Herbology Talk

I am joined by social justice activist Lottie Spady of Earthseed Detroit.  We speak about her mission and approaches to teaching herbalism and how she empowers her community to survive and thrive.  She believes that a person's life experiences can contribute to the knowledge and practice in herbalism.  Join us in this final episode of season one of Herbology Talk to find out how you can help to empower your own community and also inspire others to actively participate in creating their food and medicine at home. You can find out more about Lottie and Earthseed Detroit at https://www.earthseeddetroit.com/ You can also follow Lottie @earthseeddetroit on TikTok, YouTube, Patreon, Instagram, and Facebook

Join me and Jesse Wolf Hardin from Plant Healer Magazine and the Good Medicine Confluence.  Find out how Jesse describes what it means to practice herbalism and how the Good Medicine Confluence began.  We discuss together our own training in herbalism and how that has changed over the years.  Jesse gives us his hopes for the future and his humble gratitude to those that he has been able to connect to through the Good Medicine Confluence.   For more information about registering and classes, visit https://www.goodmedicineconfluence.com/ To subscribe to Plant Healer Magazine visit https://planthealerbookstore.com/plant-healer-subscription Discounted tickets are available from me.  Go to this link and send me a request.https://herbalistmentor.com/contact

On this episode, I am joined by TikTok creator, Amelia South of Black Sun Farms.  Amelia has been studing foraging for the last 18 years and we discuss why she began learning about foraging, where she received her training, and how she came up with the name Black Sun Farms.  Join the conversation to get tips on how to utilize what you harvest, learn why we both love bioregionalism, and what Amelia can offer students. You can find out more about Black Sun Farms at https://blacksunfarmct.com/ Find Amelia on TikTok @theoriginalmealchan

I am joined by renowned herbalist and author, Maria Noel Groves of Wintergreen Botanicals in a discussion about researching and having trusted resources for the student and practitioner.  We first discuss the beginnings of Wintergreen Botanicals along with the current courses and the available series she is offering including the Seasonal Energetics Series and Home Herbalist Series.  We also talk about writing monographs and how that can help the student in their studies.  Maria and I also discuss both of our new upcoming books for the student, practitioner, or the general public.  One introduces the basics of herbalism and consists of hands-on exercises to build your own apothecary with simple remedies to include in your home medicine chest, and the other includes home remedies for sleep that introduces the different categories of herbs and the many ways to use them along with lifestyle changes to help enhance your sleep.  Both are available for preorder right now and will make a great addition to your herbal library. Visit Wintergreen Botanicals for more information about Maria, Wintergreen Botanicals, courses, and of course, her new Book Home Remedies for Sleep  Preorder my book The Herbalist's Guide:  How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary here

In this episode of Herbology Talk, I am speaking with one of my favorite herbalism advocates, Mason Hutchison from HerbRally.  We have a lighthearted discussion about Mason's journey into herbalism with his personal inspiration and challenges during that time.  We also discuss how HerbRally has evolved over the years along with social media and website challenges.  Join the discussion to hear more about HerbRally, my upcoming book, "The Herbalist's Guide:  How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary", and my new website herbalistmentor.com dedicated to training and mentoring opportunities. Visit HerbRally at https://www.herbrally.com/ And check out my new website at https://herbalistmentor.com/

I am excited to join Gina Rivers, founder of River "Seng MycoHerbalism and science educator and formulator for Host Defense Mushrooms as we discuss adding some training in medicinal mushrooms alongside herbalism.  It is a joy to talk with Gina about her start in herbalism and mycology along with her passions concerning mushrooms.  Be inspired and join our uplifting discussion on how you can begin learning about mushrooms in your herbal studies and gain some wholesome advice along the way.

Today, I am joined by Sovereignty Herb's own Lead Creatrix, Erika Galentin.  Find out more about Erika as a clinical herbalist and mentor while enjoying some interesting conversation about her start into herbalism and aromatics.  Erika has a lot of upcoming training opportunities to offer the clinical herbalist and it is my hope you have a chance to work with her someday soon.  This discussion also offers some valuable tidbits about clinical practice.  If you wish to contact Erika and see more of what she can offer you, contact her here:  Sovereignty Herbs

In this episode, I am joined by Cassidy Gonsoski, owner of Rooted Homestead and a current student in herbalism.  The discussion takes you on Cassidy's journey learning herbalism with the joys and obstacles she has encountered.  We talk about her goals and what steps she is taking to get there.  It is my hope that other students can relate to her journey and feel motivated to continue theirs. Cassidy is a member of Herbology Talk monthly meetings and she talks about why she joined and what she has gotten out of it so far.   I am also introducing my new book in this episode, "The Herbalist's Guide:  How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary" available for preorder right now with a release date of May 7, 2024.  This is a step-by-step guide into herbalism with hands-on training working with 35 common herbs.  The exercises in this book will help you to build your own apothecary at home with the knowledge to use it safely and effectively.  Reserve your copy now at this link:  The Herbalist's Guide

In this episode of Herbology Talk, I have a conversation with another one of my beloved herbal mentors, Leslie Alexander, of Restoration Herbs.  We discuss her educational background and training journey into herbalism to begin with, and then we have a discussion of what Leslie describes as a formless approach with clients.  She calls it a client centered approach which is so important in clinical herbalism.  Listen to how we both leave space open for the clients, and hear where I trip over a word that brings us both to laughter.  This is a delightful conversation that you don't want to miss. Contact Leslie Alexander, PhD, RH(AHG) at Restoration Herbs

Self-Sufficiency is a skill that everyone including herbalists could benefit from whether it is involves foraging, wildcrafting, or growing their own food.  I am joined by Karen Langan, co-owner of Mulberry Creek Herbs Farm located in Huron, Ohio.  Karen has learned self-sufficiency early on in her childhood, and helps to bring this skill and joy to her customers and community.  We discuss her early childhood, the beginnings of Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, and all of the wonderful events the farm provides to the community.  My hope is that the listeners gain inspiration along with another possible resource for purchasing plants and vegetables for their homes and family. Visit their website to learn more about their events and resources they provide at: https://mulberrycreek.com/ You can contact Karen at:  mulberrycreek@yahoo.com 

I am joined by the one and only "Herbchick", Lori Osterloh-Hagaman owner of The Herbchick LLC and host of Wholistic Bad Ass Podcast.  We have a fun discussion revolving around Lori's own eclectic herbal training which is my term to describe the many different types of training a person can get (or the collection of different subjects to both learn/teach that contributes to someones herbal background).  Listen to hear more about Lori, her business, her contributions to her community, and her advice on this episode of Herbology Talk. To learn more about Lori, visit her website at https://herbchickonline.com/

The Herbal industry has grown so much and the need for quality herbs for both the herbalist and the community is much needed now and for the future.  If you have any interest or plans to grow your own herbs for resale, join myself and Henriette den Ouden of Habanera Farm as we discuss why future herb farms are needed while offering advice for getting started.  Henriette is a tea farmer and teacher residing on the eastern shore of Maryland and has been in business since 2007.   Visit Habanera Farm at https://shop.habanerafarm.com

I have the privilege of speaking with one of my own beloved mentors, Leslie Williams, M.Ed, RH(AHG).  As we dive into her personal experiences and connections with the plants, you can get a better feel for her passion as both a mentor and an herbalist.  Leslie offers support and encouragement for the Clinical herbalist that is looking for mentorship opportunities moving forward in their practice.  We discuss her specialties in the different areas of herbalism and upcoming future projects she will be offering to herbalists of all levels.   You can reach Leslie Williams at https://www.ordinaryherbalist.com/

I am joined by Mel Mutterspaugh of The Herbalist's Path to talk about self-care practices and social media.  Our conversation gets into the benefits of self-care for the herbalist and the pros and cons of herbal education on social media.  Mel's focus of educating the family base targets specifically the Momma with offerings of courses for the Apothecary Momma along with the brand new Kid Safe Herb Club.  Find out our most disagreeable term on social media and how sustainable practices in herbalism can benefit both the planet and our own health. You can contact Mel by visiting https://www.theherbalistspath.com/ She is also on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theherbalistspath

I am joined by Abby Artemisia of The WANDER School located in North Carolina.  Our discussion revolves around the training she can offer regarding Botany and foraging.  Training in both of these areas is needed for the herbalist wanting to identify and harvest their medicine.   The conversation expands into herbal apprenticeships and how important it is to experience the plants while you study. Abby can be reached at https://www.thewanderschool.com/

We are speaking with Mimi Prunella Hernandez RH (AHG) Executive Director of the American Herbalist Guild, recipient of American Botanical Council's Mark Blumenthal Community Builder award, steward of the Ponderland Botanical Sanctuary, and the author of the upcoming National Geographic Herbal being released in November of this year.  We discuss her previous training that has led to her position at the AHG along with the training she has had that has led her be the herbalist, author, and teacher she is today.  Listen for a large discount code to be used to join the AHG as a member, and find out how you too can create a Botanical Sanctuary with the United Plant Savers.  For more information about Ponderland Botanical Sanctuary and how you can preorder the National Geographic Herbal visit https://theponderland.com/

I am joined by Amanda Ferguson, Ohio Herb Center Coordinator, to discuss what inspiration we each use to continue studying in herbalism.  The conversation turns to the different careers in herbalism, advice about setting goals in order to choose your path, and the importance of researching your training options along with practical resources to navigate the study of herbalism.  You can learn more about Amanda and the Ohio Herb Center at Ohio Herb Center *CORRECTION:  I was wrong about the Navigating the Study of Herbalism webinar I did for the American Herbalist Guild on March 21, 2023 as being available to the public.  I was thinking of another webinar I did for them.  It is available for Members only.  If you wish to join, you can save $15 with my code MaryAHG15 at American Herbalists Guild

We are speaking with Denise Cusack of Wholly Rooted Farms about her training and expertise in herbalism, aromatherapy, and permaculture along with the training she offers students.  The conversation leads to how these foundations can help students of herbalism especially in regenerative/sustainable herbalism practices.  Denise explains her current and future projects that will be available in the near future.  You can visit her website for more information at Wholly Rooted LLC; Regenerative Education & Permaculture Farm