Ever wondered how a single vision can spark decades of community healing? Step into the story of our apothecary rooted in wild plants, womanhood, and the quiet magic that grows when we trust the seasons of our lives.

In this heartfelt episode, Elliott Brinkley, current owner of Dancing Willow Herbs, sits down with Deb Swanson, founder of Dancing Willow Herbs, to explore the apothecary’s origins, the wisdom of plant medicine, and the unseen threads connecting womanhood, astrology, and healing.

They share stories of Deb’s childhood love of wild plants, her studies with Michael Moore, and the mystical vision behind the name Dancing Willow Herbs. From growing a community hub to learning to let go, this is a reflection on legacy, transformation, and honoring every season of life.

Highlights:

• The vision that inspired Dancing Willow Herbs
• The origins and history of our apothecary
• Herbalism as a path to wholeness
• Learning to set boundaries in healing work
• Integrating astrology and herbalism
• Passing the torch and embracing freedom after 30 years in business
  
  
  

Whether you have been a part of our Dancing Willow Herbs community from the beginning or you are new to our offerings, this podcast will connect you to the spirit of what we do & how it all began.

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

Phytochemistry isn’t just science—it’s the language plants use to connect, communicate, and heal.

In this conversation, Elliott sits down with beloved teacher and plant chemistry wizard Lisa Ganora to explore the fascinating world of herbal constituents, not as dry academic material, but as the living language of the plants. Lisa helps us reframe chemistry as a tool for deepening relationship—showing how phytochemicals carry signals, stories, and life force, and how we as herbalists can learn to listen.

Together, they dive into:

• The bridge between science and spirit in herbalism
• How phytochemicals act as energetic signals within the body
• Lisa’s unforgettable first plant meditation experience with Catnip
• The importance of organoleptics (taste, smell, feel) in herbal understanding
• Why bitters are so much more than digestive support
• The herbal wonder that is Angelica root
• Astringents, demulcents, and the sensory language of herbal energetics
• Solubility, extraction, and how to make vibrant herbal medicine

Whether you geek out on plant chemistry or tend to glaze over at the word “constituents,” this episode will leave you with a renewed sense of wonder and practical insight for your own herbal journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lisa’s online courses and membership at herbalconstituents.com
• Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry by Lisa Ganora
• The Physio-Medical Dispensatory by Dr. William Cook (1869)
• Lisa's herb farm in Paonia, Elderberry's Herbal Education & Retreat Center
• @Lisaganora on instagram

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

As the days grow longer and the sun shines stronger, our bodies crave balance, hydration and calm. In this episode, clinical herbalist, Elliott Brinkley explores the vibrant world of summertime herbs—highlighting cooling, moistening, and antioxidant-rich plants that can help you thrive in the heat.

You’ll learn how to make herbal sun teas, herb infused green juices, and cooling tonics using refrigerant herbs like hibiscus, elderflower, lemon balm, peppermint, chickweed and rose, as well as demulcents like marshmallow root, rose hips, licorice and chia. Elliott also shares practical tips for holistic sun care, including foods and herbs that can support your skin’s resilience from the inside out.

🌞 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• How to work with herbs seasonally and energetically
• Top cooling “refrigerant” herbs and how to prepare them
• The power of mucilaginous herbs (demulcents) for internal hydration
• Recipes for summer tonics, green juices, and herbal mocktails
• Nutritional strategies to naturally protect your skin from sun damage
• Herbal allies for sunburn, bug bites, and outdoor wellness

🌿 Products from the Apothecary:

• Hot Mama Tea – cooling support for hot flashes & summer heat
• Bug Be Gone – natural bug spray featuring catnip extract
• Sunburn Spray – cooling mist with aloe, lavender, and peppermint
• Bug Bite Salve – itch relief with chickweed, plantain, and comfrey
• High C Tea – iced vitamin C-rich infusion with hibiscus and elderberries

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco