Stank Face and the Power of Emotional Bitters

You know stank face.

The look you pull when you don’t like something or someone. The face you make when you’re feeling irritated and aggravated. Or your expression when someone is dancing on your last nerve.

We've all been there and maybe you've already made a stank face or two today. That's why I'm sharing with you my recipe for emotional bitters to detox the stank and reconnect with compassion for yourself and others.

Stank Face is an excellent elixir for those who work in cubicles, those who work with angsty teenagers or are angsty teenagers, people who purposely read blogs or consume media that they know will irritate the heck out of them, community organizers, those folks who have ever found themselves snarling, and anyone with a face.

So what clears up a bad case of stank?

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis): Lavender says chill out, everything will be ok. Here have an emotional massage and a love cookie.

Rose (Rosa damascena): Rose reminds you that you are a prism of love. An irritated, tired, but ultimately awesome and able to shift your mood for the better prism of bad-ass love.

Vine Flower Essence: Vine says bend and sway. Learning the skill of emotional flexibility and connectivity is the gift of Vine.

Holly Flower Essence: Holly tells us to let it go. Really, emotions like jealousy, rage, envy, and hatred don't serve us in the long run. Holly reminds us to love.

Rhodochrosite Gem Essence: Rhodochrosite tells us to gaze within. Our irritation and frustration with the "other" and those things that we perceive to be happening around us or to us can act as a mirror to underlying emotional wounds and unmet needs that we carry. Rhodochrosite helps us to use challenging emotions as a mirror to gain greater clarity into previous experiences that still affect us today and how we might move that energy in more useful and beneficial ways. Then again, sometimes we just need a hug. Rhodochrosite can give us a good supportive squeeze.

Stank Face has a taste that is sweet with an edge of bitter to detox tension, irritation, and eye-rolling. Stank Face requires a tincture and glycerite be made which you can learn about on our Plant Ally Project: 30 Day Challenge page. Alternatively, you can always purchase the following extract and glycerite from your local herb resource and simply mix them together.

Begin by making your own Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) alcohol extract (if you are alcohol-free you can make a Lavender glycerite instead).  You will also need to create a Rose (Rosa damascena) glycerite. Find directions on how to create a simple folk extraction on our  Plant Ally Project: 30 Day Challenge page.

Once your extracts have brewed, combine them as such:

• 3 parts Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) alcohol extract
• 1/2 part Rose (Rosa damascena) glycerite

Then add the following essences:

• 5 drops Rhodochrosite Gem Essence
  • Alternatively, you can use the easier to find Rose Quartz essence OR Rose Flower Essence if you cannot find or make your own Rhodochrosite Gem Essence.
• 1 drop Vine Flower Essence
• 1 drop Holly Flower Essence

Stank Face is already naturally sweet with the Rose glycerite, but you can add some local raw honey or maple syrup to your blend if you want it a little sweeter. I typically add 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of sweetness to every 1 ounce of brew.

Keep in a cool, dark place - it'll probably be to the left of where you keep your snarky thoughts. Your elixir will last the longest if stored in the refrigerator. The remedy is best enjoyed within 2 years, but will last for many more years if stored properly.

Recommended Uses

• Take 1 - 3 drops as needed, either directly under the tongue or in a glass of water, juice, tea, or other liquid beverage.
• Add drops to your water bottle.
• Use before bed, meditation, working out, or anytime to release tension.
• Rub into pulse points.
• Add a few drops to a bath.
• Add to a spray bottle and use as a room spray. Do not spray others with it out of irritation. Spray yourself first, friend.
• Add a few drops to spell bundles and ritual amulets to charge them with extra potency!

Enjoy the stank-free days ahead and let me know your experiences with the recipe, including ways you adapted it to your unique needs, in the comments below!