Happy Monday! Picking up where we left off on our A-Z Therapeutic Terms. Today’s herbal term is antineuralgic! A word used for herbs or substances traditionally associated with helping calm or ease nerve related pain. The word comes from: - “Anti” = against - “Neuralgia” = nerve pain Neuralgia can feel like: Burning, Tingling, Sharp or shooting pain, Sensitivity along a nerve pathway n traditional herbalism, antineuralgic herbs were often used to support the nervous system during times of tension, irritation, or discomfort. Some herbs historically associated with antineuralgic actions include: Skullcap, St. John’s wort, Jamaican dogwood, Corydalis, & California poppy Many of these herbs also overlap with categories like: - Nervines - Antispasmodics - Relaxants Which shows how interconnected herbal actions can be. One herb rarely fits into only one “box.” ✨ Fun herbalism fact: Historically, some antineuralgic herbs were used externally as oils, poultices, or liniments in addition to teas and tinctures! Question for the community: Have you ever heard the term antineuralgic before, or is this a new herbal vocabulary word for you?

I thought it would be fun to share the formulation behind the botanical face oil I’ve been working on and explain why I chose each ingredient! I also wanted to share the face oil recipe exclusively with my Skool community if you want to make your own! I only have 2 bottles currently made, but if you don't want to make your own, feel free to grab one of the 2 bottles before they sell out! I will have pre-order set up if they do! 🤞 Lets dive in!! One of the things I love most about herbalism and botanical skincare is that every oil has its own texture, chemistry, history, and purpose within a formula. A good facial oil is not just random oils mixed together, it’s about balance, absorption, stability, skin feel, aroma, fatty acid profiles, and how the ingredients work together as a whole. Here’s the recipe I formulated for a 1 oz bottle: 2 tablespoons jojoba oil 2 teaspoons red raspberry seed oil 1 teaspoon carrot seed carrier oil 2/3 teaspoon castor oil 5-6 drops Vitamin E 10 drops frankincense essential oil 8 drops geranium essential oil Optional: 2 drops vetiver essential oil Why these oils? + Jojoba oil forms the base because it’s technically not a true oil, but a liquid wax ester that closely resembles human sebum. Because of this, it tends to feel balanced on the skin rather than overly greasy. It also has an excellent shelf life compared to many delicate botanical oils. + Red raspberry seed oil is incredibly rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It helps support the skin barrier and gives the blend a silky, nourishing feel. There’s a lot of internet discussion around its potential UV properties, but it should never replace sunscreen. + Carrot seed carrier oil contributes antioxidants and carotenoids while adding warmth and richness to the formula. Historically, carrot preparations have been used in skincare for generations because of their nourishing properties. + Castor oil is fascinating because it contains a very high amount of ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid that gives castor oil its thick, almost glossy texture. In smaller amounts, it helps lock moisture into the skin without making the entire blend feel overly heavy.

I just wanted to take a moment to say how excited I am that you’re here. Truly! This space keeps getting more beautiful because of each of you joining ✨ I also want to share something honestly (and a little frustrating on my end 😅): When you request to join, I do see your answer to the membership question, but only once during the approval process. After that, it disappears on my side, which means I can’t go back and personally respond the way I would love to. And if you know me, you know I want to connect with you! So if you’re new here, I’d love for you to reintroduce yourself below: ✨ What drew you to herbalism? ✨ Are you just starting out or have you been on this path for a while? ✨ Is there anything specific you’re hoping to learn? This helps me get to know you better AND create content that actually supports you 💙 Thank you for being here, for caring about the plants, and for being part of this growing community. More goodness coming soon! — Alex