Imagine chewing on a rose hip and feeling more than just flavor dancing on your tongue. That sharp tang doesn’t just wake up your taste buds, it signals deep within your body. In the world of herbalism, the flavors of herbs: bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and pungent, are not just tastes, but they are signals of the herb’s therapeutic touches on our organ systems. Each flavor has a unique relationship with our body. By tasting these flavors, you can start to unlock a whole new way of relating to plants.

As September ushers in autumn, our bodies remember the seasonal rhythms. They are older than memory. We are woven in the fabric of these seasonal shifts. Our skin starts responding to crisp cold temperatures, our eyes relax into the darkness, our bodies call in rest. In honoring these changes, one way we reconnect is through our relationship with the plants + foods. Here are some ideas for your home apothecary in this season:

With the weight of the current world, and its twist + turns, remember to come back to the plants. They are here to help hold you. Remember, don’t run away from grief. It is necessary.

Who says herbalism has to be fancy, expensive, or reserved for those wandering through a chic  herb shop? The truth is, some of the most powerful medicinal plants are already hanging out in your kitchen! A sprig of rosemary, a clove of garlic, an onion, or some cinnamon, these everyday plants are overlooked powerhouses.

Allergy season is right around the corner, if it hasn't already come knocking. Allergies show up in people in many different ways. Some have upper respiratory allergies, some have skin reactions, some have lower respiratory weakness, and the list goes on. But on the most basic of levels, the same thing is happening in the body with these symptomatic expressions: histamine.

Spring time is fresh energy. The plants are coming out of hibernation, their small delicate leaves are bursting out of the soil and reaching for the sun. We too start grabbing for the sun and stretching out of the winter cold. How are you finding yourself adjusting to spring? This is the time to start the movement upwards and shaking off the winter hibernation.

Spring time offers many medicinal weeds, most of them found in our backyards! Most want to get rid of these resilient plants, but fail to understand how medicinal they are. Many of the spring time greens are nutrient rich, anti-inflammatory, bitter, and can help move sluggishness in the liver, skin, lymph and kidneys. They can help shake off that winter heaviness and liven up our organs! Herbs like nettle and cleavers can help remove buildup and release it through our urinary system, and dandelion leaf can help awaken digestive juices and bile for easy detoxification and digestion. Today in this preparation we are working with: dandelion leaf, purple dead nettle, cleavers, and chickweed.

There is something sweet in the darkness and decay of the nature around here. I am reminded that there is beauty in letting go, there is charm in the dying leaves and the skeletons of what used to be flowers. There can’t be bright colors and sun all the time. Just like the plants, we must rest.

When the body becomes overactive and in a hypervigilant state, our organs, adrenals and muscles are burdened by the result. Our fight or flight response drains us, and can make us feel depressed, fatigue, or have bouts of insomnia. Vervain is here to help. Vervain is commonly used as a nervine, anxiolytic and antispasmodic. It helps calm mind chatter, relax the shoulders, induce healthy sleep patters, and soften the nervous system. Acting also as a bitter, vervain can help ease digestion, and has a cooling effect on the liver. When bad dreams or night terrors occur, vervain can help fight off feelings of uncertainty and help you gently lay back down to rest.

The smoke has cleared from wild fires, what now? Does this mean that our health concerns have gone away? Some might feel the immediate relief of brain fog, headaches, and blocked sinuses, but our bodies are still on the road to detoxing from this environmental disaster. Sometimes, symptoms won’t show up for months. We still need to be proactive in our health, and here are a few tips on how.

To my fellow communities, here are some herbal tips and plant allies to keep those lungs and nervous systems supported during wild fire season.

Oh my!! There has been a huge success in the herbal community this past week. Fire Cider has been ruled a ‘generic’ term. Most people know of Fire Cider as the spicy brew that is used to keep colds and flus away during the winter month. The DIY concoction has ingredients can be found at any grocery store and is easy to make. With Fire Cider becoming a common household remedy outside of the herbal community, there has been a long fight around the term ‘Fire Cider.’ Let me explain.

With the romantic colors of autumn, and the coolness she brings, cold and flu season starts to tip toe around this time of year. The flu is just waiting to bust down the doors and attack the body's cells. We must find stability and strength within our bodies. Autumn is a time of slowing down, settling into the darkness. This is the time of year where we go inward, create a ritual around self care practices, and we take time to build our bodies up for the winter. What things can we do to keep our immune strength, and our bodies strong, nourished and warm? Here are a tips to keep in your back pocket.