Blog

  • Herbal Preparation Troubleshooting: How-To’s

    Herbal preparation troubleshooting is part of the craft. Making herbal preparations can be both an art and a science, with occasional challenges along the way. Whether you’re dealing with cloudy tinctures, slow-drying herbs, or weak infusions, this comprehensive guide addresses common problems that herbalists encounter. From simple fixes for storage issues to detailed solutions for…

  • Maple-Spiced Pumpkin Bread: A Fall Favorite

    There’s something magical about the way pumpkin transforms our kitchens during autumn. As golden leaves drift past my window and the air turns crisp, I find myself reaching for my favorite pumpkin bread recipe. This isn’t just any pumpkin bread – it’s a warmly spiced, maple-kissed loaf that perfectly captures the essence of fall, because…

  • Nature’s Wisdom: Herbal Preparations for Inflammation

    After 20+ years of personal experience and scholarly research, I’ve discovered that nature provides powerful tools for supporting our body’s balance. As an anthropologist turned vitalist herbalist, my journey has led me to understand that traditional plant wisdom offers profound insights into maintaining wellness in our modern world. Recent research confirms what traditional herbalists have…

  • Traditional Herbal Preparations: Five from the Stillroom

    Water, vinegar, alcohol, oil and honey: how each traditional herbal preparation is made, how it changes a preparation’s Galenic qualities, which suits which constitution — from Hippocrates’ oxymel to the modern tincture.

  • Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Inflammation and Supports Balance

    The mind-body connection has fascinated healers for millennia – from ancient wisdom traditions to modern scientific research. Recent studies have revolutionized our understanding of this intricate relationship, particularly regarding inflammation and wellness. Research published in Nature Medicine demonstrates how mindfulness practices influence inflammatory markers through neural pathways (Zhang et al., 2023). This groundbreaking work builds…

  • Anti-Inflammatory Strategies for Breast Health

    After 75 years of life experience and over two decades of personal wellness exploration, I’ve discovered that inflammation plays a central role in our body’s balance. As a natural process, inflammation influences overall wellness, including breast tissue health – an understanding shared across many traditional healing systems. As an anthropologist turned vitalist clinical herbalist, I’ve…

  • Yoga For Inflammation Relief: Gentle Poses for Every Body

    Did you know that chronic inflammation affects millions worldwide and significantly impacts wellness? Recent research in Nature Reviews shows that regular movement positively influences inflammatory markers in the body (Turner et al., 2023). As a 75-year-old 20+ year cancer survivor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how gentle movement patterns support whole-body wellness. Our bodies communicate through sensation…

  • The Bones Speak: Ancient Healing Practices With Plants

    The human skeleton holds secrets that span millennia. In the sun-bleached bones of our ancestors, archaeologists have uncovered a startling pattern – inflammatory conditions have stalked humanity since civilization began. As an anthropologist turned vitalist herbalist with 75 years of wisdom, I’ve witnessed how these ancient stories mirror our modern challenges. What if our ancestors’…