Wisdom
Welcome to our blog, where ancient wisdom meets modern spirit. Here you’ll find articles written by herbalists, healers, witches, holistic health practitioners, astrologists, and experts in many other fields of healing. We hope to present a collection of wisdom that is multi-faceted, multi-cultural, and intergenerational. Enjoy your exploration!
Recommended Readings
5 Herbs With Antiviral Properties
For as long as humans have been around, we’ve used plants as natural remedies for illness and as antivirals to combat infection. According to The Herbal Academy, “The first written record of medicinal plants was transcribed on clay tablets over 5000 years ago by the Sumerians, in ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq).” All ancient cultures have proof
Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Many of you might be feeling nervous or overwhelmed with all of the information about coronavirus out there. One thing that is a known preventative measure is washing hands for at least 20 seconds, as well as using hand sanitizer. Many places are all out of big brands such as Purell, but the good news
Coronavirus: Take Preventative Action with Herbal Allies
Unquestionably, the coronavirus, named Covid-19, an infectious flu has become an alarming issue of global concern and uncertainty. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. For the Coronavirus the number of cases have reached 88,000
Recent Knowledge
COVID-19 Support
We’ve been hearing a lot of the same info getting spread around about COVID-19 in regards to washing hands, sneezing in elbows, avoiding large gatherings and staying home when sick. This is all important information, but what else can we do to support our bodies in this turbulent time? While we don’t yet know how
Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Many of you might be feeling nervous or overwhelmed with all of the information about coronavirus out there. One thing that is a known preventative measure is washing hands for at least 20 seconds, as well as using hand sanitizer. Many places are all out of big brands such as Purell, but the good news
Menstrual Magick
Menstruation, or the periodical shedding of the lining of the uterus, still remains very much a mystery to most. As menstrual periods typically occur at intervals of one lunar month from puberty until menopause, they are often referred to as “moon cycles.” Like the moon – magnetic, sovereign, and wavering – vaginal bleeding has been
Meet the Maker: Four Sigmatic
Have you tried Four Sigmatic’s amazing mushroom coffee and hot cocoa yet? They’re filled with functional adaptogens and mushrooms to support the body’s natural functions, and are a real favorite at The Alchemist’s Kitchen. We reach for them when we need help getting through a long day without the negative affects of caffeine. We chatted
Sheer Lunacy: Herbal Allies for Every Phase of the Lunar Cycle
You probably know your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs (if not, what’re you waiting for, dude), but there’s an oft-neglected element of the natal chart worthy of your astrological attention. What phase was the moon in during the lunar cycle when you were born? This will help describe the interaction between your solar and lunar
Virgo Full Moon: A Healing Crisis
March 9, 2020 — The Virgo Full Moon arrives on Monday at 10:47am Pacific Time, eliciting a potent and humbling period of purification. It’s time for great karmic rectification as we reach painful crescendos in the realms of health, consciousness, and the Earth. Neptune is conjunct the Sun while opposing the Virgo Moon, and veils
The Trouble with Cannabis Testing (and What You Can Do About It)
A few years ago in Southern California, before the state legalized adult recreational use, there was a rumor going around that if you asked to see test results for cannabis products and a dispensary didn’t have or want to provide them (which was against the law), you could be refused service and unceremoniously ejected. This
CBD and Sexual Healing
CBD and sexual healing is not a new concept. Before its criminalization, cannabis was often prescribed by doctors for relief from gynecological issues. Traditional cannabis recipes were for oral, vaginal, intranasal, anal, and topical application, instead of for being smoked. And now CBD oil is commonly used for various applications. As Foria Wellness explains: The
A Morning Beverage with Plant Alchemy Water Soluble CBD
As we launch into the Season of Love here at The Alchemist’s Kitchen, something we discuss often is how to incorporate acts of self-care and the power of plants into our daily routine. Most of us drink coffee or tea in the morning, or some form of adaptogenic latte (made with Ashwagandha or Anandamide. Lately,
Meet the Herbalist: Nadine Vieira-Rosario
We sat down (virtually) with Nadine Vieira-Rosario to talk all things herbs, roots, storytelling and finding your herbal start. Nadine will be teaching Herbalism 101: Herbs for Mental Health on our new virtual platform! Nadine! Tell us a little bit about yourself! I’m one out of 5, three older sisters and one younger. I am definitely
Meet the Maker: DoubleBlind
Photo by Georgia Love DoubleBlind Magazine is now available at The Alchemist’s Kitchen. We spoke with Co-Founders Madison Margolin and Shelby Hartman about their journey toward creating the beautiful print magazine of psychedelic articles, stories, art, poetry, and science. DoubleBlind is a biannual print magazine and digital media company at the forefront of the rapidly
Mushrooms for Immunity
How do we “boost” our immune systems besides eating well, getting enough sleep, and trying to lower our stress? One possible answer could be medicinal mushrooms, whose healing benefits have been utilized in cultures all around the world for thousands of years. Although each mushroom has their unique list of health benefits, they are each
Herbs for Sleep & Stress
During stressful periods, our sleep can be one of the first things that suffers. Maybe you’ve been staying up later than normal scrolling on Instagram, sleeping longer than you normally do, or unable to sleep at all! Stress can affect our sleep in so many different ways. When our routines are disrupted, it can be
Community Offerings from The Alchemist’s Kitchen Family
During this unprecedented and challenging moment, we have compiled a list of healers’ current offerings: online teaching, zoom sessions, consultations, kind words, etc. Now more than ever, this kind of community guide is essential to help everyone feel a little less alone. Find below a list of resources from our amazing staff & makers! You
Five Adaptogenic Herbs for Times of Stress
Right now, most of us are probably using all the tools in our toolkit to cope with being inside most of the time and having our daily lives and activities disrupted. There are numerous reasons to feel stressed right now, which is a very normal response to the world at large. However, adaptogenic herbs can
Libra Full Moon: Balancing Urgency with Patience
Ruth Asawa with her Visionary Sculptures April 7, 2020 — A Libra Full Moon arrives on April 8, helping us find balance between our courage, urgency, and survival on one hand, and love, sanity, and balance on the other. Relationship issues are heightened. Gentleness is key as we learn to better compromise, conjuring love and acceptance
Virgo Full Moon: A Healing Crisis
March 9, 2020 — The Virgo Full Moon arrives on Monday at 10:47am Pacific Time, eliciting a potent and humbling period of purification. It’s time for great karmic rectification as we reach painful crescendos in the realms of health, consciousness, and the Earth. Neptune is conjunct the Sun while opposing the Virgo Moon, and veils
The Astrology of March: Healing Ourselves, Healing the World
March begins with the Fish leading us through her waters of dreams and surreality. The Sun and Mercury retrograde are in Pisces, submerging us in poetry and confusion. However, we are gathering steam this month, preparing for a pivot point. We are shifting from a phase of reflection, into one of action and greater momentum.
Menstrual Magick
Menstruation, or the periodical shedding of the lining of the uterus, still remains very much a mystery to most. As menstrual periods typically occur at intervals of one lunar month from puberty until menopause, they are often referred to as “moon cycles.” Like the moon – magnetic, sovereign, and wavering – vaginal bleeding has been
The Lover and the Loved Spell
The goal of this love spell is to release any fear and pain held within the body and heart, and ultimately to open up your life and heart to love through renewed passion, vision, and positive, fulfilling relationships (in the form of both friends and lovers,) all in the highest good for you and your
A Conversation With Curandera Atava Garcia Swiecicki
Last month, I was lucky enough to speak with Curandera Atava Garcia Swiecicki, MA, RH (AHG), the founder and lead instructor of Ancestral Apothecary, School of Herbal, Folk and Indigenous Medicine—- a school which was born from Atava’s dream to create a more diverse community of herbalists and healers in the Bay Area. Atava has
Spring Equinox Celebrations and Rituals
As leaves unfurl and newborn animals venture into the world for the first time, we are reminded that life begins over and over again. Every day, month, season, year, decade and so on are cycles that bring us closer to the nature of all things. There is something special about the spring cycle though. It
Season of Alchemy Crystal Guide
This season, as we consider practices to connect to our ability to manifest and create change, we might go towards ritual, such as spells, prayer, or working with crystals. Crystals can offer a tangible and visible reminder of alchemy, plus, they’re absolutely beautiful to keep around the home. Below, Katherine Stanbury— a modern mystic, yogi,
4 Ways to Ground Your Magic Practice into Ancestral Roots
My magic practice is deeply rooted in personal ancestry. My ancestors are primarily Swedish and Irish, and I work primarily within those folk traditions. I believe this is important, and in this blog I will explain a few ways you can start to invite that energy into your own magic practice. I do this for
