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 episode, you’ll discover: Mugwort’s unique flavor profile and how this leads to its complex actions How Mugwort impacts the nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems Why this is a perfect remedy...
Dec 07, 2022•32 min
All herbalists have one fear in common, and that’s accidentally causing harm to someone using herbs. However, the likelihood of this occurring is lower than you might think. By understanding the pathways in which herbs affect the body, you can practice with greater safety and confidence. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: How herbs affect the body physiologically and energetically Safety practices for microdosing herbs About the importance of follow-ups and receiving feedback Strategies for preve...
Oct 26, 2022•18 min
The vitalist approach to healing is like an ecosystem, and herbalism is only one aspect of it. At its heart, vitalism is about living in accordance with nature. This means living harmoniously with it and learning to support your body’s natural intelligence through nutrition, hydration, rest, and other lifestyle habits. By understanding how vitalism extends into every corner of your life, you can make choices that energize you and fill you with vitality. In today’s blog post, you’ll learn: The hi...
Oct 05, 2022•28 min
Blue Vervain is one of the most effective relaxant remedies in the Western Materia Medica. You can use Blue Vervain for a full spectrum approach to alleviating tension, whether that be psychological or a stiff neck. This herb acts as the conduit between your nervous and musculoskeletal systems, so you feel a sense of relief not only in the mind but in the body as well. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: The significance of the bitter and acrid tastes and their effects on the body and nervous syst...
Sep 28, 2022•26 min
Marshmallow’s Latin name is Althea , and its family name is Malvaceae . While Althea derives from the Greek altho and means to cure, Malvaceae is from the Greek word malake , which means soft. With these two simple words, you know almost everything about Marshmallow’s key signature and how its softening and moistening effects impact the body and mind. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: What Marshmallow tastes like and how this corresponds to its actions in the body Its unique influences on the mu...
Sep 07, 2022•24 min
Some client cases are straightforward, while others leave you scratching your head and unsure where to begin. If you have ever had a client with a myriad of symptoms, you might worry that you are giving them too many herbs, formulas, or are altogether overwhelming them. Just because your client’s case is complicated does not mean your protocol needs to be. Through learning techniques for working through complex cases, you can make your herbal protocols as simple and effective as possible. In tod...
Aug 31, 2022•18 min
Chamomile is a familiar plant with an unmistakable scent and flavor. It is one of the most popularly used and loved herbs, and most folks have a box of it sitting in their cupboard. Although sipping on some Chamomile tea at the end of the day is nice, its medicinal properties are complex, and there are different preparations you can make with it. By taking a deeper look into this plant, you can learn about the specific indications and unique properties that make this herb indispensable to the We...
Aug 24, 2022•22 min
The urinary system is one of the main eliminatory pathways of the body. When it becomes blocked, detoxification is inhibited, and infections and kidney stones can occur. The first step you need to take before taking herbal medicine is identifying the underlying tissue state of your unique condition. By doing so, you can select herbs with precision to alleviate painful symptoms while resolving the issue at its core. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: The urinary system’s primary functions How the ...
Aug 17, 2022•20 min
Motherwort, the “lion-hearted herb,” fills your heart with courage and soothes its inner wounds. This herb tends to the physical and emotional heart and is an indispensable part of the Materia medica. With its many uses and simple administration techniques, this herb is sure to become a favorite herb to support a healthy heart. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: What Motherwort tastes like this and how this translates to its effects on the body This herb’s organ affinities, energetics, and he...
Aug 03, 2022•22 min
Your liver is responsible for metabolizing every waste product that your body produces, as well as everything you put into your body, good and bad. In this way, the liver is central to the health of the entire body, for it is a nutrient storehouse and makes sure everything stays pure and clean. When its functioning becomes affiliated, it can lead to a number of health concerns, both on the physical level and the psychological emotional levels. One of the most prevalent and disabling ones is head...
Jul 27, 2022•13 min
Asia Suler is an herbalist, earth intuitive, and founder of One Willow Apothecary, where she shares educational content about healing and developing a connection with the living earth. She recently published a book called Mirrors of the Earth which posits that self-compassion is a form of ecological and global healing. In this week’s episode you’ll learn about: Asia’s new book, Mirrors of the Earth , and how to apply its lessons to your life Different roots of trauma and methods for connecting w...
Jun 29, 2022•47 min
An effective herbal formula does not happen on its own. While you can combine a bunch of herbs and hope they work together, the results will often lack consistency and precision. By integrating a methodology into your medicine-making practice, you gain the knowledge and skills you need to make dependably effective formulas every time. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: The main differences between Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine formulating approaches versus the Western method The three essent...
Jun 22, 2022•16 min
Although the conventional approach to lowering cholesterol often includes medication, adopting a holistic perspective and taking a multifaceted approach can help you absolve the root of the problem and allay symptoms. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: What cholesterol is and the roles it plays in the body How high cholesterol impacts health The conventional versus herbal approach to addressing high cholesterol Critical herbal categories and herbs for lowering cholesterol How to eat for healthy c...
Jun 15, 2022•13 min
Everyone experiences scrapes, cuts, and bruises at times. Therefore, everyone could benefit from an herbal first-aid kit at home. Simple and straightforward, herbal wound care is the best step to take if you’re new to herbalism, and always nice to refresh on if you’re advanced. In today’s episode you’ll learn: The herbal approach to wound care The main herbal actions used in herbal wound care Specific herbs and their indications When to use moistening or drying herbs Why beeswax based salves are...
Jun 08, 2022•22 min
Low dosing and high dosing with herbal medicine are two practices as old as herbalism itself. So which one is better, and which should you use in your practice? As you will see, there are unique benefits attributed to both, as well as circumstances where one may be favored over the other. In this week's episode you'll learn: -Low dosing and high dosing are two valid and well practiced methods in herbalism. -Low dosing focuses on subtly shifting the vital body by using 1-3 drops of herbal medicin...
Jun 01, 2022•9 min
As an herbalist, facing a condition you’ve never heard of is a rite of passage. However, how you respond is up to you. There’s a universal method you can employ when treating all conditions- familiar or ones you’ve never heard of. By using postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) to illustrate this method, you’ll learn: How to approach a condition you've never heard of What the six tissue states are and how they express themselves in disease Which herbs alleviate the various tissue state...
May 25, 2022•32 min
Licorice is likely one of the most commonly used herbs across the world because it has such a wide range of effects and ways it can be used. Despite its popularity, there are contraindications that are often overlooked. This herb can increase blood pressure in both healthy and vulnerable populations. However, by understanding its effects on the cardiovascular system and how to use it safely, you can use this herb confidently in your herbal practice. In today’s episode, you’ll learn about: The me...
May 24, 2022•15 min
Running a private practice can be difficult, especially when you’ve never learned the logistics of how to do so in school. Although you can learn through trial and error, there are some tried and true practices you can implement to increase your professionalism and proficiency as a practicing herbalist. In today’s episode you’ll learn: The different ways you can meet with clients How long your consultations should be How to determine the correct remedy Different ways to ensure your client receiv...
May 11, 2022•22 min
Kami Mcbride is an herbalist and author who has helped thousands of people over the last thirty years with her practice. Her expertise lies with herbal-infused oils, a simple and practical medicine-making technique that helps you heal yourself and connect with the Earth. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: About Kami’s inspiring path to herbalism The difference between herbal-infused oils and essential oils What makes herbal infused oils such a unique herbal medicine Ways to incorporate herbal inf...
May 03, 2022•50 min
Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of self massage using oil. It is a simple and luxurious practice you will look forward to each day and provides many health benefits. Abhyanga is profoundly grounding, soothes the mind, balances your dosha , and strengthens your health through stimulating circulation and lymphatic movement In today’s episode, you’ll learn: The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of Abhyanga The three doshas and their defining characteristics Traditional techniques for prac...
Apr 27, 2022•24 min
The natal chart, also known as the birth chart, can be a powerful assessment tool in your astro-herbalism practice. Although analyzing a natal chart may seem daunting at first, there are specific planetary placements you can study that reveal information about your physical characteristics, health patterns, and overall constitution. This information can help you understand underlying imbalances that fuel disease and how to absolve it at its root using natural health protocols. In today’s episode...
Mar 23, 2022•12 min
Medical astrology can transform the way you see and work with people. However, did you know you can also use it to better understand the plants? By learning about the planetary forces and the ways they express themselves through medicinal herbs, you can gain a deeper understanding of how and why the plants work the way they do, as well as how they interact with the body. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: About the intersection of medical astrology and herbalism The problem with compartmental...
Mar 16, 2022•26 min
The two most common roadblocks an herbalist will face in their path is the fear that they lack the competence and confidence necessary to be a good practitioner. While it might feel more comfortable to read herbal books than to speak with people, the role of the herbalist isn’t to simply amass knowledge, but to use what they’ve learned to help people! By resolving these two fears, you can unlock your potential as an herbal healer and help people experience vibrant health. In this week’s episode,...
Feb 02, 2022•24 min
There are two parts to studying herbalism: Understanding the body and understanding the herbs used to treat it. Unfortunately, one of these often gets forgotten, leading to a practice that is deficient in essential information. To become a proficient herbalist, you must become fluent in the language of the two worlds of plants and people, which so vividly mirror each other. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: The importance of understanding the body How your knowledge of the body intersects wi...
Jan 26, 2022•11 min
The body can be viewed as an ecosystem or machine, and these varying paradigms significantly impact how you view and treat disease, and certainly how you use herbal medicines. With each offering a unique perspective to healing, it’s the combination of both that is stronger than its parts. In this week’s blog post, you’ll learn: What vitalism is and why it matters The biomedical versus vitalist approach to healing The language of the six tissue states How to combine these two perspectives in your...
Jan 19, 2022•16 min
As a microcosm of nature, the human body contains the cosmos within it. By developing a deep understanding of the ways in which the patterns, rhythms, and cycles of nature intimately affect the human body and its internal processes, you can pinpoint what needs to be balanced and which herbs will do the best job doing so. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: How the patterns of nature reflect that of the body The two main approaches to healing: Ecosystem vs. machine The definition and role of En...
Jan 12, 2022•18 min
Although everyone experiences social anxiety differently, the symptoms of discomfort are often the same; an increased sense of tension, nervousness, and distress when in social atmospheres. Herbalism can be used before, during, and after occasions to ameliorate the uncomfortable emotional and physical symptoms that result from social anxiety. By learning about the herbs that assist with social anxiety along with their specific indications, you can identify the remedy that will be most beneficial...
Dec 08, 2021•16 min
In herbalism, frequent irritability is an emotional state associated with the liver and an imbalance of excess heat. By practicing inquiry, exercising healthy lifestyle habits, and taking herbs that cool, restore, and nourish the nervous system, you can diffuse the pattern of irritability and develop a newfound sense of calm and relaxation in your life. In today’s blog episode, you’ll learn: About how the stress response works and its relation to the HPA-axis How to use herbs to regulate the HPA...
Nov 18, 2021•18 min
When you’re studying alchemical herbalism, the first step towards making spagyric medicine is with making the seven basics. You can complete this process in two ways; by looking outside yourself for quick answers or by developing a relationship that requires time and patience. Although the first may be tempting, taking your time yields an unparalleled potency. In today’s blog post, you’ll learn: How to integrate your intellectual knowledge into actionable steps What the “seven basics” are in the...
Oct 14, 2021•25 min
Herbal medicine is and has always been, the peoples’ medicine. Just as there’s significant variation in the people and cultures that fill our world, there’s a myriad of medicine-making techniques that reflect these differences. What are some traditional forms of medicine making and how do they compare to today’s more "scientific" approaches to herbal pharmacy? Furthermore, is there one that’s better than the rest? In today’s topic, we’ll be discussing: How formulating herbal medicine is a practi...
Sep 10, 2021•18 min
