Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://nobsherbalist.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://nobsherbalist.com/blog/) - [Understanding Skin Absorption: Why Your Products Matter](https://nobsherbalist.com/diy-herbal-oils-a-natural-alternative-to-chemicals/) - Why do you need to care about the ingredients in the lotion you put on your skin? It depends whether you're okay with toxins or not. - [Herbs Were the Beginning, Not the Destination](https://nobsherbalist.com/herbs-were-the-beginning-not-the-destination/) - How healing my inner child changed not only my life, but my business. Discover why herbs are only the beginning of true, lasting healing. - [Managing Migraines Naturally: A Holistic and Herbal Approach](https://nobsherbalist.com/managing-migraines-naturally/) - Do you suffer from chronic migraines? Let's figure out WHY so we can put a stop to them once and for all. - [Sweet Relief: The Soothing Magic of Gentle Violet](https://nobsherbalist.com/sweet-relief-the-soothing-magic-of-gentle-violet/) - Violets are medicinal all year round! Especially when you preserve them for their medicinal properties. Violet is a safe herb for lymphatic support. - [Yellow Dock: Unsung Hero of Constipation](https://nobsherbalist.com/yellow-dock-unsung-hero-of-constipation/) - Yellow dock (a.k.a. Curly Dock) is a perennial plant that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a member of the Polygonaceae family, which also includes rhubarb and knotweed. Yellow dock grows to be about 2-4 feet tall and has large, oval leaves with toothed edges. The flowers are pink or white - [Your Struggle Isn’t the End — It’s the Signal That It’s Time to Heal](https://nobsherbalist.com/your-struggle-isnt-the-end-its-the-signal-that-its-time-to-heal/) - The amount of help a person is willing to accept is directly proportional to the amount of pain they are in. This is a fact that 99% of people refuse to acknowledge or accept. Let me explain: You're experiencing explosive diarrhea. You're downtown heading to the grocery store to grab a few supplies when your - [The ONE wild plant I can't live without: Plantain](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-one-wild-plant-i-cant-live-without-plantain/) - If I was lost on a deserted island but I could have just ONE herb, what would it be? Hand down, plantain. Read on to find out why! - [The Simple Herbal Tea That Finally Stopped My Heavy Bleeding](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-simple-herbal-tea-that-finally-stopped-my-heavy-bleeding/) - It sounds like an exaggeration, but I'm writing this from my desk with a profound sense of relief at the fact that one cup of red raspberry leaf infusion has managed to slow my bleeding down to a manageable level. It feels like this plant saved my life today. Warning: This post is going to - [My elbow was talking to me...](https://nobsherbalist.com/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) - [Making Herbal Remedies for Fun and Profit](https://nobsherbalist.com/making-herbal-remedies-for-fun-and-profit/) - You're watching videos about how "this herb does that" on social media every day. You've taken the step into making your own tinctures, teas, and infused oils. Maybe you've even tried putting together some salve or lotions. Are they working? Are you remembering to use what you made? Did they come out right? Or has - [Life isn't a Straight Line](https://nobsherbalist.com/life-isnt-a-straight-line/) - Your life isn't always a straight path to where you end up. Mine sure as hell wasn't. When I was a kid, I loved playing outside. I remember finding a little patch of deer moss in the woods and how I would sit there for long periods of time pretending that the moss was my - [Is Oil of Oregano Really So Great?](https://nobsherbalist.com/is-oil-of-oregano-really-so-great/) - If you're reading this, I'm assuming you know what oregano is and you've probably eaten it before, even if you only recognize the flavor from the pizza you had last Friday night. What exactly IS "Oil of oregano" though? You've probably heard someone suggest you take it, but you don't really understand why, right? First - [Which Herbal Preparation Should You Use? A Simple Guide](https://nobsherbalist.com/which-herbal-preparation-should-you-use-a-simple-guide/) - What is the difference between an herbal tea and a decoction? What is a tincture? What is a salve? Get it all straight in this post! - [Fire Cider Time](https://nobsherbalist.com/fire-cider-time/) - What is fire cider and what is it good for? How do you make it? - [The Vitamin C Powerhouse Growing in the Wild: Rose Hips](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-vitamin-c-powerhouse-growing-in-the-wild-rose-hips/) - You've heard that you need Vitamin C, so you eat oranges regularly and figure you're doing a good deed for your body, right? Why do you even need Vitamin C? According to the pharmacy aisle at Walgreens, you NEED vitamin C to stop your cold and if you don't take their products you'll never get - [Healing Heartbreak with The Magic of Wild Roses](https://nobsherbalist.com/healing-hearts-with-rose-petals/) - Rose petals are more than just beautiful... they're great medicine for a wounded heart! Learn how I work with roses in this post. - [Comfrey! One of my Top 5 Must-Have Herbs](https://nobsherbalist.com/comfrey-one-of-my-top-5-must-have-herbs/) - I'm writing about Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) this week partly because so many people asked for it and partly because it really is one of my favorite herbs. I LOVE how quickly and amazingly comfrey or an infused oil of comfrey heals bruises, sprained ankles, small cuts, or helps mend broken bones. I (sort of ) - [Solomon’s Seal: The King of Herbs for Connective Tissue Problems](https://nobsherbalist.com/solomons-seal-the-king-of-connective-tissue-problems/) - How I work with one of my favorite herbal remedies, Solomon's Seal. This native woodland plant is more than just a pretty part of your garden. - [Benefits of American Reishi Mushroom: A Complete Guide](https://nobsherbalist.com/benefits-of-american-reishi-mushroom-a-complete-guide/) - The American native Reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma tsugae, grows on the Eastern white hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis.) If you wild harvest some of this amazing mushroom, be sure to slice it up within a few days after you cut it off the tree. Reishi dries as hard as wood VERY quickly and once - [Sage: Know it, Love it, Burn it!](https://nobsherbalist.com/sage-know-it-love-it-burn-it/) - The one thing that every good chef and every good pagan have in common is that they know how to utilize some of the many benefits of sage. There are two main types of sage we are generally talking about here: common garden sage (salvia officinalis) and White Sage (salvia apiana.) In my personal practice, - [The Most Overlooked Plant I Used To Hate](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-most-overlooked-plant-i-used-to-hate/) - I know I'm seriously narrowing down my niche when I say this, but if you're a farmer anywhere in the northern part of north America, you'll likely have said this phrase: F*CK*NG PIGWEED! I only knew it as Pigweed for at least seven years after I started farming (prior to that the plant had entirely - [Spring is Nettle Season!](https://nobsherbalist.com/spring-is-nettle-season/) - I'm sure you've heard of nettles. There are two kinds I'm talking about here: Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum.) Both plants come up in your yard and fields in early to mid Spring, and both are edible and medicinal! Dead nettles taste better before they flower.... honestly, most herbs in - [Steamin' and Dreamin'](https://nobsherbalist.com/steamin-and-dreamin/) - Oh man. Being sick sucks! I've had some kind of respiratory thing going on for over a week now, causing mucous in my sinuses to increase to disgustingly high levels. I feel like the snot troll monster from Earnest Scared Stupid. At this point, the mucous has decided to leave my sinuses alone for awhile - [The Solution to Your Health is Easier than you Think](https://nobsherbalist.com/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, - [What is a Community anymore?](https://nobsherbalist.com/what-is-a-community-anymore/) - Imagine yourself living in a tiny village in Europe in 1682. There are a little over 200 people living in your village of varying age groups. Your village is a three-day horse ride or week-long walk from the nearest city and you haven't got a physician living there yet. Most of your friends and family - [Tincture Club is opening](https://nobsherbalist.com/tincture-club-is-opening/) - UPDATE: I have closed my Tincture Club as I am mostly focusing on topical remedies and am working on closing out my tincture stock. Message me if you need any! What is a Tincture? A Tincture is a preparation of herbs and alcohol meant to be taken medicinally for various health benefits. A dose is - [Why Red Clover is one of my favorite plants](https://nobsherbalist.com/why-red-clover-is-one-of-my-favorite-plants/) - Red Clover (Trifolium praetense) as you can see in the photo above, isn't red. It's purple. Crimson clover is red (and is super tasty if you can find it) and White clover is white with a slightly pink tinge. Red clover grows abundantly in my yard ever since I tossed some seeds on the ground - [Why Tinctures are my favorite](https://nobsherbalist.com/why-tinctures-are-my-favorite/) - There is a time and a place for each and every different medicinal preparation. Each remedy can be helpful for multiple reasons. Tea is excellent and my preferred method for healing upset stomach, digestive problems, stomach flu, or simply to warm a body up in cool weather. Flower essences are super helpful at changing your - [Wild Lettuce: How to Identify, Forage, and Work With This Powerful Plant](https://nobsherbalist.com/wild-lettuce-how-to-identify-forage-and-work-with-this-powerful-plant/) - Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I'm an Herbalist, not a Doctor. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca spp.) quickly became one of my top favorite herbal remedies as soon as I was confident enough to recognize it and try it. Why? Because it is hands-down the strongest natural painkiller I've ever experienced. Traditionally speaking, this plant has - [Herbal Smoke and Smudging](https://nobsherbalist.com/herbal-smoke-and-smudging/) - Cleansing your body and your space with herbal smoke has been practiced by many cultures all over the globe for centuries. There is quite a lot of controversy over the word "Smudging," as it originates from the Native Indian tribes of the Southwestern United States, where white sage (salvia apiana) grows wild. I personally use - [Herbal Remedies for Back Pain and Inflammation](https://nobsherbalist.com/herbal-remedies-for-back-pain-and-inflammation/) - Are you in pain today? I am. Pain is caused by inflammation. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injuries or infections. The inflamed tissue swells up in an effort to heal itself and as a result, presses on the nerves in that area. Pressure on the nerves causes pain. There are two types of - [Grateful for Water: Lessons Learned During a Drought](https://nobsherbalist.com/grateful-for-water-lessons-learned-during-a-drought/) - In case you missed the news, I have no water at home. It's been nearly two weeks now. At first, I called the local well company and they changed my tank. A day later, I called them again because there wasn't enough water to shower. The sediment filter was filling up with dirt from the - [Favorite Herb This Week: Ginger](https://nobsherbalist.com/favorite-herb-this-week-ginger/) - Ginger is the herb I'd like to highlight this week, as I have started working with it more frequently since growing my own last season. Zingiber officinale is the official Latin name, and the plant is native to somewhere in Southeast Asia. You CAN, however, grow it here in Connecticut if you play your cards - [Food IS Medicine!](https://nobsherbalist.com/food-is-medicine/) - Before herbs, before drugs/pharmaceutical medicine, before therapy, what is there in this world that you put into your body EVERY SINGLE DAY to run you, heal you, activate you, motivate you, energize you, or even just to survive on? FOOD. It is really difficult to get this message through to people for some reason. I - [Figuring my way out of an unexpected allergic reaction](https://nobsherbalist.com/figuring-my-way-out-of-an-unexpected-allergic-reaction/) - NOTE: This post is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor. I took a mini vacation this past weekend. It's the first time I allowed myself "time off" for more than a 6-hour period in the last 6 years. It was nice to step away from work, even if it was just - [Changing Your Outlook](https://nobsherbalist.com/changing-your-outlook/) - Changing your behavior or your emotions is really hard, especially for anyone with a strong personality or psychological issues. You could be addicted to some substance and having a hell of a time quitting, you could have Seasonal Affective Disorder over the dark, dreary winter months, you could have lost a loved one and be - [Bone Broth Revisited](https://nobsherbalist.com/bone-broth-revisited/) - You’ve likely heard various diet fads touting the incredible benefits of bone broth: a slow-cooked broth made with animal bones. You can purchase jars of bone broth at most health food stores for anywhere from $9 to $20 a pint. But do the physical benefits your body gets really merit that kind of expense? If - [Black Cohosh does so much more than "stop hot flashes"](https://nobsherbalist.com/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 - [Masterful Mullein! How this common weed helps you breathe better](https://nobsherbalist.com/masterful-mullein/) - How do I work with mullein medicinally? This invasive plant is everywhere; we might as well harvest it. Tea, tincture, smoke, and more. - [Dandelion: Nature's Healing Power Unleashed](https://nobsherbalist.com/dandelion-natures-healing-power-unleashed/) - Dandelions (for the purpose of this article I'm referring to Taraxacum officinale, though there are over 400 other varieties) are more than just a sunny weed dotting our lawns—they're one of the most versatile and healing plants in the wild. Every part of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), from flower to root, is edible and medicinal - [Herbal Smoking Blends for People Quitting Tobacco](https://nobsherbalist.com/smoking-herbs-a-step-above-tobacco/) - An herbalist's guide on how to wean yourself off tobacco products and instead create your own herbal smoking blend. Or you can quit entirely with this method. - [My No-BS Skincare Routine (That Actually Works)](https://nobsherbalist.com/my-no-bs-skincare-routine-that-actually-works/) - I get compliments on my skin ALL the time. As an elder millennial, I really appreciate it! I thought I would share my Skincare Routine with you all here so you will be able to follow in my footsteps if you so choose. Some of you are not going to like this. You're either going - [My Must-Have Herbal Reference Books (as a Practicing Herbalist)](https://nobsherbalist.com/my-must-have-herbal-reference-books-as-a-practicing-herbalist/) - Every herbalist will have different answers, but these are MY favorite herbal reference books as a Practicing Herbalist and healer. - [Foraging in Connecticut: Learn the Land Through Your Senses](https://nobsherbalist.com/foraging-in-connecticut-learning-the-land-through-your-senses/) - What can you go foraging for in Connecticut? A lot more than you think! Discover the abundance of wild foods and medicinal plants in this tiny but mighty state. - [My Most-Used Foraging Gear as a Professional Forager](https://nobsherbalist.com/my-most-used-foraging-gear/) - Discover a professional foraging instructor's simple list of favorite foraging gear, supplies, and resources. - [Herbs to Combat Stress and Anxiety Naturally](https://nobsherbalist.com/anxiety-and-stress-relief-herbs/) - I have been stressed as hell for months now. Thankfully, I have not experienced any debilitating anxiety. However, I know lots of people who deal with that every day too. I can't even imagine how tough my life would feel if I was dealing with anxious feelings or panic attacks on top of what I'm - [Dry Cough vs Wet Cough: An Herbal Approach](https://nobsherbalist.com/dry-cough-vs-wet-cough-an-herbal-approach/) - What's the difference between a wet cough and a dry cough and what are the best options for improving your symptoms with herbs? - [Crafting Heart-Healthy Teas: The Magic of Hawthorn](https://nobsherbalist.com/crafting-heart-healthy-teas-the-magic-of-hawthorn/) - This is Part 2 in my series about Heart Health and healing matters of the heart. Hawthorn (Cretaegus monogyna and other spp.) has long been seen as a medicinal plant, mainly in Western herbalism. Hawthorn berries are the most frequent part made into herbal medicines, though the leaves and flowers carry medicinal qualities too. Hawthorn - [You Can’t Heal a Fragmented Mind in a Disconnected Body](https://nobsherbalist.com/you-cant-heal-a-fragmented-mind-in-a-disconnected-body/) - How herbalism, trauma, and dissociation connect — and why healing the body can open the door to healing the mind. - [Mucus Overload? You Need Ground Ivy](https://nobsherbalist.com/mucus-overload-you-need-ground-ivy/) - Are you down with a virus, blowing your nose constantly and wishing the sneezing would just stop? You need to know ground ivy! - [Birch vs Birch: Is there a difference among them?](https://nobsherbalist.com/birch-vs-birch-is-there-a-difference-among-them/) - You’ve seen birch everywhere… but which species makes the best herbal medicine? - [From Black Sun Farm to the No-BS Herbalist: My Unfiltered Rebrand](https://nobsherbalist.com/from-black-sun-farm-to-the-no-bs-herbalist-my-unfiltered-rebrand/) - If you’ve been around a while, you’ve probably noticed things are beginning to look a little different. Black Sun Farm is officially transitioning into the NO BS Herbalist—and I want to share why. When I first started Black Sun Farm and Herbal Remedies by Amelia, my focus was on growing real vegetables and herbs and - [Witch Hazel: Connecticut’s Most Powerful Wild Medicine](https://nobsherbalist.com/witch-hazel-connecticuts-most-powerful-wild-medicine/) - Discover why Connecticut’s native witch hazel is powerful autumn medicine. Learn how to identify it, use it for skin care, and make or buy a potent extraction. - [Feeling better about tasting bitters](https://nobsherbalist.com/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 - [Bee Balm: Beautiful Beneficial for Boogers](https://nobsherbalist.com/bee-balm-natures-booger-relief/) - Have you ever been walking through a field suddenly caught a whiff of something simultaneously pungent, spicy, and floral? You might have encountered Bee Balm! Monarda fistulosa and Monarda didyma are the two varieties of Bee Balm I'm referring to in this post, though Monarda punctata also shares the same medicinal qualities. I grow both - [Sun-Kissed Butt Cheeks: My Experience with Calendula](https://nobsherbalist.com/sun-kissed-butt-cheeks-my-experience-with-calendula/) - What IS calendula and what do you do with it, anyway? It's super helpful for babies and people with rough, dry skin and also helps lymphatic drainage. - [The Ancient Plant that hoards Precious Minerals](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-ancient-plant-that-hoards-precious-minerals/) - Horsetail is one of the world's oldest plants, dating back over 300 million years. Many people find it on their property and decide to hate it, as it's incredibly difficult to eradicate once it has populated an area. But those "in the know" see this wild being as the precious resource it truly is. There - [The Mushrooms Sent me Messages in the Forest](https://nobsherbalist.com/the-mushrooms-sent-me-messages-in-the-forest/) - Yesterday's workshop was WONDERFUL!There was no cell phone service for anyone in Northwest Connecticut, so our phones were neither a distraction nor help. I took a small group first on a foraging walk around this gorgeous farm land property, then after a lunch break we reconvened for a Forest Bathing therapy session in the nearby - [How a Forest Spirit Inspired My Personal Healing](https://nobsherbalist.com/how-a-forest-spirit-inspired-my-personal-healing/) - The Spirit of the Forest gave me this message - [The Benefits of Marshmallow: A Healing Herb Guide](https://nobsherbalist.com/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 - [Finding True Love: A Heart Health Guide for Women](https://nobsherbalist.com/finding-true-love-a-heart-health-guide-for-women/) - This is Part 3 in my series about Heart Health and healing matters of the heart. This is one of the most important things you can experience in life and it has nothing to do with herbs, supplements, or nature itself. Have you ever been in love? I don't mean the exhilarating sensation that washes - [Wormwood: Cleansing You Body, Mind, and Spirit](https://nobsherbalist.com/wormwood-herbal-powerhouse-for-health-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 - [Garlic: A Powerful Food and Medicine Combination](https://nobsherbalist.com/garlic-a-powerful-food-and-medicine-combination/) - I finally got my small garlic crop into the ground this past week and I thought it would be a great time to talk about why I think EVERYONE (who isn't allergic) should be eating garlic. I've come a long way from the time some garlic bulbs sprouted in my pantry and I dug a - [Why Integrity Matters in Herbal Business](https://nobsherbalist.com/a-short-story-about-honesty/) - I got a message from a good acquaintance yesterday asking me for my opinion on whether he should craft a specific herbal remedy to sell. It's a very trendy thing that has gone viral over the last year and made some people millions of dollars with zero medical or scientific evidence to back up their - [An Uncomfortable Truth](https://nobsherbalist.com/an-uncomfortable-truth/) - You're probably reading my blog because you're interested in finding natural ways to heal yourself, particularly with herbs or wild plants. It's very possible that you are also a Healer of some kind, or an aspiring Herbalist. You're looking for answers to help stop the pain, whether that's for you or for a family member - [Is Foraging Safe? You Decide](https://nobsherbalist.com/is-foraging-safe-you-decide/) - I started foraging on purpose back in 2006 when I went out picking blackberries along the side of the road and brought them home to make jam. Foraging wild fruits is a great way to get started because there are many fruits that we can all recognize easily (blackberries, raspberries, apples, rose hips, and more) - [Preparing yourself for fall](https://nobsherbalist.com/preparing-yourself-for-fall/) - It's late August now, which in the northern hemisphere signals the high point of the harvesting season. I'm still planting some of my fall crops and I'm thinking about which herbs are the most important for me to get picked before the bugs eat what's left and the frost arrives. Autumn is my favorite season. - [Botany versus Life Experience](https://nobsherbalist.com/botany-versus-life-experience/) - I taught a foraging walk last Saturday with my friend Joe the Forager (the guy who runs Eattheplanet.org) and I have to say we work great as a team. Joe is awesome with botanical terminology, history of plants, knowing native varieties versus introduced varieties, and showing you the physical traits of each plant and how - [Working with your hands](https://nobsherbalist.com/working-with-your-hands/) - This year, for whatever reason, my harvest of snap peas was abysmal. The plants are basically finished and I haven't even been able to freeze a single bag of peas (last year I froze 8 bags!) So yesterday, I went around the pea trellis and picked all the fat ugly snap peas that were still - [Why eating SAD makes you SAD](https://nobsherbalist.com/why-eating-sad-makes-you-sad/) - Have you ever heard of the Standard American Diet (SAD)? 63% of America's calories come from refined and processed foods (e.g. soft drinks, packaged snacks like potato chips, packaged desserts, etc.) 25% of America's calories come from animal-based foods 12% of America's calories come from plant-based foods Unfortunately, half of the plant-based calories (6%) come - [Feed Your Brain, Feed Your Gut: How Nutrition Impacts Your Mood and Mind](https://nobsherbalist.com/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 - [5 Herbs to Start Your Herbal Medicine Garden](https://nobsherbalist.com/5-herbs-to-start-your-herbal-medicine-garden/) - People ask me this all the time. "What are your favorite herbs to grow? What are the must-haves for your garden?" The truth is that every household is going to be different. Whether you have kids or livestock/pets makes a big difference in some of the herbs you want to have in your garden. Since - [I grow everything myself.](https://nobsherbalist.com/i-grow-everything-myself/) - That sounds like a boast. Maybe it is? I am telling you this because I think that's one of the few things that sets me apart from many other herbalists and herbal remedy makers. This is my farm. My entire property is just over one acre and the garden spaces only take up maybe half - [Did you know that Peanut Butter can harm you?](https://nobsherbalist.com/did-you-know-that-peanut-butter-can-harm-you/) - "Nooooooooo!" I cried with a tear in my eye as I finally realized the truth. Ever since I read the word "aflatoxin," I have been on the fence about this for months. There's no way my beloved peanut butter company would allow that in their jars, is there? What is it anyhow, and why does - [Foraging Alone...](https://nobsherbalist.com/foraging-alone/) - When I first started foraging back in 2006, there were no smart phones. I didn't even own a digital camera-- I had a 34mm with film in it that I had gotten for my 14th birthday. If I could find photos to show you, I would, but back in those days we didn't take pictures - [Heart Health for Valentine's Day](https://nobsherbalist.com/heart-health-for-valentines-day/) - Valentine's Day is tomorrow. I don't know about you, but this year it doesn't seem like a big deal to me. However, in years past, it WAS a big deal... whether I was single or in a relationship. Whether you are paying close attention to your heart because you desire romantic love or your heart - [This Farm's Future is Evolving](https://nobsherbalist.com/this-farms-future-is-evolving/) - Black Sun Farm has been the product of my heart and soul for over five years now. I poured myself into building this small property into a working homestead. I can’t even tell you how many plants I’ve put into the ground here. And the birds I’ve raised for eggs and meat over the years - [No More Eggs](https://nobsherbalist.com/no-more-eggs/) - I don't really know if it merits a blog post, but I thought I should announce somewhere on my site that I've finally decided to stop losing money in the egg game. For over four years now, I have raised chickens and ducks on soy-free organic layer feed, allowing them to free range the entire - [Fighting Cancer Naturally](https://nobsherbalist.com/fighting-cancer-naturally/) - As far as I can tell, I don't have any more cancer. Yet. I felt a lump on my neck a few months ago and decided to have it checked out at the doctor. They ended up doing an ultrasound of my thyroid gland, which led to a biopsy, which eventually led to a very - [Real Roots Root Beer!](https://nobsherbalist.com/real-roots-root-beer/) - I'm making a blog post about this because the Facebook post went viral. I'm guessing you guys are interested in making root beer! I had a lot of sassafras saplings coming up into my raspberry patch, so I went in there with my shovel and dug a bunch of them out. Sassafras roots always break - [Black Walnuts!](https://nobsherbalist.com/black-walnuts/) - If you live anywhere in the Eastern or Central United States, you have probably seen a black walnut tree. Black walnuts (juglans nigra) grow from New England through Wyoming and are wildly prolific. Just try digging up a sapling somewhere... they root in like a badass and if you don't want that tree to grow - [Summer Mushroom Foraging](https://nobsherbalist.com/summer-mushroom-foraging/) - I don't usually have enough time to create a blog post over the summer and early autumn months, for what should be obvious reasons. The gardens look atrocious right now, as I have neglected clean up in favor of harvesting and preserving before it's too late. I wanted to share a brief glimpse of some - [Maintaining a Healthy Urinary Tract](https://nobsherbalist.com/maintaining-a-healthy-urinary-tract/) - This is one of the articles I wrote during my Herbalist Certification course. It's chock full of good information about urinary tract health, so if you have bladder issues, pay attention! References are cited at the bottom of the page. Just like the book with the title referring to the opposite end of the digestive - [Forest Bathing for Health](https://nobsherbalist.com/forest-bathing-for-health/) - Go ahead, call me a Woo Woo dirty hippie; I believe the forest heals you. When your mind is in turmoil, you can't get good sleep, you find yourself in and out of depression, you can't focus on life, or you just generally feel like crap, go into the woods. Find the biggest tree you - [Cleavers is Galium, but not all Galium is Cleavers](https://nobsherbalist.com/cleavers-is-galium-but-not-all-galium-is-cleavers/) - That title statement may not mean much to you unless you're into herbs or foraging, but Cleavers are a common herbal remedy in much of North America and the UK. For the past two years, I have been operating under the exciting assumption that cleavers had graced me with their presence in my back yard - [Quick Guide: Raising Ducks](https://nobsherbalist.com/quick-guide-raising-ducks/) - You should know based on my farm website that we raise chickens and ducks on our small farm. We have two geese, but they're more like pets so I can't really say we "raise geese," but goose needs are basically the same as ducks so you can probably take my advice on their account as - [Incense Crafting: Messy Experimentation](https://nobsherbalist.com/incense-crafting-messy-experimentation/) - Hopefully you've figured out by now that I'm into incense... it's a pretty big deal for me. I'm not an aromatherapist; I just know how certain scents can make me feel and I want to share that joy with the world around me. I used to buy stick incense at head shops, and burn them - [How to Eat When You're Poor](https://nobsherbalist.com/how-to-eat-when-youre-poor/) - I've been poor for a long time. We're doing fairly well for ourselves right now, despite having a mountain of debt, but about seven years ago I literally had about $200 in savings and a car and some personal belongings. After my first season on the farm where I interned, I couldn't find a better - [Favorite Herb This Week: Black Birch!](https://nobsherbalist.com/favorite-herb-this-week-black-birch/) - Black Birch (betula lenta) is definitely one of my Top Ten favorite herbs of all time. And luckily for me, it's ALL OVER the place here in Northeastern Connecticut! Black birch and it's brother, White birch (also known as the Paper Birch) can pretty much be used interchangeably medicinally speaking, so I have been trying - [Get out and Move!](https://nobsherbalist.com/get-out-and-move/) - This time of year, people are normally starting their new diets and worrying about the pounds they packed on from the sweets they ate over the holidays. You might think joining a gym is the answer to your problems, and sucking down veggie juice and smoothies will trim your waist down. It could work... But - [Life Will Find a Way](https://nobsherbalist.com/life-will-find-a-way/) - As 2020 comes to a close, I want to share a few thoughts. This is mint growing INSIDE our basement. This window is up high, so this photo wasn't easy to take. But right outside this little basement window is my first herb garden, in which I am fighting a yearly battle with spearmint taking - [Hot Cocoa Could Be Healthier](https://nobsherbalist.com/hot-cocoa-could-be-healthier/) - My kids love hot cocoa. Pretty sure EVERY kid loves hot cocoa, at least in the Northern United States. But most of what I can find here in Northeast Connecticut is Swiss Miss or some other knock off brand that's like 80% sugar and preservatives. Sure, it tastes good, but enough of it will probably - [Herbal Experimentation](https://nobsherbalist.com/herbal-experimentation/) - While I have had some herbalist education, listen to educational podcasts, and look through my herbal healing books on a regular basis, I do not consider myself an expert. I am more knowledgeable than most, and I continue to learn something new about herbs and the way they work every day. Part of this learning - [Giant Squash 2020!](https://nobsherbalist.com/giant-squash-2020/) - I just had to make a quick post about this. I am SO bummed that all the fairs were cancelled this year because LOOK WHAT I GREW! I think Boston Marrow winter squash are just the coolest. I have NEVER grown one this big before though. 42.4 lbs of pure enormous food! I can't wait - [Learning and Changing](https://nobsherbalist.com/learning-and-changing/) - I don't know if you know this, but my husband is about 1/8th Menomonee (Ojibway tribe) and I know of some Osage ancestry on my father's side of the family tree. Between these facts and the journey that I've been on bringing me closer to Mother Earth and the plants that live on her, I - [Flower Essences in Troubling Times](https://nobsherbalist.com/flower-essences-in-troubling-times/) - Dr. Edward Bach pioneered work with flower essences, creating a new kind of natural medicine that works to heal and change emotional responses in individuals. You may have seen the little bottles of Bach Flower Remedies at your local health food store and wondered what they are for. Flower Essences are an Energetic medicine that - [Henbit all over](https://nobsherbalist.com/henbit-all-over/) - Henbit is the common name for a very common weed here in New England: Lamium amplexicaule. It has similar properties and quite a similar look to it as another common weed: purple dead nettle. However, I have noticed that henbit prefers to grow in extremely rich soil, whereas PDN can be found just about anywhere. - [Bone Broth!](https://nobsherbalist.com/bone-broth/) - You have probably heard of bone broth by now-- slow cooking beef or chicken bones with other herbs and Vegetables for long periods of time to leech out all the good nutrition inside. They actually sell bone broth at grocery store markets now, for around $7-10 for less than a quart size jar! But did - [Favorite Herb this Week: Mugwort!](https://nobsherbalist.com/favorite-herb-this-week-mugwort/) - Most people HATE mugwort. Honestly, I was one of them up until quite recently. I had an enormous patch... like a whole quarter of what was supposed to be my big vegetable garden, that was just inundated with Artemesia vulgaris. Mugwort spreads under the ground, so pulling some out here or there doesn't really do - [My Favorite Herb This Week: Usnea](https://nobsherbalist.com/my-favorite-herb-this-week/) - Usnea, A.K.A "Lungs of the Forest" I tell you what, my friends: Usnea tincture is my BEST FRIEND this year. Usnea is that sort of furry-looking green lichen that you see hanging off trees this time of year, or that often blows down from high above during a wind storm. Winter is the best time ## Pages - [Real Herbs. Real Science. Zero Bullshit.](https://nobsherbalist.com/) - Stop chasing symptoms. Start connecting the dots. I'm Amelia South, the No-BS Herbalist, and I help people understand what's really going on when their body, habits, emotions, and old patterns seem to be working against them. Using clinical herbalism, nutrition, psychology, and a whole-person approach, we figure out where things started going sideways — and - [Events Schedule](https://nobsherbalist.com/events-schedule/) - Workshops and Upcoming Events Foraging classes in Connecticut, Herbalism Classes, and Festivals Sunday, September 13th 10am-2pm Herbal Medicine Making 101 here at my farm BUY TICKETS Saturday September 26th 10am-12pm Herbal Medicine Making and Foraging Workshop at The Grove in Chester, CT BUY TICKETS Saturday, October 3rd 10am-6pm The Wild Reset Day Retreat at Whispering - [Contact Me](https://nobsherbalist.com/contact/) - Fill out the form below to say hi, ask a question, or find out how to hire me to speak at your event: 731 Upper Maple StreetDanielson, CT 06239 (959) 456-1426 Know what you want to ask me already? Get a quick Mini Consultation here! - [You're Mowing Down Free Food and Medicine Every Week](https://nobsherbalist.com/foraging-walks-connecticut-rhode-island/) - Book a private foraging walk in CT or RI starting at $147. Learn to identify edible and medicinal plants on your property w/professional forager Amelia South. - [About Me, the No-BS Herbalist](https://nobsherbalist.com/about/) - I Thought Healing Was About Fixing the Body. I Was Wrong. I'm Amelia South — Clinical Herbalist, foraging instructor, author, coach, and the woman behind the No-BS Herbalist and Black Sun Farm. I've spent nearly 20 years learning about plants, food, the human body, and what it actually takes to feel well. I started foraging - [Think Like An Herbalist](https://nobsherbalist.com/think-like-an-herbalist/) - The Health Guide You Wish You Had at 20 No Fluff. No Fads. Just Real Solutions. Your Body Deserves Modern Science AND Ancient Wisdom After years of dealing with my own health disasters—rosacea, candida, postpartum injuries that left me searching for answers—I learned something crucial: Herbal medicine works. Especially when it works with your healthcare, not - [Guest Appearances](https://nobsherbalist.com/guest-appearances/) - Listen: Read: Interview 2025 with Bold Journey Magazine Interviewed Again in 2026 with Bold Journey Magazine Article in Natural Nutmeg Magazine May 2025 what-is-it-like-taking-functional-mushrooms-for-immunity_-goodrx.shortenedDownload article-by-rick-politoDownload - [My Books](https://nobsherbalist.com/my-books/) - My new book! Perfect for the homesteader, stay-at-home-mom, beginning Herbalist, and anyone else looking to take charge of their own health! Get the Book Get the PDF Request A Signed Copy "Think Like an Herbalist" is a great addition to my books on health natural healing. Amelia's honest approach in her writing is educational but - [Transform Your Land into a Private Apothecary](https://nobsherbalist.com/transform-your-land/) - From Dirt to Medicine in 3 Days—the Private No-BS Immersion for Herbal Self-Sufficiency Here’s the thing... ...those weeds you've been meaning to pull? They're powerful medicine for your gut health....that “invasive” thorny vine? It’s free food! Those tendrils and roots are deliciousedibles—and you've been cursing it for years. But there's a problem... ...you don't know - [One-On-One Consultations](https://nobsherbalist.com/one-on-one-consultations/) - I’m an Herbalist, NOT a doctor. I do not (and can not) diagnose or treat your medical problems, nor can I prescribe medicine. If you have a serious medical condition, please contact your doctor. I work with food as medicine, and herbs as additives to help bring healing to your whole body. To see a little background - [Product Descriptions](https://nobsherbalist.com/product-descriptions/) - All of Black Sun Farm’s infused topical oils and salves are made with Wild Groves olive oil, produced in Newcastle, CA. The beeswax I use comes from the United States and if I need to use vodka for some reason, I use a brand that was produced in the USA as well. Almost all the herbs I work - [Shop Herbal Apothecary](https://nobsherbalist.com/shop-herbal-apothecary/) - All my Products are now found in my Online Shop Black Sun Farm Shop My kitchen, while kept as clean as possible, is NOT inspected by any agency. I hold a Cottage Food License. Any products you purchase from me are used at your own discretion. All herbs are either grown or foraged in the - [Legal Disclaimer](https://nobsherbalist.com/legal-disclaimer/) - Amelia South, Herbalist LIABILITY DISCLAIMER I am a Herbalist, not a doctor. Only a physician can diagnose, treat, and prescribe for illness or disease. I neither diagnose nor treat disease. Nor do I prescribe remedies. The human body has the innate power to heal itself. The role of the herbalist in this healing process is to consider ## Categories - [foraging](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/foraging/) - [health](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/health/) - [herbalism](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/herbalism/) - [food](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/food/) - [gut health](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/gut-health/) - [Uncategorized](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/uncategorized/) - [coughing](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/coughing/) - [gardening](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/gardening/) - [Pain Relief](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/pain-relief/) - [smoking](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/smoking/) - [Business](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/business/) - [Stress](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/stress/) - [Feeling Sick](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/feeling-sick/) - [Skin](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/skin/) - [mental health](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/mental-health/) - [Headache](https://nobsherbalist.com/category/headache/) ## Tags - 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