Because there are ALWAYS conversations revolving Mercury, & it’s retrograde, today we’ve compiled details of this planet, it’s most influential herbs, and how to create a couple of remedies to put in your medicine cabinet.

Mercury is the connector, the communicator, and the messenger, representing the bright intelligence and the free flow of nervous energy. Mercury governs both the nervous and respiratory systems and is intrinsically involved in matters of conscious perception and mental - stimulation is a principal element.

Mercury energy is about communication and comprehension—communication by electrical impulse in the brain as well as with the verbal and written word. Mercury energies are those of the orator, writer, computer programmer, and actor. The herbs associated with this Planet are often spices that act to excite the nervous system and the brain through the sense of taste.

Mercurial herbs relieve respiratory difficulty, hoarseness, and headaches caused by stress & facilitate clear thinking, eloquence, and conscious understanding. They aid in business success and excite and vitalize the nervous receptors throughout the body. They help to facilitate quick recovery from illness. They also enable the conscious mind to communicate more easily with the subconscious mind.

The main Mercury remedies are the nervines. These ‘feed’, tone and soothe the nervous system. As an over-active Mercury causes excitement and wind, many Mercury remedies are anti-flatulent carminatives.

For many people, stress focuses in their head. It gets stuck, so to speak, in the mental plane. This is perhaps why stress so often results in headaches and mental disorders. Though hot herbal footbaths feel great anytime, they are especially recommended for headaches and mental stress. They are deeply relaxing, easy to do, and are an excellent way to relieve head tension and stress. This headache/stress treatment takes more time and energy than swallowing an aspirin, but the results will be deeply satisfying and long lasting.

You may, of course, use any combination of relaxing herbs you have at hand. Mustard powder, ginger, sage, and rosemary are all good herbs for foot baths. Quaker Oats are excellent, also, and will do in a pinch. 

Ingredients:

2 parts lavender

1 part hops

1 part sage

1⁄2 part rosemary

A few drops lavender essential oil (optional)

 

Directions:

1. Place the herbs in a large pot and fill with water. Place a lid on tightly and bring to a low simmer. Simmer over low heat for 5–10 minutes. Pour into a large basin, add the lavender essential oil (if using), and adjust the temperature with cold water. Keep the foot bath water very hot. It should be hot enough to be almost uncomfortable but without burning the feet.

2. Make yourself comfortable in the softest, coziest chair you have. Slowly immerse your feet in the water. Cover the basin with a thick towel to keep the heat in. Refill the basin with hot herbal tea as it cools. While you soak, play quiet, relaxing music in the background or listen to the silence. 

This remedy doesn’t HAVE to just be done during a retrograde, it can take place any time the Hour of Mercury is near OR if you need just need a realignment of your nervous system.

See you soon!