Tag: herbs
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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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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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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…
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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…
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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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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…