Wildcrafting has gotten trendy, and that's not always a good thing. Misidentified plants, sketchy sourcing claims, and a whole lot of misinformation are floating around social media right now, and it's worth slowing down to talk about why that matters.

Howie Brounstein, founder of Columbine School of Botanical Studies and an herbalist who has been teaching for over 40 years, talks about why botany matters, what real wildcrafting ethics actually look like, and why he’s scared by a lot of what he sees online.

What's in this episode:

• The real risks of misidentification and why positive plant ID is non-negotiable
• Why botany matters, and when it doesn't need to be your focus as an herbalist
• How to evaluate herb books and spot information that isn't coming from real experience
• Why Howie teaches a long-term apprenticeship instead of one-day wildcrafting classes
• Why Howie believes you should taste every herb you give to someone else
• What it was like building an herbal career in the late 1970s when nobody believed it was possible
• How AI and social media are accelerating herbal misinformation

For full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/herbal-wildcrafting-ethics-howie-Brounstein

Learn more about Howie's apprenticeship and classes at botanicalstudies.net

Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!

Herbs for Pregnancy - Supporting the journey from preconception to postpartum is a live class being taught by clinical herbalist and owner of Green Path Herb School, Elaine Sheff.

Class is Tuesday June 23rd at 2pm PST, and we'd love to see you there if you're passionate about natural motherhood. Click here to regist

Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?

Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of Need

It's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!💚 Click here to ge

Support the show

Ready to deepen your herbal skills and knowledge?

Whether you're stocking your family's medicine cabinet, building your formulation skills, or stepping into the role of community herbalist, we have a program for you.

Learn more here

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left us a review and shared it with a friend. It helps more herbalists find their way here, and helps make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers 🌸

Join me on: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube

Disclaimer:
*The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbs.

Knowing how to use one herb 40 ways will make you a better herbalist.

Have you ever found yourself buying herb after herb, learning a little about each one, and somehow still feeling like you don't really know what you're doing? If so, you're not alone.

This episode will encourage you to slow down, go deeper, and build the kind of intimate plant relationship that turns into real herbal wisdom. The kind that grows your intuition and skills, saves you money, and keeps your apothecary from turning into a very overwhelming collection of herbs you barely know.

What's in this episode:

• Why going deep with one herb beats collecting herbs you barely know
• Echinacea beyond immune support: wound healing, lymphatics, toothaches, and more
• Chamomile beyond sleepy time: digestion, anxiety, skin inflammation, and antispasmodic action
• The power of slowing down and actually tasting, smelling, and sitting with a plant
• Mel's top 5 essential herbs for her apothecary
• Herbal monographs, the new shop, and the herb of the month deep dive on Substack

For full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/know-one-herb-40-ways

Learn more in our herb workshops, herbal monographs, and deep dive herbalism programs on our new shop page coming soon! Stay tuned for our 30% off grand opening!

Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!

Herbs for Pregnancy - Supporting the journey from preconception to postpartum is a live class being taught by clinical herbalist and owner of Green Path Herb School, Elaine Sheff.

Class is Tuesday June 23rd at 2pm PST, and we'd love to see you there if you're passionate about natural motherhood. Click here to regist

Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?

Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of Need

It's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!💚 Click here to ge

Support the show

Ready to deepen your herbal skills and knowledge?

Whether you're stocking your family's medicine cabinet, building your formulation skills, or stepping into the role of community herbalist, we have a program for you.

Learn more here

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left us a review and shared it with a friend. It helps more herbalists find their way here, and helps make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers 🌸

Join me on: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube

Disclaimer:
*The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbs.

Your gut has been trying to tell you something. The question is whether you know how to listen.

In this episode I sit down with Maria Noel Groves, clinical herbalist and author of Herbal Gut Health, and we go deep on bitters, mucilaginous herbs, lemon balm, and how to listen to what your digestive system is telling you.

What's in this episode:

• Why lemon balm is one of the most underrated digestive herbs we have
• How bitter herbs work and why they're not right for everyone
• The difference between stimulating digestion and healing the gut
• Marshmallow, linden, meadowsweet, and other soothing allies for gut repair
• How to read your body's signals and choose the right herbs for your situation
• When to reach for herbs and when to call the doctor
• Why tea is often the best delivery method for gut healing herbs

For full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/herbal-gut-health-maria-noel-groves

Ready to go deeper into herbal education? Join us inside the Community Herbalist Certification and Mentorship Program here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Wintergreen Botanicals : https://wintergreenbotanicals.com/ Maria’s site

Herbal Gut Health, her book on our bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/16080/9781635869101

Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!

Herbs for Pregnancy - Supporting the journey from preconception to postpartum is a live class being taught by clinical herbalist and owner of Green Path Herb School, Elaine Sheff.

Class is Tuesday June 23rd at 2pm PST, and we'd love to see you there if you're passionate about natural motherhood. Click here to regist

Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?

Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of Need

It's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!💚 Click here to ge

Support the show

Ready to deepen your herbal skills and knowledge?

Whether you're stocking your family's medicine cabinet, building your formulation skills, or stepping into the role of community herbalist, we have a program for you.

Learn more here

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left us a review and shared it with a friend. It helps more herbalists find their way here, and helps make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers 🌸

Join me on: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube

Disclaimer:
*The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbs.