It's not everyday you get to sit down and chat with an herbal legend—and that's exactly what we did in this episode of HerbMentor Radio! Rosemary Gladstar is 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 12 books. Her latest book, The Generosity of Plants —a heartfelt collection of plant wisdom, quotes...
May 17, 2025•50 min
St. John's wort's Latin name is Hypericum perforatum —named for the hypericin content in the plant's flowers and the tiny perforations in the leaves. These hypericin-rich flowers offer many healing gifts. Want to learn more about the gifts of St. John's wort? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of St. John's wort. And after learning these 3 benefits of St. John's wort, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Here’s the easy way to learn...
Apr 27, 2025•3 min
Inflammation is a big buzz word in the wellness world these days, but what exactly is inflammation? And how can it really be the root cause of a seemingly endless number of chronic conditions? Luckily, we have Rosalee de la Forêt to help us sort through the ins and outs of inflammation. Rosalee is a clinical herbalist, author of Alchemy of Herbs and Wild Remedies, and an expert in herbal energetics who helps people transform their health through the joyful use of herbs. For over 20 years Rosalee...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Let’s stop and smell the roses, shall we? Known for their luxurious scent and heartwarming blooms, rose petals ( Rosa spp. ) are a balm for the soul. Beyond the beauty of their flowers, roses offer many healing gifts. Want to learn more about roses? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of rose petals. And after learning these 3 benefits of rose, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: h...
Mar 30, 2025•2 min
Tesia Love is a clinical Ayurvedic specialist, herbalist, and licensed massage and bodywork therapist who helps people restore balance through traditional healing. In this episode, Tesia shares her wisdom on Ayurveda—a 3,000-year-old system of medicine that offers a practical framework for understanding herbs and how they interact with the human body. When learning about herbs, it’s easy to fall into a “take this for that” mindset. While this might work for basic first-aid, a deeper understandin...
Mar 16, 2025•50 min
With their heart-shaped leaves and beautiful flowers, violets ( Viola odorata ) are a delight for the heart and soul. Beyond their charming looks, violets also offer many healing gifts. Want to learn more about the gifts of violet? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of violet. And after learning these 3 benefits of violet, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.card...
Feb 28, 2025•3 min
Rita Hogan is a clinical herbalist with over 20 years of experience specializing in holistic canine care. She blends Western herbalism, food energetics, homeopathy, and natural therapies to support dogs’ health naturally. Growing up on a farm, she learned the power of plants from her father, which sparked a lifelong passion for herbal medicine and led to her work as a consultant, educator, and author. Her new book, The Herbal Dog: Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice , provides pr...
Feb 16, 2025•47 min
Chickweed ( Stellaria media) is often one of the first signs of spring: this springtime green sprouts up as temperatures increase, beckoning us all to celebrate the arrival of the new season. Often dismissed as a "common weed," the chickweed plant's growth comes at just the right time—it offers many healing gifts that can support our bodies during the transition from winter to spring. Want to learn more about the gifts of chickweed? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits...
Jan 30, 2025•2 min
EagleSong Gardener is an EarthKeeper, a grandmother, and a lifelong adventurer, with over 50 years of experience homesteading, practicing herbal medicine, and teaching. Her unique approach is grounded in observing the rhythms of nature and understanding how life weaves its patterns through the seasons. She inspires others to connect with the earth in practical and meaningful ways. EagleSong wasn’t just my first herbal mentor—she’s been the most influential in shaping my journey with plants. Her ...
Jan 17, 2025•58 min
Thyme offers a familiar, pungent taste to every dish it graces. Beyond its culinary gifts, thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) also has a rich history as a medicinal herb with a wide range of benefits. Want to learn more about the gifts of thyme? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of thyme in this edition of Herb Notes. And after learning these 3 benefits of thyme, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb N...
Dec 31, 2024•2 min
The most wonderful time of the year brings your most pressing herbal questions! In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we explore: What herbs are best for sleep? Which herbs ease pain naturally? What makes a great herbal coffee substitute? Discover the benefits of herbs like California poppy, passionflower, ginger, and turmeric, as Tara shares her go-to remedies for common ailments like insomnia and muscle tension. Plus, John reveals a simple yet crucial tip for identifying St. John’s wort — you’l...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 2 min
As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, peppermint's ubiquitous flavor can bring a sense of familiarity and comfort. Peppermint ( Mentha x piperita ) is more than just a tasty beverage though: the peppermint plant has a rich history of medicinal usage. Want to learn more about the gifts of peppermint? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of peppermint. And after learning these 3 benefits of peppermint, you might be wondering how you can learn more about ot...
Dec 01, 2024•2 min
Herbalist and artisanal miso maker Gabe Garms joins us to chat about herbal misos, regenerative farming, and fermentation. Before I met Gabe this past summer, I thought that miso could only be made with soybeans. Little did I know that miso can be made with ingredients like dandelion root, mushrooms, and even bacon. Gabe opened my eyes to the exciting world of herbal misos — including how incredibly nutrient-dense they are — and his creativity and vast knowledge of fermentation totally blew me a...
Nov 17, 2024•51 min
In recent years, turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) has exploded in popularity. Chances are your favorite coffeeshop might now even include a golden milk turmeric latte on the menu. Turmeric, however, is not just a fad: this vibrant herb is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy with centuries’ of use as a traditional remedy. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of turmeric. And after learning these 3 benefits of turmeric, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other comm...
Nov 02, 2024•3 min
Lisa Fazio takes us on a journey through Italian-American folk herbalism, the healing power of food as medicine, and the medicinal properties of herbs like garlic, St. John’s wort, and olive. She shares her personal stories and ancestral wisdom, making this conversation a true gift for anyone passionate about herbal traditions. When we first came across Lisa’s new book, Della Medicina: The Tradition of Italian-American Folk Healing , we knew we had to invite her to the show. Her book is a beauti...
Oct 19, 2024•55 min
With its familiar sweet and pungent taste, cinnamon is a common spice that makes an exceptionally tasty addition to every meal it graces. Cinnamon’s gifts go far beyond its flavor, however: in fact, herbalists know that cinnamon offers many healing gifts. Want to learn more about the gifts of cinnamon? Let’s dive into three key health benefits of cinnamon… Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of cinnamon. And after learning these 3 benefits of cinnamon, you might be wo...
Sep 29, 2024•3 min
Chatting with Lucretia VanDyke for the first time ever immediately felt like catching up with a dear friend — we were totally transported and never wanted the conversation to end. Lucretia is a phenomenal storyteller who weaves her tales with reverence, humor, and thorough research. As one of the foremost experts on Southern folk healing arts, she integrate rituals, plant spirit meditation, holistic food and herbal medicine, and ancestor reverence into people's practices. She is the author of Af...
Sep 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Rosemary is most popularly known as a tasty culinary herb. Indeed, rosemary’s aromatic leaves have a special place in many beloved dishes — adding a distinct, pungent taste. Herbalists know, though, that rosemary’s beneficial properties extend far beyond its flavor: this fragrant herb boasts many healing gifts. Want to learn more about the many gifts of rosemary? Let's dive into three key health benefits of rosemary… Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of rosemary. An...
Sep 01, 2024•3 min
Have you ever had one of those moments in life when suddenly everything change? There's a before this moment and an after this moment — and nothing will ever be the same. That's how Tara and I felt after meeting Asia Suler. Asia Suler is an herbalist and earth intuitive. She began her journey after began her journey after early years of chronic pain and illness. The experience— which pushed her into a deep search for healing, both within and without— led her to the altar of the green world. Chat...
Aug 17, 2024•56 min
I saw mullein ( Verbascum spp. ) growing all around me for years before I knew its name, let alone its many healing gifts. Now when I see mullein growing upwards of 7 feet tall by sidewalks and trailsides alike, I smile and say hi to this nourishing plant ally. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of mullein. And after learning the benefits of mullein, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs... Well, here’s the easy way to learn more abou...
Jul 28, 2024•3 min
I have been waiting for years to get to dive deep into the Five Elements on HerbMentor Radio, so it was a special treat when Jiling Lin stopped by to chat with us about the principles of Five Elements. Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist, herbalist, and artist. Her integrative medical practice in Ventura, CA and holistic workshops, retreats, and writings empower thriving health and environmental stewardship in our bodies, communities, and world. In our conversation with Jiling, she drew on he...
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
With its heart shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, linden (Tilia spp. and aka lime tree ) is a beautiful tree often found on city blocks. While most people value linden trees for their beauty and shade, herbalists know that linden flowers also offer many healing gifts. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of linden. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs... Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about...
Jun 30, 2024•3 min
Christopher Hobbs is a world-renowned, fourth-generation herbalist, licensed acupuncturist, and mycologist with a passion for medicinal mushrooms. He’s also a prolific author, and his most recent book is Christopher Hobb’s Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide , which we highly recommend as a trusted resource on mushrooms. Though Tara and I are both pretty well-versed in the world of plants, neither of us are as familiar with mushrooms. So it was an extra special treat to get to sit down with...
Jun 23, 2024•53 min
When life gives you lemon balm, you're in luck! With its uplifting citrusy scent, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) certainly is a balm for the soul. Beloved by herbalists and pollinators alike, this abundant plants makes a wonderful addition to any herb garden. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of lemon balm. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs... Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favor...
Jun 02, 2024•2 min
John and Tara answer some hairy herbal questions today. Since LearningHerbs' began twenty years ago, we've gotten so many incredible questions about herbal medicine from our community, and we're excited to discuss a few of them today. So sit back, brew up a relaxing cup of chamomile tea, and enjoy our deep dive into questions like... What herbs are good for hair growth? What else is chamomile tea good for? And what herbs should I plant together? In this episode we dive into the benefits of chamo...
May 12, 2024•46 min
Let's get to the heart of the matter, shall we? When it comes to hawthorn , the first thing herbalists tend to think about is the organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies: the heart. And while hawthorn can be a wonderful herbal ally for the heart, there's so much more to know about hawthorn's benefits beyond its affinity for the cardiovascular system. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of hawthorn. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how yo...
May 04, 2024•2 min
Spring is (finally) here! With this season of new growth and warmer days, comes the opportunity to connect with all the plants freshly sprouting up around us. In your neighborhood you might notice "weeds" like cleavers, chickweed, plantain, and dandelion. Or perhaps you're tending your own herb garden and getting to watch the seeds you planted transform into tiny but mighty seedlings. If you're ready to deepen your connection with the plants this season and learn how you can support your body th...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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...
Apr 02, 2024•3 min•Ep. 111
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...
Mar 17, 2024•55 min•Ep. 110
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 ...
Mar 03, 2024•3 min•Ep. 109
