Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen many calls for folks in LA to lean on herbal medicine as they navigate the public health crisis caused by the fires that began in January. As an herbalist with a public health focus, I appreciate the desire to turn to herbal remedies during times of crisis. However, I have some concerns with some of the guidance circulating online. While it’s heartening to see an interest in herbal medicine, I want to offer some clarifications and considerations that can ensure its safe and effective use

More and more, I believe we’re in need of plant allies that are going to help us continue to navigate life with integrity. Fear or rigidity can keep us stuck. Stuck in the matrix, stuck in relationships that aren’t aligned with our values, stuck— suppressing our creative desire for change. Tending to this begins with “unstucking” ourselves. Allow your expression to flow so that you can (re)create your reality. Dandelion can help us do just that!

The Sacred Vibes Spiritual Herbalism Conference is a time for herbalists and the herb-curious to gather together and learn how plant medicine can support us in all different facets of our lives. Created by Empress Karen Rose of Sacred Vibes Apothecary, spearheaded by her daughter Lauren Burke, and organized by the level III Sacred Vibes Apprentices, this special event pauses the clock and allows us to venture inward, reflecting on how we can invite plant medicine deeper into our lives. This year’s theme was “A Healer in Every Home!” Come explore it with me!

Wildfires have a huge impact on our respiratory systems. The fires carry emissions like particle pollutants, tiny solid and liquid particles that suspend in the air and irritate our respiratory systems, making us more prone to infection. Particular herbs can help us face the challenges of fire season; soothing, repairing, and protecting our respiratory system so we can continue to be at our best! Let's explore them together!

Starting up a medicinal herbal medicine line is no small feat! Choosing the colors, fonts, and style to match your aesthetic while complying with legal standards can leave anyone in a headspin! I tackled this project last year when I developed my first herbal medicine line, Reflective Remedies and now I’m back to show you some tips, tools, and traps to avoid when creating your very first herbal medicine line.

Herbal vinegars are an excellent way to incorporate nutrient-rich herbs into your diet. They can be added to salads as a dressing or can be made into dips for fish and spring rolls! Check out this post to learn the herbs that lend best to a vinegar preparation and how you can make one of your own at home!

Herbal medicine can offer the most support in healing chronic or degenerative experiences of the musculoskeletal system. But here’s a key point! The goal of herbal medicine applications for musculoskeletal support is not solely to relieve pain. Though of course that is a valuable part of any herbal protocol, what herbal medicine does best is solve what is at the root of the issue and lead the body back to a state of balance. There are several herbs that carry helpful properties known as herbal actions that help support the re-balancing of the musculoskeletal system. We’ll check out three of these together!

Ever since the pandemic, I’ve decided to take extra care while traveling. I consider the physical and emotional experiences I may have while traveling and I think about what herbal medicines can support me through those experiences. Specific circumstances may have me switching up my travel pack from time to time, but I’ve found that these 5 products are my essentials, especially during these colder, dryer months

Cholesterol is a type of fat. In small amounts, it is beneficial for our body’s function. It is one of the building blocks of our cellular membranes (Medical Herbalism, 300), it is needed in order to create hormones which help us remain in homeostasis, and is one of the essential ingredients of bile acids, which help us to digest foods. Cholesterol even helps us to resist illness.