

Herb Mentor Radio
LearningHerbs.com
Welcome to Herb Mentor Radio, your go-to herbal podcast for exploring the transformative world of herbs and herbal medicine, brought to you by LearningHerbs. Join hosts Tara Ruth and Kimberly Gallagher as they interview herbalists, sharing inspiring stories, practical tips, and time-tested wisdom. Discover how herbs can enhance your health, enrich your meals, and support your everyday life. Whether you’re a beginner to herbal education, curious about natural remedies, or an experienced herbalist seeking fresh insights, each episode is packed with actionable advice to help you unlock the healing power of plants. 599324
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 15, 2024 • 1h 7min
Lucretia VanDyke: Listening When the Plants Talk
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
Sep 1, 2024 • 3min
Herb Notes: Rosemary's Benefits—Digestive Health, Hair Growth, and Memory Support
Rosemary is most popularly known as a tasty culinary herb. Indeed, rosemary’s aromatic leaves have a special place in many beloved dishes — adding a distinct, pungent taste. Herbalists know, though, that rosemary’s beneficial properties extend far beyond its flavor: this fragrant herb boasts many healing gifts.
Want to learn more about the many gifts of rosemary? Let's dive into three key health benefits of rosemary…
Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of rosemary.
And after learning these 3 benefits of rosemary, 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/.
Aug 17, 2024 • 56min
Asia Suler: The Power of Plant Communication
Have you ever had one of those moments in life when suddenly everything change? There's a before this moment and an after this moment — and nothing will ever be the same. That's how Tara and I felt after meeting Asia Suler.
Asia Suler is an herbalist and earth intuitive. She began her journey after began her journey after early years of chronic pain and illness. The experience— which pushed her into a deep search for healing, both within and without— led her to the altar of the green world. Chatting with Asia on HerbMentor Radio was deeply moving and opened our hearts to the power sensitivity and plant communication. I have a feeling you might have one of those life changing moments too when you listen to our conversation with Asia.
In this episode, Asia shares...
How to communicate with the plants that grow around you
How to embrace the power of your sensitivity
Grounding practices for sensitive souls in a chaotic world
How motherhood has transformed her relationship to work and healing and so much more!
You can learn more about Asia Suler and check out her work at https://asiasuler.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 herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards
Jul 28, 2024 • 3min
Herb Notes: Mullein’s Miracles - From Dry Coughs to Ear Aches
I saw mullein (Verbascum spp.) growing all around me for years before I knew its name, let alone its many healing gifts. Now when I see mullein growing upwards of 7 feet tall by sidewalks and trailsides alike, I smile and say hi to this nourishing plant ally.
Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of mullein.
And after learning the benefits of mullein, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs... Well, 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 catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.
Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.
Jul 14, 2024 • 1h 4min
Jiling Lin: Understanding the Five Elements
I have been waiting for years to get to dive deep into the Five Elements on HerbMentor Radio, so it was a special treat when Jiling Lin stopped by to chat with us about the principles of Five Elements.
Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist, herbalist, and artist. Her integrative medical practice in Ventura, CA and holistic workshops, retreats, and writings empower thriving health and environmental stewardship in our bodies, communities, and world.
In our conversation with Jiling, she drew on her years of experience as an acupuncturist and herbalist to break down the Five Elements into simple terms. Her poetic approach left us feeling inspired and excited to learn more about the elements.
On the episode, Jiling shares...
The fundamentals of the Five Elements
How to live in harmony with the seasons
How understanding the elements can make us better herbalists
Herbs for summertime and so much more!
You can learn more about Jiling Lin and check out her work at https://www.jilinglin.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 herbal first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards
Jun 30, 2024 • 3min
Herb Notes: The Benefits of Linden
With its heart shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, linden (Tilia spp. and aka lime tree) is a beautiful tree often found on city blocks. While most people value linden trees for their beauty and shade, herbalists know that linden flowers also offer many healing gifts.
Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of linden.
And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs... Well, 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 catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.
Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.
Jun 23, 2024 • 53min
Christopher Hobbs: Demystifying Medicinal Mushrooms
Join Christopher Hobbs, a fourth-generation herbalist and mycologist, as he unravels the mysteries of medicinal mushrooms. He shares his favorite mushrooms for immune support, like reishi and turkey tail, and offers essential tips for beginners. Discover the importance of cooking mushrooms for better health benefits and learn how they enhance gut immunity. Hobbs also discusses safe foraging practices and the best methods for homemade mushroom preparations, making fungi accessible for everyone!
Jun 2, 2024 • 2min
Herb Notes: Lemon Balm—Real Aroma-Therapy and Essential Benefits
When life gives you lemon balm, you're in luck! With its uplifting citrusy scent, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) certainly is a balm for the soul. Beloved by herbalists and pollinators alike, this abundant plants makes a wonderful addition to any herb garden.
Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of lemon balm.
And after learning these 3 benefits 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 catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.
Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.
May 12, 2024 • 46min
Chamomile, Herbs for Hair Growth, and Garden Companion Planting
John and Tara answer some hairy herbal questions today. Since LearningHerbs' began twenty years ago, we've gotten so many incredible questions about herbal medicine from our community, and we're excited to discuss a few of them today.
So sit back, brew up a relaxing cup of chamomile tea, and enjoy our deep dive into questions like...
What herbs are good for hair growth?
What else is chamomile tea good for?
And what herbs should I plant together?
In this episode we dive into the benefits of chamomile extracts (like chamomile tea and tincture), hair-strengthening herbs, and companion planting. Along the way, Tara shares about chamomile flowers' personality, how to make nourishing herbal infusions, and so much more.
Plus, John shares why he loves making a chamomile steam — hint: the chamomile plant can be super helpful for a common cold symptom.
PS...
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 herbal first aid kid with your Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards
May 4, 2024 • 2min
Herb Notes: The Heart of Hawthorn
Let's get to the heart of the matter, shall we? When it comes to hawthorn, the first thing herbalists tend to think about is the organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies: the heart. And while hawthorn can be a wonderful herbal ally for the heart, there's so much more to know about hawthorn's benefits beyond its affinity for the cardiovascular system.
Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits of hawthorn.
And after learning these 3 benefits you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs...
Well, 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 catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more.
Get our FREE Herb Notes Flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/
You’ll learn all about the medicinal properties of common herbs like elderberry, dandelion, and more.


