Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Herb Mentor Radio

Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic herb with a fascinating reputation: its name roughly translates to “smell of a horse,” while a companion saying promises that it gives you the strength of a stallion.

Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and Ayurveda has long valued it as a rejuvenating rasayana — an herb that nourishes, strengthens, and promotes longevity.

Let's explore three medicinal uses of ashwagandha with herbalist Sorrel Hartford.

And after learning these 3 benefits of ashwagandha you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://www.learningherbs.com/herb-notes-flashcards/

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Mimi Prunella welcomes Kimberly Gallagher and Lauren Morgan to explore Rhythms & Relationships, a new LearningHerbs course that invites us into a slower, more relational way of practicing herbalism.

Kimberly Gallagher is co-founder of LearningHerbs and HerbMentor, where she has spent years helping thousands of people cultivate joyful, practical relationships with medicinal plants through education, community, and everyday herbalism.

Lauren Morgan is a community herbalist, dreamworker, author of Seasonal Herbalism, host of the Herbs and Dreams podcast, and founder of Herbs & Dreams. Her work weaves together herbalism, dreams, Earth-based spirituality, and deep relationship with the living world.

Together, Kimberly and Lauren invite us to consider the plants not simply as remedies to be studied but as living beings with whom we can cultivate meaningful relationships. While many of us begin herbalism by learning constituents, actions, preparations, and botanical names, this conversation explores another way of knowing the plants through presence, listening, and lived experience.

They discuss how slowing down allows us to reconnect with the rhythms that have always guided herbal traditions. From the changing seasons and lunar cycles to our own bodies, dreams, and intuition, herbalism becomes less about accumulating information and more about participating in a living relationship with the world around us.

The conversation also explores the role of dreams in herbal practice, the wisdom that emerges through the senses, and the importance of creating space for stillness in a culture that often celebrates speed and productivity. Kimberly and Lauren also reflect on the beautiful experience of creating this course together, sharing how their friendship, time on the land, and deep reverence for the plants shaped both the course and their work together.

In this episode, we explore:

• Dreams, intuition, and the many ways plants speak to us
• Living in rhythm with the seasons, moon, and the natural world
• The importance of slowing down and cultivating presence
• Herbalism through relationship with plants as beings
• Bringing herbalism into family and community life

Learn more about Lauren Morgan and her work at: Herbs & Dreams

Learn more about Rhythms & Relationships and the LearningHerbs community at: LearningHerbs

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Lavender is one of herbalism's most recognized and beloved plants: familiar enough to live in a garden bed or a scented lotion, yet grounded in a body of clinical studies that most people never get to see.

Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, has been used medicinally for centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean, and it continues to impress modern scientific research. The Botanical Safety Handbook gives it its highest safety rating, making it one of the most accessible herbs you can add to your home practice.

Let's explore three medicinal uses of lavender...

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of lavender.

And after learning these 3 benefits of lavender you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://www.learningherbs.com/herb-notes-flashcards/

This month on HerbMentor Radio, Kimberly Gallagher and Mimi Prunella welcome Appalachian herbalist, storyteller, and educator Heather Wood Buzzard for a delightful conversation celebrating the remarkable plants many people overlook. Together, they explore the world of weedy herbalism, where common plants become nourishing foods, trusted medicines, and lifelong teachers.

Heather shares the story of her unconventional introduction to herbalism, digging dandelion roots for dollars as a young wildcrafter, and reflects on the lessons those humble weeds taught her about perseverance, humility, and the value hidden in ordinary places. Her love of storytelling shines throughout the episode as she weaves together childhood memories, Appalachian traditions, and the healing power of narrative herbalism.

The conversation also celebrates Heather and Mimi's collaboration on National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants, exploring why learning the abundant plants growing close to home is one of the best ways to begin a relationship with wild foods and medicines. Together they share favorite edible plants, laugh about organizing a field guide around plant parts, and reflect on how much they learned from one another during the writing process.

Listeners will also hear Heather's unforgettable childhood memory of discovering a sprawling patch of wild passionfruit, learn why daylilies deserve a place at the table, and discover the surprising appeal of a hearty bowl of cream of weeds soup. Along the way, Heather offers thoughtful reflections on how wildcrafting teaches mindfulness, observation, and restraint, reminding us that gathering plants is as much about relationship as it is about harvest.

In this episode, we explore:

• Digging dandelions for dollars and the lessons they teach
• Why common weeds often become an herbalist's greatest teachers
• Beginning wildcrafting with abundant backyard plants
• The making of National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants
• Daylilies as an abundant and delicious edible plant
• Childhood memories of discovering wild passionfruit
• Narrative herbalism and the healing power of stories
• Heather's upcoming books on wildcrafting and narrative herbal medicine

Discover More

Follow Heather: @plantsandstory

Website: https://www.heatherwoodbuzzard.com

National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/770136/national-geographic-backyard-guide-to-edible-wild-plants-by-mimi-prunella-hernandez-and-heather-wood-buzzard/

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

If you've ever sipped a cold IPA on a warm summer evening, you've already had a brush with one of herbalism's most interesting relaxing herbs. Hops (Humulus lupulus) is most famous as the plant behind craft beer's signature bitter flavor. Long before artisan breweries started putting together tasting notes about citrus undertones and fruity finishes, herbalists were treasuring hops for its ability to help people unwind, sleep, and digest.

Want to learn about the healing gifts of hops?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of hops as a medicine plant.

And after learning these 3 benefits of hops you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://www.learningherbs.com/herb-notes-flashcards/

Joining us is Brandon Ruiz, a community herbalist, educator, urban farmer, and author whose work beautifully weaves together gardening, foraging, culture, and community. Brandon shares how gardens become places where relationships grow, not only between people and plants, but between generations, neighborhoods, and cultural traditions.

Brandon takes us on a heartfelt journey to his grandparents' land in Puerto Rico, where the sights, scents, and medicinal plants of his childhood first inspired his love of herbalism. Today, he returns to that same land not only to reconnect with his roots, but to inspire the generations who first nurtured his curiosity.

The conversation also explores Brandon's transition to Philadelphia and his work with the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, where gardens serve as living classrooms that bring together children, elders, food traditions, public art, and Puerto Rican culture. Through community gardening, Brandon demonstrates how cultivating plants can also cultivate belonging, memory, and connection.

Tulsi takes center stage as this month's anchor herb, becoming a beautiful example of how one fragrant plant can invite curiosity and open the door to deeper relationships with herbalism. Brandon shares why tulsi so often becomes a gateway plant, drawing people into the garden through its aroma before leading them toward the broader enchantment of medicinal plants.

We also celebrate Brandon's new book, How to Forage for Medicinal Plants Without Dying, and discuss how confidence, intention, and responsible stewardship can help transform fear into meaningful relationships with the plants growing all around us.

In this episode, we explore:

• Garden herbalism as a practice of relationship, stewardship, and community
• Childhood memories and ancestral plant traditions from Puerto Rico
• How gardens preserve culture, identity, and belonging across generations
• Brandon's work with the Norris Square Neighborhood Project in Philadelphia
• Tulsi as an inviting gateway into herbalism and the magic of the garden
• Bridging gardening and foraging through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship
• Setting intention before harvesting medicinal plants
• Building confidence for beginning foragers
• Brandon's new book, How to Forage for Medicinal Plants Without Dying

You can find Brandon @yucayekefarms. For info on the Puerto Rican Herbalism Gathering, visit https://prherbalism.podia.com/

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum) has been revered in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, but its health benefits are uniquely relevant to the demands of modern life.

Want to learn about the healing gifts of Holy Basil?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of Holy Basil.

And after learning these 3 benefits of Holy Basil you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://www.learningherbs.com/herb-notes-flashcards/

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Four: Topical Herbalism.

To guide us into this deeply sensory and ancestral world, we are joined by herbalist Shereel Washington, founder of Ixalted Natural Body Care & Botanicals. Shereel brings a rich perspective rooted in folk herbalism, body care traditions, ancestral knowledge, and relationship with the plants that nourish and protect the skin.

Together, we explore how topical herbalism lives far beyond modern skincare trends. Shereel shares vivid childhood memories of being lovingly coated from head to toe in warm cocoa butter, opening a conversation about touch, care, scent, and the ways herbal body traditions become woven into everyday life and memory.

We also explore how herbs work through the skin to influence the body more deeply, supporting comfort, inflammation, restoration, immunity, and relationship with ourselves. From herbal baths and foot soaks to infused oils and body butters, the conversation highlights topical herbalism as both practical and deeply nourishing.

Shereel also shares beautiful insights into traditional herbal craft, including working with infused animal fats as deeply nourishing carriers for topical remedies. The conversation explores how herbal oils, salves, and body butters made with tallow and other traditional fats carry both practicality and ancestral memory, connecting modern herbalists back to longstanding traditions of skin nourishment and whole body care.

In this episode, we explore:

• Topical herbalism as both ancestral care and practical everyday medicine
• Childhood sensory memories connected to herbal body care
• Herbal baths, foot soaks, infused oils, and body butters
• How herbs work through the skin to support the body
• Folk herbalism, bioregional traditions, and relationship with plants
• Infusing herbs into oils and traditional animal fats for deeply nourishing topical remedies
• Shereel’s Folk Herbalism course on HerbMentor

Learn more about Shereel Washington and her work at Ixalted Natural Body Care & Botanicals and at Berkeley Herbal Center.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Three: Apothecary Herbalism.

To guide us into this hands-on and deeply personal aspect of herbal practice, we are joined by clinical herbalist and educator Mary Colvin, founder of Ancestral Herbology and author of The Herbalist’s Guide: How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary. Mary Colvin is a Registered Herbalist, Mentor, Formulator, and herbal educator with over 17 years of experience in the herbal community.

Mary invites us into her apothecary, a space that feels alive with the scent of lavender and fresh flowers. Throughout the conversation, we explore the process of building an apothecary in a way that feels grounded and personal rather than overwhelming.

Mary gently shifts our perspective. Rather than using herbs, Mary speaks of working alongside them. It is not about how many herbs we collect, but how deeply we know them. She shares how journaling, observation, and working with plants across their many forms help build true relationship.

And she brings us to violet, a plant of remarkable versatility and quiet beauty. Violet offers a wide range of preparations, from flower essences to syrups to nourishing infusions. Mary describes the simple act of opening a jar of dried violets and being met with their soft, sweet aroma, an experience that immediately brings beauty to her herbal apothecary.

In this episode, we explore:

• Practical ways to begin building an apothecary without overwhelm
• How an apothecary evolves over time through use and experience
• Learning herbs through observation, journaling, and preparation
• Designing your herbal path through mentorship and hands-on practice
• Developing discernment in a world of abundant information
• Engaging with the apothecary as a living, active system
• Violet as a versatile and gentle apothecary ally

Learn more about Mary Colvin and her work at www.ancestralherbology.com

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a quiet yet powerful medicinal ally in gardens and kitchens around the world.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of dill?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of dill.

And after learning these 3 benefits of dill you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Two: Kitchen Herbalism.

To guide us into this aromatic world, we are joined by Appalachian herbalist Patricia Kyritsi Howell, director of the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies and co-owner of Wild Crete Travel. Patricia brings a beautiful perspective shaped by both the mountains of Southern Appalachia and the herbal food traditions of Crete, Greece.

Together, we explore what it means to live in a culture where herbs are woven directly into daily meals. Patricia takes us on a sensory journey to Crete, where oregano, thyme, and rosemary grow wild across the hillsides and nearly every home carries its own living herbal traditions.

We also explore the tradition of horta, the gathering of wild greens that become the centerpiece of family meals, simply dressed with olive oil and lemon.

Throughout the episode, we return to our anchor herb: oregano. In Greece, oregano is not simply a dried spice in a jar, it is a vibrant wild plant deeply woven into food, medicine, and cultural identity.

The conversation then bridges back to Appalachia through another shared plant tradition, sumac, whose bright red berries appear both in Mediterranean cuisine and Appalachian kitchens.

In this episode, we explore:

• The herbal heart of the traditional Greek kitchen
• Aromatic herbs as a foundation of Mediterranean foodways
• Oregano growing wild across the hillsides of Crete
• The cultural tradition of gathering wild greens known as horta
• Sumac as a bridge between Greek and Appalachian plant traditions
• Patricia’s updated book Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians

Learn more about Patricia Kyritsi Howell and her work at patriciakyritsihowell.com

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a beloved culinary staple around the world, and an ancient herbal ally for common modern ailments.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of fennel?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 medicinal benefits of fennel.

And after learning these 3 benefits of fennel you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we begin our journey through National Geographic Herbal with the chapter that opens the entire path: Sensory Herbalism.

To guide us into this deeply relational way of knowing plants, we are joined by Kat Maier, author of Energetic Herbalism and founder of Sacred Plant Traditions. Kat has spent decades helping students and practitioners understand the energetic language of plants, not just through theory, but through direct sensory experience.

Together, we explore what it truly means to be in relationship with plants through the senses. Kat helps us understand that energetic herbalism is, at its heart, the study of patterns. This awareness allows us to more skillfully match people and plants in clinical and everyday practice.

We also spend time with marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) as a sensory teacher. Through taste and direct experience, marshmallow reveals its signature moistening softness and quiet strength, offering a clear example of how energetic qualities can be felt in the body, not just studied in books.

Throughout the episode, we return to a central theme: sensory herbalism is relational herbalism. Every culture has cultivated ways of knowing plants through the senses. When we slow down enough to listen, the plants are already speaking.

In this episode, we explore:

• What energetic herbalism really means in practice
• How the senses guide us into deeper plant relationship
• Using plant and human patterns to make better herbal matches
• Kat’s vision of a botanical sanctuary and land stewardship
• The practice of soft gaze and peripheral awareness in the forest
• Marshmallow root as a powerful sensory teacher

Learn more about Kat Maier and her work here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a familiar garden plant with a long history as both a culinary staple and a revered herbal ally.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of sage?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of sage.

And after learning these 3 benefits of sage you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Big news at HerbMentor Radio! We open this episode with an exciting announcement that Mimi Prunella Hernandez is joining HerbMentor Radio as a co-host alongside Kimberly Gallagher.

From there, we take time to get to know Mimi a bit better, her journey as a lifelong herbalist, author, and mentor, and what has shaped her herbal path. Mimi shares her excitement and joy about what she calls her new herbal playground, and what it means to step into a deeper role within the HerbMentor community. As a new co-host, Mimi will be popping into the HerbMentor forums, participating in community meetups, and offering her guidance as a true herb mentor, curious, generous, and grounded in science, tradition, and into the kitchen.

We also take a peek inside Mimi’s books, beginning with sensory experience and moving outward through weeds and forests to the global landscape of herbalism. We highlight the velvet soft cues of peach leaf, the tart brightness of hibiscus, and other beloved herbs featured in National Geographic Herbal and Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants.

• In this episode, we explore
• Mimi’s journey as an herbalist, author, and educator
• What excites her most about joining HerbMentor Radio as co-host
• The role of mentorship and community in modern herbalism
• How herbalism lives in everyday life, from the home to the wider world
• And what’s ahead for HerbMentor Radio with Mimi on board

Learn more about Mimi and her work at www.herbalandhome.com, and follow her on Instagram @herbalandhome.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a sweet, warming spice used in Ayurvedic medicine and beloved in kitchens around the world. It’s treasured in herbal medicine for its aromatic, stimulating gifts.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of cardamom?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of cardamom.

And after learning these 3 benefits of cardamom you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Gut health isn’t just about digestion: it’s the foundation of whole-body balance. Clinical herbalist and author Maria Noël Groves brings a practical and deeply empowering perspective to the conversation, helping demystify gut health and showing how herbs can gently and effectively support digestion and long-term vitality.

Maria is the author of several books, including but not limited to Body into Balance and Herbs for Gut Health. She is a clinical herbalist and herbal medicine teacher with more than 2 decades of experience and a registered professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. Her business, Wintergreen Botanicals, is based in Chichester, New Hampshire.

In our conversation, Maria shares…

• Why gut health matters—and why it’s about so much more than digestion
• Key signs your digestion is out of balance (and signs it’s healing)
• Common root causes of gut issues and what realistic healing timelines look like
• How herbs support gut health and the microbiome
• An herbalist’s perspective on heartburn, GERD, leaky gut, and food sensitivities
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Maria Noël Groves and her work here. 

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a pungent culinary delight that makes for a wonderful spice and herbal ally.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of clove?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of clove.

And after learning these 3 benefits of clove you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Ginger (Zingiber officiniale) is far more than a spicy addition to your meals. This beloved plant has been used for centuries across the world as a powerful herbal remedy.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of ginger?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of ginger.

And after learning these 3 benefits of ginger you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Menopause isn’t an ending: it’s an initiation. Herbalist Mimi Prunella Hernandez offers a refreshing, grounded, and deeply compassionate look at the post-menopausal years, breaking down stigma and opening the door to a new era of vitality, strength, and self-trust. She shares how simple, time-tested herbal allies can support the body through this powerful life chapter.

Mimi is a clinical herbalist, educator, author of The National Geographic Herbal and coauthor of The Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Rooted in her Colombian heritage and the Mexican tradition of curanderismo, she honors the art of folk healing while weaving in modern science. She is the former Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild and the 2023 recipient of the Botanical Excellence Award for Herbal Community Building from the American Botanical Council.

In our conversation, Mimi shares…

• How to release outdated stigma around menopause and post-menopause
• Her favorite herbal allies for bone health, skin nourishment, sleep, joint support, and nervous system resilience
• Common misconceptions about herbs like kudzu, evening primrose, and ginseng
• Her go-to herbs for post-menopausal vitality
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Mimi Prunella Hernandez here. 

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Dreams aren’t just random stories from the night: they’re powerful messengers. Herbalist and ceremonialist Lauren Morgan shares how you can begin (or deepen) an intentional dream practice, and how simple herbal allies can support the journey.

Lauren is a community herbalist, dreamer, Earth-based ceremonialist, author, mother, and host of the Herbs and Dreams podcast. She attended her first herbal medicine apprenticeship almost 20 years ago and holds a degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University. Since 2014 she has taught hundreds of students through her Dreamweaving & Herbalism Immersion program.

In our conversation, Lauren shares...

• Easy ways to dive into your intentional dream practice
• Her go-to herbal allies for dreaming
• How herbs and dreams are doorways to the wisdom within and beneath you
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Lauren Morgan here and check out her podcast, The Herbs and Dreams Podcast here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

On October 25th our dear friend Rosalee de la Forêt hosted an online memorial to honor our co-founder John Gallagher's life and legacy. Rosalee brought together people from all different eras of John's life to share their stories about John and what he brought to this world.

It was such a beautiful event that we wanted to share the recording here in case you weren't able to join us live. We're so grateful to everyone who contributed to putting this memorial together and to everyone who is part of our herbal learning community.

Oats (Avena sativa) are more than just a tasty breakfast cereal. This nutrient-dense plant is a gentle yet powerful tonic for the nervous system.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of oats?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of oats.

And after learning these 3 benefits of oats you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Let’s be honest: when many herbalists hear the word marketing, they cringe. It can feel out of sync with the heart-centered work of healing. But what if marketing could actually be a sacred tool: one that helps your message and your medicine reach more people? In this episode, herbalist and marketing expert Jules Benefico shares simple, soulful ways to help you grow your herbal business with integrity and heart.

Jules is a clinical Western Herbalist and founder of Boss Witch Botanicals, where she offers clinical mentorship and courses for herbalists and healers. She also works in Marketing Communications at Traditional Medicinals, blending her marketing expertise with her passion for plant medicine.

In our conversation, Jules shares...

• Simple tips for marketing your herbal business
• Common marketing mistakes that small business owners make
• Why astrology and the plants are intimately linked
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Jules Benefico here and check out her podcast, The Herbal Astrology Podcast here. 

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Burdock grows abundantly as a “weed” along pathways and roadsides, but don’t let the everyday nature of this plant fool you: burdock, like so many prolific medicinal plants, offers many healing gifts.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of burdock root?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of burdock.

And after learning these 3 benefits of burdock you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Roses (Rosa spp.) offer a bounty of healing gifts through their fragrant flowers and nutrient-dense fruits. Rosehips are chockfull of vitamin C: making them an incredibly supportive herbal ally.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of rosehips?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of rosehips.

And after learning these 3 benefits of rosehips you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

 This week’s Herb Mentor Radio is extra special. Tara sits down with Kimberly Gallagher, co-founder and CEO of LearningHerbs, for a heartfelt conversation that blends personal stories, plant wisdom, and an exciting announcement we can’t wait to share.

Kimberly has spent decades nurturing LearningHerbs from a small family dream into a vibrant community that now spans the globe. In this episode, she opens up about her go-to herbal allies and the lessons she has gleaned along her own plant path.

Together, Tara and Kimberly dive into…

• A special announcement about Herb Mentor Radio
• The herbs Kimberly turns to during seasonal changes
• What has surprised her most in decades of learning with plants
• Kimberly’s dreams for the future of LearningHerbs
• And so much more…

You can learn more about Kimberly here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a bold, aromatic herb that’s probably sitting in your kitchen cupboard—but don’t let its everyday status fool you. This Mediterranean plant is a potent medicinal herb with a long history of use as a digestive aid, respiratory support, and antimicrobial remedy.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of oregano?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of oregano.

And after learning these 3 benefits of oregano, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

This episode has been a long time coming. We've wanted to have Seraphina Capranos on the pod for years, and it was a joy to sit down and chat with her...

Seraphina is a homeopath and one of Canada's leading herbalists. She's been in clinical practice for over twenty years and is an international teacher, speaker, and mentor who has taught thousands of students. Rosemary Gladstar has lauded her as a “young elder,” which is pretty much one of the best titles one can ever receive.

In our conversation, Seraphina shares...

• The science and magic of how herbs heal
• How each plant has a unique personality
• How to get started on your herbal path
• The wisdom of working with the Wheel of the Year
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Seraphina Capranos here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale or "common comfrey") is a prolific plant that has an infamously mixed reputation as an incredible healing herb and potentially risky herbal ally. We'll get into all of this in the comfrey Herb Note.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of comfrey?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of comfrey.

And after learning these 3 benefits of comfrey, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

We begin this episode with the heartbreaking news that our beloved HerbMentor Radio co-host, John Gallagher, passed away in June. John was a visionary who dedicated his life to helping people connect with nature.

He believed in making herbal learning accessible, creative, and empowering—and he touched countless lives through his work. We will honor John and his life's work by keeping LearningHerbs and HerbMentor up and running. As we do, John's spirit and values will remain at the heart of LearningHerbs.

Prior to John's passing, we recorded this interview with Rebecca Fils-Aime. Rebecca pairs beautiful herbal stories with her background in public health to bring a holistic perspective to studying plants. We know John would have loved this interview, and we are honored to share this episode with you as we continue John's legacy of accessible herbal learning.

Rebecca is a community herbalist, socio-behavioral scientist, and a certified health and wellness coach. Her mission is to educate about plants that originate in or are commonly used across the African diaspora. She has a passion for using herbs in food as medicine, seasonal living, and accessible, bioregional herbalism.

In our conversation, Rebecca shares...

• How to practice bioregional herbalism
• How to work with hibiscus for skin care
• The gifts of lemongrass
• Herbs and rituals for summertime
• And so much more!

You can learn more about Rebecca Fils-Aime here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

It's not everyday you get to sit down and chat with an herbal legend—and that's exactly what we did in this episode of HerbMentor Radio!

Rosemary Gladstar is a star figure in the field of modern herbalism, internationally renowned for technical knowledge and stewardship in the global herbalist community. She has been learning, teaching and writing about herbs for over 40 years and is the author of 12 books. 

Her latest book, The Generosity of Plants—a heartfelt collection of plant wisdom, quotes, and reflections gathered over many years. In our conversation, Rosemary shares...

• How her grandmother’s notebook sparked her latest book
• How to find your herbal community
• The importance of preserving herbal heritage
• How to take your herbal learning to the next level
• Why true herbalism is rooted in relationship, not just remedies
   

Learn more about Rosemary Gladstar here. 

Grab a copy of The Generosity of Plants here. 

Check out her podcast Voices of Our Herbal Elders here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you. 

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

St. John's wort's Latin name is Hypericum perforatum—named for the hypericin content in the plant's flowers and the tiny perforations in the leaves. These hypericin-rich flowers offer many healing gifts.

Want to learn more about the gifts of St. John's wort? 

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of St. John's wort.

And after learning these 3 benefits of St. John's wort, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Inflammation is a big buzz word in the wellness world these days, but what exactly is inflammation? And how can it really be the root cause of a seemingly endless number of chronic conditions?

Luckily, we have Rosalee de la Forêt to help us sort through the ins and outs of inflammation. Rosalee is a clinical herbalist, author of Alchemy of Herbs and Wild Remedies, and an expert in herbal energetics who helps people transform their health through the joyful use of herbs.

For over 20 years Rosalee has been helping people radically change their health using herbs and natural remedies, and in recent years she's focused on how addressing chronic inflammation can support radiant wellness. 

In our conversation, Rosalee shares...

• What inflammation is and how it can help and hinder the body
• How herbs work differently than anti-inflammatory drugs
• Her go-to herbs for addressing chronic inflammation and so much more!

You can learn more about Rosalee de la Forêt and check out her work here.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Let’s stop and smell the roses, shall we? Known for their luxurious scent and heartwarming blooms, rose petals (Rosa spp.) are a balm for the soul. Beyond the beauty of their flowers, roses offer many healing gifts.

Want to learn more about roses? 

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of rose petals.

And after learning these 3 benefits of rose, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Tesia Love is a clinical Ayurvedic specialist, herbalist, and licensed massage and bodywork therapist who helps people restore balance through traditional healing.

In this episode, Tesia shares her wisdom on Ayurveda—a 3,000-year-old system of medicine that offers a practical framework for understanding herbs and how they interact with the human body.

When learning about herbs, it’s easy to fall into a “take this for that” mindset. While this might work for basic first-aid, a deeper understanding of herbalism requires a more holistic approach—one that Ayurveda provides.

Drawing from her clinical experience, Tesia explores…

• The Ayurvedic basics every herbalist should know
• Her go-to herbs for stress relief
• How to promote balance in the body using Ayurvedic principles and more!

Learn more about Tesia Love on her site: https://www.tesialove.com/

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

With their heart-shaped leaves and beautiful flowers, violets (Viola odorata) are a delight for the heart and soul. Beyond their charming looks, violets also offer many healing gifts. 

Want to learn more about the gifts of violet? 

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of violet.

And after learning these 3 benefits of violet, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Rita Hogan is a clinical herbalist with over 20 years of experience specializing in holistic canine care. She blends Western herbalism, food energetics, homeopathy, and natural therapies to support dogs’ health naturally. Growing up on a farm, she learned the power of plants from her father, which sparked a lifelong passion for herbal medicine and led to her work as a consultant, educator, and author.

Her new book, The Herbal Dog: Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice, provides practical guidance on natural canine care.

In this episode, Rita shares:

• Simple ways to bolster your dog’s nutrition 
• Her go-to gentle herbs for common canine ailments 
• How to easily give herbs to even the most stubborn pups
• The key differences and similarities between herbal care for dogs and humans and so much more!

Learn more about Rita Hogan at canineherbalist.com.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is often one of the first signs of spring: this springtime green sprouts up as temperatures increase, beckoning us all to celebrate the arrival of the new season. 

Often dismissed as a "common weed," the chickweed plant's growth comes at just the right time—it offers many healing gifts that can support our bodies during the transition from winter to spring.

Want to learn more about the gifts of chickweed? 

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of chickweed.

And after learning these 3 benefits of chickweed, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

EagleSong Gardener is an EarthKeeper, a grandmother, and a lifelong adventurer, with over 50 years of experience homesteading, practicing herbal medicine, and teaching. Her unique approach is grounded in observing the rhythms of nature and understanding how life weaves its patterns through the seasons. She inspires others to connect with the earth in practical and meaningful ways.

EagleSong wasn’t just my first herbal mentor—she’s been the most influential in shaping my journey with plants. Her guidance laid the foundation for what would eventually become LearningHerbs, which is why we’re celebrating our 20th Anniversary with this episode.

Today, we’re exploring hawthorn, a remarkable plant known for its profound support of the heart—physically, emotionally, and energetically.

Here’s what we explore:

• Hawthorn’s gifts to the heart—its medicinal and emotional benefits, plus how to use it in daily life.
• Seasonal practices and plant rituals—how tuning into nature’s cycles helps us build stronger connections with the plants around us.
• Humans as keystone species—what this means for the health of our ecosystems and how we can play our part.
• Stories and insights from decades of herbal practice—EagleSong shares practical wisdom and inspiring reflections that will deepen your connection with the natural world.

You can learn more about EagleSong Gardener and check out her incredible offerings right here: https://www.eaglesong-gardener.com

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Thyme offers a familiar, pungent taste to every dish it graces. Beyond its culinary gifts, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) also has a rich history as a medicinal herb with a wide range of benefits.

Want to learn more about the gifts of thyme? 

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of thyme in this edition of Herb Notes.

And after learning these 3 benefits of thyme, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like peppermint, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

The most wonderful time of the year brings your most pressing herbal questions! In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we explore:

1. What herbs are best for sleep?
2. Which herbs ease pain naturally?
3. What makes a great herbal coffee substitute?

Discover the benefits of herbs like California poppy, passionflower, ginger, and turmeric, as Tara shares her go-to remedies for common ailments like insomnia and muscle tension.

Plus, John reveals a simple yet crucial tip for identifying St. John’s wort — you’ll definitely want to hear this one!

Whether you’re new to herbalism or a seasoned pro, there’s something here for everyone. Tune in to deepen your connection with the plants that support your well-being.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, peppermint's ubiquitous flavor can bring a sense of familiarity and comfort. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is more than just a tasty beverage though: the peppermint plant has a rich history of medicinal usage.

Want to learn more about the gifts of peppermint? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of peppermint.

And after learning these 3 benefits of peppermint, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like peppermint, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Herbalist and artisanal miso maker Gabe Garms joins us to chat about herbal misos, regenerative farming, and fermentation. 

Before I met Gabe this past summer, I thought that miso could only be made with soybeans. Little did I know that miso can be made with ingredients like dandelion root, mushrooms, and even bacon. Gabe opened my eyes to the exciting world of herbal misos — including how incredibly nutrient-dense they are — and his creativity and vast knowledge of fermentation totally blew me away.

Gabe Garms is the founder of Creative Koji, a Pacific Northwest-based company dedicated to crafting artisanal miso products using locally grown and sourced ingredients. Gabe draws on his background in permaculture and medicinal herbs to grow many of the ingredients for Creative Koji. He is passionate about fermented foods, natural medicine and teaching people how to grow their own medicinals/food within a permaculture system. 

Our conversation with Gabe will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and embrace the many gifts of fermentation.

In this episode, Gabe shares...

• How to easily start fermenting at home
• The medicinal gifts of miso
• How miso can supercharge your herbal allies
• How to nourish your gut microbiome and much more!

Learn more about Gabe Garms and Creative Koji.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

In recent years, turmeric (Curcuma longa) has exploded in popularity. Chances are your favorite coffeeshop might now even include a golden milk turmeric latte on the menu. Turmeric, however, is not just a fad: this vibrant herb is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy with centuries’ of use as a traditional remedy.

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of turmeric.

And after learning these 3 benefits of turmeric, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like rosemary, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Lisa Fazio takes us on a journey through Italian-American folk herbalism, the healing power of food as medicine, and the medicinal properties of herbs like garlic, St. John’s wort, and olive. She shares her personal stories and ancestral wisdom, making this conversation a true gift for anyone passionate about herbal traditions.

When we first came across Lisa’s new book, Della Medicina: The Tradition of Italian-American Folk Healing, we knew we had to invite her to the show. Her book is a beautiful collection of stories and deep connections to beloved plants such as garlic, St. John’s wort, olive, and more.

We were especially excited to speak with Lisa because of our own Italian heritage and curiosity about ancestral traditions. However, the wisdom Lisa offers is relevant and deeply supportive, no matter where your roots lie. Her approach invites us all to reconnect with our ancestral medicines and understand how herbal practices have been passed down through generations.

In this episode, Lisa Fazio talks about:

• Practical traditions for honoring ancestors
• The protective qualities of garlic
• Benedicaria and the spiritual uses of herbs
• The connections between Catholic saints and herbs
• The rich herbal traditions of Italy and how they’ve evolved for Italian Americans and so much more

To learn more about Lisa Fazio and her work, visit The Root Circle.

 Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

With its familiar sweet and pungent taste, cinnamon is a common spice that makes an exceptionally tasty addition to every meal it graces. Cinnamon’s gifts go far beyond its flavor, however: in fact, herbalists know that cinnamon offers many healing gifts.

Want to learn more about the gifts of cinnamon? Let’s dive into three key health benefits of cinnamon…

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of cinnamon.

And after learning these 3 benefits of cinnamon, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like rosemary, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Chatting with Lucretia VanDyke for the first time ever immediately felt like catching up with a dear friend — we were totally transported and never wanted the conversation to end.

Lucretia is a phenomenal storyteller who weaves her tales with reverence, humor, and thorough research. As one of the foremost experts on Southern folk healing arts, she integrate rituals, plant spirit meditation, holistic food and herbal medicine, and ancestor reverence into people's practices. She is the author of African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions.

In this episode, Lucretia shares...

• How to make your kitchen a sacred space for creativity
• Practical tips for for connecting with your ancestors
• Why poke changed her life and led her to New Orleans
• The important legacy of herbalist Emma Dupree and so much more!

You can learn more about Lucretia VanDyke on her site.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Rosemary is most popularly known as a tasty culinary herb. Indeed, rosemary’s aromatic leaves have a special place in many beloved dishes — adding a distinct, pungent taste. Herbalists know, though, that rosemary’s beneficial properties extend far beyond its flavor: this fragrant herb boasts many healing gifts.

Want to learn more about the many gifts of rosemary? Let's dive into three key health benefits of rosemary…

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of rosemary.

And after learning these 3 benefits of rosemary, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like rosemary, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.

Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Have you ever had one of those moments in life when suddenly everything change? There's a before this moment and an after this moment — and nothing will ever be the same. That's how Tara and I felt after meeting Asia Suler.

Asia Suler is an herbalist and earth intuitive. She began her journey after began her journey after early years of chronic pain and illness. The experience— which pushed her into a deep search for healing, both within and without— led her to the altar of the green world. Chatting with Asia on HerbMentor Radio was deeply moving and opened our hearts to the power sensitivity and plant communication. I have a feeling you might have one of those life changing moments too when you listen to our conversation with Asia.

In this episode, Asia shares...

• How to communicate with the plants that grow around you
• How to embrace the power of your sensitivity
• Grounding practices for sensitive souls in a chaotic world
• How motherhood has transformed her relationship to work and healing and so much more!

You can learn more about Asia Suler and check out her work at https://asiasuler.com/.

Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?

HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login.

• Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com

Are you just starting to make herbal remedies?

• Build your herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards