Sky House Herbs

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is an ancient and well-known herb commonly used for supporting mood, anxiety, and digestion. In this video, we will explore the rich history of Lemon Balm as it relates to the archetype of the High Priestess and beekeepers, alongside the alchemical way this herb works in the body to regulate our nervous systems. I think the buzzy and bright spirit of Lemon Balm rea...

I love finding small-scale, sustainable companies that make rare, beautiful shoes, accessories, and clothing. Here are some of my favorite brands and craftsmen/women that curate beautiful essentials for any wardrobe. French Chore Coats - I found some great ones in this Etsy shop- https://www.etsy.com/shop/InheritShopVintage/ Beaded Earrings - Dancing Willow Jewelry - https://www.shopdancingwillow....

Damiana, Turnera diffusa, is a shrubby plant native to Mexico known for its aphrodisiac properties. In this episode, clinical herbalist, Ashley Elenbaas, will share her experience dieting this plant for 28 days, or a full moon cycle. The theme that played out in her experience of Damiana was a reframing of pleasure. Ashley shares how her childhood understanding of pleasure informed her ability to...

What is the heart, and how do we arrive in this sacred temple? In this episode, Bhakti teacher Rukmini Walker of UrbanDevi, and herbalist and yoga teacher Ashley Elenbaas explore what it means to make a pilgrimage of the heart. Through the intersecting teachings of Christianity, Bhakti, and Nature-based spirituality, we come to discover where home lives and its spiritual purpose.  Resources   "The...

It's a cozy deep winter week, and I wanted to bring you along with me to far Northern Minnesota. In this video, I will share a bit about my recent trip to Lutsen, Minnesota, and some of the herbal and process-oriented takeaways that go along with the work of the winter. I hope you enjoy this more story-based episode, and would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

February’s Herb of the Month is Damiana or Turnera diffusa. This warming, aromatic herb is native to Mexico and the arid regions of central and South America. Damiana has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac and was used to increase endurance during long periods of travel. I chose damiana for the month of February as it is an herb that speaks to us about love. Not only our need for love and int...

As much as I love plants, I also love taking care of my skin and using natural beauty-enhancing products. Here are five of my go-to beauty products that use natural oils and pigments for an all-over natural glow. I have no affiliation with these companies, and the links go directly to their sites, with the exception of Crunchi, where I will be sending you through my sister-in-love's site. Revision...

Trees are part of a large, interconnected community interacting with their own and other species in deep and fascinating ways. In this talk, Rukmini Walker from Urban Devi and herbalist Ashley Elenbaas explore the hidden life of trees and how their interactions above and underground provide a rich array of symbols and teachings for achieving a more humble and community-minded way of life. Through...

Disordered eating affects people of every age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and background.  This video explores some of the possible roots of this disorder and ways to reimagine your relationship with your body and the world you live in. Herbal suggestions are offered to support and nourish your body while you find the inner voice that wants to speak. "We can do hard things" podcast...

Coffee, as a plant, has many magical powers and its own likes and dislikes. While coffee can be addictive, it can also be very healing. In this video, herbalist Ashley Elenbaas will share the indigenous creation story of the coffee plant as shared by the Ormomo people of the West Wallaga region of Ethiopia and how approaching coffee in a sacred way can change the way we relate to this everyday pla...

Many people have come to me over the year with concerns over their use of Cannabis. Here are my thoughts on this plant and ways you can use other herbs to help you wean off Cannabis and repair the damage done by regular use. Product Links: Valerian Root:  https://www.herbalist- alchemist.com/shop-products- vln-valerian-extract Milky Oat Tops Tincture:  https://www. herbalist-alchemist.com/shop- pr...

As we step across the threshold to the New Year, we must also acknowledge the things that have died and the things that must die for us to move ahead. We will explore how we let go of dreams, the medicine of mugwort in transitional times, and I will share my processing of a tragic loss of a friend. I hope this video supports your processing, and I would love to hear if you have used Mugwort to aid...

Winter is the darkest season of the year. While darkness is often seen as burdensome, it is rich with gifts necessary for those on a spiritual path. In this video, herbalist Ashley Elenbaas and director of UrbanDevi, Rukmini Walker, take a deep dive into the dark and fertile caves of winter and darkness and how we can get the most out of this season. Plants such as Angelica, Mugwort,  and Pine are...

Cacao is a sacred medicine that comes to us from the Mayans and Inca cultures of Mexico. It carries a rich history of use for the heart, speaking truth, and connecting to our inner voice. In this video, we will look at some therapeutic strategies from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to explore the issues of self-trust and trusting others and how Cacao as an herbal medicine can support this heart-he...

It’s grief season again when all the feels come up and the year's losses become more palpable and clear. As a clinical herbalist with over 15 years of experience, I have found Pine to be a very helpful herb in processing grief. Pine opens the lungs and airways as a bronchodilator thanks to alpha-pinene and other volatile oils. This can help us take a deep breath and begin to reach into the darker...

The weeks between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays can be exhausting and depleting. But they don't have to be.  Here are some easy things you can add to your daily routine to keep your body and mind healthy while navigating the holiday season. From increasing your water intake to moving your body a tiny bit more, many things are within reach to keep you feeling well this season.  Here are some...

Support us through our annual Kickstarter campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/nightlight2020/ nightlight-daily-horoscopes- 2023 In this episode, Ashley Elenbaas and Rukmini Walker explore the autumnal theme of the harvest and thanksgiving. Through an interfaith inquiry, we dive into the words and works of great mystics and wisdom keepers to unlock the sacred secrets of gratitude. We hop...

Tension is the feeling of being stretched in too many directions. Can you relate? Here are some strategies, art therapy exercises, and herbs that can help relieve both psychological and physical tension. My favorites are chamomile, blue vervain, and a good menthol or capsicum rub.  The herbal products I recommend in this video are ones that I have tried and used successfully. I am in no way affili...

In this episode we’ll be talking on the topic of Eco-Spirituality, living a land-based spiritual life and tribal herbalism.  Listen as my special guest and herbal colleague, Jesse Wolf Hardin, tells his story about finding his spiritual home in the wild-lands of New Mexico and how this informed his spiritual philosophy as a teacher, author, and herbalist. About Wolf: Jesse Wolf Hardin is an Americ...

Today I am sharing some of my favorite herbs and mushroom extracts to support a healthy and robust immune system.  Here are the links where you can find these products: Astragalus Dried Root: Mountain Rose Herbs HerbPharm Kids Immune Avenger: https://www.herb-pharm.com/products/kids-immune-avenger Quantum Health Therazinc Elderberry Lozenges: https://quantumhealth.com/shop/product/thera-zinc-elder...

This series explores the intersection of the moon phases, plant growth cycles, and practical application for those studying herbal medicine. In this video, herbalist Ashley Elenbaas describes the qualities found in each phase of the waning (decreasing) moon cycle, and how to apply this information to herbal medicine making and harvesting. Charts and graphs will show you how to maximize your plant...

The quest for beauty can be one filled with joy, and self-love, and can be a part of the way we live a spiritual life. In this episode, we will explore how to marry the desire for beauty with spiritual curiosity. By shifting how we see ourselves we can not only find more playfulness in the aging process but also stop comparing ourselves with others. I would love to hear your comments and stories!...

This week we have the third episode of Devotional Mysticism and Plant Teachers. In this series, Ashley Elenbaas and her spiritual mentor Rukmini Walker explore the symbolism and spiritual teachings found within the season of autumn and, more specifically, what we can learn from the autumn leaves. Ashley and Rukmini travel across many continents and religions to bring you poetry, imagery, and sacre...

The growth cycle of all plants follows the course of the moon. We can learn a lot about how to navigate the tides of the moon by studying how they affect plant growth but also how they affect our moods, consciousness, and our activities. In this video, herbalist Ashley Elenbaas describes the qualities found in each phase of the waxing moon cycle, the 12 zodiac signs, and how to use this informatio...

Today I'll be talking about the connection between nature and the divine and why nature, for many of us, speaks to us in a way that certain religions, gospels, or texts don't.