Mugwort: The Herb of Dreams
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 plant profile, you’ll discover: Mugwort’s unique flavor profile […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Integrative Global Herbalism
Healing has always been a collaborative journey. In the past, herbalists united in their pursuit of healing, transcending cultural boundaries and traditions. This exchange of wisdom not only laid the foundation for the thriving global herbal community we have today, but also nurtured the seeds of a promising future for herbalism. In the past, learning […]
Vitalism and Learning From Nature
Have you come across the idea of allopathic herbalism? This approach often highlights specific symptoms and conditions that certain herbs are “good for.” However, it has a limitation: it doesn’t address the root causes of diseases. To achieve profound healing, it’s crucial to go beyond simply matching herbs with symptoms. Embracing the traditional vitalist herbalism […]
Vitalism is NOT just about Herbalism
The vitalist approach to healing is like an ecosystem, and herbalism is only one aspect of it. At its heart, vitalism is about living in accordance with nature. This means living harmoniously with it and learning to support your body’s natural intelligence through nutrition, hydration, rest, and other lifestyle habits. By understanding how vitalism extends […]
Science and Spirituality of Herbalism
Science and spirituality are often painted as opposing forces. When this philosophy makes it into herbalism, you get a big divide between herbalists. Depending on their perspective, herbalists will typically choose a scientific or spiritual approach to healing. The problem with picking a side is that you only get one half of the picture. By […]
Vitalist Self-Care Practices
Do you wish that you felt more vitality? So many people wait until they have time to take a vacation or staycation to recharge, but postponing self-care until you truly need it can leave you feeling burned out. Instead of seeing self-care as an uphill battle, you can take small and achievable steps that enrich […]
