Blue Kayanite

Blue Kayanite is a stone of connection, and therefore it helps to bridge gaps in communication. It brings all of the chakras into alignment, and is especially stimulating to the fifth (throat) and sixth (brow/third eye) chakras. It helps people who are having difficulty speaking their truth, and those trying to develop and trust in their psychic intuition. It has a calming effect on the body and is useful in deep meditation and dream recall. It never needs to be cleansed because it doesn’t accumulate negative energy.

 I created this Throat Chakra tea not only for those with sore, dry, irritated throats in mind, but also for those who are finding their voice, or wanting to speak their truth. I've added a smaller blue kyanite stone to the outside of each bag to assist in the journey. This kyanite stone was gifted to me almost 10 years ago by a dear friend...it's one of my favorite healing stones.
You can find it on our website: wanderinglemurianherbs

Raw Vegan Chocolate

I'll be the first to admit that I have a HUGE sweet tooth, but over the past few years I've cut my sugar intake significantly and have been replacing my crazy comfort junk food fixes with more raw or vegan desserts with real ingredients. One of my favorite treats to make is homemade chocolate and I thought it'd be the perfect recipe to share so near to Valentine's Day.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cacao butter
• 3/4 cup maple syrup or agave
• 1 1/2 cups cacao powder
• Goji berries, sea salt, bee pollen, cacao nibs, mulberries, hemp seeds, etc for toppings. And if you want to get really decadent, peanut butter for dipping

Directions:

• Melt cacao butter in a double boiler over low heat ( I use a metal bowl over a pot of boiling water, just make sure the bottom of the bowl isn't touching the water). You should have about 1 cup of liquid
• Whisk in your sweetener of choice
• Sift in the cacao powder (this insures that you don't get lumps in your chocolate) and whisk until incorporated
• Once the cacao powder is incorporated, dab spoonfuls of the chocolate on a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with toppings of your choice.
• I placed mine in the freezer so they would harden quicker, but they should harden at room temperature
• Store in an airtight container and enjoy! 😋

Prithvi Mudra

Some of you may be wondering what the heck a mudra is. The easiest way to think of a mudra is as a yoga position for your hands. Each mudra is said to have a specific effect on your mind, body, and energy. A great book for becoming more acquainted with mudras in greater detail is Gertrud Hirschi's book, "Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands" which is available at your local book store, or on Amazon for a reasonable price.

That being said, the first mudra i'd like to share is the Prithvi mudra. This mudra is balancing and grounding, it strengthens both the physical and spiritual aspects of self, and brings in Earth energy. Anytime you feel yourself in need of some Prithvi energy, place the tips of your thumb and fourth finger together while keeping your pointer, middle, and pinky fingers outstretched. Hold this position for at least 5 minutes, if not longer. It has also been said to be more beneficial to do the mudra with both hands at the same time if the position allows.

Oxymels

The word Oxymel comes from the Latin word Oxymeli which means "acid and honey".  Our ancestors have been drinking vinegar for it's health benefits for thousands of years. Even Hippocrates prescribed vinegar and honey syrup! One of the most famous oxymels is Fire Cider, which helps with respiratory issues, relieving sinus congestion, keeping the common cold and flu at bay, and overall well being. I decided after making some Fire Cider for the shop that I would try my hand at making other types of oxymels. The first one I decided on was a blackberry thyme. It's still in the maceration process, but I can't wait to try this sweet and tangy blend.

Supplies Needed:

• Quart size mason Jar
• Plastic (Nonreactive) lid
• 2-3 Cups Blackberries
• 1 C fresh thyme
• Bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1-2 Cups Raw Local Honey

Steps:

• Chop the thyme into small pieces

• Add the thyme and blackberries to a sterilized quart mason jar

• Smash the berries and thyme together in the bottom of the jar. I used a long wooden dowel (it looks like a mini baseball bat) that I got for pressing fermented foods. If you don't have one, you may wish to smash the berries and thyme in a bowl beforehand

• Add the apple cider vinegar to the jar until about an inch below the rim, leaving headspace. Make sure that everything is completely submerged in the vinegar

• Wipe the rim of the jar and cover with a plastic, nonreactive lid (vinegar can corrode metal)

• Store in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks. Be sure to shake your oxymel daily and check to see that everything is staying submerged in the vinegar

• After 3 weeks, strain the mixture through cheesecloth and a fine-mesh strainer. Make sure to squeeze the cheesecloth containing the berries and herbs to get every last drop of goodness

• Stir the raw local honey into your blackberry thyme vinegar mixture, and cover with a nonreactive lid

You have now successfully created your first oxymel! The apple cider vinegar and honey are natural preservatives, but you can also refrigerate your oxymel if you so desire. A good rule of thumb, if it smells rotten, don't drink it! Feel free to make your own variations and let me know how they turn out. Next up for me on the experimentation board is a grapefruit sage oxymel!

Labradorite

Labradorite is an excellent stone for protecting, balancing, and clearing the aura. It is a guiding stone in times of change, giving strength and discernment while bridging the gap between heart and mind. It helps open one up to new ideas and unconventional ways to achieve goals through manifestation on the physical plane. It relieves insecurities while enhancing faith and trust in oneself.  A wonderful stone for those seeking development of self-love, or support from detaching from the old to manifest the new.

Rose Hips

As rose hips are one of my all time favorite herbs, I felt it appropriate to start with them as the first herb that I share with you all. Rose hips are the fruit of the rose, meaning they are what develops after the rose blossom has dropped its petals. They are one of the richest sources of vitamin C and also contain bio-flavonoids which are necessary for the body to absorb vitamin C (Mother Nature sure knows what she's doing). Rose hips are most commonly used to help prevent or treat the common cold or flu, which is why I chose to add them to our Immunity tea blend. Rose hips are also a tasty winter trail snack. I like to eat them after a couple of frosts when they're nice and tart, just be sure to remove the seeds. They taste like fruit leather!

Welcome to our blog:

I am the Wandering Lemurian, also known as Aubrey. I grew up in a healers home, filled with herbs and crystals. My mom made my sister and me all sorts of brews and concoctions when we were sick, couldn't sleep, or just for the fun of creating something tasty for her beloved babes. With the help of her spirit guide Tumaro, she made herbal and aromatherapy blends that she used for foot soaks during her intuitive readings and reflexology foot massages. It was always a treat when she would do a reading for me. 

My mother passed away seven years ago leaving me with her jars of herbs, essential oils, books, and various cryptic notes and recipes relating to herbalism and aromatherapy. Little did I know what lay in store for me in acquiring these gifts. As a young girl I spent most of my days outside climbing trees, talking to animals, or digging for crystals. I have always felt akin to the Earth. I would (and to this day still) sit and converse with her through silent meditation, sending healing hugs of energy to her as a means to convey my love and gratitude for all she has blessed and continues to bless me with. 

Building a connection with the Earth is something I've come to deeply cherish. I am grateful for my mother, for all the past and present herbalists, medicine men and women, spirit guides, friends, and especially to the plants who have been/are apart of my continued learning journey of herbal medicine. To keep the spirit of herbalism alive, I now pass on my shared knowledge to you.