While we may shy away from the topic, grief is a universal human experience. It is my deepest belief that we were never meant to hold this weight alone. To truly metabolize and "compost" our sorrow, we are meant to be supported not just by one another, but by the entire web of life: the animals, the water, the air, and our steadfast herbal allies.

We live in a world that often feels loud, fast, and fragmented. We are taught to look at nature rather than with it, forgetting that we are part of the same breathing tapestry. But sometimes, in the quiet lean of a sunflower or the sharp, bright scent of crushed mint, we feel a tug—a reminder of an ancient conversation we’ve forgotten how to have.

Beginning to connect deeper to nature and plants doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be easy to incorporate a simple daily practice to nurture this relationship. A Five-Minute Practice to Reconnect with the Anima Mundi (the Soul of the World): Connecting with the soul of the world doesn't require a forest or a pharmacy. It just requires your presence. Use this checklist to begin your friendship with the green world.

There is an ancient concept known as Anima Mundi—the soul of the world. It’s the idea that the Earth isn't just a spinning rock, but a living, breathing entity, and that we humans are an inseparable part of its spirit. Ideally, we should be intimately woven into this "more-than-human" world. But for many of us, that thread has been frayed.

Through the lens of childhood wonder and the ancient wisdom of animism, this post explores how shifting our view of plants from "resources" to "kin" can heal our modern sense of isolation and reconnect us to the sentient, communicative world of nature.

We are seeing unprecedented changes to our planet during our lifetime. This is a potentially heartbreaking and traumatic time for many. Yet there are many exciting and unique opportunities for herbalists to support life on this beautiful planet as the social and environmental meta-crisis escalates.

A succus (succi is plural) in herbal terms is the juice extracted from a fresh plant. Herbalists have been using succi since the 18th century. They contain little to no alcohol, making them good for the skin and mucus membranes, and less drying to the system. This makes them wonderful alternatives for children, animals, and those who are alcohol-free. Succi are best made using high water-content herbs with water-soluble constituents.

Herbal Syrups are made by combining an herb, water, and a sweetener (usually sugar). They are a thick, sweet consistency and are a great way to flavor an herbal formula or make it more palatable, especially when using unpleasant-tasting herbs.

Managing our stress levels is important for long-term health and well-being. Many natural remedies can help support us during times of upheaval, including herbs, supplements, essential oils, flower essences, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle supports.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health and well-being. This article discusses lifestyle changes for a healthy night’s sleep, including herbs, flower essences, supplements, diet, and essential oils.

Many natural remedies are effective for allergies, including herbs, essential oils, supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes.

Ear infections, also called otitis media, are infections of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum. They are often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. I find that I can reliably resolve an ear infection in several hours by using natural methods such as herbal tinctures, ear oil, essential oils, and other natural remedies.

I have used many roses as medicine. Often, I will sample a hip or petal to assess whether I’d like to collect it. I generally prefer wild or heirloom species for medicinal purposes. Never use roses from a florist as they usually have unwanted chemicals on them. The flowers when in bloom, can be used fresh or dried. Rose hips are best harvested when deep red in late summer and through the winter.

There is a profound relationship that we can access between using herbs and healing emotional traumas. Each plant might have something specific to offer to deepen our healing process. I believe herbs can help us remember something fundamentally true about ourselves – that we are connected to all life, and therefore not alone.

Antibiotics don’t treat sinus infections well. For this reason, I have seen many doctors recommending neti pots to their patients. Neti pots, herbs, and essential oils can be key to resolving sinusitis. Herbs that thin mucus, fight infection, soothe tissues and encourage expectoration are very helpful.

This is the recipe from my book Naked: Botanical Recipes for Vibrant Skin and Healthy Hair. It is deeply nourishing and, although it can be used for any skin type, it is excellent for dry skin. Nourishing Lotion can be used on the body and face. It smells… amazing.

Herbal glycerites are tasty and appropriate for most ages. Learn how to make your own herbal glycerites with this article and video demonstration.

Herbal Salves are herb infused oils that have been combined with a thickener, such as beeswax, to create a solid product at room temperature. Used externally, they are an effective way to treat anything from a mild skin irritation to a specific skin or musculoskeletal concern.

Vitamin C Serum is valuable for lightening dark spots on the skin and helping to heal acne and scars. It is an antioxidant, protecting the skin from free-radical damage.

There are many herbs that can be helpful for anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder.