Blog No. 1: The Ancient Ash
The largest Ash tree in Minnesota.
The ash tree has long been associated with strength, resilience, protection, and life. Ash wood itself is remarkably strong, tough, and elastic. I find these characteristics interesting because they remind me of the strength and resilience of our own skin.
Throughout history, the ash tree has held an important place in folklore and mythology. In Ireland, three of the five legendary guardian trees were ash, reinforcing the tree’s connection to protection and life. British folklore tells us that newborn babies were sometimes given ash sap and, in some traditions, the health and well-being of a person were believed to be closely connected to the welfare of an ash tree.
The symbolism continues in Norse and Druid traditions, where the ash tree was associated with healing, personal growth, and a greater understanding of oneself. The ash was also believed to connect different realms, acting as a conduit between worlds. I find this idea particularly meaningful. Just as the ash tree was seen as a connection between worlds, our skin serves as the connection between our bodies and the world around us.
At the end of my driveway sits the largest ash tree in the state of Minnesota. It has been confirmed. She is the namesake of Ancient Ash. A friend once asked me how I knew our tree was a “she.” My response was simply to show him a picture. The agreement was immediate. Norse folklore supports my theory, as the ash tree is seen as the feminine counterpart to the All-Father tree, the oak. How fitting that we have a variety of oak trees on our property as well.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with a rare and challenging autoimmune disorder called Antisynthetase Syndrome. Months of health struggles culminated in a medical flight to Sioux Falls after blood clots developed and filled my right lung. It was during this time, and the subsequent recovery, that I realized a change was needed.
Hours of research followed as I dove deeply into nutrition, gut health, and a greater understanding of our largest organ: our skin. Did you know your skin is the first line of defense against environmental stressors? Or, similar to the ash tree, our skin acts as a conduit between the external world and our delicately balanced body systems? Did you know your skin is amazingly resilient and adaptable?
While the products we apply topically contribute only a small fraction to the overall health of our skin, we must still be diligent in protecting and caring for it. I realized I had not been happy with my skincare for quite some time. I did not feel the products I had been using were contributing to the overall well-being of my skin. That’s when it hit me. I have 20 years of experience as a high school chemistry teacher. I can make my own. I can create products that are pure, plant-based, gentle on a delicate system, and rooted in botanical research.
Thus, Ancient Ash Apothecary was born.
Strength. Resilience. Protection. Connection. Healing. These are qualities that have been associated with the ash tree for centuries, and they beautifully reflect the philosophy behind Ancient Ash Apothecary. My goal is to combine what we can learn from the natural world with my understanding of science to thoughtfully create formulations that care for, protect, and support our skin. So, please join me on this journey. I look forward to sharing more research, education, and discoveries with you along the way.
With Love,
Jayme
