Results for Category: Herb Talk
Discover 5 Herbs That Promote Rest
Rest with us, won’t you? As the days grow shorter and cooler, nature itself invites us to slow down. Autumn is the perfect time to turn toward calming herbal allies—herbs for rest and relaxation that help us unwind, reflect, and restore our energy before the busyness of the months ahead. This season reminds us that…
Little Known Uses of Witch Hazel and Other Plants of the Southern Appalachians
Have you ever spotted a bottle of witch hazel on your drugstore shelf and wondered about the story behind this curiously named shr...
Boost Your Confidence With Herbs for Self-Doubt
We all have moments of self-doubt when we worry whether our abilities and our worth are “enough” (they are!). We may question ...
Transform Your Day with Herbs That Motivate
Motivational sparks of creativity help fill our lives with play, joy, and fun! These lightbulb moments often ignite passion, enthusiasm, and excitement, but we know that it can sometimes feel difficult to carry creative ideas forward and bring them into reality. That’s why we need to add herbs that motivate into our materia medica! To…
Discover How Herbs Play Key Roles in Pop Culture
Herbs have been a part of our cultures for centuries. From ancient gardens to the spices on your kitchen shelf, herbs are more than just plants—they’re traditions passed down through generations to help support our health and vitality. And now, herbs are getting some serious spotlight in pop culture. Whether it’s a plant-based potion in…
From Roots to Rattles: Ancient Wisdom of Herbs for Birth & Postpartum
The pregnancy and postpartum journey can be as emotionally overwhelming as it is precious and rewarding. Fortunately, for those se...
5 Essential Herbs for the Herbalist in Your Home
Over my years of owning Sacred Vibes Apothecary, countless individuals have asked me what my top five essential herbs to have in t...
Everyday Korean Herbs + a Hibiscus Jujube Tea Recipe
In our new Everyday Korean Herbs Intensive available in The Herbarium, herbalist Grace Yoon, author of The Korean Herbal Apothecary, deep dives into the many different aspects of herbal traditions in Korea. This intensive covers topics of interest ranging from specific Korean herbs for beauty to Confucianism and its philosophical influence on Eastern perspectives on…
3 Supportive Uses for Peppermint You Need to Know
A cheerful mint whose flavor and aroma have inspired candy canes, chewing gum, breath mints, and holiday goodies of all sorts, the uses for peppermint (Mentha x piperita) leaf as a versatile herb with numerous botanical benefits and usages are many. With a long history among Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, peppermint is…
Lunar Herbalism: Plants Associated with the Moon
Studying the relationship between our botanical allies and planetary bodies is another way to understand plant energetics from a b...
Let’s Celebrate These 8 Plants That Are Associated With the Sun
As we slowly transition out of the depths of winter and, if we are fortunate, are blessed with sun-ray glimpses of spring, this ca...
5 Herbs for Mental Health Support
It’s that time of year again. The seasons are shifting, and while we savor the beauty of changing seasons, some also mourn the end of warm weather as the clouds roll in and the cooler weather settles. Many people struggle with mental health issues, and oftentimes these feelings can seem amplified in the wintertime. Note:…
Anise vs. Anise Hyssop: What’s the Difference?
It is easy to make the mistake of thinking that the name anise is just an abbreviation for the anise hyssop plant. Many people assume that they are the same thing, when in fact, they are actually two completely different plants. Both plants share one major characteristic–a rich licorice aroma and flavor–but the fresh plants…
The Herbal Kitchen: Paprika
In this book excerpt from The Herbal Kitchen, author and herbalist Kami McBride highlights an herb common in our kitchen – p...
Herbs for Health and Cheer During Winter
As we head into the darker, cooler months of winter, many of us look forward to the sights, sounds, and activities of the holidays...
How to Correctly Identify and Use Evergreens for Internal and External Use
Attempting to correctly identify evergreen trees can be challenging. Evergreens get their name because the leaves, or needles, stay “green forever.” No matter the weather outside, you can always rely on evergreens to be green throughout the seasons. But if you plan on using some parts of the tree for herbalism, it’s important to correctly…
5 Autumn Spices for the Herbalist’s Kitchen
I adore autumn, and yet I find it a bittersweet time of year, being the harbinger of the cold, dark days of winter. Whether or not you welcome the transition from the heat of summer to the cool of autumn and winter, adjusting your foods, spices, and herbs to fit the season is one important…
3 Moistening Herbs to Explore
In an article in The Herbarium, herbalist Erin Gangi discusses the role of moistening herbs through the lens of a few traditional ...
Herbal Wonders of Greece
Greece is a beautiful country surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian seas. Ranked as one of the sunnie...
Growing an Edible Flower Garden
No garnish elevates a drink or dish quite like an edible flower. While I am sometimes able to find edible flowers among the fresh herbs in my local grocery store, nothing beats the quality and freshness of being able to pluck them fresh from my garden. Growing an edible flower garden is easily done in…
Andean Plants and Their Herbal Uses
The Andes mountains are home to at least 20,000 endemic species of Andean plants (Myers et al., 2000 as cited by Cueva-Agila et al., 2019). In Ecuador, the Eastern Cordillera Real montane forests ecoregion boasts up to 8,000 different plant species (Richter et al., 2009). The southern part of the country, especially the Loja and…
Planting the Rainbow: Incorporate Plants Into Your Garden Based On the Color of the Blooms
Gardening is a hobby that can fulfill both the utilitarian as well as the aesthetic sensibilities within the human soul, but you d...
Herbs for Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and the Aging Brain: What the Research Has to Say
Most of us will be touched by the heartbreak of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Whether a parent, life partner, friend, or ones...
Plant Allies to Prepare Your Immune System for Winter
Winter stirs up nostalgic thoughts of evergreen trees and warm, cozy fires, but it can also cause increased stress and anxiety, with concerns of the approaching cold and flu season coupled with navigating a pandemic. Luckily, plants are available to us to help support the immune system, soothe the nervous system, and promote balance to…
Motherwort Benefits + Recipe
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a striking plant. Growing as tall as 5 feet, it bears the signature square stem and opposite leaves of the lamiaceae family. The leaves of this plant are toothed and palm-shaped, waving a warm hello to all that pass (Chevallier, 2000). In this post, we will discuss gathering and using motherwort,…
In Search of the True Brahmi: Bacopa vs Gotu Kola
Herbs known by the name “brahmi” have an affinity for the nervous system and tend to support memory. There are a few different...
Plant Personalities: How Growing Plants Deepened My Relationship With Them
I can proudly shout from the rooftops that I am a giant nerd! I am obsessed with herbalism, plant personalities, and creating deep...
How to Source Sustainable Seaweed
Seaweed has been farmed in Japan since at least the 17th century (“Seaweed Farming”, n.d.), when farmers cast bamboo branches into shallow waters where seaweed spores would collect. But its use as a food source stretches back much further, with archaeologists discovering that the coastal people of Monte Verde, Chile harvested and consumed seaweed as early as 21,000…
Vining Herbs: Take Gardening to New Heights
Vining plants do so much for a garden. Vertical climbing plants take up minimal ground space and add height and texture to the garden scape. They will hide unsightly garden walls or become a whimsical focal point when grown on an arched trellis or pergola. Trellised vining plants grown on porches and patios can provide…
California Poppy Benefits + Recipe
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower of California, is a beautiful wildflower that has been an ally to we...
