Category: gut health
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The ONE wild plant I can’t live without: Plantain
Any time I hear someone ask me, “What’s the one herb you would want to have with you if you were lost on a deserted island?” my answer is almost always going to be Plantain. And no, that’s not a big starchy banana. There are three varieties of plantain species you’re likely to find in…
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You Can’t Heal a Fragmented Mind in a Disconnected Body
Herbalism has taught me a lot about working with plants, mushrooms, and the physical human body. Your body is something I can see with my own two eyes (and technically could also experience with my other senses as well), but while your brain is a physical organ, your mind (and your mental health) are invisible.…
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Sun-Kissed Butt Cheeks: My Experience with Calendula
Calendula, the bright orange, lions-mane-like flowers of late summer have been on my Top 5 Herbal remedies to keep in my medicine cabinet for over 16 years now. All because of little red butt cheeks. The first time I ever even heard of Calendula was as an ingredient in the all-natural diaper rash cream I…
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Feeling better about tasting bitters
Why do we eat a salad first? Think about it– you go to a restaurant or you sit down at Aunt Martha’s house for Thanksgiving and what’s the first course you get? Salad. Has it always been this way? What’s the point of eating cold greens before the ham casserole comes out? It’s not just…
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The Solution to Your Health is Easier than you Think
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: don’t assume you know more today than you’ll know tomorrow. That phrase was drilled into my head so often by my mentor that I’ll probably get it tattooed on my skin someday. Don’t ever assume that your problem doesn’t have a solution, whether it’s your gut,…
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The Benefits of Marshmallow: A Healing Herb Guide
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a herbaceous perennial plant native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It is found on the banks of rivers and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. When I first learned that marshmallow was a plant and not just a treat to throw into my hot cocoa, I started looking…
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Wormwood: Cleansing You Body, Mind, and Spirit
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb with a long and fascinating history. Known for its distinctive bitter taste, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and culinary practices across various cultures. I have two big wormwood bushes in my yard that come back every year and I’m trying to grow more this…
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Why eating SAD makes you SAD
Have you ever heard of the Standard American Diet (SAD)? Unfortunately, half of the plant-based calories (6%) come from French fries. That means only 6% of America’s calories are coming from health-promoting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. [Source: https://www.forksoverknives.com/wellness/standard-american-diet-sadder-than-we-thought/] The vast majority of Americans are pressured by a combination of the economic need to…
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Feed Your Brain, Feed Your Gut: How Nutrition Impacts Your Mood and Mind
Have you ever noticed that you feel happier and more energized after eating a hearty Cobb salad, versus how your body feels after eating a McChicken and fries? Have you ever been in a situation (alone in an elevator when a stranger steps in or out hiking on a trail when you notice someone watching…
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My elbow was talking to me…
Yep, you read that right. No, I’m not crazy. This has happened several times now. After eating something that my digestive tract disagreed with or my body did not like for some reason, my inner elbow on my right arm (for some reason it only happens on that side, perhaps because it’s my dominant arm)…