Miz Otter

Miz Otter is ready for
Valentine's Day 2/04

"... broke my little bottle of ... love potion number...”

OH! Hello! I either need to quit singing while I work or get a louder bell on that door! I didn’t hear you come in at all. Let me get you some cinnamon tea – very warming on a day like this.

So, you’re looking for some good “love potion” herbs, what with Valentine’s Day coming up, are you? Well, the truth is, the only “love potion” that really works is a soapy shower, a good deodorant, and a toothbrush. There’s nothing like a sweet-smelling, squeaky clean, good listener to charm a potential mate. That’s not to say that herbs can’t help you make the day more romantic, though. Herb-scented candles can help set a mood, herb-infused oils can make for a delirious massage, and there are some herbs you can take to help perk things along a bit. Let me see what I can whip up for you to make the day special.

Let’s start with the candles. Ylang Ylang, vetiver, vanilla, carnation, and rose scents all set a romantic mood. All these herbs are used in aromatherapy to encourage feelings of comfort, togetherness, and tenderness. There’s a reason roses are so popular as a romantic gift for a love, you know. The scent alone puts love on the receiver’s mind! Just make sure you put them in a safe place where somekitty like Puff can’t knock them over. Nothing kills a passionate moment like having to stand in the yard in your red satin undies, in February, waiting for the fire department to show up.

Massage oils are another good idea for creating a moment. You’ll want to use a light oil as a base so it absorbs well. Something like grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil works very well. They absorb thoroughly, leaving the skin soft, but not slimy, and carrying into the skin whatever scented oil you add. They can be a bit pricy, but then, a little goes a long way. Try mixing a little rose oil into some sweet almond oil for a divine neck and shoulder massage. To warm and relax back muscles, add equal parts cinnamon oil and patchouli oil to some jojoba, warm it slightly, then gently work it into those tense muscles. One thing you do want to remember is to never use any essential oils on, how shall I put this? “Sensitive” areas. Most essential oils are powerful and concentrated and can cause burning, irritation and sometimes rashes, although they are safe on most external skin surfaces.

If your love is a female, you may want to serve a cup of Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis) tea with dinner. It acts like a mild estrogen enhancement and may help augment a romantic frame of mind. Ginseng is also good for a mate of either sex, as it increases blood circulation and alertness. Don’t forget that old standby, chocolate, either! It’s made from cocoa beans and therefore counts as an herb. It raises serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain, making you feel good all over. If your honey is a he, serve some velvet beans or fava beans with dinner. They contain L-dopa, a compound that helps turn a man’s mind to amore. Ladies should also remember that scientific studies have shown that, for some reason, the smell of cinnamon makes a man warm. So, bake him some cinnamon buns for desert or just dust a little cinnamon behind your ears like cologne.

Well, here’s your goody bag. Don’t forget to pick up some chocolates on the way home, and you have a happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy and be safe, and if you need anything else, I’ll be here.

Bless you!

Did you miss my article on Cold and Flu Remedies?
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Editorial Note: These articles are meant to increase knowledge of the use of plants in treating various conditions. They are not intended to, nor can they, replace the advice and treatment of a licensed medical provider. A licensed practitioner of medicine should always be consulted for an accurate diagnosis and for supervision of the use of any herbal treatment. Pug Manor urges all visitors to seek the best medical advice available to receive the best, most informed treatment. Pug Manor is not responsible for any unsupervised use of any herb or alternative treatment for any condition by any visitor to our site.

Miz Otter, as she is known to the inhabitants of the small forest village she serves, was born in a riverbank burrow as Evangelina Otter quite a few years ago (she refuses to specify exactly HOW many, only that it was “oh, a little before that flood.”). She has never liked her full name and as a young otter miss was known as Evy. It’s a nickname that she carried into adulthood, though these days, it’s used only by a few close friends. To most of the village, she is simply “Miz Otter.” She was married, after a properly lengthy courtship, to Franklin Otter, a fisher otter respected in the village for his honesty and kindness. Sadly, Mr. Otter was lost to her in an unfortunate fishing accident several years ago. She prefers not to discuss it, as it still brings a tear after all this time. They had one kit, Arthur, who now lives with his own wife and kits in a pond on the other side of the woods.

She is beloved by her friends and neighbors, but also just a little feared. Her paws are gentle with every ill or injured creature and she will spare nothing if she can help. At the same time, if her treatments are not followed or her advice ignored, her tongue can be as sharp as her claws. She rarely becomes annoyed, but anyone who has been on the receiving end of a lecture rarely forgets the experience, and she never snips at little ones, only, in her words, “them what are old enough to know better.” Even those villagers who have had their ears burned still respect her and would be a little lost, without her comforting presence in her little house, by the river on the edge of the village.

Editor's Note: If you'd like to drop Miz Otter a line with questions or comments, you can find her at MizOtter@aol.com. When Puff lets her use the computer, that is. ;)

Kyla, aka Miz Otter, has been an herbalist for a dozen years now. Born in Indiana “some time ago,” she has a BS in Journalism from Butler University. When not playing among the plants, she can be found in Ohio, writing and editing for a national credit card bank, and playing with her three dogs, four cats, two parakeets and Lifemate. She is also an involved member of Ohio Pug Rescue and assists with transports and fundraisers.