We spend so much time trying to make everything taste sweet that our palates are losing the appreciation for things that taste bitter. Bitter is one of our basic tastes, and throughout herbal traditions, bitter plants have long been used before or around meals as digestive tonics. Herbs such as dandelion, gentian, yarrow, wormwood, artichoke leaf and Oregon grape root all share that unmistakable bitter quality. That bitter taste isn’t just something to get past, it’s actually

The first known reference of boiling tea came from the Han Dynasty over 2200 years ago. There is no denying that tea making is an ancient practice, one which feels like a kind of birthright, an old wisdom that still lives in each one of us, just waiting to be remembered. People knew the value of boiling water, steeping leaves, and sitting in stillness. Making a cup of tea is more than a task, it is a ritual. It asks us to slow down. We fill the kettle. We wait for the water t

A few months ago, I lived through some form of a COVID virus and am still trying to recover. We are living in unprecedented times with new illness's, unknown toxins and radiation coming at us from every direction. Recovering is not like it used to be, and illness has changed from needing some downtime to recover, to drastically adjusting your lifestyle to survive. When you already have a preexisting condition, today's virus's can create a domino reaction within the body. Once

Winter asks us to slow down. As the earth quiets and plants retreat inward, herbal traditions across cultures have long turned their focus to the parts of plants that store, protect, and endure: roots, barks, and berries. These plant allies mirror what our bodies and spirits need during the colder months, warmth, nourishment, and resilience. The Wisdom of the Root Roots grow deep into the soil, drawing nutrients from places untouched by frost. In winter, they are dense with

As the holidays draw near, many of us feel the weight of the season settling onto our shoulders. This time of year can bring joy, but it can also stir up stress, grief, exhaustion, and emotional overwhelm. Old feelings resurface, schedules fill up, travel gets hectic, and rest becomes something we promise ourselves we’ll catch up on “later.” And in the middle of all of that, it’s easy to become short-tempered, irritated, or impatient. Sometimes that pressure boils over, and t

As an aromatherapist, I generally discourage the internal use of essential oils. Just one drop can be the equivalent of drinking up to 25 cups of herbal tea! These oils are highly concentrated, and it’s easy to use more than the body can handle. Ingesting them can shock the system, placing extra strain on the liver, which must work hard to metabolize them. At this time, there are no long-term studies showing how internal use might affect our organs, and this is also one of th

We are in the final stretch of summer so I want to entice you all to indulge in the bounty of strawberries that summer has to offer. Eating fruit in its natural growing season isn’t just about flavor, it’s about absorbing all of the nutrients at the peak of their nutritional power. Take strawberries, for example. When enjoyed in late spring and early summer, the time they thrive in most regions, they deliver a sweetness, aroma, and juiciness that simply can’t be matched by ou

Herbal balms are often overlooked, yet they offer a host of benefits. Not only are they highly effective for treating minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds, but they are also compact, shelf-stable, and safe for use across all age groups. Best of all, they're incredibly simple to make at home. Choosing Your Herbs For longevity, I recommend using dried herbs, as they help extend the shelf life of your balm. If you opt for fresh herbs, be sure to use your balm within 2 - 3 months to a

Where I live, the pollen is in full force and about to get even more intense as all the pine trees eliminate their last haul right before Summer. For those of you who struggle with Spring and the abundance of pollen it represents, this is the blog for you! From stuffy to runny noses, headaches, itchy eyes, sneezing and more, the herbal kingdom is always there to help balance, support and in the case of allergies, strengthen your system through these rough times.There are many

I started drinking chicory root (Cichorium intybus) several years ago, but I still look forward to each and every cup! It doesn't necessarily taste like coffee, but it has a coffee feel and aroma to it. It's dark, intense, and has a rich nutty flavor. The root is roasted to diminish the bitterness while at the same time, caramelizing the natural sugars it contains. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut. Dried chicory root conta

First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday! I have been working with Cardamom for a while now and it is one of my favorites! I love the spicy smell that brings me back to Christmas, I love the power it has over my senses, the fuel it gives to my brain, and the heightened awareness I get after I indulge in anything that contains it's seed or pod. Did you know that consuming Cardamom on a regular basis can strengthen your intuitive skills? Not only is it war

As the heat of summer slowly turns to a crisper cool, we know that fall will soon be upon us. It's time to pull out the sweaters, umbrellas, and boots, but what should we be pulling out to take care of our insides? The change from summer to fall usually manifests itself in the body with dryer skin, allergies, aches and pains, sleep disruption and potential weight gain. If we live in areas where rain is predominant, depression may be an issue for some. Arming ourselves with

Plants have played a significant role in the celebration and symbolism of the summer solstice. The summer solstice marks the peak of the growing season when gardens are bursting with abundance. For ancient agricultural societies, this was a time of celebration and gratitude for the bountiful harvest that sustains them throughout the year. Plants harvested during this time, such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables, were used in feasts, rituals, and medicinal preparations. This is

As Winter fades into warmer shades of green, the buds of spring start to emerge. Finally, my favorite time of year! The smell of Jasmine, Lilacs and Hyacinth wafting through the air as darkness descends later in time. The temperature begins to warm and the shedding of heavy coats begins. The Spring Equinox is when both of our hemispheres share the sun equally, making night and day approximately the same length of time. Spring is a time when major transformation begins. As new

Our physical bodies are directly related to our emotional body. What we feel impacts our organs and our overall health. Proper nutrition is a key component to prolonging our life, just as getting enough sleep, exercise and taking time to enjoy each day. When it comes to the heart, this special organ is the center of the body's universe. As blood gets circulated through the heart, it ensures that all cells, tissues, and organs receive the oxygen, nutrients, and other essential

Tea bags are convenient, pack well and don't leave a mess. Most tea sold in bags also tend to be less expensive. So why am I pushing bagless tea? The bags which hold our precious tea leaf and particulates have been studied and they have found them full of chemicals, bleach, heavy metals and microplastics. McGill University discovered one nylon bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics into one cup of tea. On top of adding to our ever increasing land fill, our bodies have to

Winter marks a symbolic time in our history as not only the shortest day of the year but also the darkest. It is this day we are reminded to honor the dark as we celebrate the promise of light and new life. It symbolizes the cyclical nature of existence, where the darkest moments give way to the gradual return of brightness and hope. Our bodies are hard wired in a primal way to regulate with the turning of the seasons. In winter, our brain sends signals to our bodies to incre

As we hurdle through our days at warp speed, sometimes the mind is just too busy processing what it just experienced to grant us a good night of sleep. When this happens, there are several herbs that can ground us, relax the nervous system and help turn down the volume of our mind. My go to herbs for sleep are: Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis) - I want to preface this herb with the knowledge that a small percentage of people may feel more energized when taking Valerian.

In herbalism the term "energetics" refers to the subtle ways a plant impacts the human mind, body and spirit. We are each unique in our energetic make up or as they say in Traditional Chinese Medicine, constitution. Do you tend to run hot or cold? Are you thirsty all the time? Plants have qualities like that too. Some plants are drying while others are cooling, some can warm the body, while others add moisture. Warming herbs are helpful to sore muscles, cooling herbs can reli

Arctium lappa (Burdock) has been recorded for its multi faceted use starting with the Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century. Most people today primarily use the root but many in the past used the leaves to help reduce fevers, heal ulcers and wounds on the skin. The root has been used as food and medicine, healing everything from syphilis to kidney stones, epileptic seizures and everything in between. One important benefit of Burdock is its ability to reduce chronic