The Family Herbalism Podcast

There is so much to learn about working with herbal tinctures! New clients often have many questions about how to work with tinctures, and even after working with them for quite some time often have more things they would like to learn as their knowledge and experience progress. In today’s episode, I attempt to share about the most common questions I hear regarding tincture use. questions like why...

Acute and chronic sinus infections, or sinusitis, are common afflictions in the winter. In today’s episode, we cover some herbal remedies that I have personally used to recover from sinus symptoms. Essential oils mentioned include: geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, time, peppermint, pine, and tea tree. Whole herbs mentioned, include spearmint, echinacea, golden rod, Yarrow, red clover, gro...

Picking up where we left off last week with seasonal allergies, today we talk about the chemical responsible for triggering the allergic response, how to tell the difference between histamine intolerance and a mast cell disorder, and these steps needed to reduce flares and begin healing the body. Herbs mentioned include: nettle, milk thistle, feverfew, skullcap, licorice, chamomile, wild cherry, G...

It’s fall! And that means seasonal allergies, and all the congestion and sniffing! In today’s episode, I cover the difference between seasonal allergies, and “true allergies,” how an herbal approach differs from over-the-counter antihistamines, and one of my favorite controversial topics: goldenrod is actually good for you! Other herbs discussed today include ragweed, chamomile, lavender, eucalypt...

Heartburn is experienced by many people, but that does not make it a normal experience. Heartburn is generally an indication that the digestive system is not functioning very well. In today’s episode, I cover some of the common causes of heartburn, as well as some simple, dietary and lifestyle practices that can correct these imbalances and some of my favorite herbs. Today’s herb focus is calendul...

There are so many options for relieving cold symptoms, but how do you know which one or ones will be best suited to your experience of illness? In today’s episode, I break down the most common types of coughs that occur with viral and bacterial infections, and which herbs are best suited to them. I also include multiple recipes for tea, chest, rubs, syrups, and elixirs. Herbs mentioned include thy...

We’re turning the tables here! Instead of focusing on a health problem, I decided to take a deep dive on a specific herbal action that supports everyone’s health - tonics! SO many herbs have a tonifying effect on the body, some systemically, and some on specific tissues or organs. But what exactly does a tonic do? It’s one of those words that seem a bit abstract in the plant world. Today I share w...

Addictions can range from sugar and social media to gambling, disordered eating, and street drugs. There are so many things that people can find themselves dependent on which are not healthy for them. In today’s podcast, we talk about the reasons that people can become dependent on substances or behaviors, as well as some of the nutritional and herbal resources that can help a person to break a de...

Shingles is a viral infection that can effect anyone who has the varicella zoster lying dormant in their body. We used to think of it as being a disease of the elderly, but statistics show it is happening to more and more people under the age of 50. The two most common triggers are a deficient immune system and stress. Today I share with you, as an almost 37 year old, what shingles was like for me...

Fiery kids often receive a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, and while some of these kids do need support with nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, or toxin overloads, many of them are simply misunderstood and don’t fit into the neat little boxes our society has created. We can support these kiddos with the foods and herbs included in this podcast, including these herbs: skullcap, oats, wood betony,...

This childhood illness is making its rounds again in Maine, so today I am offering tips that helped my family when we caught it several years ago, as well as new herbal options I have learned that may be helpful for you. Included our references to common foods and comfort practices, as well as the following herbs: licorice, lemon, echinacea, elderberry, Helichrysum, black cohosh, burdock, nettle,...

Listener Maryanne wants to know, what’s on my summer reading list? Altogether I have 96 books on my nightstand or in my wishlist, but the new herbal ones I currently have on hand include: The Male Herbalist by James Green, Live Longer Better by Joseph Dispenza, Wild Plants of Maine by Tom Seymour, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal by Nicolas Culpeper, Eat the Weeds by Ben Charles Harris, The 40 Day Sugar...

Altogether, this makes episode 100 on podcast! Woo hoo! Today I am taking the opportunity to share with you the answer to some of the questions I have been getting from listeners about what it looks like to become an herbalist, and who run and herbalism-based company. I share about my family, how I got into the world of herbalism, how I got my training, what my business looks like today, who are t...

No one knows for sure what causes, eczema or psoriasis, but what we do know is that the current standard treatment does not effectively correct it. We do know that eczema and psoriasis, while different skin conditions, are impacted by the same tissue states in the body, and by the same herbal remedies. In today’s episode, I answer a listeners question about what to do to address her children’s ecz...

Listeners have been sending in some really awesome requests for podcast topics! This one comes from Kelly, who wants to know - what can we do about eye fatigue? And since we’re on the topic about eyes, what about general support of eye health, and some of the other common issues that effect eyes? In today’s episode, I cover 12 common eye concerns, and include my favorite herbs and dietary treatmen...

Adrenal fatigue is a hot topic. Some would even suggest it’s not a real thing. I can tell you that is IS real, and it doesn’t occur by itself. Integral to healthy adrenal glands are also a healthy autonomic nerve function, and hypothalamus and pituitary function. If a person is stuck in a sympathetic nervous state, any illness or injury they incur is more likely to become chronic. For many people,...

You asked and I delivered! Through a recent Instagram story, I received two requests for remedies for strep throat, and one for influenza. Throughout the history of The Family Herbalism Podcast I have shared several episodes on foundational practices to support the immune system, but today I focused on the symptoms and tissue states specific to these two infections. Plus! I started a brand new seg...

Statistically, many injuries are more likely to occur in the summer, putting parents especially in the hot seat of trauma care! What do you do when your child is injured? As the wife of a carpenter and the mom of four kids, I’ve been there! Many times! In today’s episode, I talk about ten common injuries as reported by pediatricians and emergency room doctors, the herbal remedies I have found help...

Blood sugar is not just about diabetes. Blood sugar is a necessary piece of being alive, and it is important for hormonal function, digestion, muscle control, energy, brain function, and so much more. The key is having just the right amount. In this episode, I share how blood sugar regulation works, what the body uses it for, how insulin becomes less sensitive, how metabolic disorder with excess w...

Let’s rock the boat a bit! As an herbalist, I NEVER tell a client they should stop taking their medications. I don’t even suggest it. However, reducing or eliminating medication is a natural topic of interest for people who are improving their health, possibly to the point that the medication isn’t necessary anymore. Alongside their doctors, I have helped many clients reduce and eliminate their me...

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved o...

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved o...

If you live in the Androscoggin or Oxford county areas of Maine, check out these two upcoming local events! May 25th 3-7pm, I am hosting a spring sale of many culinary and medicinal herbs, dried, tinctured, and in salve, up to 50% off, with free herbs for purchases starting at $10! Then on June 10th, I am hosting my first herb walk of the year. On these walks we cover identification, habitat, harv...

In honor of babies and our series on the childbearing year, Dr. Sam Adler, Maine-based pediatrician with over 20 years in the field, joins us today to talk about infant and early childhood health. We cover topics like the rising rate of homebirth, simplifying parenting with the help of a family-centered pediatrician, introducing baby foods, how to make difficult decisions, such as about circumcisi...

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved o...