EZ Herbs

EZ Herbs and The Austin School of Herbal Studies

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Mimosa, anyone?

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Hello dear Friends. I hope this newsletter is finding you all in a grounded and peaceful space.

I decided to step back and take a moment of silence in June. I started on a newsletter, but everything in my head felt jumbled and confusing – I felt called to be still and listen. So much happened last month to and for our BIPOC community members. I am learning about allyship and how to be active and helpful towards building a better America. I am learning a lot of history, about appropriation, and that there is a lot that can change to bring equality, justice and peace to our BIPOC community. My heart, eyes and ears are wide open; I’ll keep learning and listening and acting as the needs for this movement evolve. I am actively sharing information and resources on EZ Herbs Instagram and in our stories. Please, if you are a member of the BIPOC community and in need of plant medicine but are unable to procure it, reach out to me at corey@ezherbs.net and I will help you get what you need.

From June sales, I will be able to donate $150 towards a couple of organizations that I feel aligned with: In Her It Blooms was created by Regina, a thoughtful practitioner with herbalism running deep in her veins. She is receiving Herbal Reparations for Wellness Consultations that will be offered to Black and Indigenous folks that need this type of care. Locally, Dobbin-Kauv Garden Farm is run by Tiffany Washington, a US Navy Veteran who uses organic practices to sustain urban areas. Black-owned farmland has seen a sharp decline – only about 1% of our nation’s farms are owned by Black Farmers. This donation will go towards helping Dobbin-Kauv prepare for their fall garden.

The past couple of months have also found me easing into the flow of product-making. I recently finished jarring a fresh batch of salves, just in time for nature fun in the hot and wild Texas sun. Comfrey is a superstar for healing deep muscle or bone trauma, and helping to relieve the pain and swelling associated with sprains, strains and bruising. Our golden Calendula Salve is a soothing remedy for hot, red skin, from eczema to diaper rash to sunburn. Scratch No More Salve, Wound Salve and All Purpose Salve is the perfect trio of topicals to help get you through all of your summer shenanigans and will be offered in a bundle on the website for a special price. And, of course, our Black Salve and Fungal Salve for more specific and quite effective care of skin irritations and growths.

Some new products have also come into fruition in a rather timely fashion. This Spring I was offered an abundant harvest of Milky Oats which I processed three different ways. Milky Oats is deeply nourishing, and is helpful to repair a frazzled or burnt out nervous system. I also harvested a basket of Mimosa blossoms which is available as a tincture. Mimosa trees are known as “The Happiness Tree” and is a beautiful friend to work with when you are feeling less chipper than your normal self, most often due to an overload of anxiety or tension. *These are seasonal and are in limited supply*

Be sure you’re following EZ Herbs on Facebook and Instagram @ez_herbs to keep up with my happenings, new products and other ramblings. If you’d like to learn more about the businesses doing wonderful work for their community that will be receiving donations, their Instagram pages are @dobbinkauvfarm and @inheritblooms As you take care of each other, please do not forget to take care of yourselves. With much Love and many Green Blessings to You – Corey G.

Roses, Motherwort and ‘Sweet Melissa’

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Hey there Friends 🙂

Long before I took it over, I’ve loved the EZ Herbs line. It was often a recommendation when I worked as a wellness consultant, my favorite tincture blend being Peaceful Spirit as a calming formula to help an anxious mind. I recently picked this blend back up since it is not only calming to the spirit, but has anti-viral properties, deeming itself “essential” in my book a during these times. Since taking it, have been finding it easier to breathe deep, think clearly and feel less reactive. Almost like a bit of meditation in a bottle for me. It’s a combination of St. John’s Wort, Skull cap, Passionflower and Lemon Balm…ooooh Lemon Balm. Melissa officinalis, how I love thee. Freshly picked and infused in hot water with gathered rose petals, as I recently learned, is like a tickle to your taste buds and so relaxing. In addition to it’s calming support to the health of the nervous system, it has anti-viral properties that it is known for which makes it a perfect plant to utilize if you’re finding people are us are getting sick. From one of Ellen’s previous newsletters, ‘an Herbalist from medieval times said that Lemon Balm is distilled to strengthen the heart and lift the spirits.’  In the evenings I’ll compliment my Peaceful Spirit with EZ Relax Tea that I’ll even share with my toddler on nights when he is a little more wound up. I am pleased to be experiencing a noticeable change: Easier sleep, more relaxed shoulders and a more thoughtful mode as I move throughout my day.

In one quick conversation with Ellen recently, I mentioned that I was gifted a Motherwort plant at the beginning of this whole EZ herbs transition. It was perfect timing as I had become curious about it after being reminded of it’s Latin name Leonurus cardiaca : Lion’s heart. In Europe, it’s name is “Mother-Herb”, quite fitting as it’s known to be protective, and has been used as a heart tonic to help with physical and emotional ailments of the heart since Greek and Roman times. What caught my attention is its use for stress-induced anxious energy surrounding the heart. This is often where I feel nervousness and was instantly drawn to learning more. I said that I really wanted to make a formula with Motherwort and Lemon Balm and I wondered out loud what else might be complementary to these two?

Ellen instantly said “Rose.” She has recently been connecting with the wisdom and comfort that Rose can offer our hearts; a sweet combination of smooth yet strong support brought about by boundaries – the prickly thorns that protect the flower so it may fully and unabashedly bloom. We both agreed that a gentle and effective herb would be the rounding out of this formula – Holy Basil, an adaptogenic herb that helps tonify and create balance within our systems, offering broad-spectrum homeostasis. What a beautiful balance of herbs for uplifting, heart-opening, cardio-supportive action, available this weekend, just in time for a special Mother’s Day gift. I am hard at work in the apothecary restocking all of Ellen’s original formulas as well, so be sure you check back into the website if there’s a favorite that you’ve been missing. *Mullein & Horehound Tincture, anyone* Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for new products, information and sales.

Being a Texas gal AND an herbalist means a long-standing familiarity with the plants around me. The smells, especially after a rain, make my heart simultaneously jump and melt, reminding me of home and my childhood. As I get older, I find myself giddily matching names and healing properties to the plants that I grew up skipping alongside, offering the information to whoever might be strolling alongside me, whether they care to know or not. Ellen recently snapped this shot of me one evening while we chatted in her garden (which is absolutely magical and serene and wild with native flora). I wanted to collect some fresh yarrow for wound salve oil and the last bit of rose petals from her bountiful blooming bushes to put up one more batch of Rosewater before the season is up. I wandered a bit, admiring the hues of green and pops of flowers and asking the names of plants I recognized but haven’t become familiar with. I felt so rooted among the native plants and, as my toddler would say, the “happy happy flowers.” We chatted and brainstormed and giggled and connected, a rare occasion for the time being, and every minute of it was absorbed.

I am thankful to be where I am. To have access to areas where I can observe and connect to the land, and utilize abundant native growth. To be connected to the changing of the seasons by not just the temps but the plants. To be plugged into a community of knowledgeable herbalists and informed practitioners that offer guidance, share experiences and teach skills. I am in a place where I can share that abundance and long-standing wisdom with my loved ones and this herb-loving audience. I am so grateful. Thank you for your continued support and attention and I look forward to continue sharing what I learn and the experiences that I gain as I stroll down this path with the plants with you.

Sending Many Green Blessings, Corey G

    My First Hello…

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    Hello all!  

    I am so happy to be sending greetings to you as the new owner of EZ Herbs. And what a time to have an opportunity to serve my community through plant medicine. I find myself feeling endlessly grateful for this unique position that I am in. My lifelong draw to nature has led me here. I couldn’t be where I am, though, without the wisdom shared by Nicole Telkes with Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine, as well as Ellen Zimmermann, founder of EZ Herbs, and countless other herbalists and community members that I have learned from and made friends with as I’ve made my way on this path. To you, I bow deeply and offer a warm “Thank You.” This shared knowledge of traditional plant medicine creates a ripple that allows us to honor the land and create a stronger community together, with Mother Earth in mind.

    I have the beginnings of a small garden in my yard, but I have had the chance to observe while volunteering in other more developed gardens. I see the plants offering up what we need right now.  Ellen’s Oregano plant, as she states in her article mentioned below, has been on its own growth spurt offering an abundance of its anti-viral properties. Another friend mentioned that she has found Mullein and Violet volunteers in a lot of her plant starts – both are brilliant for supporting respiratory health. Pictured here is a stunning Mullein plant in Colorado – one of the superstar ingredients of EZ Herbs Respiratory Tea as well as our Mullein/Horehound tincture which will be ready very soon.

    During this time of physical distancing, I would like to offer no-contact porch delivery within the city of Austin. If you place an order with me or through the website between now and April 30th, I will contact you to arrange a delivery time that works. I would like to remove any roadblocks that might keep you from getting the herbal support that EZ Herbs can offer whether it be through a smooth, tonifying tea or a supportive nervine tincture to help soften your heart and soothe your nerves. I will also, as always, be shipping USPS within or outside of the Austin area. Please reach out if you need help. Together, we will thrive.

    Wishing you happiness and health – Corey G.

    Below is a note from Ellen :
    I wanted to share with all my Herbal Enthusiasts my take on how to most effectively deal with the dire situation we are now facing. If you want some information on what I am doing and some of the things I recommend during this trying time, please email me at Ellenzimm@earthlink.net and I will send you a short article. Thanks so much and please, please stay healthy and STAY HOME!!!

    Many Green Blessings – Ellen


    Tincture Sale!

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    Get ready for Cedar Fever!!! Buy 2 Nettle tinctures and receive a free Calendula Salve.  This offer is good until Dec. 30th.

    Mother Earth News Fair

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    Come hear my fabulous Herb Teacher, Rosemary Gladstar, at the Mother Earth News fair in Belton, Texas: https://www.motherearthnewsfair.com/texas/  Many other interesting speakers will be there as well.  Check out this special opportunity for us Texans!!! Rosemary will be speaking on both Saturday and Sunday.

    Ellen's Dynamic Dozen Plus One

    What’s New

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    Keep Your Cool with Summer Plants

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    Blog

    Keep Your Cool with Summer Plants

    Nature has such a sweet way of caring for her inhabitants. During the hottest months of the year, she is abundant with plants holding secrets that favor the season of the fire element, summer. This is part of the key to eating seasonally - what is growing is often just the support we need during that particular season.  Cooling Fruits and … [Read More...]

    Mimosa, anyone?

    Hello dear Friends. I hope this newsletter is finding you all in a grounded and peaceful space. I decided to step back and take a moment of silence in June. I started on a newsletter, but everything in my head felt jumbled and confusing - I felt called to be still and listen. So much happened last month to and for our BIPOC community members. I am … [Read More...]