The Ultimate Essential Oils Guide
Here at the Herbal Academy, essential oils are an important and beloved component of our herbal toolkits. You’ll find essential oils peppered amongst the tinctures, infused oils, salves, and jars of dried herbs that line our shelves, and we turn to them often to support our health and wellbeing. Just like any remedy, essential oils…
How To Incorporate Hemp In Your Materia Medica
With hemp (Cannabis sativa) only just beginning to emerge on the forefront of herbal practice and scientific research, there is much curiosity and confusion in the herbal community surrounding the general use of hemp and what distinguishes it from marijuana or weed. In this article, I will guide you through a basic introduction to hemp,…
5 Herb Gardening Books To Inspire Your Next Botanical Garden
This is the time of year when a day with slightly above average temperatures and sunshine leads to a longing for spring. Seasonal changes, such as the snow beginning to melt or the days growing longer, tempt us outside for just a bit longer each time. Once quick, dreaded trips to the mailbox evolve into…
The Lure and Lore of HOPS: The 2018 Herb of the Year
Each year since 1995, the International Herb Association picks an Herb of the Year. This year that herb is hops (Humulus spp.). Below you’ll find information about cultivating and harvesting hops as well as some interesting lure and lore about this year’s Herb of the Year. All About Hops Hops is a member of the…
What The Spring Equinox Means To The Herbalist
Have you ever wondered how our ancient ancestors kept track of time? I suppose the further back in time you go, people were more focused on survival than keeping track of the minutes. However, as people learned about the world around them and cultures began to form and progress, time became an important concept. My…
DIY Herbal Hair Serum For Silky Soft Hair
There is nothing quite so luxurious as running your hands through silky soft hair. Although you might think you can only achieve this by visiting the salon, you can actually make it happen in your very own home! Making your own herbal-based hair serum is easy, fun, and effective—not to mention free from all of…
Ayurvedic Uses of Herbal Oils and Ghee
If you enjoy the taste of ghee and the feel of a luscious body oil, it’s for good reason! Not only are fats tasty and skin smoothing, these lipids have the power to tremendously benefit our well-being. In this article, we will largely explore the uses of herbal ghees. You will also be exposed to…
We’re Having An Herbal Spring Sale & Giveaway!
Spring is on its way, and because we’re looking forward to more sunshine, birds singing, and blossoms blooming, we’re having a Spring Sale & Giveaway to share our excitement with you! Herbal Academy Spring Sale All products in the Herbal Academy Goods Shop have been discounted just in time for Spring! This includes herbal containers…
Essential Oil Myths And FAQs Answered
With all of the information in circulation regarding essential oils, you may find yourself repeatedly running into information that seems too-good-to-be-true or that directly contradicts other information you find. What can you believe? Unfortunately, there is some information out there that is simply incorrect. If you look up “mythbusting essential oil” in a search engine,…
5 Ways to Clean with Lemons
I crave the feelings of satisfaction and coziness that comes after giving my home a thorough cleaning. When the carpets look lush, the floors are shiny, and everything’s in its place, I feel peaceful and calm! And the best part? When I’ve cleaned my home the green way, with safe, natural cleaners, those feelings of…
How to be an Environmentally Sustainable Herbalist
Herbalists often come to this enchanting practice via a connection to plants and care for the earth. Many will find that the study of plants and their benefits leads to the development of a connection on a deeper level. From this blooms a relationship that often looks beyond what plants can do for us, and…
Biphasic Formulation for Menstrual Cycles 101
Many females simply write off their menstrual symptoms as part of who they are as a female. It’s simply “that time of the month” again and there’s “nothing I can do about it.” Although we should recognize and respect the menstrual cycle and the patterns we notice within, there are ways to positively change and…
How to Incorporate Reiki Therapy into Your Holistic Wellness Routine
Self-care is essential to our overall health, happiness, and wellbeing. But what comprises a wellness routine, and how can we incorporate Reiki therapy and other alternative approaches into it? Whether you already have an established wellness routine or are looking to create a holistic self-care practice, incorporating Reiki therapy can have wide-reaching positive impacts on…
8 Podcasts Herbalists Will Want To Listen To
Whether you’re in the car, folding laundry, or hiking in the woods, podcasts are a great way to learn from other experts on a variety of subjects, and herbalism is no exception. Herbal podcasts are an easily accessible source of information on individual herbs, interviews with herbalists of a specific topic, or learning about a…
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Chai for Your Dosha
Forget bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens—chai is one of my favorite things. For me, a great cup of chai is right up there with puppies, autumn leaves, and twinkling Christmas lights. I don’t know if it’s the perfect blend of sweet, warming spices, the creaminess of the milk, or the happy caffeine buzz…
26 Handmade Valentine’s Day Ideas: Gifts, Recipes, and DIYs to Show Your Love
Valentine’s Day and flowers go together with delightful ease! This combination is no surprise—flowers and other plants have long been embraced for their beauty and symbolism in romantic relationships. At this time of year, many of us look to spread a little love to those around us, and we might even desire to give ourselves…
7 Ways To Use Tulsi Everyday
There is a reason why “holy basil” is another common name for tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). Hindu culture even considers tulsi to be “The Queen of the Herbs” and a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi in plant form (Krishna & Amirthalingam, 2014). But why exactly is tulsi considered to be so sacred? With an abundance of…
Herbal Compresses and Fomentations: What They Are & How To Use Them
Pulled muscles and painful spasms, a bad run-in with the pavement, or a nasty cough all call for a little extra loving care—a gentle touch. The somewhat lost art of topical herbal applications can offer that loving care in the soothingly useful form of herbal compresses and fomentations. These applications are simply made by soaking…
Video: How To Make An Herbal Honey
An herbal honey is one of the tastiest herbal preparations one can make. They require little time to create, and they can be used in many different ways. Plus, they’re full of healthy benefits! An herbal honey can be made using fresh or dried herbs, but keep in mind that if you use fresh herbs,…
How To Make Jethro Kloss’s Herbal Liniment
One of the first herbal books I owned was Back To Eden by Jethro Kloss. It was given to me by a friend who knew I was interested in herbalism and wanted to encourage me to pursue this path. At first, I didn’t realize what a treasure I had been given, but over the years,…
Video: How To Make Rolled Herb Pills
Rolled herb pills (also known as pastilles) are quick and easy to make. Not only that, but they’re one of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to take herbs! Rolled herb pills only require two things: finely powdered herbs and honey. These ingredients are combined, thoroughly mixed, and then rolled into small balls or pills which…
A New Year Herbal Tonic Recipe
With the dawning of the New Year, many of us seize the occasion to set new intentions, call in new energy, and replace old, stagnant habits with new, refreshed ones. What better way to cultivate new energy in your life than to utilize some of your herbal allies for assistance? We encourage you to give…
Video: How To Make A Calendula Salve
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an herbal staple that many herbalists include in their herbal toolkits. While this herb has a plethora of uses, one of the most common uses is as a topical preparation for the skin. Calendula is a great herbal ally for the skin as a topical application on a wound, a rash,…
5 Steps To A New Year Skincare Reboot
With the new year upon us, it’s customary to consider ways to make this year better than the last. We use the fresh start symbolized by a fresh year as a catalyst to reassess where we’re at and set goals for the future. We make resolutions that are meant to improve quality of life—many of…
How To Grow Culinary Herbs Indoors During Winter
As I look out at the crisp, white blanket covering what once was a thriving patio garden through July and August, I feel fortunate to have my indoor garden to keep the freshness alive in my apartment. When the days grow colder and seem increasingly short and dark, knowing how to grow culinary herbs indoors…
Sunbutter Cookies: A Tasty Treat
Full disclosure. This cookie recipe was born out of my own laziness. While living in San Francisco, I was lounging on my couch one foggy afternoon, dreaming of fresh baked cookies. The only problem was that I was feeling too cheap and lackadaisical to go to any great lengths to procure baked goods that required…
Doctrine of Signatures: An Introduction to Deepening Our Connection with the Beneficial Properties of Plants
Some ancient methods of understanding the natural world relied on symbology and the unique appearances of plants, animals, and other life form’s signatures. By learning about signatures in nature, we can gain insight into the properties of plants, how they may be supportive to humans, and even glimpse an understanding that all things are connected…
14 Must-Have Supplies For Herbalists (Plus A Free Printable Herbal Toolkit Supply List)
Whether you’re brand new to herbalism or you’re trying to set up your home apothecary, you’ll want to stock up on some particular supplies to support your work with herbs. But which ones are necessary? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a checklist of herbal supplies needed to set up your herbal workstation? We think…
Ancient Lore Surrounding Herbs of Christmas Past
The holiday season is upon us. As we decorate, plan our meals, and decide on gifts―the remnants of ancient traditions linger in many of our celebrations. The shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, has been acknowledged by various cultures throughout history. While the actual ceremonies for this day are still practiced by a…
How Does Hot Water Temperature Affect The Nutritional Content Of Herbs?
When it comes to health and wellness, herbs can be one of our greatest allies. Herbal tea is a go-to for soothing common ailments like cold and flu symptoms, while herbal infusions are beloved as nature’s “vitamin supplement.” When it comes to steeping nutritional herbs for vitamins and minerals, most of us turn to a…
