How to Make Lemon Balm and Mint Cool Down Pops
Cool, colorful, and full of plant-powered flavor— frozen treats like the pops below are a playful way to enjoy herbs and fruits on hot summer days. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and mint (Mentha spp.) are the perfect herbs to offer some refreshment as the temperatures soar. The following recipe for Lemon Balm and Mint Cool-Down […]
Avoid These 5 Common Herbal Safety Mistakes
Herbalism is a beautiful and empowering practice with the power to transform your health, but it also carries responsibility. After working with hundreds of thousands of students through our online herbal courses, we’ve seen the same safety mishaps again and again. From assuming natural = safe, to guessing at dosage, or trusting questionable resources, it’s […]
Do You Get Cold Sores (HSV)? Try This Amazing Herbal Recipe Today!
Cold sores might not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re something many of us deal with—somewhere between 50-80% of adults carry HSV-1, which is the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. The good news? Our plant friends have some gentle, effective ways to support us. Herbs like lemon balm, St. John’s wort, and […]
Experience Nature’s Gentle Touch With DIY Calendula Lotion
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a cheerful, bright yellow- and orange-flowered herb that reigns supreme at soothing and supporting the skin and mucous membranes, among other things. When applied topically, it helps with minor scratches, severe wounds, and even bacterial imbalances. This plant ally is a powerful flower to incorporate into topical herbal formulas, such as […]
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 Herbs That Grow in City Spaces and Learn Whether You Can Harvest Them
I love the feeling of emerging from my home for a walk around my neighborhood to find urban herbs emerging in city spaces, greeting the sun right alongside me. Chickweed (Stellaria media), plantain (Plantago spp.), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) all spring up from the earth along the sidewalks, while violets (Viola spp.) and dandelions (Taraxacum […]
Monthly Herbal Masterclasses to Inspire Your Learning
If you’ve been here for a while, then you might be somewhat familiar with The Herbarium, our dedicated membership designed to support herbalists of all skill levels at every stage of their journey with a breadth of trusted, in-depth resources. Now, we’re overjoyed to announce an INCREDIBLE new addition to this space: Monthly Herbal Masterclasses […]
Cooling Body Spray with Rose and Peppermint Essential Oil
Summer is here, and with it all the joys and woes of a warmer climate. Whether summer means road trips, picnics, or time spent by the pool, lake, or ocean, having ways to refresh your skin and cool down from the heat will help make those hot, lazy summer afternoons even more enjoyable. This cooling […]
5 Reasons Herbal Bitters Belong in Every Home
Do you ever feel sluggish or bloated after meals? Or do you ever experience an immediate post-meal blood sugar rollercoaster? You certainly aren’t alone, and there’s a simple overlooked botanical ally that can help—herbal bitters! Bitters are the forgotten flavor, and yet they have the power to transform your health. Not only do they gently […]
Herbs for Dogs: Calendula and Other Herbs for Canine Skin Health
In The Herbal Dog: Holistic Canine Herbalism: Applications and Practice, Rita Hogan, C.H., highlights the many different evidence-based herbs for dogs factors that contribute to canine wellness. Incorporating herbs, diet, lifestyle tips, energetic considerations, and a truly holistic viewpoint of animal as mind, body, and spirit, Rita approaches skin health from the inside out. A […]
Can I Become a Certified Herbalist?
If you are reading this article, it is probably because you have a love of herbalism. You may be curious about herbalism as a career path and wonder what kind of training or credentials are required to become an herbalist. The good (and perhaps confusing) news is that there is no single path to becoming […]
Transform Your Drinks With the Color-Changing Magic of Violet Ice Cubes
One botanical sign that spring has arrived is the appearance of violets scattered across lawns. These common flowers and heart-shaped leaves are like an invitation from nature to go outside and spend time with plants. Violets are a truly joyful way to engage with the season, and lucky for us, they’re quite prolific. Many species […]
Daylily Benefits + Recipe: A Sneak Peek from the ‘National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants’
If you’ve ever wandered through your backyard or along a forest path and wondered which plants might offer more than just beauty, the brand-new National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants is your next must-have companion. Co-authored by Herbal Academy educators and authors Heather Wood Buzzard and Mimi Prunella Hernandez, this vibrant, user-friendly guide […]
Herb Gardening Yearly Outlook: Map Out Your Annual Garden Plan
When spring rolls in and your inner green thumb starts dreaming big again, it’s time to map out your annual garden plan! Even if your outdoor space still has traces of spring snow, now is the prime time for dreaming, scheming, and planning your herbal garden of delights. A little forethought now can set you […]
Freshen Your Home With This Green Clean Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
Don’t you just adore the scent of a natural, freshly cleaned home? Bright notes of zesty lemons, fresh mints, evergreens, and a hint of lavender combine with a little vinegar to create that green clean aroma that we adore in our homes at this time of year. Unfortunately, many common cleaning products and fresheners, which […]
Happy Days Herbal Mocktail Recipe That Will Uplift Your Spirits
We have a little herbal magic to introduce you to, the Happy Days Herbal Mocktail—this is a concoction that can uplift the spirit with the properties of St. John’s wort, warm any day with zest of ginger, and add a dash of sunshine brightness with the addition of grapefruit juice. This mocktail carries the wisdom […]
How Meaghan Moore Fine-Tuned Her Herbal Business and Became a Full-Time Herbalist
Meaghan Moore is the herbal business owner and herbalist behind Blooming Mountains Botanical Sanctuary, an herb farm and plant oasis growing around 80 varieties of herbs, both native and from around the world. Together with her husband, they offer live plant sales, bulk herbs, herbal education, and craft botanical products from gardens, meadows, and forests. […]
Herbal Capsules 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Herbal capsules are one of the most simple herbal preparations in the herbalist’s toolkit. Not only are they easy to make, but they are a convenient way to incorporate the benefits of herbs into your daily routine. Encasing powdered herbs in digestible capsules offers a discreet and tasteless alternative to other herbal preparations. Whether you’re […]
Prepare for a Good Night’s Rest with These Sweet Sleep Gummies
Sleep—or the lack of it—impacts nearly every part of our lives. Poor sleep can leave us feeling unbalanced and out of sync, while restful sleep offers a powerful way to recharge and support overall wellbeing. For those nights when sleep doesn’t come easily, herbs can provide natural support by calming the mind, easing tension, and […]
Pot Liquor Healing Broth: A Nutrient-Rich Way to Nourish the Body
Herbal traditions are more than remedies—they are a living bridge between the past and the present. For African Americans, these practices represent resilience, survival, and innovation. Passed down through oral traditions, often in whispers during the harsh realities of enslavement, these healing systems were adapted to new environments and challenges. Our ancestors transformed what surrounded […]
Have Yourself a Very Venus Valentine’s Day + a Heart-Supportive Rose Chocolate Smoothie
The planet Venus is named after the Roman goddess Venus, commonly referred to as the goddess of love, and also known in Greek tradition as Aphrodite. Valentine’s Day is an opportune time to honor Venus and all that she represents. In the spirit of spontaneity, practically any time of year can be a good time […]
First Holistic Care Steps to Take After Receiving a Cancer Diagnosis
In Holistic Cancer Care, seasoned medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera, MSC, FNIMH, RH(AHG), provides an effective framework for approaching a cancer diagnosis through a truly integrative perspective. Having seen many patients through to recovery, Chanchal is a powerful ally during the cancer journey from diagnosis to embarking on medical treatment and holistic support all the way […]
Free Herbal Event for Plant People: Introducing the 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference
It is with great joy and excitement that we welcome you to the Herbal Academy’s inaugural 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference – a free herbal event for plant people! What an honor to gather in herbal community from across the globe—all united by a shared love for our plant allies and a deep curiosity for the […]
Breathe Easier This Winter: Make a Lavender and Sage Chest Rub
As the weather shifts and swings from autumn to winter to spring, we need herbal recipes in our repertoire to help combat stuffy sinuses. We have nothing against the standard mentholated chest rubs we all know and love, but they tend to have a very distinct smell that can err on the side of medicinal, […]
Two Ways to Make Sauerkraut for an Extra Digestive Boost
In the 10th anniversary edition of Fermented Vegetables, fermentation experts Kirsten K. Shockey and Christopher Shockey share their passion for fermentation as a traditional preservation method that lends itself beautifully to vegetables. Familiar vegetable ferments like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles are tried and true stalwarts of traditional healthy diets, but are just the tip of […]
How to Prepare Herbal Oil for Hair Growth
If you experience hair loss or thinning hair, you are not alone. In fact, an estimated 50% of men and 25% of women will face noticeable hair thinning or loss by the age of 50 (D., 2024). For many, the first instinct is to reach for store-bought products, but these are often costly and full […]
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 […]
Upcycle Your Holiday Tree with This Evergreen All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
If you are looking for a way to upcycle your holiday tree once the festivities are over and it’s time to take the decorations down, we have just the idea for you! Say yes to less waste this year and upcycle your evergreens post-holidays by making an all-purpose cleaning spray. Grab those fresh garlands and […]
Mocha Mint Foot Scrub: A Treat for Your Feet!
Are you ready for a winter treat for your feet? While the chocolates and goodies may be circulating in abundance around the holidays, why not also pamper your hard-working feet with a little extra decadent DIY self-care? This Mocha Mint Foot Scrub is easy to whip up; with ground coffee beans, sugar, and almond meal […]
Discover 9 Festive Recipes for a Magical Herbal Holiday!
When you’re an herbalist, ordinary holiday festive recipes just won’t do! This season, we’re reaching for herbs that bring warmth, calm, and comfort for the cold days. We’re inviting plants that not only support our bodies but also lift our spirits, fill our homes with cheer, and add a burst of flavor and fun to […]
