HerbMentor Radio

As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, this calming herb has managed to find a special place in many of our hearts — and our supermarkets! Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a gentle herb that is most well known for soothing our nerves, but its gifts go far beyond nervous system support.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of chamomile flowersAfter learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about chamomile...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about chamomile: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about chamomile plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, garlic, elderberry, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Maria Christodoulou had been living in New York City for years when she decided it was finally time to move to Greece and dive more fully into the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. This journey took her to Athens where she currently offers educational tours and classes steeped in ancestral herbal medicine and mythology.In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Maria weaves personal stories, science, and history together to offer us a beautiful peek into traditional and contemporary Greek herbalism practices.In our conversation, Maria shares...The medicinal uses of Greek arugula, calendula, and dwarf nettleThe mythological and medicinal lore of bay laurelWhat surprised her the most about plant uses in Ancient Greece and so much more!You can learn more about Maria Christodoulou and check out her Greek Herbal Medicine Tours right here: https://www.thegreekherbalist.com/PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. :)PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Oh echinacea, how I love thee! This beautiful plant, also known as purple coneflower, not only supports pollinators with its abundant blooms but also offers many benefits for us humans too. Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea) is most well-known for helping to address colds and flu, but its gifts go far beyond internal immune support.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of echinacea.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about echinacea..Well, here's the easy way to learn more about echinacea: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about echinacea, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Anna Rósa Grasalæknir had been following the refugee crisis in Iraq for quite some time when she started to wonder, "Would the refugee women in these camps like to take herbal classes?" This question kickstarted a journey that took her from her native Iceland to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq where she taught classes on making ointments with local herbs. The classes were a hit, and she was able to partner with a local woman, Eman, to teach hundreds of women in the camps.These classes have now become the organization Helping Herbs, in which Anna Rósa draws on her thirty years of experience to teach women how to make herbal products.In our conversation with Anna Rósa, she shares...How she founded Helping HerbsImportant lessons she's learned along the wayHow anyone can make a difference in their own communityHer favorite herbs to work with and so much more!You can learn more about Anna Rósa Grasalæknir and check out Helping Herbs here: https://helpingherbs.orgPlus, if you're interested in supporting Helping Herbs and also want to learn more about herbs yourself, you can take Anna Rósa's class "The Healing Power of Icelandic Herbs." All of the proceeds of this course support Helping Herbs, and by taking the course you'll learn all about powerful Icelandic herbs that may also grow near you — like yarrow and willow! Click to check out "The Healing Power of Icelandic Herbs." PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.Get a special offer on HerbMentor at: https://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea, S. nigra, S. canadensis) boasts many benefits and is most well-known as a gentle immune-supporting, antiviral herb. The benefits of elderberries go way beyond its immune-bolstering properties, though. What's more, the flowers of elder also boast many healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of elder. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about elderberry...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about elderberry: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about elderberry, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more.

Happy New Year! To welcome you into 2024, we decided to do things a little differently this month: we're chatting just the two of us. You can consider this episode your herbal guide to the whole year.Together we go season by season and share our favorite herbs and remedies to work with — and don't worry, we only go on a few epic tangents along the way. In this episode we share…Why Tara is in love with hawthorn (wedding announcement will come shortly)How to easily make garlic honeyHow Oregon grape root saved Tara from having to postpone recent travel plans and so much more!And the best news? All of the recipes we mention in this episode can be found for free on our blog. Some of our favorites include this hawthorn cordial, calendula oil, and dandelion coffee.Throughout our herbal guide, we also encourage you to resist the urgency urge to immediately go go go at the start of 2024 and give yourself permission to move with ease and slowness — the plants will be here all year long to support you. PS... Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. :)PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.com.Build your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards right here.

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee is regularly enjoyed as a daily ritual that offers people a boost of energy. Coffee, though, is more than just a ubiquitous beverage: this complex herb offers many healing gifts, and when used in excess it can also present challenges for many coffee drinkers.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of coffee.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about coffee...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about coffee: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about coffee, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here.

Over the past few years, the term "trauma informed" has become a bit of a buzzword. But what does it actually mean to be trauma informed? And how can a trauma informed framework help us become better herbalists? In our latest episode of HerbMentor Radio, we're joined by trauma informed herbalist Dr. Elizabeth Guthrie, who helps us answer these (and many more) questions.Elizabeth is a wellness practitioner with a PhD in Natural Medicine with a specialization in Naturopathic Psychology and a Master's of Public Health in Functional Nutrition. They are the best-selling author of The Trauma Informed Herbalist and hold multiple other certifications from conventional and traditional schools.In our conversation with Elizabeth, they share...What it means to be trauma informed Their go-to herbs for supporting the trauma journeyEmbodiment practices that can support the trauma journeyHow their past work as a 911 operator informs their current work and so much more!You can learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Guthrie and check out their book The Trauma Informed Herbalist here.PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. :)PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor right here.Build your herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards.

Just one look at a radiant calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower is enough to make anyone fall in love. With its uplifting blossoms and dainty leaves, it's no wonder that this easy-to-grow plant has become an incredibly popular ornamental. But calendula's gifts go far beyond its looks — this common herb has long been used in traditional herbal remedies to support health and vitality in a variety of ways.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of calendula.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about calendula...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about calendula: Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about calendula, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: http://herbnotes.cards/

When Nathan Wright hopped on our HerbMentor Radio call, he readily admitted that he wasn't really in the podcast recording mood. And it totally made sense — after all, he had just returned from an epic adventure in the Michigan wilderness and was still adjusting to being back in the swing of everyday life.And little did we know when we got on this call that we were in for one of the most fascinating stories ever told on HerbMentor Radio: the story of Nathan's search for the tree that gifted him a 30 pound chaga mushroom decades ago.Along the twists and turns of Nathan's tale, we learned...The true meaning of reciprocity with the plantsThe benefits of chagaWhat exactly is ethical wildcrafting and how to do itWhat it means to be a caretaker of the land and so much more!Nathan Wright is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and member of his tribe's Crane Clan. Nathan is an herbalist and mycologist who combines both Anishinabek and conventional herbal knowledge into his herbal products business, Herbal Lodge. You can learn more about Nathan and his work at herballodge.com, and for a limited time you'll get a 10% discount on Herbal Lodge when you use the code lherbs10 at checkout. PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor at http://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.Cards

Most people are familiar with Aloe vera as an undemanding houseplant that can be called upon in times of sunburn.And while it is true that the inner filet of the Aloe vera plant is one of our go-to plant allies for mild sunburns, this succulent plant also offers so many more healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of Aloe vera.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about aloe...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about aloe: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about aloe, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here.

*** Don't miss our free webinar with Sajah on September 21 & 22.Thinking Beyond The Symptom dispels the many myths of modern herbalism and gives you a simple & powerful framework for finding the right remedy... holistically. Register here. ***Chances are you've probably read your horoscope — and I bet sometimes that horoscope was uncannily spot on and sometimes it totally missed the mark. This is how most people encounter astrology and where most people's curiosity about this ancient art stops. But astrology is so much more than just a horoscope: this complex system can teach us a whole lot about ourselves, each other, and, get this, herbs!Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature. With his wife Whitney, he co- founded the School of Evolutionary Herbalism and Natura Sophia Spagyrics, which is an herbal extracts company. Sajah trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.In our conversation, Sajah shares...What exactly is medical astrology and how it can enrich your herbal practiceWhat astrology can teach us about nettlesHow astrology can help us address insomniaWhy spagyric alchemy is his favorite way to make herbal extractsThe secret to making stronger herbal remedies and so much more...Learn more about Sajah Popham and grab a copy of his book on evolutionaryherbalism.com.And check out his spagyric herbal extracts on https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/.PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. :)PS...Build your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards!

Garlic is the medicine of the people. From its pungent aroma that fills our kitchens to its centuries-old reputation as a medicinal wonder, garlic holds a special place in both culinary and herbalism traditions. While many people think of garlic only as a tasty addition to their favorite meals, herbalists know that this humble bulbs boasts many benefits that extend far beyond its flavor profile.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of garlic.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about garlic...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about garlic: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about garlic, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: http://herbnotes.cards/

Elise and Jeff Higley's herb farm was born out of a simple need: they wanted high quality herbs for the teas they loved to drink everyday. So, combining Elises's passion for herbalism and Jeff's passion for farming, they started to grow herbs in their own backyard. But they didn't stop there! In spite of the many odds stacked against U.S. herb farmers (which Elise and Jeff detail in this episode, by the way), they managed to start Oshala Farm and scale it to over 80 crops per year.So whether you're already growing lots of herbs or are itching to start an herb garden, you'll want to tune in and hear all Elise and Jeff's herbal wisdom.In our conversation with Jeff and Elise they share....The key to successfully growing herbs at homePractical steps for starting your own herb farmWhy there are so few herb farms in the U.S.How to run a profitable herbal business and so much more!Learn more about Elise and Jeff Higley and check out Oshala Farm's beautiful herbs at oshalafarm.com.PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it's time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. :)Get a special offer on HerbMentor at http://HerbMentorRadio.comPPS...Build your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.Cards

With a name like "stinging nettle," you might think you want to avoid a nettles patch at all costs. Sure, the fresh leaves and stems of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) can irritate the skin upon contact, but here's the thing: stinging nettles are also full of many healing gifts. It may seem counterintuitive, but once you learn more about the magic of nettles, we have a feeling you'll be reaching for nettles a whole lot more — even if you're wearing a glove while you do it!Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of stinging nettle.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about stinging nettle...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about stinging nettle: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about nettles, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here:http://herbnotes.cards/

Whether you're an adventurous wildcrafter or an herbalist who always sticks to the trail, knowing key survival skills is an essential part of your herbal toolkit. Jason Knight is the co-founder of Alderleaf Wilderness College, one of the leading outdoor schools in the United States offering training in wilderness survival to a broad range of clients, including the US Forest Service, REI, the Seattle Mountaineers, and the cast of the award-winning film, Captain Fantastic. In our latest episode of HerbMentor Radio, we chat with Jason, who has been teaching wilderness survival skills since 1997.I've been friends with Jason for over 25 years and have been meaning to interview him on the podcast to talk about survival skills for herbalists — and when I saw that he'd written a new book, The Essential Skills of Wilderness Survival: A Guide to Shelter, Water, Fire, Food, Navigation, and Survival Kits, I knew it was time to finally have him on HerbMentor Radio.In this long awaited conversation, Jason shares...The 4 essentials of wilderness survival, including how to build a shelter, find water, make fire, and get foodHow to make a survival kit3 keys to easy navigationCommon mistakes most people make in emergenciesAnd so much more...Learn more about Jason Knight and grab a copy of his book on WildernessCollege.com.PS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor at http://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards.

Growing out of sidewalk cracks and wild meadows alike, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a persistent plant that can teach us about resilience and adaptability. While it may be despised by lawn purists, herbalists recognize that dandelion isn't a pesky weed: rather, dandelion is an important plant with many healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of dandelion.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about dandelion...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about plantain: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about dandelion, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more.Visit HerbNotes.cards

It's not everyday you meet a seasoned herbalist with over 35 years of clinical experience. And it's even rarer to meet one who is an expert in holistic oncology. Drawing on her decades of experience supporting people with cancer, medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera has distilled her learnings into an accessible book for both everyday people and practitioners, Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence. In this conversation, we delve into the realms of prevention and cancer support during treatment, gaining invaluable insights along the way. While chatting with Chanchal we learned…What exactly “holistic cancer care” meansHow to approach herb drug interactionsKey lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention and during treatmentHerbs that can help address stress during treatmentChanchal's #1 herb for cancer prevention & more!Whether you've been diagnosed with cancer, are seeking preventative info, or are a caretaker, I hope this interview with Chanchal can offer some support on your journey.You can learn more about Chanchal Cabrera's work and find her book, Holistic Cancer Care, on chanchalcabrera.comPS… Looking for more herbal resources? Check out HerbMentor.HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor right here.Build your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards

Chances are you've probably stepped on your fair share of the herb plantain (Plantago major, P. rugelii, and P. lanceolata). This abundant medicinal plant loves to grow within pathways and even the most well-manicured lawns. It's so prolific, in fact, that when many people see it growing wildly in their yard they weed it out and hope it doesn't come back.But herbalists know that this common herb offers many extraordinary healing gifts. Not only is plantain a first aid superstar, it also helps with more chronic issues too.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of the herb plantain. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about plantain...Well, here's the easy way to learn more about plantain: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about catnip, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards right here...

Nadine Joseph used to work as a chronically stressed neuroscience researcher. Faced with intense burnout, she turned to herbs and fell in love with adaptogens. After experiencing the transformative effects of calming adaptogens, she felt determined to share these powerful herbs with more people. Nadine founded Peak & Valley, an herbal products business that sells ethically sourced adaptogen blends for skin, brain, and stress support. In this episode Nadine shares her journey from making adaptogen blends in her kitchen to now nationally distributing Peak & Valley products with major companies like CVS and The Vitamin Shoppe.In addition to sharing the highs and lows (or the peaks and valleys, if you will) of her adventure as an herbal entrepreneur, Nadine shares…What she wishes she'd known as a new herbal business ownerWhy no one sources herbs like she does — and how her methods could transform the herbal supply chain for the betterHer top tips for managing stress as a busy herbal business ownerSo much more!Learn more about Nadine and Peak & Valley at Peakandvalley.co and follow her on Instagram at @peakandvalleycoPS… Nadine has a very special gift for HerbMentor Radio listeners. Follow this link to claim your gift.PPS...Get a very special listener offer on HerbMentor right here.You can also see all the podcasts on our blog right here.

When most people think of catnip (Nepeta cataria), they think of it as that plant that makes our feline friends get very hyper. But here's the thing,: catnip isn't just for cats! Catnip tea and tincture too offers many healing gifts to us humans as well — perhaps the most surprising of all is that catnip calms and relaxes humans.Yes, that's right. The leaves and flowering tops of this plant that hypes up cats has a calming effect on our human nervous systems. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 surprising benefits of catnip.To learn more about catnip, Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You'll learn all about catnip, plus 11 other common herbs like cinnamon, aloe, echinacea, and more. Check out our FREE Herb Notes cards here: herbnotes.cards

Shereel Washington graduated from the California School of Herbal Studies Community Herbalist Program in Clinical Herbalism, and she has completed over 1200 hours of herbal craft making training. She is an instructor in Scarlet Sage's Community Herbalist Program & in the Land of Verse Apprentice Herbal Certification Program, as well as in herbal classes and intensives at the Northern California Women's Herbal Symposium in Mendocino. Shereel also teaches dance and qi gong at the Deep Root Center for Spiritual Studies MOVE: Spirit & Rhythm Dance Program in Oakland, CA.Early in this episode Shereel invites us to unpack the term "Western Herbalism" and to honor the immense influence that Black, Indigenous, and People Color have had on herbalism on this continent. She then goes on to share her research and experience with Black North American Herbalism while diving into traditional herbalism recipes and stories. Shereel also shares with HerbMentor Radio listeners...Traditional uses and stories of asafoetidaWhy molasses is a powerful medicineThe key difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation And so much more!You can learn more from Shereel on Instagram @ixaltednaturalbodyPS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it's part of your own herbal path. We have a special offer right here for HerbMentor Radio listeners.PPS...Would you like to start building your herbal first aid kid? Download our free recipe cards here.

Yarrow's leaf and flower are most typically used by Western herbalists, but there is also traditional usage of the roots. In this article, I'll focus on the medicinal uses of yarrow leaf and flower.Yarrow's leaf and flower are most typically used by Western herbalists, but there is also traditional usage of the roots. In this podcast, I'll focus on the medicinal uses of yarrow leaf and flower.Want to learn more about the medicinal uses of yarrow?Now that we've just scratched the surface of the many benefits of yarrow, you might be wondering how you can learn more about this powerful plant.Well, here's the easy way to learn more about yarrow: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes here. You'll learn all about yarrow, plus 11 other common herbs like cinnamon, aloe, and more.I hope you enjoy Herb Notes, our new "3 healing herbal uses in 3 minutes" addition to the HerbMentor Radio podcast.

Nada Beydoun is a registered herbalist with a BSc. in Microbiology and Immunology and Masters in Applied Human Nutrition. Her interests include SWANA region herbal medicines, and she has a community work background in refugee settlement and empowerment. And Fatima Matar is a passionate gardener supporting the work of growing and bringing awareness to milkweed and Monarchs since 2019. Outside of driving around with a backseat filled with milkweed plants, you can find her doing photography as a freelance photographer. And Nada and Fatima just so happen to be cousins! Several years ago, after learning about the dire situation of declining monarch populations and milkweed habitat loss, these two plant enthusiasts embarked on a journey to start stewarding milkweed for monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed to lay their eggs and feed their larvae. By growing milkweed, we can support endangered monarch butterflies and other vital pollinators.Together, in this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Nada and Fatima dive into the gifts of the wondrously aromatic milkweed, why they grow milkweeds for monarchs, and the ecological and cultural importance of monarch butterflies.Nada and Fatima also share...Why it's important to grow native milkweedWhy milkweed is so misunderstood (is it a noxious weed or no?!)How to grow milkweed and so much more!You can learn more from Nada and Fatima — and check out more of Fatima's beautiful milkweed and monarch photography — on Instagram at @beybotany and @naturewithfatimam.Please note: pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), which is a species of milkweed, is contraindicated during pregnancy, and this plant does increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity if taken with drugs or herbs that contain those constituents.PS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor right here.Build your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards!

Christa Sinadinos is the author of The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine, and is the founder and director of the Northwest School for Botanical Studies in Fieldbrook, California, where she has trained hundreds of students. She has more than 25 years of experience as a clinician, teacher, gardener, and medicine maker.In this episode, we have one of those aha moments with Christa. We were chatting about herbal garnishes like parsley, and Christa said...When we think about any of the herbs that people use to decorate the plate, they often are good for digestion.Then we started to rack our brains thinking about all of the the herbal garnishes we've ever seen: mint, lemon, parsley — all herbs that promote healthy digestion! These herbal garnishes have been passed down for generations as a simple kitchen herbalism remedy for digestive health, but we never thought about garnishes this way until chatting with Christa.In addition to totally blowing our minds about garnishes, Christa shares how to work with angelica, the surprising health benefits of parsley, her #1 herbal condiment for immunity, and how she wrote our favorite herb book.Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards at Herbal.CardsALSO... while supplies last, readers will receive $20 off Christa's book The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine with the promo code LHSave$20.

Rosemary Gladstar is literally a star figure in the field of modern herbalism, internationally renowned for technical knowledge and stewardship in the global herbalist community. She has been learning, teaching, and writing about herbs for over 40 years and is the author of 11 books. Rosemary is the founding president of United Plant Savers and founder and past director of the International Herb Symposium.Susan Leopold is an ethnobotanist and passionate defender of biodiversity. Over the past 20 years, Susan has worked extensively with Indigenous peoples in Peru and Costa Rica. She is the Executive Director of United Plant Savers and Director of the Sacred Seeds Project. She is a proud member of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia and the author of the children's book Isabella's Peppermint Flower, teaching about Virginia's botanical history. Together Rosemary and Susan shared with us all about the International Herb Symposium, a gathering right outside of Boston where herbalists just like you come together in honor of the plants and in the spirit of respect and reciprocity to share and learn from one another. By coming together in this way, the Symposium strives to create local and global communities dedicated to healing and caretaking the Earth and all beings.Oh and by the way, did we mention that the Symposium is super fun?! The event's tagline is "Come for the plants, stay for the party." And Rosemary and Susan certainly brought the party to HerbMentor Radio. In this episode they shared...How to build your herbal communityHow to be in reciprocity with the plantsWhat every beginner herbalist needs to know about herbalismAnd so much more!Learn more and register for this year's International Herb Symposium (June 9th–11th) here: https://www.internationalherbsymposium.com/registration/PS...If you listen to the episode, you might even get a promo code to save big on your Symposium ticket ;)PPS...Get a special offer on HerbMentor at http://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.Cards

So, usually we interview a special guest on the pod, but today to bring in the new year we're chatting just the two of us all about herbs for wintertime.Winter really asks us to slow down, rest, and dream about our year to come.But many of us don't have the time and space to actually slow down right now. Whether we're recovering from the festivities of the holiday season, working, or caring for our families, modern life sure makes it hard to slow down.Luckily, we can still draw on herbal remedies and rituals to nourish and soothe our nervous systems so that we can feel fueled enough to dream and plan for the year ahead.In this episode Tara shares her 3 key herbal strategies for stress relief like...Drinking her favorite nourishing herbal tea blend (see below)Working with blue vervain tinctureAnd herbal body oiling (listen to find out exactly what body oiling is!)Plus, we offer you a simple framework for planning out your herbal year so you can prepare for all of the beautiful seasons to come. Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.CardsTara's nourishing herbal tea blend...Ingredients:1 big handful Oatstraw (dried)1 small handful Hawthorn berries (fresh or dried)1 pinch Cardamom (powdered)1 pinch Cinnamon (powdered)Directions:1. Add all of your herbal ingredients and two quarts of water to a pot.2. Cover the pot and heat it enough so that the water reaches a steady simmer.3. Simmer your herbs for about 15 minutes. 4. Remove herbs from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes. Now strain your tea and enjoy!

Dr. Keren Dolan is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, and Holistic Aromatherapist. Emphasizing integrative Functional Nutrition, her goal as a clinician is promoting wellness and resilience through advanced nutritional strategies and targeted botanical interventions. So, we didn't exactly make this conversation easy for Dr. Dolan — knowing that she had such an extensive background in clinical nutrition, herbalism, and aromatherapy, we couldn't help but ask her some pretty big questions... How can we weave nutrition and herbalism together? What does "nourishment" actually mean? And what is aromatherapy?Dr. Dolan graciously answered all of our questions and more, and we sure learned a lot along the way, including...How to weave deep nourishment into our everyday livesHow the scientific concept of hormesis can help us find the sweet spot for herbal dosagesHow probiotics work... and lots more!Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: www.Herbal.Cards

Corinna Wood teaches earth-based herbalism in the Wise Woman Herbal Tradition and focuses on inner-growth and transformation. She was co-founder of Red Moon Herbs and her Southeast Wise Woman Herbal Conference ran for 15 years. Grab a cup of tea and your favorite blanket — it's time to get cozy and learn all about herbs for fall! Corinna draws on her years of experience as an herbalist and educator to share how we can nourish our bodies this season and beyond with herbal roots.In this episode you'll learn how to make healing remedies with prolific roots like comfrey and burdock, how to work with poke root safely, why broth is the key to autumn self-care, and so much more.Visit Corinna on this special page she set up for our listeners Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards at Herbal.cards

Mimi Prunella Hernandez has dedicated her life's work to serving as an advocate for both traditional and herbal pathways while building cultural bridges of understanding. As an herbalist she draws upon the influence of her Granny Healers and her background in biochemistry to weave together an herbal practice that's rooted in folk traditions and modern science.In our conversation, Mimi shows us how to think beyond capsules and tinctures and easily bring herbs into our kitchens. The phrase “food is medicine” gets casually tossed around a lot these days, but Mimi really lives by this principle. She weaves herbs into her everyday life: making vinegars, honey, wine, tea, and even frosting with the herbs that grow all around her. Mimi offers us a few of her favorite tips for bringing herbs into the kitchen that we at LearningHerbs are definitely going to start adding to our daily routine — including “Mimi's Mystery House Tea.”In addition to kitchen herbalism, Mimi also shares…How to work with sunflowers and prickly pear cactus as herbal remediesHow to weave together traditional folk herbalism and modern scienceThe importance of native plants for people, pollinators, and plantsPlus, Mimi tells us all about her current project, a National Geographic herb book on 99 plants from around the world. You can learn more from Mimi at herbalnightschool.comGet a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

When you enter MXED GREENS apothecary, one of the first things you'll notice is the deep care that herbalists Tasha and Devon Greenwood have put it into every detail of this herb shop... From the cozy self care station to the herbal zine library to the handmade signs outlining their sliding scale model, MXED GREENS is a space that centers the deeply rooted wellness of its community. In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Tasha and Devon draw on their experience as new business owners and practicing clinical herbalists to share...Their #1 piece of advice for new herbal business owners The importance of healthcare settings that celebrate queer and trans experiencesWhy the gap between herbal and allopathic medicine might be smaller than you thinkWe even go on a little herb nerd tangent to chat about one of Tasha's favorite seaweeds, Irish Moss, which has a rich history as a food, immune tonic, and skincare ingredient.You can find Tasha and Devon Greenwood at mxedgreens.comGet a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.Cards

When you first start studying herbs it can feel like you need to find the best herb school, the best herb books, and the best way to study herbs in order to become a "real herbalist"...But after studying and teaching herbalism for the last few decades, jim mcdonald (a Michigan herbalist who blends traditional folk influences and mixes it up with a bit of 19th century eclectic and physiomedical vitalism) can definitively say that there's no one “right way” to learn about herbs. Rather than racing to find the right answer to every herbal question as quickly as possible, learning about herbs is actually about choosing your own herbal adventure and cultivating a growth mindset.And jim certainly fits into the “choose your own adventure” mentality we have here on HerbMentor Radio: this is our third interview with jim, and each time we've gotten to go on some of the most amazing herbal tangents and dive deep into exciting herbal questions.In this episode we ask questions from HerbMentor members and learn more about...jim's healing journey and the herbs that have supported him after a recent health crisisThe difference between calendula and plantainHow to use Solomon's sealAnd more!You can find jim at herbcraft.org.Get a special offer on HerbMentor at HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: http://Herbal.Cards

Juliet Blankespoor shares 5 easy-to-grow herbs for container gardening with medicinal benefits that range from immune support to gentle skin care to first aid essentials — with just these 5 herbs you'll be well on your way to having a full blown home apothecary. With her B.A. in Botany and her new book The Healing Garden, it could be easy to assume that Juliet must have always had a green thumb... but Juliet reveals that she didn't start gardening until her 20s, and her first garden was a total flop!Listen as Juliet guides us through how she went from a “flop garden” to stewarding several thriving herb gardens. Plus, Juliet shares the key to having a green thumb — it's a lot simpler than you might think.You can find Juliet and get your copy of The Healing Garden at https://chestnutherbs.com/Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.comBuild your herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Some of Abi Huff's earliest plant memories begin in her mother's garden: delighting in the abundant beds of sugar cane and taro root, and climbing the apricot tree to feast on its delicious fruit. Abi carries these stories in her transformative work as an ever-evolving community and clinical herbalist, educator, medicine maker, intuitive life strategist, healing justice organizer, and overall plant nerd.

In this episode, we dive into Abi's work as a politicized herbalist and how to create more inclusion within herbalism. We also discuss food as medicine and how ancestral healing is deeply intertwined with herbalism. Abi then draws connections between stress and immunity and how herbs can support the radiant wellness of our nervous and immune systems. Abi then shares a simple way that you can incorporate healing herbs into your everyday life. Abi's passion lies in connecting people to their inner wisdom, and responsibility to the planet and each other through gratitude for, and relationship with the plant kingdom.
You can find Abi on Instagram @_thestingingnettle_

Explore the healing plants of the Southeast with CoreyPine Shane, including mimosa and sweet gum trees. Also, how to discover a plant's personality so you can become an herbal matchmaker. This is a great episode for all you wildcrafters.CoreyPine Shane is a Holistic Clinical Herbalist who founded the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine in 1999. He is the author of Southeast Medicinal Plants: 106 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness and has taught at schools and conferences across the country and in Europe. CoreyPine has written extensively on herbal medicine and is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. CoreyPine says, “Herbal medicine is your medicine. Not that you own it but that you inherited it because your grandparents or maybe your great grandparents used plants to heal themselves. Even if they didn't call it herbal medicine. This is just a remembering and a reconnection.”Visit CoreyPine at PinesHerbals.com and BlueRidgeSchool.org

Jocelyn Boreta is the cofounder of the Botanical Bus, the granddaughter of a farmworker, and a community organizer committed to cultivating health equity through the empowerment of indigenous knowledge and self-healing communities. Long before the Botanical Bus became a bilingual mobile herb clinic serving Latinx and Indigenous farmworkers in Sonoma County, the seeds of this project were sprouting as Jocelyn Boreta and other local herbalists met weekly at a community garden to share their herbal knowledge. And when the devastating 2017 North Bay fires hit, they knew it was time to address health inequities in their community and launch the Botanical Bus.In this episode, Jocelyn shares the origin story of the Botanical Bus, why herbalism is activism, her go-to herbs for stress relief, how food is medicine, and the importance of culturally relevant care.You can learn more about Jocelyn and the Botanical Bus at TheBotanicalBus.org and follow them on Instagram @botanical.bus and Facebook @bilingualmobileherbclinic.

7Song is an herbalist, naturalist, and director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, NY. He is known throughout the herbal community as someone passionate about meeting new plants, someone who loves to help people whereever he travels, and as the “herbal first aid guy.” He has run the first aid tent at the Rainbow Gatherings for years. 7Song is an herbal practitioner and Director of Holistic Medicine at the Ithaca Free Clinic. He also teaches nationwide at herbal conferences and gatherings, as well as the California School of Herbal Studies. In this interview we discuss herbal first aid, go over a case study, and chat a bit about learning plants. You can visit his site at http://www.7song.com

I am truly honored to share with you a mentor that…well, let’s put it this way. There would be no HerbMentor.com without her. Also, I doubt I would be an acupuncturist as well if I had never met EagleSong. EagleSong is not only an extraordinary herbalist and gardener, but also one of the most grounded teachers and mentors you’ll ever meet. She has an eloquent way of sharing her views of health, herbs, sustainable living, gardening, and so much more. EagleSong was the first to teach me how to step back and look at the bigger picture when it comes to health. She has a way of “bringing it all together” and making sense of what can be an overwhelming course of study. Sure I had lots of influential mentors, but when it comes to herbs and health, EagleSong’s guidance became a foundation for me. It is the bedrock that LearningHerbs.com is built on. It is my hope and dream that YOU continue this lineage and one day teach others in your communities about herbs and health. In this Interview, some of what we cover includes… * What gardening and plants can teach us about health * The importance of community herbalism * A VERY unique look at Black Cottonwood EagleSong, CCH is a Community Centered Herbalist who started RavenCroft Garden in the Seattle area in 1991. Though she has been a practicing herbalist for over 30 years, she has also been the chief gardener at the world famous HerbFarm Restaurant as well as the environmental horticulturalist for Willows Lodge, ranked the #12 hotel in the U.S. Visit http://ravencroftgarden.com

James Jungwirth and his family run Naturespirit Herbs, located in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon. They are harvesters of edible and medicinal wild seaweed, herbs and mushrooms. They are also clinical herbalists and producers of high quality herbal medicines. I met James at the Northwest Herbfest in Oregon last summer. I was immedietly drawn to his table, which was filled with the most beutifully harvested sea vegetables I have ever seen. If you have ever ordered kelp or other seaweed from Mountain Rose Herbs, there is a good chance you have purchased their handy work. I FINALLY caught up with James to ask him some questions about sea vegetables. We cover medicinal and edible uses, as well tips on harvesting. There is PLENTY of useful information even if you do not live near an ocean with cleaner waters for harvesting. I made sure our conversation was mostly geared towards folks who would not be harvesting their own. Visit http://naturespiritherbs.com

Kiva Rose is an herbalist in the Anima Medicine Woman Tradition. She teaches and practices down to earth herbalism, nutrition and healing based on the same principles our ancestors followed within an adaptive and contemporary context. Kiva is the author of The Medicine Woman’s Herbal, an in depth guide to common nourishing herbs, traditional and wild foods, and healing the Medicine Woman way. She makes her home in the Mogollon Mountains of the Gila bioregion of New Mexico, where she and her partners, Wolf and Loba, live in a small off the grid cabin at the Anima Botanical and Women’s Sanctuary. Visit http://bearmedicineherbals.com

Maria Atwood, CNHP is a Certified Natural Health Professional, and has produced a DVD called Cook Your Way to Wellness. Her focus is on fermented foods and nourishment, in the tradition of our ancestors, the Weston Price Foundation and Sally Fallon. Sally Fallon is author of the celebrated book Nourishing Traditions, who said Maria’s dvd is "A great companion to Nourishing Traditions! Perfect for beginners new to Nourishing Traditions principles." In this interview, Maria and I talk about the origins of this traditional style of nutrition, why it’s so good for us, as well as some ideas on how to bring it into your life. We discuss kefir, beet kvass, bone broth, fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, how to eat well on a budget, and where to begin. We also answer questions gathered from HerbMentor.com members, which includes weight loss in relation to this style of eating. You can check out Maria’s DVD and lots more at http://TraditionalCook.com

RIcho Cech is a village herbalist, conservationist, and expert on making herbal extracts. For many years he was a developer at HerbPharm. He and his wife Mayche are owners of Horizon Herbs, an organic medicinal herb seed company based in Williams, Oregon. Their mission is to sow seeds worldwide for the benefit of people plants and the planet. Richo is author of the books Making Plant Medicine and Growing At-Risk Medicinal Herbs. His Horizon Herbs catalog is well known not only for its variety of hard to find extracts and seeds, but also as a treasure trove of information. In this interview we discuss not only the basics of herb gardening, but also answer some excellent questions from HerbMentor.com members. Of course, Richo infuses his amazing insights on working with herbs. Also, Richo and I talk a bit about comfrey. And as you might expect, another knowledgeable and wise herbalist with yet another varying opinion. :)

Stephen Harrod Buhner is an Earth poet and the award-winning author often books on nature, indigenous cultures, the environment, and herbal medicine. He comes from a long line of healers including Leroy Burney, Surgeon General of the United States under Eisenhower and Kennedy, and Elizabeth Lusterheide, a midwife and herbalist who worked in rural Indiana in the early nineteenth century. The greatest influence on his work, however, has been his great-grandfather C.G. Harrod who primarily used botanical medicines, also in rural Indiana, when he began his work as a physician in 1911. Stephen’s work has appeared or been profiled in publications throughout North America and Europe including Common Boundary, Apotheosis, Shaman’s Drum, The New York Times, CNN, and Good Morning America. He has spoken at colleges and conference around thw world, including the United Nations. Stephen’s books include: * Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria * Healing Lyme: Natural Healing & Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis and its Coinfections * The Lost Language of Plants: The Ecological Importance of Plant Medicines for Life on Earth * Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native America Herbalism * Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers: The Secrets of Ancient Fermentation * The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature * The Natural Testosterone Plant: For Sexual Health and Energy * Herbs for Hepatitis C and the Liver …and more Stephen and I started our conversation around old time doctors and kitchen medicine, exploring herbs like ginger, cayenne, and even honey. Then, as I expected and hoped for, Stephen went in some interesting directions. So, though he talks about the effects of accidentally breathing dust from Western Skunk Cabbage, and ingesting some well known toxic plants such as Poison Hemlock…well, I would ask you stay away from using those plants internally. Stephen does offer some amazing gems of information, and you never know when he is going to drop one of them on you. However, there is gold in the overall message he is trying to say. Try to stay in the space of looking at the larger picture of the conversation. Visit http://www.gaianstudies.org

"Wildman" Steve Brill is known as America’s Best Known Forager. His 1986 arrest in Central Park made international headlines and set his career as an environmental educator in motion. Wildman has appeared on every news channel as well as David Letterman and many other talk shows. His books include Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not-So-Wild) Places and The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook. Visit http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com

Tammi Hartung, M.H., is a medical herbalist, certified organic grower, and consultant to the Natural Products Industry. She has taught at the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, the School of Natural Medicine, and has lectured internationally. Tammi and her husband Chris own and operate Desert Canyon Farm in Colorado, where they grow over 175 medicinal, rare, and native plants. Tammi is author of Growing 101 Herbs That Heal: Gardening Techinques, Recipes, and Remedies.

When my good friend Mark worked at Tom Brown’s Tracker School, he often talked about a great herbalist who worked there named Betzy. Now, I finally get to meet her! She is an accomplished herbalist in many areas, and she is currently working with United Plant Savers! United Plant Savers’ mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. I ask Betzy all about sustainable and ethical wildcrafting, her journey as an herbalist, and other practical tips and skills for collecting and storing herbs.

Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, musician and storyteller. Doug has performed at festivals, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers, national parks, schools and conferences from Canada to the Caribbean. A couple notable places being the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Royal Ontario Museum. Doug has authored several books and cd’s including Wildwoods Wisdom: Encounters with the Natural World, Woodslore: Stories, Lore, and Truth Stranger Than Fiction About the Natural World, Wild Roots: a Forager’s Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Roots, Tubers, Corms and Rhizomes, and most recently, Swarm Tree: of Honeybees, Honeymoons and the Tree of Life. In this episode, we discuss herbs and storytelling, mushrooms, life in the Blue Ridge Mountains, old time remedies, mentors and more. Doug even reveals the time honored and best way to learn about herbs! Doug’s programs, products, concerts and workshops are all listen on his website, which is http://DougElliott.com

Heidi Bohan has over 18 years experience working as an educator of native plants, horticulture, woodworking, ethnobotany and traditional ecological knowledge of the Pacific Northwest. She has been a carpenter, fine woodworker, architectural designer and as a teacher has taught classes in basketry, carving, weaving, edible and medicinal plants and more. She has worked with many local tribes, as an instructor and mentor for the Northwest Indian College. Heidi is author of a new book, The People of Cascadia: Pacific Northwest Native American History. It is an incredible living work with over 300 pen and ink illustrations depicting the daily life of the four major cultural groups of the Pacific Northwest. It was reviewed by tribal members and cultural experts, and approved for the school social studies curricula in Washington State. In this interview, I visit Heidi in person in her study. This interview goes deep into how to effectively use plants in your life, using Heidi’s incredible life as an example. Though Heidi happens to be my neighbor in the Snoqualmie Valley, I regard her as the most hard core plant skills learner I have ever met. Medicine, tools, weaving, dyes, gardening, carving, baskets… you name it, she’s done it. She was a crucial mentor for me in my understanding how to make the plants that grow around come alive in my life. You can visit Heidi at http://heidibohan.com and http://peopleofcascadia.com

Jessica Moore is a mom who has a passion for herbs. When her baby had a diaper rash, she whipped up an amazing balm that healed it. To make a long story short, she founded an awesome herbal remedy company out of that experience. Many who come to LearningHerbs.com often wondering how to learn about herbs and take that passion into the world. We’ll see how Jessica did it, and we’ll also ask her some of her favorite herbal first aid secrets.

I have known Jon over half my life. He has been a mentor and is a good friend. Jon is an amazing speaker. We’ll focus on how one learns about plants in their ecosystems, how to mentor young ones in nature and herbs, permaculture, health… and…well, get us two together and you never know what will come up! Jon also discusses native peoples relationship to the plants.

“Weeds are in every country of the world, so it’s beyond me why there is world hunger. An entire civilization is walking on their food.” –Linda Runyon Linda Runyon’s knowledge and expertise come from years of wilderness living, and learning on her own just what foods were safe to eat. She became familiar with medicinal herbs as well, as an offshoot of her friendship among members of an Iroquois Indian tribe in the Adirondacks wild, where she lived for many years.