May 19, 2026

Happy Wednesday!

I've been out harvesting and foraging as much as I can these past weeks: nettles, purple dead nettle, lemon balm from the garden, and the new tips from evergreens. Elder flowers are about to burst up here, and so are the hawthorn flowers and wild roses. I love spring!

The Lomatium greyii is blooming on the hillside, and the arrowleaf balsamroot had an early show this year too. Horsetail is even already springing up by the roadside...but I won't harvest near a road, and neither should you.

​You can find my wild herb harvesting tips here.

And then....there's cleavers!

You know those plants that show up crazy in the spring? The ones that most people just yank out without a second thought?

Yep. Cleavers is one of these.

It's sticky, and it clings to your shoes, clothes, and even your skin. That's why it's called "cleavers," because it "cleaves" to things.

I wish everyone knew about all the great things this spring weed can do for us. One of the best things it does is it helps our body "wake up" in the spring time. It helps us get things moving again.

Cleavers has been beloved by herbalists for hundreds if not thousands of years as a food, spring tonic, lymphatic mover, skin supportive herb, and a helper for the urinary system. It's GREAT when your body is feeling puffy, sluggish, swollen, hot, irritated, and just like you need to lose some fluid.

I love that cleavers is a great reminder to us that great herbal medicine doesn't have to begin with complicated formulas or plants that are hard to find. Great herbal medicine often starts right in our yards with our weeds!

Find out how to prepare cleavers, how to identify it (in the video), and how to work with it for your various body systems.

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And, if you'd rather read more details, then I've written a handy article about cleavers for you, too!

​Benefits and Uses of Cleavers (Galium aparine)​

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Can you join me today?

I've really been having a good time with our new little show, "Ask the Herbal Answer Lady" on our YouTube channel, Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am Pacific/1:00 Eastern time.

If you have a question, please hit "reply" to this note and ask away.

Keep in mind that I am legally NOT allowed to answer medical questions, but you can ask things like, "How can I support my hormones and reduce the pain if I am experiencing menstrual cramps?"

And of course, you can ask all about the herbs and essential oils. You can ask things like, "Is valerian ok to use with someone who isn't depressed but who is grieving the loss of a baby? I've heard that it shouldn't be used with depression, and I just want to make sure this is ok."

Those are just a couple of ideas....

I do have a little stack of emails that have come in within the past couple weeks, so as the chat gets going, I'll be starting with some of those!

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Encouragement and Inspiration

"For your own peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe." --Anonymous

I give up.

I quit.

I'm just done and over it already.....

Things are changing SO fast in the world today, and frankly, I can't handle it. So here's a note.....

Dear Heavenly Father,

I just can't do it any more. I quit! I realize I've been trying to run the universe, to control all the things---well at least my part, anyway. I just can't do it.

So I'm handing the job back to You. You probably won't do things the way I would, or even the way that I'd like for you to, but do You know what?

I always look back in wonder at how You can take a mess and make things right...even if it takes some time.

So, I'm stepping back. I'm looking forward to getting a better night's sleep because I know that You're in charge and that You're taking care of things. This means I no longer have to worry!

You're track record is so perfect, and I know that You don't always work on my time frame, but Your schedule is always perfect.

Therefore, I resign. Thank You for taking over the reins for me....again.

Love, Heidi and Amen.

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A Passive Diffuser Blend for Road Rage

(Or When You Just Need Some Calm)

Have you seen those little passive diffusers that fit into the vents of your car? I have a few of them, and I love them.

Especially when driving on Highway 12 for two hours both ways when I have to get groceries and supplies in Lewiston. It turns out Highway 12 is one of the most dangerous roads in the entire United States! It's even featured in one of those violent video games!

So, to stay calm and carry on....

I diffuse. 🥰

Some of my favorite essential oils to use in these in my car are those that calm and relax while still keeping me alert and ready to respond quickly.

Just drop a few of these singles or make a little blend onto the felt pads inside the clips for your car vents and have a nice drive!

• Peppermint (relaxes, yet keeps your mind awake)
• Bergamot (a fan favorite for getting into a good mood, and it blends well with peppermint and many other oils)
• Frankincense (grounds the mind and relaxes stress)
• Ylang Ylang (a little goes a LONG way, so be sparing---uplifts the emotions)

**I do not recommend overly relaxing essential oils while driving on dangerous roads. Avoid chamomile, clary sage, nutmeg, and any other very relaxing aromatic.

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🎉 You're Invited! 🎉

It's time for our FREE popular herbalism training, Five BEST Herbs to Start Your Home Apothecary!

It's been a few months, and since it's now growing season, it's a GREAT time to learn about these five herbal favorites that you can easily grow and even find right in the grocery store.

They all have many uses for health and wellness, and can be used to make many, many remedies!

The workshop comes with a free guide on the plants, too!

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Alrighty---

I'm heading out to plant some things in the garden before our chat on Ask the Herbal Answer Lady! I hope to see you there, but if you can't make it, there's the replay.

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to support@healingharvesthomestead.com, or just hit "reply" if you have a question for today's chat on YouTube!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. If you know of a friend who'd enjoy my herbal notes and ramblings, please do forward this along to them! And, they're welcome to enjoy my FREE Home Apothecary Guide!​