Lemon Balm, the “happiest plant on Earth,” enchants with its vibrant lemony aroma and taste. Beloved for its calming effects, this aromatic herb brings a sense of peace and serenity, along with an uplifted feeling to the spirit. Loved for its calming and relaxing properties, this aromatic herb soothes tense digestion and eases an anxious mind. Whether sipping it as a delicious cup of tea or taking it in tincture form, there are numerous ways to enjoy this herb. Like a ray of sunshine, Lemon Balm...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min
In this episode, we take a high-level look at what happens when you combine two of the most contrasting—and complementary—herbs in North American herbalism: Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). One stimulates, one relaxes—and together they create a powerful synergy that supports circulation, respiration, and neuromuscular function. You’ll also hear insights on how their energetic and constitutional profiles apply to vāta patterns in Ayurveda and Mercury archetypes in astrolog...
Jun 17, 2025•12 min
In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful herb pairs in North American herbalism—Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). These two plants represent the archetypal stimulant and relaxant, and when used together, they reveal deep patterns in how herbal energetics function. You’ll also discover how this triad—stimulant, relaxant, and tonic—connects to core principles found in Ayurveda, alchemy, and astrology. In this segment, you’ll learn: Why Cayenne and Lobelia are a...
Jun 16, 2025•5 min
Welcome to the second installment in our Anatomy of a Formula series. In this post, we’ll examine a classic North American herbal duo: the archetypal stimulant, Cayenne (Capsicum annuum), and the archetypal relaxant, Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). If you missed the introductory post, which explored a brief history of formulation in Western herbalism and the strategic thinking behind herbal pairs and triplets, be sure to check it out[LINK]—it sets the stage for this series and what we’re diving into ...
Jun 11, 2025•33 min
Have you been studying herbs for a while, but you still feel unsure about how to combine them into an effective formula? Or maybe you’re newer to herbalism and ready to dive into the art and science of formulation? Formulation is one of my favorite parts of herbal medicine, so I’m excited to kick off a new series called The Anatomy of a Formula. I love the synergy that emerges when herbs are combined in intelligent, intentional ways—and the specificity you can achieve when formulating for a part...
May 28, 2025•33 min
Welcome to Part 2 of the Allergy Strategy. In this episode, we'll explore the two key approaches to working with allergies and intolerances: prevention and acute care. Whether it's you, your loved ones, or your clients dealing with seasonal allergies, you'll find plenty of tools here to support the process—and many of these strategies can also be applied to other types of allergies. If you haven't had a chance to read Part One yet, I recommend starting there: https://tinyurl.com/tuw2358m as it c...
May 21, 2025•43 min
Spring has officially sprung. The birds are chirping, the plants are waking up, and the earth is on the move again. It's a beautiful time of year—and here in the Pacific Northwest, we welcome the lifting of the cold, the retreat of the rain, and the chance to head back outside to enjoy nature's splendor and get our gardens growing. But spring's return comes at a high cost for many due to seasonal allergies. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, stepping outs...
May 14, 2025•33 min
Have you ever wondered how to understand plants on a deeper level, beyond “This herb is good for that thing?” If so, you won’t want to skip this post! I am excited to be joined today by my colleague, friend, and teacher, Pam Montgomery. Pam is an herbalist, author, international teacher, earth elder, and new paradigm thinker who passionately embraces her role as a spokesperson for the green beings. She has investigated plants and their intelligent spiritual nature for over three decades. Pam is ...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to learn herbal medicine and astrology? This is one of the biggest challenges I hear from people studying herbalism on its own… throw astrology on top of it, and it just seems like too much. They say, “I was already overwhelmed trying to learn how to become a great herbalist. And now, to practice this way, I have to learn the massive system of astrology too. I'm busy with my day job, family, home, and garden, and it's too much.” But it doesn’t have to be tha...
Apr 16, 2025•46 min
Spring is the season of renewal—and the perfect time to support your body with cleansing and nourishing herbs. Last week, we covered the overall concept of the spring cleanse and whether it's a good thing for us to do in our modern culture. We got a birds-eye view of the qualities and characteristics of herbs that would fit into this category. Ready to learn more about spring cleansing and which herbs to prioritize? In this episode, I’m spotlighting my three favorite spring tonic herbs. I’ll tel...
Apr 10, 2025•43 min
The premise of cleansing is popular in alternative medicine circles, seen as one of the most important ways to get and stay healthy. But is it really? Is our modern take on cleansing the same as it was traditionally? And most importantly, is cleansing really appropriate for anyone and everyone? We’ll cover all that and more in our exploration of the spring cleanse. Here’s what I’ll cover: What happens in the spring transition that necessitates a cleanse? The qualities that predominate in winter ...
Apr 02, 2025•32 min
Have you ever wondered how science views medical astrology or whether it has been proven "true?" Should we consider astrology a valid tool for understanding health, or is it just pseudoscience? Astrological medicine is a central part of our approach to herbal medicine here at The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, so it's a topic we discuss regularly. Today, we're breaking down medical astrology's relationship to scientific and pragmatic truth and proof, and what really matters. Here's what you'l...
Mar 26, 2025•30 min
Most traditions of herbal medicine across the world use the fundamental principle of antipathetic medicine in their approach to therapeutics. But in the practice of alchemical medicine—based on Paracelsianism— and in astro-herbalism, another approach is commonly used: sympathetic medicine. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the principles of sympathetic medicine, how it differs from the antipathetic approach, and how we can work with it to deepen our understanding of plant to planet correspo...
Mar 19, 2025•33 min
In medical astrology, astral polarities offer profound insights into the body’s interconnected systems, revealing hidden relationships between organ functions and celestial archetypes. By studying opposing zodiac signs, we gain a deeper understanding of how the various parts of the body interact. This perspective aligns with holistic traditions like Ayurveda, which recognize the dynamic interplay between organs, emotions, and physiological processes. Each axis in astrology represents a functiona...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min
Today we begin our new book review series, and I’m kicking it off by reviewing Judith Hill’s foundational text, “Medical Astrology: A Guide to Planetary Pathology.” This is an essential book on medical astrology, and should be a staple reference in your library if you’re interested in the astro-herbalism approach. In this post you’ll learn what this book has to offer, including: The six sign polarities and how they influence organ systems The planetary qualities and their role in health The luna...
Feb 26, 2025•20 min
Mugwort is a plant famed for its effects on dreaming, but its medicinal properties and actions do so much more than that. With a distinct effect on the nervous, digestive, hepatobiliary, and reproductive systems, Mugwort navigates, regulates, and balances the highways that connect them all. In today’s video, you’ll discover: Mugwort’s role in digestion How its bitter, choleretic, and cholagogue properties support liver health and relieve stagnation. -Its unique dual action on the nervous system ...
Feb 20, 2025•7 min
Elecampane has become one of my personal favorite respiratory remedies over the years, not just for its medicinal benefits for many of the common respiratory woes people face today, but as a choice restorative agent. Whether you make it into a tincture or enjoy the syrup, Elecampane is a remedy every herbalist should know. In this episode, you'll learn: Elecampane's role as a stimulant expectorant for cold, damp, unproductive coughs How it encourages deeper, more productive coughing to clear sta...
Feb 06, 2025•11 min
Have you ever crammed for an exam, only to forget everything a few weeks later? Cramming never works, especially in herbal medicine. Memorizing facts might get you through a test, but it won’t prepare you to help real people. If you want your knowledge to stick—not just in your mind but in your heart—there’s a better way. By studying herbs strategically, you’ll gain the confidence and competence to make a genuine impact as an herbalist. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: Why memorizing lists of h...
Jan 15, 2025•42 min
Adaptogenic herbs are everywhere these days, offering promises of being the ultimate cure for fatigue and the secret to boundless energy. But here’s the truth: adaptogens are one of the most misunderstood and misused herbal remedies out there these days. When used incorrectly, they can backfire, potentially worsening fatigue instead of helping it. Many people fall into the trap of misusing these herbs, chasing quick fixes without addressing the underlying causes of their exhaustion. To truly add...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min
There’s something about winter that makes us want to bundle up and get warm. And while many of us do this with sweaters, a beanie, and thick wool socks, there’s another critical way we stay warm: Through the herbs and food we eat. In many herbal traditions, plants are often split into warming or cooling. A cooling herb might be great in summer, but it can leave you feeling off-balance during the cold winter months. That’s why it’s important to turn to warming herbs and spices that heat us up fro...
Nov 13, 2024•49 min
When you hear Echinacea, chances are you think of its immune-boosting properties. But did you know that this popular use is relatively new? Traditionally, Echinacea was used for entirely different reasons. By rediscovering its original applications, we can break free from the idea that Echinacea is just a “cough, cold and flu” herb and appreciate the many ways it supports the body holistically. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: What makes Echinacea’s flavor so unique and why it creates that sign...
Oct 30, 2024•28 min
Ginkgo is famous for its ability to boost your memory, focus, and concentration . . . but if that’s true, why didn’t I feel any of these results when taking some Ginkgo tincture? The truth is, there’s a big misunderstanding about Ginkgo and the way it works. Understanding the Ginkgo myth makes the difference between getting those brain-boosting properties versus drinking a horrible tasting tea or taking a standard tincture that doesn’t do much at all. By understanding the science behind Ginkgo, ...
Oct 16, 2024•34 min
If you walk into a hip smoothie shop or health food store, you’ll undoubtedly be flooded with the newest “superfoods” and cure-all herbs. Like so many things in our modern culture, herbal medicine also has its own “fads,” as it seems as if there’s almost a new one in style each season. Although it may seem harmless at first and they may be a good gateway into the realm of herbal medicine, herbal fads may not necessarily be a good thing. Most of the time, they’re promoted by big supplement compan...
Aug 28, 2024•35 min
These days, supplement shelves are filled with all kinds of different products based on plants. Tinctures, teas, whole plant preparations, standardized extractions, phytopharmaceuticals . . . but what’s the difference between them? These are the most common types of herbal extracts you’ll encounter, and they all have their own unique properties and uses. Each of these extracts has a different level of strength in the body, with phytopharmaceuticals nearing the potency of conventional drugs. We’r...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min
Have you ever felt anxious about giving herbs to someone who's already taking medications? Many herbalists feel hesitant to help people taking prescribed drugs because of concerns about herb-drug interactions. But how much do we really need to worry about this? Herbs can impact how drugs are absorbed and metabolized, which can actually be helpful at times, but very risky at other times. By understanding how herbs and drugs interact, you can feel confident in providing your clients with the care ...
Aug 14, 2024•34 min
In this week’s podcast, Sajah speaks with Jesse Wolfe Hardin, an herbalist and environmental renaissance man. The author of over 25 books, Jesse Wolf has taught anima life practices for decades and was the first to coin the term rewilding. Jesse is the co-founder of the International Good Medicine Confluence Gathering, the digital magazine for herbalist healers and folklorists, Plant Healer Quarterly, and the co-creator of the Revealing Hedge Guild Oracle Guide. Today’s conversation takes place ...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Meadowsweet is often thought of as herbal aspirin. Even though it’s no secret that its compounds were originally used to formulate and synthesize aspirin, can you really use it in the same way? If you want to get the same results from Meadowsweet as aspirin, you would have to drink quarts of the tea, which is tough to do because it’s incredibly bitter. Not only would you be feeling pretty nauseous by the end, but you would also only get the strength of a baby aspirin, if you’re lucky! Even thoug...
Jul 17, 2024•27 min
Phytochemistry is a fascinating study, but it can be incredibly complicated and confusing at times. Understandably, there are many herbalists who’d prefer to avoid learning it all together. The big question is: Do you really need to know phytochemistry to be a great herbalist? There are many paths you can take as an herbalist. You can meet with clients, make herbal medicine, wildcraft, and so much more. As you’ll see, phytochemistry plays a different role in each of these paths. In today’s episd...
Jul 03, 2024•31 min
Margi Flint is a practicing herbalist, registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, and herbal mentor from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Margi's wisdom spans over 20 years of labor coaching certification, polarity therapy, and Reiki, alongside 40-plus years of clinical herbal practice. She teaches at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, British Columbia, and has lectured at numerous prestigious herb schools, including Tufts Medical and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, as well as Boston Uni...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural compounds found in certain herbs. Despite their long history of safe use in herbal traditions, they are often misunderstood and feared, discouraging people from working with these potent medicinal herbs. By learning more about these compounds and how to safely use herbs containing them, you can confidently incorporate them into your herbal practice. In today’s episode, you’ll discover: What pyrrolizidine alkaloids are and why they're named this The two types o...
May 22, 2024•45 min
