The Family Herbalism Podcast

Up to 10% of people in northern climates experience a form of depression known as S.A.D. for up to 40% of the year. In this episode, I share risk factors we have control over, as well as practical and proven steps for reducing the likelihood of experiencing it again and again, supplements that may help, six whole plants, three flower essences, and six essential oils. Key phrase: All the yellow flo...

Recommendations for bladder infections, nutritional herbs for urinary tract health, how to support your body if you need antibiotics, and much more in this episode, where I share why this episode was delayed in being released, and how it helps to be creative with resources you have on hand and to feel comfortable with intuitive use of herbs, including when to wave the white flag. If you would like...

“You talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?” Yes! I may have started out on this journey to provide a way to take care of my children, but I also take care to address my own health concerns when they come up. In today’s episode, I share how I finally decided to address my symptoms of under active thyroid, what I did to improve it, and where I stand today. Included are the actions I took and the...

The standard of care for many common childhood illnesses is to tend to their pain at home until the infection gets out of hand. Thankfully, herbs can be a safe, gentle, and effective way to address both their pain and the infection, and at the same time avoid the negative impacts of overly prescribed antibiotics. If you are in need of assistance, in creating a wellness plan for your child that add...

When our kids struggle with anxious feelings at school, they sure do tug on our heart strings! Thanks to plants, we have plenty of tools to help them! In today’s episode, I share my favorite flower essences, essential oils, and whole plants in tea and tincture form for kids who are experiencing the various uncomfortable symptoms of anxiety. Insomnia, digestive pain, headaches, racing heart, forget...

Eight basic areas to improve health for everyone - foundational health principles for people who may feel overwhelmed by their health story and don’t know where to start. By focusing on sleep, movement, food, water, breathe, social connection, purpose, and spiritual practice, you can improve your current and long term health! In today’s episode, I cover the definitions, the studies and evidence, a...

What was healthcare like in America from 1607-1775? For one, they couldn’t rely on local doctors or dentists being available! Instead, herbs played a major role in every family’s home. Early pilgrim journals indicate favorite plants, whose seeds were chosen to be among the precious little space they had on their voyages across the ocean. We are in a period of time where many people are looking int...

Why are elderberry and echinacea NOT the ideal choice for illness prevention? And if not, what herbs and spices ARE? In today’s podcast, I share about the tissue state behind viral illnesses, what energetics tend to attract pathogenic growth, how humidity in the home impacts viral replication, and several common teas and culinary spices can be used to prevent viruses from taking hold, and shorteni...

Welcome back! This episode, the first in months since our interview series began, is a hard hitter and a hot topic. We’re talking about energy! Or, should I say, the LACK of it. My working title for this episode was, “Energy? Where you at?!” Chronic fatigue is one of the biggest, most irritating symptoms that people with a wide variety of chronic illnesses face, and sometimes it also occurs on its...

In today’s bookend episode to our special summer series, I get to introduce to you Shellie Cook, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Owner of Cornerstone Wellness Center in Auburn, Maine. Shellie’s training and experience working with tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and so much more have changed the lives of her patients. In...

Whether you have no prior understanding of cannabis, or you work with it every day, you will enjoy this interview with Caregiver Nick Bonenfant and his wife, Artist Erika Bonenfant. Nick and Erika own and operate The KK Shop in Augusta, Maine, which sees the plant from “seed to sale,” and which places a huge emphasis on education and awareness, as well as individualized and custom preparations for...

How does acupuncture work? What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling? How are movement techniques related to the healing effects of acupuncture? These and more questions are answered by licensed acupuncturist, Amanda Simmons. In today’s fascinating conversation, Amanda shared tips for getting energy and fluids moving to promote faster healing, acupressure points that are helpful f...

It sounds so perfect! The herbalist who lives off-grid, in the middle of the woods, in a quaint home, serving clients with her wild crafted herbs. But what is off-grid? And what does that look like? Today’s guest is my very own husband, the visionary, designer, builder of that off grid home. In this interview, you will get to hear more of the backstory of myself as the herbalist, why and how we st...

In today’s episode of our interview series I introduce to you my friend and Tranformational Life Coach, Julie Dodd! We know the old prayer, Lord grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference. Julie walks people through the process of developing courage and self-awareness in the light of strengths to guide them in rea...

In this mini series, I am interviewing some awesome people with a wide variety of skills. Today’s interview is with a very special guest! Rebecca Seger was my co-creator of Laurel Tree Wellness! Over tea and coffee, around dining room tables, coffee tables, picnic tables, and cafe tables, Rebecca and I have weaved a story of personal development and purpose and mission in the world, so I am very h...

Welcome to season 2! In this mini series, I am interviewing some awesome people with a wide variety of skills. In today’s interview, beginner herbalist, Brad Saunders offers his personal experience becoming disenfranchised with modern medicine, and of making the transition to preparing and using remedies, with weeds growing in his back yard! He also shares helpful resources, encouragement, and mot...

Today’s guest is Dr. Charles Landry of Landry Osteopathic Healthcare. Dr. Landry specializes in athletic and work-related injuries, and has had fantastic results using traditional manipulative techniques alongside a variety of injection therapies. His story, of choosing osteopathic medicine as his future, at the young age of 15, and creating a vision for healthcare that is honed in on what is best...

The Family Herbalism Podcast has now been live for a whole year!! 🎉🎈AND, we are moving forward into a new season, with some exciting episodes in the works! Thank you SO much for sticking around and listening. Your presence has been such a blessing, and I hope the podcast has been a blessing to you as well. If so, please leave a rating and review on the app, and also, would you take a minute to e...

Planning a summer adventure? Or a few day trips? In this episode, I share tips on how to prevent health problems while traveling, and what to if they show up. Things like motion sickness, muscle pain, insomnia, and even traveler’s diarrhea! We’ll talk about simple herbal tools you can pack (and how to pack them), as well as how you can support your immune system upon your return. For assistance cr...

I really appreciate the ability to work with what you have, and in the case of covid, where it can take you by surprise, you may not have what you think you need on hand to help you. In this episode, I share almost 70 different plants and many ways they can be useful for different aspects of covid, both during an active infection and during recovery. As always, please seek medical attention if you...

What’s the difference between a clinical herbalist, a community herbalist, and a home herbalist? How does an herbalist get their education and training? Who gives them their titles? Who governs the function and work of herbalists? What laws are there regarding herbalism? These and other common questions are answered in today’s podcast. If you would like to continue this conversation or are looking...

A no-nonsense approach to working with essential oils as a home herbalist. There are so many conflicting opinions on the safety and efficacy of essential oils. Are they actually worth their money? Are they as effective, and safe, as some people say they are? As a Certified Aromatherapist, who works with aromatherapy for my children and clients, I offer a few helpful thoughts in this podcast, which...

Looking for a good source of nutrition, and looking for a way to do your part in taking care of your local environment? You can do both by eating invasive plants! In this episode I cover environmental responsibility concepts, five edible plants that grow wild in Maine, and some simple ways to eat them. To get in touch, send an email to laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Reviews I receive from listeners frequently mention how grateful they are to have found a podcast that focus on practical application of herbs and has a holistic approach that isn’t heavy in “Mother Earth” or “woo woo” references. While I am grateful to be able to provide that, these reviews inspired me to make a list of other podcasts that this group of listeners would enjoy. This episode is the...

Up to 17% of people may be affected by MCAS, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. In this episode, I give my family’s testimony about living with a condition that is not well understood yet, and how our journey has taken us from pain and suffering to hope and healing. This is not a “how to,” but a “yes, you can” episode - to offer you hope and encouragement, that if you are suffering with a chronic i...