Blog Posts

June Plant Spotlight: Lemon Balm
June Plant Spotlight: Lemon Balm
|Christina Lopez
Meet lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)—a fragrant, calming herb with over 2,000 years of traditional use. From supporting occasional nervousness and digestion to attracting pollinators in the garden, this beloved member... Read more...
Plant-Infused Oils vs. Essential Oils: Understanding the Difference
Plant-Infused Oils vs. Essential Oils: Understanding the Difference
|Christina Lopez
Curious about the difference between plant-infused oils and essential oils? In this post, I break down how each is made, how they're used in skincare and wellness, and how we... Read more...
May Plant Spotlight: Hibiscus
May Plant Spotlight: Hibiscus
|Christina Lopez
Hibiscus sabdariffa is more than a garden showstopper — it's a plant steeped in cultural tradition and herbal wisdom. From Caribbean Sorrel shared at celebrations to Ayurvedic hair rituals and... Read more...
April Plant Spotlight: Dandelion
April Plant Spotlight: Dandelion
|Christina Lopez
That persistent 'weed' in your yard? It's one of nature's most generous medicinal plants. Dandelion supports the liver, kidneys and digestion — and every part of the plant can be... Read more...
Creating a Butterfly Garden: Understanding Host and Nectar Plants
Creating a Butterfly Garden: Understanding Host and Nectar Plants
|Christina Lopez
When I moved to Florida from New York, I wanted to create a butterfly garden so my daughter could see nature in action. What started with a packet of seeds... Read more...
March Plant Spotlight: Calendula
March Plant Spotlight: Calendula
|Christina Lopez
Meet Calendula — the 'herb from the sun' and one of my favorite plant allies. From soothing skin irritations and supporting digestion to lymphatic health and gynecological wellness, this golden... Read more...
What is Native Plant Gardening and Why It Matters?
What is Native Plant Gardening and Why It Matters?
|Christina Lopez
That 'weed' might actually belong there. Native plant gardening is the practice of growing plants naturally adapted to your region — and the benefits go far beyond a beautiful garden.... Read more...
February Plant Spotlight: Rose
February Plant Spotlight: Rose
|Christina Lopez
For February's Plant Spotlight, I'm celebrating Rose — one of the oldest flowering plants on earth and a true heart-centered herbal ally. From mood and heart health support to skincare... Read more...
How to Use Scent As a Tool For Your Wellbeing: The Science Behind Scent
How to Use Scent As a Tool For Your Wellbeing: The Science Behind Scent
|Christina Lopez
Scent is one of our most powerful senses — connecting directly to the part of the brain that manages memory, stress and emotion. From lavender under my daughter's pillow to... Read more...
January Plant Spotlight: Rosemary
January Plant Spotlight: Rosemary
|Christina Lopez
What better plant to kick off our Plant Spotlight series than Rosemary — a timeless herbal ally rooted in ritual, resilience and remembrance. From circulatory and cognitive support to skincare... Read more...
Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures and Glycerites: What Are They?
Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures and Glycerites: What Are They?
|Christina Lopez
Before my herbalism journey, everything was simply 'tea' or 'take this honey.' Learning the difference between infusions, decoctions, tinctures and glycerites was a revelation. Here's a clear, beginner-friendly breakdown of... Read more...
How to Start Your Own Herbal Apothecary at Home
How to Start Your Own Herbal Apothecary at Home
|Christina Lopez
Building a home apothecary doesn't have to be overwhelming. Through my own trial and error as a clinical herbalist apprentice, I learned to start small and stay intentional. Here's a... Read more...
The Beauty and Benefits of Herbal Salves
The Beauty and Benefits of Herbal Salves
|Christina Lopez
My very first DIY skin product was a simple herbal salve made with calendula-infused oil — and watching it work on my daughter's cuts and rashes had me completely hooked.... Read more...
Herbal Support For the Body Through This Season
Herbal Support For the Body Through This Season
|Christina Lopez
As the air shifts and sweater weather settles in, it's time to build your seasonal home apothecary. From the warming kick of Fire Cider to the antiviral power of Elderberry... Read more...
Vicks and Alcoholado: My Herbal Allies Growing Up
Vicks and Alcoholado: My Herbal Allies Growing Up
|Christina Lopez
Growing up in a Puerto Rican household in Brooklyn, Vicks Vaporub and Alcoholado were always in the medicine cabinet — our first line of care for everything from fevers to... Read more...
Grow a Garden, Nurture Your Heath: 6 Ways Gardening Supports Your Wellbeing
Grow a Garden, Nurture Your Heath: 6 Ways Gardening Supports Your Wellbeing
|Christina Lopez
Gardening is good for the mind, body and soul — but what does the science actually say? From the Blue Zones centenarians who all gardened, to research linking trees to... Read more...
The Benefits of Smudging: How this Ancient Ritual Supports Modern Wellbeing
The Benefits of Smudging: How this Ancient Ritual Supports Modern Wellbeing
|Christina Lopez
Smudging — the ancient practice of burning dried herbs — has been used across cultures for thousands of years to purify spaces, calm the mind and support wellbeing. But beyond... Read more...
Lavender - My Favorite Herbal Ally
Lavender - My Favorite Herbal Ally
|Christina Lopez
Lavender has become my favorite herbal ally — soothing, protective and endlessly versatile. With a history stretching back 2,500 years and medicinal properties ranging from nervine to antimicrobial, she truly... Read more...
Lessons 2024 Taught Me
Lessons 2024 Taught Me
|Christina Lopez
2024 was a year of uncomfortable, transformative lessons — starting with a layoff after a decade-long career. What followed was a journey through anger, grief and fear that ultimately led... Read more...
Herbal Allies: 3 Recommended Herbs to Help Nurture Your Nervous System
Herbal Allies: 3 Recommended Herbs to Help Nurture Your Nervous System
|Christina Lopez
When life feels overwhelming and out of control, our nervous systems often bear the weight. In this post, I spotlight three herbs from the Mint family — Skullcap, Lemon Balm... Read more...
A Chapter Called Resilience
A Chapter Called Resilience
|Christina Lopez
Written two days after Hurricane Milton, this post is a personal reflection on resilience — from a layoff and family health challenges to navigating a new city and a new... Read more...
My 5 Favorite Home Styling Books
My 5 Favorite Home Styling Books
|Christina Lopez
Books have been one of my biggest sources of home styling inspiration — from mastering design fundamentals to bringing in color, culture and plants. Here are my 5 favorite home... Read more...
My Need for Change Led Me to Herbalism
My Need for Change Led Me to Herbalism
|Christina Lopez
What started as a search for stimulation outside of everyday life led me to plant medicine — and changed everything. From a 12-week E-Cornell certification to a clinical herbalist apprenticeship... Read more...
The Connection Between Home and Wellness
The Connection Between Home and Wellness
|Christina Lopez
Our homes shape how we feel more than we realize. From paint color and natural light to plants and art, every element plays a role in our wellbeing. After years... Read more...
What Is Biophilic Design and Why It's Trending
What Is Biophilic Design and Why It's Trending
|Christina Lopez
You may have heard the term 'biophilic design' and wondered what it means. At its core, it's about connecting people to nature through architecture — using natural materials, light, living... Read more...