I drink loose leave tea almost daily. I have an electric kettle with a tea infuser. I go through a lot of tea. Should I be doing anything with the leaves aside from throwing them away? I feel like I could be doing something with them.

Mugwort Tea (the sane method) What you need Dried mugwort: 1 teaspoon per cup Do not get ambitious. Mugwort punishes hubris. Hot water: just off the boil Think “steaming with intent,” not rolling rage. How to make it Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add 1 teaspoon dried mugwort to a mug or teapot. Pour hot water over it. Cover and steep 5–10 minutes. 5 minutes = gentler, dream-friendly 10 minutes = bitter truth serum Strain. Optional: Honey (if you don’t enjoy suffering) A slice of ginger or lemon (to soften the edge) Drink slowly. This is not a chug-and-go situation. What it tastes like Bitter. Herbal. Slightly wild. Like a plant that knows things and is judging you quietly. Use it : Before sleep (dreamwork) Before journaling When the mind feels loud and the veil feels thin Not an “all day every day” tea. Mugwort is a visitor, not a roommate. Lori

🌿 Make a Calming Herb Bouquet Because your house has been through enough. Let’s be honest. Houses absorb everything. Bad moods. Weird conversations. That one argument that “wasn’t an argument.” Too much news. Too many people. Not enough naps. If your home feels a little on edge, it’s not haunted. It’s just tired. Enter: the calming herb bouquet. No ceremony. No rules. No pretending you live in a magazine spread. Just herbs in a vase doing their quiet, useful thing. What this bouquet is actually for This bouquet is for when: Everyone is slightly irritated and no one knows why The house feels noisy even when it’s quiet You want calm without making a big production out of it It helps take the edge off. Like herbal background noise, but pleasant. The herbs (don’t overthink this) Use what you like. This is not a purity test. Sage – smells clean and grounded Lavender – classic calm without trying too hard Rosemary – fresh, steady, and a little bossy Mint – brightens the mood immediately Lemon balm or thyme – softens everything so it plays well together If you only have three of these, congratulations. That’s still a bouquet. How to make it Rinse the herbs. Dirt belongs outside. Trim the stems so they fit in a vase without looking annoyed. Taller herbs in the middle. Softer ones around them. Add water. Put it somewhere people actually exist. You’re done. That’s the whole process. Where it works best Kitchens where everyone congregates for no reason Living rooms where people overthink Entryways where the day follows you inside Basically anywhere the vibe could use a deep breath. Why it helps Herbs smell familiar. Familiar smells tell your brain, “You’re fine. Sit down.” That’s it. That’s the science. Also, it looks nice. And sometimes that alone improves everyone’s mood more than a long talk ever could. Final thought If your house suddenly feels easier to be in, and no one can explain why, good. That’s the point. ~Herbalism with Lori

Hi, I’m Lori, AKA Darklady AkA The Herb Witch and I teach herbalism without yelling. This is a quiet space for learning about plants as they are. No miracle claims. No mystical backflips. Just herbs, context, and slow understanding. You don’t need experience. You don’t need special tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to pay attention. If you want to introduce yourself, tell us: • a plant you already know • or one you’ve always wondered about Pull up a chair. The plants aren’t in a rush. The Herb Witch