The Plant Path: Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy
The Plant Path explores the world of herbal medicine, offering insights and tools for holistic herbalism grounded in traditional practices. It covers clinical strategies and spiritual perspectives, focusing on how herbs can aid healing and conscious evolution. The podcast is hosted by Sajah and Whitney Popham, founders of The School of Evolutionary Herbalism.
Episodes
Lemon Balm and The Hyperthyroid Pattern
Herbal medicine is most powerful when it is specific, and it's important to look at the underlying patterns that shape how a condition appears in an individual. One diagnosis may have many causes and manifest as a variety of tissue states, depending on the person. However, some conditions carry a regular, recognizable energetic and humoral pattern. Hyperthyroidism is a classic condition that fits
Blue Vervain: The Herbalist's Remedy for Tension & Anxiety
Blue Vervain is one of the most effective relaxant remedies in the Western Materia Medica. You can use Blue Vervain for a full spectrum approach to alleviating tension, whether that be psychological or a stiff neck. This herb acts as the conduit between your nervous and musculoskeletal systems, so you feel a sense of relief not only in the mind but in the body as well. In today's episode, you'l
Exploding Head Syndrome: Understanding Heat-Pattern Headaches
Headaches can be absolutely devastating — in terms of the physical pain and psychological and emotional wear and tear. If you've ever tried to use herbs to treat a headache, you may have had mixed results because headaches are tricky to treat with herbs. But why are headaches so difficult to treat with herbs? You must make critical distinctions both in the assessment of the headache and in the rem
The Ginkgo Myth
Ginkgo is famous for its ability to boost your memory, focus, and concentration . . . but if that's true, why didn't I feel any of these results when taking some Ginkgo tincture? The truth is, there's a big misunderstanding about Ginkgo and the way it works. Understanding the Ginkgo myth makes the difference between getting those brain-boosting properties versus drinking a horrible tasting tea
The Danger of Herbal Fads
If you walk into a hip smoothie shop or health food store, you'll undoubtedly be flooded with the newest "superfoods" and cure-all herbs. Like so many things in our modern culture, herbal medicine also has its own "fads," as it seems as if there's almost a new one in style each season. Although it may seem harmless at first and they may be a good gateway into the realm of herbal medicine, herbal f
Beginning Tongue Diagnosis for Herbalists
Tongue diagnosis is one of the most practical assessment tools available to herbalists — and one of the most overlooked. In this video, Sajah Popham from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism explores a simple framework for tongue diagnosis that can help herbalists gain deeper insight into constitution, tissue states, and remedy selection. Here's what you'll learn: Why the tongue is considered a
Comfrey Benefits: Traditional Uses & Safety for Herbalists
Current herbal advice says you should never take Comfrey internally, but how did people traditionally use this plant? In this post, we're talking about Comfrey (Achillea millefolium), which is usually taught only from a topical perspective — for cuts, scrapes, minor wounds, and injuries. However, there is a whole set of traditional uses for this herb that go beyond external use. Here's what
Mugwort: The Herb for Dreams
Mugwort is the herb for dreams, but its medicine doesn't stop there. With a distinct effect on the nervous, digestive, hepatobiliary, and reproductive systems, Mugwort navigates, regulates, and balances the highways connecting them. In today's plant profile, you'll discover: How Mugwort benefits the nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems Mugwort's unique flavor profile and how this l
A Journey Through the Water Element Signs and Herbs
All of life is born from water: from the mythological primordial ocean to the evolutionary-biology view that life originated in the waters, to the cosmological perspective of God separating the waters from heaven and Earth. All mammals grow within the womb's embryonic fluids, and as birth begins, the water breaks and touches the Earth. Life is utterly dependent on water, but how do we work with th
The Book Every Herbal Practitioner Should Own
Most herbal books teach you about herbs, but very few teach you how to become a skilled practitioner. Sajah Popham from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism reviews one of the most comprehensive resources he has found for client assessment, intake skills, and the business of clinical herbal practice. Here's what you'll learn: What makes The Practicing Herbalist different from other herbal books
Why Herbs Don't Always Work (+ 5 Things to Look For)
Sajah Popham from The School of Evolutionary Herbalism explains why herbal remedies sometimes fail. The issue is rarely the herbs themselves. Instead, it's the intake process that misses critical details about the person and their tissue state. Through the lens of vitalist herbalism, Sajah breaks down what you need to do to refocus your intake sessions, so you can nail the remedy for your client e
Herbal Dosing for Infections: The 4 Biggest Mistakes
Most herbal dosing strategies fail during acute infections, not because the herbs are wrong, but because the dosage, frequency, and timing are wrong. In this video, Sajah Popham from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism walks you through the four biggest mistakes herbalists make when treating infections, and how to create protocols that lead to better outcomes. Here's what you'll learn: Why herb
Do You Need to Know Botany to Be a Great Herbalist?
Do you need to know botany to be a great herbalist? Since learning botany is like learning a new language, it's a fair question. After all, if you won't use it, is it worth becoming fluent in it? Being an herbalist means a lot of things: Working with people, plants, and being the bridge between the two. Although it might seem like studying botany is an important part of this process, the answer
5 Top Herbs for Treating Fever (A Vitalist Guide)
Let's be honest, fevers suck, and they make you feel miserable. But should we make the fever go away so we can feel better? Actually, no, that would be a mistake. Fever is an intelligent response of the body that should be supported rather than suppressed. It plays a very important role in healing the body, and this has shaped the perspectives and practices of traditional herbalists since humans
Benefits of Cleavers: The Inner Water Purifier
Sometimes big medicine comes in the form of a small plant. Cleavers is one of those plants; humble and unassuming, yet a potent and highly useful remedy. It is like a water purifier for your body. The benefits of Cleavers are numerous: it cleanses the lymphatics, flushes the kidneys, and offers pain relief for urinary tract infections. Cleavers teaches us that it is not always best to use the str
7 Stages of Health and Disease (Including Constitutional Imbalance)
Explore health and disease, not as fixed states but as a dynamic spectrum. Learn how herbal medicine can uniquely support people at every stage of this journey by matching the strength of the remedy to the severity of the imbalance, rather than waiting for diagnosable disease to set in. Here's what you'll learn: Why health and disease are better understood as a continuum, rather than a binary
Do You Need to Know Phytochemistry to Be a Great Herbalist?
Phytochemistry is a fascinating study, but it can be incredibly complicated and confusing at times. Understandably, there are many herbalists who'd prefer to avoid learning it all together. The big question is: Do you really need to know phytochemistry to be a great herbalist? There are many paths you can take as an herbalist. You can meet with clients, make herbal medicine, wildcraft, and so mu
Following the Herbal Harvest: An Interview with Ann Armbrecht
What really goes into the herbal products we rely on every day? In this conversation, Sajah sits down with anthropologist, author, and founder of the Sustainable Herbs Initiative, Ann Armbrecht, to explore the hidden journey of herbs — from field to finished product — and the complex web of relationships, ethics, and decisions that shape their quality. Sajah and Ann discuss the gap between tradit
The Seasonal Allergy Strategy Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of the Allergy Strategy. In this episode, we'll explore the two key approaches to working with allergies and intolerances: prevention and acute care. Whether it's you, your loved ones, or your clients dealing with seasonal allergies, you'll find plenty of tools here to support the process—and many of these strategies can also be applied to other types of allergies. If you hav
The Seasonal Allergy Strategy Part 1
Spring has officially sprung. The birds are chirping, the plants are waking up, and the earth is on the move again. It's a beautiful time of year—and here in the Pacific Northwest, we welcome the lifting of the cold, the retreat of the rain, and the chance to head back outside to enjoy nature's splendor and get our gardens growing. But spring's return comes at a high cost for many due to seaso
🔥 The Fire Pattern in People & Plants
We are now into Aries season — our first sign of the yearly zodiac. In honor of the astrological new year, we're kicking off a quarterly Element series here on the Plant Path, which we'll do at the equinoxes — in Aries and Libra, and at the solstices — in the signs of Cancer and Capricorn. Today, in honor of Aries and the recent equinox, we'll discuss the first Element: Fire, the spark of life, wh
The Zodiacal Study Strategy
Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to learn herbal medicine and astrology? This is one of the biggest challenges I hear from people studying herbalism on its own… throw astrology on top of it, and it just seems like too much. They say, "I was already overwhelmed trying to learn how to become a great herbalist. And now, to practice this way, I have to learn the massive system of astrology too
How to Really Read Your Constitution in the Natal Chart
In this episode, Sajah talks about how to assess a person's constitution through the natal chart and why this matters for effective holistic herbalism. You'll learn how the rising sign, planetary placements, and the 1st to 6th house relationship reveal underlying patterns that determine health, imbalance, and therapeutic strategy. Here's what you'll learn: What "constitution" means in holistic m
Four Herbs of the Sun: Warmth, Vitality, Heart & Spirit
Join the FREE Astro-Herbalism Mini-Course that's happening right now: https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/astro-herbalism-mini-course/ In medical astrology, the Sun represents the gravitational center of the psyche and of the body. Just as the planets orbit the Sun, so too does our physiology organize itself around a central core of vitality, expressed through the heart, the circulation of blood
Planetary Sympathy and Astrotherapeutics
Most traditions of herbal medicine across the world use the fundamental principle of antipathetic medicine in their approach to therapeutics. But in the practice of alchemical medicine—based on Paracelsianism— and in astro-herbalism, another approach is commonly used: sympathetic medicine. In this episode, we'll explore some of the principles of sympathetic medicine, how it differs from the antipa
Astrological Medicine for Herbalists with Judith Hill
If you've ever wondered how astrology can interface with medicine, and whether it really works, you're in for a treat! I am delighted to share my interview with Judith Hill, who has been my teacher and mentor for over 15 years. Since we first met, she has profoundly influenced me as an herbalist, practitioner, and individual. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me comprehend the profou
Venus Excess & Deficiency: Medical Astrology & Herbal Treatment
In honor of Valentine's Day, celebrated as a day of love and friendship, we're focusing on Venus. Venus is the planet associated with archetypes of love, beauty, and relationships. Valentine's Day is often seen as being for lovers, but let's broaden the Venus archetype to include reflecting on the beauty in your life and the love you have for everyone in it. In this episode, we explore Venus in ex
Astrological Medicine: Scientific vs. Pragmatic Truth
Have you ever wondered how science views medical astrology or whether it has been proven "true?" Should we consider astrology a valid tool for understanding health, or is it just pseudoscience? Astrological medicine is a central part of our approach to herbal medicine here at The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, so it's a topic we discuss regularly. Today, we're breaking down medical astrology'
The Truth About Herb Books & Which Materia Medicas You Need
Building a trustworthy herbal library is essential for serious herbal study, yet many modern herb books lack clinical depth or are even AI-generated. In this post, you'll learn how to discern high-quality materia medica and explore five of the most reliable, clinically useful references — from historical Eclectic texts to modern, pattern-based systems that continue to inform real-world herbal prac
My #1 Method for Learning Herbs: The Clinical Monograph
Most herbalists begin with books, teachers, and tradition, but genuine clinical mastery comes from organizing what you know into something you can actually use. In this episode, we will look at why the clinical herbal monograph is the most powerful tool for studying medicinal plants and how to build one that supports real-world practice rather than just theory. Here's what you'll learn: What d
Wild Indigo, Echinacea, & Garlic: A Classic BHP Antiseptic Triplet
When we talk about "anti" herbs — antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial — it's easy to imagine plants acting like tiny soldiers fighting pathogens. But in this post, we're exploring a classic herbal triplet from the British Herbal Pharmacopeia that reveals something more profound: that herbs rarely just "kill the bug." Instead, they strengthen, mobilize, and clear heat and infection. Here's what
The Ultimate Guide to the "Anti" Herbs
Look at just about any materia medica, and you will see the word "anti" in front of many an herbal action. These are subtypes of the antimicrobial action, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiamoebic, and antimalarial. When you see these words, it is easy to assume that the herbs they describe are like natural pharmaceuticals designed to "kill" pathogens.
Looking Back on 2025 & What's Coming Next
Happy New Year. I hope this finds you well and emerging from a wonderful holiday season. Welcome to 2026, I can't believe we're here! I really appreciate you taking time out of your life to engage with everything I share here. Whether you're new to my work or you've been with me since the beginning, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of the Evolutionary Herbalism community.
Keeping Warm: Countering the Cold with Warming Herbs
There's something about winter that makes us want to bundle up and get warm. And while many of us do this with sweaters, a beanie, and thick wool socks, there's another critical way we stay warm: Through the herbs and food we eat. In many herbal traditions, plants are often split into warming or cooling. A cooling herb might be great in summer, but it can leave you feeling off-balance during the c
Adaptogens and the Holistic Approach to Fatigue
Adaptogenic herbs are everywhere these days, offering promises of being the ultimate cure for fatigue and the secret to boundless energy. But here's the truth: adaptogens are one of the most misunderstood and misused herbal remedies out there these days. When used incorrectly, they can backfire, potentially worsening fatigue instead of helping it. Many people fall into the trap of misusing thes
Medicine of the Evergreens
Evergreen trees are revered around the world for their medicinal properties, rich folklore, and uplifting symbolism. Although you might be familiar with these trees from your walks through the forest or the holiday seasons, this year you can take your knowledge to the next level by learning how to use them medicinally at home and for your loved ones. In today's episode, you'll learn: How the aro
Herb-Drug Interactions: Fact Fiction or Somewhere Between
Have you ever felt anxious about giving herbs to someone who's already taking medications? Many herbalists feel hesitant to help people taking prescribed drugs because of concerns about herb-drug interactions. But how much do we really need to worry about this? Herbs can impact how drugs are absorbed and metabolized, which can actually be helpful at times, but very risky at other times. By under
Echinacea: Not Just an Immune Stimulant
When you hear Echinacea, chances are you think of its immune-boosting properties. But did you know that this popular use is relatively new? Traditionally, Echinacea was used for entirely different reasons. By rediscovering its original applications, we can break free from the idea that Echinacea is just a "cough, cold and flu" herb and appreciate the many ways it supports the body holistically.
Getting Started in Herbal Pharmacy: A Review of James Green's Classic Guide
Making herbal medicine — the alchemy of transforming living medicinal plants into healing remedies — is one of the most empowering parts of the plant path. In this post, I'll share my thoughts on The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook by James Green, a classic and comprehensive guide to the art and craft of herbal pharmacy. Whether you're new to medicine-making or refining your technique, this book
Is All Herbal Research Trustworthy?
Is all herbal research trustworthy? If you've ever Googled an herb to learn more and saw lots of research papers about it, can you trust them? Herbal research is tricky since there are a lot of things that can go wrong and right with them that make the results tricky to decipher. Even though understanding herbal research isn't 100% necessary as a clinical herbalist, it can introduce novel uses
Elecampane: The Deep Breather
Elecampane has become one of my personal favorite respiratory remedies over the years, not just for its medicinal benefits for many of the common respiratory woes people face today, but as a choice restorative agent. Whether you make it into a tincture or enjoy the syrup, Elecampane is a remedy every herbalist should know. In today's episode, you'll learn: Elecampane's pungent and aromatic t
Hyssop: A Biblical Remedy
Hyssop is an ancient herb with biblical references and spiritual indications. This herb is also an important part of the Western Materia Medica. This combination of information from ancient sources and the modern scientific model lends a unique perspective on this plant and how you can use it in your herbalism practice. In today's episode, you'll learn: Hyssop's ancient and biblical roots The
Burdock: The All-Purpose Alterative
Sweet and grounding, Burdock is an Earthy plant with its wide leaves, deep taproots, and ability to both nourish weakness and cleanse excesses from the body. Just as it loves to grow near waste grounds, Burdock clears metabolic waste products and toxins from the fluids in your body to keep your skin glowing and healthy. Since the health of the skin is merely a reflection of the health of your li
Agrimony: The Tense but Relaxed Remedy
Agrimony is the herb of paradox. On the one hand, it's described as a relaxant,and on the other hand, as an astringent. How does it contract and relax a tissue at the same time?! What do you do when you find conflicting information surrounding the herb you're studying? Although these two aspects of Agrimony may seem contradictory at first, there's a way that you can study the herb that connects
A Nutritive Mineral Tonic Formula
Learn more and enroll in The Vitalist Herbalist Practitioner Program: https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/vitalist-herbalism-mini-course/program-details/?gw=live Enrollment closes tomorrow, October 3rd at 12am PT. Nutritive tonics hold a unique place in herbal therapeutics, situated at the intersection of food and medicine. They're not meant for acute conditions so much as for the long game:
5 Ways Vitalism Transformed My Life
Diving into the world of herbal medicine and the traditions that have carried it for a long time oftentimes introduces us to new concepts, principles, practices, and ways of seeing the world around us that aren't often taught to us in our modern world. And sometimes there's something there that changes your life forever. For me, the principles of vitalism were one of the biggest revolutionary mom
What Does "Tonic" Mean Anyway?
I want to talk about a mysterious, often nebulous word that pervades the halls of herbal medicine … "tonic." What does "tonic" mean anyway? This is a question that has come up for me over and over throughout my years of studying herbal medicine. I took some time to think it through and make sense of the many possible meanings for myself, and I want to share my findings with you. Here's what you'
My Top 5 Herbs for Sinusitis
What do you do when you have a sinus infection? It's painful, it's tough to breathe, and frankly, it can feel a little scary. Many people would quickly ask for an antibiotic for this situation. This isn't wrong, but it is possible to treat sinusitis herbally in many cases. As I discussed in a previous episdoe, I had a sinus infection that wasn't responding to systemic herbal treatment. I opted
Sinusitis and The Magic of the Herbal Neti Pot
When we think of topical applications, skin poultices and salves might come to mind. But herbs can also be applied topically to the respiratory tract—particularly the sinuses—using a simple neti pot. For sinusitis, this approach allows herbs to act exactly where they're needed, offering both relief and support for healing. In this article, we'll explore how to work with herbal nasal rinses in prac
A Practitioner's Guide to Topical Herbal Remedies
What do you think of when you hear "topical herbs"? Chances are, you think about putting herbs on your skin, perhaps in the form of creams, salves, or poultices. But this is only one type of topical application. In herbal medicine, topical use is much broader than applying medicine to the skin (though this is also a critical treatment). Any time an herb comes into direct contact with the tissue
Marshmallow: The Great Moistener
Marshmallow's Latin name is Althea, and its family name is Malvaceae. While Althea derives from the Greek altho and means to cure, Malvaceae is from the Greek word malake, which means soft. With these two simple words, you know almost everything about Marshmallow's key signature and how its softening and moistening effects impact the body and mind. In today's episode, you'll learn: What Mars
Energetics, Mutual Aid and the Future of Herbalism, an Interview with Kat Maier
Today, I am excited to share with you my interview with Kathleen Maier. She's a fantastic herbalist who's been at it for quite some time, and I was honored to be able to speak with her. Here's what you can look forward to in this interview: We discuss Kat's book, Energetic Herbalism, which covers energetics from a wide range of perspectives and orientations. We talk about Kat's inspirations for
Motherwort: The Lion Hearted Herb
Motherwort, the "lion-hearted herb," fills your heart with courage and soothes its inner wounds. This herb tends to the physical and emotional heart and is an indispensable part of the Materia medica. With its many uses and simple administration techniques, this herb is sure to become a favorite herb to support a healthy heart. In this week's episode, you'll learn: What Motherwort tastes lik
Diagnosis Identity, Trauma, and the Human Condition
In this post, I'm delving into a concept that has been on my mind for the past few months. I call this concept "diagnosis identity," and it's about the nature of the human condition, the role of suffering in our lives, and how we navigate it. It's about what we choose to do with suffering and illness, and a call to rise above our suffering, learn from it, and ultimately not allow it to take over o
Holy Basil: The Sacred Herb of Ayurveda
Holy basil is a sacred plant in the Indian and Ayurvedic traditions. There is a wide range of conditions for which it is used, both physically and psychologically. Holy Basil is one of nature's panaceas, making it a powerful plant to grow in your garden and stock in your home. In today's plant profile, you'll discover: Holy Basil's unique taste and how it supports your nervous, digestive, immu
Why Medical Herbalism Belongs on Every Herbalist's Shelf
I'm excited to bring you the second book in our review series, David Hoffman's indispensable tome Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. This was one of my first serious herb books and also served as my university textbook. If I had to make one herb book recommendation to you, this would be in the top five, if not the top three. In this post, I'm going to walk you throug
Lemon Balm: The Happiest Plant on Earth
Lemon Balm, the "happiest plant on Earth," enchants with its vibrant lemony aroma and taste. Beloved for its calming effects, this aromatic herb brings a sense of peace and serenity, along with an uplifted feeling to the spirit. Loved for its calming and relaxing properties, this aromatic herb soothes tense digestion and eases an anxious mind. Whether sipping it as a delicious cup of tea or taki
Cayenne and Lobelia: Two Distinct Herbs with Dynamic Synergy
In this episode, we take a high-level look at what happens when you combine two of the most contrasting—and complementary—herbs in North American herbalism: Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). One stimulates, one relaxes—and together they create a powerful synergy that supports circulation, respiration, and neuromuscular function. You'll also hear insights on how their energe
The Dynamic Duo: Cayenne & Lobelia in Traditional Herbalism
In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful herb pairs in North American herbalism—Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). These two plants represent the archetypal stimulant and relaxant, and when used together, they reveal deep patterns in how herbal energetics function. You'll also discover how this triad—stimulant, relaxant, and tonic—connects to core principles fo
Cayenne and Lobelia
Welcome to the second installment in our Anatomy of a Formula series. In this post, we'll examine a classic North American herbal duo: the archetypal stimulant, Cayenne (Capsicum annuum), and the archetypal relaxant, Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). If you missed the introductory post, which explored a brief history of formulation in Western herbalism and the strategic thinking behind herbal pairs and
Anatomy of a Formula
Have you been studying herbs for a while, but you still feel unsure about how to combine them into an effective formula? Or maybe you're newer to herbalism and ready to dive into the art and science of formulation? Formulation is one of my favorite parts of herbal medicine, so I'm excited to kick off a new series called The Anatomy of a Formula. I love the synergy that emerges when herbs are comb
Interview with Pam Montgomery
Have you ever wondered how to understand plants on a deeper level, beyond "This herb is good for that thing?" If so, you won't want to skip this post! I am excited to be joined today by my colleague, friend, and teacher, Pam Montgomery. Pam is an herbalist, author, international teacher, earth elder, and new paradigm thinker who passionately embraces her role as a spokesperson for the green bein
Top 3 Spring Tonics
Spring is the season of renewal—and the perfect time to support your body with cleansing and nourishing herbs. Last week, we covered the overall concept of the spring cleanse and whether it's a good thing for us to do in our modern culture. We got a birds-eye view of the qualities and characteristics of herbs that would fit into this category. Ready to learn more about spring cleansing and which
The Spring Cleanse
The premise of cleansing is popular in alternative medicine circles, seen as one of the most important ways to get and stay healthy. But is it really? Is our modern take on cleansing the same as it was traditionally? And most importantly, is cleansing really appropriate for anyone and everyone? We'll cover all that and more in our exploration of the spring cleanse. Here's what I'll cover: What
Astral Polarities & Organ Systems
In medical astrology, astral polarities offer profound insights into the body's interconnected systems, revealing hidden relationships between organ functions and celestial archetypes. By studying opposing zodiac signs, we gain a deeper understanding of how the various parts of the body interact. This perspective aligns with holistic traditions like Ayurveda, which recognize the dynamic interplay
Book Review: Medical Astrology by Judith Hill
Today we begin our new book review series, and I'm kicking it off by reviewing Judith Hill's foundational text, "Medical Astrology: A Guide to Planetary Pathology." This is an essential book on medical astrology, and should be a staple reference in your library if you're interested in the astro-herbalism approach. In this post you'll learn what this book has to offer, including: The six sign p
The Herbal Actions of Mugwort
Mugwort is a plant famed for its effects on dreaming, but its medicinal properties and actions do so much more than that. With a distinct effect on the nervous, digestive, hepatobiliary, and reproductive systems, Mugwort navigates, regulates, and balances the highways that connect them all. In today's video, you'll discover: Mugwort's role in digestion How its bitter, choleretic, and cholagogue p
The Actions of Elecampane
Elecampane has become one of my personal favorite respiratory remedies over the years, not just for its medicinal benefits for many of the common respiratory woes people face today, but as a choice restorative agent. Whether you make it into a tincture or enjoy the syrup, Elecampane is a remedy every herbalist should know. In this episode, you'll learn: Elecampane's role as a stimulant expecto
How to Strategically Study Herbs
Have you ever crammed for an exam, only to forget everything a few weeks later? Cramming never works, especially in herbal medicine. Memorizing facts might get you through a test, but it won't prepare you to help real people. If you want your knowledge to stick—not just in your mind but in your heart—there's a better way. By studying herbs strategically, you'll gain the confidence and competence t
Phytopharmaceuticals, Standardized and Whole Plant Extracts
These days, supplement shelves are filled with all kinds of different products based on plants. Tinctures, teas, whole plant preparations, standardized extractions, phytopharmaceuticals . . . but what's the difference between them? These are the most common types of herbal extracts you'll encounter, and they all have their own unique properties and uses. Each of these extracts has a different l
Jesse Wolf Hardin Interview
In this week's podcast, Sajah speaks with Jesse Wolfe Hardin, an herbalist and environmental renaissance man. The author of over 25 books, Jesse Wolf has taught anima life practices for decades and was the first to coin the term rewilding. Jesse is the co-founder of the International Good Medicine Confluence Gathering, the digital magazine for herbalist healers and folklorists, Plant Healer Quarte
Meadowsweet: Not Just "Herbal Aspirin"
Meadowsweet is often thought of as herbal aspirin. Even though it's no secret that its compounds were originally used to formulate and synthesize aspirin, can you really use it in the same way? If you want to get the same results from Meadowsweet as aspirin, you would have to drink quarts of the tea, which is tough to do because it's incredibly bitter. Not only would you be feeling pretty nauseo
Interview with Margi Flint
Margi Flint is a practicing herbalist, registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, and herbal mentor from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Margi's wisdom spans over 20 years of labor coaching certification, polarity therapy, and Reiki, alongside 40-plus years of clinical herbal practice. She teaches at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, British Columbia, and has lectured at numerous prestigiou
The Truth About Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural compounds found in certain herbs. Despite their long history of safe use in herbal traditions, they are often misunderstood and feared, discouraging people from working with these potent medicinal herbs. By learning more about these compounds and how to safely use herbs containing them, you can confidently incorporate them into your herbal practice. In today
Why I Wish What I Did Wasn't Called Medical Astrology
Medical astrology is one of the most misunderstood assessment tools available in herbalism, with many flat out rejecting its usefulness or efficacy because of preconceived notions of astrology in general. Despite its spiritual or "woo-woo" implications, astrology has practical therapeutic applications. By learning how to use this tool correctly, you can pinpoint an imbalanced organ system, tissue
Medical Astrology's Insights into Holistic Herbalism
The term "holistic" is a key concept in today's holistic healthcare system. But what does it truly mean? According to the Evolutionary Herbalism model, a holistic practitioner is someone who integrates the physical, energetic, and spiritual properties of a plant with these aspects of a person to facilitate profound and transformative healing. Medical astrology stands out as one of the most powerfu
Regenerative Wildcrafting: An Interview with Scott Kloos
Scott Kloos is an herbalist, wildcrafter, and medicine maker. He founded and acts as the managing director of the School of Forest Medicine and owns Cascadia Folk Medicine, which supplies high-quality, small-batch herbal extracts from the native plants of the Pacific Northwest region. He also co-founded the Elderberry School of Botanical Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and authored the book Pacific
Pathways to Herbal Mastery
I know the beginning of the year is when a lot of us take a step back and look at our lives from a greater perspective. Perhaps we're looking back on the past year and thinking about what we'd like to change or do differently... ... Or we're looking forward and planning out how we want our lives to look and resolving to make it that way. Hopefully as an herbalist, you're thinking about your p
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Herbalists
With the holiday season approaching, many of you are wondering which gifts would be suitable for an herbalist. Whether you're unfamiliar with the field or have been practicing for years, we've compiled a helpful list of items you can use as a guide for finding the perfect gift for the lucky herbalist in your life. In today's blog episode, we list Medicine making essentials Wildcrafting tools that
Your Plant Path
Do you ever feel lost in your herbal studies or not know what to do next to reach the next level of your development as a plant healer? The journey as an herbalist can seem long and daunting. There are so many books out there, courses, traditions, and of course – herbs to study. When your path ahead is unclear, it helps to pause and make a plan to figure out where you want to go and how to get
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Stand In The Circle
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Bad Friends
