Supporting Women Through Every Season
I take such joy in watching my students learn about — and get excited about — herbs. I had a weekend full of teaching and, as always, felt inspired by the thoughtful questions and the genuine engagement that unfolds when people begin forming relationships with plants.
I also spent time with my grandchildren, who are 6 and 3. Every time they come to my home they ask to make tea. They choose the herbs to create a blend and almost always finish the cup. My granddaughter was a bit disappointed with the tea they made this weekend — she thought the marshmallow would make it taste like hot chocolate!
Moments like these remind me how natural it is for us to connect with plants when we are given the space and encouragement. Curiosity comes easily. Relationship follows.
One of my favorite areas of herbal work is supporting women’s health — improving monthly cycles, supporting mood as it relates to the cycle, fertility concerns, and the transitions of perimenopause and menopause.
I will be teaching a general overview of herbal support for women’s health at Hudson Gardens this week. In the coming months I will also offer more specific classes focused on the different stages women move through. In March, I will teach herbal support for the fertile years (approximately ages 18–40).
Alongside the herbs themselves, I teach how our cycles actually work and what a healthy cycle looks like. Many women were never given this education, yet it is vital to our health and to understanding our bodies.
I am also planning a class for tweens, teens, and their mothers — a supportive and empowering space to learn about the menstrual cycle together.
For those wanting more individualized care, I offer one-on-one sessions that weave together herbal support and Maya abdominal therapy. These sessions allow us to listen more deeply to the body and offer care that is specific to your needs.
Below is one of my favorite tea blends — a simple way to tend to the heart and nervous system this season.
A Tea for the Heart
My heart has needed some tender care recently and this is one of my favorite tea blends and is from my teacher Tonja Reichley (Dancing with the Wild)
Hearts Ease Tea
2p Hawthorn leaf and flower
1p Linden flower
1p Rose petals
1½p Nettles
½p Hibiscus
¼p Licorice root
Directions:
Blend the herbs. Add 2 teaspoons of the blend to 1 cup of freshly boiled water. Cover and steep for about 10 minutes.
Take your tea outside if you can, with your feet resting on the earth. Let your breath slow and soften your nervous system. Offer a moment of gratitude to the plants for their beautiful support.
If you feel called to learn, to understand your cycle more deeply, or to receive support in this season of life, you are warmly welcome.