The Herbalist's Path

Seems like wildfires are everywhere these days. And, the most common thing people will ask an herbalist is, “what herbs do I need for the inhalation of wildfire smoke?” And, they’re thinking it’s always something to do with the lungs and respiratory health.
Which, yes, that’s a great start. But, these fires, and their smoke affect so much more than that in our bodies. And, that’s what we’re digging into with this episode.
We’re talking about things like:
Why thinking of the body as a whole, instead of just one system at a time is important.
Using herbs for nervous system support
Supporting the liver, so it can help detoxify our systems
And yes, supporting the lungs too.
Herbs you’ll hear about in this episode are: Hawthorn, Mullein, Licorice, Fennel, Anise Seed, Linden, Milk Thistle, and probably a few more, you’ll just have to listen to find out.

The thing that a skilled herbalist will do in almost all situations is look beyond the initial issue most folks think you’re facing. Because we are beautiful, intricate, complex, and whole beings. And, what may affect one body system, is surely to be having an impact on other systems as well. And, when you learn to think of using herbs in ways like this, you’re thinking like an herbalist, and you will have much greater success with herbal remedies.

Want to start thinking more like an herbalist, instead of a band-aid fixer? Check out the Community Herbalist Mentorship here! 
https://www.theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certification

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

What happens when someone who spent years fixing broken healthcare systems realizes plants might be part of the solution? You get Monica Pastrana of Bellebrook Botanicals.
Monica is a community herbalist, healthcare professional, and homesteader in rural Wisconsin who built her herbal product line from three simple, food-like remedies and a clear mission: get effective, approachable plant medicine into people's hands.
What's in this episode:
How a healthcare career led Monica straight to herbalism
The morning she cut the tip of her finger off processing yarrow, and how that plant helped
Burdock root and the stubborn skin issues it cleared
Talking herbs with medical professionals without losing the relationship
The bonfire analogy for inflammation every herbalist should be using
Monica's seasonal herbal making classes on her Wisconsin property
For full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/yarrow-burdock-herbal-business-monica-pastrana
Learn more about the Community Herbalist Certification and Mentorship Program at theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certification

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

When an FDA inspector showed up to inspect my student's herbal product business, he flagged her elderberry echinacea tincture as dangerous, and cited Google AI as his research source. That's where this episode starts, and it gets crazier from there.
This herbalist has done the work, and played by all the rules. She documented everything from seed to final sale. Her SOPs in place, labels compliant. She’s even been working in healthcare for years. She was doing everything right. And still, an FDA inspector who couldn't explain cyanogenic glycosides without consulting an AI chatbot tried to bring her down.
What's in this episode:
What happened when an FDA inspector flagged elderberry using Google AI as his only source
The truth about cyanogenic glycosides in elderberries and why the inspector was wrong
What the American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook says about elderberry
Why AI-driven research on plant medicine is dangerous and what to do instead
The bigger picture: how plant medicine has been systematically erased from mainstream knowledge
What you need to have in place if you run an herbal product line
How to find support and resources if this happens to you

For full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/fda-inspects-herbal-business-elderberry-safety
Want support and mentorship as you build your herbal business, or gain more skills to become an herbalist? That's what we do inside the Community Herbalist Certification and Mentorship. Learn more at theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certification 

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

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!
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!
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.