Real Herbalism Radio | Herbalism | Plant Medicine | Botany | Wild Crafting

It’s hard to believe that we are broadcasting our 200th podcast show. It’s been a wild ride and it is about to get wilder. Patrick, Candace and Sue are mixing things up again on Real Herbalism Radio and the Herbal Nerd Society club. Even when change is good, it is still stressful. The RHR team goes into a hefty list of adaptogen herbs that they rely on for helping themselves and others get through stress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plants help our planet breathe by making oxygen just as they heal us to help us breath. Last week we chatted with Clinical herbalist Maria Noël Groves, author of Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care and Grow your Own Herbal Remedies about harvesting and making medicine from the lung tonic herbal remedy garden. This week, we are sharing our own favorite herbs and formulas for lung support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it’s allergy season, fire season or cold and flu season, we herbalists love to draw on the healing power of plants to soothe, heal and balance our respiratory systems. Today, we’re talking with Clinical herbalist Maria Noël Groves, author of Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care and Grow your Own Herbal Remedies about harvesting and making medicine from the lung tonic herbal remedy garden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, we had a special guest: Jimmy Betts, herbalist, activist,adventurer, solidarity and disaster medicine specialist. He spoke about blending herbal healing with social activism. We know that as important as activism is for a healthy democracy, it can take its toll on the body and spirit. Sue and Candace offer their favorite recovery options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s Heartland may not be the first place in North America one might expect to find Traditional Chinese Medicine rooted yet the Midwest has offered the perfect environment to grow powerful and deeply healing practitioners. Today, we’re talking with Jimmy Betts, herbalist, activist,adventurer, solidarity and disaster medicine specialist. about blending herbal healing with social activism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sue, Patrick and Candace are back from their summer vacation and have learned even more about herbs. Their gardens are in full flower. The rivers are beckoning. Herbs are getting tucked into jars and dehydrators. It’s a great time to make and use herbal remedies. Sunburn, bug bites, muscle strain…you name it. It’s a busy season for natural health advocates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our podcast listeners sent in their questions about medical marijuana and CBD. We were able to bring Dr. Rachna Patel, doctor of osteopathy and author of the new book, CBD Oil Solution –Treat Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Insomnia, and More-without the High back to our show to answer them. Dr. Patel offers her answers in the same way that she writes her book, through clarity and evidence. Thank you listeners for sending in your questions. We couldn’t answer them all but we managed to get fabulous information about most of them from our stellar guest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our conversation with Maria Noël Groves, author of Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care and Grow your Own Herbal Remediesabout herbal gardening was inspiring. Sue, Candace and Patrick work through their own herbal gardening projects from the seed to the bottle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early summer is absolute heaven for most herbalists. We get to head out into the field to start foraging. Even better – we get to garden. Today, we’re talking with Clinical herbalist Maria Noël Groves, author of Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care and Grow your Own Herbal Remedies about herbal gardening and choosing the best plants to start your own herbal remedy garden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the plant world, we tend to focus on whole plaLast week, Yaakov Levine, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Nutritional Health Coach explained the importance of berberine; one of the vital constituents in bitter herbs like Oregon grape and goldenseal. Sue, Candace and Patrick discuss isolated compounds in these herbs – advantages and disadvantages.nt medicine almost exclusively. A subset of herbal practitioners, however, have been drawing on the tools of our nutrition specialist counterparts for more targeted, natural healing and prevention. Today, we’re talking with Yaakov Levine, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Nutritional Health Coach at Natural Grocers in Eugene, Oregon about berberine for digestive and brain health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the plant world, we tend to focus on whole plant medicine almost exclusively. A subset of herbal practitioners, however, have been drawing on the tools of our nutrition specialist counterparts for more targeted, natural healing and prevention. Today, we’re talking with Yaakov Levine, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Nutritional Health Coach at Natural Grocers in Eugene, Oregon about berberine for digestive and brain health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legalization of medical marijuana opened the door for safe pain control just as the opioid crisis swooped in. For patients with chronic pain issues, people like Dr. Rachna Patel, doctor of osteopathy and author of the new book, CBD Oil Solution –Treat Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Insomnia, and More-without the High are life savers. Sue, Patrick and Candace reflect on how CBD in hemp/cannabis has made a difference in our lives and those around us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Use your work to do good in the world.” That was the inspiration that guided at least one plant expert to walk the path of medical marijuana. Today, we’re talking with Dr. Rachna Patel, doctor of osteopathy and author of the new book, CBD Oil Solution –Treat Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Insomnia, and More-without the High about the myths and facts surrounding cannabis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The interview with Plant Songs author Jessica Baker, brought up a lot of memories for both Sue and Candace. They share how key plants have inspired connection to family members while inspiring personal change. This relationship has opened the door for human relationships with friends and teachers. Most importantly, it has inspired our own dedication to heal our community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The practice of herbalism is often a deeply personal one. As we heal others, we heal ourselves and the plants rejoice. Today, we’re talking with Jessica Baker, licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and author of Plant Songs about connecting with plants as medicine for change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spring is in full bloom the Practical Herbalist neck of the woods. Last week’s conversation with Christina Sanchez, founder of Every Leaf Speaks and Howie Brounstein of Columbine School of Botanical Studies reminded us to get out about our own feral harvests. From oyster mushrooms to birch branches to lemon balm leaves, the earth has renewable medicine waiting just outside your door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the weather is right and the herbs are calling, we herbalists love to get into the wild for a little wildcrafting. What is wildcrafting? It is a common term for for harvesting medicinal and food plants that grow in wild or uncultivated places. Whether you're going into the forest, field or desert, there are a few tips and rules for doing it right. Today, we're talking with Christina Sanchez, founder of Every Leaf Speaks and Howie Brounstein of Columbine School of Botanical Studies about wildcrafting in many environments properly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recreational marijuana growing industry has settled into Oregon to stay. Medical cannabis growing specialists are going out of business. Fields of hemp, rich with CBD are still being planted but it is the escalating levels of THC that the public is pushing growers to breed. After an enlightening talk with Andy Harpole, the CEO of Emerald Valley Growers, we discuss the problems and promises of this evolving field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As states legalize recreational marijuana, it is evolving quickly into a growing industry that has the power to make or break businesses. Andy Harpole, the CEO of Emerald Valley Growers, started his business in 2015, the year that Oregon made cannabis legal. Now that cannabis is legal, research is legal too which has expanded our understanding of the healing this complex herb has to offer. Andy shares the different ways that TCH and CBD is extracted through decarboxylation and other techniques. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an interview with Justin Ehrlich, a practitioner of Classical Chinese Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, Sue drills Candace about some of the herbs he brought up. Candace gently explains how a handful of these herbs work together to heal common ailments. Sue throws in the news of a discovery of a new organ interstitium, which may add to our understanding as to how acupuncture works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Asthma is an increasingly common respiratory condition in Western culture. Herbalist and desert eco-system defender, Christina Sanchez, walks us through techniques that utilize a potent anti-asthmatic herb Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum). Christina goes through Yerba Santa's properties and the variety of ways to incorporate it into daily life. She also discusses other herbs and blends that can be used either in conjunction with Yerba Santa or on their own to help keep the air in our lungs flowing freely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Western herbalists have long used energetics to describe how herbs work. While we have a long practical and energetic tradition routed in European medicine, we often feel called to cultures with much longer, better documented traditions to inform, inspire and guide us int the healing arts. today, we are talking with Justin Ehrlich, practitioner of Classical Chinese Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist about following that call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psychedelic plants have been a part of our human heritage since we first rocked in the unsteady cradle of civilization. Last time we talked with Nick Polizzi, author of books like The Sacred Science, documentary filmmaker and explorer of ancient medicines about our culture’s fascination in hallucinogenic herbal traditions. This time we are exploring more psychoactive herbs, how they have been used and abused, and their effect on the modern world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psychoactive herbs have been a part of human culture since it began. In the last century, we saw an explosion of interest in hallucinogenic experiences as Westerners begin to explore the herbal traditions of other cultures. That exploration has its possibilities and changes. Today, we're talking with Nick Polizzi, author of books like The Sacred Science, documentary filmmaker and explorer of ancient medicines about our culture's fascination in hallucinogenic herbal traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best laid plans of the RHR team to forge a forest bathing adventure goes awry after a storm dumps a foot of snow overnight. Although the roads are impassable, there are still herbal voyages to travel. Sue and Candace brew up syrups, tinctures and topical medicine within the confines of their ice fortresses with the heart of Oregon. A little Snowpacalypse doesn’t stand in the way of the Real Herbalism Team in their quest for botanical healing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mushrooms are such wonderful healers that they have been the center of mythology on their healing powers. When it comes to terrifying diseases like cancer, this fear combines with hope for a cure. Used properly, mushroom are excellent tools in cancer treatment which makes it all more important to know the truth about what mushrooms can and can’t do. Mycology pioneer, Jeff Chilton takes the microphone to bust these myths so we can be better herbalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forest bathing is familiar practice for plant medicine people. Why must we herbalists go so far out of our way to visit our plant allies in their native environment? Why not just read up on the herbs we love and then give them a try? Those are powerful questions that point right at one key aspect of what makes an herbalist an Herbalist. Today, we’re talking about the ways connecting with nature feeds our souls and our practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Herbal medicine is everywhere and so are herbalists. Last week, we talked with Jamie Scepkowski, owner of Salmon River Apothecary, Herbalist and medic about the emergency herbal care that she practices in California and on the US/Mexican border. Sue and Candace share a sampling of herbal care that they rely on for shoring up physical and mental health needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Herbalist Jamie Scepkowski is among the healers from around the world are gathering at the border to offer aid to refugees crossing from Mexico to the US. Like the plants, herbalists bloom where we’re planted. Sometimes that’s on the edge. Sometimes it’s surrounded by kindred spirits. No matter how we sprout, we find our purpose and it shapes us as we walk our path and grow. Today, we’re talking with Jamie Scepkowski, owner of Salmon River Apothecary, Herbalist and medic about growing into emergency herbal medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sue and Candace dig in deep after talking with Nicole Telkes, practicing clinical herbalist and director of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine about training/licensing clinical herbalism. The term is murky and without consensus on its meaning, it is poorly applied. When it comes down to it, would licensing a herbalist bring standardization to clinical herbalism? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been watching the power of plant medicine take hold of our mainstream culture. Clinical training has become a hot topic. Herbalism is sprouting far and wide. With this growth is a whole crop of herbal remedies, herbalists and an almost overwhelming array of herbal schools. The future of the field is evolving quickly. How can you turn your dreams into a viable action plan?Today, we're talking with Nicole Telkes, practicing clinical herbalist and director of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine about setting up shop as a clinical herbalist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is so much more to moods than meets the eye. Last week the RHR team talked with Sara-Chana Silverstein, Master Herbalist, Classical Homeopath, Lactation Consultant and author of Moodtopia about using single herbs to control your moods. This week, Sue and Candace share nutritional supplements and herbal blends that help reclaim your day from anxiety and depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emotions are wonderful but they can overwhelm us. Today, we’re talking with Sara-Chana Silverstein, Master Herbalist, Classical Homeopath, mother of 7, Lactation Consultant and author of Moodtopia about using natural herbs to control your moods so the moods don’t control you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mycologist and author Jason Scott specializes in spagyric mushroom extracts. In this Let’s Talk Series edition, he shares the keys to successful formulation with Herbal Nerd Society members. If you think alchemy is too complicated to try, spend a minute listening to our guest as he simplifies the process for the beginner. He walks through 2 blends as classic examples of how to work with spagyric fungi/herbal medicine which he as labeled Mind Formula and Kidney/Urinary Tract Support Formula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Year’s resolutions are a traditional part of the turning of the calendar. Although our intentions are well placed, few resolutions actually help us live better lives in the long run. The Real Herbalism Radio team takes on this trend the same way we tackle other questions: practically. We turn this on its ear. Perhaps it is the resolutions that are the problem is the resolutions themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Year's Eve is when we usually make promises to ourselves that we rarely expect to keep. It results in shame, dejection and despair. Stop this cycle of destruction. Herbalists are all about healing and that includes ourselves. Sue and Candace give some practical tips on making healthy resolutions and keeping them all year long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pumpkin Spice is so hot right now with good reason too. The chilly change of weather fall brings calls for warming and nourishing foods and spices. today, we'll be talking about how to blend and use your own Pumpkin Spice along with why this much touted blend truly is an herbal remedy for the pros. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a reairing of a show that was until today was only available to Herbal Nerd Society Members.Plants may be the medicine of the people but not all plants are equal in the eyes of the law. Over the past few months, kratom has been targeted by the United States DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as a potentially dangerous plant and it's not the first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yaakov Levine, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Nutritional Health Coach explained on our last show how milk thistle works and what herbs you can combine it with to make it more effective. This week Sue and Candace explore more uses for milk thistle and creative ways to bring it into your life. Although it can be used as a single herb remedy, it works well with a host of other herbs too. There are so many reasons to love this herb! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liver health often comes up as a hot topic among herbalists, nutritionists and natural health professionals for good reason. The modern diet and lifestyle so many of us practice create a lot of work for our livers. The bad news is that is leading to more health problems at younger ages. The good news is that we have many terrific herbs to help us detoxify and support out livers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The multi-talented Plaedo spends a few minutes with Herbal Nerd Society members walking them through a family-friendly seed paper making project. It is easy, fun and recycles paper scraps and flower or herb seeds into beautiful writing paper for cards, stationary or gifts. Activist, gardener, poet and musician Plaedo encourages you to "plant your poetry and watch it grow"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Herbalists can be a tough group to buy presents for. Patrick, Candace and Sue have saved up their favorite tools and books to fill out their gift guide for 2018. They have used the supplies themselves so they know form personal experience how helpful and durable they are. They have read the books (or at least most of them) so they know how informative and entertaining they are. They even added links to these products at the bottom of these show notes so can easily click on the link to order them before the holiday crunch gets the best of you. You are welcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The winter holidays can bring in a flurry of the blues. Stress from seasonal change, shopping and changes in our schedule offer anxiety and depression to many of us. Fortunately, there are a bevy of herbs, exercises and supplements that bring relief. Patrick, Candace and Sue of the Real Herbalism Radio podcast team run through our list of natural health options to soothe your heart and bring a smile back to your lips. It's our holiday gift to our listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show 163: Herb Lab - Brewing Beer with Desert HerbsHerbal Beer Brewing is a hot topic. herbalist Christina Sanchez, founder of Every Leaf Speaks, brought us a new beer from Joshua Tree Brewing to sample. We let it season for 6 months to bring out the refined flavor. Now the cap is off the bottle and our glasses are clinking with anticipation. As tasty as these herbal delights are, beer brewing in delicate environments using scarce resources has a price. What are we as herbalists, brewers and consumers doing to make sure we helping, not hurting, the tiny planet we call home?In Herbal 101, we address a letter from Herbal Nerd Society member, Kyle P., who brings the topic of licensure, a topic we broached in podcast 161. Thank you, Kyle for your thoughtful response and for sharing your perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As herbalism hasAnyone who's been down to the pub lately can testify to the amazing renaissance of flavors now available on the beer brewing scene. We herbalists have been quite pleased to note the variety of bittering herbs and wonderful herbal flavors we are finding among home brews and micro brews. We particularly love how brewers are reaching into their local plant communities for inspiration. grown in popularity over the past couple of decades, we herbalists have seen an explosion in the number of practicing herbalists and quality of care they provide. In many ways, that's been a true gift to our field but it's come with some challenges too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After talking with Thomas Easley, Director of the Eclectic School Herbal Medicine and founder of Functional Herbalism, Sue and Candace evaluate how herbalism itself has changed over the last few years. Challenges to wildcrafting, cultural appropriation and lack of unity within the herbal community itself has stirred up a need for revisions in the herbalist way of life. Perhaps the time for evaluation is overdue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fabian Fredrickson said, "The things you are passionate about are not random; they are your calling." This, we herbalists know to be true through and through. Today, we're talking about following that passion with Amanda Dilday. She is the author of Flowers for a Girl : Plant Medicine for Sexual Trauma which unites poetry and energetic herbalism. She is also the founder and a teacher at the Alchemilla's School of Embodied Herbalism in South Carolina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast Show 160: Thomas Easley - Functional HerbalismAs herbalism has grown in popularity over the past couple of decades, we herbalists have seen an explosion in the number of practicing herbailsts and quality of care they provide. In many ways, that's been a true gift to our field but it's come with some challenges too.Today, we're talking with Thomas Easley, Director of the Eclectic School Herbal Medicine and founder of Functional Herbalism about how herbalists are changing the world and our field.Be sure to visit the Practical Herbalist website for recipes and further information on the herbs discussed in this podcast. Real Herbalism Radio podcast show notes always include a list of links or go to www.thepracticalherbalist.com and use the handy search engine at the top of the page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Vervain is an often overlooked yet beloved North American wetlands herb. It's European cousin, Verbena officinalis, has enjoyed a place in Traditional Western Herbalism as a nervine and neuro trophorestorative occasionally used to treat gallbladder and liver dysfunction as well as the early stages of fever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast Show 159: Herb Lab – Medicinal Mushroom Tincture MakingSue and Candace were inspired to make their own medicinal mushroom tinctures after their talk with Jeff Chilton, who is an author, founder of Nammex, and an expert in the medicinal mushroom industry for over 40 years. They also discuss fortifying herbs and ways of treating pain with liniments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.