Podcasts about herbalists

Today we're sharing some thoughts about uncertainty versus imposter syndrome, and learning herbalism. Recently, we did a 20 Questions video for the folks at HerbRally – it ran nearly four hours long!  Two of the questions we were asked wove a theme together, and we wanted to share them here.The first question was “how do you deal with uncertainty as an herbalist?” The person asking this may have been expecting some kind of study trick that would help them to feel confident enough in their skills that they didn't feel uncertainty in their practice – like an antidote to imposter syndrome!But we have this sign in our apothecary that says “there's only the hard way” (and if you know, you know!) and that applies here: the way of herbalism is uncertain. Accepting the presence of uncertainty is the first step toward navigating it confidently.Now, we're not talking about under-training: the first thing to do is to get trained, of course. But once you have trained for years and years, and even once you've been in practice for years, you are still on a journey with uncertainty. Which sounds a little zen, perhaps – and actually, a little bit, it is! Training the mind to accept uncertainty, while still finding the truth of the moment, is as important a skill for an herbalist as it is for a monk.Next, someone asked us about mistakes new herbalists make, and how long it takes to “feel like you know what you're doing.” (Do you see a theme here?) They want to know if it's going to take years to feel confident, or if there's some way to accelerate the development of that confidence. Yes.These questions come up for lots of herbalists. Especially because a lot of us are practicing alone in our communities. Sure, there are herbal friends online, but maybe you're the only herbalist in your town, and you're feeling the weight of that solitude. A lot of folks don't have elders or mentors available, and that makes it harder to practice.One solution to that problem is online clinical herbalism mentorship – and we've got that for you!Did you know that you can book a one-on-one Zoom session with Katja to talk through your goals, your challenges, and how to get you where you want to be in your herbal practice? You can! It's open to anyone, and the easiest way to book one is to go to enroll in any free course – they're at the top of the list. (They're truly free: you don't even need a credit card.) That will set up a student dashboard for you, and right there on the menu on the left you'll see, about halfway down, Quick Help Sessions – click that link and it'll take you right to the scheduling calendar!If this episode caught your attention, then our Clinical Skills course is for you! Learn to practice legally, safely, collaboratively, and effectively. Get all your client forms & scheduling systems sorted. Cultivate consultation interview skills, and explore methods for planning personalized protocols. Everything you need to be a top-notch herbalist!Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you enjoyed the episode, it helps us a lot if you subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a different way to understand the body, especially when it comes to chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, digestion, anxiety, inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and unexplained symptoms.In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with  Dr. Jordan Barber, clinician, educator, published researcher, licensed acupuncturist, and author of Thinking in Chinese Medicine: A Patient's Guide to Acupuncture, Herbs, and Healing, for a grounded conversation about what Chinese medicine actually is, why it has been misunderstood in the West, and how it can help us see chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, symptoms, and whole-body health through a more connected lens.Together, they explore why Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture, herbs, or “energy work,” but a way of thinking. Dr. Barber explains how Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the whole person, including sleep, digestion, emotions, stress, relationships, movement, pain patterns, and the way someone experiences life. He also breaks down how the word qi became simplified into “energy,” why that translation can be misleading, and why Chinese medicine is often more practical, physiological, and science-informed than many people realize.Dr. Barber shares his own path into Chinese medicine after working in IT, living through 9/11 in New York City, and experiencing chronic health issues that conventional care did not resolve. After trying acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and dietary changes, he saw a major improvement in his recurring sinus issues and began to understand health through a completely different framework.If you're listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me connect the dots,” join the Circle here:

Back in August 2024, HerbRally crossed 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. To celebrate, I invited 10 herbalists to answer 10 different questions. The result was more than five hours of herbal wisdom, stories, insights, humor, and practical advice. This is the first time we're releasing the full recording on the podcast. A huge thank you to all of the contributors:

The Purpose Pledge is a collaborative initiative anchored in 10 clear, time-bound commitments that embed purpose into company governance, operations, and supply chains. It brings together an ecosystem of companies and allied support organizations in a shared, accountable community—where members learn from one another and measure progress publicly and transparently. This week on Herbal Radio, we are sharing a special conversation with David Bronner of Dr. Bronner's, joined by host Jiling Lin, and Mountain Rose's very own CEO/CFO, Cameron Stearns. Tune in to explore: Purpose Pledge: what it is, why it matters, and who should be paying attention What collective accountability looks likes through a business lens Radical transparency: from supply chain to consumer Envisioning a future of regenerative agriculture and natural products How other companies can join the Purpose Pledge movement What's in store for the Purpose Pledge in the coming years? As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are so honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism.

We've come to the end of the “mainstream” top-40 best-selling herbs list! Dandelion, rhubarb, and ginseng take the last three spots.Dandelion is an herbal workhorse. It's inexpensive because it's ubiquitous, and its resilience is legendary – dandelion coming up through the concrete is one of the herbalist's favorite symbols of resistance and the power of nature. Much more than a simple “detox” herb, dandelion root and leaf improve the functions of our liver and kidneys, feed both us and our gut flora, and eliminate excess fluids from the system. Its bright yellow flowers can even lift our spirits when taken in tincture or wine – this is one of Ryn's indispensable herbal remedies for the winter doldrums.Rhubarb root used to be much more of an herbal mainstay than it is in contemporary herbalism. The Eclectics of the 19th century worked with it extensively, largely for its “cathartic” – stimulant laxative – properties. It is a key ingredient in the famous “neutralizing cordial”, a formula developed in that era and designed to be a nearly-universal remedy for digestive upsets of all sorts. This remedy is still prepared by herbalists today, though often with some variations in the ingredient list.Ginseng needs no introduction. It is one of the most famous medicinal herbs in the world, and it is “the original adaptogen” – the category which has spawned millions of dollars in product sales in our stressed-out, depleted, fatigued society. Ginseng products can be extremely helpful, but you absolutely cannot simply buy the first one you find: these remedies are very prone to adulteration. That, too, is an old problem: historical texts are littered with descriptions of adulteration and falsification of supposedly mature, supposedly Panax roots which were nothing of the kind. Some things never change…CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES“Detox” came up in this episode (again), and we hinted at the issues rampant in this category of supplement products. For the full story, you'll want to dig in to our course Elements of Detoxification. This course takes a fresh look at the concepts of “toxicity” and “detoxification”, a holistic perspective that goes beyond “cleanses” and products. Learn a memorable, practical model for understanding how the body's detox functions work, along with the roles herbs can play in supporting them.Like all our offerings, this is a self-paced online video course, which comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions, lifetime access to current & future course material, twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

What if working with hawthorn isn't just about supporting your cardiovascular system, but also about influencing how your body expresses health at the deepest level?In this heartfelt conversation, I'm joined by herbalist Betzy Bancroft to explore the many layers of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)—a plant that nourishes and protects the heart in more ways than one. Though hawthorn is widely known for supporting cardiovascular health, Betzy shares how its effects go far deeper, helping regulate gene expression, improving flexibility of the blood vessels, and overall supporting the body's natural resilience.At the same time, this beloved plant offers profound emotional medicine. Betzy shares how hawthorn can help soften grief, ease emotional tension, and encourage us to stay open-hearted while also maintaining healthy boundaries. Whether you're seeing physical nourishment or emotional resilience, hawthorn is a true ally for the heart on every level.Betzy also shares so many ways to work with hawthorn! She includes her recipe for a delicious, warming Hawthorn Cordial; you can download a beautifully-illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you'll know:► What makes hawthorn such a wonderful tonic for the cardiovascular system► The fascinating way that hawthorn influences your body's own ability to react to oxidative stress► Practical tips for extracting hawthorn effectively (and why preparation matters!)► Why consistency is key when working with hawthorn► Eleven different (delicious!) ways to bring hawthorn into your daily life► and so much more…For those of you who don't know her, Betzy Bancroft has been teaching herbal medicine making for more than three decades at herbalism schools and events. Betzy is one of the founders of the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, where she teaches classes including medicine making and formulation, and is a mentor for clinical interns. She also teaches and often leads herb walks at Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and serves on the advisory board of United Plant Savers. Her book, Herbal Pharmacy, will be out in April of 2026.Whether you're drawn to hawthorn for its cardiovascular or emotional support, this is a plant that invites a lifelong relationship—one cup, one sip, one season at a time. However you choose to work with hawthorn, may it support you in cultivating a heart that is steady, resilient, and deeply alive.----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Betzy at HerbalPharmacyBook.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.

At number 35, 36, and 37 on the list of top-selling herbal supplements we find bacopa, senna, and rhodiola.Bacopa is also known as brahmi, and this name is just as often given to gotu kola (Centella asiatica) as well. This is because both are known by that name in Ayurvedic herbalism, where they originate. Both are able to improve mental clarity and cognitive function, and have the same type of energetics as well as growth habits. For practical purposes they are nearly identical, but their chemistry does differ, so the best extraction method may not be the same for both, and this could be relevant in the context of a commercial extract capsule.Senna is one of the cathartic stimulant laxatives. It is possible to become dependent on senna – not after one dose, but if taken for several days running. A person may then find it difficult to move the bowels without taking it every day. Better not to get into that situation! In the commercial context, note that this herb is often included in ‘detox' and ‘weight loss' supplements… although it does not truly serve either of those functions in a root-cause or restorative manner.Rhodiola is a very stimulating adaptogen, and so it's no wonder people talk about it as an ‘herb of happiness' or even an ‘herbal antidepressant'! But that is a misleading way to think of the root, and it can lead to some bad choices. This one is particularly drying, so unless your constitution (or local environment) are very damp, it's best to include demulcents in your protocol whenever taking rhodiola.CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & REFERENCESAs you've heard in today's episode, one of the ways we can understand these herbs is by attention to their chemistry. Which constituents contribute to their effects? What synergy exists between the many different chemicals a plant contains? Which constituents are shared between herbs with similar actions? If these questions pique your interest, you're in luck! Our Basic Phytochemistry course for herbalists is a low-pressure introduction to the practical aspects of plant chemistry, the ones which are most relevant to the practice of herbalism.Like all our offerings, this is a self-paced online video course, which comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions, lifetime access to current & future course material, twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Discover the surprising healing power of dandelions in this eye-opening episode of the Whole Body Detox Show. Most people think of dandelions as weeds to spray and remove from their lawns—but what if this common plant is actually one of the most powerful natural medicines for detoxification, liver health, and overall wellness?In this episode, David DeHaas shares a powerful personal story about how raw goat's milk and dandelion juice helped his vaccine-injured daughter recover as a baby, leading his family on a journey into natural healing, detoxification, and herbal medicine. What began as a desperate search for answers turned into a life-changing discovery about the incredible medicinal value hidden in the humble dandelion.You'll learn why dandelions have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, from ancient Chinese medical texts in 659 BC to Native American healing practices. Herbalists and natural health practitioners have long recognized dandelion as one of the most powerful tonic herbs for cleansing the liver, supporting digestion, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the immune system.This episode also dives deep into the science, history, and practical uses of dandelions, including how every part of the plant—roots, leaves, stems, and flowers—offers unique healing benefits.In this video, you will learn:• Why dandelions are one of nature's best detox herbs• How dandelions support liver cleansing and toxin removal• The historical use of dandelion in Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Native American medicine• How to make dandelion tea, juice, capsules, and herbal remedies• The health benefits of dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers• Natural ways to use dandelions for skin issues, inflammation, digestion, and immune support• How to safely harvest, store, freeze, and dehydrate dandelions• The role of detoxification in improving overall health and wellnessYou'll also discover simple DIY methods for using dandelions at home, including dandelion tea, herbal baths, poultices, infused vinegar, and natural remedies that can support your body's natural healing process.Support the show Ready for your healing journey?Visit our website: www.LivingWatersCleanse.com Or give us a call at: (208) 378-9911Stem Cell Activation Patches:www.StemCellPatch.netGet your Supplements and Natural Body Products Here:www.livingwaterscleanse.com/supplementsQI-Shield EMF Devices:Protect your whole home or office with a touric shield from EMF's. 1. QI Shield Covers 16'x16' 2. QI Home Covers 50' x 50' 3. QI Max Covers 250'x250'Click on link and enter Livingwaters in discount code section during checkout Magnesium Soaks:Follow us on our socials: Living Waters Wellness CenterBitChute: www.bitchute.com/livingwaterswellnessRumble: www.rumble.com/l...

Back to it! Today's best-seller herbal supplements are CBD, fennel, and oats. To the extent there's overlap between these, it's some capacity to touch on the nervous system – or at least, in the case of fennel, digestive symptoms which can be due to stress and anxiety.CBD is a widely-known, and yet poorly-understood, substance. It is not identical to a full-spectrum cannabis extract, neither in terms of its range of effects nor its safety profile with respect to adverse effects or addiction. Its regulatory status in the US also complicates matters: nationally legal only when certain criteria are met, and of varying legality state to state. It is neither a cure-all nor a placebo, and variance between products makes direct comparisons tricky.Fennel is one of the herbs on this list with the greatest similarity between folk and traditional medicine applications and its modern market presentation. As a carminative, sweet demulcent, and mild galactagogue, it is helpful for a variety of discomforts. Its pleasant and familiar flavor is a strong point in its favor, and it plays very nicely in formula with other herbs.At our school, we don't devote much attention to oats, whether milky oats or oat straw. We have reservations about its purported actions – particularly oat straw – and about its potential to trigger those who are gluten-sensitive. This does set us apart from basically every other herb school and herbalist out there, we admit it! Still, its popularity both with the general public and among herbal practitioners is undeniable, so it's worth understanding the nature of these discussions.CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & REFERENCESNerve pain? Agitation impacting digestion? Burnout? CBD, fennel, and oats may be helpful with these problems, but you'll get better results by learning the underlying physiology of your nervous system and how herbs can influence it. Our Neurological & Emotional Health course is a user's guide to your nerves, your emotions, and the herbs who can lift you, hold you, brace you, and sustain you. We teach holistic herbal strategies for addressing both neurological & psychological health issues. It includes a lengthy discussion of herbal pain management strategies, too!Like all our offerings, this is a self-paced online video course, which comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions, lifetime access to current & future course material, twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

If you've ever wondered how astrology can interface with medicine, and whether it really works, you're in for a treat!   I am delighted to share my interview with Judith Hill, who has been my teacher and mentor for over 15 years. Since we first met, she has profoundly influenced me as an herbalist, practitioner, and individual. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me comprehend the profound impact of the celestial realm on us as humans, constantly inspiring my practice of integrating clinical herbalism and medical astrology.   Judith is the founder of the Academy for Astrological Medicine and an award-winning author of fourteen books, including her latest, The Twelve Zodiac Sign Syndromes of Medical Astrology: Expanding Our View of the Seasonal Wheel. She produces The Renaissance Medicine Conference and has created many well-known astrology courses.    If you've ever been curious about how astrology intersects with medicine or questioned its efficacy, this interview is for you!   We covered a lot of ground in this conversation, including:  Using astrology as a means for potentizing herbal remedies from harvesting to preparation, to administration Techniques for working with the Moon How to talk to skeptics (there are many people who "don't believe in astrology!") The classification of plants astrologically, the issues we inherited from the ancients, and how we can modernize astrological medicine How astrology reflects health patterns across the human being The interrelationship of physical and psychological health conditions Practical ways doctors and practitioners can integrate astrology into their modern clinical practices Timing interventions, choosing remedies, and patient-practitioner compatibility using astrology Real-life case studies demonstrating astrology uncovering hidden causes of illness The intuitive and mechanical insights astrology provides for modern healthcare   ———————————— CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY ———————————— To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at:  http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com   Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels: http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/   Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ   Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism: https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/   Shop our herbal products:  https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/   ———————————— ABOUT THE PLANT PATH ———————————— The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.   ———————————— ABOUT SAJAH ———————————— Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy. His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves. He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines.    ———————————— WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST? ———————————— If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.  

This week on Herbal Radio, we are joined by host Lucretia Van Dyke, and the spiritually attuned clinical herbalist who has found herself guided on an ancestral path to unite the Black herbalist community, Donette Lowe.   Join us as they explore: Spiritual herbalism: cultivating connection between person and plant Alchemizing ancestral medicine as a poisoner in the Hoodoo tradition Food as medicine: onions, collard greens, and everything in between   Customizing care aligned with the individual's lifestyle Donette's calling to connect the Black herbalist community Herbalism and social media: the real herbalist vs. the reel herbalist As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are so honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism. Learn more about Donette and Lucretia below! ⬇️

This week's episode is not a normal herbal teaching.I am coming to you as a person living just outside of Minneapolis, as a clinical herbalist, and as someone feeling a lot right now.I feel upset, angry, overwhelmed, and also deeply grateful all at the same time. And I want to be honest that I cannot show up this week pretending everything is fine.In this video, I share an on the ground reflection on what is happening here in Minnesota, what people are experiencing, and how we can care for ourselves and each other in moments of crisis.In this episode, I talk about- What it feels like in Minnesota right now, and the heaviness many communities are carrying- How fear, grief, tension, and uncertainty affect the nervous system- The way herbalists and helpers show up and what they are doing right now- Why what is most needed right now is safety, connection, and support- Gentle grounding practices for nervous system regulation- How we can hold complexity, anger and tenderness, overwhelm and courage, justice and restSometimes the medicine is not a plant. Sometimes the medicine is simply being with one another.I also offer a few small ways to return to steadiness, including my Gentle Fridays, a free weekly gathering space.———— MY ONLINE COURSES

Are you a BIWOC who is ready to leave behind corporate America, or the "healthcare" industry, and step into a path of purpose by becoming a Certified Ancestral Herbalist? Apply now at ⁠https://instituteofancestralmedicine.org/ahc⁠In AHC, you'll master the skill of Ancestral Medicine while starting an ethical, impactful, spirit-led thriving business, so that you can pursue this path full-time, and make a difference in this world. Want to learn how to leave behind corporate and pursue this path full-time? Sign up for the Finding Freedom FREE mini-course for the 11-step process. Sign up here: ⁠https://instituteofancestralmedicine.org/freedom⁠Join the Ancestral Medicine Movement created by Anuuma Earth, so that you can Break Generational Curses, Eradicate Generational Diseases, and Build Generational Wealth. Welcome to the family!

Essential oils are powerful tools, but they're also some of the most misunderstood substances in modern herbalism. Safety concerns, quality questions, and sustainability issues are real, and sorting through the marketing noise to find reliable information isn't easy. This episode cuts through the confusion.Hana Tisserand, internationally respected essential oil educator and author, joins me to talk about how herbalists can use essential oils confidently and responsibly. We cover safety guidelines that actually make sense, how to assess quality when you're buying oils, what sustainability really means in the essential oil industry, and how to integrate aromatherapy into your herbal practice without overwhelm.If you've been curious about essential oils but unsure where to start, this conversation offers a solid, grounded foundation.You'll learn:What essential oils are, and what they are notWhy essential oil safety requires more nuance than most people realizeHow quality, sourcing, and sustainability impact both people and plantsCommon misconceptions herbalists should be cautious ofWhen essential oils make sense in herbal practice, and when they don'tIf you've ever felt unsure about essential oils, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or curious about how they fit into responsible herbalism, this episode brings clarity without fear or hype.Connect with Hana at the Tisserand Institute:https://tisserandinstitute.org/For full show notes, resources, links, and to download the transcript:https://www.theherbalistspath.com/blog/essential-oils-for-herbalists-hana-tisserandWant to learn more from Hana as you deepen your herbal skills? She'll be a guest educator inside the Community Herbalist Certification and Mentorship Program, where you'll gain solid herbal education and learn how to actually think like an herbalist.Learn more here:https://www.theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certificationLike the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of NeedIt's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!

Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why am I always cold?”In this episode, I explore coldness through a vitalist and herbal lens, understanding it not as a problem to fix, but as a signal from the body.From a Western herbal perspective, feeling cold can reflect environmental exposure, stress and depletion, lack of nourishment or rest, grief, or a vital force that has grown tired. Rather than forcing warmth, we begin by listening.

The best-seller herbal supplements we're covering today are yohimbe & horny goat weed. They placed #30 and 31 on the list we're using for this sequence of episodes. These two are marketed & sought-after as “male aphrodisiacs”, “testosterone boosters”, and even “herbal Viagra”. While it's true that each can “help” with some forms and manifestations of erectile dysfunction, in the short term or “in the moment”, they cannot correct the underlying issues… and might even make them worse.They're also quite potent, energetically speaking: heating, drying, and tonifying to a high degree. These qualities are primarily derived from potent constituents such as yohimbine and icariin. Each herb also possesses a multitude of other constituents apart from those more famous ones, which means its actions are diverse and in some cases self-contradictory.There's also a very serious problem in the supplement market for these herbs, which is that these products are frequently contaminated or adulterated. Many cases of ‘herbal' supplements for ED have been found to contain pharmaceutical drugs. In other words, that “herbal Viagra” was actually just… Viagra. Of the two of these herbs, Epimedium is significantly safer – but to be honest, we don't advise people to work with either of these plants. Other methods of addressing the issue at hand are more successful and more permanent, starting with herbal work to improve circulation and emotional steadiness. That's perhaps not as exciting as “herbal Cialis”, but it's safer and more realistic!CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & REFERENCESIt's worth emphasizing that the majority of cases of erectile dysfunction, and several other types of sexual dysfunction or performance issues, are attributable to circulatory issues rather than hormonal imbalances. If you're looking for herbs to help with this trouble, and to address circulatory, blood, and heart health more broadly, then our course Cardiovascular Health is for you!Like all our offerings, this online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more.If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Your liver is working every minute to filter toxins, balance hormones, metabolize fats, and support over 500 functions in your body. But here's what most people get wrong: your liver doesn't need a "cleanse" or punishing detox. What it needs is ongoing support through the right herbs at the right time.In this episode, you'll discover how to think like an herbalist when choosing liver-supporting herbs. Learn why bitter herbs stimulate digestion, how cholagogues and choleretics improve bile flow, and which hepatic herbs protect and regenerate liver cells.Whether you're dealing with skin issues, digestive struggles, hormonal imbalances, or simply want to support your hardest-working organ, this episode gives you the practical herbal wisdom to nourish your liver.What you'll learnWhy the liver works 24/7 and why "cleansing" language misses the pointThe liver's role in fat metabolism, hormones, bile, and blood sugarHow bitter taste receptors kickstart digestion and bile flowThe difference between cholagogues vs cholereticsKey herbal actions for liver support: hepatoprotective and trophorestorative herbsPractical ways to use bitters and Milk Thistle seeds dailyIf this episode helped you think about liver support differently, come say hi. Message me on Instagram or Facebook at The Herbalist's Path and share what your liver needs this season.For full show notes, resources, links and transcript: https://www.theherbalistspath.com/blog/liver-health-herbs-natural-supportReady to go beyond surface level herbalism, and learn to think like an herbalist? Learn more about the Community Herbalist Certification & Mentorship Program here https://www.theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certificationIf you're ready to learn more about the taking care of your liver, check out  Beyond Detox - Herbs For Liver Support here https://www.theherbalistspath.com/beyond-detox-herbs-for-liver-support Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of NeedIt's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!

Welcome back to The Plant Healer's Path — Episode 23. In this thoughtful episode, Jesse Wolf Hardin reflects on what it means to be of service as a plant healer — and why generosity, care, and contribution sit at the heart of folk herbalism. Wolf explores the motivations that draw people to herbal work, alongside the realities of sustainability and livelihood. He shares practical ways herbalists and herbal businesses can serve their communities, including sliding scales, deferred payments, bartering, volunteer work, scholarships, donations, and profit-sharing with aligned causes. This episode offers a clear reminder that service is a conscious, intentional act — one that supports access, strengthens community, and honors the reciprocal relationship between people, plants, and land. This audio was extracted from the video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. This episode is brought to you by The Good Medicine Confluence October 12–15, 2026 Ghost Ranch, New Mexico Join herbalists, healers, wildcrafters, visionaries, misfits, and medicine makers for four unforgettable days of learning, celebration, connection, ritual, and more than 100 classes from over 40 teachers. You're warmly invited to gather, study, celebrate, and dance under the stars in the Land of Enchantment.

Great Advice From Master Herbalists ( Dr Yakhi ) GET THOSE Root Canals OUT FAMILYwww.verywisealternatives.com Herbalist Viola sharing her experiences with her oral surgeryNo Pain Fam Still I am feeling GREAT

Don't forget, our December sale is on! Details below.It's time we resumed our exploration of the top-selling herbs as supplements in the US! We're three-quarters of the way through the main list. (Remember we're working with the 2023 data for the purposes of this series, but I gave some updates about the 2024 Herbal Market Report data in the last installment.)Our herbs today are valerian, pumpkin (seed [oil]), goji berry, and red yeast rice. There are some fun details about each of these, including…how to predict if valerian will keep you awake instead of helping you sleep,why certain medicinal seed oils are promoted in a gender-based dichotomy,who should not take goji, andwhy everyone should probably avoid red yeast rice supplements.Listen for the full story.For full show notes with reference links & further reading, click here!December 2025 Sale Code: CALENDULAThe code for this year's sale is CALENDULA – use it during checkout to get 20% off everything we offer – all the courses, all the programs, anything on a payment plan, anything at all!Browse All CoursesThe discount code even works for gifts! Just make sure to check the box that says “this is a gift” and the extra gift information will pop up for you to complete.Looking for more inspiration? Check out the Herbal Activity Calendar and our 2025 Herbal Gift Guide!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

You can find out all about Robin Rose's new course that launches December 1st at https://www.robinrosebennett.com/.Today Isaac and AC welcome back the renowned herbalist, author, and green witch, Robin Rose Bennett for an insightful and heartwarming conversation that delves into the vital role of herbalists during these tumultuous times. Robin shares her wisdom on how herbs help connect us to nature, support our communities, and guide us through personal transformation. Discover Robin's children's book, 'The Young Green Witch's Guide to Plant Magic,' designed to inspire the younger generation to explore the wonders of herbalism. Plus, learn about meaningful rituals with plantain and other plants, and the importance of bridging human connection through nature's gifts. This episode is filled with stories, wisdom, and practical advice for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with plants and strengthen their role in the web of life. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Share this episode with friends and leave us a five-star review if you enjoyed it.

Have you ever felt like you're not quite herbalist enough? If so, you're not alone, and neither am I. In this episode, we're talking about imposter syndrome in the herbal world and sharing the very human side of growing as an herbalist. And yes, even after 25 years of studying, teaching, formulating, running a product line, and guiding thousands of people with plant medicine, that nasty imposter syndrome still gets me.You'll hear some beautiful moments from my students, the lessons my teachers passed down to me, and what it truly looks like to own your role as a healer in your community.If you've ever wondered whether you "know enough" to call yourself an herbalist… this episode is for you.For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript:https://theherbalistspath.com/am-i-herbalist-enough-imposter-syndromeIf you're feeling the nudge to step more fully into your role as an herbalist and community healer, I'd love to welcome you into the Community Herbalist Certification & Mentorship program. You can start your studies now and join our next live cohort when it begins. Learn more: https://www.theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certification Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!Support the showIf you love the show and learned something new, please don't forget to leave us a bunch of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!And, share it with your friends so that we can make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers Are you ready to use more plants as medicine within your family???Well if you love learning about herbs...Grab my Medicinal Herbs Moms Must Know & Grow Guide Here.

Welcome back to The Plant Healer's Path. In this episode, Jesse Wolf Hardin offers a deeply heartfelt teaching on the essential — yet often overlooked — practice of tending to ourselves as healers, caregivers, herbalists, and helpers of all kinds. Through story, reflection, and grounded wisdom, Wolf explores the emotional, physical, and spiritual costs of caring for others, and why our own vitality, rest, creativity, nourishment, and joy must remain at the center of our work. If you've ever felt depleted, overstretched, compassion-fatigued, or burdened by the weight of wanting to "fix the whole damn world," this one is a powerful reminder to come home to yourself. This audio was extracted from the beautiful video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. This episode is brought to you by The Good Medicine Confluence. October 12–15, 2026 Ghost Ranch, New Mexico Join herbalists, healers, wildcrafters, visionaries, misfits, and medicine makers for four unforgettable days of learning, celebration, connection, ritual, and more than 100+ classes with over 40 teachers. You're warmly invited to gather, study, celebrate, and dance under the stars in the Land of Enchantment.

This week we continue our investigation into the best-selling herbal supplements in the US. First, an update: the 2024 Herbal Market Report data is here!The overall picture is very similar to the 2023 data, with most items on the lists simply changing position. The overall market had a 5.4% increase, topping out above $13.2 billion for the highest annual sales on record. Direct-to-consumer commerce – via websites like Amazon, for instance – continues to be the largest fraction of sales.In the mainstream list, the biggest story is the increase for “mushrooms (other)”, which reached #26 despite not appearing at all in prior years. This listing includes lion's mane, turkey tail, and other mushrooms – but not chaga, cordycpes, or reishi (those are tracked individually). Also of note, the sales numbers for saint john's wort in 2023 were adjusted to the tune of a $20 million increase! This would place SJW at #17 on that year's list, instead of being absent from it. This makes much more sense, since SJW has been such a popular herb for so long.In the ‘natural expanded' list, the most notable increase came for “algae (other)”, which would exclude spirulina & blue-green algae as well as chlorella. Sea moss / Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), as well as other seaweeds, are the big drivers of this increased interest in “algae (other)” – largely due to TikTok trends around ‘detox' and ‘cleansing'. Mullein, moringa, milk thistle, rhodiola, chaga, and oregano also had >20% increases, while the biggest decrease in sales came for wheatgrass/barleygrass, continuing a slow decade-long slide.Today's herbs, aloe and flax, are both plants whose modern incarnations and sales points are quite different than their historical applications. In the case of aloe, the stimulant laxative effect of its latex was historically its most valued power. Today, it's more popular for the gentle demulcent/emollient effects of its gel. As for flax: its oil is very susceptible to oxidation and was previously used in things like paint and varnish more than for human consumption. Today, cold-pressed & refrigerated oil, or fresh-ground seeds, can be a good source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s and other essential fatty acids.24. Aloe – Aloe veraAloe in King's American Dispensatory (1898)Aloes in A Modern Herbal, M. Grieve (1931)Aloe vera at Herbal Reality25. Flax seed / Flax oil – Linum usitatissimumLinum in The Eclectic Materia Medica, Harvey Wickes Felter (1922)Flax in A Modern Herbal, M. Grieve (1931)Flax & aloe are two examples of soothing demulcent herbs, which can calm irritated & inflamed guts. Our course on Digestive Health discusses the effects of demulcents as well as carminatives, antispasmodics, vulneraries, and other key categories of herbs which can help resolve the whole range of digestive upsets. Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut”, and supporting this critical system is often key to unlocking chronic health problems.Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Herbs #22 and 23 on the top-selling herbs list for 2023 were milk thistle and black cohosh.Today we continue our series on commercially popular herbs, and share our views as herbalists on the actions, benefits, and applications of these.Milk thistle is widely known as an excellent herb for the liver, and this is a case where the common wisdom is correct. It's one of the safest herbs out there, and fortunately, it is also widely available and inexpensive. Hepatoprotective and even able to regenerate damaged liver tissue, it is at the same time a very gentle and benign plant. But don't try to make tea with it!Black cohosh's reputation is as a remedy for PMS and menopausal symptoms, and often this is attributed to phytoestrogenic activity or constituents. The reality is murky – and has remained so despite decades of argument and investigation on both sides of the claim. Regardless, black cohosh can often help. We find it best to view the herb through the lens of its action as a relaxant. If PMS or menopause are showing up with lots of tension, it's worth a try and most likely to help. But we can also apply that action much more broadly, for injuries, spasms, and (certain kinds of) headaches.22. Milk Thistle – Silybum marianaumMilk Thistle: Herb of the WeekMilk Thistle at Herbal RealityMilk Thistle in A Modern Herbal, M. Grieve, 1931 – presented in this text alongside multiple other thistles, which allows for close comparisons among them.23. Black Cohosh – Actaea racemosaWuttke, W., Seidlová-Wuttke, D. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a non-estrogenic alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Clin Phytosci 1, 12 (2015). doi: 10.1186/s40816-015-0013-0.Mohapatra S, Iqubal A, Ansari MJ, Jan B, Zahiruddin S, Mirza MA, Ahmad S, Iqbal Z. Benefits of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for Women Health: An Up-Close and In-Depth Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022 Feb 23;15(3):278. doi: 10.3390/ph15030278. PMID: 35337076; PMCID: PMC8953734.Black Cohosh at Herbal RealityCimicifuga in King's American Dispensatory, 1898 – has an impressively long list of indications and applications for this remedy.If all you'd heard (before today) about black cohosh was that it's “good for menopause”, you might want to check out our Reproductive Health course! We discuss the whole range of human reproductive variability and herbal medicines to support all kinds of people. We even bust a few reproductive-health myths and herban legends. (Hint: vitex is not “a miracle herb for all women”!)If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

​In this interview, we cover:

On the top-selling herbs list for 2023 (the most recent data), the herbs in places #19-21 were Tribulus terrestris, Pycnogenol (an extract of Pinus pinaster), and garlic. Today we continue our series on commercially popular herbs, and share our views as herbalists on the actions, benefits, and applications of these ones.The pine extract is an interesting item, given that it's not an entry for the herb itself but rather for a specific proprietary extract from one species. It's true that this extract has been well-studied and shown to exert good effects, but it's also true that pine is much more than this one product.Today's trio also offers an excellent opportunity to apply herbal energetics to help us critique and navigate marketing hype. While tribulus is very popular as a body-building aid, its cooling nature tells us that it is most helpful for those who already run hot. Garlic is the polar opposite of that. While garlic is very famous for its capacity to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, these effects are not as straightforward in a hot, dry, tense body – garlic could cause adverse effects for such a constitution. So, looking through the lens of herbal energetics remains one of our best methods for matching the right herb to the right person.19. Tribulus – Tribulus terrestrisTribulus terrestris at Examine.comGokshura (Tribulus terrestris) at Herbal Reality20. Pycnogenol® – Pinus pinasterPine bark: cardiometabolic health (Herbal Reality)HHP 205: Herbs A-Z: Pinus & PlantagoPine wallpaper for phone & desktop21. Garlic – Allium sativumGarlic at Herbal RealityEvery herbalist should understand energetics, and be able to apply them effectively. Our Energetics & Holistic Practice course has all the info you need to understand herbal actions, qualities, tissue states, and constitutions. These critical concepts set herbalism apart from other healing modalities and are essential to effective herbalism.Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!That course is one part of our Community Herbalist program. This program prepares you to support your family & community with holistic herbal methods.If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

This episode is brought to you by the 2025 Good Medicine Confluence August 17 - 20, 2025 Ghost Ranch, New Mexico LEARN MORE & REGISTER Welcome to episode 14 of The Plant Healer's Path | Glad Misfits & Herbalists Watch all of the episodes of The Plant Healer's Path on YouTube Jesse Wolf Hardin is an impactful author, ecosopher, ecological restorationist, personal counsel, graphic artist, musician, and historian on a mission –– a champion of diversity and what he coined “ReWilding,” as well as an impassioned proponent of nature's medicines. Wolf co-founded with Kiva Rose both the international Good Medicine Confluence gathering and Plant Healer Quarterly magazine, and is the author of over 25 books on herbalism, nature connection, and personal realization.   For more information go to PlantHealer.org. The Plant Healer Online Bookstore is the largest single source or herbal related books and ebooks, both titles by Jesse Wolf Hardin and Kiva Rose, as well as numerous focused compilations by many dozens of other well known herbalists: PlantHealerBookstore.com Plant Healer Magazine is the most in-depth and artistic magazine available for herbal practitioners, artisans and healers of culture, see: PlantHealerMagazine.com Herbaria Monthly is a totally FREE full color zine, full of herbal information, inspiration and empowerment.  Subscribe at PlantHealer.org More Free Resources including complimentary guides to herb schools and suppliers can be downloaded at: LEARN MORE Plant Healer on Instagram: @PlantHealer Plant Healer on Facebook: @PlantHealer The Good Medicine Confluence is a unique annual educational event and celebration held in the forested mountains of the enchanted Southwest each Summer, click through to the Events pages from: GoodMedicineConfluence.com

This episode is brought to you by the 2025 Good Medicine Confluence August 17 - 20, 2025 Ghost Ranch, New Mexico LEARN MORE & REGISTER Welcome to episode 13 of The Plant Healer's Path | Cannabis & Herbalists Watch all of the episodes of The Plant Healer's Path on YouTube Jesse Wolf Hardin is an impactful author, ecosopher, ecological restorationist, personal counsel, graphic artist, musician, and historian on a mission –– a champion of diversity and what he coined “ReWilding,” as well as an impassioned proponent of nature's medicines. Wolf co-founded with Kiva Rose both the international Good Medicine Confluence gathering and Plant Healer Quarterly magazine, and is the author of over 25 books on herbalism, nature connection, and personal realization.   For more information go to PlantHealer.org. The Plant Healer Online Bookstore is the largest single source or herbal related books and ebooks, both titles by Jesse Wolf Hardin and Kiva Rose, as well as numerous focused compilations by many dozens of other well known herbalists: PlantHealerBookstore.com Plant Healer Magazine is the most in-depth and artistic magazine available for herbal practitioners, artisans and healers of culture, see: PlantHealerMagazine.com Herbaria Monthly is a totally FREE full color zine, full of herbal information, inspiration and empowerment.  Subscribe at PlantHealer.org More Free Resources including complimentary guides to herb schools and suppliers can be downloaded at: LEARN MORE Plant Healer on Instagram: @PlantHealer Plant Healer on Facebook: @PlantHealer The Good Medicine Confluence is a unique annual educational event and celebration held in the forested mountains of the enchanted Southwest each Summer, click through to the Events pages from: GoodMedicineConfluence.com

Kimberly joins us all the way from Arizona, where her plant walk sees her growing herbs, making medicine and offering consults in her local community. In this engaging conversation, Stephanie Hazel and Kimberly Kling explore the profound connection between herbalism, storytelling, and our relationship with the natural world. They discuss the urgent need for more herbalists in today's society, the importance of health sovereignty, and the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they highlight the significance of building relationships with plants and the role of storytelling in herbalism. The discussion also delves into the symbolism of plants like blue vervain and rose, emphasising the mutuality in our relationships with nature and the importance of recognising our role as stewards of the earth.**SHOW NOTES**We talk about her new podcast, Remedy and Rhyme. Check out the episode on Rose to follow on from our discussion hereIf you want to check out the upcoming course with Stephanie, and use the ELDERTREE discount code, check it out here.**CONNECT**You can connect with Kimberly via her website ⁠here⁠, listen to her podcast ⁠here⁠ or stay in touch via instagram ⁠here⁠.You can connect with STEPHANIE via instagram here⁠⁠,  or via her website ⁠here⁠.**BUY ME A CUPPA**If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree⁠**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠.Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Our semi-annual 20% off Sale is active now!For the entire month of July,use code hawthorn at checkoutto take 20% off all our online courses!On the top-selling herbs list for 2023 (the most recent data), the herbs in places #16-18 were saw palmetto, cinnamon, and echinacea. In today's installment of our best-sellers series, we share our views as herbalists on the actions, benefits, and applications of these herbs. All three are long-term residents on the market report's top 40 chart, and there's no reason to expect that to change in the coming years.In this series of episodes, we're working to present you with the perspective of a practicing clinical herbalist on these very popular plants. In the form of supplements, they're among the most-taken and most-asked-about herbal remedies for the modern population. Their presentation in the marketplace, though, is generally quite restricted and limited in comparision to both historical and contemporary herbal practices!These herbs are “good for” more than just what's on their packaging. Let's break them out of their pigeon-holes and appreciate their depth & complexity together!If you're new to studying herbs, these episodes will armor you with protection against “herban legends” and misinformation about these plants, which is sadly very common throughout the internet of today.If you're already a practitioner, well, you know how valuable materia medica study has been, is, and will ever be! Because these supplements are so popular, you can expect many of your clients to be taking them already, and to ask you about them when they come to see you. Best to be prepared.16. Saw Palmetto – Serenoa repensHHP 158: Saw Palmetto Doesn't Discriminate On GenderThe Historical Interplay of Plant Biology, Trade, and Human Interactions with Saw Palmetto, Steven Foster17. Cinnamon – Cinnamomum spp.HHP 182: Herbs A-Z: Citrus & CinnamomumHHP 048: Pumpkin Spice – That's Herbalism Too!HHP 035: Cinnamon, Vanilla, & Cacao18. Echinacea – Echinacea spp.The 3 types of echinacea: A comparison of medicinal actions, Ruth Weaver (Herbal Reality)Gangrene averted by Echinacea, C.S. Whitford (1908)The sustainability of echinacea within herbal medicine, Jonas Brab (Herbal Reality)Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

In our fifth installment in this series, we address the facts & fictions about ginkgo, guarana, and maca supplements in commerce! These were #13, 14, and 15 on the top-selling herbs list for 2023 (the most recent data).This series is all about sharing an herbalist's understanding of herbs very popular as commercial supplements and other mass-market products. We want to share perspectives of both traditional and contemporary herbal practice, so people can understand these are “good for” more than just what's on their labels.It's too easy for herbs to be boxed in to smaller and smaller ranges of application when they're commercialized. This is an antidote to that movement!For practicing herbalists & clinicians, it's very important to know well those herbs which are most commonly consumed. Your clients will ask you about them, or be taking them before they even visit you – so you've got to know what they do! You might be able to give advice about a better remedy, or a compensation for some effect of the plant. This can help your clients just as much as a new recommendation, so don't neglect it.If you're new to herbalism, this can also serve as an inoculation against “herban legends” and misinformation – which is rampant on today's internet.13. Ginkgo – Ginkgo bilobaHHP 139: Six Herbs for Cognitive Decline PreventionHHP 047: Tinnitus & Headaches14. Guarana – Paullinia cupanaGuarana at Examine.comGuarana in King's American Dispensatory (1898)15. Maca – Lepidium meyeniiMaca at Examine.comMaca at Herbal RealityFind the previous episode of this series here:(Part 1): Psyllium, Elderberry, Turmeric, Ashwagandha(Part 2): Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry(Part 3): Wheatgrass, Beet Root, & Ginger(Part 4): Green Tea, Fenugreek, Ivy LeafWhether you're a brand-new beginner or an herbalist with experience, it's always helpful to study the herbs in depth! Our comprehensive presentation of herbal allies is in our Holistic Herbalism Materia Medica course. It includes detailed profiles of 100 medicinal herbs!This self-paced online video course comes with access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Do you cringe when someone asks what you charge?Still thinking you need to “earn” the right to raise your prices?Let's stop that right now.In this episode, I'm laying it all out: why I charge what I do, how I got confident doing it, and why you absolutely must do the same—if you want a practice that thrives without burnout.I know pricing can feel awkward, even emotional. But it doesn't have to be. I'll show you how I stopped undercharging, ditched the guilt, and built a business that supports me as much as I support my clients.Feeling a bit stuck on how to apply all this?

We discuss green tea, fenugreek, and ivy leaf in this, the fourth part of an episodic sequence about the best-selling herbs in the US.Our primary purpose for creating this series of episodes is to share an understanding of these herbs from the perspectives of traditional and contemporary herbal practice. Frequently, the high-volume sales of these herbs comes along with oversimplified or diminished ideas about what they can do. If we ask “what does this herb help with?” and answer it based only on what we see on store shelves and product websites, we'll miss out on a lot of possibilities!Every herbalist practicing in the US today should be familiar with these herbs, because they are the ones your clients are most likely to be taking even before they show up for an appointment with you. Their use may have implications for your own herbal recommendations, or serve as a jumping-off point for a more involved protocol. You may also be able to advise your clients about alternatives which may serve them better, or even some supplements that aren't really worth the price.So overall, this series is both an example of materia medica study and also a guide to ‘marketing literacy' for supplements.10. Green Tea – Camellia sinensisGreen Tea at Herbal Reality11. Fenugreek – Trigonella foenum-graecumFenugreek at Herbal Reality12. Ivy Leaf – Hedera helix“Hedera.-Ivy.” in King's American Dispensatory, 1898Find the previous episode of this series here:HHP 240: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 1): Psyllium, Elderberry, Turmeric, AshwagandhaHHP 244: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 2): Apple Cider Vinegar, CranberryHHP 246: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 3): Wheatgrass, Beet Root, & GingerWhether you're a brand-new beginner or an herbalist with experience, it's always helpful to study the herbs in depth! Our comprehensive presentation of herbal allies is in our Holistic Herbalism Materia Medica course. It includes detailed profiles of 100 medicinal herbs!Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Herbalists don't just treat symptoms—they listen, personalize, and heal at the root.In this episode, we explore what makes herbal medicine uniquely powerful compared to conventional healthcare. Mel shares why herbalists take the time to hear your whole story—offering individualized, compassionate care instead of one-size-fits-all fixes.You'll hear how:Western medicine often masks symptoms with prescriptionsFunctional medicine can fall into “shotgun herbalism”Herbalists create truly personalized protocols by understanding your full picture—body, mind & spiritTwo people with IBS might need totally different herbsHealing relationships (not rushed visits) lead to real transformation

In part three of our series on the top-selling herbs in the United States, we cover wheatgrass, beet root, and ginger supplements.As we share our opinions about these popular herbal supplements, our primary goal is to help you understand these herbs in their breadth and depth. They're too often pigeon-holed into limited ranges of application – the usual answers to “what is it good for?” are too small! There's plenty more to say about them than their most common selling points.If you're an herbalist, it's good for you to be well-informed about herbal supplements which people take most often. You can learn what is popular, and why it is. You can understand how to answer questions about those plants, how to differentiate hype from health, how to help someone find a better alternative, and which supplements just aren't worth the cost. This series is intended to help you do that!If you're new to herbalism, we're happy that we get the first chance to form your thoughts around these herbs. At the same time, this will act as a guide to developing ‘marketing literacy' as applied to herbal supplements – and some good old-fashioned materia medica study, too.7. Wheatgrass / Barley grass – Triticum aestivum / Hordeum vulgareWhat to Do When You've Been Glutened8. Beet root – Beta vulgarisBeetroot profile at Herbal Reality9. Ginger – Zingiber off.HHP 227: Herbs A-Z: ZingiberGinger: Herb of the WeekFind the previous episode of this series here:HHP 240: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 1): Psyllium, Elderberry, Turmeric, AshwagandhaHHP 244: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 2): Apple Cider Vinegar, CranberryWhether you're a brand-new beginner or an herbalist with experience, it's always helpful to study the herbs in depth! Our comprehensive presentation of herbal allies is in our Holistic Herbalism Materia Medica course. It includes detailed profiles of 100 medicinal herbs!Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

This week on Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism, we are resharing an excerpt from our 2021 Virtual Spring Free Herbalism Project. The Mountain Rose Free Herbalism Project is an interactive community event with lectures from expert herbalists, music, and community--all free of charge! This is one of the ways in which Mountain Rose Herbs hopes to give back to herbalists and our local community. We hope you enjoy tuning in to Lucretia VanDyke's presentation on Women of Color Herbalists of the South. As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Send us an email at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions we should uncover within the vast world of herbalism next. Women of Color Herbalists of the South, with Lucretia VanDyke Throughout history people of color have played important roles in the world of healthcare. From the granny midwife, herbalist, abolitionist, from our food for the soul to the medicine women who united communities. Join Lucretia in speaking their names to understand their journey and the importance of their contribution to the world of the healing arts.

This episode continues our series covering the top-selling herbs in the United States. As we give you our thoughts about these popular herbal supplements, we're hoping to help you break out of the box. These herbs are frequently pigeon-holed into very narrow ranges of application – the answers to the question “what is it good for?” are usually very limited! There's more to say about them than their most effective selling points or marketing campaigns.If you're a practicing herbalist, you should be well-informed about the herbal supplements people take most frequently. You should know what's popular, and why. You should know how to answer people's questions about these herbs, how to sort hype from health, how to identify better alternatives, and which ones simply aren't worth the money. This series is intended to help you do that!If you're new to herbalism – we're glad that we get to help you form your initial opinion of these herbs. More broadly, though, this will serve as an introduction to marketing literacy in the realm of herbal supplements, as well as some good materia medica study.In today's episode we cover apple cider vinegar and cranberry supplements.5. Apple Cider Vinegar – Malus spp.jim mcdonald's Apple monographKatja's recipe for Paleo Apple Fritters6. Cranberry – Vaccinium macrocarponHHP 224: Herbs A-Z: Urtica & VacciniumHHP 006: Dynamic Desk Work + Crazy for Cranberries (discussion of cranberry starts around 25:30)Find the first episode of this series here: HHP 240: Herbalists' Views on the Top-Selling Herbs (Part 1): Psyllium, Elderberry, Turmeric, AshwagandhaWhether you're a brand-new beginner or an herbalist with experience, it's always helpful to study the herbs in depth! Our comprehensive presentation of herbal allies is in our Holistic Herbalism Materia Medica course. It includes detailed profiles of 100 medicinal herbs!Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

Join herbalist Lupo Passero from the Appalachian Herb Collective as she walks us through how to set up community herbal hubs and mobile clinics in the face of tragedy. WATCH THIS WEBINAR SLIDESHOW ON YOUTUBE The Appalachian Herb Collective (AHC) is an Herbal Re-leaf effort created in response to the devastation inflicted throughout our area after Hurricane Helene decimated and displaced so many. This is a grass roots effort of local Herbalists on the ground, meant to directly hep the folks affected by this catastrophic event. They have dubbed themselves, the Appalachian Herb Collective (AHC) as they are covering as many counties in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee as possible offering Free Herbal Mutual Aid hubs.  They currently have various locations set up in Madison, Buncombe and Yancey County in North Carolina as well as Unicoi County, Tennessee and are actively working to set up even more AHC stations to support as many areas affected as possible.  LINKS & RESOURCES LEARN MORE | AppalachianHerbCollective.net DONATE | LEARN MORE Twin Star Herbs | TwinStarTribe.com

Join herbalists Jeannie Dunn, Lupo Passero and Melissa from the Appalachian Herb Collective as they discuss their work with the Appalachian Herb Collective and how you can help their re-leaf efforts.  The Appalachian Herb Collective (AHC) is an Herbal Re-leaf effort created in response to the devastation inflicted throughout our area after Hurricane Helene decimated and displaced so many. This is a grass roots effort of local Herbalists on the ground, meant to directly hep the folks affected by this catastrophic event. They have dubbed themselves, the Appalachian Herb Collective (AHC) as they are covering as many counties in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee as possible offering Free Herbal Mutual Aid hubs.  They currently have various locations set up in Madison, Buncombe and Yancey County in North Carolina as well as Unicoi County, Tennessee and are actively working to set up even more AHC stations to support as many areas affected as possible.  LINKS & RESOURCES LEARN MORE | AppalachianHerbCollective.net DONATE | LEARN MORE Twin Star Herbs | TwinStarTribe.com Red Moon Herbs | RedMoonHerbs.com

This episode begins an intermittent series we'll be doing this year, covering the top-selling herbs in the United States and giving you our thoughts about them. From the perspective of a practicing herbalist, these herbs are frequently pigeon-holed into very narrow ranges of application – the “what is it good for” answers are quite limited! The Herbal Market Report from the American Botanical Council comes out every year, with data about herbal supplement sales for the prior year. Check it out and take a look at the “mainstream” and “natural channel” best-seller lists – you might be surprised at what's on there!If you're an herbalist, you should be well-educated about the herbs people take most frequently. You should know what's popular, and why. You should know how to talk to people about these herbs, how to correct misconceptions, how to offer more effective alternatives, and which ones are worth the money. We're hoping this series will help you do that!If you're new to herbalism – yay, we get first crack at forming your opinion of these herbs!

SIGN UP for the HerbRally newsletter to discover HERBALISM EVENTS in your neck of the woods [and online] PLUS GET 13 HERBAL FREEBIES | SIGN UP Renowned herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono gives us a peek into the upcoming Tuscany adventure she's hosting May 24 - June 4, 2025. This episode originally appeared on the HerbRally YouTube channel. If you'd like to see imagery and the slideshow for what Holly is referring to, CLICK HERE. Join fellow herbie-and-foodie lovers in Italy! This 11-night/12-day herbal, foodie, art and culture adventure will immerse you in the sights, scents, flavors and art of the Italian countryside.  It's the olive-studded, flower-scented, farm-and-pharmacy, folklore and history trip that will leave you feeling inspired and rejuvenated. Solo travelers, couples and groups welcome! LEARN MORE & REGISTER Your Tuscany Hosts Holly Bellebuono and David Vigneault Herbalist, author, entrepreneur coach, and herb school director Holly Bellebuono and her partner David Vigneault, housing director and disabilities professional, will warmly welcome you to Italy. Dr. Richard Liebmann and Natalie Young Husband-and-wife team naturopathic physician and former Executive Director of United Plant Savers Richard Liebmann and Natalie Young, certified massage therapist and yoga and pilates instructor, are curating this incredible trip. Register early, spots will fill quickly!

Today's topic request comes from student herbalist Natashia, who wanted to know how I store information as I learn. Organization is one of my favorite things, so it is with pleasure that I share my tips and tricks with you today. I share my system, as well as others I have picked up from fellow herbalists. Enjoy!This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. Send me your topic requests by emailing me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com, or call me at 802-234-1177!Thanks for listening!

Send us a textThis month on My Take, I'm unpacking my thoughts about Aromatic Chat Episodes 113 & 114, Aromatic Chats with Ann Harmon and Donna Moyer. In this episode, you'll hear about:ConnectionUnderstandingThe weeds in your lifeThe gift of your bodyand moreCLICK HERE to join my free Facebook group Reframe, Restore, & Refresh for women who want to feel joy and purpose again.Try Blend Precisely, the software business toolkit for Aromatherapists, Herbalists, and Formulators, risk-free for 14 days to discover how they can support you in your Aromatic Life and Business.SIGN UP HERE to begin blending and take advantage of this fantastic toolkit, which includes safety information, dilution, Chakras, perfumery notes, Pricing, and more.Support the showAre you a midlife woman who has lost her identity or spark? Download 5 Tips to Feel Joy Again in Under 20-MintuesMusic by Adipsia Shownotes by VerdantHeart VA

I've known Thomas Elpel for several years, and was really excited to have the chance to talk with him again. Tom sat down with me to discuss how a basic understanding of botany can be helpful for herbalists, but our conversation went way beyond that. While not strictly an herbalist, Tom is definitely a plant person through and through, and his curiosity about the natural world is infectious!Tom has written many books about a variety of subjects. His book Botany in a Day, which can help you learn to recognize and identify plants through their botanical families, was transformative for me when I was first learning to identify plants! Tom has shared a sample page from Botany in a Day about the oleaster plant family with us; you can download your copy here: https://bit.ly/40PkFNr By the end of this episode, you'll know:► How learning to recognize plants by the patterns of their botanical families can be useful to herbalists and other people who work with plants► Why it's so important to actually go out and experience the natural world – the way the deer do!► Why “invasive plants” is a complicated term, and how working to eradicate plants with this label can sometimes do more harm than good► Four ways that plants in the oleaster family can benefit the environment around them► and so much more…For those of you who don't know him, Thomas J. Elpel is the director of Green University in southwest Montana, and is the author of nine books ranging in topics from wilderness survival to consciousness. He is best known for his book Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification. With his background in wilderness survival skills, Tom applied a self-sufficiency ethic to all aspects of his life, from living in a tent and building his own stone and log home to later launching his own publishing company. Tom has produced two card games that teach plant family patterns and one that teaches wildlife ecology. He is presently writing a book about the ecology of the American West.I can't wait to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book...

Send us a textIn this episode of AromaticChat, I have the pleasure of speaking with Donna Moyer.Donna specializes in making products.She became an Aromatherapist after growing herbs on her balcony, and this was just the beginning of her fascinating story.Tune in and stay all the way to the end to hear:how she uses plants, What she has going on right now, Some of what she's enjoyed learning, Some of her other interests, Her parting words.LINKS:BonRetta's Aromatherapyfacebook: @BonRetta's AromatherapyTry Blend Precisely, the software business toolkit for Aromatherapists, Herbalists, and Formulators, risk-free for 14 days to discover how they can support you in your Aromatic Life and Business.SIGN UP HERE to begin blending and take advantage of this fantastic toolkit, which includes safety information, dilution, Chakras, perfumery notes, Pricing, and more.Support the showAre you a midlife woman who has lost her identity or spark? Download 5 Tips to Feel Joy Again in Under 20-MintuesMusic by Adipsia Shownotes by VerdantHeart VA

Send us a textIn this episode of AromaticChat, I have the joy of chatting with Ann Harman.Ann specializes in distilling and educating on hydrosols.She became a distiller after having an early passion for plants and attending a United Plant Savers conference, and this was just the beginning of her amazing story.Tune in and stay all the way to the end to hear:Her passion for plants and distilling, Her stories, Her passion and respect for the work of the vintage aromatherapists,  Her work with native plant restoration, Some of her other passions and interests, Her parting call to action and a quote.LINKS:botannicals.comIG - @hydrosolheadquarters. FB - Circle H Institute or botannicalslearn.botannicals.comThe liability insurance for small-business owners covering over 800 modalities. From Animal work to Tattooists to all things yoga, Alternative Balance does it all.Checkout Alternative Balance today. Try Blend Precisely, the software business toolkit for Aromatherapists, Herbalists, and Formulators, risk-free for 14 days to discover how they can support you in your Aromatic Life and Business.SIGN UP HERE to begin blending and take advantage of this fantastic toolkit, which includes safety information, dilution, Chakras, perfumery notes, Pricing, and more.Support the showAre you a midlife woman who has lost her identity or spark? Download 5 Tips to Feel Joy Again in Under 20-MintuesMusic by Adipsia Shownotes by VerdantHeart VA

  May we all be safe enough to dream, & safe enough to Ovafy (what women do instead of testify) Max Dashu be guest today that we may ally with Witchen herbal lore… Mugwort – protects boundaries, enhances Dreaming…. Safe enough to dream….and many more plant allies… that even hearing their names and qualities, is a microdose….   Max Dashu, historian, author, artist  has been restoring women & women's history to cultural memory, political analysis, spiritual awareness since 1970. Through the Suppressed Histories Archives and her books she provides global perspectives, across the expanse of time, on the cultural record, from rock art, archaeology, Indigenous orature, written records, all testimony woven into an ever expanding collection. Max Dashu, Suppressed Histories Archives www.suppressedhistories.net Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/CKkhhRO47QY?si=Tn9sFMzK7ZXmfFWW Books, dvds, posters from Veleda Press: www.veleda.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suppressed-Histories-Archives-333661528320/   Witchen Herbal Lore This visual talk will dive into the lore, chants, and rituals of sacred plants, including Mugwort, Hypericum, Mandrake, Rue, Vervain, Rowan-berry and the Daturas. The Nine Herbs Charm in Old English, the lybbestre (“medicine woman”) and wyrtgaelstre (“herb-chantress”), among other folk names for women healers. Herbs of the Midsummer garlands and bonfires; on that Eve, sitting under Hyldemoer, Mother of the Elderberry Tree, to watch for the elven procession pass by. Italian herbalists who healed with flower oils, Bulgarian vrachky healers, Scots and Irish “fairy doctors,” German “measurers,” and Slavic “whisperers.” Herbalists who sing praise songs to the plants in gathering, tell them why they are needed to cure, and sprinkle offerings into the Earth. We'll touch on healing by chant, touch, whisking, smoking, lustration, curing stones, tying herbs on with knotted yarn, and “pouring wax.” Two showings: Thurs 24 Oct at 6pm and Sat 26 Oct at noon (US Pacific Time – check a timezone converter for your local equivalent.) Registration is sliding scale at https://suppressed-histories.teachable.com/p/witchen-herbal-lore       The Visionary Activist Show on Patreon www.CoyoteNetworkNews.com *Woof*Woof*Wanna*Play?!?* The post The Visionary Activist Show – Witchen Herbal Lore appeared first on KPFA.

Energetic Health Institute Radio with Carmen Adams, CHN – Central to the theme of today's Q&A-styled episode, we will be debunking common myths and misunderstandings about herbal medicine. By providing accurate information, Herbalists and Holistic Wellness Practitioners can build trust with their clients and the broader community, encouraging informed decision-making...