Wild Ideas
Our Seasonal Blog
August 2026​
​As we write to you from the herb garden, it is August 1st, the day of Lughnasadh, the ancient Gaelic harvest festival (known in its Christian form as Lammas), which marks the start of the harvest season. Certainly the weather and the season is shifting here in Northumberland and harvest seems to have come early for many of the local farmers with all the hot, dry weather. We are fortunate that many of our herbs can tolerate and even thrive in the drought and those that have ‘gone over’ early this year can be cut back to produce a second healthy growth.
Product of the month
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This month Katrina would like to showcase our popular natural fragrances:
Amber Patchouli and Lavender Fragrance, and Ylang Ylang Vanilla and Coriander Seed Fragrance
“It has given Ross great delight to develop these and we hope to introduce a third fragrance by next year. Our gorgeous new packaging, with hand-painted images of the plant ingredients makes them an appealing gift for a loved one or a simple treat for yourself.
As more and more people are becoming conscious of what they put on their skin, face, hair, and body, the more they want to use safe and healthy personal care products and this includes perfumes.
Natural fragrances are derived from natural sources and, unlike their conventional commercial counterparts, their chemical structure is not altered or manipulated. Our fragrances contain a blend of herbal resins, gums, oils and other plant extracts.
Natural fragrances are known for having a lighter, more subtle, and more natural scent. This makes them a perfect choice for consumers who have more sensitive noses. It’s also a great choice for anyone who wants to smell good without loudly announcing their presence in the room!
Importantly, they do not contain any of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances which can disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions and skin irritations and are even known carcinogens (e.g. phthalates). Please do be aware, however, that reactions even to natural plant-based extracts can occur, so it is always advisable to patch test any product first.
WE ARE OFFERING 15% OFF BOTH FRAGRANCES TILL END OF AUGUST WITH COUPON CODE FRAGRANCE15
Enjoy 15% off our Fragrances this month with coupon code
FRAGRANCE15
​Herb of the Month
Ross has chosen Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) as our herb for August
"These stunning flowers arrive just as the garden begins to shift from the abundant flowering of high summer to the time when seeds begin to form in all their many shapes and sizes. Maybe echinacea holds back a little so it can be fully enjoyed by bees and humans alike, without too many distractions
We don’t harvest the upper parts of echinacea, it is the root we use for medicine and this isn’t dug till later in the year when the plant dies back, sending all it’s goodness downwards. So we can just enjoy the flowers.
The root of echinacea is an excellent remedy for boosting immune function when we are fighting an infection or when we are surrounded by lots of people who are coughing and sneezing. In my experience it really can shorten a cold or flu or help stave it off all together. As echinacea stimulates immune function it is best used only when needed rather than long term. For people with auto immune conditions or if you have something more than a mild infection, it is always best to consult with a herbalist to check if this herb is appropriate or if other herbs would be more suitable.
We sell echinacea tincture and also include it as one of the ingredients in our immunity tincture and immunity tea (which tastes fabulous as well as helping support our immune function)"
