ROBERTA HORSMAN: medicinal herbs
“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease”
With our skin being our largest organ, what we put on it will naturally be absorbed into our body, and therefore have an impact on our overall wellness. Increased awareness and understanding of this dynamic has led to an explosion of “natural” products on the market. In my personal search for the most natural products for my family, I discovered Roberta’s Herbs – a small herbal company owned and operated solely by Roberta Horsman. Roberta makes a skincare and pain care line as well as flower and gemstone essences with simple ingredients found in nature.
Before we meet Roberta, let’s look into why it is important to use “clean” skincare.
According to the Environment Working Group, the average woman uses 12 skincare products every day, which can add up to 168 different chemicals. Some of these chemicals are designed to penetrate our skin. You may not even realize these chemicals are in your skincare because they are a component of the “fragrance” ingredient on the label. Companies do not have to list every ingredient because it is considered a “trade secret.” The term “fragrance” or “parfum” are actually a collection of scent chemicals. These ingredients “…have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system” (source).
In addition, common claims made by skincare companies such as natural or hypoallergenic are actually meaningless and have no medical basis or meaning. Surprisingly, even the term, organic, can be misleading, as many of these brands contain petrochemicals, which means they are derived from petroleum (source).
Petroleum was originally discovered coating the bottom of oil rigs in the mid 1800s. Some petroleum products in the US are not fully refined and therefore may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which has been linked to cancer (source). In addition, while petroleum jelly may give an immediate sensation of moisturizing your skin, it is having the opposite effect by creating a protective seal. This seal prevents moisture or air from penetrating the skin.
Other common chemicals in skincare products are phalates and parabens. Phalates are industrial plasticizers that help skincare products moisturize your skin and help the ingredients mix smoothly. They are readily absorbed into our skin and have been linked to many issues including fertility and cancers. Although phalates are considered a hazardous waste, they are not regulated by the FDA for skincare (source). Parabens are preservatives used in skincare products which are readily absorbed into the skin. Studies have shown that parabens can trigger allergic reactions in individuals (source). In addition, they have been found to mimic estrogen in your body and are therefore are linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
For centuries people have had to use what was available to them in their backyard to heal and treat illness.
[a picture of Roberta's medicinal root harvest]
Medicinal Herbs
Roberta uses a variety of medicinal herbs in her products and each herb has special healing properties when used topically or taken internally. For centuries people have had to use what was available to them in their backyard to heal and treat illness. Simple herbs that naturally grow in your yard, or you purposefully grow in your garden such as lavender, mint and basil, all have a place in natural healing – treating the whole person.
For more information on how to grow and use these herbs medicinally, read Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, by Rosemary Gladstar. Roberta also offers classes and a seven-month herbal apprenticeship program where she shares how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use herbs medicinally.
Calendula: Calendula is known for being both an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory. It is a very gentle yet powerful herb which heals almost any skin condition including sores, skin ulcers, skin infections, rashes, bug bites, and more. It is gentle enough to use on a baby’s skin, and powerful enough to address adult eczema.
Comfrey: Comfrey is cooling, soothing, and re-generates skin cells. It is excellent in skin care formulas to enhance the healing process.
Marshmallow: Marshmallow is used topically for moisturizing dry skin and can be added to a bath to sooth itchy, dry skin and reduce inflammation. It is also wonderful in salves and creams.
St. John’s Wort: St. John’s Wort has anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Roberta uses St. John’s Wort externally to treat nerve pain such as sciatica, back spasms, and tension neck aches.
Arnica: Arnica used externally is very effective for treating bruises, sprains, and physical trauma (anytime you over exert your body). It is most affective if used soon after an injury.
Valerian: People mostly think of using valerian internally for insomnia, but Roberta uses valerian in the pain formula, “Russ’s Rugged Rub.” It may be made into an oil and a salve for the purpose of relieving muscle pain.
Flower, Plant, Gem stone, and Crystal Essences:
In addition to her skincare and pain care line, Roberta makes and sells flower and gemstone essences in the form of Energy Mists. Certain flowers, plants, crystals and gemstones are thought to have healing powers. When these items are placed in water for a certain period of time, the water retains their energy and healing power – which is then called the essence.
Flower and plant essences began in the 1930s when Edward Bach who was a well-respected surgeon and bacteriologist began to study the healing power of plants. He believed in a more holistic view of medicine – that an individual’s emotions and mental states could cause disease. He began to research thousands of plants and flowers – connecting each one with a different emotional state. He went on to create the Bach Flower Remedies. “He found that when he treated the personalities and feelings of his patients their unhappiness and physical distress would be alleviated naturally as the healing potential in their bodies was unblocked and allowed to work once more” (source). Effectively, in the right emotional state, the body would eventually heal itself. Gem stone and crystal essences are similar to flower and plant essences. “Gem Essences work to stabilize and balance your energy field, chakras and energy centers within your body” (source).
Dr. Christine Northrop writes, “The positive changes that can occur from using flower essences include feeling more confident and creative, experiencing more joy, being more forgiving, forging better relationships, having more clarity and focus, and even cultivating a deeper connection to your Higher Self” (source).
"I cultivated the land from grass to garden. The more I gardened, the more I began to have a relationship with nature and the plants."
INTERVIEW WITH ROBERTA HORSMAN, OWNER: ROBERTA’S HERBS
How did you become interested in growing herbs?
Roberta: I have been interested in gardening since a young age. I used to play in my grandmother’s beautiful gardens and I loved to make cosmetics from my mother’s perfumes. I began my herbal business in 1989, before medicinal herbs and natural skincare had really exploded in the marketplace. At this time, decorative herbs were the trend, so I ordered herbs from California and started making sachets, trivets, and potpourri. I also planted my first herb garden in a 10’X10’ plot in my backyard. This expanded to an acre of gardens over the next 10 years.
As I was starting my herbal business, Rosemary Gladstar moved to Vermont to open her Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center. I was very inspired by Rosemary and I signed up for her all-day class on using medicinal herbs. At the time, I was trying to make creams but was having a difficult time finding the correct formula. I absolutely loved the class and I left that day with a formula for cream, which is the formula I still use for some of my products.
In 1991, I attended The International Herb Symposium that Rosemary runs. It was held at a 4H Camp in Ashland, MA, now held at Wheaton College, and attended by hundreds of people, with teachers from all over the world. At this point, I knew this was what I was meant to do. In 1996 I went to Vermont to take Rosemary’s 7 month-long course and that was when I really began to create and sell my own medicinal herbal products. I felt like I found my home and my people.
The books and references I use are from the original herbalists. Now, the market is saturated with herbal books. It really helps to know the original authors because they are speaking from experience and training – you can trust their information and recipes. Truthfully once you get a few good recipes and have some experience, the books become simply a reference. After many years, I now work more intuitively when creating products.
How did you begin to develop your product line?
Roberta: Even as recently as five years ago, there were very few herbal product companies in Massachusetts that used plant-based ingredients. Since then, the movement has really exploded. Many small companies simply use an oil – such as almond oil – and add essential oils to it to make a product. They didn’t grow and use the whole plant in making their oils as I do. I started growing my plants on an acre of land in Ipswich, MA. I cultivated the land from grass to garden. The more I gardened, the more I began to have a relationship with nature and the plants.
I have since moved from Ipswich to my current home inland where I continue to grow some of my own plants, but because the conditions of the soil are not conducive to certain plants and flowers, I have to buy some from local, trusted farmers. At this point in my career, I learn more from gardening and using the plants I grow, then from books and classes.
I have two topical products: skincare and pain care. I currently grow calendula, St. John’s Wort, comfrey root, marshmallow, and valerian root. I used to grow my own arnica but the current conditions in my garden are not right. I use only organic infused essential oils and I develop my recipes by listening to people and how they respond to my products. For instance, Russ’s Rugged Rub was made for a friend with shoulder pain. I mixed valerian root oil for muscle pain, arnica oil for trauma, St. John Wort oil for nerve pain, and added warming essential oils. I constantly hear from consumers the varying skin and pain issues my products can help. I have heard that Russ’s Rugged Rub can be used for arthritis and fibromyalgia pain.
Simple herbs that naturally grow in your yard, or you purposefully grow in your garden, such as lavender, mint and basil, all have a place in natural healing – treating the whole person.
[Roberta making arnica oil]
How do you make your creams and oils?
Roberta: I start with the oils. I fill a gallon container with extra-virgin olive oil, add fresh flowers, and place it in the sun all day – bringing it inside at night. Every day, I shake the jug and add more calendula flowers until it is about half full of flowers. After 3 weeks of this process, I strain it – this oil can last up to 5 years.
I also make arnica and St. John’s wort oil the same way. The oils are used to make the creams – by adding water; and salves and lip balms – by adding beeswax .
Can you tell us about your energy mists?
Roberta: My mists are made with flower essences and gemstone elixirs for vibrational healing. I make these essences by taking a flower, rock, or crystal, placing it in distilled water, and then leaving it in the sun or the moonlight for a particular period of time. When I take the flower or gemstone out of the water, the water now contains their energy. Essential oils are added to the mists to enhance their healing properties. Working with crystals and stones was a natural progression for me. I studied with David Dalton to learn about flower essences.
Every energy mist is created with its own spiritual properties. Every ingredient has meaning. For instance, Obsidian Mist is a mixture of:
- Rose essential oil, which is a support for your heart – it has calming, soothing and cooling properties.
- Oak moss essential oil, musky for emotional support
- Vetiver Root oil, which grows 20 feet deep in the soil – this is for grounding
- Rainbow Obsidian Stone for emotional support
- Apache Tears Stone for grief
- Dioptase Stone for breaking old contracts you may have made in your life that no longer serve you
Each mist has a personal meaning to the user – they may work as a reminder of what our body needs at that time.
"Use the mist when you feel like you need that particular support - they can help you to be aware of the energy centers in your body."
How and when do you use the energy mists?
Roberta: I tell people to close your eyes, breathe and get settled. When you open your eyes, randomly point to a bottle. Don’t read the ingredients or the names. This eliminates people’s thoughts and relies on their intuition. People are usually blown away by what they choose.
When you use the mist, simply spray it over your head to balance your energy field. Use the mist when you feel like you need that particular support – they can help you to be aware of the energy centers in your body. For instance, Wounded Warrior is a mist that gives support for people grappling with deep emotional issues. Awakening Heart is gentle but powerful, softly supporting you by opening your heart chakra.
Can you tell us about your Herbal Apprenticeship Program?
Roberta: I offer a yearly apprenticeship program for people interested in learning about medicinal plants for healing purposes. During this 7-month program, students learn how to identify, use, and prepare them. By the end of the program, you will have created your own herbal product line!
[Medicinal herbs growing in Roberta's garden]
Any last thoughts for our readers on how to incorporate herbs into their lives?
Roberta: It is so easy to grow a wild garden in your yard. Many herbs may also be grown in pots. Go to a garden center and pick the herbs that speak to you. Experiment! Grow them, harvest them, dry them for the winter, make your own teas and oils. Think of weeding as a meditation, not just something to get done and your whole experience will shift! Sit in the dirt!
Thank you, Roberta for sharing your passion with us! If you are interested buying her products, she currently sells them on her website:
and at these stores:
Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Concord MA
The Natural Grocer, Newburyport, MA
Hampton Natural Foods, Hampton, NH
Portsmouth Health Food, Portsmouth, NH