​

​

September 17, 2025

Happy Weekly Herbal, Reader!

I hope your week is going amazing! Over here, well, I'm heading out in a moment to check our elderberries, both wild and cultivated and to harvest some beautiful mullein and comfrey leaves to hang on the dryer. I love this part of the fall, don't you?

First, though, I have a quick question for you....

Recently, I was listening to a popular homesteader on YouTube who was saying that homesteading is declining in popularity. As you know, over here, we are homesteaders...even though I don't talk about that aspect of what we do very much. Years ago, so many shared with me that they only wanted to hear about my herbalism and natural living adventures, so that's the way our site turned. But we still homestead.

Homesteading entails growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking and baking from scratch, making many of your own items, taking care of livestock and poultry, living off the land, and being self-sufficient so you can help others and take care of yourself. We've adjusted our definition of homesteading for our age and the fact there are only the two of us here, but still.....

Do you agree with this man? Do you believe homesteading is losing the thrill and attraction it once had? And if so, why? I have my own thoughts on this, but I am so interested in what you think about these times we're in.....

Also, I'm wondering if you're sensing a change in interest in herbalism and natural health, too?

Please, I would love if you would hit "REPLY" and let me know your thoughts! Sometimes I feel a little like I'm operating in a vacuum, and I appreciate your replies each week!

**************************

DIY Lip Scrub....and Why?

Have you ever used a sugar scrub on your lips?

I resisted this for so many years, and now I try to do at least one scrub each week. Here's why:

🌱 They gently exfoliate the lips and remove dry, dead skin. This gives you softer, smoother, more lovely lips that also feel better!

🌼 Lip scrubs help prevent chapping and peeling, which left without treatment, can become cracked and painful lips.

🌿 Guess what else? They improve the absorption of lip balms, treatments, and help your lipstick (if you wear it) stay on.

🌸 Scrubbing your lips regularly can also help minimize the appearance of fine lines and...

🌱 Prepare lips to lock in much needed moisture in these fall months

Finally, you get to feel a little pampered, very quickly, which can really be a nice reset for your mind and emotions!

Here's a recipe for you:

Chamomile and Mint Lip Scrub

Ingredients:

2 tbsp almond or sunflower oil

1 tbsp dried calendula, chamomile, or lavender flowers (optional)

1 drop Roman chamomile essential oil

1 drop Spearmint essential oil

2 tbsp fine brown, organic cane, or other natural granulated sugar

Directions:

If you want to infuse your dried herbs into the oil, just place the herbs in a small jar, and add the oil plus a teaspoon or so to the jar. Let infuse for about 3 to 4 weeks. If you already have your herbal infused oil ready, just use this!

In a small jar, combine the sugar, infused (or not) oil, and the essential oils. You may want to do this step in a bowl, then transfer to a small jar for ease. The essential oils must be completely dispersed, so you'll need to stir for a few minutes to be sure this is done well.

To Use:

Take a bit, and rub this over your lips with a finger. The skin on your lips is very thin and fragile, so be light-handed at first. You'll quickly know how firm you need to press.

Although everything in this formula is edible, it's not meant to be consumed, so be sure to wash off the scrub completely...even though it smells and tastes amazing! (It won't hurt you if a small amount gets into your mouth--just allaying worries.)

Rinse the scrub off with a bit of warm water, and follow up with a natural lip balm. Enjoy your lovely lips!

******************************

Another Live Herbal Chat?

I've been going live more often on the YouTube channel @HeidiVillegas recently, and many (including me) have really been enjoying these live talks! I get to be reminded of how folks new to using herbs and essential oils think, which takes me back to the beginner's mind. This is good for me because I'm better able to help you and others.

Also, I get to interact with our community, and I just LOVE this! If you missed the one from last Sunday, here's the replay of it. I'm trying to keep these at 30 minutes, but they're going on a bit longer because more and more people show up and the questions are SO fun to answer!

​I'm going live again this Sunday afternoon!

If you're around at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time/5:00 p.m. Eastern time, I'm here for you! Just hop on our channel at that time, be sure to subscribe, and then join the live stream, which you'll see as a subscriber!

Come ready with your questions or just have a little time to yourself to kick back and enjoy a great herb chat!

***********************************

Yay! A Lemongrass Spa Flash Sale!

I love to make my own skincare products.....

But like so many people, I often lack the time. Also, sometimes the ingredients pile up, and when they get wasted from not getting used up, it makes me very sad.

The way I've solved the problem of how to get truly natural skincare without always making it myself (although I LOVE doing this), is buying my products from Lemongrass Spa. They are THE most natural company I've been able to find that also offers reasonable prices and ingredients I'm familiar and comfortable with.

Use the coupon code: GLOW10 at checkout to get 10% off everything! I think this is the first time they've done this, and I'm so excited! I'm heading over there now to get my favorites: Rose Toner Spray, Cosmo lipstick, Vitamin C serum, Under-eye gel, and a few other things while this sale is on!

​Enjoy Lemongrass Spa!​

Remember to use the coupon code: GLOW10

**************************************

Lipids Decoded Masterclass

Did you know that the carrier oil you choose to use in your natural skincare products really matters? And that they all have their own unique healing properties on top of the beautiful herbs you infuse them with?

Well, my friend, Susan Parker (author of Power of the Seed) is having her FREE Lipid Oils Blueprint Masterclass this week. She's THE expert when it comes to carrier and lipid oils.

The videos are live through September 28, and I believe she has the first two out already. They're short. Powerful. Informative. And you'll learn how amazing carrier oils are so you can make the best decisions in your herbal and aromatic infusions!

Here's a link to the FREE workshop:

​Lipids Decoded Masterclass​

*******************************************

You Might Be Interested In.....

​1) The Basics of Herbs and Essential Oils with Heidi Villegas​

This is an interview between my good friend, Jennifer Roskamp of The Intentional Mom and me about how to use herbs and essential oils in your daily life. It's a fun little talk, and she asked me some very good questions!

*******************

​2) Amazing Things to Know About Peppermint Essential Oil​

Peppermint is one of those essential oils that belongs in just about every home. It has many uses, and is a great helper for soothing pains, helping energize your body and mind, opening your respiratory system, calming congestion, and it smells amazing to boot!

Remember: Always dilute your essential oils before using on the skin!

*******************

That's it for this week!

Enjoy the lip scrub, and let me know what you think about it as well as my thought on homesteading.

Also, I would LOVE to see you at my live chat on YouTube this Sunday afternoon for a relaxing and enjoyable chat.

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. Do you have my FREE guide to Growing Your Own Fire Cider? In this guide, you'll learn about the best plants to grow so you can be 100% self-sufficient in creating this important Fall and Winter remedy. Enjoy!

NOTE: Please use the same email you're using to get this note so you don't get doubles. 🥰

P.P.S. Please forward this note along to a friend!

**************************************

This note is proudly sponsored by the School of Botanical Arts & Sciences (SOBAS) by Healing Harvest Homestead!

Join us in a course! From certification options to specialty courses, AND our incredibly vibrant and engaged membership community, the Confident Herbalist Tribe, there's something for everyone who wants to learn Christian herbalism here.

​