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Happy Herbal Wednesday, Reader!

EEK! I'm a day late again, on my newsletter. Please give me grace. I'm working under several large deadlines with mini-deadlines on progress. One of these is a secret I'll let you in on soon! Stay tuned!

Don't you just love the changing of the seasons? It doesn't even matter which one. But the move from summer heat into the cool, crisp air of the fall is hands down my favorite, followed closely by spring. Most of my body and mind just loves the changes, but my skin? That's a different matter...

As the light shifts and the evenings come a little sooner, our skin (the largest organ of our body) feels and shows it first. One day we’re basking in muted late-summer sun, and the next we’re waking up to crisp air, indoor heat, and winds that dry out our cheeks. Dry, ashy patches, tightness, little flare-ups… they can show up seemingly overnight.

Fall is time to pivot our skincare routine!

Here’s how I think about it: Just like we swap out salads for soups, our skin needs richer, steadier nourishment in fall—more comfort, more protection, more kindness. We don’t have to overhaul everything. Small, thoughtful shifts can make the biggest difference.

A few gentle herbal allies I love right now:

• Calendula for comfort and repair—like a soft blanket for weather-touched skin.
• Chamomile to calm irritation and bring rest to your nervous system.
• Rose to hold moisture and brighten a dull day—petals or rosehip seed oil both count.
• Comfrey (for the rough spots) and lavender (to balance and calm).

Simple is best. Think: cleanse without stripping, sprinkle in hydration, and seal it with a protective layer before you step out into the briskness of Autumn.

Here are a few easy things you can try this week:

1. Steam or Mist: Open and soften with an herbal facial steam (recipe below) or a quick spritz of rose water. Spritzing my skin is my favorite part of the whole process. (See below for an herbal blend and how-to)
2. Nourish: Press in a few drops of a favorite oil—rosehip, jojoba, or a calendula-infused oil if you have it. Facial serums can do wonders for dry, tight skin.
3. Protect: Finish with a balm on the places that chap first—lips, corners of the nose, cheekbones, and knuckles. (Ask me how I know. 😉)

How you care for your skin is not vanity. It’s stewardship!

Your skin is your body’s faithful boundary with the world. It's an important part of our immune system! When we take care of our skin, everything inside works better.

Drink your water. Sip mineral-rich teas like nettle or oatstraw. Get outside for real air and real light, even for a few minutes. Little actions like these add up.

Fall invites us to slow down, prune what isn’t serving us, and gather what truly matters—on our counters, in our calendars, and yes, in our skincare, too.

Here are a few skincare ideas you may enjoy as we move steadily into colder months here in the Northern hemisphere.... And even if you're Down Under, these tips are helpful too!

1) DIY Anti-Aging Skin Serum

This is a beautiful serum that contains oils that nourish, smooth, plump, and provide the best barrier from wind, helping to prevent dryness. I love this serum, and I hope you do too!

​DIY Anti-Aging Skin Serum​

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2) Nourishing Herbal Tea for Skin and Hair

When I had a products store nearly 15 years ago, this herbal tea blend was a best seller! I love sharing my formulations with you. I hope you enjoy this great herbal tea! Drink some daily, and know that you're providing your body, skin, and hair with important vitamins and minerals.

​Silky Skin and Healthy Hair Herbal Tea Blend​

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3) Science of a Stretch Mark...and a GREAT Balm

This beautiful balm formula is amazing. It's not only great for helping heal and soften stretch marks, wrinkles, and to an extent, crepey skin, it's also a great barrier for your face. Be sure to spritz with a toner (I love the Rose toner from Lemongrass Spa) first for additional moisture to the skin, as the balm will lock it in.

I created this balm specifically for one of my daughters-in-law when she was pregnant, and she fell in love with it.

​Homemade Face and Belly Balm​

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And here's a quick special gift that I haven't shared elsewhere...just here with you. It's for a quick herbal facial steam, and in just a few minutes, your facial skin will just love you!

DIY Chamomile & Rose Facial Steam for Autumn

You’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
• 1 tablespoon dried calendula petals
• Optional: One drop of lavender, rose, or Roman chamomile essential oil (Or make a lovely stock blend, then add just one drop of the blend)
• 3–4 cups just-boiled water
• A heat-safe bowl, a big towel, and 10 calm minutes

How to:

1. Add chamomile, rose, calendula and if using, the essential oil, to the bowl.
2. Pour in the just boiled water and let it sit 1–2 minutes so the first burst of steam calms a bit
3. Drape the towel over your head and the bowl, creating a tent.
4. Close your eyes and breathe slowly for 5–10 minutes. (If it feels too warm, lift a corner of the towel to vent.) This is the time to just relax, and know you're helping both the skin on your face AND your lungs....
5. Pat dry. While skin is dewy, press in a few drops of that special facial serum above, then seal with a light balm or cream.

Notes & safety:

• If you have ragweed/chamomile allergies, skip chamomile and use lavender buds instead.
• Steam 1–2 times weekly in fall for a soft, happy glow.

You don’t need fancy jars or a 10-step routine—just a few herbs, a bowl, and a few moments for yourself. That’s the magic of this season. Enjoy!

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Invitation! I'm Going Live!

I go live almost every week inside the Confident Herbalist Tribe (our herbal membership) to answer questions, teach special herbal and aromatic sessions on focused topics, and to interact with my students. We all love these sessions! And I always include a replay, and these are stored in a special bank with search and transcript options.

​But I also love going live on my YouTube channel, too.

Although the questions aren't quite the same as ones my students ask, and I have to be extra careful to abide by YouTube's community guidelines (which are quite strict) on the channel, these chats are valuable. They're a way for you to potentially get some questions answered about working with plant medicine and just explore herbalism!

I'm going to try to go live at least two Sunday afternoons a month, and maybe more.

Join me on YouTube this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time for 30 to 45 minutes of herbal and aromatic fun!

It's FREE, and a great way for us to interact. Here's the link to my channel. All you need to do is put it in your calendar, subscribe to my channel so you're notified, and I'll see you there!

​Heidi Villegas Herbal, Aromatic, and Natural Life Channel​

***If you have a question you'd like me to answer, hit "reply" and just write me a note. I'll take your Q's first, as a reader of my weekly notes.

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"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let's rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Have a beautiful week, and I hope to see you Sunday on YouTube!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

​P.S. Do you have my FREE Fall Diffuser Recipes? They're amazing, easy, and will contribute to your wellness. Just click the link, and be sure to use the same email you're using to receive my notes.

And...Please forward this note along to a friend, and ask them to sign up to get the guide too!

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This note is proudly sponsored by the School of Botanical Arts & Sciences (SOBAS)​

by Healing Harvest Homestead!

Are you ready to dive into the most exciting journey of your life?

Learning herbalism and/or aromatherapy adds so much value to your day-to-day; creates strength in your wellness; and contributes joy to your life.....

If you have any questions at all, just reach out to support@healingharvesthomestead.com and we'll take care of you.

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