In the art of medicine-making, every detail matters—every herb, every oil, every step of the process. With this in mind, we recently re-imagined our product line to reflect our commitment to tradition, sustainability, and inclusivity, while introducing thoughtful innovations to better serve our customers.
A History Rooted in Tradition: Herbal Oil Infusions Across Cultures
Herbal oil infusions are among the planet's oldest forms of medicine-making, with roots that span across cultures and centuries. Ancient Egyptians were known for their sophisticated use of plant-based oils, blending herbs into carrier oils for therapeutic, cosmetic, and even spiritual purposes. They prized oils like moringa and castor oil, often infused with fragrant and medicinal herbs, to soothe skin, preserve health, and anoint their bodies.
In addition to their historical significance, these practices remind us of the skin's remarkable role as an organ. Often called the body's largest organ, the skin can absorb active plant constituents when applied topically. This ability makes the quality of what we place on our skin incredibly important. Minimalist herbal skin care now isn't just a choice—it's a necessity. By selecting pure, organic ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives, we support our skin's natural ability to absorb nourishment without introducing harmful elements.
In other cultures, such as traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, herbal oil infusions were used to support wellness. The Greeks and Romans embraced similar practices, often blending oils with herbs like lavender and chamomile for relaxation. These traditions reflect a universal recognition of the potency of plants when combined with oils as a carrier.
The Transition to Elevated Formulations
One of the most significant changes to our line was transitioning to a fully certified organic range. This ensures the purest ingredients while supporting sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. We also prioritized creating a vegan-friendly product line wherever possible, aligning with modern values and expanding access to a wider audience.
In refining our formulations, we moved away from oils with short shelf lives and high comedogenic ratings, instead creating a proprietary blend of base oils with exceptional stability and versatility.
This new blend includes jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), a wax that mimics human sebum and offers microbial balancing and skin soothing properties, and camelina (Camelina sativa), a nutrient-rich oil packed with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and essential fatty acids. Rarely used in body and skincare products, it brings innovation to formulations while offering exceptional oxidative stability, sustainability, and skin-nurturing benefits.
Minimalism Meets Tradition in Herbal Formulas
Each product reflects our "less is more" philosophy, using classic herbs for skin and body care, with a focus on those that have been traditionally trusted for topical support. Whether it's calendula (Calendula officinalis) for its soothing properties or lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for its calming effects, the carefully curated blends honor the time-tested practices of old-school medicine-making while incorporating modern knowledge to standardize potency and ensure efficacy.
Product Highlights: Caring for Every Stage of Life
Pregnant Belly Skin Elasticity Oil is a nurturing blend designed to support a mama's skin as it stretches and adapts during pregnancy. Featuring organic calendula (Calendula officinalis) and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) for their soothing and hydrating properties, it also incorporates the innovative use of gotu kola (Centella asiatica). Traditionally used in herbal preparations, gotu kola lends its skin-supporting properties to this topical formula, helping to support skin's natural moisture. This lightweight oil provides gentle yet powerful nourishment, leaving skin soft, supple, and supported throughout pregnancy.
Perineum Massage Oil is designed to support healthy elasticity of the perineum during late pregnancy and labor. Perineum massage is a practice commonly recommended during the final weeks of pregnancy to prepare the perineal tissues for childbirth. The perineum, located between the vaginal opening and the anus, is often subject to significant stretching during delivery. Crafted with organic calendula (Calendula officinalis) and plantain (Plantago major), this massage oil helps soften and hydrate the skin, supporting elasticity. Gentle and safe for use on sensitive areas, this oil is a simple, effective blend to support a smoother birthing experience.
New Mother Nursing Balm is a gentle, minimalist formula designed to soothe and protect sensitive skin during nursing. Made with certified organic calendula (Calendula officinalis) and marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), it moisturizes and soothes sensitive skin, and hydrates dry skin. Safe for both mom and baby, the balm is free from synthetic additives and fragrances, offering natural relief and peace of mind for breastfeeding mothers.
AfterBirth Sitz Bath is a soothing, herbal blend designed to support comfort after childbirth. Featuring organic herbs like lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and calendula (Calendula officinalis), this traditional formula helps soothe sensitive tissues. Sitz baths, derived from the German word sitzen, meaning "to sit," have been used for centuries as a natural way to cleanse and soothe the perineal area after childbirth. This practice involves immersing the lower body in warm, herb-infused water to encourage circulation and promote relaxation. By combining time-honored wisdom with thoughtfully selected natural ingredients throughout, the AfterBirth Sitz Bath provides a nurturing and comforting experience for new mothers.
Baby Bum Diaper Rash Balm is a soothing, all-natural formula crafted to protect and nurture delicate baby skin. Made with certified organic calendula (Calendula officinalis), chickweed (Stellaria media), plantain (Plantago major), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), it helps soothe skin and maintain comfort. Free from synthetic ingredients, this gentle balm ensures safe and effective skin care even for your baby's most sensitive areas.
Oh Baby! Oils are gentle, nourishing blends designed to support and protect your baby's sensitive skin. Available in two soothing formulations: one features calendula (Calendula officinalis) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for calming and relaxing properties, while the other combines calendula and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) to soothe and moisturize skin. These lightweight, organic oils are perfect for baby massage or daily hydration, offering a simple and effective way to care for and nourish your little one's skin.
Ear Be Well Dual Treatment Kit is a comprehensive solution for supporting ear comfort. It includes our Ear-Be-Well Oil, a topical drop crafted with soothing herbs like calendula (Calendula officinalis), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), mullein flower (Verbascum thapsus), and garlic (Allium sativum), as well as the Ear-Be-Well Tincture, a blend of red root (Ceanothus americanus), echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea), bee propolis, garlic bulb (Allium sativum), baptisia root (Baptisia tinctoria), fresh organic St. John's wort aerials (Hypericum perforatum), organic scullcap aerials (Scutellaria lateriflora), and organic calendula flower (Calendula officinalis). Together, this kit is formulated to provide gentle yet effective support for children and adults alike, offering a natural approach to ear care.
Honoring the Process
In addition to the thoughtful selection of herbs, our sourcing process reflects our dedication to quality. While many herbs are sourced dried, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and arnica (Arnica montana) are gathered fresh, requiring immediate and labor-intensive preparation to preserve their potency. This commitment ensures the most vibrant and effective formulations possible.
St. John's wort is most renowned for its hypericin and hyperforin content, which contribute to skin comfort and soothing properties. In fresh St. John's wort, these constituents are at their peak potency, particularly the red pigments like hypericin, which are more abundant and vibrant in fresh material.
During the drying process, oxidation and exposure to light can cause some of these compounds to degrade, especially the delicate volatile oils and pigments that make fresh St. John's wort so effective. The fresh herb also produces the characteristic red infusion in oil, which is a marker of its high-quality constituents.
Using fresh arnica and St. John's wort ensures maximum retention of these bioactive compounds, providing effective herbal oil. The freshness enhances the benefits of natural oils, making the formulations particularly supportive for skin comfort.
By prioritizing fresh sourcing, we capture the essence and beauty of these plants in their most vibrant and active state, honoring traditional herbal practices while delivering exceptional care.
Formulation: A Blend of Old and New
Our reimagined line celebrates the perfect balance of tradition and innovation, offering trusted herbal skin care products for every stage of life. By honoring the old-school techniques of medicine-making and infusing them with modern science, we ensure that every product is crafted with intention, efficacy, and safety in mind.
Traditionally, herbal infusions were crafted by healers who understood the unique properties of plants and how they could be used to address specific needs. We carry this tradition forward by selecting herbs with a long history of topical use. At the same time, modern science informs our formulations, allowing us to understand the unique constituents of herbs—such as hypericin in fresh St. John's wort or helenalin in fresh arnica and ensuring that our products are both effective and appropriate for various needs and populations.
By combining tradition, science, and sustainability, our products are thoughtfully formulated to reflect the needs of modern families while staying true to the time-honored wisdom of herbal traditions. Whether you're nurturing sensitive or aging skin, seeking comfort, or addressing postpartum needs, our line offers clean, minimalist, and effective solutions for holistic body care. With every product, we honor the past, embrace the present and create a foundation of care for the future.
Safety Considerations
While our formulas are crafted with care, we encourage customers to review safety instructions before use. Each product has been developed with specific populations and skin types in mind, and some herbs, such as comfrey, have guidelines for safe usage to ensure the best results.
Sindy Wise is a passionate herbalist and aromatherapist with a deep focus on medicine making and botanical extraction. As the Co-Formulator and Vice President at WishGarden Herbs, she combines traditional wisdom with modern innovation to craft effective herbal remedies. Sindy studied under esteemed herbal educators Feather Jones and Lisa Ganora, honing her expertise in plant medicine and phytochemistry. Guided by a mindset of service, continuous learning, and personal growth, she is dedicated to creating high-quality botanical formulations that support holistic well-being.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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