concerning the recommended use of this herb.

Lemon Balm has shown anti-viral activity as well, particularly as an external wash (and also an internal remedy) for shingles (and chicken pox) and herpes simplex (both kinds).
Lemon Balm herb made into an infused oil is a preferred method of external treatment for these painful conditions.

The generally recommended dose of Lemon Balm Tincture for adults is 30-40 drops (approximately 2ml) 3 to 5 times a day, taken in water.
For children, first determine their weight; if they weigh 50 pounds reduce the amount to one-third of the adult dosage (assuming you weigh 150 pounds), or 10-13 drops 3 times a day, and maybe once more at bedtime.
The amount of alcohol is very minute here; if you are still concerned, make a mild tea (tincture added to hot water) for your child and give it to them in 1/3-cup doses. Use Lemon Balm infused oil or salve freely as needed.

In addition to the above-mentioned Carmelite Water, Lemon Balm is an ingredient in other liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse.

You can make a sweetened tea with the fresh herb (it is very easy to grow) and freeze up some Lemon Balm ice-pops. Try using it to make pesto.

I love growing Lemon Balm in my garden, and I love that it takes off on it’s own so well.
I love how it looks, how it smells, and how it tastes.
I love that it attracts bees (who need all the help they can get these days), and I love making it into concoctions for body care.
She really deserves the name “Sweet Melissa”.

© DDoreen Shababy

https://doreenshababy.com/lemon-balm-sweet-melissa/

03/04/2026

12/07/2025

Might not fit into a Christmas stocking, but you can try 😁