Herb Mentor Radio

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is often one of the first signs of spring: this springtime green sprouts up as temperatures increase, beckoning us all to celebrate the arrival of the new season.  Often dismissed as a "common weed," the chickweed plant's growth comes at just the right time—it offers many healing gifts that can support our bodies during the transition from winter to spring. Want to learn more about the gifts of chickweed?  Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of chickweed. And after learning these 3 benefits of chickweed, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

EagleSong Gardener is an EarthKeeper, a grandmother, and a lifelong adventurer, with over 50 years of experience homesteading, practicing herbal medicine, and teaching. Her unique approach is grounded in observing the rhythms of nature and understanding how life weaves its patterns through the seasons. She inspires others to connect with the earth in practical and meaningful ways. EagleSong wasn’t just my first herbal mentor—she’s been the most influential in shaping my journey with plants. Her guidance laid the foundation for what would eventually become LearningHerbs, which is why we’re celebrating our 20th Anniversary with this episode. Today, we’re exploring hawthorn, a remarkable plant known for its profound support of the heart—physically, emotionally, and energetically. Here’s what we explore: Hawthorn’s gifts to the heart—its medicinal and emotional benefits, plus how to use it in daily life. Seasonal practices and plant rituals—how tuning into nature’s cycles helps us build stronger connections with the plants around us. Humans as keystone species—what this means for the health of our ecosystems and how we can play our part. Stories and insights from decades of herbal practice—EagleSong shares practical wisdom and inspiring reflections that will deepen your connection with the natural world. You can learn more about EagleSong Gardener and check out her incredible offerings right here: https://www.eaglesong-gardener.com   Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path.  Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards  

Thyme offers a familiar, pungent taste to every dish it graces. Beyond its culinary gifts, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) also has a rich history as a medicinal herb with a wide range of benefits. Want to learn more about the gifts of thyme?  Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of thyme in this edition of Herb Notes. And after learning these 3 benefits of thyme, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like peppermint, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

The most wonderful time of the year brings your most pressing herbal questions! In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we explore: What herbs are best for sleep? Which herbs ease pain naturally? What makes a great herbal coffee substitute? Discover the benefits of herbs like California poppy, passionflower, ginger, and turmeric, as Tara shares her go-to remedies for common ailments like insomnia and muscle tension. Plus, John reveals a simple yet crucial tip for identifying St. John’s wort — you’ll definitely want to hear this one! Whether you’re new to herbalism or a seasoned pro, there’s something here for everyone. Tune in to deepen your connection with the plants that support your well-being.   Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path.  Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, peppermint's ubiquitous flavor can bring a sense of familiarity and comfort. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is more than just a tasty beverage though: the peppermint plant has a rich history of medicinal usage. Want to learn more about the gifts of peppermint? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of peppermint. And after learning these 3 benefits of peppermint, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like peppermint, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Herbalist and artisanal miso maker Gabe Garms joins us to chat about herbal misos, regenerative farming, and fermentation.  Before I met Gabe this past summer, I thought that miso could only be made with soybeans. Little did I know that miso can be made with ingredients like dandelion root, mushrooms, and even bacon. Gabe opened my eyes to the exciting world of herbal misos — including how incredibly nutrient-dense they are — and his creativity and vast knowledge of fermentation totally blew me away.Gabe Garms is the founder of Creative Koji, a Pacific Northwest-based company dedicated to crafting artisanal miso products using locally grown and sourced ingredients. Gabe draws on his background in permaculture and medicinal herbs to grow many of the ingredients for Creative Koji. He is passionate about fermented foods, natural medicine and teaching people how to grow their own medicinals/food within a permaculture system.  Our conversation with Gabe will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and embrace the many gifts of fermentation. In this episode, Gabe shares... How to easily start fermenting at home The medicinal gifts of miso How miso can supercharge your herbal allies How to nourish your gut microbiome and much more! Learn more about Gabe Garms and Creative Koji.   Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path.  Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

In recent years, turmeric (Curcuma longa) has exploded in popularity. Chances are your favorite coffeeshop might now even include a golden milk turmeric latte on the menu. Turmeric, however, is not just a fad: this vibrant herb is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy with centuries’ of use as a traditional remedy. Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of turmeric. And after learning these 3 benefits of turmeric, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like rosemary, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Lisa Fazio takes us on a journey through Italian-American folk herbalism, the healing power of food as medicine, and the medicinal properties of herbs like garlic, St. John’s wort, and olive. She shares her personal stories and ancestral wisdom, making this conversation a true gift for anyone passionate about herbal traditions. When we first came across Lisa’s new book, Della Medicina: The Tradition of Italian-American Folk Healing, we knew we had to invite her to the show. Her book is a beautiful collection of stories and deep connections to beloved plants such as garlic, St. John’s wort, olive, and more. We were especially excited to speak with Lisa because of our own Italian heritage and curiosity about ancestral traditions. However, the wisdom Lisa offers is relevant and deeply supportive, no matter where your roots lie. Her approach invites us all to reconnect with our ancestral medicines and understand how herbal practices have been passed down through generations. In this episode, Lisa Fazio talks about: Practical traditions for honoring ancestors The protective qualities of garlic Benedicaria and the spiritual uses of herbs The connections between Catholic saints and herbs The rich herbal traditions of Italy and how they’ve evolved for Italian Americans and so much more To learn more about Lisa Fazio and her work, visit The Root Circle.  Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path.  Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

With its familiar sweet and pungent taste, cinnamon is a common spice that makes an exceptionally tasty addition to every meal it graces. Cinnamon’s gifts go far beyond its flavor, however: in fact, herbalists know that cinnamon offers many healing gifts. Want to learn more about the gifts of cinnamon? Let’s dive into three key health benefits of cinnamon… Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of cinnamon. And after learning these 3 benefits of cinnamon, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like rosemary, catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.

Chatting with Lucretia VanDyke for the first time ever immediately felt like catching up with a dear friend — we were totally transported and never wanted the conversation to end. Lucretia is a phenomenal storyteller who weaves her tales with reverence, humor, and thorough research. As one of the foremost experts on Southern folk healing arts, she integrate rituals, plant spirit meditation, holistic food and herbal medicine, and ancestor reverence into people's practices. She is the author of African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions. In this episode, Lucretia shares... How to make your kitchen a sacred space for creativity Practical tips for for connecting with your ancestors Why poke changed her life and led her to New Orleans The important legacy of herbalist Emma Dupree and so much more! You can learn more about Lucretia VanDyke on her site. Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path. :) Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards