It is the New Year and the celebration of our 20th year in business!!!  

I find this an incredible time for reflection and planning.  Sort of a "pre-New Year" gift to yourself.  I have a little "pink book" in which I jot my ideas, my plans and my dreams.  Often in my thinking I am wondering how I can serve you better.  I want to help make your menopause a beautiful transition not a time of dis-ease.  This "IS" a time for we menopausal women to dive deep into our souls, a time for reflection, sit by a fire, pray, listen for the messages in the quiet. This is a time to honor ourselves.  That is what I think "menopause" is.  We have been the caretakers of our "world" and now it is time to care for ourselves.  Please read more about this and other topics related to menopause here.  Share you thoughts with me here.

Free shipping and a free gift for another two days!!

I hope you have had a wonderful Holiday Season!!!  

www.moonmaidbotanicals.com
or call me.  I love chatting with you!!!  In depthconsultations available too!!

877.253.7853

Drawings, Free Shipping and general holiday festivities....

It has been a festive week at MoonMaid Botanicals.  You all loved our "free shipping/pick a free product" special!! We sent out a lot of orders!!! A drawing of names from all those boxes was done and the winner got a bunch of goodies.  A drawing each weekthrough the end of the year for everyone who places and order of any amount!!!

It is the time of year when we can get run down, catch a cold, miss out on a bit of sleep....so it was time to decant the FireCider!!!  There is still a battle going about the "unfortunate trademark" of that name.  I have been calling it FireCider for 20 years and don't intend to stop now.

I am still missing my sweet dog Delilah who passed away a week ago.  The newest addition to the clan always brings a smile to my face.  I have never had a calico cat - and this one is a gem!!

Get my Ebook - The Art of Simpling for 50% off or get it free when you sign up here.
It is full of great herbal recipes that make wonderful gifts.  No time to make them....you know we can help you out @ www.moonmaidbotanicals.com  Bath salts, RadiantRose Cream, GoatMilk Soap and more.

www.moonmaidbotanicals.com

I am working on our antioxidant rich face serum with our special blend of essential oils and other "SignatureScent" products..........will have it ready by Valentine's Day!!!  My "SignatureScent" is a blend of essential oils that include clary sage, geranium, rosemary and others.  These will be special products...I promise.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.  We are.  Our free shipping/free gift special continues throughout the year.  Details here

Have a blessed week.
Until next time,
Cynthia, the MenopauseHerbalist @
MoonMaid Botanicals

Our Dear Delilah

I, we (my creature family and friends of the Sanctuary) lost our "best gal" - Delilah this week.  She was quite an amazing dog!!  She guarded me, traveled with me over many many miles, she kept all the other creatures in line, and towards the end of her life, she had her little brother come along.

Delilah came to me when I was first putting together the cabin @ MoonMaid Botanicals Native Woodland Herb Sanctuary.  She, and a "pack" of dogs came through every day wanting treats!!  A black lab, a wolf mix and little Delilah.  She had to be quick to keep up with the "big" dogs.........and she was!!!  Once I officially moved on to the land, and was there full time, starting Labor Day of 2003, she parked herself on my deck and would not go home.  I called the Mom of her "alleged" owner, took her down to Terri's house, yet before I even arrived back home, she had hustled through the woods and was waiting.  I am YOUR dog she said - and at that moment - I knew it.  You see, there is more to the story.

I had had a dog many years before - his name was Butch.   And he looked exactly like Delilah.
Exactly!  Can you tell the difference?  In realizing this, I scooped her up, brought her in the house, and we have been together ever since.  I strongly believe that Butch returned to me as Delilah.  He and I also did a lot of travelling, he was with me through some very tough times, and always at my side, just as Delilah would be these 11 years. He has always been watching over me - and he/she still is.

I will miss her almost more then I can describe.  Nissan and I walk through the woods, and can feel her at our side.  She is resting in peace now right out in the garden, the one she loved so well.

Thanks so much for all the warm wishes, condolences and prayers!!!  I appreciate it immensely.

Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals
The Menopause Herbalist

Specials just for you....

I have begun the 20th year anniversary celebration of serving the women who have decided on a different direction then pharmaceuticals or bio-identical hormones!!!  Lots of you!!   To show my appreciation for your support, starting now and continuing throughout CyberMonday, call me @ 877.253.7853 with your order, I will give you free shipping AND a free product of your choice, with an order of $15 or more!!! Now that is "special" don't you think? Good until midnight PST Monday December 1st.  If you miss me by phone, shoot me an email and I will call you back.    Check out our other products here.

In January I will be presenting a couple of new products.  A face serum, a sugar based face scrub and a salt body scrub.  All have MoonMaid's "signature scent" that is a combination of essential oils I have been using since the beginning.  We will be giving out samples as our January monthly special.  Go here to make sure you get this monthly newsletter.  Always a "free something," a DIY recipe and a little bit about our "herb of the month."  

www.moonmaidbotanicals.com

MoonMaid has always used essential oils in our blends, because I have an allergy to fragrances. My favorites include clary sage, rosemary, patchouli, and lavender.   All of these plants I am fortunate to have growing in my cultivated herb beds.  In 2015 I hope to begin making my own essential oils and hydrosols.  It would be so satisfying to create these essential elements of MoonMaid products in the kitchen from flowers and herbs growing in the garden.

I look forward to taking your calls starting now through Monday.

Cynthia @ MoonMaid 

Celebrating 20 years in business!!!

That's right.  20 years ago.   MoonMaid Botanicals was a just being born. It was in December 1995 that I printed my first labels and got some business cards.  I have come a long way.  MoonMaid has come a long way.  It is now a team effort.  Shirley, assists with product production.  I have a gardener who helps out mowing the lawns and keeps up the garden beds at both our office production space and at the Sanctuary.  This year, we counted overy 100 Ginseng plants in the woodland gardens.  It is exciting to seem them multiply each year!!! 

Ginseng with berries.  We propagate these naturally by spreading them downhill of the plant, pushed gently into the soil.

MoonMaid started out on MomsHead Farms in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County in California.  It was an incredible spot for an herb business. This tiny trailer is where everything happened..   Surrounded by all manner of herbs, creatures and whacky gardens, it was a very inspiring place.  I definitely picked up a flair for the whacky as you can see in the beds throughout MoonMaid's Botanical Sanctuary.  

We have been getting spruced up at the Sanctuary in preparation for new classes and events in 2015.  I will be offering classes on the medicinal herbs of the Smokies as well as "whipping and stirring" instructions at the Cabin in the Woods.  If all goes as planned, we will also break ground on the a Cottage that will serve as an office and "bunk" space for apprentices as well as an Air B and B for travelers interested in native herbs.  

            

I am very excited to announce the launch MoonMaid Botanicals Signature Scent Line.  This includes our very popular BathBliss Soaking Salts, our goatmilk soap and now a face serum as well as a roll on perfume so you can take the scent of MoonMaid with you everywhere.  The face serum is a blend of jojoba, borage and arghan oils Vitamin C/E/MSM and Blueberries to help you look your absolute best.  More on these new products in our newsletter in December.

We are joining small businesses everywhere promoting SmallBusiness Saturday.  Shop small and support your community.  We will celebrate by giving you gifts!!!  From Thanksgiving through CyberMonday - everyone who order's will be entered into our drawing for a ThankYou gift.  December will be full of giveaways and free products.  Sign up for our newsletter to get the details!!  A grand prize on CyberMonday, weekly drawings in December, free products with every order and a GrandPrize drawing on NewYear's Day!!!  Don't miss it!!

Support @ ShopSmall

My EBook - The Art of Simpling is full of herbal gift ideas.  It is now available on my website.

Is there anything you want to know about herbs for menopause?  Let me know @ moonmaidbotanicals@yahoo.com or schedule an appointment

Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

     

       www.moonmaidbotanicals.com

The Sun is Shining!!!

We have been in deep rain here in the South.  No sun, windy rainy days.  It was getting a little bit depressing!!  Now it is very sunny, you can see the lovely fall colors.......and it gets me in the mood for Halloween lights, hats.....and a bit of candy.  I don't eat much chocolate as a general rule, but as I have entered #menopause, I find it far more enticing then I use to!

My Ebook - The Art of Simpling - is flying out the door.  This is the last month I will be giving it away.  It is a great little tutorial on how to make herbal goodies of all kinds....from powders to creams.  Check it out and send me an email if you would like to have one.   http://bit.ly/1pkzko9

Last month I began offering Herbal Consultations for my customers who need a bit more then just a phone call for their menopause symptoms.  This is a 45 - 60 minute consultation that includes the remedies I suggest.  The regular fee is $90.00.  Through the rest of 2014 I am offering it @ 50% off.  That's right!!  A consultation and remedies for $45.00  Check it out here

I have been doing some incredible podcasts too!!!  Just did one with Dr. Serena McKenzie of the Institute for Healthy Sexuality.  Last month I interviewed Dr. Tirso del Junco about hysterectomies.  Coming up in a couple of weeks, Shea Vaughn, an expert on keeping ones body and mind healthy as we age.  Check out these shows and get information about upcoming shows here.  

Until next time, I wish you herbal blessings from MoonMaid Botanicals.

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Breast Health Awareness Month around here.  My friend and peer Daya Fisch, of the Breast Health Project taught me to think that way.  She and I did a great broadcast on just that topic.  She is incredible.  Here are links to her on YouTube and a link to the Women of A Certain Age and.......BreastHealth.

We are giving free BreastBalms with your orders in October to.  Put "BB" in the "COMMENT" box at checkout.

BreastBalm's main ingredient is Poke Root.  It is a valuable herb with incredibly potent lymphatic cleansing abilities.  It helps to break up congestion in the body and will move it out.  It can be very toxic when consumed so please consult your favorite herbalist when using this herb.  As a salve, it is also effective in relieving swelling and cystic areas.  A great emollient for breast massage.  You are doing that.....right?  Daya talks about it here.   Watch and learn to love your breasts!!!

Autumn Equinox

I have suddenly realized that I love to talk, and I also love to write, and just as suddenly it occurred to me that I have lots to say - particularly about Menopause.  How appropriate during this "Menopause Awareness Month" that I would finally have this realization.  I have been "blocked" at blogging  I know this is the best tool I have for sharing - this new way of thinking has really opened me up.  I will start blogging more - maybe every week day. Often...anyway.

It does not have to be so scary.  Promise!!!

I have been at this business of MoonMaid Botanicals some 20 years now.  Amazing to consider to me.  My work has brought me in touch with hundreds, maybe thousands of women who are all experiencing some sort of "discomfort" related to menopause.  As the years have gone on, I have heard from and worked with more and more younger women experiencing "discomfort" which seems related to hormone imbalance, hence PMS, infertility, fibroids and cysts.  In the last few years I have been working with more and more men who are experiencing what seems to be "feminization" of sorts, as they are growing breasts and experiencing breast lumps and cancer.  Throughout all of this, I have noted that the obesity epidemic, to me, seems somehow directly connected to hormone imbalance.  Don't many of our young people look like they have "middle age spread?"

I connect many of the "chemicals" that we should avoid, that are making us sick, to hormone imbalance.  Many of those chemicals, for instance, are "estrogenic" upon entering the human body.  These are called "xeno-estrogens."  They are everywhere in our world, not matter how clean and pristine your life.  It certainly helps to be choosy, careful about what you use, what you eat, what you drink.  The mere fact that growth hormones in our meat, pesticides on our fruits and vegetables, gas fumes, drug residue in water from urine (both human and animal), and off gassing of plastics are ALL estrogenic substances in the human body, gives one pause.  So many toxins, and not just any toxin, estrogen, chemical estrogen.  If these estrogens are making women "sick" with menopause etc........what are they doing to men, children, pets?  A little daunting to think about.

I did a show with Big Blend Radio on Sunday, and we talked about plastics.  This crazy mother and daughter team of Lisa and Nancy have me on monthly and we always find something to "go on" about. Listen to the show.  We chatted about two things related to plastic, the movie Plastic Paradise that exposes so much about plastic.  You must see it.  Info here  We also chatted about an innovative guy who made an island out of plastic bottles and lives on it in the Gulf of Mexico.  Check him out here.  Pretty amazing.  We also talked about wild yam, and how it is a main ingredient in my products ProMeno Women's Wild Yam Cream and Vital "V" Wild Yam Salve.  These are my products for menopause.  They have helped a lot of you gals!!

                                                                                                          

   

Oh, and nettles.  My other best remedy for your menopausal symptoms.  Find instructions here.

Joe Cross of the movie Fat Sick and Nearly Dead offered some great advice about eating healthy in this short video I came across.  I think you will find it inspiring.  20 minutes or so.  Enjoy here

Autumn Equinox

And I did have a lovely fire last evening for the Equinox.  It was lovely and warm.  First chilly night and was well appreciated.
Enjoy your evening.  I'll be back here soon.
Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Menopause Awareness Month

September, as I mentioned previously, is Menopause Awareness month.  I find that I am aware.  It seems I am, at last,  menopausal.  I don't have many symptoms really - why would I - I make something for that!!! Right?  What I really do notice, is the lack of my monthly flow.  I never found it problematic.  It was a monthly "ritual" that I had come to appreciate, not dread.   I loved my monthly "red."  I am also aware that I have been on this land for 11 years now.  11 Years!!!  Wow.

Cabin in the Woods

I am so grateful that I found herbs as a "lifestyle" long ago, long before I realized that so many women would depend on an herbal remedy through the transition called Menopause.  Little did I know I would be the one to create an herbal alternative.  Wild Yam and Vitex are strong allies for me, that is for sure.

Not only do I use them in my products, I have them growing all around me.  Vitex or Chaste Berry in my garden beds.  Wild yam grows itself in the woodland gardens throughout the property.  I am blessed to be here as I enter the Winter of my life.  I am blessed to have so many green guardians surrounding me.   As they protect me, it is my intention to protect them as well as encouraging their growth.  This botanical sanctuary in the Smoky Mountains is rich with medicinels that include endangered species.  It is my intention to cultivate ginseng, wild yam, and goldenseal in the natural woodland beds.

Wild Yam

I have been noticing lots of reds...not quite Fall colors - the "fruits" of things seem to be red, in many cases.   I have been thinking about red.  Missing the red of my menstrual flow.  Honoring the "me" that is now a fully menopausal woman, missing the "red" in her life.

MoonMaid has been around for 20 years.  Imagine that!!  More on that in another blog post.  Enjoy that big full moon out there.  It's a beauty.
Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

September is "Menopause Awareness Month"

And aware we should be.  Not in the way most women are, however.  As I have been saying for years, menopause is a life transition to be embraced, not an "illness to be loathed and feared."

Throughout the month I plan to dig deep into my files and resources and bring tips related to menopause.  Herbs, symptoms, recommendations, procedures and any other tidbits I can find to share.

Wild Yam @ the Botanical Sanctuary

One of my favorites, of course, is wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), the main ingredient in ProMeno Women's Wild Yam Cream, Vital "V" Wild Yam Salve, and ProAndro Men's Wild Yam Cream.  These are my herbal alternatives to bio-identical hormone products.  

Here is a link to an article I wrote when I first started MoonMaid Botanicals called Menopause Herbally.  I discuss a bit about the how and why of MoonMaid. It was the horror of Premarin that inspired the first seed.  From there my desire grew to help women transition through menopause without drugs or surgery.   I trust you will find it informative.

On September on my podcast "Women of A Certain Age and...." I will host Dr. Tirso del Junco, Jr. of the IFAS, The Institute For Female Alternative Surgery.  This doctor has a strong belief that hysterectomy is performed far too often and feels as passionatly as I do that it is extremely to keep your uterus whenever possible.  I hope you will listen to this extremely valuable information
Mark your calenders for Monday, September 15 @ 7 PM EDT

What means what????

Hash tags....              @ tags.........     Where and when??  On Twitter..sure.  But what about Facebook where I see #tags all the time.  Instagram is all about #tags......I think I know. But I am not sure...........What about in the body of a Blog.  It is very confusing sometimes....

My readers are the brilliant ones....perhaps you can enlighten this confused #herbalist.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid

August @ MoonMaid Botanicals

August is here - it is half way gone isn't it?  I cannot believe how fast this summer is passing.  It has been a cool summer here in the Smokies.  I have had a birthday.  I started baking cakes for my friends......I have been exploring new activities, new hikes, AND I am doing a women's weekend campout with my friend Vesna of A Walk In the Woods in mid September @ Cosby Campground here in the Smoky Mountains.  Details here. There is always so much going on round here.  Zip lines, hiking,  biking, horseback riding and  Dollywood of course.  What I love most, are my gardens.  So much is blooming - Jewelweed and Ginseng are the most colorful now.

The nettles have been particularly abundant.  I have been harvesting and drinking them daily.  A nettle infusion, which is a strongly brewed tea, is a wonderful source of minerals, great for the skin, and is refreshing when enjoyed chilled.

I have found a most interesting guest for my September podcast - Women of A Certain Age and.......Hysterectomies.  Do you really need one?   It's a hot topic around MoonMaid.  I talk to women daily who have had one, are facing one, or have "conditions" that suggest one, by most medical docs. Dr. Tirso del Junco of www.alternativesurgery.com  offers a procedure that keeps the uterus intact.  I have said for years that a woman should try to keep their organs when possible.  It holds a lot of other organs in place.  Many women suffer severe physical issues after a hysterectomy.  I am looking forward to this conversation with Dr. del Junco.   Listen here.

I've also  been enjoying adding photos to Instagram.  A great way to post pictures of the garden.

Got a new kitty too.  They just show up around here.  She loves the garden already.

Next month we will be giving out sample sizes of our BugOff Insect Repellent.  It works great, it smells great.  I think you will like it.  Sign up for the monthly newsletter to find out how it works.

Back to the garden, an abundant reminder of how wonderful life is!!     

Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

A cool July -

It has been amazingly cool around the Smoky Mountains this summer.  It is not that there have not been hot days.  There just have not been many.  Or, hey have been interspersed with cool days.  It is only 58 here this evening.  I have on a light coat - in July.  Weird.  But, so it is.  The gardens have loved it.  Grass has grown slowly.  There has been a splendid array of color.

The goldenseal and ginseng are showing berries.  Bright red on the goldenseal - still green on the ginseng.  I await the "turning" of color so I can spread the red berries around the hillside.  This year on the land I have counted over 50 ginseng plants.  I love this plant.  It is magical.

This gourd plant appeared at the office garden.  Planted by birds I imagine.

It is getting so big it may need it own parking space.  It makes me smile.  I love the feel of these gourds.  Smooth and bumpy.  And such cool colors.

As July turns to August I begin my birthday month.  Anyone who knows me knows that I celebrate "me" the entire month.  That means I take care of myself.  Get my teeth cleaned, get a facial, or a massage.  Meet friends for lunch.  And go somewhere I have not visited in my 11 years here in the Smoky Mountains.  And there are many places.  I have been busy "setting up camp" so to speak these years and not appreciated the wonder of the surroundings all around me.  I have begun the exploring.  This year Cades Cove.

MoonMaid is now on Instagram.  I take pictures constantly and it encourages me to share them more then I had previously.  It is easy and I am enjoying this format.

I got early drawings of the CottageClassroom building from my friend Corvus.  It is exciting to be in the planning stages of this new structure that will serve as classroom, guest cottage, and office.
I hope to be started with deconstrution of an existing building by late fall.  It won't be done in time for the Gals Glampout, but it will be in progress.  GlampOut you say.  What's that?  Fancy camping here @ the Botanical Sanctuary, which has officially been named MoonMaid's Botanical Sanctuary - Preserving, Protecting, and Propagating Native Medicinal Species.  It has taken a long while to find something that just rolls off the tongue.  I think this does.  Back to the GlampOut, You can find more information here.    We will provide you with all the gear and food you need to enjoy a night or two here with me and learn about this living breathing classroom.  There is info about other classes as well.  I am also excited to be the herbalist for a Women in Wilderness Weekend with my friend Vesna Plakanis of A Walk in the Woods.

I hope you will sign up for my newsletter.  I have a monthly special that is always worth taking advantage of.  A free product, free shipping, or who knows.  This month it has been 20% off all wild yam products and free shipping.  You still have a few days to take advantage of that.  The discount is automatically given @ checkout.  I will never share your information nor will I bombard you with emails.  Just one email at the beginning of the month and a reminder 1/2 way through.  I think you will appreciate the specials.

That's the news for this week.  I it is a good one for you.  Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals