From Our Garden to Your Bath – The Ritual Behind Our Herbal Soaks

At Dancing Gardens, every herbal soak we create tells a story. It begins in the soil, deepens through the seasons, and ends in your tub—where it meets you right where you are.

These are not just bath salts. They are intentional blends of herbs, salts, and essential oils that invite you to slow down, soften, and reconnect.

In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on how our bath products are made and how you can turn your soak into a sacred ritual for body and spirit.

Why Herbal Baths?

Water + herbs = one of the oldest healing combos known to humankind.

When you step into a warm bath filled with botanicals:

• Your skin absorbs plant compounds that support healing

• Your nervous system gets the memo: it’s time to rest

• Your mind releases tension, making space for reflection or intention-setting

• You’re reminded that you deserve care—even on the busiest days

  Step 1: Growing and Gathering

  We begin with the plants. Many herbs in our soaks are grown right here at Dancing Gardens or foraged locally with permission and care.

  Our star ingredients include:

  • Calendula – Skin-soothing and bright, it carries solar energy

  • Lavender – Gentle, calming, and heart-opening

  • Goldenrod – Supportive during transitions and known for emotional clarity

  • Rose petals, chamomile, cornflower, lemon balm, and more

  We harvest at peak potency, air-dry slowly in the shade, and store herbs in a way that preserves their color, scent, and energy.

Step 2: Blending with Intention

Every bath blend is created with a purpose. We don’t just throw in pretty flowers—we choose plants and oils that

work together on a physical, emotional, and energetic level.

Here are some of our favorite blends:

Floral Explosion

Rose, calendula, chamomile, geranium + rose essential oils
→ A sensual, heart-softening blend perfect for self-love and emotional healing

Lavrus

Lavender, calendula, orange peel + lavender essential oil
→ Grounding and uplifting—a great blend for post-stress recovery or winding down

Golden Slumber

Goldenrod, lavender, cornflowers + citrus oils
→ Perfect for seasonal transitions and bedtime rituals

Each batch is mixed by hand—no machines, no shortcuts. Just real humans who care about your healing.

Step 3: Ritual in a Bag

We believe the real magic happens when you slow down enough to receive the medicine of plants and water.

Each bag includes:

• A suggested soaking ritual

• Details on the herbs inside

• A way to make the experience your own (candles, breathwork, journaling)

We also include access to our printable “Soak Ritual Booklet”, where you’ll find:

• Guided prompts

• Seasonal affirmations

• A playlist or tea pairing suggestion

• A page to jot your reflections after your bath

This is about more than skin-deep relaxation. It’s about remembering that you are worthy of being cared for—by yourself, and by the earth.

Want to Try One?

We invite you to explore our growing line of seasonal herbal soaks. They’re available in full-size pouches and mini sampler sets—great for gifts, travel, or trying something new.

Questions? Want to create a custom soak for a special event or loved one? Send us a message or stop by our next market booth!

Seasonal Herbal Checklist: What to Grow, Harvest, and Sip This Spring

Spring is a sacred invitation—to awaken, renew, and grow. At Dancing Gardens, we take our cues from nature and plant accordingly.

Here’s our Spring Herbal Checklist to help you align your garden and your body with the season:

Top 5 Spring Herbs:

1. Cleavers – Lymphatic cleanser and gentle detoxifier

2. Dandelion – Liver support and digestive aid

3. Chickweed – Anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing

4. Lemon Balm – Calming and mood-boosting

5. Tulsi – Emotional resilience and nervous system balance

Seasonal DIY Recipes:

• Cleavers Cold Infusion

  Benefits: Lymphatic support, gentle detox, fluid balance

  Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh cleavers (Galium aparine)

  • 1 quart cold water

  • Optional: a splash of lemon or mint for flavor

  Instructions:

  1. Lightly rinse the fresh cleavers, keeping them whole and vibrant.

  2. Place the herbs in a clean glass jar.

  3. Fill with cold water and cover with a lid.

  4. Let steep in the refrigerator or cool, dark space for 8–12 hours (overnight).

  5. Strain and drink chilled throughout the day.

  Note: Best consumed within 24 hours.

• Chickweed Salve for Skin

  Benefits: Soothes itchy, irritated skin; supports wound healing; great for eczema and rashes

  Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh or dried chickweed (Stellaria media)

  • 1 cup olive oil or coconut oil

  • 1 tbsp beeswax pellets

  • Optional: a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil

  Instructions:

  1. Infuse the chickweed in the oil using a double boiler on low heat for 1–2 hours (or use a solar infusion over 2–4 weeks).

  2. Strain the herb from the oil using cheesecloth.

  3. In a clean saucepan, combine strained oil with beeswax and gently heat until wax melts.

  4. Remove from heat, stir in essential oils if using, and pour into clean tins or jars.

  5. Let cool completely before sealing. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.

• Lemon Balm & Dandelion Spring Tonic

  Benefits: Digestive aid, stress reducer, spring energy tonic

  Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp dried lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • 1 tbsp dried dandelion root or leaf (Taraxacum officinale)

  • 2 cups boiling water

  • Optional: honey, lemon, or a cinnamon stick for flavor

  Instructions:

  1. Place herbs in a heat-safe teapot or jar.

  2. Pour boiling water over the herbs and cover.

  3. Steep for 10–15 minutes.

  4. Strain and enjoy warm, or chill for a refreshing spring tea.

  5. Sweeten if desired with honey and lemon.

  Enjoy this tonic in the morning to jumpstart digestion and energy!

Garden To-Dos:

• Start seeds indoors or prep raised beds

• Compost and amend soil with natural fertilizers

• Map out your herb layout for maximum sunlight and harmony

Need help? Hoosier Herb says, “Don’t stress, just plant!” Our consulting services are here to guide you through every season.

Plant Therapy for Veterans: Reconnecting with Purpose Through the Garden

Life after service can feel disorienting. But nature doesn’t rush, judge, or forget how to heal—and neither do we.

Dancing Gardens was born from a veteran’s need to reconnect—to body, Earth, and purpose. That’s why we now offer specialized consulting and workshops for fellow veterans looking to reclaim their wellness.

Plant Therapy Includes:

• Starting a healing herb garden (even in small spaces)

• Learning about medicinal herbs and how to use them

• Workshops for hands-on learning and community building

Whether you’ve never grown a plant before or you're ready to turn a backyard into a sanctuary, we’re here to walk beside you.

With Hoosier Herb leading the way (often with a goofy dance), we aim to make learning feel accessible and joyful.

Holy Tulsi Basil: Nature’s Stress Reliever and Heart Healer

If one herb could wear a superhero cape, it would be Tulsi. Known as Holy Basil and revered across cultures, Tulsi is your herbal ally for emotional resilience, immune support, and spiritual clarity.

At Dancing Gardens, Tulsi holds a special place in our hearts—and in our soil. Even Hoosier Herb lights up when Tulsi season rolls around!

Benefits of Tulsi:

• Lowers stress and cortisol levels

• Strengthens immunity and respiratory health

• Supports heart wellness and emotional balance

• Acts as an adaptogen—helping your body handle whatever life throws at you

How to Use Tulsi:

• Tea: Steep fresh or dried leaves with honey and lemon.

• Tincture: A few drops a day to ease anxiety or tension.

• Fresh: Add to salads, smoothies, or even bathwater for spiritual cleansing.

Whether you grow it in a pot or a garden bed, Tulsi brings peace, purpose, and plant-powered joy.

What Is an Herbal CSA Box? (And Why You’ll Love It)

Imagine opening a box and instantly feeling grounded, inspired, and nurtured. That’s the magic of our Dancing Gardens Herbal CSA Box—a seasonal subscription packed with small-batch plant medicine and meaningful education.

Each box is like a personal delivery from Mother Nature, curated by our family with love and intention.

Here’s what you might find inside:

• Fresh or dried seasonal herbs

• Herbal teas, tinctures, or salves

• Wellness recipes and usage cards

• Surprise gifts (stickers, seeds, or appearances from Hoosier Herb!)

This isn’t just a product—it’s a relationship with the Earth. Our CSA members become part of our extended Dancing Gardens family. You’ll learn how to make your own teas, remedies, and rituals, all while supporting a local, values-driven farm.

Whether you’re just beginning your herbal journey or deepening your connection with natural healing, our CSA Boxes offer guidance, fun, and the joy of seasonal living.

From Soil to Soul: Why We Built Dancing Gardens

At Dancing Gardens, every leaf, root, and blossom tells a story of resilience and renewal. Our journey didn’t begin in a boardroom—it started in the soil, with a family seeking wellness, peace, and reconnection.

As a veteran-led family, we understand what it’s like to navigate life with invisible wounds. The fast pace of the world, the overload of medications, and the disconnection from nature made us crave something more. Dancing Gardens became our answer.

We envisioned a place where herbs are more than just remedies—they’re teachers. A space where people of all ages can learn to trust their intuition, embrace natural healing, and remember their connection to the land.

Our mission? To make herbal wellness feel like coming home.

• Veterans find purpose and calm in our growing spaces.

• Families discover joy in learning together.

• Hoosier Herb, our dancing green mascot, helps kids (and kids at heart) get excited about plants.

Dancing Gardens is more than a medicinal herb farm. It’s a growing, living reminder that healing starts with intention—and a little dirt under your fingernails.

Cleavers: The Clingy Herb That Helps You Let Go

If you've ever walked through the garden and come out with a leafy hitchhiker on your clothes, you’ve already met Cleavers. Known affectionately as “nature’s Velcro,” this humble herb may stick to you, but its true magic lies in helping you let go—physically, emotionally, and energetically.

At Dancing Gardens, Cleavers (Galium aparine) is one of our most cherished spring allies. It shows up when the earth is waking up and we’re ready to shake off winter sluggishness. Hoosier Herb, our big green mascot, loves to call Cleavers “the spring cleaner,” and you’ll often catch him doing his best detox dance whenever this wild herb shows up on the farm.

What Makes Cleavers Special?

Cleavers is a gentle yet effective lymphatic cleanser—that means it supports your body’s internal drainage system. Think of the lymphatic system like your body's natural garbage disposal, moving waste out and supporting your immune function. Cleavers helps give that system a boost, especially when we’re feeling stagnant or bogged down.

Traditionally used in folk medicine across Europe and North America, Cleavers has been a go-to remedy for:

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Puffy or congested skin

• Post-illness recovery

• Kidney and liver support

• Inflammatory skin issues like eczema or rashes

It’s cooling, soothing, and oh-so-refreshing—just what we need after a long, dry winter.

How to Use Cleavers at Home

You don’t need to be an herbalist to bring Cleavers into your wellness routine. Here are a few easy ways Hoosier Herb recommends (well, he dances while we make them!):

• Cold Infusion:
  Pick a handful of fresh cleavers, rinse well, and steep in cool water overnight. Strain in the morning and sip throughout the day as a gentle detoxifying tonic.

• Tincture:
  If you want a stronger or more shelf-stable option, cleavers can be extracted in alcohol or vegetable glycerin. A few drops daily can support long-term lymph health.

• Topical Rinse:
  Brew cleavers like a tea and use the cooled liquid as a rinse for irritated or inflamed skin. You can also mash the fresh herb into a poultice and apply directly to the skin.

A Springtime Ritual at Dancing Gardens

Each year, when the ground softens and the trees begin to bud, we head out to harvest cleavers with care and gratitude. Hoosier Herb is always first out the gate—twirling, tumbling, and sticking cleavers to his arms like leafy armbands. He reminds us that even the clingiest things in life might be trying to teach us how to let go.

We include fresh cleavers in seasonal CSA shares, offer it in custom tinctures, and use it in spring garden workshops focused on herbal detox. It's one of those plants that quietly supports the body—while inviting us to reconnect with the land and our rhythms.

So next time you feel like life is piling up and you’re ready for a reset, look to the clingy little herb that’s all about release. Cleavers might just be your new springtime friend—with Hoosier Herb leading the way.

Cleavers Cold Infusion Recipe

A gentle spring tonic to support lymphatic health and help your body let go.

Ingredients:

• 1 large handful of fresh cleavers (approx. 1 cup loosely packed)

• 1 quart of cool, filtered water

• Mason jar or glass container with lid

Instructions:

1. Rinse cleavers gently under cool water to remove any dirt or bugs.

2. Roughly chop (or leave whole) and place into a clean quart jar.

3. Fill the jar with cool water, covering the herbs completely.

4. Cap tightly and place in the fridge or a cool space overnight (8–12 hours).

5. In the morning, strain out the herbs and enjoy your herbal infusion!

Serving Suggestions:

• Drink 1–2 cups throughout the day.

• Add lemon, cucumber, or mint for extra flavor.

Storage: Keep refrigerated and use within 24–36 hours.

💚 Crafted with care by Dancing Gardens & Hoosier Herb