About Us

Our Story

During the lockdowns of 2020 my family relocated to Oakville and I finally had an opportunity to create something I had dreamed of for years- a Medicinal Garden!

What started as a few plants has grown to over 90 varieties of herbs and botanicals, each with a special, holistic purpose.

After many months of study, and lots of reading and research, I’ve put my herbal knowledge to use to create a line of natural, organic and plant-based products that will change the way you think about nature.

I've never been a minimalist, and that's reflected in my gardening style, too. I use a polyculture method of gardening where I interplant different species. This is beneficial in many ways as it naturally deters pests without the need for insecticides, it attracts more pollinators helping the garden to thrive, and it's low maintenance.

We recently had our garden certified as a Wildlife-Friendly Habitat by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. This means that it meets the needs of wildlife with food, water and shelter and by using earth-friendly gardening methods. Through the summer months we have an assortment of fruiting plants (Mulberry, Elderberry, Grape, Blueberry, Strawberry) that provide food for the wildlife. At the end of the season, instead of clearing all the dead plants and cutting things back, we leave the seed heads on the plants to provide food for birds over the winter, and a place for small bugs (like ladybugs and bees) to overwinter in the stems.

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Our Favourite Herbs

Calendula

Great for inflammation of the skin due to infection or injury, or gastric upset and ulcers. Studies have shown anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antibacterial properties. As an emmenagogue it helps with delayed menstruation and painful periods.

Actions:
Anti-fungal | Anti-inflammatory | Antibacterial | Antimicrobial | Antispasmodic | Antiviral | Astringent | Cholagogue | Demulcent | Diaphoretic | Emmenagogue | Hepatic Immune tonic | Lymphatic Vulnerary

Calendula is most well known, as it has been throughout history, for its use as a vulnerary, and is still largely used externally today. In the early 20th century, however, calendula was sometimes taken internally at the same time as the external preparations were applied for various illnesses, with the aim of reinforcing local action (Felter, 1922). Folk herbalists were already widely using calendula for wounds and skin issues when Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), the father of homeopathy, added the herb to his homeopathic preparations for topical infections, wounds, sores, and burns (Wood, 2008). Calendula also appears to have been used for wounds in both the American Civil War (Arora et al., 2013) and in World War I (Parente et al., 2012), particularly when other emergency medical supplies had run low. The few clinical trials that exist thus far on calendula tend to explore its vulnerary action; in a review of the available research, Givol et al. (2019) conclude that there is enough evidence for calendula’s traditional vulnerary use to warrant further clinical studies.

Calendula’s anti-inflammatory and astringent actions combined with its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties make it a common choice for a wide variety of skin issues (Hoffmann, 2003; Smith, 2008). It has long been used topically to soothe and mend cuts, burns, bites, sprains, bruises, rashes, sunburns, and abrasions, including persistent wounds and gangrene (Glenn, 2020; Hoffmann, 2003; Wood, 2008) and dermatological issues and infestations such as scabies (von Bingen, 1155/2001). Calendula is also used both internally and externally for fungal skin infections (e.g. athlete’s foot and jock itch) and yeast overgrowth (e.g., candida in the gut, thrush, and vaginal yeast infections) (Bennett, 2014).

Lavender

Helps ease stress and relieve headaches. Topically can help disinfect and heal wounds and burns, provide pain relief and soothe the itch of bug bites

Chamomile

Chamomile is used topically to ease irritations and minor inflammations of the skin, such as sunburn and superficial wounds, and to ease stress and promote sleep.

Yarrow

Also called “Wound Wort”, Yarrow is antiseptic and styptic, and is used to stop bleeding in open wounds. Yarrow has the ability to regulate blood flow through the skin, capillaries, and venules, and can thicken or thin the blood to address various complaints such as bruising, wounds, inflammation, hemorrhaging, and clotting

Cayenne

Used for pain due to arthritis and sciatica. Cayenne blocks pain receptors while not numbing the sense of touch. Increases blood flow which promotes healing.

Peppermint

Primarily used for its calming properties in digestive upset, it also is antimicrobial and shows antiviral activity against influenza A, and herpes simplex (cold sores). As an analgesic it’s used to relieve tension headache and muscle aches. Increases mental clarity

Arnica

Applied topically for issues such as bruises, joint and muscle aches, sprains, and edema. Not for use internally, on broken skin or open wounds.

Lemon Balm

Soothes mild symptoms of mental stress, supports healthy sleep, and is used topically for cold sores

Apothecary Rose

Commonly used for its scent, roses also show significant potential for preventing oxidative DNA damage and radical scavenging activity in addition to aiding other body systems.

Broadleaf Plantain

Effective remedy for bites, stings, cuts, and scrapes, and it helps to draw out slivers, splinters, or stingers. Also used to soothe and cool the pain, itching, or burning symptoms of poison ivy, nettles, or sunburn

Formulation

I’m often asked which herb I would recommend for a particular condition, however there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. There’s no particular herb that’s just used for skin, or just used for stress, or just for inflammation. Herbs, much like people, have their own unique traits. It’s how you combine various herbs together that results in a stellar recipe. Some herbs will be the star of the show, and others will play supporting roles. But, the show wouldn’t be the same without any one of them.

It’s important to understand the holistic properties of the herbs you’re using.

Is it a cooling herb or a warming herb? For example, cayenne is considered a warming herb because it will increase blood flow throughout the body and can be used topically to aid healing by bringing in fresh blood cells for fast tissue regeneration. Meanwhile, an herb like aloe vera is cooling, which is why it’s a great choice for something like a sunburn because it helps cool the tissue and rid the body of excess heat.

We also want to consider the herb’s actions. Is it adaptogenic (helps the body adapt to stress), antiseptic, antifungal or anti-inflammatory? Likewise, does the herb pose any threats to certain people? Some herbs or herbal oils should not be used by those who are pregnant, for example.

Lastly, there’s taste. While not relevant for topical applications, taste is an important consideration when deciding whether to make a medicinal tea or whether a capsule would be more appropriate. Valerian root, wonderful for insomnia, tastes disgusting. Therefore, you would probably want to steer clear of a cup of valerian tea and opt for a tasteless capsule instead.

Understanding the unique properties of herbs is crucial when formulating a recipe. By featuring the herb with the most medicinal benefits in the highest quantity, and adding other supporting herbs in lower quantities, you can create a powerful and effective product.

In our SOS Oil Cream, calendula is used in the highest quantity due to its anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It has long been used topically to soothe and mend cuts, burns, bites, sprains, bruises, rashes, sunburns, and abrasions, including persistent wounds and gangrene, as well as dermatological issues and infestations such as scabies. Calendula is also used both internally and externally for fungal skin infections (e.g. athlete’s foot) and yeast overgrowth (e.g., candida in the gut, thrush, and vaginal yeast infections)

Lavender and chamomile are also added as supporting herbs due to their beneficial effects on the skin and pleasant aroma. Due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lavender is useful for disinfecting cuts, wounds, and sores while it soothes pain and aids healing. It also soothes the itch and pain of insect bites. As a burn treatment, lavender essential oil reduces the severity and scarring of the burn and speeds healing.

A 2011 study found that a chamomile compress was more effective than hydrocortisone for peristomal skin lesions, exhibiting a faster healing time and reduction of pain and itching (Charousaei et al., 2011). Another small double-blind clinical trial showed that a topical application of chamomile extract decreased the weeping of the wound area and aided the healing process of injuries from tattoo dermabrasion (Glowania et al., 1987).

Remember to consider the unique properties of the herbs you're using and their intended purpose when formulating a recipe for maximum effectiveness

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