Herbmentor Radio

As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, this calming herb has managed to find a special place in many of our hearts — and our supermarkets! Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a gentle herb that is most well known for soothing our nerves, but its gifts go far beyond nervous system support.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of chamomile flowersAfter learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about chamomile...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about chamomile: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about chamomile plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, garlic, elderberry, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Maria Christodoulou had been living in New York City for years when she decided it was finally time to move to Greece and dive more fully into the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. This journey took her to Athens where she currently offers educational tours and classes steeped in ancestral herbal medicine and mythology.In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Maria weaves personal stories, science, and history together to offer us a beautiful peek into traditional and contemporary Greek herbalism practices.In our conversation, Maria shares...The medicinal uses of Greek arugula, calendula, and dwarf nettleThe mythological and medicinal lore of bay laurelWhat surprised her the most about plant uses in Ancient Greece and so much more!You can learn more about Maria Christodoulou and check out her Greek Herbal Medicine Tours right here: https://www.thegreekherbalist.com/PS...Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level?Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor!HerbMentor offers a

Oh echinacea, how I love thee! This beautiful plant, also known as purple coneflower, not only supports pollinators with its abundant blooms but also offers many benefits for us humans too. Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea) is most well-known for helping to address colds and flu, but its gifts go far beyond internal immune support.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of echinacea.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about echinacea..Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about echinacea: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about echinacea, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Anna Rósa Grasalæknir had been following the refugee crisis in Iraq for quite some time when she started to wonder, "Would the refugee women in these camps like to take herbal classes?" This question kickstarted a journey that took her from her native Iceland to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq where she taught classes on making ointments with local herbs. The classes were a hit, and she was able to partner with a local woman, Eman, to teach hundreds of women in the camps.These classes have now become the organization Helping Herbs, in which Anna Rósa draws on her thirty years of experience to teach women how to make herbal products.In our conversation with Anna Rósa, she shares...How she founded Helping HerbsImportant lessons she's learned along the wayHow anyone can make a difference in their own communityHer favorite herbs to work with and so much more!You can learn more about Anna Rósa Grasalæknir and check out Helping Herbs here: https://helpingherbs.orgPlus, if you're interested in supporting Helping Herbs

Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea, S. nigra, S. canadensis) boasts many benefits and is most well-known as a gentle immune-supporting, antiviral herb. The benefits of elderberries go way beyond its immune-bolstering properties, though. What's more, the flowers of elder also boast many healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of elder. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about elderberry...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about elderberry: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about elderberry, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. 

Happy New Year! To welcome you into 2024, we decided to do things a little differently this month: we’re chatting just the two of us. You can consider this episode your herbal guide to the whole year.Together we go season by season and share our favorite herbs and remedies to work with — and don’t worry, we only go on a few epic tangents along the way. In this episode we share…Why Tara is in love with hawthorn (wedding announcement will come shortly)How to easily make garlic honeyHow Oregon grape root saved Tara from having to postpone recent travel plans and so much more!And the best news? All of the recipes we mention in this episode can be found for free on our blog. Some of our favorites include this hawthorn cordial, calendula oil, and dandelion coffee.Throughout our herbal guide, we also encourage you to resist the urgency urge to immediately go go go at the start of 2024 and give yourself permission to move with ease and slowness — the plants will be here all year long to support you. PS... Are you rea

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee is regularly enjoyed as a daily ritual that offers people a boost of energy. Coffee, though, is more than just a ubiquitous beverage: this complex herb offers many healing gifts, and when used in excess it can also present challenges for many coffee drinkers.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of coffee.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about coffee...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about coffee: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about coffee, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here.

Over the past few years, the term "trauma informed" has become a bit of a buzzword. But what does it actually mean to be trauma informed? And how can a trauma informed framework help us become better herbalists? In our latest episode of HerbMentor Radio, we're joined by trauma informed herbalist Dr. Elizabeth Guthrie, who helps us answer these (and many more) questions.Elizabeth is a wellness practitioner with a PhD in Natural Medicine with a specialization in Naturopathic Psychology and a Master’s of Public Health in Functional Nutrition. They are the best-selling author of The Trauma Informed Herbalist and hold multiple other certifications from conventional and traditional schools.In our conversation with Elizabeth, they share...What it means to be trauma informed Their go-to herbs for supporting the trauma journeyEmbodiment practices that can support the trauma journeyHow their past work as a 911 operator informs their current work and so much more!You can learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Guthrie and check

Just one look at a radiant calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower is enough to make anyone fall in love. With its uplifting blossoms and dainty leaves, it's no wonder that this easy-to-grow plant has become an incredibly popular ornamental. But calendula's gifts go far beyond its looks — this common herb has long been used in traditional herbal remedies to support health and vitality in a variety of ways.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of calendula.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about calendula...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about calendula: Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about calendula, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: http://herbnotes.cards/

When Nathan Wright hopped on our HerbMentor Radio call, he readily admitted that he wasn't really in the podcast recording mood. And it totally made sense — after all, he had just returned from an epic adventure in the Michigan wilderness and was still adjusting to being back in the swing of everyday life.And little did we know when we got on this call that we were in for one of the most fascinating stories ever told on HerbMentor Radio: the story of Nathan's search for the tree that gifted him a 30 pound chaga mushroom decades ago.Along the twists and turns of Nathan's tale, we learned...The true meaning of reciprocity with the plantsThe benefits of chagaWhat exactly is ethical wildcrafting and how to do itWhat it means to be a caretaker of the land and so much more!Nathan Wright is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and member of his tribe’s Crane Clan. Nathan is an herbalist and mycologist who combines both Anishinabek and conventional herbal knowledge into his herbal products busi

Most people are familiar with Aloe vera as an undemanding houseplant that can be called upon in times of sunburn.And while it is true that the inner filet of the Aloe vera plant is one of our go-to plant allies for mild sunburns, this succulent plant also offers so many more healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of Aloe vera.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about aloe...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about aloe: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about aloe, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here.

Chances are you've probably read your horoscope — and I bet sometimes that horoscope was uncannily spot on and sometimes it totally missed the mark. This is how most people encounter astrology and where most people's curiosity about this ancient art stops. But astrology is so much more than just a horoscope: this complex system can teach us a whole lot about ourselves, each other, and, get this, herbs!Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature. With his wife Whitney, he co- founded the School of Evolutionary Herbalism and Natura Sophia Spagyrics, which is an herbal extracts company. Sajah trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.In our conversation, Sajah shares...What exactly is medical astrology and how it can enrich your herbal practiceWhat astrology can teach us about nettlesHow astrology can help us address insomniaWhy spagy

Garlic is the medicine of the people. From its pungent aroma that fills our kitchens to its centuries-old reputation as a medicinal wonder, garlic holds a special place in both culinary and herbalism traditions. While many people think of garlic only as a tasty addition to their favorite meals, herbalists know that this humble bulbs boasts many benefits that extend far beyond its flavor profile.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of garlic.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about garlic...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about garlic: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about garlic, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here: http://herbnotes.cards/

Elise and Jeff Higley's herb farm was born out of a simple need: they wanted high quality herbs for the teas they loved to drink everyday. So, combining Elises's passion for herbalism and Jeff's passion for farming, they started to grow herbs in their own backyard. But they didn't stop there! In spite of the many odds stacked against U.S. herb farmers (which Elise and Jeff detail in this episode, by the way), they managed to start Oshala Farm and scale it to over 80 crops per year.So whether you're already growing lots of herbs or are itching to start an herb garden, you'll want to tune in and hear all Elise and Jeff's herbal wisdom.In our conversation with Jeff and Elise they share....The key to successfully growing herbs at homePractical steps for starting your own herb farmWhy there are so few herb farms in the U.S.How to run a profitable herbal business and so much more!Learn more about Elise and Jeff Higley and check out Oshala Farm's beautiful herbs at oshalafarm.com.PS...Are you ready to take your herb

With a name like "stinging nettle," you might think you want to avoid a nettles patch at all costs. Sure, the fresh leaves and stems of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) can irritate the skin upon contact, but here's the thing: stinging nettles are also full of many healing gifts. It may seem counterintuitive, but once you learn more about the magic of nettles, we have a feeling you'll be reaching for nettles a whole lot more — even if you're wearing a glove while you do it!Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of stinging nettle.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about stinging nettle...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about stinging nettle: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about nettles, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards here:http://herbnotes.cards/

Whether you're an adventurous wildcrafter or an herbalist who always sticks to the trail, knowing key survival skills is an essential part of your herbal toolkit. Jason Knight is the co-founder of Alderleaf Wilderness College, one of the leading outdoor schools in the United States offering training in wilderness survival to a broad range of clients, including the US Forest Service, REI, the Seattle Mountaineers, and the cast of the award-winning film, Captain Fantastic. In our latest episode of HerbMentor Radio, we chat with Jason, who has been teaching wilderness survival skills since 1997.I've been friends with Jason for over 25 years and have been meaning to interview him on the podcast to talk about survival skills for herbalists — and when I saw that he'd written a new book, The Essential Skills of Wilderness Survival: A Guide to Shelter, Water, Fire, Food, Navigation, and Survival Kits, I knew it was time to finally have him on HerbMentor Radio.In this long awaited conversation, Jason shares...The 4 es

Growing out of sidewalk cracks and wild meadows alike, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a persistent plant that can teach us about resilience and adaptability. While it may be despised by lawn purists, herbalists recognize that dandelion isn't a pesky weed: rather, dandelion is an important plant with many healing gifts.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of dandelion.And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about dandelion...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about plantain: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about dandelion, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more.Visit HerbNotes.cards

It’s not everyday you meet a seasoned herbalist with over 35 years of clinical experience. And it’s even rarer to meet one who is an expert in holistic oncology. Drawing on her decades of experience supporting people with cancer, medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera has distilled her learnings into an accessible book for both everyday people and practitioners, Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence. In this conversation, we delve into the realms of prevention and cancer support during treatment, gaining invaluable insights along the way. While chatting with Chanchal we learned…What exactly “holistic cancer care” meansHow to approach herb drug interactionsKey lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention and during treatmentHerbs that can help address stress during treatmentChanchal’s #1 herb for cancer prevention & more!Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, are seeking preventative info, or are a c

Chances are you've probably stepped on your fair share of the herb plantain (Plantago major, P. rugelii, and P. lanceolata). This abundant medicinal plant loves to grow within pathways and even the most well-manicured lawns. It's so prolific, in fact, that when many people see it growing wildly in their yard they weed it out and hope it doesn't come back.But herbalists know that this common herb offers many extraordinary healing gifts. Not only is plantain a first aid superstar, it also helps with more chronic issues too.Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of the herb plantain. And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about plantain...Well, here’s the easy way to learn more about plantain: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about catnip, plus 11 other common herbs like catnip, aloe, echinacea, and more. Get the FREE Herb Notes cards right here...

Nadine Joseph used to work as a chronically stressed neuroscience researcher. Faced with intense burnout, she turned to herbs and fell in love with adaptogens. After experiencing the transformative effects of calming adaptogens, she felt determined to share these powerful herbs with more people. Nadine founded Peak & Valley, an herbal products business that sells ethically sourced adaptogen blends for skin, brain, and stress support. In this episode Nadine shares her journey from making adaptogen blends in her kitchen to now nationally distributing Peak & Valley products with major companies like CVS and The Vitamin Shoppe.In addition to sharing the highs and lows (or the peaks and valleys, if you will) of her adventure as an herbal entrepreneur, Nadine shares…What she wishes she’d known as a new herbal business ownerWhy no one sources herbs like she does — and how her methods could transform the herbal supply chain for the betterHer top tips for managing stress as a busy herbal business ownerSo much