Tumbleseed Apothecary Began with Chicken Pox.
Frustrated by struggling to find a cream my boy would actually let me use on his skin, I went to a local health shop. They recommended calendula oil. I’d heard of calamine lotion as a kid, but calendula? I gave it a go, and at 3am, after a very long night, I rubbed it over Reu’s sore, spotty skin. He sighed and said, “Thank you, mummy.” Bless him.
Since then, I haven’t looked back. I started with a daisy-infused balm thickened with beeswax. Then I started playing with natural acids like stearic acid, and learning what a surfactant was. (Not that you’ll get much fancy ‘science chat’ from me - I’m more mugwort than molecular chemistry.)
My aim in life is to be that strange lady you go to saying “I’ve got this itch…” 😬
I have visions of myself shuffling around in old age with seeds in my pockets, muttering about the moon.
Keeping the Old Ways Alive
I’d love to preserve some of the older plant knowledge, not just because it’s romantic or rustic, but because it works. We all know about lemon and ginger when we’ve got a cold, so why not St. John’s Wort for nerve support, or Skullcap to soothe a racing mind?
These plants don’t belong in the past. They belong in the kitchen, the bath, and the balm tin.
What I Believe In
- Simple ingredients
- Natural, whole plants
- Small batch, by hand
- Imperfect and proud of it
Everything is made slowly and thoughtfully...usually after some messy testing and muttering in the kitchen.
What’s Next
More recipes. More plants. More experiments.
This journal, the real one, not just this blog, is filling up fast. Some blends are already favourites (like the Working Balm or the TUMBLELEAF Red Berry Tea), and others are still in test mode (a multi-use balm and a cooling balm are nearly ready to go).
You can follow along here as I share what’s brewing. If you’re curious, herb-curious, or just a little bit balmy - you’re in the right place.
Thanks for being here.
Cheryl x
