From Nature to Nurture

What does it take to actually stay well when summer turns up the heat, not just survive it, but work with the season instead of against it? In this episode, I'm sharing my herbalist's summer toolkit: the plants and preparations getting me through a proper Tennessee heatwave. We talk about why water alone doesn't actually hydrate you, how my first aid kit shifts once I'm spending more time barefoot...

What if your cycle wasn't something to fight against, but something to learn from? In this episode, I sit down with clinical herbalist, fertility awareness educator, and founder of Eclipsic Herbs, Denise Rodriguez , to explore the intersection of herbalism, body literacy, and cycle health. Together, we discuss why our menstrual cycles are more than just a reproductive function, how cycle tracking...

Summer offers a different rhythm. The plants are abundant, the days are longer, and many of us feel the pull to spend more time outdoors, move more slowly, and engage with our herbal practices in ways that feel nourishing rather than productive. In this episode, I share some of my favorite ways to live with the plants during the summer months, including herbal drinks, infused body oils, plant medi...

What does it mean to move beyond consuming herbal information and into true relationship with the plants? In this episode, we explore the philosophy of reciprocal herbalism, a slower, more relational approach to learning plants rooted in stewardship, attentiveness, observation, and coexistence. Together, we’ll discuss information overload in modern herbalism, ethical relationship with the land, an...

In this episode, I’m joined by fellow herbalist Amelia Andrade for a conversation rooted in the wild edges of spring. We explore the role of bitters in herbal practice, not just as a category of taste or action, but as something that invites us back into relationship with our bodies. Together, we talk about wild weeds, especially Dandelion, and the quiet, persistent ways these plants support diges...

Nettle has long been woven into folklore as a plant of protection, resilience, and quiet strength. In this episode, we step beyond the physical medicine and into the stories and spirit of Nettle. I share traditional folklore, including the Nine Herbs Charm, along with reflections on the energetic qualities of this plant and the messages it carries. Join me and listen more closely to what Nettle ca...

In this episode, we explore Nettle (Urtica dioica) , a deeply nourishing, mineral-rich plant that I often return to again and again. It’s also one of the most beginner-friendly herbs to grow and work with, making it a beautiful place to start your herbal journey. We’ll walk through how Nettle supports the body, from its role as a nutritive tonic to its affinity for the kidneys and its overall impa...

In this follow-up conversation with spagyricist Mo Judith, we shift from alchemical history into the substance of the work itself. We explore what defines a true spagyric preparation, how it differs from a conventional herbal extract, and what distinguishes the spagyric process on a chemical level. From mineral salts to extraction techniques, we discuss what is happening in the process, not just i...

The spring equinox marks a moment of balance, equal light and dark, and the subtle but undeniable return of the sun’s strength. Across cultures and centuries, this turning point has been honored with fire festivals, fertility rites, cleansing rituals, and the tending of early green medicines. In this episode, we explore the folklore and traditions surrounding the spring equinox, from the Persian N...

In this episode, we explore the many ways humans communicate with plants, from asking permission before harvest to sensing subtle shifts in the body, to dreams and intuitive knowing. Plant communication is often dismissed as mystical or “woo,” but relationship with the living world is something our ancestors understood deeply. Today, emerging research on plant signaling, bioelectricity, and enviro...

In this episode, I sit down with ecoherbalist and High Garden Tea cofounder Leah Larabell for a conversation that feels like a walk through the woods: grounded, honest, and quietly revolutionary. We talk about what it means to be in right relationship with the land, how plants communicate when we slow down enough to listen, and how herbalism becomes regenerative when it’s rooted in reciprocity, no...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , we journey into the timeless lore, rituals, and symbolic beauty of Rose, a plant cherished across cultures as an emblem of love, sacredness, and sovereign boundaries. You’ll hear stories of Rose as a guide through grief and rebirth, explore her energetic role as a heart protector and softener, and discover how she can be invoked to build boundaries and r...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , we turn our attention to Rose ( Rosa spp.) through a medicinal lens, exploring the physical ways this beloved plant supports the body. We’ll walk through the herbal actions of rose, including its role as a gentle astringent, anti-inflammatory, and nervous system ally, and discuss how different parts of the plant are traditionally used. From heart and cir...

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 This isn't your typical New Year’s push. Instead of resolutions and rigid goals, I’m inviting you into a softer, slower start, one that honors the depth of winter and your natural rhythms. In this episode, we explore: Why winter isn’t the season to rush into productivity The power of rooted rituals over resolutions How tending to your future self can be gentle...

In this grounding conversation, I sit down with Jennifer Maklan , a massage therapist and Ayurvedic practitioner, to explore the beautiful tradition of Ayurveda as a sacred path of wisdom and healing. Together, we talk about the rhythms of Ayurveda, seasonal care, and how tuning into the body’s natural cycles can help us live with more balance, awareness, and ease. Jennifer shares how her work int...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , we sink into the grounding world of root medicine, the slow, earthy, deeply nourishing herbs that hold us through the coldest and quietest months of the year. Together, we explore the energetics of roots: what it means for plants to store their strength underground, how this medicine translates into grounding and resilience for our own bodies, and the su...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture, we explore the quiet wisdom of winter. As the days shorten and the light softens, nature invites us to move differently. We will explore how to build a rhythm that honors the quiet power of winter, a season meant not for hustling, but for reassessing, rooting, and restoring. You’ll hear reflections on following the natural cycles, creating daily rhythms t...

In this heart-opening conversation, I sit down with Nico Lebreux , a community herbalist and owner of Wild Heart Herb House , to explore the soul of inclusive herbalism and community care. Together, we dive into the magic of creating spaces where everyone is welcome to learn, grow, and heal, without expectation or judgment.  Nico shares how their apothecary bloomed into a sanctuary for self-c...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , we journey into the rich folklore, rituals, and symbolic magic of Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, a plant revered across generations as a living goddess, a purifier of space and spirit, and a guardian of the sacred. You’ll hear origin stories of transformation and devotion, explore the energetic essence of Tulsi as heart medicine, and discover the ways...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , we're diving into the practical, grounded medicine of Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi. Widely used in herbal traditions around the world, Tulsi is an accessible adaptogen known for supporting stress resilience, digestion, and overall vitality. I’ll walk you through what makes Holy Basil unique, its most common uses in modern herbalism, and how to easily...

In this laid-back, tea-sipping episode, I chat with the lovely Liz Vermillion, a fellow herbalist whose deep love for plants shows up in every foraged blend and garden-grown potion she creates. You might know her from Willow & Sage or The Botanical Anthology, but today, you’ll get to hear her unfiltered, plant-nerding side. We meander through her herbal journey, swap stories about wildcrafting...

What if the old stories carried more than just myth? In this episode, we explore how folklore, myth, and plant stories hold clues about the healing properties of herbs, and why remembering these stories matters. Folklore isn’t just entertainment; it’s a way of passing down plant wisdom, cultural memory, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Join me as we dive into the meeting place of stor...

Ever wonder how an herbalist actually weaves plants into everyday life? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my personal herbal routine, from the morning cup that sets my day in motion to the seasonal shifts that keep me in rhythm with nature. I’ll share simple tips for building your own daily herbal practice, no matter your schedule or experience level. We’ll also explore how seasonal...

In this episode of From Nature to Nurture , I sit down with Maureen (Mo) Judith, a modern spagyricist, herbalist, and guide in the ancient art of transformation. Through the lens of alchemy, both spiritual and practical, we explore how working with the elements, the body, and the natural world can help us move through deep change, reclaim personal power, and reconnect to our own cycles. We talk ab...

In this solo episode of From Nature to Nurture , we wander into the mythic, magical world of Yarrow, a plant long honored as a protector, diviner, and bridge between realms. This is not a breakdown of Yarrow’s physical medicine (that’s in a past episode!). Instead, we’re exploring the ancient stories, superstitions, and spiritual uses that have followed this plant across time and many cultures. Yo...