We have had a bit of winter.  It is beautiful.....and settling in some way.  When I can't just run right out the door, I pause, I have gotten a lot of sorting done, I have caught up on writing.

Snowy garden
MoonMaid Botanicals' Sanctuary
Preserving Protecting and Propagating endangered native medicinals

I have also been spending a lot of time thinking about women't health.  I have two friends, one has breast cancer and has experienced a lumpectomy and lymph node removal.  I have been her advocate, as much as I can and was with her before surgery.  The other friend choose to have a hysterectomy.  For bleeding and fibroids.  I was a little shocked and a lot sad.  Why didn't she call me?  At the very least investigate alternatives.

Any of you who know me well, know that I have spent my career attempting to help women understand the importance of their uterus'.  That when "problems" arise, as they often do in menopause, one cannot simply "remove" the problem.  Nor can one "take a pill" or "apply a cream" and hope for magical results.  This is not to say that "these things," whatever they are, are not helpful. It is MoonMaid's business to provide women herbal alternatives for various issues related to the transition of menopause.  A gentle talk must come to, what is your lifestyle, or the conversation is not complete.  A uterus that is "angry" bleeding, fibrotic, adnomyotic or full of cysts, is exhibiting a "reaction" to something going on in the body.  In my world, this is toxic estrogens - in our air, food and water.   Removing the uterus and/or ovaries, without this topic addressed, will just lead to these "toxins" settling somewhere else in the body.

Like the breasts.  Would a woman who has lumpy fibrous breasts, as many "women of a certain age" do....chop them off, for this "non-life threatening" situation?  I believe she would inquire what might be helpful - like herbs, oils for breast massage, dietary changes etc., that may help alleviate the situation.    As should be the case, in my humble, opinion, for women with a similar "reaction" going on in the pelvis.

Breast cancer is quite often "estrogen positive."  As was the case for my friend.  All these toxic estrogens floating around in the environment.  And despite the fact that she is a vegetarian, she still has suffered these consequences - with no family history.  Did you know Breast Cancer is on the rise in men.  Well it is.   And I have 3 customers in varying stages of the journey.

Many other "hormone disruptor" conditions being experienced by our childern as well, ie childhood obesity (that very much resembles middle age weight gain), early onset puberty and reports of low fertility in young men.  This, I believe, is only the tip of the iceberg.  All of these things come across the radar in my tiny little herbal world.

Bringing me to this - we must talk about lifestyle.  How can we, best as possible, remove toxins from our diet?  From our environment. How can we support our bodies with whole foods, instead of vitamin pills.  How can we get "nourishment" from herbal infusions, teas, and tinctures?    How do we support our planet by removing plastics from our daily use.  It is all possible.  With small but hugely impactful changes.

Fresh Clover harvested for our Women's Mineral Blend
Summer 2015

I do offer herbal consultations to help you should you be on the journey of menopause.  Here for more info.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Breast Cancer

One of my very best friends has breast cancer.  It is still a bit of a shock.  When someone close to you receives such a "diagnosis" it can take a bit of adjustment.  The "helper, herbalist, and some might say; co-dependent or bossy nature" pushes me to "want to help" to "do something" to make it all better.  In this situation, I have become acutely aware that this is a process.  That it will take time.

B has participated in what one can only call, a "healing ceremony" for another friend, J,  some years back when we both lived in Miami. J had a rare form of bone/blood cancer and the prognosis was not hopeful.   It was a powerful event.  B gave J Reiki.  J is cancer free these 20 years later.

B was also involved, as I was, quite by co-incidence, in saving the life of an acquaintance, who has become a lifelong friend.  M also received Reiki from B.    We just happened in to this situation without really knowing we would both be there.  Yet there we were with this woman who truly had no one but us............Again, a rather powerful experience.

Now I find myself pulling together a circle, a community of women, to give back to B.  Giving a bit of themselves, their own unique gift.  I have not worked on something such as this for a long time.  The witch in me is stirring the cauldron, whipping up ideas and potions.  The same way I am when "crafting a new product" for MoonMaid.

My friend, B, is open to trying alternative "therapies" so I have been doing a lot of research.  I also have connections in the field, through my work with MoonMaid.  The Breast Health Project and more.  As I began to think of herbs, places, modalities for B I began to ponder - what would I do? What would I do, what action/s would I take if I was faced with this life crisis?  It got me to thinking, and this is what I came up with.

• I would immediately get a bunch of super foods to add to smoothies.  It's a long list

1. Spirulina
2. Chia
3. Hemp
4. Maca
5. Nettles
6. Wheatgrass
7. Lecithin
8. Elder/Pomegrante/Blueberries
9. Coconut Oil
10. Bee Pollen
11. Cacao
12. Seaweed 

• I would immediately assume a raw and juice filled diet.

• I would begin using a rebounder (small trampoline) to help cleanse the lymph.

• I would use BreastBalm for lymphatic drainage directly in and on the area.

• I would use charcoal and clay poultice directly on the breast.

• I would begin a 30 day colon cleanse  I like this Ejuva program.  Will try it myself.

• after a weeks rest I would move on to a 2 week Parasite Cleanse. Ejuva has products for this too.

• Wait two weeks and attend a program at program for cancer at the Hippocrates Institute in West Palm Beach..  They do intensive wheatgrass therapy and have a particular protocals for just this situation.  

• Followed by a 4 day retreat at the Panchakarma Center in central Florida.

This is approximatly a 90 day program. Sounds good doesn't it?  I wonder why we wait until we are ill to treat ourselves in such a kind way.  It requires discipline, no doubt, to follow these programs.  And some time, and money of course.  Worth it in the long run I feel quite certain.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Warm late fall evening.....

The last few days of fall linger....and are warm.  Though it appears a winter chill will blow in just in time for solstice day - the shortest day of the year.

We have had some amazing skyscapes around the land lately.

This sunrise.

This sunset

This moonrise.

And a lovely moon setting

The fish in the pond have been enjoying the warmth.

We were gifted a butterfly house for the Botanical Sanctuary

Our 20th year in business has been a stellar one!!  Thanks to all for supporting MoonMaid.   I look forward to offering you many more herbal products, classes and other tidbits in 2017.

Happy Holidays!  Cynthia @ MoonMaid

Cynthia

Christmas House

Changing seasons

There is definitely a change in the air.  We have had some brisk days.  The only color in the garden is from the many trinkets sprinkled here and there.

After plentiful rain for 3 days the creeks are running full!  The sound is marvelous!

The full moon this past week was absolutely spectacular.   As well as on evening's sunset.

I have was gifted with a sauna!!!  Yes a sauna.  It will be a wonderful addition to my Healing Room, to be located here @ MoonMaid's Botanical Sanctuary. Anyone who knows me at all knows I love heat and hydrotherapy.  A sauna is a wonderful cleansing tool and I am very grateful to have it!

Though not much has been said recently about my GoFundMe platform to build a green glamping site here on my botanical sanctuary, Plans are slowly coming together in the background.  It is exciting time as I look forward to 2016.

Here is a look at the sauna.

Here is the building we will put it in.  Old Hickory is the company, they are made in the USA and a dealer is local in Newport.

Here is the structure I have decided on for the forthcoming Airbnb.  It is called a Yome.  It is locally made in Western North Carolina.  There is a crew of local guys that come out and put them up!!  I could not be happier.

I am shooting for a March 21 launch.  A crowdfunding campaign has commenced.  Check it out here should you care to participate.

We are getting in full swing for the holidays @ MoonMaid.  I always offer a free shipping and free gift wrapping with drop shipment to friends and family members.  Shirley wraps a great gift and my customers have loved this detail over the years.

Write a review!!!  Get a gift.  We will send you a sample set of our BathBliss Products and this facial serum when you write a review on MoonMaid's website.  Visit your favorite product, add a review.  I will get a notice and capture your email.   I will then contact you for your address if I do not have it.  Write a review HERE

It's off to a happy warm and spicy holiday herbal bath for me. I am testing out a new "secret sauce" product....in development!!   Until next time - Cynthia
@ MoonMaid Botanicals

The Giving Season

We have come to that time of year.  A time when I am planning time with family, planning a annual Christmas party, and planning a trip to Florida to spend Christmas with my Mom and sisters and nephews and nieces.  A tradition.  Having not had a family of my own, my tradition has been travel, get together's and short trips to see "people, places and things."

It is a time of year that has been given the hash tag #givingseason      I like that.  It brings to mind many ways in which I can give, and give back...to my community, friends and to my customers.  I like the "things I give" to be special.  I don't send many cards - so I buy artisan cards which are a bit like a gift in and of themselves.  I Love! putting together "boxes of lots of things" inside, I use baskets too.

I give gifts to my brothers family at Thanksgiving since we spend that holiday together!  I have 4 great nieces, so  I have put together a big box of bath salts and soaps and creams.  They can choose what they want.  They love all of my herbal goodies so it will be fun to see what they pick

.

I cannot believe 2015 is nearly passed.  We have slipped in to cold weather and had a dusting of snow here in the Smoky Mountains.  The moon is nearly full.  The yard it lit up like broad daylight.  Even still, I just want to curl up in a hot bath under the moonlight and then hop in bed - probably before 8PM!   Decadent, and just the right thing to do on a chilly late autumn evening.

MoonLit evening with a dusting mid November 2015

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Working from the road....

It has it challenges.  Communication is a key factor.  Don't assume that the person you instructed "heard what you think you said."

Meanwhile - "communicating" directly with my customers, both individuals and stores was so rewarding.  The smiles that crossed the faces of women who were meeting the very woman who blends their remedies......was incredibly satisfying.

Some of the stores I visited have carried my products for over 15 years.

It is so rewarding to see my products on a shelf!

And it was great to meet with individual customers.  This in Oklahoma City.

I got to do in store demos!

These are some momento's from the trip of places I visited, gifts I received, things I got started.

It was worthwhile, satisfying, and gave me the spark to continue to offer women herbal alternatives to prescription drugs and other hormone products.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Women on the road...

When I was on the road I was surprised to find many many folks travelling about, going all different directions in all manner of ways.

Erik on his bicycle.

New York to LA - now what.  Read more.  Awesome kid.

These folks on a Harley.

I saw Minnie Winnies, super big Winnebago's, buses, lots of "vintage" looking trailers.  I took a lot of pics but not to many of vehicles for some reason.

Another thing I noted were the number of women on the road, solo.  Just like me.  Lots.  I can think of  5 right off the top. We all had two things in common - we were in cars we felt secure and safe in and we all had dogs.

Here is one of my road friends.

I had many many friends, customers and folks on the road, tell me "how brave I was."  Hmmmm.  I never really thought of it that way.  I wanted to go and had no one to go with......what else is one to do.  The stark difference of my life, not only because I never married or had children, but also that I as an entrepreneur, march to a slightly different rhythm then most.  I may not be happy with every situation of my life in reflection, but being a business owner has taught me to "push on."  Everything will be alright.  I am not saying, by any means, that it is never stressful either.  I have learned in business, and on this trip I just made, that one must trust and ask for the help one needs, in whatever way that is.

It was a good lesson.
Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid