I’ve been watching the news about the new coronavirus, Covid-19, very carefully. I’m sure many of you have been as well! It’s taken me a while to sift through the information and get my thoughts together. However, yesterday officials warned that Americans need to prepare for the spread of the virus in the U.S. This…
I recently saw an article about elderberry making the rounds online. It’s called “When Not to Use Elderberry: Using a Little Discernment.” If you read it, you may be left wondering, “Wait. . . Is elderberry safe during pregnancy? Is elderberry safe during flu?” I know it initially sent me running back to my books…
Hello Friends, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes but haven’t been sending out regular newsletters. You should receive this one in your mailboxes sometime today or tomorrow. There’s lots to catch everyone up about, so let’s jump right in! I’ve been: working on the editorial calendar for Independent Herbalist planning this year’s garden making…
Hedera helix, or common ivy, is a familiar ornamental plant in modern households and gardens. It’s herbal history, on the other hand, has been all but forgotten! Let’s take a peek at some historical references and see what they have to say about the herbal uses for ivy! (A version of this article originally appeared…
This year, I grew Spilanthes acmella (aka Acmella oleoracea) for the first time. That was the easy part. The tricky part was figuring out the best time to harvest Spilanthes! The flowers are the best part of Spilanthes to harvest if you’re interested in making your own teas and extracts. They seem to be more…
Throughout history, dried herbs have been used to make incense, smudges, and herbal smoking blends. After all, there’s something fascinating about the alchemy of herbs and smoke. Part of it is visual. We can see the plants undergo a violent physical change to become smoke and ash. This transformation isn’t just visual. It has an…
It’s almost cold and flu season, and that means it’s a great time of year to discuss herbs for lung health! There are actually quite a few categories we could look at in this case. For today’s post, let’s examine some herbs that have a traditional record of use for acute illness that affects the…
Spilanthes acmella is an intriguing garden herb with unusual common names like buzz buttons, eyeball plant, and electric daisy. This herb is also known as Acmella oleoracea. It’s actually very easy to grow Spilanthes and impress your friends and neighbors, and it’s a useful addition to the home apothecary. Besides having an intriguing appearance and…
Have you heard of AromaCulture magazine? I am so impressed by this publication! It’s a great resource for the client-focused side of botanical wellness. I wrote an article about TCM and cardiovascular health for this month’s issue. One of the most interesting things to me about this subject is that it really expands the number…
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne is a valuable addition to any herbal home library. It’s especially useful for home herbalists interested in taking their DIY home apothecary skills to the next level. What’s Inside The Modern Herbal Dispensatory Did you enjoy A Modern Medicine Maker’s Handbook by James Green? Then…
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