Alcohol Free Herbs for the Home Apothecary
Steeping herbs in alcohol is a quick and simple way to extract and preserve their benefits. Alcohol-based herbal extracts are potent and have a good shelf-life, so it’s no wonder that the little brown bottles of extract have become ubiquitous. […]
A Guide to Growing Vegetables for New Gardeners
The coronavirus pandemic has me even more on edge about food security than usual, and I know I’m not the only one. I’ve always been inclined to stock my pantry well. Part of this comes from living in rural areas […]
Herbal Uses for Bee Balm
Bee balm is a native plant with a gorgeous flower. Depending on the species, the flowers may be pink, purple, or red. It’s a beautiful addition to pollinator-friendly gardens and a familiar garden plant, but most people don’t realize that […]
The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm Book Review
Cultivation and gardening are a big part of my path as an herbalist. My introduction to herbs came from my grandmother and grandfather. They tended an enormous garden and orchard that they used to feed themselves and their grandkids, but […]
Herbal Uses for Motherwort
There are many herbal uses for motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and it’s a great choice for herbal preparedness kits. I think it’s easy for this herb to get pushed to the side as “just a woman’s herb,” and it does have […]
Ten Ways to Simplify Learning Herbalism
One thing I remember from when I first started learning herbalism was feeling overwhelmed. There was just so much information available! Herbalism can be very complex. There are plants and their uses to learn, theories to understand, historical background to […]
How to Use Safer Herbal Language
It’s time to talk about using safer herbal language. Why? Well, the coronavirus pandemic has raised awareness of herbalism in a big way. On the one hand, hey – that’s great! I love teaching about herbalism. I think it’s high […]
How My Perspective on Pandemic Herbalism Shifted
The coronovirus pandemic changed so much overnight. I’ve always been a very goal oriented, follow your dreams, stay true to personal values type of person. Mainly, this pandemic has given me room through furlough to pivot and clarify my purpose. […]
Learning Herbalism with Matthew Wood
My own path as an herbalist is one of constant evolution and growth. Learning herbalism is a lifelong journey! Even after fifteen years of study, there are new plants to learn, new assessment skills to master, and new frameworks […]
Peony Root and the Immune System
I’ve written several posts about peony here on IndieHerbalist. With the continuing pandemic, it’s actually a perfect time to revisit this lovely garden flower from an herbal perspective. Despite masquerading as a garden flower, there’s actually a strong traditional link […]