HerbRally

On today's episode I narrate jim mcdonald's wild cherry monograph. Here's a sampling from his monograph which you can find here: www.herbrally.com/monographs/wild-cherry When considering wild cherry, most will immediately think of its use in the address of coughs and colds; indeed, such a staple it was that when plant medicine was being replaced by chemical drugs "wild cherry" was retained as the flavor of cough syrups and drops, because, well... that's just what those things were supposed to taste like. The actual bark, though, does much more than provide flavor. Wild cherry is a respiratory relaxant/antispasmodic and, in varying degrees, an astringent tonic. A cooling sedative to lung tissue, it excels when heat and irritability undermine healthy expectoration. Now, here's where I want to paint a little word picture that really sums up wild cherry's respiratory sphere of influence perfectly; that's really what all herb writers want to do when we write these things. But, darnit, Michael Moore did it so well I can't resist quoting him: "Chokecherry or wild cherry bark is a simple sedative for cardiopulmonary excitability. If your child is lying in bed, glowing a dull infrared and breathing rapidly with a dry cough, give him/her chokecherry. That hot, vibratile pulse of blood through the lungs can be counterproductive, not nourishing the membranes as well as needed and maybe even slowing the defensive responses to a viral infection. The hectic breathing can dry out mucous membranes and harden secretions, making them little more than dried blobs adhering to the bronchial membranes---difficult enough for an adult to expectorate, very difficult for a respiratory-impatient child to handle." Yeah, Moore was awesome. For more monographs: www.herbrally.com/monographs You can visit jim online at HerbCraft.org Let us know what you thought of the episode! Thanks so much for listening. jim mcdonald offers a knowledge of herbalism that blends western folk and indigenous views with the Vitalist traditions of the 19th century, presented through story, humor and common sense. He has taught classes throughout the US, hosts the website www.herbcraft.org and has written for Plant Healer Magazine, the Journal of Ontario Herbalist Association and Llewelyn's Herbal Almanac. He is currently writing a "Great Lakes Herbal" and "Foundational Herbcraft". jim is a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker.

Today's episode is with herbalist and author Ellen Evert Hopman. She's going to teach us all about the Doctrine of Signatures. This class was taught at the 2017 New England Women's Herbal Gathering in New Hampshire. Learn an ancient plant classification system that was developed in a time before most people could read. Did the plant grow in sun or shade? In damp soil or in a dry area? The shape of a leaf, the color of a 9 flower, the taste of an herb were all guides to which body system or organ the plant was appropriate for. Although you'll learn a lot in this episode, you should look into her book: Secret Medicines from Your Garden - Plants for Healing, Spirituality and Magic She covers the Doctrine of Signatures along with a lot of other herbal and magical concepts. To find out more about Ellen, you can visit her online at elleneverthopman.com. Thanks Ellen for sharing this class with us! Hopman is the author of a number of books and has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990. She has presented on Druidism, herbal lore, tree lore, Paganism and magic at conferences, festivals, and events in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and in the United States. She has participated in numerous radio and television programs including National Public Radio's "Vox Pop" and the Gary Null show in New York. She presented a weekly "herb report" for WRSI radio out of Greenfield, MA for over a year and was a featured subject in a documentary about Druids on A&E Television's; "The Unexplained" (Secret Societies, February 1999). She is a Master Herbalist and professional member of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and lay Homeopath who holds an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. She is a founding member of The Order of the White Oak (Ord Na Darach Gile) and its former Co-Chief, a Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri, and a Druidess of the Druid Clan of Dana. She is currently ArchDruid of Tribe of the Oak, an international Druid teaching Order based in New England, USA. She was Vice President of The Henge of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years and has been at times a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF).

This class was recorded at the superb event: The Great Lakes Herb Faire. If you've not been and you're in the region, I encourage you to try and make it to the 2018 shindig. Here's the details: Great Lakes Herb Faire September 7 - 9, 2018 Cedar Lake Outdoor Center, 2500 Pierce Rd, Chelsea, Michigan "We have had three amazing Faires so far and are so looking forward to doing this again! The feedback we received from people who attended was overwhelmingly positive. People were excited to network and meet other herbalists in their communities, learn directly from teachers rather than relying on books, and walk the trails on the surrounding land meeting the herbs in person. There were many kids attending and we heard from parents and the kids themselves that they couldn't wait to come back next year! There was amazing energy from everyone, the food was delicious and the marketplace was loaded with fantastic herbal creations." - Anna Fernandez I had the great fortune of attending the 2017 Faire (as a representative for Mountain Rose Herbs) and I concur on all of that. And yes, the food was phenomenal! If interested in purchasing recordings from the 2016 and 2017 Faires (for a great price) you can do so here>> RECORDINGS I also ended up going on this epic plant walk with Betzy Bancroft! Thanks to Anna and Betzy for letting me share it on the HerbRally podcast. I hope y'all enjoy it! I think it's fun to listen to plant walks personally. Especially as we head into the winter. Takes me back to that beautiful September day in Michigan :) Here's the description for the walk from the website: Developing a deep understanding of a few common weeds helps us save the native and less common species for special needs. On this walk we'll include discussion of the abundance or ecological concerns of the herbs we meet, in addition to the medicinal and edible uses. And probably spend a lot of time on a few common weeds . . . . LIKE THE GREAT LAKES HERB FAIRE ON FACEBOOK A little bit about Betzy... Betzy Bancroft, RH(AHG) is a teacher, clinical herbalist, gardener, craftsperson and environmentalist who's had a deep appreciation for the magic of plants since childhood. As Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism's co-director and core faculty, Betzy provides the earth element to the organization's staff. Plants are truly her friends, and she feels ever inspired by the natural world—all its varied beings and the amazing interconnections and beauty that make up the great web of life. RESOURCES Great Lakes Herb Faire Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism Herbalism Events Marc G (Intro music) Monsoon (Intro music)

In today's episode I'll be narrating an excerpt from Jesse Wolf Hardin's excellent book The Plant Healer's Path: A Grassroots Guide for the Folk Herbal Tradition. You'll learn about the four main ways to go about learning the skill and craft of herbalism. "In all cases, however, you will want an education that is in-depth and not superficial, grounded in but not restricted to good holistic science, requiring actual practice, and aimed at personal excellence and effectiveness." - Jesse Wolf Hardin I hope you give it a listen! If you enjoyed the episode please share or leave us a comment in iTunes. On another note... Wolf and Kiva Rose host one of the BEST herb conferences around. I can't recommend attending the Good Medicine Confluence enough. The next one is in Durango, CO from May 16 - 20, 2018. Perhaps I'll see you there! RESOURCES Plant Healer Magazine The Good Medicine Confluence Plant Healer Bookstore and Gallery Herbal Education Guide & Herbal Schools Directory HerbRally Schools Directory HerbRally Online Schools Directory

Listen in as Aline Potvin talks about her apprenticeship in Biddeford, ME. Foundational Herbalism is a 10 month Herbal Apprenticeship that will meet one Saturday a month from February to November 2018. The dates are as follows: 02/10, 03/10, 04/07, 05/19, 06/09, 07/14, 08/11, 09/08, 10/13, 11/17. Enrollment begins September 2, 2017 and concludes January 31, 2018. Become fluent in foundational herbal definitions, terms, and ID strategies: While this isn't a in-depth botany class, we will be covering basic plant structure and ID cues. Herbal definitions and terms will be reinforced throughout the entirety of the class. Dig into basic materia medica and develop your understanding of the many layers of medicinal plants: While deepermateria medica will be focus of Year 2 (Greater Applications), as we explore different herbal preps, we will cover the layers of herbs we work with. Students will be expected to conduct self study on the 2 herbs they will be doing greater in-depth projects for. We'll dig into the scientific, energetic, and esoteric lore of the herbs we encounter. And so much more... FOUNDATIONAL HERBALISM APPRENTICESHIP "15 years since I started on my own plant medicine journey, I'm in awe of the model the natural world provides us to become more "whole" humans. You can't ignore relationships in the natural world. Everything and everyone is connected. I often see people approach their herbalism studies with the intention of treating others. It's a noble plan. But I can say that knowing myself well and honoring self-care has been the key to my ability to work with others. That's why self-care and relationship is the essence of my Foundational Herbalism Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is a very full, experiential 10 months." - Aline Potvin

Heal, expand, learn, explore, or return for a life-changing experience with some of the world's oldest plant remedies in Sacred Valley, Peru. Friday, February 9, 2018 - Sunday, February 18, 2018 Spirit Plant Journeys Sacred Valley, Peru Join Bliss Without Bother and Medicinal Herbal Healer Rachelle Robinett on a 10-day journey with healing plant remedies, ceremonies with local, direct-lineage shaman, and guided tours of sacred sites in cozy lodging with nourishing plant-based meals. Optional activities include yoga, sharing circles, plant baths, and more. This retreat is a carefully curated small-group experience for friendship and camaraderie as we adventure together with powerfully healing herbs. ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND RSVP Sacred Plant Medicine Retreat Package San Pedro Ceremony + Group Sharing Four Ayahuasca Healing Ceremonies Sacred Valley Guided Tours Restorative Body Work Cleansing Flower Baths Gentle Yoga Nourishing Ayahuasca Meals Healing Music + Song ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS: Bliss Without Bother is a wellness retreat planning service for individuals, wellness instructors, and organizations, offering a variety of services to provide exceptional wellness experiences, making it blissful for all. Because why not bliss without the bother? Rachelle Robinett, Medicinal Herbal Healer and Complementary & Integrative Health Guide, combines natural approaches to holistic health with functional lifestyle practices for transformative well-being.

On today's episode I narrate herbalist Krystal Thompson's monograph on Yarrow. Here's a sampling from her monograph which you can find here: www.herbrally.com/monographs/yarrow Medicinal Use: Perhaps most famously, yarrow is prized for its benefits to wounds or minor bleeding. Its mild antiseptic and anodyne properties coupled with its ability to coagulate blood and stop bleeding make it the perfect ally in this case. These properties also make it useful in cases of hemorrhoids, post-partum care, bruises, and mouth sores, as well as internal bleeding (4). Yarrow beautifully harmonizes blood circulation and can be beneficial in cases of stagnation such as vericose veins or fibroids, as well as cases of overstimulated blood flow, such as hypertension. It is sometimes considered a skin tonic and can be used in a very effective facial steam to improve complexion through circulation and cooling inflamed tissue. Yarrow can also be protective against topical sun and wind damage. Yarrow prepared as tea is a wonderful ally in the face of tough colds. Its diaphoretic action makes it especially useful at the onset of fever or in cases of obstructed perspiration (1). Diaphoretic plants "move the circulation toward the surface of the body, helping to cool it off through sweating, and increasing the immunological activity on the "front lines" of the body's battle against the cold" (6). For these same reasons it is a common plant accompaniment to sweat lodges and other types of therapeutic sweating where the "front lines" of the battlefield can be physical as well as spiritual. Yarrow opens pores and purifies the blood, a great combination for eruptive conditions such as measles, chickenpox, fevers, etc. In TCM, yarrow's benefits here would be described as tonifying Qi or releasing to the exterior (5). No doubt related to these indications, yarrow also has a reputation for being generally beneficial to kidney disorders. Yarrow has an additional affinity for the pancreas and the lungs. It can benefit "thick blood," which occurs when liver or pancreatic function is compromised due to high insulin levels or low digestive enzymes (10). Here, the blood contains more fats and other dense compounds that struggle to move freely through the blood vessels. This causes overexertion on the heart and improper gas exchange within the lungs, which puts stress on the entire body. Yarrow stimulates pancreatic function and boosts blood flow to help avoid these instances, but can benefit the anxiety or insomnia that may follow if thick blood does set in. For more monographs (40+ as of now) please visit: www.herbrally.com/monographs You can visit Krystal online at HotelWilderness.com Let us know what you thought of the episode! Thanks so much for listening. Please share this if you feel so inclined :) Krystal is the woman behind Hotel Wilderness, a food and project blog focused on bringing healing herbs into the nooks and crannies of our daily lives. She is a photographer with a deep-seated love for food and plant medicine, and can usually be found happily crafting between the three.

Today's episode we'll hear from Rachel Burgos of Snakeroot Apothecary. She's interviewed by her good friend and fellow magic maker Mary Evans, of Spirit Speak Tarot. Here's some questions that are asked: When did Rachel first become interested in herbalism? How does living in the desert effect Rachel's herbal medicine practice? What are flower essences? What are Rachel's opinions on wildcrafting? How does herbalism aid in being an activist? And many more... This is a super fun interview and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! Show 'em some love on Instagram: Snakeroot Apothecary Spirit Speak Tarot "My strongest education with plants began in Big Sur, California. Living on an isolated mountain above the fog line I began to listen. I connected deeply with manzanita and madrone. Suddenly I was relearning and remembering how to communicate with and learn from animals, plants, rocks and other elements of the earth. Today I am walking my path and purpose as a clinical herbalist. I am currently living in the small desert town of Joshua Tree, California. I want to respectfully acknowledge that this land is occupied native Cahuilla land." - Rachel Burgos RESOURCES Snakeroot Apothecary Spirit Speak Tarot Bach Flower Essences Alaskan Essences A-Z West

This episode was recorded at the event "Planting the Future: Medicinal Plant Conservation in the Driftless Region" hosted by United Plant Savers on August 12, 2017 in Wisconsin. Thank you to Sam Thayer and Susan Leopold for sharing this! Beyond, sustainable harvest, we look at the long-term future of our landscape, and the special role that plant gatherers have in maintaining its ecology and prosperity. We'll talk about the threats and historical changes to our ecosystems, and discuss strategies to work and grow past them. We can do more than just "reduce our impact"—we can be a positive force to create and maintain vibrant and diverse communities of native plants that are at once productive for us and a paradise for wildlife. Nurturing the land that nurtures us. The Driftless Area will be used as an example for ecological and management concepts that apply everywhere. We'll explore some traditional, mutually beneficial relationships between Native peoples and the plants that support them, and discuss practical techniques for implementing this kind of harmony on our own sacred gathering grounds. BECOME A MEMBER OF UNITED PLANT SAVERS

Katja and Ryn are back on the podcast! Always love havin' 'em share their wisdom. And this time...we're going deep on the topic of...PUMPKIN SPICE. This is a fun episode, y'all. We'll learn which herbs are in this blend. Then, Katja and Ryn break down the medicinal properties of each spice within. Hope you enjoyed the episode as much as I did! For more on what Katja and Ryn are up to, check out their website: www.commonwealthherbs.com They've got A TON of offerings, including a BRAND NEW ONLINE PROGRAM. Also, feel free to show 'em some love on the socials>> FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM If you'd like to be updated on more great herbal content like this, please subscribe in iTunes or your podcast player of choice. Fall is upon us... RESOURCES Pumpkin spice as an aphrodisiac, study in the American Academy of Neurology and Orthopaedic Surgeons Cinnamon for blood sugar management study Pumpkin spice muffins!