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 herbs that go by this name, the most commonly known are Bacopa monniera and Centella asiatica. Given that the name “brahmi” is applied to more than one herb, one may be left…
Holy Basil-Peach Drink to Beat the Heat
There are so many reasons to love summertime, but juicy peaches and fresh herbs are near the top of the list! By combining cooling herbs and fruits, you can easily balance your body temperature in a delicious and nourishing way. Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) recipes are one way to do that. This flavorful holy basil-peach…
Homemade Probiotic Rose Milk Cleanser
When I was writing and creating natural DIY beauty recipes for Hello Gorgeous: 100 Fabulous DIY Facials You Can Do at Home, I focused on the simple idea that most skincare problems can be resolved the natural way: by putting nourishing food on your face. If it’s good enough to eat, it’s good enough to…
How to Harvest and Prepare Prickly Pear Cactus
The prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) cactus is synonymous with the American West, and what a gift she is to desert dwellers. The name prickly pear refers to a group of around one dozen species in the Opuntia genus (Desert USA, n.d.). Every part of this plant is useful, and prickly pear serves a wide range…
Pain-be-Gone Valerian Cordial with Willow
This Pain-be-Gone Valerian Cordial is the answer to what to do with valerian root. Valerian officinalis is known for soothing, relaxant properties in the presence of aches and pains, and for most, it is calming in the face of stress. However, it is also infamous for its unpleasant taste and smell! Thankfully, this valerian cordial…
Stay Cool With A Mint Spritz: A Stovetop Hydrosol Recipe
The sun rises with such force in the summer, sometimes giving off sweltering heat—the kind where beads of sweat drip down your neck, making you uncomfortable and hot. During such hot summer days, the shade is your ally. Much like the trees and their leaves that drape over you help block the sun, herbs are…
Herbal Academy Student Feature: Nana Meriwether (@drinkcale)
For the thirteenth installment of our Student Feature Series, we spoke with Nana Meriwether (@drinkcale). Nana has completed Herbal Academy’s The Craft of Herbal Fermentation, Intermediate Herbal Course, and Making Herbal Preparations 101. In 2019, she launched a company called Cale, which produces herbal wine alternatives that are lower in calories, sugar, sulfites, and alcohol…
How to Use Dye Plants: Plant Projects for the Home
This book excerpt is taken from A Woman’s Garden: Grow Beautiful Plants and Make Useful Things – Plants and Projects for Home, Health, Beauty, Healing, and More by Tanya Anderson, and is reprinted with permission from Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group. Using Dye Plants From archaeological evidence, we know that people have…
Nettle Infused Ice Cubes + How to Make a Super Soda
The familiar sound when you crack open a soda, the release of those tiny little bubbles that pop and dance on the can’s lid. It is such a nostalgic memory. Can’t you just hear it now if you close your eyes? What if I told you there was a way to enjoy that same feeling,…
