Alcohol vs glycerin extract for the best herbal tinctures
Herbal extracts can be made with either alcohol or glycerin. Home herbalists often have lots of questions about the difference between these two types of herbal extracts. So what’s...
An herbalist’s guide to passionflower
Passionflower is a beautiful and fascinating "weed" with a very rich tradition of use for the nervous system and as an antispasmodic. I've been a little nostalgic for it this...
Practical and creative herbal tea projects
Personally, I don't think I will ever get tired of drinking herbal teas, but there are plenty of herbal tea projects that transcend the humble teacup. One of the benefits...
What you need to know about antibiotic herbs
You’ve probably seen lists like "Top (you name the number) Antibiotic Herbs" or "X Number of Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics" in magazines and online. They claim to list the antibiotic...
An herbal survival skills overview
Should herbalism have a place on your list of survival skills? I think so! My main interest in herbalism is actually mainly in community wellness in austere environments. These are...
Peony benefits for wellness and emergency preparedness
Peony for emergency preparedness? Peony for herbal first aid? Surely not! I can hear you laughing as you think about it. It's just a pretty garden flower, right? Read on,...
Learning about herbs with a plant walk
Plants are at the heart of what we do as herbalists. One way of honoring that is cultivating a sense of connection to your local ecosystem, and going on a...
The forgotten history of Paeonia lactiflora
Although it is much loved as a garden flower, few people realize the rich herbal history behind the beautiful peony. Despite this plant's current masquerade as a showy garden ornamental,...
The herbal history of tulip poplar
Tulip Poplar, Tulipifera liriodendron, is one of the most beautiful trees of the southeast. It blooms with yellow and orange tulip-shaped flowers in May. The trees grow very tall and straight...
An herbalist’s guide to the uses of plantain
In the southern states, May and June are the perfect months to learn about the herbal uses of plantain because that's when this herb is abundant and at the peak...