The Herbal Legacy: WILLOW BARK

How WILLOW BARK works:  

Willow bark has a natural content of salicylic acid, which removes old and dead skin cells from your face and body; it helps your body make way for new and fresh skin cells.  Willow bark also offers anti-inflammatory properties, helping your body relieve swelling and sensitivity.   Willow bark helps your body improve the following skin conditions: dry, dull or lacking moisture. 

WILLOW BARK Native Roots:

• Native Americans used several varieties of the willow; they wove baskets with willow, used willow for pain and reducing fever. 

• The white willow bark was chewed by Native Americans to reduce fevers and relieve headache, white willow bark contains tannins, which are actually good for the digestion.

• The framework of the vapor-bath or sweat-lodge of the Native Americans was made of willow poles, bent and tied with their bark.

• For some Native Americans the willow was mystically connected with the departure of the spirit from the body at death; willow twigs had certain uses in funeral rites.

A Native American Herbal Legacy:

 

Long ago, before medical technology was available, pioneer doctors relied on Native American knowledge of nature to treat illness. Our ancestors freely shared their healing knowledge of plants, roots and berries with early settlers. In fact, Native American herbal treatments were so effective; many have been refined into present day medicine for your health and wellness.  

WILLOW BARK is a Native American legacy herb that is widely used today for your health benefit.  You will find willow bark extract in Sister Sky's White Willow: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner. We hope you found this post an insightful blend of education and history.

Wishing you wellness.  -The Sisters of Sister Sky

 

For Real Sisters?

ARE THEY REALLY SISTERS?

Yes.  We really are (for 100% sure) true sisters.  We grew-up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, attended elementary and high school at a near by school district - a few miles off the reservation.  Upon graduation (not the same year of course) we each attended University.  Completed college degrees and returned back to our Spokane Tribal historical grounds - which is the City of Spokane, Washington.

Our Beloved Mother:

Our mother comes from the First Nations Pauquachin Band, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  From which our lineage on her side hails from a long line of highly respected Tribal Chiefs and Women of Medicine, who carried the wisdom of plants, flowers and roots, which they used to aid in helping the ill become well.  Although we did not grow-up on our mother's First Nations Reserve, each summer we would cross-the-big-water to spend time with our most beloved family from Pauquachin.  Our mother moved back to her home (literally the home she grew up in) to aide her aging mother.  Our mother still resides at Pauquachin.   

Our Beloved Father:

Our father comes from the (Spa-Keen) Spokane Tribe, Washington, State.  From which our lineage on his side hails from a long line of highly respected Men of Medicine and Spiritual Songs.  Also from his side of our family comes resourceful entrepreneurs; individuals who thought of creative ways to make-ends-meet and individuals who were able to "move-in-both-worlds" by leaving the reservation to acquire paying jobs while simultaneously staying very much connected and proud of lineage, tradition and heritage.  The land which our father lives (which we grew up) is land his mother (and her four sisters) timber cleared with two-man saws. 

As Sisters:
We consider ourselves BLESSED to have each other during our journeys in life.  We pray daily the Creator help us be the best people we can be, with the intention of being giving, humble, positive people who are capable of "being a blessing to others". 

During our life journey (together ) we have experienced many varied seasons.   Some seasons filled with bright warm comforting sunshine - complete with birds singing beautiful songs and rainbows glowing over head, some of our seasons have been filled with blistering cold and uneasy darkness with no sounds of comfort for the ears, only the deafening silence of uncertainty. 

Thru our life seasons, we continue to CHOOSE and HONOR the Creators sacred gift of sisterhood, we choose to "stick-together", my silly sis always likes to call us "Thelma & Louise", which every time she says it, I laugh really big!  Definition of Sister: A girl or woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others.   Yup.  That's us.   
 

WHO IS SISTER SKY? 

A Native American owned company commited to creating products which embrace the beauty of indigeonous cultures for the purpose of sharing herbal wisdom. 

 

www.sistersky.com

 

 

Embrace Sisterhood Today!  ~ Marina

Indian Hyacinth

Lewis and Clark wrote elegantly about the Blue Camas Flower

The beautiful - Blue Camas

on their return journey home, as they camp at Weippe Prairie, Idaho, on Jim Ford Creek near the Clearwater River, Idaho.


See quote below from William Clark, circa 1806.  






"... the quawmash is now in blume at a Short distance it resemhles a lake of fine clear water, So complete is this deseption that on first Sight I could have Sworn it was water. ..."
[Clark, June 12, 1806, at Weippe Prairie, Idaho]


 

Sister Sky Indian Hyacinth honoring Blue Camas

 

Enjoy Sister Sky Indian Hyacinth products with 25 % discount on all products in the month of February. 

"The Indian Hyacinth is a crisp bright fragrance that reminds us Spring is just around the corner!"   - Marina

8 Winter Skin Care Tips

As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out, It doesn't matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry!

1. No Need for High End Product

Inexpensive products work just as well as high-end ones, says David Voron, MD, a dermatologist in Arcadia, Calif. "In fact, the extra price you pay for the expensive stuff is often just for packaging and marketing. What's most important is how your skin responds to the product -- and how you like its feel, not how much money you paid for it."

2. Moisturize More

Find a moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture.  Choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

3. Give Your Hands a Hand

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.

4. Avoid Wet Gloves and Socks

Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of eczema.

5. Hook Up the Humidifier

Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.

6. Hydrate for Your Health, Not for Your Skin

Water is good for your overall health.  Water helps your entire body maintain proper hydration - which is the opposite of dehydration (dry skin).  Hot herbal tea is an option to choose during the cold winter months.

7. Grease Up Your Feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain natural oil or glycerine, and use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

8. Ban Superhot Baths

Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. A lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve skin that is so dry it has become itchy.

Happy Hydrated Holidays!  - Marina

Source: WebMD

Sister Sky: White Willow Lotion For Healthy Skin

For Thousands of Years:
Use of willow bark dates back thousands of years for Native Americans, also with the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in North America, China, Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain, headache and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis.  

Natural Pain Reliver: The bark of white willow contains salicin, which is a natural chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is thought to be responsible for the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb. In fact, in the 1800s, salicin was used to develop aspirin. However, studies have identified several other components of willow bark that have antioxidant, fever reducing, antiseptic, and immune boosting properties.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory: As an anti-inflammatory: white willow bark has been used to relieve the painful inflammation and joint pain of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, neuralgia, osteoarthritis, osteroporitic and lower back pain and the inflammatory stages of autoimmune diseases. It may also be an effective alternative for people who cannot tolerate non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.

For Healthy Skin: Used externally, white willow bark's antiseptic properties extend to its help in treating cuts, burns, wounds, sores, sweaty feet, dandruff and as a mouthwash to ease tonsillitis, sore mouth and sore gums. 
Used topically: white willow bark contains Tannins which is a natural astringent and is traditionally used topically to treat wet or oozing skin conditions such as poison ivy and eczema.

 
**Information: University of Maryland Medical Center.

"I love the fragrance of Sister Sky White Willow Skin & Hair care products! I have 2 year old twins and I wash my hands constantly which makes my hands dry and irritated. White Willow lotion smells wonderful and softens my very dry hands. Thanks Sister Sky!". - Sheila T.

 Enjoy the Summer Fun with healthy soft skin.  Try Sister Sky White Willow Lotion TODAY!

- Marina

EEEWW! Mosquitoes! Reprieve in Sister Sky Cedar Citrus Products!

Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus Products assist as a natural repellent to those blood seeking insects!  Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun, try our cedar/citrus products today! 

Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you: 1) are using a repellent 2) aren't attracting the pesky insects and 3) avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent. 

A Few Mosquito Attractants: 

• Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.
• In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
• Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.

Natural Repellents:

Natural products will aide in repelling mosquitoes but they require frequent reapplication (at least every 1 hour) and higher concentrations than DEET.  Products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient.  

Cedar Oil                      Lemon Eucalyptus Oil 

Cinnamon Oil                Castor Oil

Rosemary Oil                 Lemongrass Oil

Citronella Oil                 Peppermint Oil

Clove Oil                       Geranium Oil

 **Put several drops of the oil(s) in with distilled water place in a glass spray bottle, shake and spray away! The 1 or 2 ounce spray bottles are perfect for personal use! 

Things that Lower Repellent Effectiveness:

·                     Many Sunscreens

·                     Dilution from Rain, Perspiration, or Swimming

·                     Absorption into the Skin

·                     Evaporation from Wind or High Temperatures

Many people are sensitive to plant oils. Therefore, although natural repellents provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals, please remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

Use as an additional NATURAL REPELLENT to aide in keeping those pesky blood seeking insects away: Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus products offered in: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

Enjoy the Summer Fun! 

- Marina