The threads of the world are fraying. Each day, we lose species, language, soil, and culture. In just a handful of generations, we have been sold the narrative of radical independence: Be the army of one. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Strive for the picket fence and the giant bank account. The philosophy and practice of extractive capitalism have created a world of loneliness and division.

But how do we even begin to imagine and understand the potential for solutions when the problems are so vast?

A few years ago, my husband and I spent some time in Western Europe and stayed in the home of a local amateur botanist. On one of our many treks through the countryside, she pointed to a lovely little flowering plant with spotted leaves and called it lungwort. Being from the mountains of Western Oregon, I had a “Wait, what?!” moment. Lungwort in my part of the world is a lichen that grows in the canopy of old growth forests. Pulmonaria officinalis is the lungwort I met in Europe, and Lobaria oregana is the lungwort I grew up with—two dramatically different botanicals that share the same common name.

I am a firm believer that soup is one of mankind’s greatest culinary creations. When you think about it, there are not many dishes out there that are dippable, slurpable, and all-around irresistible, but soup boasts all of these qualities and then some! Growing up as a cooking connoisseur-to-be, I vividly recall soup being one of my earliest culinary experiments. However, being the rather creative and chaotic child I was, my recipes often incorporated a few unusual ingredients (the stars of my soup were grass and puddle water—if that helps paint a picture). I’ve since refined my definition of what is considered “edible” and have learned to swap grass clippings and puddles for herbs and broth. Although my secret ingredients may be a bit different now, soup still stands as my all-time favorite dish to make! 

Before jumping into all the amazing qualities of American ginseng, I first wanted to share a bit about my personal journey with this plant. For a long time, I did not feel comfortable working with ginseng. A big part of my herbal practice is ensuring that I’m working with herbs in a way that honors the ecological and social impacts of my choices. As you may know, ginseng is on the United Plant Savers’ At-Risk List and is also in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species list, meaning it is at risk of becoming extinct if trade is not better controlled. Ginseng has been on these lists for many years and remains a plant that continues to be overharvested and poached to the point of ecological harm. Yet over the years, several passionate industry peers have stepped up to the challenge of making ginseng sustainable and accessible while not affecting the already threatened wild stands. 

One of the things I love most about the world of herbal mocktails is the fact that there are limitless flavor combinations to try. In my kitchen, oxymels are a key ingredient for mocktails: they impart a complexity of flavor that can be hard to achieve without alcohol. I enjoy experimenting with different vinegars and even citrus juices. Eventually, my kitchen explorations led to balsamic vinegar. 

Bitters are having a viral moment, but rather than chewing on a celery stalk with a wry face while others douse themselves on the alcohol-based bitters bandwagon, I’m excited to introduce you to a zesty, alcohol-free contender. As a sober herbalist, I’ve come up with a powerful, sophisticated bitters blend that stands up to the hype, and possesses the celebrated digestive support and versatile uses like traditional bitters recipes. 

The winter season is a time of rest and reflection for many of us. It’s also the perfect time of year to get cozy with a good book and a hot cup of herbal tea. For me, winter is the season of tea. Whether I’m in need of a nourishing brew to help keep my body healthy or am just looking for something to cut through the chill of winter’s air, a flavorful cup of tea is just what I need. Here are some of my favorite winter tea blends.

In this overwhelming and often stress-inducing world, there is little that is more healing than moments of precious tranquility. Stress has a profound impact on the body and mind, with studies showing it can lead to macroscopic changes in brain structure over time (Mariotti, A. 2015). This, in turn, can lead to other issues, such as a weakened immune system, difficulty in absorbing nutrients into the body properly, and a general decrease in quality of life. Amidst the whirlwind of life, there are centers of calm to be found—places where we can pause, reorient, and connect with Eirene, the Greek goddess and personification of peace.

Passionflower (passiflora icarnata) is one such herb that can aid us in finding these centers of calm. A commonly known nervine, used for promoting restful sleep, softening tension, and even easing occasional aches and pains. Native to Central and South America and now flourishing in many other areas of the world, its hypnotic blossoms invite us to slow down, find our footing, and welcome tranquility into our tired minds. 

In today’s world of healthcare, there’s a big divide. On one side, you have people who swear by "western medicine," celebrating its cutting-edge technology and life-saving interventions. On the other, you have folks who are all about natural remedies, often dismissing modern medicine entirely. But the truth is, both sides bring something valuable to the table. What really matters is asking the right questions—starting with “Why?”

As we move through our daily lives, we seek meaningful connections, and it is this very search that often leads us back to nature. In this endeavor, plants are our allies. Not only do plants physically nurture the animal body through food, shelter, and physiological support—plants also remind us of what it means to be a part of this wild and wonderful world.

Embarking on my journey with herbalism was a leap of faith that has profoundly enriched my life. Having spent over a decade as a business owner, I understood the importance of having a vision and a plan, but I also learned that flexibility and intuition are key. My background in design provided me with strong organizational skills, yet I found myself in uncharted territory when it came to running an herbal business. Nonetheless, I felt a compelling call to explore herbal medicine, driven by a deep-seated passion and an inner knowing that this was my path.