#herb talk

All of my plants are resting on my balcony rn, which faces west, so they get that good good afternoon sun :0! when it rains, I push the succulents to the far corner so they don’t get overwatered, and set the herbs on my folding table so they only get a little bit of the spray. I try to make sure their pots are draining well, and if they’re not, I break up the soil a little bit with my hand.

A number of herbal allies are especially well-suited for spring, such as alterative, bitter, and hepatic herbs. These categories of herbs are a great support to the liver and digestive system and are useful for gentle cleansing and detoxification. They can be incorporated into your daily wellness routine throughout the spring to support and aid the body as it moves from one season to the next. 

M…

Reviving Horehound: 6 Ways You Can Use This Traditional Herb

Truly an age-old herb, horehound (Marrubium vulgare) was a staple in ancient Egyptian medicine and traditional Greek medicine for a significant period (Holmes, 1989) and has enjoyed a familiar position in various folk traditions. Eclectic herbalists employed horehound to “increase secretions of the skin” (otherwise known as “sweating”), help support a chronic cough, and even to promote menses…

The Comfrey Controversy: Can And Should One Use Comfrey Internally?

Can and should one use comfrey (Symphytum spp.) internally? 

This is a question that herbalists have been debating since safety concerns were first brought to light regarding the potentially negative health effects associated with using comfrey internally.

While many herbalists have used comfrey internally for years with no known problems, others are heeding the warnings that stem from the…

The Beginner’s Guide To Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root is known by a number of names, including Indian ginseng and winter cherry, and its usages are even more plentiful than its aliases. 

Ashwagandha has become increasingly popular for its many applications as a tonifying (strengthening) herb and is one of the premier rasayanas, or rejuvenating herbs, in Ayurveda. 

This cream-colored root is used as an adaptogen,…

3 Ways To Use Self Heal In Your Materia Medica

Although self heal (Prunella vulgaris) is an herb that commonly grows across the world and has been used traditionally for ages, its wellness-supporting virtues are often forgotten about in many modern herbal practices! Roughly 400 years ago, self heal was considered one of the top herbs in its class and was highly sought after by herbalists far and wide (Holmes, 1989). There are many ways to use…

Two Basic St. John’s Wort Preparations To Keep In Stock

“This is her greatest trick: Bringing light and warmth to your darkness by helping to re-create the electric leap of synapses firing and energy moving along. Call on St. John’s Wort when you need a sip of sunshine so you can find your light in the darkness.” – Maia Toll, The Illustrated Herbiary

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), of the Hypericaceae family, is a versatile herb that…

Seaweed 101: What You Need To Know And Why You Should Add It Into Your Materia Medica

Although seaweeds are not technically considered “herbs,” these aqueous plants have recently begun to receive attention in the eyes of herbalists for their high nutritive value, wellness-promoting qualities, and distinctly tasty nature. Although a variety of seaweeds have been consumed across the world for thousands of years, only recently have they begun to be referred to as a “superfood” and a…