Wild Herbs with April

In this deeply nourishing episode of The Wild Herbs Podcast, April Punsalan sits down with Malieokalani Urrutia, founder of Sacred Woman School, to explore the ancient feminine wisdom of the womb. Together they uncover what it means to live from the womb space—a center of intuition, creation, and divine knowingand how this awareness transforms a woman’s life. Malieokalani shares how women can awaken and heal their womb energy through connection, ceremony, and remembrance, offering profound insight into the spiral of feminine creation, the energetic anatomy of the womb, and how menopause marks not an ending, but a rebirth into wisdom and power. Listeners are guided through a gentle womb clearing and activation, and learn how to use the womb as an oracle, a source of intuitive guidance, clarity, and inner truth. 💫 In this episode, you’ll learn: What it means to “live from the womb space” The spiral energy of creation and how it moves through the body How modern women can reclaim ancient womb wisdom The energetic power of menopause as transformation A guided womb activation and clearing practice Resources Mentioned: Womb Wisdom Workshop with Malieokalani – November 12, Register for Sacred Womb Garden Crafting a Sacred Womb Oil with April Punsalan – November 13, Register for Sacred Womb Garden Womb Wisdom Level 1 Training – November 15, Womb Level 1 Training Sacred Woman School, The School and Offerings

Why you need to hear this episode with Nishanth Gurav What if the key to healing our bodies, our spirits, and our planet has been preserved for thousands of years — by people living in deep relationship with the land? In this unforgettable conversation, ethnobotanist Nishanth Gurav takes us inside the Gond Tribe of India, considered one of the oldest Indigenous communities in the world. Nishanth has lived with the Gond for nearly two years, documenting their wild foods, sacred groves, and medicinal rituals — and what he shares will change how you see the plants outside your door. This isn’t theory. It’s lived wisdom. And it may just be the medicine our modern world is starving for. What you’ll learn in this episode: 🌿 Why the Gond people eat 10–20 wild greens a day and never use the word “weed” 🌿 How sacred groves protect biodiversity more effectively than modern conservation laws 🌿 The barefoot ritual that dissolves the separation between human and forest 🌿 How simple fermented foods and herbal kitchens keep disease away 🌿 The Gond approach to bone-setting, gut healing, and skin health using only local plants 🌿 Why Indigenous wisdom offers real solutions to our modern crises: climate, health, and mental well-being Nishanth isn’t just my guest today — he’s also my teaching partner inside Medical Botany: Mastery of the Flowering Plant Medicines. Every Wednesday, he joins us live to share his ethnobotanical knowledge and stories directly with Medical Botany apprentices. Alumni always comment how much they loved Nishant's teachings in Medical Botany. It is a true honor to have him join us in Medical Botany.  If this episode stirred something in you, don’t just listen — come learn from Nishanth himself. 👉 Join Medical Botany (Sept 3–7 only): Click to Join the Medical Botany Apprenticeship: Mastery of the Flowering Medicines We begin September 10, 2025, and I can’t wait for you to experience this life-changing apprenticeship. Please share this episode with at least one friend. This episode contains so much medicine and wisdom that many people need to hear.  I love you!   With Love and Green Blessings, April Punsalan 

What does it truly mean to come home to the land—and why is land a source of both healing and power? 🌿 In this inspiring episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April sits down with Aleya Fraser, author of Caribbean Herbalism and land steward in Trinidad & Tobago. Aleya shares her extraordinary journey from Johns Hopkins medical labs and urban life to farming on ancestral lands, embracing agroecology, and creating spaces where others can reconnect with the earth. Together, they discuss: The life-changing moment that called Aleya back to the land Why land is power and a source of freedom for our communities How agroecology connects farming, healing, and social justice Simple spiritual practices to reconnect to local land—even if you live in the city Trinidad’s rich herbal traditions and the plants that have shaped Aleya's path Listeners will leave this episode feeling grounded, inspired, and called to reconnect with the rhythms of the Earth. Stay in Touch with Aleya and Access the Free Medical Botany Lessons: Aleya Fraser on Instagram: @naturalalyea Aleya’s land and cacao project: @panoramacacao April’s free 6-lesson Medical Botany preview, Click here to learn Medical Botany for free! Aleya's Caribbean Herbalism Website Aleya's Substack  Get Aleya's book Caribbean Herbalism Click Here I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. Follow this show so you don't miss an episode.   With Love and Gratitude, April 

You can't miss this episode with Doug Tallamy! Doug is a conservation visionary, renowned entomologist, ecologist, professor, and New York Times bestselling author. As the co-founder of the Homegrown National Park initiative, Doug shares his visionary approach to transforming our lawns and backyards into thriving ecosystems that support biodiversity and combat biodiversity loss.  You will be super pumped after this episode to transform your yard! ​ What You Will Learn: The Lawn Epidemic: Doug discusses the staggering statistic that over 40 million acres of the U.S. are covered in lawns—an area larger than New England. He emphasizes the potential impact if homeowners reduced their lawn space by half, potentially restoring 20 million acres to native habitats, surpassing the combined area of all major national parks.​ Genesis of a Movement: Delving into his background, Doug recounts the pivotal moment that ignited his passion for conservation. Moving to a property overrun with invasive species, he observed a stark absence of native insects and wildlife, leading him to investigate the profound effects of non-native plants on local ecosystems.​ The Insect-Plant Connection: Highlighting the specialized relationships between native plants and insects, Doug explains how many insects have co-evolved with specific plants. The decline of these native plants directly threatens insect populations, which in turn affects the broader food web, including bird species and you.​ Empowering Homeowners: Doug introduces you to the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots call-to-action encouraging you to transform your outdoor spaces. By planting native species and reducing lawn areas, you can play a crucial role in restoring ecological balance.​ Success Stories and Practical Tips So You can Get Started: Sharing inspiring anecdotes, Doug illustrates how simple changes in landscaping practices have led to the return of diverse wildlife, from caterpillars to birds. He offers practical advice on selecting native plants and creating environments that support local fauna.​ Relevant Links: Homegrown National Park Initiative: Learn more about how you can contribute to this nationwide movement by visiting Homegrown National Park.​ Doug Tallamy's Books: Bringing Nature Home: Discover the essential role of native plants in our landscapes. Purchase here.​ Nature's Best Hope: A blueprint for individuals to help save the planet by starting in their own yards. Purchase here.​ The Nature of Oaks: An intimate look at the life cycle of oak trees and their importance to wildlife. Purchase here. How Can I Help, Saving Nature with Your Yard, Purchase NEW Book​ Native Plant Resources: National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder: Identify native plants specific to your area to support local wildlife. Access the tool here.​ If you want to learn how to connect with wild herbs for food and medicine, Click Here! Please share this episode with as many friends and family members as possible. Let's spread Doug's important message and mission and transform the health of this Earth, one yard at a time.    With So Much Love and the Chirp of the Yellow-rumped Warbler, April    P.S. I would be super grateful for a good rating of the Wild Herb Podcast, it will help our small show grow! 

In this fascinating episode, I sit down with Dr. Stephen E. Lindow, a distinguished plant pathologist and microbial ecologist, to explore the phyllosphere—the diverse microbiome that covers plant leaves. Dr. Lindow shares his groundbreaking research on plant-associated bacteria and their role in plant health, immunity, and even their potential impact on human microbiomes. Key Topics Covered: What is the Phyllosphere? Understanding the microbiome of leaves. Bacteria on Leaves: Learn how thousands of different microbes colonize the surface of plants. Microbes & the Environment: How natural ecosystems support a more diverse plant microbiome than monocultures. Impact of Agriculture: How large-scale farming affects plant microbiomes. The Ice-Nucleating Bacteria Discovery: How certain bacteria can influence frost damage in crops. Foraging & Food Safety: What to know about wild foraging and the presence of microbes on leaves. The Human Gut Connection: Could eating wild plants positively impact your gut microbiome?   Why You Should Listen to This Episode: ✔️ Gain insights into the unseen world of plant microbiomes. ✔️ Learn how plants defend themselves with their microbial allies. ✔️ Understand how foraging wild herbs may support gut health. ✔️ Discover new perspectives on food safety and plant-based diets. Resources & Links: Read Dr. Stephen Lindow’s Research on the Phyllosphere - Phyllosphere Paper🌿 Join Medical Botany 1 - Registration Opens January 29th! Medical Botany 1   Follow Wild Herbs Podcast for More Herbal Wisdom We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the microbial world of plants! Make sure to follow the Wild Herb Podcast to learn from future expert guests who will continue to explore the intersection of plants, health, and microbiomes. Don’t forget to follow & leave a review! 🌱 Learn Wild Herbs. Stay Wild! Stay Human!

Discover the sacred medicine of Iboga, the transformative power of this plant, and the modern-day applications of one of the most sacred plants on this Earth! In this episode with Levi Barker, initiated Iboga plant medicine administer and retreat facilitator, you will learn: 1. The rich history of Iboga. 2. How Iboga has been revered by the Bwiti people of Central Africa for centuries.  3. Levi's personal story of transformation with this sacred plant medicine.  4. Iboga's healing power and modern-day applications.  5. Learn about the offerings of the Iboga Wellness Center in Costa Rica.  You don't want to miss out on this wild herb episode. Reception was a little off in the beginning of the episode, so you will have to increase the volume, but about mid way, Levi's voice is very clear, and you can turn the volume back down. Open your mind, and let's embark on an enlightening journey together.  Learn more about Levi and the Iboga Wellness Center   With Love and Light,    April Punsalan 

If you have ever been curious about Ayurveda, if you have to listen to this episode with Myra Lewin, Founder of Hale Pule, School of Ayurveda and Yoga. Myra explains beautifully the principles of Ayurveda and shares her wisdom with you.  In this episode Myra covers: 1. The principles of Ayurveda. 2. Why overeating is harmful for the body.  3. The wise portion size that will leave your body feeling balanced and nourished after a meal.  4. Digestive fire and the benefits of ghee.  Please share this episode with a friend, leave us a comment, and give us a good rating so our little wild herb show can continue to grow.  Connect with Myra and learn more about Hale Pule's offerings: Hale Pule, Live Nature's Wisdom Stay Wild, Stay Human! With Love and Gratitude,   April Punsalan 

In this special episode, wise healer, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, shares with you the Medicine and Magic of Marigolds. Dr. Rosita covers: 1. The spirit of marigold.  2. How to connect with the spirit and medicine of marigold. 3. How to make a marigold lustration bath. 4. How to heal colicky babies with marigold flowers. 5. Specific women health issues marigold can relieve.   6. Yoni steaming.  and much more. It was such an honor to hear and receive Dr. Rosita Arvigo's medicine, I know you will LOVE this episode. Please share with a sister friend that can benefit from this episode. Follow the Wild Herb Podcast, to help our little show grow, so we can continue to bring amazing healers, ethnobotanists, and herbalists on the show.  Stay in touch with Dr. Rosita Arvigo: Dr. Rosita Arvigo's Website The Abdominal Therapy Collective Page Thank you for listening. Stay Wild, Stay Human   With Love,   April 

Modern Society can make us edgy. Mimosa flowers take the edge off better than any other wild herb I know. They uplift the energy so we can feel the beauty and blissfulness of spring and summer. In this episode, I share with you: 1. Mimosa flower medicine.  2. How I connect with Mimosa flowers. 3. The botany of Mimosa tree.  4. A free link below to nab the Mimosa Flower Syrup Recipe, that you HAVE to make.    Nab a Free Mimosa Flower Syrup Recipe Here To watch how to make medicine with Mimosa flowers and the inner bark, join In Season for only $25 per month: Live in Rhythm with Nature, Join In Season Today! Last, but not least, leave us a good rating so we know you are out there and to help our little podcast show and our small business grow.    Stay Wild, Stay Human!   With Love,    April 

You don't want to miss this episode with the ordained Priestess, Kate Murphy. In this episode, Kate shares: 1. How Kate honors the path of the Priestess.  2. How Kate was able to step out of the masculine-dominated executive field and into her authentic path that aligned with the divine feminine. 3. How you can connect with the divine feminine during Beltane.  4. The medicine and mystery of elderflower. 5. The good folk and how they are honored in Celtic traditions. 6. A Rosemary handwashing ritual.  Connect with Kate! Instagram: This is Kate Murphy Free My Purpose Mini Course Free Wheel of the Year Workbook The Feminine Code Priestess School Kate is a beautiful gem shining bright and leading the way for many women so they can reclaim their power in this world. Connect with her! If you want to make connecting with the natural world a priority and you want to reWILD, join In Season, it is open TODAY! Wild Herb Membership In Season With Love Always! Stay Wild, Stay Human   April 

In this episode, you will get to hear from James Kishlar, the founder of Atelier temenos, a herbal company that specializes in the growing, selling, and processing of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua). In this episode, James shares with you: 1. How he manages his osteoarthritis with sweet wormwood. 2. What ailments sweet wormwood has been effective at relieving. 3. The struggles he faced trying to work with the Western medical society.  4. How he has shared his product with naturopathic doctors and the results. 5. The effects of sweet wormwood on diabetes and high blood pressure. 6. His time spent in Haiti and a little bit about the Moringa tree.  I highly recommend their products. I am not an affiliate marketer, but love to share a good herbal product when I magically come across one. Check out their sweet wormwood products:  Atelier temenos Last, but not least, the Wild Herb Membership, In Season is OPEN! I'd absolutely love to connect with you and see you flourish through foraging wild herbs. The membership is only $25 per month and my hope is that the membership will truly pay for itself though free greens and medicine.   Start Learning Today!   Stay Wild!   With Love and Gratitude, April Punsalan 

I am super pumped to share with you why Mulberry (Morus alba) is my FAVORITE wild herb to forage in April. In this episode, I share: 1. The life history and range of mulberry. 2. The vitamins and mineral profile. 3. The healing properties of the leaves. 4. Why everyone, including you, should drink mulberry leaf tea. If you want to learn how to identify, forage, process, and make mulberry tea and mulberry matcha, click the link below to download your FREE In Season video. Nab a Free In Season Mulberry Video Please share this episode with a friend or a loved one that you know has a mulberry tree. Happy Foraging and Stay Wild!  

Liz Spencer, the Founder of The Dogwood Dyer, has over 15+ years of experience in natural dyes. Liz holds an MA from the London College of Fashion where she focused on sustainable fashion.  Today, she teaches online natural dye workshops and classes.  In today's episode, Liz shares: 1. How to reduce your fashion footprint.  2. The issues with fashion consumerism in the U.S. 3. Why animal fiber is often better than plant or synthetic fiber.  4. How to dye with avocado pits and avocado skins.  I know this episode will inspire you to give natural dyeing a try and will inspire you to reduce your fashion footprint.  The Dogwood Dyer Offerings: A Year in Natural Dyes Online Workshops Wild Herb Academy Offerings: In Season Wild Herb Membership Sending you lots of LOVE this Spring Season! Stay WILD! With Love, April Punsalan 

Did you know that inside ancient pine trees occurs pockets of liquefied pine resin? Mathew and Jenine share with you the benefits of this ancient heart pocket tree resin. In this episode, you will learn: 1. How Pruitt's Tree Resin Ministries manifested into this world.  2. A brief introduction of what is ancient pine resin.  3. What this heart pocket resin can be used for and on. 4. How the pine resin helped heal Jenine's wounded thumb. And much more.  I highly recommend getting some of the pure super Coco pine resin, click the link below: Pruitt's Tree Resin Ministries For free shipping, enter Wildherb at checkout.  Thank you!  Stay Wild, April P.S. in 6 days the wild herb membership, In Season, opens!   

You don't want to miss this episode with sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) expert, Dr. Pam Weathers. Dr. Pam Weathers has been studying, researching, and experimenting with sweet wormwood for 25+ years. In this Wild Herb podcast, she shares: 1. How she grows sweet wormwood in her lab and home to have the effective concentration of phytochemicals.  2. History of use of sweet wormwood in China and Chinese Medicine.  3. How the trichomes of sweet wormwood contain the medicine and phytochemical artemisinin.  4. How ingesting the whole plant of sweet wormwood increases the bioavailability of artemisinin more than the isolated artemisinin compound.  5. How Dr. Pam Weathers has used sweet wormwood to overcome lyme disease. 6. Why medicinal plants don't recieve the funding that they deserve.  And much more.  I learned so much for Dr. Pam Weathers in this episode. Definitely give this episode a listen.  If you want to purchase high quality sweet wormwood, check out atelier temenos, purchase sweet wormwood from atelier temenos If you want to donate to Dr. Pam Weather's lab,  Go to this weblink https://impactapi.causeview.com/Thunder/actionpage/c005859a-ffad-4b9d-8d0c-f414096506cd   Choose designation “Other” Then specify it should go to the “Ararat Fund for Artemisinin Research”.   Stay Wild!  If you loved this show, share with a friend.   With Love and Gratitude,   April Punsalan 

Cleavers! In this episode, I share with you why I am crazy about cleavers and why as my friend Kristina Wildes says, I "leave it to cleavers". Listen to learn: 1. When and where to forage cleavers. 2. How to identify cleavers. 3. Medicinal properties of cleavers.  4. How I connect with cleavers. 5. How they heal my urinary system. 6. Why they are cleansing and detoxifying to your lymphatic system.  and much more.  Nab your FREE Cleaver Forage Guide Below, it includes the Cleaver Water Recipe.   Nab Your FREE Cleaver Forage Guide and Recipe I am visualizing you finding a large cleaver patch and you making the cleaver water/juice, so your body gets the green flush it needs this spring.   Stay Wild!    With Love and Gratitude,   April    P.S. Leave us a comment and/or if you love the show, give us a 5-star ratings, it will help our small show grow and help more people re-connect to the Earth through the use of wild herbs.   

Did you know that doctors in the 1800's had to study Medical Botany? and that many doctors could go to the field to harvest wild herbs for their patients? Learn the hidden truths about Medical Botany! Learn in today's episode why it is critically important to bring back this forgotten field!  I cover: 1. What is Medical Botany. 2. Why it is a forgotten field.  3. Why it is important for this field to resurface to slow down biodiversity loss.  4. How you can get started learning Medical Botany.    Alright, I won't say anymore, definitely give this episode a listen.    Leave us a comment, hit like, and share this show with a friend.    With Gratitude,   April Punsalan   

Learn how to infuse COLOR into your food and life with Tara Lanich-LaBrie, founder of The Medicine Circle and Author! In this episode, you will learn: 1. Tara's preferred way to work with dandelion blossoms. 2. What is a oxymel and switchel and Tara's herb recommendations.   3. Tara's connection with nettles and how she used urtication for healing.  4. You will get to hear about Tara's AMAZING new book "Foraged and Grown" that includes OVER 100 recipes.  Purchase Tara's book before it is even released and get 15 additional recipes sent to your inbox, you just have to email Tara at tara@themedicinecircle.com and show her your receipt: Purchase Foraged & Grown The Medicine Circle Connect with Tara on Instagram Wild Herb Academy Coastal Year-round Forage Guide Alright beautiful human stay wild and keep foraging!   With Love and Gratitude,     April Punsalan     

In this episode, Mason Hutchison, co-founder of HerbRally, shares with you his tips on how to become an herbalist. You don't want to miss this episode, Mason shares: 1. What he learned from working with Mountain Rose Herbs for 11 years.  2. Why he co-founded HerbRally and what HerbRally does for the herbal community.  3. Top tips for embarking on the herbalism path.  4. His viewpoint on accreditation in the herbalism world.  Definitely take the time to go to HerbRally to see what Herbal Events occur near YOU!!!!  HerbRally HerbRally YouTube Channel Get your FREE 13 Herbal Freebies I hope you check out HerbRally! They are DYNAMITE!  Wild Herb Academy Offerings: Join Medical Botany 1 FREE Wild Herb Academy Year-round Forage Guide Please share this episode with anyone you know that LOVES herbs and give us a good rating and leave us a comment to help grow our small, but mighty show. :)   With Love and Gratitude,   April 

You don't want to miss this episode with Andrea Olsen, Professor Emerita of Dance who held the John Elder Chair in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College in Vermont. In this episode, Andrea shares with you: 1. What is embodiment and why it is important to inhabit the body. 2. Why the Body and Earth connection important to our health and happiness. 3. Why she completed one of my favorite books, "Body and Earth, an Experimental Guide". 4. Andrea shares embodiment practices that you can incorporate into your life today. And much more. Andrea lives an embodied life and is an amazing teacher, dancer, and writer. Please share this episode with a friend and if you love this episode, leave us a comment. It gives me more energy to keep showing up knowing that your listening. Definitely take the time to connect with Andrea: Body and Earth Body and Earth Events Andrea Olsen's Homepage P.S. Registration for Medical Botany 1 is open and will only be offered once this year. If you want to learn medicinal plants, you definitely want to join this course.      Medical Botany 1   Stay Wild!    With Love and Gratitude,   April Punsalan