How to Make and Use Rose Water
There are many well-known herbal flowers I’ve had the privilege of using over the years…lavender, chamomile, calendula…all very popular in any herbal arsenal. But one flower that I’ve often overlooked and kept in the “for decoration only” category, has recently caught my attention for its wonderful herbal properties. The beautiful, fragrant rose. For years I…
A Special Herbal Resource
As we’ve been talking about this year’s Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle, we wanted to be sure to tell you more about The Herbarium as we realize some of our readers may not be familiar with this herbal resource! The Herbarium membership is an extension of the Herbal Academy; our virtual and vibrant collection of herbal…
7 Herbal Preparations For Kids
Delightful herbal preparations make using herbs pleasant and fun. Every parent knows that it can be difficult to get kids to try new things, let alone to consume something that may be less than enjoyable. We are lucky indeed that there are many wonderful herbal preparations that will leave your kiddos asking for more while…
97% Off Herbal Resources
As they say, there is a first time for everything! We’re beyond thrilled to fill you in on a “hush hush” project we’ve been cooking up this summer. We’re excited to announce a new deal for our membership program, which may be a one time savings; so tune in and get the scoop… Here at…
Healthy Food on a Budget
One of the most common difficulties on a journey towards a more holistic life is the cost of nourishing foods. While it is true that unhealthy foods carry other costs such as illness and inflammation, for those of us living on a tight budget the reality is often that these lower quality foods are more…
Motherwort: The Plant World’s Mama Bear
Motherwort is the plant world’s mama bear. Or mama lion, from its Latin name Leonurus cardiaca, which translates to the Lion-Hearted One (Bennett, 2014). Motherwort Plant Profile This mint-family member has the ubiquitous square-stems that run in the family. Motherwort’s miniature blooms are delicately painted soft pink, and resemble the healthy womb and reproductive system…
Choosing Safe Herbs for Your Kids
Herbs and kids go together like two peas in a pod, with many lovely, gentle herbs that children readily respond to. These botanicals can be used to not only bring aid to little ones during times of illness but also to inspire children with the wonders of nature and the plant world. Yet, if we…
The Horseradish Plant: Harvesting, Processing & Uses
Fall is fast approaching, and with it comes the harvesting of roots. And the horseradish plant is high on our list! For those of you who regularly grow, harvest, process, and enjoy horseradish, I hope you pick up a new tip or two in this article. If you’re new to horseradish harvesting, I hope I…
Guts to Marrow, Gelatin is Easy to Swallow
The latest food fads are all about the grizzly bits of the animal, so it’s maybe a relief to a lot of folks that some of the most nutritious grizzle of all — gelatin! — can come in pretty colors topped by pastured whipped cream. Gelatin, perhaps you’ve heard, is making a comeback, and nobody’s…
FREE Herbs For Animals Chart
Herbalism is for everyone – including your furry friends! As shown in the Free Herbs for Animals Chart: 20 Herbs to Know & Use, herbs can be a wonderful addition to your pet’s meal plan and first aid kit. Herbs can be used safely and effectively, helping to eliminate the use of harsh chemicals. Add nourishing foods from the plant…
How to Craft the Perfect Herb Planter
Earth is home to an incredible array of natural herbs that have been integral to society for as far as we can see into the past. Herbalism is a proud tradition of knowledge, community with nature, and responsibility. Herbs are available for such a myriad of uses that it is nearly impossible not to encounter…
Red Clover Blossoms
How many times have you walked passed these red clover blossoms without even a second thought? I remember picking them as a little girl and being struck by their beautiful purple color whilst sucking out the sweet nectar from their blossoms. Little did I know just how magical they were, with such a long list…
Basic Botany: Describing Leaves
There’s a lot going on in a leaf. Thousands of chemical reactions occur in each one as part of photosynthesis – the process plants use to turn sunlight into energy. Each plant develops their own unique blend of ingredients from sunlight, water, and the nutrients they pull from the soil. The unique makeup of each…
Farm Stand Minestrone With Pesto Crostini
As summer rolls into autumn our local farm stands brim with luscious, incredibly delicious produce. Each year I make up big batches of soup with vegetables and herbs from nearby farm stands to freeze for my family to enjoy during the winter. One of our favorite soups is Italian minestrone. Minestrone means “big soup” and…
FREE Course: The 4 Essential Habits of Healthy Families
Do you worry about the health and wellness of your family? That’s a pretty natural concern! As plant enthusiasts, we strive to support our family through nourishing herbal teas, wholesome, real food recipes, and preventative natural remedies. However, as many of you have probably experienced, it can be tough to know where to find all the right information. Of…
Japanese Knotweed Recipe and Monograph Excerpt
“In addition to its medicinal properties, Japanese knotweed shoots have been used as a common food in China as well as Japan, where it is known as itadori-kon or just itadori, which means “removes pain.” Itadori is traditionally prepared by preserving the shoots in salt for up to 10 days, or may be cooked fresh…
Botanical Families: How Herbs Are Related
The number of distinct botanical species recorded in the world is impressive. 500 species of conifers, 12,000 species of ferns, 14,000 species of mosses, and a staggering 300,000 different species of flowering plants. Most of our herbs are flowering plants, but how can we make sense of such an overwhelming diversity? Within that giant group…
Prepare for Fall with an Herbal Transition Kit
Late August is a time of transition, as summer is drawing to a close and a new school year begins. We know that many herbs are important allies during transitions, easing the stress and helping us settle into new routines. Creating an Herbal Transition Kit With that in mind, we can assemble an herbal transition…
How to Plan a Seed Swap in Your Neighborhood
Seed swaps are an excellent way of sharing your plant knowledge—and your seeds—with your local community. What’s more, seed swaps have the added benefit of connecting like-minded growers. Whether you’re looking for an informal, one-time get together with fellow gardening friends, or a more organized yearly event, here are a few tips to help plan…
The Benefits of Elderberries Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis
Across the country, the elderberries are turning dark purple or black and herbies everywhere are harvesting them, drying them, and formulating their favorite elderberry preparations for the seasons ahead. In my blog in June, we talked about the plant, the flowers, and some of the wonderful lore and magic that surround the elder. The flowers…
Arugula, Peach, Radish & Corn Salad
Summer produce is still plentiful, even as we head towards September. There are lots of healthy, plant-based meal choices to be created with ingredients like bell peppers, fresh herbs, zucchini, tomatoes, and peaches. And this super corn salad includes lots of them! A sweet, crunchy, savory, peppery salad base pairs perfectly with a cumin-spiked zesty…
Cooling Down with Summer Rose
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is the season of yang and is associated with the fire element, the Heart, and Small intestine. Energy peaks and it is the time of growth, light, and abundance. Summer is the season of joy and for most of us, it is a more relaxed and fun time of year….
Local Herbs for the Home Apothecary
With so much interest in the local foods movement and how it benefits the environment, our local economies, and food security in our communities, it’s natural that some herbalists want their home apothecaries to be as local as possible, too. For some of us, we long to connect with native plants in our surroundings as…
Herbal Support for Back to School
The hot, lazy days of summer are swiftly flowing by and many students are already getting ready to go back to school. As with any big transition, this time of year can bring forth challenges for students big and small. Herbal support may be useful in lending a helping hand during this exciting time and ease…
Fig Face Mask For Healthy Skin
One of my favorite things about summer in the South is fig season! The abundance of fresh figs makes simple summer meals exciting, and I enjoy canning, drying, and freezing the extra figs so that they may be enjoyed all year. Figs are a great source of fiber, and they contain vitamin A, calcium, iron,…
Jewelweed, A Story
Post written by John Bailey, student in the Intermediate Herbal Course. Who ever knew that herbs and other things that help us on a day-to-day basis, would ever end up in a cool story that would teach me so much? I have been traveling the Red Road (our religion and way of life) for over…
Creating Your Organized Apothecary
Building a home apothecary is an exciting part of learning herbalism. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from having everything on hand and ready so that you can mix up the perfect herbal tea blend or formula at a moment’s notice. But as your home apothecary grows from a few herbs to a…
Recipes Using Bee Balm
As we discussed in our last article, many names have been given to the plant monarda: bee balm, bergamot, or Oswego tea (more on that here). It has been used in North America for a very long time and for many purposes. You can find it in nearly every state in the U.S., and since it’s…
Learning About The Rose Family With Kids
Did you know that the beautiful rose is part of a large family of plants that many of us know and love? The Rosaceae family, among its many members, is comprised of plants such as hawthorn, apple, pear, strawberry, and raspberry as well as plants with stone fruits like peach, cherry, plum, and even almonds….
How to Make Gold Milk with a Spin!
Have you been enjoying the #myherbalstudies community on Instagram? We are building community with fellow classmates, teachers, members and fans and readers by using the hashtag #myherbalstudies in Instagram uploads. We welcome you to join in the fun. Share your herbal adventures – what are you making, foraging, gardening, studying, creating, eating, preserving? Nothing is…
