Herbal Radio

Juniper, these ground-hugging shrubs are common denizens of the temperate and arctic regions of the northern hemispheres, and are well-respected as practical, helpful trees in the Dolomites. Locals harvest the limbs and berries from high mountain crags, bringing them back to the villages and stables for protection, wealth and prosperity. Sit with Guido Masé as we explore the folklore of this aromatic botanical.

All the members of the genus Artemisia, being moon-related, seem to have an affinity for mind-alteration and fortune-telling, but also banishing, cleansing, and forgetfulness. Sit with Guido Masé for a bit of Mugwort story time!

This is a very sacred and important tree in the land of the Ladins, the native inhabitants of the Dolomite region who have been living there, with an intact tradition, since before Roman times. In valleys such as the Val Gardena they still craft beautiful, intricate sculptures from linden wood. But the tree, which we know as a calming, soothing nervine that makes perhaps one of the most delicious teas imaginable, gets the most respect for being a tree of good counsel and calm judgement – as well as having a reputation for growing quite easily from root and branch cuttings. Prolific and soothing, a wealth of craft and magic – this is a tree we all should get to know well.

Learn to set up and use a practical home first aid kit. Discover some of the useful plant allies to have around the house and how to apply them to common household maladies. Learn about herbs such as Chaparral, Yarrow, Echinacea, and Willow, as well as different ways to prepare and use these botanical friends. The goal of the class is for participants to feel comfortable responding to general first aid needs. Recorded at the Free Herbalism Project event in Eugene, OR. 7Song is an herbalist, teacher, and naturalist who lives in Ithaca, New York. He is the director and main instructor at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and is also a founding member and practitioner at the Ithaca Free Clinic. His focus includes herbal practice, free clinic work, first aid, wildcrafting, and botany. He also spends a lot of time taking photographs of things that run, crawl, fly, or photosynthesize.

Susan Leopold, PhD The Work of the United Plant Savers: Why Sustainable Herb Sourcing Matters Join us for firsthand stories from the frontlines of the conservation work of the United Plant Savers! From sandalwood in Hawaii and peyote in Texas, to osha in Colorado and the ginseng of Appalachia, this talk will highlight several medicinal plants that need our engagement. The work of UpS is unique as there is no other organization dedicated to the conservation of at-risk native medicinal plants. As consumers of herbal medicine, we need to understand where our ingredients come from and what factors make a plant at-risk. UpS has partnered with Mountain Rose Herbs on the launch of the new "Forest Grown" program to promote forest farming of traditional herbs in Appalachia. Learn about this effort and how you can become plant savers in these critical times of rapid extinction of native biodiversity and global deforestation. Plants need us, and each of us can make a difference by healing the planet and ourselves.

Guido Masé Aromatics, Bitters, and Tonics: A Simple System to Support Well-being There are thousands of plants that are used for health around the world - the sheer number can seem daunting. But there are simple ways to start using these herbs, in safe and effective ways, to maximize wellness for yourself, your friends, and your family. We will explore three classes of botanicals, learn how inextricably tied they are to our own physiologies, and discover the crucial role they play in maintaining vibrant health: aromatic plants, valued for their effects on mind and spirit; bitter plants, essential for digestive health (and more), and tonic plants, which support immune and cardiovascular function. Together, these allies provide a toolkit to help us navigate the modern world with grace and resilience, and reconnect us to the wild world in which we evolved.

Many of us feel lost and long for a way home to a right relationship with the earth and our plant allies. We seek ways to take our medicine and food into our own hands in ways that honor our connection to all beings and empower us as individuals. In this inspiring lecture, Heron Brae discusses seasonal patterns in relationship to plants, and the inner seasonal rhythms that echo within and around us. Calling attention to these patterns can help us deepen our relationship to the changing energies of nature. In this time of the waning sun of late summer, which plants are vibrant and ready to pick? What ways can we tend and work with plants to support their optimal growth? What are the seasonal patterns that we can learn from through watching and working with our plant allies? She discusses the entire wheel of the year, the many layers of patterns within this model, including plant harvesting and medicinal characteristics. Come away with a map of your personal yearly cycles and the plants that call to us within that cycle.

Rosemary Gladstar and Nicole Telkes Erin from Mountain Rose Herbs just returned from the International Herb Symposium where she had the chance to sit down with Rosemary Gladstar, Nicole Telkes of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine, and Mary Blue of Farmacy Herbs to discuss the trademarking of our herbal traditions and a recent lawsuit against 3 herbalists. Want to support the cause? Donate here! http://freefirecider.com/donate/

Sue Sierralupe Sue is the clinic manager and lead herbalist for Occupy Medical, a free integrated healthcare clinic in Eugene, Oregon where she treats community members and advocates for access to healthcare. In this episode, Sue gives a brief history of the Occupy movement, the clinic itself, and the evolution of the herbal medicine movement in America. Learn how to set up your own clinic and which herbs to start with for successful patient care. Want to support the cause? Donate here! View Supplies Wishlist

Jim McDonald “Aphrodisiac” is a highly problematic term, predominantly because of the popular but mistaken belief that they create "automatic interest" in anyone/everyone who uses them. Products advertised with guarantees for amazing results often fail to deliver, or (not infrequently) are found to be adulterated with drugs. Looking at lists of plants deemed “aphrodisiacs”, we see everything from strong, druglike herbs (yohimbe) to culinary spices (ginger) to adaptogens (ashwangandha) and antispasmodics (kava). What gives? Well, just like all other aspects of herbcraft, one person’s turn on can put another person out…in other words, energetics apply here as well. We’ll look at what indications make certain herbs appropriate for certain people, and give you some engaging ideas to ponder with your partner(s). Samples will be passed around for us all to experience the varying energetics of each plant.

Jim McDonald “Aphrodisiac” is a highly problematic term, predominantly because of the popular but mistaken belief that they create "automatic interest" in anyone/everyone who uses them. Products advertised with guarantees for amazing results often fail to deliver, or (not infrequently) are found to be adulterated with drugs. Looking at lists of plants deemed “aphrodisiacs”, we see everything from strong, druglike herbs (yohimbe) to culinary spices (ginger) to adaptogens (ashwangandha) and antispasmodics (kava). What gives? Well, just like all other aspects of herbcraft, one person’s turn on can put another person out…in other words, energetics apply here as well. We’ll look at what indications make certain herbs appropriate for certain people, and give you some engaging ideas to ponder with your partner(s). Samples will be passed around for us all to experience the varying energetics of each plant.

Howie Brounstein and Steven Yeager Howie and Steven from the Columbines School of Botanical Studies talk about the medicinal properties of aromatic plants on the respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems. They also cover a favorite western medicinal plant, Osha (Ligusticum) and offer practical alternatives to the wild root, like thyme, that are commonly cultivated and found in the kitchen.

Howie Brounstein and Steven Yeager Here's the first episode from our event with herbalists/botanists Howie and Steven. Learn how bitters can help promote healthy digestion in many situations, sing along to That Bloated Feeling, and enjoy their Oregon Grape tips and expertise!

Rosemary Gladstar shares inspirations for growing the health freedom movement, building community health resiliency, leading plant stewardship where we live, setting up free herbal clinics and bartering herbal services to expand access where it's needed, and more plant wisdoms not to be missed!

Rosemary Gladstar shares inspirations for growing the health freedom movement, building community health resiliency, leading plant stewardship where we live, setting up free herbal clinics and bartering herbal services to expand access where it's needed, and more plant wisdoms not to be missed!