From the WBWC Blog:

Boutique

Healing Magic at the WBWC Boutique: Voluptuous V

By Allison Koch, CNM Since the government has now forbidden the CDC from making documents and reports that refer to science and evidence and discuss things like fetuses and transgender persons, this article will talk about none of those things – though I could. Instead I prefer to talk about magic and healing and the healing magic that is available to us at the WBWC Boutique every single day. My plan is to profile some of the magical healing remedies available at the boutique over the next several months and educate you about what they can do for you! Botanical medicine comes from healing traditions that are steeped in centuries old wisdom (mostly from women healers) working with plants that were well-known, handled carefully, often prayed over and treated with great respect for their healing properties and gratitude for their gifts. I know it sounds a little “woo-woo” but there really is something about crafting a remedy while putting all your thoughts and intention into its healing purpose. For those of us who knit, crochet or quilt, for example, there is a healing purpose “intended” right into that piece while you make it. That’s what prayer shawls are. They wrap the recipient in prayers for their recovery and/or well-being. There are books devoted to the healing power of intention – and many experiments that prove the possibility of sending healing energies, such as love, gratitude, or forgiveness. And what a great intention! One such book is the classic by Lynne McTaggert called The Field, and that could be another kind of field trip. Botanical medicine made in a mindful way serves the same kind of healing purpose. This is one of the intangibles that makes studying herbal treatments hard to quantify. Different healers will grow the plant under different conditions, and even if prepared according to a recipe, it will still carry the magic signature and intention of a particular herbalist. Voluptuous V is a botanical product created by Paula Youmell, a holistic nurse who is also an herbalist, author, and health educator. Paula realized that “personal lubricants” are commonly used by women to address the problem of vaginal tissues thinning at menopause, which, by the way, is a universal experience of menopause. Most lubricants are not made from natural ingredients, friendly to the delicate ecosystem of the vagina. Concerned about this, she created something healthy and safe for use … Read More

At the Boutique

Get your holiday shopping done and feel good about supporting your birth center and keeping your money local! December’s Herb of the Month is Valerian Valerian is a calming herb often recommended for sleep disturbance. It can also quiet symptoms of PMS and painful periods. Enjoy 10% off Boutique products containing valerian in December! December is our BIG inventory reduction sale! Many fabulous items are 40% off, including: -cloth diapers -baby carriers -some nursing bras -Under the Nile-Plan Toys   Check out our unique new products! Wooden Breast Ornaments Oxytocin + Estrogen + Testosterone + Caffeine Molecule Necklaces

At the Boutique

We’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all of the Boutique supporters who made our Big Pink Sale a big success! Each month, the Boutique features a different herb. All products containing the herb of the month are 10% off for the entire month! (Not to be combined with other promos/discounts) November’s Herb is Echinacea! With cold and flu season upon us, what better way to stay healthy than to kick unwanted viruses with a dose of echinacea? Save 10% on products containing echinacea this November! DID YOU KNOW the Boutique will match online bulk diaper prices? Example: Buy 24 BumGenius diapers from an online retailer for a lower price, and we will order for you AND you get free shipping AND it comes QUICKLY. Keep your money local and support your Birth Center! Need to get those diapers washed? ALL laundry detergent is 50% off in November! Come in and stock up! Stop by the Boutique. You won’t regret it.

At the Boutique

Each month, the Boutique features a different herb. All products containing the herb of the month are 10% off for the entire month! (Not to be combined with other promos/discounts) October’s Herb is Milky Oats! Oats/Milky Stage, also sometimes referred to as Milky Oats, serve many purposes – rich in essential nutrients, they are useful for everything from bone-building to nerve-calming. Most of the products you’ll find in the Boutique that contain Oats/Milky Stage are used to calm and quiet an anxious mind. Enjoy 10% off any products containing October’s Herb of the Month! September 25-30 is Pride Week! The Boutique is having a RAINBOW sale! Cloth wipes, rainbow amber teething necklaces, Rainbow Light vitamins, rainbow wet bags, rainbow slings, rainbow Wrapsodies –if you can find rainbows, you save 25%!   Stop by the Boutique. You won’t regret it.

Herb of the Month – Nettle

By Violet Trisolini Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a useful herb for combating the all-too-common symptoms of allergy season. Nettle is a great source of vitamins important for healthy menstruation, pregnancy, and nursing, including iron, magnesium, and calcium. Its antihistamine properties make it a favorite for lessening springtime symptoms of hay fever and allergies. It is also a galactagogue and can increase milk supply! Can also be a mild diuretic. What’s not to love about this stinging plant?     Nettle can be found in the following products in the Boutique… Nettle Tincture (Suki’s Blends) Nettle Leaf capsules (Nature’s Way) Kick-It Allergy (WishGarden) – proprietary blend of Yerba Santa, Nettles, Echinacea, & orange peel. Teas including Nettle Tea (Traditional Medicinals), Woman’s Mother To Be (Yogi), Third Trimester Tea and Monthly Comfort Tea (Earth Mama Angel Baby), Pregnancy Tea, Woman’s Vitality, Fertility Tea, and Allergy Aid (Suki’s Blends) Many galactagogues, including Milk Rich with Goat’s Rue (Wish Garden), More Milk Plus, More Milk Two, and More Milk Special Blend (Motherlove)     Sources: “Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide,” Rosemary Gladstar (2012) “Body Into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care,” Maria Noel Groves (2016)

What’s New at the Boutique

Bravado’s Essential Nursing TankMothers often come into the Boutique looking for nursing bras – something they can wear during pregnancy, as well as after; something versatile and affordable. A nursing tank may be just the thing!Bravado’s Essential Nursing Tanks come with a built-in bra that gives you full support. The high quality cotton/spandex fabric stretches and retains its shape even after washing. They are great for nursing in public, as well as during the night. The tank provides tummy coverage, while the discreet nursing clips allow for easy breastfeeding access. Bravado Essential Nursing Tanks are available in sizes 34 B/C to 44 F/G. These tanks come in a variety of bold colors like the turquoise above, pastels, as well as black and white. Come by the Boutique to try one on!