One of the things I miss most about Phoenix is our amazing herb garden. We had a small patio home, but Drew really made it magical. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law gifting us cuttings and seeds from her herb garden we’ve been able to create a mini deck garden in our little rental beach house for now. Though, it is the thing I most look forward to building again once we find our home. Gathering herbs, even if just a little every day has become something of a meditation for me. Visiting the plants so often helps me tune in to the tiny details of how they live and grow. Slowing down time in this way offers me a chance to reflect on them as allies in many ways more than how they heal medicinally. And the gathering practice satisfies something from deep within my wise-woman, i am healer, DNA. Almost as if I’m channeling the women of yesterday, who tended their families using the land with such intention and knowing.

To honor the gatherer, I wanted to share a little herb harvesting tip with you today. The video above shows me gathering the day’s chamomile blossoms. But this technique is good for all ‘asteracea’ family plants. These are the ones that are daisy-looking and round like the sun, such as calendula, dandelion, echinacea etc.  Check out this link for a full list.  And all flowering plants (roses, borage, poppy etc) benefit from daily harvest. They love to be interacted with. When the plant is in flowering phase, it is putting its energy into creating attractive flowers to fill its need to be found and pollinated so, the more you pick, the more you get. It’s almost as if nature knew what she was doing. You can use flowers fresh or dry the flowers upside down, in a small basket and save for later. It should only take a day or two.

Today’s giveaway is for a small, child’s size, bulga basket for herb gathering. They are great for children, but it’s also a handy one to keep in your car for those impromptu road-side stops for that elusive herb you just happen to notice.

To enter, leave a comment below. One additional entry will be given each if you’ve signed up for my newsletter, liked HM onfacebook, and shared this giveaway on one of your favorite eShare tools (like facebook or twitter etc) for a total possible entry count of 4 per person. Be sure to let me know how you’ve linked up and shared in the comments. All giveaways during the grand opening week will close at midnight PST Friday the 22nd. Winners will be drawn over the weekend and announced on Monday the 25th.

The Winner is Raechel: You’re such a light and inspiration in my life! A few minutes dedicated to you enriches me in so many areas! Love your passion. This video is awesome!

Thank you each and everyone new friends and old for coming over to celebrate my new website and mission this week. HerbMother is my soul work gone wild, and I am eternally *grateful* for everyone who’s participated in the festivities. Looking forward to a lot more herb’n play together.

Love and Besos,
Latisha