Abbye Churchill

Abbye is a writer, artist, herbalist, and co-author of the recently published, A Wilder Life (Artisan, 2016). Her handmade skincare line, Twin Tides, will launch summer 2016. She lives in Chicago.
    An Illustrated History of Cocktails in the South
    It could be argued that the history of America is inexorably linked to the history of drinking. After all, legend has it that the real reason the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock was because they ran out of beer; they dropped anchor at first sight of land in order to, ahem, rectify the situation. Flash forward a few years, and our nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, used the country’s affinity for alcohol to pay back the debt owed from the Civil War.
    Abbye Churchill
    May 11, 2016
    A Homemade Salve for Baby Bums
    When it comes to common problems that can be addressed with homemade and herbal remedies for mama and baby, we couldn’t forget about this one: the fearsome diaper rash. Baby bums call for special care, and this salve uses wholesome ingredients for a gentle result. Imagine the adult version of diaper rash. Imagine how uncomfortable you might be if you had to walk around with a rash in your nether regions, and didn’t have the cognitive ability to understand what was going on.
    Abbye Churchill
    Apr 8, 2016
    A Fragrant, Calming Aromatherapy Mist for a New Mama
    If you’re going to make one gift for that friend who just welcomed her new bundle of joy into the world, make it this one. This aromatherapy spray is incredibly effective, and it is a snap to make — perfect for those who are just beginning their introduction to herbalism, or who have never made a thing! This is a fragrant mist for home spaces and linens, made with traditional scents of peacefulness and calm.
    Abbye Churchill
    Apr 7, 2016
    A Soothing Balm for Nursing Moms
    Breastfeeding can be one of the most challenging (yet rewarding!) aspects of new motherhood. I knew that one of the projects we needed to offer in DIY Mama, The Kitchn’s spring series of little luxuries for mama and baby, was a balm for the nursing mother — one made with olive oil, cocoa butter, and other good ingredients familiar to the home cook. The nipple takes a beating with breastfeeding. Meeting the demands of a little one can leave a new mama a little worse for wear.
    Abbye Churchill
    Apr 6, 2016
    Mothers’ Milk Tea for Nursing Mamas
    Feeding is often one of the most stressful parts of new motherhood. Being able to easily nourish your newborn is essential to the physical health of your new babe, and to your own mental sanity as you enter into life together with your baby. We knew that as part of DIY Mama (our month of homemade luxuries for mama and baby) we needed a homemade version of the Mothers’ Milk tea that many new moms love to sip for relaxation and to encourage a sustained milk supply.
    Abbye Churchill
    Apr 5, 2016
    An Easy Recipe for Homemade Herbal Baby Powder
    Caring for a newborn is one of life’s ultimate challenges. There are the hurdles we all know (but parents never complain about, right?) — the sleepless nights, learning your baby’s needs without the helpful use of language. Another is the challenge of finding really high-quality products to treat your baby’s tender skin. If you can’t find products that you love, why not make them?
    Abbye Churchill
    Apr 4, 2016
    The Most Psychedelic Way to Grow Plants Indoors
    When we first moved into our condo in Chicago, we loved everything about it — everything except the natural light. We were actually lucky to have good-sized windows that, in theory at least, would flood the living room with bright sunlight. But living in a city combined with the shorter daylight hours in Chicago’s winter meant fewer hours of sunlight for us — and our indoor plants.
    Abbye Churchill
    Mar 18, 2016
    4 No-Fail Indoor Herbs (and How to Grow Them)
    Perhaps you’ve had the same dream as I have: Outside, there’s snow on the ground and a windchill of negative it-doesn’t-even-matter-anymore, but inside the kitchen is redolent with the scent of fresh aromatics from your home garden. Bright, peppery basil is perched on the windowsill, while lavender wafts from its planter. Juicy, ripe tomatoes hang languidly from the vine on the counter, and the citrus tree has just bloomed. Oh, if only that were true.
    Abbye Churchill
    Mar 17, 2016
    The Top 5 Kitchen Scraps to Turn into Plants
    Here’s the truth: Not all plants are created equal. Some actually are more flavorful, more robust, and more delicious than others. And so instead of tossing the scraps from that amazing piece of garlic, mind-blowing potato, or ideal onion, why not get the most bang for your buck and use its winning genes to create a new plant? It may sound like mad science, but in fact, it couldn’t be simpler. In most cases all you need is a glass jar or bowl, some water, and some patience.
    Abbye Churchill
    Mar 15, 2016
    7 Houseplants That Clean Your Air
    We all know the basic premise: Plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, creating healthy, breathable air outdoors and in. What may be less known is plants’ capacity to eliminate air pollution from our indoor living spaces. Even just the addition of one of these easy-to-care-for plants will help keep your indoor air sparkling clean — especially in the winter when windows stay shuttered in many parts of the country.
    Abbye Churchill
    Mar 14, 2016