Down to Earth Herbalism with Tamara
In-depth discussions about Herbalism, Functional and Integrative Health, and effective strategies for chronic health issues based on modern Phytotherapy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbalism. Your host is Tamara, a Licensed Midwife and Professional Herbalist registered with the American Herbalists Guild, she has experience in the health field for over 20 years. Learn about herbs that can transform your well-being. Also, check out the Youtube Channel "Herbal Help by Tamara". Welcome! Schedule your health consultation under www.herbalhelp.net
Episodes
Decode Your Blood Tests #60
What Your Blood Really Says: Using Blood Tests for Preventive Health. Blood tests can reveal far more about your health than most people realize, often long before symptoms appear. In this episode, I explain how blood work can be used as a powerful preventive tool, not just to diagnose disease. We talk about what common blood tests can tell you about your metabolism, thyroid, hormones, nutrient st
The Real Tea on Green Tea! #59
In this episode, I dive into the real tea on green tea. Its rich history, cultural traditions, and why so many Westerners brew it all wrong. We explore how green tea is harvested, the art of multiple short infusions, and how proper brewing unlocks smoother flavor and fewer tannins. I also break down the science-backed health benefits, from L-theanine and caffeine synergy to antioxidants like EGCG
Common Mistakes When Taking Herbs #58
Take your herbs in a more effective way and to get better results, by avoiding these common mistakes!
Would you like to book a health consultation for yourself or a loved one? Send me a message through the contact form on my website: www.herbalhelp.net Or click on my calendar to book a free 20-minute call to find out if you would like to book health consultations and how this
Herbs for Longevity and Healthy Aging #57
Yes, herbs can support us in aging more gracefully! Happy, healthy aging means avoiding the typical diseases that make us miserable or lead to early death. What we need are effective medicinal plants that can help us stay fit and juicy, balance our stress hormones, immune system, blood sugar, and cholesterol, control inflammation, prevent cancer, and improve bone and skin health! Adaptogens tick m
PMS is NOT Normal. Period. #56
Let's raise awareness for hormonal fluctuations in the lives of women that make us cyclical beings, but let's not normalize period pain and PMS, because for those we have effective and safe herbal remedies! Let's talk about Vitex (Agnus Castus), Shatavari, and Dong Quai as hormonal regulators, but also liver herbs to reduce the effects of toxic estrogen metabolites like milk thistle se
Trusting Herbal Wisdom with Robin Rose Bennett! #55
My guest Robin Rose is sharing her wisdom with us today and you can pre-order her book A Green Witch’s Pocket Book of Wisdom and receive the beautiful bonus booklet Herbal Recipes for Deepening Meditation, Dreams, and Intuition. Pre-order here!
A Green Witch’s Pocket Book of Wisdom- Big Little Life Tips is filled with golden nuggets of green witch magic and silver strands of spiritual wisdom. It
My Botanical Skincare Routine! Hydrolates, Balms and Soaps #54
I enjoy making my own skin moisturizer out of tropical butters like shea butter, cacao and cupuaçu butter, melting those, and adding luxurious plant oils like Argan, Jojoba, and Seabuckthornfruit Oil for a creamy consistency. I don't have to add any preservatives or emulsifiers because I don't add water to those creams. Instead, I spray my face with Rose Water or Witch Hazel Hydrolate befo
Kava 101: Unlocking the Ancient Elixir of Calm #53
Meet Kava, the herb of relaxation and good vibes! In this episode, we're diving deep into the enchanting world of Kava, the Pacific's best-kept secret for finding calm amidst the chaos. Join me as we uncover the magic behind this ancient herbal drink and its incredible benefits. We'll share stories from across the Pacific, where Kava has been cherished for generations as a pathway to t
Herbs I Take Every Day - My Personal Herbal Protocol #52
The herbs I take every day vary with time and the seasons but these are some of the herbs that I'm currently taking every day: medicinal Mushrooms like Cordyceps, Reishi and Lion's Mane, Dong Quai and He Shou Wu, two pretty amazing herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guggul, Aloe gel, Ashwagandha and Nutmeg (widely used in Ayurveda), and now in summer for its refreshing properties: Hi
Are Herbs Just Suppressing Symptoms? #51
Herbs can help resolve the underlying issue of a health condition and work towards a sustainable, long-term improvement of health. But they can also control symptoms for short-term relief in effective ways and with way fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals. Using herbs to manage symptoms can help to stop the downward spiral of health problems, but it should ideally be combined with herbs that ad
Herbal Panacea Triphala #50
Triphala is a very ancient herbal formulation from Ayurveda. It consists of three fruits: Amla (or Amalaki), Haritaki, and Bibhitaki. According to Ayurveda and modern scientific studies, it has benefits for digestion, constipation, and rejuvenation due to its high antioxidant properties, it's good for healthy glowing skin (and you also use it externally as a face mask), supports gentle liver d
I took Gotu Kola for 12 months and this happened! #49
Gotu Kola or Centella Asiatica is a superior nerve tonic from Ayurveda. When I had my own health challenge with Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, and brain fog I took Gotu Kola for over a year and after two weeks of taking it, I couldn't believe the amazing results. Gotu Kola's effect on the nervous system is pretty outstanding. It doesn't really fit into the category of calming nervine
Behind-the-Scenes of an Herbalist's Practice #48
Today I'm sharing some insights and practical tips for herbalists who are thinking to get started with helping people through health consultations. This episode is an interesting glimpse into the work of a clinical herbalist, a behind-the-scenes of my daily work. This is also of interest to anyone considering consulting with me or an herbalist in general. How does it work? What to expect? What
Medicinal Mushrooms and How to Use them Clinically #47
Medicinal Mushrooms can be a powerful part of an herbal health protocol. Let's look at some case studies of my clients, to illustrate how mushrooms fit into a health plan and can help to address the underlying cause of immune system imbalance, allergies, skin conditions like asthma and eczema, memory loss, brain function, anxiety, insomnia, cancer prevention, and fatigue.
Here is the link to the i
Happy Herb Cacao #46
We all know Cacao as the wonderful plant that chocolate is made of, but its benefits go way beyond that! Cacao has medicinal properties, is high in antioxidants and can energize you gently and lift your mood! I will share my experience of living for several years on a Cacao farm in Brazil, and the process of harvesting, fermenting, drying and roasting the cacao beans. You will also learn the best
My Rosehip, Ginger and Garlic Experiment #45
I took a combination of Rosehips, Garlic, and Ginger for the immune-boosting benefits for over two months, and in this episode, I share with you what I learned and the results on my health. I took Rosehips in different ways, a few that I harvested myself, but mainly the dried rosehips or powdered rosehips that I bought by the pound. I soaked them, had them for breakfast and in smoothies, and made
Herbal Survival Guide for the Holiday Season #44
Our nervous system, digestion and immune function are three areas to pay attention to during the holidays. Adaptogenic herbs help us to deal with stress, calming nervines keep everyone chill during family gatherings, and it's a good idea to take some carminative herbs to help us digest all that nice yummy food to minimize the damage and regret. Don't leave your herbs at home in case you go traveli
Blend Your Own Delicious and Healthy Herbal Seasonal Tea #43
Let's formulate an herbal winter tea blend! Or actually, no matter what the season is currently, let's learn about some basic herbal formulation principles which take climate and season into account. This is what's in my favorite decoction at the moment and how I make it: First I boil a few slices of Ginger with Dandelion root and a teaspoon full of my so-called Chai base (freshly ground up Cinnam
Are Elderberries Overrated? Herbs to Strengthen Immunity #42
Elderberry, Garlic, Turmeric, Echinacea, Astragalus, and Ginger are some of the many herbs available to us, to make sure we have healthy and strong immunity in the colder season. But.... what to do if Elderberries are sold out again at the herb store? No worries at all, in this episode we'll dive deep into what is so special (but not unique) about Elderberries, these deep red plant pigments called
Not Getting Results with Herbs? Likely Reasons #41
"I have tried everything." This is a phrase I sometimes hear from my clients. Looking at what they actually tried so far, which herbs and dosages, I must say, no, the herbs are definitely not to blame for the lack of results. High expectations on one herb (the miracle herb! it must exist! ...no it doesn't...), as opposed to a complete health protocol that might include several herbs and supplement
My Trip to Scotland and the History of Western Herbalism #40
Visiting Scotland and marveling at the juicy blackberries, rosehips, hawthorn, and elderberries led me to ponder about the history of Western Herbalism and our relationship to the plants that grow around us. Why do we use the pants we use? What is our role in preserving and passing on the knowledge? How did our perception of health and healing change through history? And, where are we now?
I visit
Adaptogens and Tonic Herbs for Stress and Fatigue #39
Adaptogens and tonic herbs in general are my favorite category of medicinal herbs, and I use them a lot for myself and clients in my health practice. They are safe and non-toxic and help us deal with stress, improve the immune system, regulate hormones, and improve our thinking, mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Absolute all-rounders to help us deal with modern life's challenges! Let's learn about the d
Keeping Cool During Heat Waves and Wild Fires #38
We had a few heat waves this summer, so I had plenty of opportunities to try out herbs and foods to stay cool! I made cold infusions instead of hot teas with cooling and moistening herbs like Hibiscus and Rose, and switched my regular body massage oil to cooling coconut oil. Ayurveda gives us lots of insights into the energetic qualities of herbs, and this includes how foods and herbs affect our b
How to Prevent the Most Common Cause of Death: Herbs for the Heart #37
Most deaths worldwide are caused by heart disease. Over a long period of time, cholesterol silently accumulates in blood arteries, sometimes going unnoticed or not receiving adequate attention. We should all consider prevention because of this. The underlying causes include aspects of lifestyle and food, but fortunately, there are numerous herbal therapies that are readily available and have been
Food Intolerances - Gluten-Free Forever? #36
Chances are you have asked yourself if you have food intolerances, they are so common today as a result of our modern diet and lifestyle. Symptoms range from gas and bloating to headaches and fatigue. Elimination diets can be helpful initially, but they don't treat the underlying cause, and there is the risk of developing other intolerances or even auto-immune diseases. So what can we do about thi
Herbs for the Liver - Understanding Fatty Liver Disease #35
Our liver does a lot of heavy work for us every day, let's make sure it stays healthy! Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise, but luckily, in its early stages, it is reversible. Understanding the mechanism makes it obvious that weight control and insulin resistance play a big role. We will discuss some herbs that help us to keep our blood glucose levels stable, like bitter melon and fen
Herbs for the Thyroid and How to Reverse Hashimoto's Naturally #34
Fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, brain fog and constipation might be signs that the thyroid is not working optimally. But no worries, of course, there are safe and completely natural methods, including herbs, available to us that can help with Hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems. Did you know that in most cases an under-functioning thyroid is caused by an inflammatory auto-immune disease cal
Herbs for Kids - Unconventional Tips & What I Actually Use With My Children #33
Let me take you beyond the usual Chamomile and Lemon Balm! As a mom, herbalist and midwife, I will share some of our favorite family herbs for each phase of childhood including real-life tips on how to actually get these herbs into your kids. I asked my children to share their favorite herbs with you!
Are glycerites a necessary replacement for tinctures? Can kids swallow capsules? My favorite Chin
Medicinal Mushrooms, Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, Chaga and Shiitake #32
Mushrooms are in their very own category of natural remedies, widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They all look and taste very different and are used in specific ways. Some are delicious to cook with, and others are so hard that you need a saw to cut them! We will talk about the different ways to use them, and why they are so beneficial for our health. They can boost our immunity, help us
Herbs for Fatigue, Exhaustion and Burn-Out #31
Let's discuss some herbs that can help with fatigue, exhaustion and even complete burn-out. Exhausted mom syndrome anyone? Being tired in itself might not be a dangerous health concern, but we also shouldn't ignore it until the point of no return. Fatigue can be seriously depressing and keep us from living our full potential. To understand the mechanism of fatigue we can get great insights from Ay
How NOT to take Ashwagandha and other misconceptions about this fantastic herb from Ayurveda #30
Ashwagandha is an amazing herb for stress, anxiety, insomnia, energy and stamina from Ayurveda, but its popularity in the west also leads to many misconceptions. There are ideal and less ideal ways to take it, wrong assumptions about dosage and a lot of confusion about possible side effects. Let's shed some light on this outstanding herb for the benefit of our health! Ayurveda is part of my extens
Herbal Help for Spring Allergies #29
Runny nose, itchy eyes and pharmaceutical antihistaminics make you drowsy? No worries, we have holistic remedies that work even better and strategies to address the root issue! Let's dig into some of the ayurvedic theories to explain hay fever and draw from the wisdom of global herbalism to get effective short and long-term relief. Some of the herbs covered are Nettle, Astragalus, Elecampane, Schi
5 Herbs to Survive Modern Times #28
Of course, I couldn't really limit this to 5 herbs! So here are the 5 herbal categories that I think everybody should know how to use, to survive modern times! We have our adaptogens, digestive herbs (three different sub-categories here), calming nervines, which are what everybody thinks of when you hear the word nervines, but there are actually also stimulating nervines, not only calming ones, an
Kapha Dosha in Ayurveda, Herbs to beat Mucus and Stagnation, part 3, #27
This is our last part of the Ayurvedic Doshas Series! Today we'll talk about Kapha, and about anything that I forgot to mention in the last two parts! We will circle back to a few herbs for each of the doshas. To help you with your note-taking, here they are:
Vata: Ashwagandha, Haritaki, Ginger, Fennel (and all other carminatives/digestive herbs), Cinnamon, warming, moistening herbs in general. So
Taming Pitta-Fire: Ayurvedic Doshas 101, part 2! #26
Digging deeper into VPK, or Vata Pitta and Kapha, the Ayurvedic doshas! Let's learn how we can keep our dosha in balance throughout our life, throughout the seasons and in our everyday life. There are so many choices we can take throughout our daily life that can aggravate our dosha, which means it will get worse or will tame and balance it, which is the wiser choice! What is the ideal dosha to lo
How to Balance Vata Dosha and Fly High without Losing Your Mind to Anxiety and Insomnia #25
Let's dig into the Ayurvedic concept of tridosha, or Vata, Pitta and Kapha, a system of categorization based on the five elements that can help us understand our health challenges better, and keep us balanced! I use this a lot in my clinical practice as an herbalist. Today we will talk about strategies, including herbs, to keep Vata dosha in check, but this episode will be useful to Kaphas and Pit
Post-Viral Fatigue, Long Covid & Loss of Sense of Smell. Schisandra, Cordyceps, Gotu Kola & Ginseng
Let's look into Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome and how herbs can possibly help. This is for educational purposes only. Always seek medical help if needed. Long Covid can be serious and should not be left untreated. Let's look into some natural healing strategies that might be of benefit to strengthen your body! The herbs discussed apply to the recovery process after illness, especially ongoing fatigu
The Perfect Bowel Movement - Herbs for Constipation, Laxatives, Fiber, Bitters and Demulcents #22
The art and science of the perfect bowel movement! Do you think you don't have constipation? Think again! Let's discuss, transit time, consistency, frequency and herbs that can help us to get regular. All disease starts in the gut, so this is a serious topic. Luckily Herbalism has all the answers and many options to create the perfect gut protocol. We discuss fibers and demulcents, like psyllium,
Herbs for a Pandemic - Soothing, Calming and Uplifting Herbs #21
Improving our mental health, sleep and overall health are some examples of how Herbalism can help us get through this pandemic, which goes way beyond possible treatments for Covid. We all have had our share of despair, financial worries, loneliness or anxiety, and these are definitely areas where herbs can shine! Dig into the weeds with me and let us explore some concrete ways how herbs can help u
How to Become an Herbalist - 10 Expert Tipps on How to Deepen Your Plant Studies #20
Would you like to learn more about medicinal plants and natural healing and maybe even become an Herbalist? This episode is for you! My name is Tamara, I am a professional Herbalist and I share with you my top 10 tips on how to deepen your plant knowledge in 2022! Or any time of course! To help you stick to regular times for plant studies, I have created a membership program where you get access t
Healing Successes of my Clients in 2021 and the Herbs who helped us achieve that #19
Time for a review of my professional life as an herbalist in 2021! In this episode, I will share with you some of the greatest healing successes my clients achieved this year! We will take a close look at some of the therapeutic strategies, like balancing the doshas from an ayurvedic standpoint of view. But as always, the herbs will be the Stars of the Show! If I would measure the amount of Ashwag
The Ethnobotany of Christmas and the Winter Solstice #18
From the shamanic origins of Santa Claus to the Ethnobotany of Christmas, Herbalist & Midwife Tamara Hiller takes you on a sled-flight through the icy lands of Siberia, where Shamans stick the little red Amanita mushrooms on fir trees to dry them in sun, then put them all in the big sack, going home, entering the house through the chimney and hanging the mushrooms in socks around the fire to d
Effective Natural Remedies for Pain Relief #17
In today's episode herbalist and midwife Tamara Hiller teaches us about herbs for Pain relief. From Poppy Seed to Willow bark, some of these have inspired the pharmaceutical drugs that we have available today. Drugs work great, but they have side effects. Taking herbs in their natural form, straight from nature is not only safer but also very effective if taken in the right way and dosage. Nobody
How to Best Take Your Herbs - All About Teas, Tinctures, Capsules and Powders #16
You can take your herbs in many different ways, as tea, decoction, in form of a tincture, or encapsulated to just name the most commonly used preparations. And there are huge differences in the therapeutic effect, depending on the herb, and the form of taking your herb is not always interchangeable. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses mainly decoction, a form of tea where you boil the herb for sever
Beyond Coffee - the Wonders of Methylxanthines and other Herbs for Energy and Focus #15
Coffee, black and green Tea, Mate, Guarana, Kola Nut, and Cacao all have something in common: Methylxanthines aka Caffeine. Coffee and Tea are the most taken herbs in the world and most of us consume them daily. What are the benefits? And are there any downsides? What are the alternatives? Herbalist Tamara digs deep into the weeds once again, in this info-packed episode! Learn about the subtle dif
No More Gas, Bloating, Burping and Reflux! Herbs for Digestive Health #14
Many people suffer from gas, bloating, belching or acid reflux also called GERD, on a regular basis. Some even consider these "minor issues", or normal, but in reality, these are serious indicators that things are not going as they should in your digestive system. These symptoms can indicate that you have reduced absorption of nutrients in the gut, and they can get worse over time and even lead to
Herbs for Anxiety - Natural Remedies to Balance the Nervous System #13
20% of adults in modern western societies suffer from anxiety, but luckily we have many effective herbal remedies that can help. In this episode, we cover not only herbs that are sedating and calming like Skullcap, Passionflower, Hops, Valerian, and one of my favorites from Brazil, the bark of the Mulungu tree, but we also discuss herbs to restore nerve function, like Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica)
Insomnia - Effective Herbs to Help You Sleep #12
Luckily we have many very effective herbs for sleep available that can help with the occasional or even chronic Insomnia. I love resolving people's sleep issues with herbs, because not only they are so happy to have found a cure, but they also turn into firm believers in the power of herbs! We discuss plants like Valerian, Hops, Passionflower, Chamomile, Poppy Seed, Lavender, Wild Lettuce, Skullca
Maca, Astragalus, Tulsi - Why these Herbs are so Widely Misunderstood #11
Some Herbs get suddenly and randomly trendy for no specific reason and taken out of their context, the original natural healing system that they were used in. In this episode Professional Herbalist Tamara explains why we misunderstand popular herbs like Maca root, Astragalus, and Tulsi, and use them in the wrong way, wrong dose, wrong duration, or with unrealistic expectations about their effects.
Replacing Drugs with Herbs - How to Transition Safely #10
Is it possible to make the transition from pharmaceuticals to natural remedies? Professional Herbalist Tamara Hiller discusses the nitty-gritty of this tricky situation. Many people with chronic health conditions who are taking drugs wish to have a natural alternative for pharmaceuticals. But herbs work very differently in the body than drugs, and of course, ideally, you should have an experienced
Detox and Liver Cleanse - Facts vs Fiction: an Herbalist's Perspective #9
Liver cleanses and detoxes are widely popular and discussed on the Internet and it can be difficult to weed out the myths from the truth. Professional Herbalist Tamara shares insights about effective, liver-supporting herbs and strategies from Ayurveda, TCM, and Phytomedicine. Which health conditions benefit from liver rejuvenation and detox, and which type of person should be careful which harsh
Nutritional Supplements, Good for Health or a Waste of Money? An Herbalist's Perspective #8
Is a daily multivitamin enough or a waste of effort? Can we get all our nutrients from food or why do so many people, even in the modern world, have sub-clinical nutrient deficiencies? In this episode, health professional Tamara Hiller explains how she has changed her view on supplements over time because of the latest research and her direct experience and she talks about the results she sees in
Why Herbalism is the Opposite of Homeopathy #7
Why I don't like to be called a homeopath, by mistake, because being an Herbalist I work in a way practically opposite to what Homeopathy is based on and both systems have pretty much no overlap at all. What is the allopathic model versus the homeopathic model, and what are the striking differences of both systems. Why I stopped using homeopathy, not because I have anything against it, but because
I've had it! My Herbal Covid Protocol, before, during and after #6
Yes, I've had it, the disease du jour, the Virus that has our planet in its grip. Gladly, everything went fine for me and my family. Was it thanks to the herbs that I took, before, during and after? I think so. Spoiler alert: I don't have any miracle cure. Just reliable, solid, effective herbs that have proven themselves over and over again in scientific studies and under real-life circumstances s
Herbs for Brain Health, Memory, Concentration, Dementia and ADHD #5
Gotu Kola, Gingko, Bacopa, and many other medicinal herbs and supplements can support our brain health, sharpen our thinking and memory and even help with mental issues like ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Alzheimer's. So different these health issues are at first glance, many of those have the same underlying issues like lack of circulation to the brain, low-grade inflammation, and nutrient defici
Adaptogens - Herbs for Chronic Health Issues in Midlife #4
In this episode, I talk about adaptogens, what they are and how this category of herbs, which are mainly roots, work for our health. Ginseng is the classic adaptogen, or tonic herb, as it would be called in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there are many other herbs that have similar benefits, like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Eleuthero which is also called Siberian Ginseng. We talk about similariti
Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy, a complex issue for Doulas, Midwives and pregnant women #3
Which herbs are safe to take in pregnancy and is erring on the side of caution our best bet? Midwife and Herbalist Tamara explains different considerations in this important and tricky issue. So we do agree that we have to be cautious about emmenagogues in pregnancy. But herbs that bring on menstruation are not necessarily abortifacients and what is exactly is an emmenagogue anyway? Herbal literat
Herbs in Pregnancy #2, Strengthen Immunity and Herbal Help for Constipation
This is the second part of herbs in Pregnancy. Join Tamara, licensed midwife and professional herbalist in this in-depth discussion of herbs that safely strengthen immunity in pregnancy and beyond, and how to manage constipation herbally during pregnancy. We discuss herbs like Echinacea, Elderberry, Astragalus, and mushrooms as gentle immune tonics, and several herbs to promote bowel movements lik
Herbs in Pregnancy, Red Raspberry Leaf Nourishing Teas, Herbs for Morning Sickness and Anemia
Licensed Midwife and Professional Herbalist Tamara gives you the ins and outs of drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy, which dose should women take in which trimester of pregnancy, and how to exactly prepare the tea for maximum benefits. We discuss how to make nourishing herbal infusions from mineral-rich herbs to create our own potent mineral supplement in pregnancy. We talk about Anemia
Recommended
Native Plants, Healthy Planet
The Conspiracy Podcast
Cult of Conspiracy
Dispatches from Reality
Ghost Stories For The End Of The World
Hoporenkv Native American Podcast
The Conspiracy Files
The Snow Plow Show Prank Call Podcast
World of Prank Calls
TechnoSnobCast
Snoop Dogg - Flash Biográfico
The Moral Support Podcast
