BLACK CAT Brooms & Apothacary

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

Looking for a natural solution to relieve painful coughing and sore throats? Bronchia Calm is a gentle and effective herbal syrup that's perfect for families in need of a powerful approach to respiratory wellness. The formula includes organic catnip, wild cherry bark, mullein leaf, and honey, which work together to provide relaxation and calm throughout the night.

Bronchia Calm is ideal for those who suffer from chronic coughs, have difficulty sleeping due to respiratory issues, or are struggling to get past a lingering cough. This syrup is made with ethically harvested wild cherry bark, which has cough-suppressing, mild sedative, and bronchial drying effects. Mullein leaf helps to ease symptoms of bronchitis, while organic catnip promotes relaxation and promotes sleep. Raw honey, a natural preservative, boosts the immune system and coats and soothes sore throats.

Why choose my formula? My unique formula contains traditional herbs known for their ability to relieve chest coughing and nasal drip coughing. My handmade approach and local twist ensure that our traditional recipes are formulated to provide safe and effective outcomes. Catnip is safe for all ages and has been shown to relax spasms and promote sleep. My herbal approach is based on a blend of tradition and scientific research, making my products both effective and safe. Bronchia Calm is kid-friendly
Ingredients
Wild Cherry Bark
Mullein
Cat nip
Elderberry
Flavored with black cherry
Bama Boys local honey

09/06/2026

The SCC Feral Cat Project and Ragland Toys for Kidz!! TOGETHER AGAIN!! for the benefit of the feral cats & kids of our community!
Come join us at Smith Tomato, LLC for their 10th Annual Fall on the Farm. Saturday October 3rd.
🅿️ FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING!!!
📍4575 Loop Road Steele, AL 35987
🕰️ 9am-3pm
Smith Tomato, LLC will have free face painting for the kids, games, blow ups, and photo props! They will have over 75 art and craft vendors, food vendors, live music, pumpkins and fresh produce! 🎃 Don’t miss out, come hang out for the day with all your family and friends!
The BLACK CAT Apothacary, SCC Feral Cat Project & Ragland Toys for Kidz can't wait to see your smiling face!
Pictured: Rose hip nourishing lip salve! Just one of the many products that will be available & Teresa with Ragland Toys for Kidz will be selling cotton candy! We can't wait to see your smiling face! 🐈‍⬛

09/01/2026

Getting ready for the Smith Tomato annual fall on the farm. I couldn’t have asked for a prettier fall color than this! This is what happens when you use unaltered beeswax. I actually created this lip salve from Rose hips. I wanted to color it pink, however, unaltered bees wax is yellow. This is the color that came out. It is one beautiful Fall color. Rose hips, castor, oil, avocado, oil, and tallow and beeswax. That is the formula for this lip salve. What is the difference between a balm and a salve you ask? A balm has more beeswax and is designed to sit on the skin. A salve has less beeswax and is designed to sink into the skin.

09/01/2026

A Brief History of Rose Medicine

Roses have been around forever—well, at least since ancient Persia, where they were first cultivated around 500 BC. The Persians didn’t just grow them for their looks; they knew roses had something special. Rose water, rose oil, even rose hips—those little red fruits left after the petals fall—were staples in their healing practices. Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and European apothecaries were slathering rose-infused salves on everything from wounds to melancholy. Even Cleopatra, the ultimate queen of self-care, reportedly bathed in rose petals to keep her skin flawless. Can you blame her? The stuff smells divine.

Today, roses are still a go-to in herbalism, especially for emotional healing, skincare, and cardiovascular support. Modern science backs up what ancient healers intuited: roses are packed with compounds like flavonoids, antioxidants, and volatile oils that do real work in the body. But before we get all sciency, let’s talk about the heart of rose medicine—literally and figuratively. Emotional Healing: Roses for the Soul

Ever notice how a whiff of rose can make you feel… softer? Like the world’s sharp edges dull for a moment? That’s no accident. Roses have a knack for calming the nervous system. Herbalists call them a “nervine,” meaning they soothe stress and anxiety.

Why it works: Roses contain volatile oils like geraniol and citronellol, which have been shown to reduce cortisol levels. Lower cortisol, less stress. Simple, right?

How to use it: Try rose tea (made from dried petals or hips) when you’re feeling frazzled. Or buy yourself a bouquet or grow them. Inhale deeply. Feel the calm.

Rose’s emotional benefits aren’t just about calming down, though. They’re also about opening up. In Ayurveda, roses are linked to the heart chakra, the energy center tied to love and compassion. Drinking rose tea or using rose water in a facial mist can feel like a gentle nudge to let go of resentment or grief. I’ve seen it work wonders for people stuck in emotional ruts.

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter—pun intended. Roses, especially rose hips, are fantastic for cardiovascular health. Those little red fruits are bursting with vitamin C, which strengthens blood vessels and reduces inflammation. They’re also packed with polyphenols, which can lower blood pressure and improve circulation. I read about a study where people drinking rose hip tea daily saw a drop in their cholesterol levels after just six weeks.

08/31/2026

This morning, I started harvesting orange lemon balm. I’m going to start drying these leaves and turn it into a delicious tea for my tea table. We are getting ready for our next big event. Smith Tomato Fall On The Farm.
The apothecary will have many teas available. However, our two featured teas will be this delicious orange lemon balm tea and beautiful butterfly pea tea. We will have samples of these teas available at our tea table. We can’t wait to see your smiling face! Stay tuned for more fun n games!

08/30/2026

GraceLaced
Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons Of The Heart
ABOVE
Whether we like it or not, dwelling on the past can't change it. It won't undo the circumstances, erase the pain, solve the problems, or answer all the questions. The bigger difference made by lingering on the past is the way it changes us, and rarely for the better. We have but 24 hours in a day and, if we try to get our rest, only 14 hours of actively using our minds. How often I squander those precious hours worrying about the future or analyzing the past. This is the day that the Lord has made! He's made me to rejoice in it ...this day.
Do you struggle to focus your mind on the present?
How our minds wonder reflects what we deem most worthy-more than we might think. Even as something as essential as worship, we can sometimes forget that praising God is a battle for our minds before it is an act of our hearts. So it makes sense for the apostle Paul to remind us in various ways through his letters: Set your minds on things above. Why does he have to remind us to do so?
Because we naturally set our minds on thing of the earth.
our reputation
our failures
our possessions
our dreams
our goals
our past
our futures
our bodies
RESPOND: Is your mind wondering today? How can you refocus your thoughts to direct your heart?
DELVE DEEPER: Proverbs:4:20-23; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:18