“The most prompt of all poisons.”
-Pliny the Elder, in Natural History.
Aconitum lycoctonum (spp), aka wolfsbane, is known simply as the Queen of Poisons, and rightfully so. Throughout history the mythology surrounding this plant is characterized by themes of death, rebirth and transformation through sorcery or shapeshifting. It has deep associations to Hekate, Circe, Medea, and The Underworld. One of its origin stories centers around Cerberus, the fearsome triple-headed hound that guards the entrance to the Underworld. Hercules dragged the monster up from the Underworld, and in response to seeing daylight for the first time ever, the dog promptly began foaming at the mouth. From its toxic drool sprouted the deadly aconite plant. The plant's deep purple hoods now lurk in modern gardens holding lethal secrets.
Aconite's common moniker "wolfsbane" ostensibly originates from its use by Anglo-Saxons wolf hunters to tip their arrows with the plant's poison. During the Viking era, Viking "berserker" warriors were said to have consumed wolfsbane to trigger their legendary battle trances making them essentially invincible. The battle-frenzied warriors, draped in wolf skins, would howl and bellow, bite and growl, and even foam at the mouth; their enemies believed that the men actually transformed into werewolves. The plant retained its common name into the Middle Ages, where wolves and werewolves were a genuine fear in Europe. Some folks believed that having contact with wolfsbane on a full moon could actually cause shape-shifting; while others grew the plant in their gardens to protect against werewolves as superstition held that it could repel and possibly even tame a werewolf. In modern day fiction wolfsbane is used in nearly every werewolf story. In the Harry Potter wizarding world, wolfsbane potion was used to treat lycanthropy – that is, turning into a werewolf. Professor Lupin took wolfsbane potion during a full moon. Fun folklore aside, this plant is deadly and should be respected as such.
Our Wolfsbane aromatic blend is the atmospheric essence of late October. The leaves have fallen and the ground is now a thick and crunchy carpet - a mosaic of tarnished gold, amber and rust colors, the air is sharp and cool, the forest is hauntingly bare - the tree trunks sketching silhouettes against the pale sky. Pines, hemlocks, and spruces stand out vividly, their deep greens appearing sharper against the surrounding decay. A bright, citrus-spiced opening evokes the crispness of an autumn morning. A heart of tart, juicy cranberry and blackcurrant offers a jammy depth that sticks to you like a tangle of brambles. Crisp pine needle and cured cedarwood finish with a grounded, velvety, and luxurious forest anchor. It evokes the free and untamable strength of the sacred wild woods....and the creatures that lurk within. Awoooo!
Our Smoothing Body Silk is a dreamy concoction with a fluffy, mousse-like texture. Rich and luxurious with serious moisturizing power, it absorbs effortlessly with no greasy residue. Made with premium plant-based butters and oils and powerful botanical extracts for the ultimate moisturizing experience.
Ingredient Spotlight:
Cupaucu butter - one of nature’s most powerful, antioxidant-rich moisturizers
Baobab seed oil - The baobab tree is indigineous to eastern and southern Africa and is known for its incredible life span, with some trees living for 6,000+ years. The oil has significant moisturizing properties.
Meadowfoam seed oil - an herbaceous wildflower native to the waterways of the Pacific NW, the oil derived from this common "weed" boasts an extremely high concentration of unique long-chain fatty acids that make it a powerful emollient, capable of locking in moisture. Its velvety texture and ability to balance sebum make it a highly esteemed skincare plant ally.
Olive Squalane - because our bodies produce this substance naturally, and because its molecular structure is so similar to the skin's own, squalane oil delivers superior skin hydration.
Usage: Apply generously all over body and enjoy the richly moisturizing experience!
This listing for one 5.5oz pump bottle.
Ingredients: Distilled water, Aloe vera juice, Meadowfoam seed oil, Cupaucu butter, Cocoa butter, Baobab seed oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol & Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic acid, Olive squalane, Behenyl Alcohol & Glyceryl Behenate & Lecithin, Isopropyl myristate, Diazolidinyl urea & Idopropynyl butylcarbomate & Propylene Glycol (preservative), Fragrance, Vegetable collagen, Calendula extract in Sunflower oil, Rosemary leaf extract, Chamomile flower extract, Aloe vera leaf extract, Sugar cane extract, Lemon fruit extract, Apple fruit extract & Green tea extract & Mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E)
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.