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Soul Care Meditation: Ancestral Lessons from Apothecary Wisdom, A Spring Blessing - Mental Health Awareness Month Edition
- Andrea Angie (GA)
- May 30
- 5 min read
Updated: May 31
For generations, the home apothecary welcomed the wisdom of herbs + spices on shelves lined with jars of dried leaves, fragrant roots, and colorful spices. It was a place of daily soul care + community wellness. Herbs + spices were not only medicine for the body, but also for the spirit, woven into rituals of comfort, celebration, and healing.
With open hands + contemplative hearts, we practice Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah)—reaching back to gather the herbal knowledge + spice traditions that sustained generations. In many cultures, the home apothecary was a place of healing + connection: teas brewed for comfort, poultices made for aches, spices blended for celebration. These practices were acts of care, creativity, and faith, passed down from generation to generation.
Our ancestors understood the art of rhythm: choosing herbs + spices not just for flavor, but for their energetic gifts. In apothecary wisdom, some herbs are warming—fueling our inner fires, supporting circulation, and bringing comfort in times of cold or stagnation. Others are cooling—soothing inflammation, calming the mind, and restoring peace when heat (physical or emotional) rises within us.
Warming herbs—like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper—stimulate digestion, improve circulation, and help us feel cozy + grounded, especially in colder seasons or when we feel sluggish. These herbs are often pungent or spicy, bringing warmth from the inside out.
Cooling herbs—such as mint, lemon balm, chamomile, aloe, and hibiscus—help to calm overheated bodies + minds, ease irritation, and refresh us during times of stress, heat, or inflammation. These herbs are soothing, gentle, and often used in balms, teas, or infusions.
A simple starting point for your ancestral apothecary journey is an aloe plant, which is readily available as a potted plant or as a fresh leaf at your local grocery store or nursery. Aloe is renowned for its exceptional healing properties. My Big Momma always kept a pot of aloe in her kitchen as her primary first aid kit and moisturizer for the family.
Getting Started with Aloe
Place your aloe in a bright, sunny spot—think a south- or west-facing window—where it can soak up plenty of indirect light. Aloe thrives in well-draining soil, such as a cactus or succulent mix, and prefers to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Water thoroughly every two weeks or so, making sure the soil is dry before watering again. Aloe loves warmth + doesn’t need extra humidity, making it perfect for most indoor environments.
Using Aloe Leaves: Internal & External Benefits - To harvest, simply cut an outer leaf close to the base. Slice it open and scoop out the clear gel inside.
External Uses:
Soothe minor burns, sunburn, and skin irritations by applying the gel directly to the affected area.
Use on cuts, scrapes, or dry skin to promote healing and moisturize.
The gel is also helpful for calming rashes, acne, and even psoriasis.
Internal Uses:
Aloe gel can be blended into smoothies or juices in small amounts to support digestion + soothe the gut. (Always use food-grade aloe and consult a healthcare provider before ingesting regularly.)
Aloe is known to promote the growth of new tissue, aiding the body’s natural healing processes both inside and out.
Storage Tips
If you harvest more gel than you need, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer-term use.
Whole leaves can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 10 days.
Keep your potted aloe away from cold drafts and frost.
Aloe’s ability to regenerate + support new growth—both for itself and for you—makes it a beautiful symbol of renewal and ancestral wisdom. By tending an aloe plant at home, you nurture a living connection to the healing traditions that have sustained generations.
Always consult with a knowledgeable herbalist or healthcare provider before using new herbs, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.
A Holy Haiku - Apothecary Wisdom
Mint and cloves in hand
Spices that nourish and heal
Roots, leaves, seeds whisper.
Amen + Asé
This haiku invites us to savor the beauty + blessing of herbs and spices, to remember the hands that tended them before us, and to trust in the gentle medicine they offer.
This is the heart of Sankofa: returning to the gift of the home's apothecary, remembering + reclaiming the practices that ground us in gratitude, nourishment, and healing.
Reflection for Your Journey
SOULjourner,
Which herbs or spices connect you to your family’s heritage?
How might you incorporate herbal rituals—like tea, tinctures, balms, or cooking, into your daily soul care?
In what ways do you experience the sacredness of tending, blending, or sharing herbs and spices?
A Blessing
May the fragrance of herbs and the warmth of spices remind you of the healing wisdom in your lineage.
May your days be seasoned with curiosity, courage, and care,
And may every cup, meal, or bundle you prepare
Be a blessing to your body, spirit, and community.
For May's Mental Health Awareness Month, affirm: "Through empathy, I/we return to our belovedness + reclaim in the spirit of Sankofa, to go back and get it, by the enablement of the Holy Spirit”
A Special Free Gift for You
To deepen your journey into sensory awareness + sensing pleasure, I invite you to download my complimentary PDF guide, Savoring Sensuality with Soul.
This pastoral guide explores the importance of presence, surrender, and gratitude in experiencing life's replete pleasures more fully. It offers pastoral care on how to engage your senses and celebrate your neurology.
Download Your Free PDF Here:
As you explore this resource, remember that your unique journey is a celebration of soulful living. May you find daring shalom + sensual pleasure in every moment.
With soul,
Pastor Angie
SOULjourner, go Deeper on my Autism+ page for more resources.
A Gift Set SOULution
Featuring the botanical-themed Charcuterie Gift Box
Elevate your next collective care gathering with the Melanated Musings Charcuterie Board Gift Box Set.
In the heart of your home or gathering, add flair wherever you dare with a fusion of art, Black culture, and whimsical elegance.
Add a pop to any tabletop for your hors d'oeuvres + desserts.
Let the captivating charm bring a touch of soul to your next soirée (bridal shower, hostess gift, team party, bachelorette party, birthday party, anniversary celebration, or just to feel lavished), as they remind you that sometimes, the most beautiful stories begin with a simple, heartfelt gesture.
What’s Included: Free Gift Wrapping
1 x Choose board shape: Round Charcuterie Board with Groove - 13.5” x 13.5” or Rectangular Charcuterie Board with Groove - 12" x 9"
1 x Choose Board Design: Noir + Leaves or Mocha + Leaves
1 x Tamarind Oh! Sauce, 10.5 oz. Ingredients: Guava, Water, Tamarind Puree, Ginger Juice, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Organic Lemon Juice, Organic Lime Juice. A phenomenal sweet and tangy sauce for veggies, meat, and YES—desserts. Use it on your charcuterie boards to replace jams + jellies.
Or you can BUILD YOUR OWN GIFT SET >>
Until next time,
Gift from your soul.
✧
Deepen Your Soul Care Journey
Beloved SOULjourner, as you continue to nurture your gift-giving practice, discover sustainable gifts designed to embody intentional gift-giving + connection.
Soulful gifting for social change in the soul care boutique. Be inspired to amplify your ARTvocacy through peace + play vibes.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only as I share my pastoral care, my journey, and bring to you valuable research. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing any medical concerns or symptoms, please seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
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