What’s the Difference Between Herbs and Spices?
Food and beneficial herbs and spices are deeply intertwined with each other – so much so that one can often be misunderstood as another. However, knowing the difference between an herb and a spice is important for both culinary enthusiasts and herbalists especially when studying plants and working with them in the kitchen or home…
4 Herbal Recipes That Are Best Made With FRESH Plant Material
In the realm of herbalism, sometimes fresh is best. There is something enchanting about the aroma of freshly picked herbs, the way their vibrant colors catch the light, and the burst of flavor and aroma they add to any herbal recipe. While dried herbs have their place, in some cases they may not be as…
Herbal Support for Menopause + An Herbal Formula for Dryness
While studying Ayurveda, our teacher emphasized many times that “menopause is not a disease.” Though there are often symptoms associated with the transition from the menstruating years to menopause, menopause is a natural biological process and is simply part of the normal life cycle. Some individuals are fortunate enough to experience a relatively symptom-free menopause….
A Blush Rose Gimlet Recipe That is Both Refreshing and Captivating
In this ultimate guide to seasonal herbs, Seasonal Living with Herbs is a transformative book written by Jess Buttermore that explores the supportive, culinary, and crafting uses of herbs. This is a go-to resource for discovering the extraordinary benefits of nature’s bounty. Learn how to preserve herbs and harness their medicinal properties, explore creative ways…
Choosing the Right Herbs for a Person or Situation
In her new book, The Herbalist’s Guide: How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary, Mary Colvin, RH(AHG), offers a detailed exploration of many herbal preparations, including many recipes, monographs, and clinical insights. Mary shares her passion for inspiring herbalists of all stages who dream of establishing a thoughtfully curated apothecary. Exploring the nuances of…
A Flower Pressed Cracker Recipe That is Sure to Impress Everyone at the Table
When it comes to creating a beautiful and delicious snack, this Flower Pressed Cracker Recipe is a perfect choice, sure to impress everyone at the table. These crackers are not only visually stunning but also filled with flavor, thanks to the incorporation of edible flowers and herbs. One of the best aspects of Flower Pressed…
4 Organic Soil Amendments for the Herb Garden
If you find yourself eager to get an herb garden growing but wondering if you’re too late, you’re not! Late spring can be a great time to plant established plants and get growing. And if you’re looking to cultivate an herb garden that is sustainable, tending to the soil with organic soil amendments will be…
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…
Homemade Butter with Lavender, Cardamom, and Fresh Flowers
As we progress into spring and colorful, eye-popping buds open into bloom, you may be inspired to find more ways to incorporate edible flowers into your herbal preparations and culinary creations. Be it sweet or savory dishes, spreads, jams, or chutneys, edible flowers add color, flavor, and wellness benefits to everyday food items. Have you…
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…
Herbal Academy Student Feature: Amber Benge (@gracewalkfarm)
Amber Benge (@gracewalkfarm) is the owner of Grace Walk Farm where she teaches a gardening course, making money on a homestead, how to grow zinnias, and more! She is also a graduate of Herbal Academy’s The Foraging Course, Introductory Herbal Course, and the Herbal Materia Medica Course. She also ministers to her family, neighbors, and…
How to Build a Culinary Kitchen for Herbalists
The following excerpt is taken from the book Foraged & Grown by Tara Lanich-LaBrie. Tara takes us on a culinary kitchen journey to reconnect with our body and the natural world with 100 plant-inspired recipes. Foraged and Grown is a herbalist’s culinary kitchen journey through the seasons with recipes that highlight herbal ingredients and share…
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 broad (perhaps universal!) perspective. This article will explore how certain herbs exemplify and express the qualities of one of our most beloved luminaries, the Moon. As we deepen our relationship with plants and nature, we may…
How to Choose Herbs for Sleep
In her new book, Herbal Remedies for Sleep: How to Use Healing Herbs And Natural Therapies to Ease Stress, Promote Relaxation, and Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits, Maria Noel Groves, RH(AHG), weaves her surefooted experience with lifestyle choices, herbal supports, practical tips for herbal usage, and a treasure trove of enticing recipes to help readers feel…
How Do You Know if an Herb is Sustainable?
In our new Sustainable Herbal Supply Chain Intensive available in The Herbarium, you’ll learn how to discern quality herbs and understand their place, and yours, in the functional supply chain. This excerpt from the Intensive sheds light on what makes an herb high quality and how the global supply chain influences the quality of an…
Herbal Academy Student Feature: Grace Jones (@gunkinthewoods)
We spoke with Grace Jones (@gunkinthewoods), graduate of Herbal Academy’s Introductory Herbal Course, Intermediate Herbal Course, and Advanced Herbal Course. Grace is the owner of Gunk in the Woods where she sells herbal products, art, apparel, and more. She also runs a neighborhood kids garden club, and is the co-creator of Seasoned, a farm-to-table herbal…
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 can be an excellent time to celebrate plants associated with the Sun. If you are familiar with herbal systems that place a strong emphasis on the energetics of herbs, such as Ayurveda…
Better for Your Health: How to Leave Out the White Sugar and Use Alternative Sweeteners in Food and Herbal Preparations
The sweet flavor is a coveted one by humans, and for good reason. Throughout our history as a species, we have spent a great amount of time locating food sources. Whenever we stumbled upon juicy fruits or sweet tuberous roots, these foods equaled not only a delicious find but also our survival. The sweet flavor…
An Easy Ginger and Pomegranate Syrup Recipe for Both Sweet and Savory Dishes
In the fruits of antiquity through to today’s produce sections, there exists a singular food bearing a reddish-yellow peel and gem-like seeds – the pomegranate (Punica granatum). This cherished plant transcends mere taste. Though its sweet, sour, and astringent nature is a delightful treat, pomegranate has played a larger role than just a simple food…
DIY Herbal Sore Throat Gargle
I have always been prone to respiratory infections so for me it’s not a question of if, but when I eventually come down with one of the many respiratory infections that get passed around this time of year. Now is the time to strategize. The worst part for me is always the sore throat, and…
The Practice of Spiritual Herbalism and How It Relates to Sexual Health
In The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism: Transform, Heal, and Remember with the Power of Plants and Ancestral Medicine, Karen M. Rose explores cultural traditions of heart-based herbalism. Offering a perspective informed by tradition, science, and spirit, Karen discusses each system of the body through a transformational lens. Karen draws on the wisdom of…
Handmade Cards With Plantable Seed Paper
Elevate your homemade cards with a touch of nature by crafting them with homemade seed paper—a plantable gift that keeps on giving! The seed paper can also be turned into charming gift tags, adding a delightful and eco-friendly touch to your expressions of love. Plantable seed paper is a creative and eco-friendly way to send…
How to Use Aromatherapy for Olfaction Support in the Emotional Sphere + 3 Essential Oil Recipes to Support Your Emotions
There are times in our lives when our emotions may become overwhelming, and we may turn to pharmaceuticals and other forms of care such as psychotherapy and lifestyle interventions in addition to our plant allies to help us rebalance. But for day-to-day ups and downs or seasonal emotional swings, olfaction using our precious essential oils,…
Herbal Academy Student Feature: Natalya King (@bodylovebytal)
In this installment of our Student Feature series, we interviewed Natalya King (@bodylovebytal), graduate of Herbal Academy’s Advanced Herbal Course, Intermediate Herbal Course, Introductory Herbal Course, and Tincture Making 101. Natalya is the owner and founder of BodyLove by Tal in Parker, Colorado. BodyLove by Tal is a flourishing herbal and skincare brand that offers…
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:…
Make a Fermented Pine Needle Soda That is Bursting With Winter Flavors
Not just any soda! This pine needle soda recipe makes a delightful drink that is bursting with winter flavors: pine, ginger, and citrus, as well as aromatic herbs, which really shine during this cold season. Making your own pine needle soda at home can seem a little overwhelming or advanced at first—maybe you’ve heard stories…
Cheers to a Nourishing New Year With a Gingerbread Latte Recipe
New Year’s Eve is an exciting time to celebrate and usher in a fresh new start! A night filled with reflective moments, resolutions, traditions, and delicious food and beverages. We want to help you raise a glass of gingerbread latte filled with nourishing herbs, spices, and ingredients to end the year right. This spiced gingerbread…
Waning Moon Herbal Mix For Deep Nourishment
When you observe the flow of your energy cycles during any given month you may notice that your energy ebbs and flows. Sometimes you need to hang out in an eddy; other times you are flowing forward at full force. During any lunar cycle, we tend to have times of heightened creativity, activity, and extroversion…
Make a Beautiful Winter Lantern With Pressed Flowers to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Some celebrate the winter solstice with light—–bonfires or candles are perfect. And others celebrate with ripe fruits to acknowledge the sweetness of the season. A nice winter solstice ritual is to write down on a piece of paper something from the year that you are letting go of, and on another paper, something you are…
This DIY Peppermint Candy Cane Body Scrub Will Exfoliate Dry Skin and Leave You Feeling Refreshed
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to spread joy and show off our blossoming herbalist skills! We’ve got a delightfully fresh and festive recipe you’ll want to try as a gift for others (be sure to make a little extra for yourself!). The DIY Peppermint Candy Cane Body Scrub recipe below is sure…
