Herbs101

School is back and so is the hustle. I'm so thankful that those years are behind me. I get it... "Trina, we are still in it so what can you offer to help us through it?" Glad you asked.

This conversation is for the Moms, Dads, G-Parents, Aunties, Uncles, Teachers...whomever is reaching and teaching the youts (yes, it's spelled correctly in accordance to Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny)

I wanted to share some insight around herbal remedies to help everyone through the next learning season.

Let's get started.

Earlier mornings. Packed schedules. New classrooms. Homework. Sports. Social pressure. Less sleep. More exposure to the inevitable classroom “sniffles.” Back-to-school season can ask A LOT from the body and nervous system. But WELL.ness doesn't have to mean complicated routines or a cabinet overflowing with herbs. Get your hands on these 5 ones to help you support everyone in the house!

1. Elderberry

   Elderberry is one of the most popular herbs used in seasonal wellness routines. The berries contain naturally occurring anthocyanins and other plant compounds. Elderberry preparations have traditionally been used to support the body's defenses during seasonal challenges.

   But remember:

   Elderberry isn't a substitute for sleep, nutrition, hydration, handwashing, or medical care.

   Think of it as one piece of your WELL.ness toolbox.

   I'm sharing an easy recipe to make a tasty syrup to have on hand at the end of this conversation.

   
   

2. Lemon Balm

   This herb is THE HERB for when the nervous system has had ENOUGH. Your little hueman can be physically tired and STILL have a nervous system stuck in GO MODE. New routines. Grade expectations. Social stimulation. This remedy has a long history of traditional uses for offering a sense of calmness, relaxation, and occasional nervous tension. As a tea, it can be really supportive as a part of a nighttime ritual in preparation for sleep. AND if you make a BIG batch, it can also be added to the bath. Hello Sleep!

3. Holy Basil

   The HELP ME ADAPT! herb that everyone could use right now. Back to school means change and change can indeed be stressful. This adaptogenic herb, also known as Tulsi, is traditionally used to help the body adapt to physical and emotional stress. That doesn't mean it magickally eliminates stress. Instead, think of it as part of a broader conversation about resilience and stress management. And if you don't have time to enjoy it before the day starts as a tea, add a heaping teaspoon to your "Currently" jar of freshly boiled water, close it up, and let it infuse over the next few hours and enjoy around midday to help you through the rest of the day.

4. Rosemary

   An herb associated with memory. Just smelling the essential oils from the leaves makes you feel invigorated. That's the oxygen flowing to your brain cells...lol. Modern research has also investigated Rosemary's aroma and compounds such as 1,8-cineole in relation to cognition and mental performance.

   But here's where we keep it realistic:

   Rosemary isn't a magick “study drug". You aren't going to sprinkle Rosemary on a textbook and suddenly ace the exam. 😂 Instead, Rosemary can be incorporated into a focus-friendly environment by way of tea or diffusing the essential oil.

   
   

When 3:30 PM rolls around…

Homework is waiting.

Everyone is hungry.

Energy is dropping.

And somebody is asking: " Do I really have to learn math?"

5. Peppermint

   This herb brings a refreshing, cooling flavor and aroma to the end of the day routine. Peppermint has traditionally been used for digestive comfort including occasional gas and bloating and its aroma is often associated with alertness and refreshment. Just connecting with a pinch of this herb as an herbal chew WAKES you up for the moment. And because of its cooling effect, an "overheated" child could really appreciate a cup of this herb. You could too.

   Here's an After-School Refresher recipe for you to try...

   Combine:

   💧 Chilled water

   🌿 Fresh peppermint

   🍋 Lemon slices

   🍓 Fresh berries

   Let it infuse in the refrigerator.

   Now you've transformed plain water into something the kids may actually WANT to drink. Herbal hydration for the win!!!

I've covered a bit so I'm going to recap everything here for you as a quick reference.

You don't need to incorporate all five.

Start with ONE.

Choose the herb that addresses the area your family needs the most support with.

🌿 Need a seasonal wellness addition? Elderberry.

🌿 Need a calming evening ritual? Lemon Balm

🌿 Looking for a traditional adaptogenic herb? Holy Basil

🌿 Want to make study time more intentional? Rosemary

🌿 Need a refreshing hydration option? Peppermint

Then build from there.

Now,

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🫐 EASY ELDERBERRY SYRUP

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried elderberries

• 4 cups water

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1–2 tsp dried ginger

• 1 tsp dried cloves

• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup), added after cooling

Directions:

1️⃣ Combine elderberries, water, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a saucepan.

2️⃣ Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for approximately 30–45 minutes.

3️⃣ Strain thoroughly.

4️⃣ Continue gently simmering the liquid until reduced to approximately 2 cups.

5️⃣ Remove from heat and allow to cool until warm—not hot.

6️⃣ Stir in the honey or maple syrup.

Use your elderberry syrup as part of a seasonal wellness routine, rather than waiting until someone feels sick. 1 tsp a day and increase to 1 tsp 3x a day if experiencing a HEAL.th imbalance.

DISCLAIMER: Never consume raw, unripe, or improperly prepared elderberries. Cooking is necessary. Honey should never be given to children under 12 months.

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Would you like your own Back To School Herbal Survival Starter Kit? Reply to this post with a 📚and you may get a chance to win one while supplies last.