Category: herbalism
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Sweet Relief: The Soothing Magic of Gentle Violet
When spring rolls around and tiny purple blossoms blanket shady lawns, most people see a common weed. But to herbalists, Violet (Viola odorata or Viola canina) is one of the most comforting, cooling, and restorative wild allies available right in our backyards. The whole plant is edible, though I’m not personally a fan of the…
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Which Herbal Preparation Should You Use? A Simple Guide
If you’re already a seasoned herbalist, you can keep scrolling by, but if you’re new to herbal medicine, you might want to linger on this post for a few minutes. You hear me talking about tinctures, teas, salves, and more, but you’re not sure which one does what or which thing you actually need. Let…
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Solomon’s Seal: The King of Herbs for Connective Tissue Problems
Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.) is a plant native to the Americas that most people just plant as an ornamental in their garden is by far one of my favorite medicinal herbs. Its unique, bone-shaped roots strengthen bones, marrow, and especially tendons. Note: I am an Herbalist, not a doctor. This post is not intended as…
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Black Cohosh does so much more than “stop hot flashes”
Black cohosh is a gorgeous perennial plant native to North America. You’ll find it under two different Botanical names, depending on the age of the text you look in: Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa. I can’t recall which one is the older name but botanists drive me nuts when they do this… Anyway, I used…
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My Must-Have Herbal Reference Books (as a Practicing Herbalist)
Sure, you can agree that nothing compares to hands-on, fingernails-dirty, in-the-trenches learning when it comes to herbalism. But every knowledgeable herbalist also has a handful of reliable reference books on their shelf. This list is made up of the books I reach for most often when I need support. I don’t own any A.I.-generated books,…
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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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Dry Cough vs Wet Cough: An Herbal Approach
We’ve all dealt with it — a nagging cough from allergies, a virus that caught up with you, or a chronic condition like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. But not all coughs are the same. A wet cough requires a different strategy than a dry one, and choosing the right herbal approach starts with understanding that…
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Managing Migraines Naturally: A Holistic and Herbal Approach
Migraines are no joke–I know, I’ve had a few. But if you have chronic migraines, there’s something deeper at play inside your body. In the world of naturopathic medicine, we view a migraine not as a standalone disease, but as a “check engine light” for the body. It’s like your headache is screaming at you…
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Mucus Overload? You Need Ground Ivy
I’ll admit it—I didn’t even know what ground ivy was until about 7 years ago. I heard a podcast episode about it and immediately went in search of this diminutive plant because I heard that it was “better than Mucinex” for mucus overload in your sinuses. Boy, were they right! What is ground ivy? Ground…
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Birch vs Birch: Is there a difference among them?
You probably know by now that I love birch trees, because birch bark is a phenomenal herbal pain reliever. But what are the differences among the various varieties of birch trees? Let me tell you what I have personally experienced and you can make the final decision. The first time I ever worked with Birch…