Over the years, I have been asked *many* questions by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers about what herbs to take and what herbs to steer clear of during these phases of womanhood. There are already plenty of exhaustive lists of herbs *not* to take. So, I thought I’d compile a list of some of my favorite … Continue reading
Basics of Western Herbal Medicine
This is a handout that I like to give my students at workshops and courses. I hope that this information helps you navigate the plant world safely! “Plants are the placenta of animal life… Every carbon atom in our bodies has at one time passed through the chloroplast membrane of a plant.” ~ Dale Pentall, … Continue reading
Southern Prickly Ash
Southern Prickly Ash or Hercules’ Club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) Over the years, I have learned to use the inner bark of the young branches of this fascinating tree to make medicine. The challenge with Prickly Ash is that this lovely herbal ally’s young branches have *thorns* (hence the name) and that makes it a little hard … Continue reading
Pine Pollen Power
Every year, in late spring, people tend to grumble about pine and its ubiquitous pollen here in Southern Appalachia and the Deep South. There’s the usual allergies and then there’s the golden-yellow coating that was on every-single-thing outside. This golden dust is actually a medicine and a food. Donna Caire, a friend, naturalist, and Mayan … Continue reading
Dosages for Children and Youth
As an herbalist, I am often asked questions about dosages for children when it comes to tinctures. Because of this, I created this blog post to send to people when they ask. I have pulled this handy chart from Rosemary Gladstar’s book, Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, for your convenience. The charts and suggestions below … Continue reading
Ramie & My Nettle Sweater
As an herbalist, the plant world constantly intrigues me. Beyond medicine-making, plants continue to lure me into plant-dye experiments, cord-making, and other curiosities. Naturally, fibers and textiles are of interest and I’m always intrigued by traditional techniques and the revivification of lost ways… And so, today’s topic is the natural fiber, ramie. Ramie or China … Continue reading
Cell Phone-Free Living
Message for Lindsay Who Has No Cell Phone This was the subject of the email I just received from someone in SF who read an interview I did with a blogger asking me about living without a cell phone. I never saw the blog post, so I asked this woman to send me a link… … Continue reading
Halloween: From Sugar to Real Sweetness
* harvesting * letting go * first frost * preparation * lungs * mushrooms * roots * fall fruit * mustard family * nuts * seeds * balance * fall colors * hunting * rendering lard * “Like a fisherman drawing in its nets he has dipped in the ocean, September’s equinox quietly pulls in … Continue reading
Fall, Letting Go, and Parting with my Apothecary Business
Fall is on the horizon. This is always a good time to tease out what we need and what we don’t need to move forward in life. In the past, at this time of year, I have left a job that was not fulfilling anymore…left a relationship that no amount of watering could revive…left a … Continue reading
Anatomy of Stillness
anatomy of stillness the moon is yawning and fog hugs the ground as dew gathers at the tips of Everything this Everything glows, silvery the pulse of insects sounds like blood flowing through veins and the earth is cool and moist beneath my feet the stillness reminds me of my center like the eye of … Continue reading
Lindsay Kolasa 