An Herbal Tea Recipe for California Fire Victims
Our hearts go out to all those who’ve been affected in some way by the latest wildfires that have rapidly spread through parts of California recently. Not only are homes damaged or completely gone, but lives have been lost and many people and animals are suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. Smoke inhalation is…
9 Herbal DIYs for the Holidays
The holidays are a time to gather, join in community, and be with those we care about the most. We come together around the table to share in festive feasts and stories of the past year and plan for the coming year. We celebrate and show our appreciation for our loved ones, often through the…
5 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Good for the Holidays
It’s that special time of year when we open our homes to friends and family from near and far to gather together and celebrate the holidays. During this time of year, we want to make our homes cozy, warm, and welcoming for the holidays. Soft blankets, pumpkin pie spice, twinkling lights, and hot cocoa add…
How To Make & Use Homemade Magnesium Oil To Benefit Your Health
Do you experience insomnia, constipation, leg cramps, or general stress and anxiety more than you’d like? If so, magnesium may be of some assistance to you. Magnesium is an essential nutrient, but in this high-stress, fast-paced world we all seem to be lacking sufficient amounts of it. Did you know that other than getting magnesium…
Herbal Roots 101: How to Prepare and Use Roots for Wellness
Autumn is here, and by now, most plants have gone to seed. The vibrant energy we saw so abundantly all summer has sunk down into the roots of the plants, and as they die back, the nutrients that once flowed in the above-ground portions are returned downward into the roots. This makes fall the perfect…
How to Create a Simmering Herbal Potpourri
Does your home ever get that stale feeling? Does it smell like a cast iron skillet or a dusty antique store? Let’s be honest — odors happen! If the weather isn’t ideal for opening the windows, then you may be looking for some help to freshen the air in your home! So, where do most…
The Best and Worst Plants for Pets
While there are many herbs, plants, and vegetables that are healthy and safe for domestic animals, there is a long list of plants that are downright toxic to our four-legged companions. Sadly, these dangerous plants are prevalent, lurking in our yards and homes. You know your companion animal better than anyone else, so when cultivating…
How To Use Chromotherapy And Gemstones For Mind-Body Balance
A core ayurvedic teaching is that all things in nature are comprised of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The five elements exist in a very real way and also represent qualities or energies within us and within the natural world. When it comes to choosing appropriate foods, herbs, aromas, and other…
How To Make A DIY Herbal-Infused Broth
Are herbal-infused broths the new tea?! Although nothing can truly compete with a nourishing cup of herbal tea, an herbal-infused broth is a tasty alternative way to enjoy your herbs and add a nutritious boost to your meals all year long. Herbal-infused broths can be incorporated into soups and other dishes or enjoyed on their…
Adding Devil’s Club to your Materia Medica
When I first saw devil’s club in the wild woods, I had no idea what it was, but I was immediately entranced by it. The thick, yellowish-white stalk, wrapped in huge spines, was taller than me, and at the top, there sprouted several foot-long, alternate, umbrella-shaped leaves that also had numerous spines along the top…
How To Make DIY Herbal Soup Rings
Autumn is the season for colored leaves, warm clothes, and hearty comfort foods. And while those things may bring a sense of rest and relaxation, autumn can be a busy time of year. There are sporting events to attend, holiday preparations to make, shorter days to fit everything into, and for many gardeners, food preservation…
6 Herbal Vision Boards To Inspire Your Herbal Journey
Herbalism speaks to each of us in different ways. When we first venture onto this path, many of us don’t have a clear idea of who we want to become as an herbalist. Even when we’ve been on our individual herbal journey for some time, we may still struggle with identifying who we are as…
4 Fall Herbal Tea Recipes To Cozy Up With
It’s easy for herbalists to rejoice with the turning of fall since cooler weather invites warm tea back into our daily routine. Whether you love to cozy up with a good book and a warm mug of tea, prepare an entire nourishing quart of tea to sip throughout the day, or enjoy a simple cup…
How To Make Pickled Burdock Root
The first time I tasted a burdock root pickle, I was helping herbalist Rosemary Gladstar prepare for her demonstration at a Mother Earth News Fair. Rosemary had been traveling all day and had quickly purchased a jar of pickled burdock root for an on-the-go, healthy snack. She handed me the jar with a warm smile…
Herbal Tea or Herbal Infusion: What’s the Difference?
It’s finally here: the time of year when there’s not much better than a cozy fire, a snuggly flannel, and a hot cup of herbal tea… or herbal infusion. Fall is the perfect time of year to introduce the healthful practice of enjoying an herbal tea or herbal infusion daily. Not only is this the…
3 Tips on Managing Vata Dosha During Autumn
Ayurveda teaches that we each have an inherent prakruti, which is our natural, unchanging nature. Our prakruti is our unique balance of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas and is unaffected by phase of life, seasons, or any other external factors. If you’re interested in finding out what your dosha is, read our article, Introduction To…
3 Calming Herbs to Support ADHD & Cognition
Many different herbs can be incorporated into a successful herbal protocol that helps support attention, cognition, and mood in those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Whether it is you struggling with ADHD or you are working with a child, family member, or a client, approach the topic with compassion and an open mind. In doing so,…
3 Last-Minute Ways To Use Sage Before The Growing Season Ends
Three years ago, my partner and I went out for a night on the town. He took me to a lovely Italian restaurant where we shared a bottle of wine and started our meal with a decadent charcuterie board. He ordered lasagna, and I branched out from the traditional by ordering pumpkin sage ravioli. As…
Herbal Beer: An Ancient Drink for Modern Times
It’s funny — I never thought I would write anything positive about beer. My husband homebrews, so it has always been his thing. It was never something I cared too much about since I’ve never had much of a palate for beer. I’ve always preferred wine as my alcoholic beverage of choice — until recently…
An Herbal Approach to Children with ADHD
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common condition in the United States with nearly 10% of American children (more than 6 million) having been diagnosed with ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). In addition, children with ADHD often experience coexisting mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, behavior, or conduct disorders…
How To Make An Oxymel
A classic but often overlooked herbal preparation, oxymels have been used for ages for a variety of respiratory and immune system issues including coughs, mucus, and difficulty breathing (Hippocrates, 400 B.C.E.). Made from vinegar and honey, oxymels are a tasty and simple herbal preparation to make. Keep reading to learn how to make an oxymel…
6 Best Places to Find High-Quality Herbal Studies
Staying abreast of herbal research is a worthwhile undertaking for any herbalist, but knowing where to look for high-quality herbal studies can be a challenge. To find relevant research on herbs for your practice, consider the following six places where high-quality herbal studies can be found. 6 Places to Find High-Quality Herbal Studies 1. The…
How to Make A Homemade Flower Essence
I never understood the potency of flower essences until I made one myself — carefully picking each beautiful, delicate flower from the plant, intentionally setting it in spring water, and placing the bowl under the sun in the center of my garden. It was a magical meditation as the golden rays of the sun penetrated…
Nettle Plant Walk Video: Identification, Uses, Preparations, & More!
Join herbalist and Herbal Academy Assistant Director, Jane Metzger as she explains how to identify and use nettle in this plant walk video. Not only will you learn how to identify this plant in the wild and some common ways to use it, but you’ll learn a bit about nettle’s energetics and actions as well. Just…
10 Simple Vitalist Practices To Support Well-Being
We are a part of nature, and nature is wise. The Vitalist tradition of herbalism honors this innate wisdom and connection. The Vitalist tradition is a type of herbal practice that looks at the whole person — deeply investigating, looking beyond surface symptoms alone, until the root cause of why a client has come to…
This Versus That: How To Choose The Best Herbal Preparation For Your Needs
One of the most commonly asked questions new and old herbalists ask themselves is “what is the best herbal preparation to use in this situation?” With so many traditional and modern ways to prepare herbs, determining the best herbal preparation to use can feel overwhelming. In this article, we’re here to help break down some…
5 Herbs To Help You Transition Seasons From Summer To Fall
Although the days still feel long and hot, the crisp air of fall is right around the corner. There is a tendency for many of us to say that fall simply “snuck up” on us! Since weather patterns can be somewhat unpredictable at times, it can be helpful to utilize herbs that ease the transition…
Find The Right Herbal Course For You With This Herbal Academy Course Comparison Chart!
There is one week left during back to school season, so it’s decision time! Which Academy course is right for you? Deciding on a course can feel like a difficult choice, but it doesn’t have to be! We are here to help you find the best program fit for your educational needs. In this post,…
What Every Herbalist Should Know About Herbal Preparation Shelf Life
Have you ever pulled an older herbal salve out of your bathroom cabinet and wondered if it was still effective? Or perhaps you’ve thought about making a large batch of herbal tea to store in the refrigerator and drink over the course of several days, later second guessing yourself because you weren’t sure how many…
8 Of Your Most Frequently Asked Herbal Questions, Answered
In the spirit of Back to School Season, we thought it would be fun to take on common student questions in a really quick Q&A fashion. We know you’ll find these topics helpful because we get questions about them all the time! Grab a box of #2 pencils or your favorite ballpoint pen, a notebook,…
