You know in your heart that plants are magical. Remember, as a child, planting a seed and watching it grow and blossom? It was a tangible metaphor for life, but it hinted at something even deeper. The right plants can help you manifest your dreams and desires. They are living beings with spirit and wisdom; if you open your heart and mind, they can offer you powerful, loving gifts.

The act of creating one of the recipes in this book can be a spiritual practice in itself. Consider incorporating the process into one of your rituals, or simply meditate on a particular plant’s message and power as you add it to your concoction. Do your best to stay in the moment as you work with magical plants, and combine ingredients with respect and intention.

You can also use the products you make to bring a little extra magic into the often-overlooked, too-often-rushed everyday moments of your life. Turn your routines into rituals of their own. For example, if your daily face wash is Lavender Cleanser (shown here), the lavender will infuse you with peace, joy, and a sense of connection (shown here). Focus on them as you apply it, and turn your regular cleaning into true, mindful cleansing.

To use this book, flip through the top pages to find an interesting recipe you’d like to try. Then flip through the bottom pages (denoted with a number inside of a circle) to discover the magical properties of the plants it features as ingredients. And as you get to know both the techniques and the plants you need in your life, feel free to create and adapt the recipes to your preferences.

Make sure that all of the ingredients you select, whether they are home-grown or purchased at your favorite health food store or new age apothecary, are food- grade and/or safe to use topically. Read the labels, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And then, happy creating!