https://licea.org LICEA Sat, 21 Oct 2023 01:20:23 +0000 https://licea.org en https://licea.org/Homepage Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:02:36 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Homepage https://licea.org/Innergarden Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:02:33 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Innergarden Jaskrit Bhalla, Herbalist + Educator, Innergarden Jaskrit is an herbalist, permaculture practitioner, naturalist, educator, and lover of food living in Southern California. Her mission is to inspire people to connect with and tend to their inner gardens through Earth, Body, and Spirit care. Where are you based? Who are the indigenous peoples of this land? I am based in Orange County, California. This land is unceded Tongva territory.&nbsp; Can you share a bit about what ignited your herbalism journey? I have always had a strong relationship with plants and nature, both of which were my greatest healing allies throughout difficult chapters of my life. I also grew up around what I like to call kitchen medicine: the use of herbs, spices, and medicinal foods in everyday life through what my mom cooked for my family. We are North Indian, so our traditional cuisine is rich in ingredients that support digestion and immunity. My grandfather was also a homeopathic practitioner and would provide remedies to members of his community that couldn’t afford healthcare or expensive medical treatments (to the best of his abilities). I began studying herbal medicine more formally after working at an organic farm and learning about the importance of the ways our food, medicine, textiles, and dyes are grown. I became passionate about supporting local ecology and food systems, but wanted to delve deeper into the ethnobotanical history of Southern California. I found an herbal medicine apprenticeship program that focuses on not just herbalism but also field botany, stewardship, nutrition, and community. <img width="1766" height="2412" width_o="1766" height_o="2412" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a0bf80237c6e18d814755eaefaf2f799449d53d2d8717941694be66eb55d994e/106628010011.jpg" data-mid="183901331" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a0bf80237c6e18d814755eaefaf2f799449d53d2d8717941694be66eb55d994e/106628010011.jpg" /> <img width="1124" height="1124" width_o="1124" height_o="1124" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cd6d162f9ee6e7580b3df4e559b2294a4fc12d2fe47c8ad90125c44d9ced922d/306919564_641843880889011_5637095547051415682_n.jpg" data-mid="183901328" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cd6d162f9ee6e7580b3df4e559b2294a4fc12d2fe47c8ad90125c44d9ced922d/306919564_641843880889011_5637095547051415682_n.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d776d71e9d9a1a75ad2ca128fb8a617305db378f871c5c43d59b2ffb79593e5f/Artboard-31.png" data-mid="194416615" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/d776d71e9d9a1a75ad2ca128fb8a617305db378f871c5c43d59b2ffb79593e5f/Artboard-31.png" /> Who are your ancestors? Do they influence your herbal practices?My ancestors are from Northwestern India and Pakistan, or more specifically, the Punjab region of pre-partition India. I feel like the energetic system that resonates the most with me is Ayurveda, which informs much of my personal practice and the ways through which I see the world. I utilize lots of ancestral plant allies in my daily life including Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Shatavari, and all the culinary herbs/spices that originate from the Indian subcontinent. I also have a background in classical yoga, so I like to incorporate that into my practice. How do you incorporate herbalism into your everyday life? This is always a tricky question for me because I never really know where to begin! For me, going on a hike and sitting with my favorite native plants is just as much of a medicine as drinking an herbal infusion or taking a tincture. I spent a lot of time outdoors with native plants that I have deeply familiarized myself with and have immense respect for. I don’t wildcraft or forage frequently because Southern California is full of sensitive, threatened ecosystems and a vast history of Indigenous stewardship. However, I incorporate herbs into much of my daily life. I grow herbs in my backyard garden, drink nourishing herbal infusions every day, have a rotation of tinctures I take each morning, use digestive bitters, and incorporate herbs into lots of my cooking. Lately I’ve been doing oat straw infusions every day. I’ll do nettle infusions for a couple weeks until I notice myself drying out a bit due to their dry energetics and diuretic effect that is exacerbated by the arid climate I live in. Then I’ll switch to another nutritive, mineralizing herb. I take a medicinal mushroom complex tincture, bee propolis tincture, and whatever else I feel like I need each morning with a glass of water. The classes of herbs I use most frequently are relaxing nervines, adaptogens, nutritive herbs/alteratives, herbs for hormonal support, and carminatives (herbs that promote digestion). These are just targeted for my specific needs but everybody is different. What’s your go-to plant preparation &amp; why?My go-to plant preparation is either an infusion, or powdered herbs incorporated into a fat like ghee or whole milk and then added to whatever I’m cooking. I find these to be the most accessible and enjoyable ways for me to stay consistent. I try my best to make sure I’m taking my herbs on a regular basis. What are your tips for someone who is just starting? Go outside and get to know the land you live on. Our relationship with the land is a reflection of our relationship with ourselves. Begin cultivating awareness of the things that grow around you, learn about their history of use, sit with them, observe them. Also, try growing windowsill herbs or herbs in your backyard if you have space! Herbs grow well in containers and are extremely easy plants to work with. Finally, find a couple of plants that you feel deeply called to explore and get to know them very well. It’s better to have a close relationship with a few plants than to overwhelm yourself with trying to learn everything there is to know about every medicinal plant in the world. How do you cultivate reciprocity with plants? If I do choose to wildcraft, I have a long checklist that my teacher provided all her students with to go through prior to harvesting anything. I always try to make an offering (ex: a bit of water) and then ask the plant if it is okay for me to harvest. I never harvest more than what I need, or from a plant stand that looks sparse or too young. I have grown many culinary and medicinal plants in my backyard that I now have a closer relationship with because I worked with them throughout their life cycle. I try to remain humble and remind myself that these beings are far more intelligent than we as humans could ever try to intellectualize. I try to view plants as other beings that deserve our respect, love, and care regardless of what they can do for us humans. What is your herbalism philosophy?&nbsp;Herbalism is my way of connecting with land and the life force that permeates all beings on Earth. It’s stewardship and reciprocity. It’s medicine for the people. Any exciting projects you’re working on? I am currently working on lots of events that I have coming up this spring that I will share about on my website, newsletter, and Instagram. I am working on getting production back up and running for my line of grass-fed ghee (including 2 herbal recipes) and launching my online shop. Follow me on instagram to stay up to date on all upcoming projects! <img width="1170" height="861" width_o="1170" height_o="861" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/00014cd2e373f6b7554763008f381ffba8dcd35348fa2e1faf3d4515da1a4c2d/F1B94127-53AC-4706-ABB6-EA752580CBC5.JPG" data-mid="183901329" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/00014cd2e373f6b7554763008f381ffba8dcd35348fa2e1faf3d4515da1a4c2d/F1B94127-53AC-4706-ABB6-EA752580CBC5.JPG" /> <img width="1500" height="2048" width_o="1500" height_o="2048" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/67ef5628d618d6a64d60b10981026c3ba9c728d1da92b4d5c8ee721f70efccf4/ZxTegtho.jpeg" data-mid="183901332" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/67ef5628d618d6a64d60b10981026c3ba9c728d1da92b4d5c8ee721f70efccf4/ZxTegtho.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="2199" width_o="3024" height_o="2199" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4b810bb2e3e88ad907817e77eda7b61aeb931624d749bd033d3087efc2d1e41f/0F581F49-10EA-4A02-BD49-DC2601DDAAE4.JPG" data-mid="183901330" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4b810bb2e3e88ad907817e77eda7b61aeb931624d749bd033d3087efc2d1e41f/0F581F49-10EA-4A02-BD49-DC2601DDAAE4.JPG" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/972519836929ccc77df626db5a825737cb72d17f9b7263ca29fd973fb89beafd/Artboard-41.png" data-mid="194416617" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/972519836929ccc77df626db5a825737cb72d17f9b7263ca29fd973fb89beafd/Artboard-41.png" /> Lightning︎Round Favorite herb book: Energetic Herbalism by Kat Maier Non-herb books: The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan Film:&nbsp;Anything with Winona Ryder in it Song:&nbsp;This is SO hard. Maybe Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac, or How to Fly by Sticky Fingers. Or anything by Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, or Erykah Badu. Artist: Any classical Indian art! Destination: Either Hawaii (which I haven’t traveled to in years out of respect for the present situation), Greece, Italy, Peru, or Mexico. Or anywhere in California that has coniferous trees!&nbsp;Tea:Tulsi tea Herbalists who inspire you:&nbsp;Shana Lipner (Sage Country Herbs), Kelsey Barrett (Land of Verse) Herbs that are always in your apothecary:&nbsp;Wild oats, nettles, tulsi, ashwagandha, dandelion, lemon balm, lavender, rose, schisandra, hibiscus, marshmallow root, turmeric, ginger, chamomile, reishi, lion’s mane&nbsp; https://licea.org/Spencre-McGowan Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:02:33 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Spencre-McGowan Spencre McGowan, Cookbook Author &amp; Herbalist, Gingertooth Spencre L.R. McGowan is an herbalist and writer from many places, but primarily Maine and Nantucket. She is the creator of Gingertooth &amp; Twine, a blog and shop dedicated to enhancing herbal wisdom through plant-based brews, meals, and publications. Spencre received her certification as an herbalist from the California School of Herbal Studies in 2013. She currently lives alongside the icy caps of Montana with some plants. Where are you based? Who are the indigenous peoples of this land? I’m in Butte, MT, where the Salish people lived. From what I can gather, this area was also known as a common hunting ground between tribes. I’m brand new to this city, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the people who lived here before I did. Can you share a bit about what ignited your herbalism journey? I had the privilege of going to a Waldorf school from Kindergarten to 4th grade, where our education focused on a lot of natural arts and the land around us. I didn’t get into medicinal herbalism until I was 19 though. <img width="3024" height="3463" width_o="3024" height_o="3463" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3d4d66a40d9c0c22541e13fc707f60ed4a630ccde9dc8adb7dae3910e970c0b0/F2EE9050-8F24-40C1-9F41-AAD6EF9DF632.jpeg" data-mid="183931698" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3d4d66a40d9c0c22541e13fc707f60ed4a630ccde9dc8adb7dae3910e970c0b0/F2EE9050-8F24-40C1-9F41-AAD6EF9DF632.jpeg" /> <img width="1440" height="1800" width_o="1440" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b786f882f8ece7f3c7884876a929238deeb0909d2d65d581694d6b6ca31fce38/29D27FDD-6855-4EFF-8C68-AFD1D505E4C4.jpg" data-mid="183931701" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b786f882f8ece7f3c7884876a929238deeb0909d2d65d581694d6b6ca31fce38/29D27FDD-6855-4EFF-8C68-AFD1D505E4C4.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ad57b5b3869525a6527553caf7d62a5447c723813416816079594947b10f4050/Artboard-5.png" data-mid="194416745" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/ad57b5b3869525a6527553caf7d62a5447c723813416816079594947b10f4050/Artboard-5.png" /> My friend Lindsey and I discovered the practice together and roamed around our town, collecting weeds and making pretty newbie tinctures. That led me to discovering herb schools, and it landed me at the California School of Herbal Studies a few years later. Who are your ancestors? Do they influence your herbal practices? I am primarily of Swedish and Celtic descent. My grandmother, Berit, was from Sweden and I am very lucky to have grown up so close to my culture because of her. I have spent a good amount of time in Sweden as well. I still have a lot of family there, which is so nice. I’ve been skirting around my Irish roots, since I’m mostly familiar with tired Irish American behaviors, but I’m slowly learning more about that side of my ancestry and falling in love with the traditions. How do you incorporate herbalism into your everyday life? I have to admit that I’ve fallen almost entirely out of my everyday herbalism routine since finishing my book. Over the summer, I contracted a tick borne illness that kept me exhausted and in bed for most of the summer. I neglected herbs and any form of routine, but I’m just starting to get back into it. I met with an herbalist who is helping me establish an herby routine again, and it’s my goal to make tea at least once a day again in this new space. I think it’s really common for herbalists to be their own worst patient, so reaching out for help from peers is essential. What are your tips for someone who is just starting? Start small. In herb school, we focused on a plant of the week. At the start of each school week, we were given a small baggie of a dried herb to take home and make tea or some other form of medicine with it, then document how the plant made us feel. I always advise people to treat herbs like you would a new lover or friend. Take time, experiment and get to know them as individuals. Don’t overwhelm yourself. How do you cultivate reciprocity with plants? I was taught to sit by plants before harvesting as a way to thank and think of them before they pass on their medicine. This can also look like verbally saying thank you (which I find myself doing a lot) and/or giving the plant a physical gift such as their own medicine once you’ve extracted what you need. As for community, I try to keep product and workshop prices low and accessible options with my recipes. My greatest fear is making herbalism solely for a certain group of people. I’d rather eat my own hat than make herbalism an elitist, inaccessible practice. <img width="3024" height="3494" width_o="3024" height_o="3494" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/acb9a867971a76162f9b8bdb16288349cf32a7e39bd27dad775f4ebd5ed9e272/2A3B44CC-72EE-4985-94DD-600E53BB6C37.jpeg" data-mid="183931702" border="0" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/acb9a867971a76162f9b8bdb16288349cf32a7e39bd27dad775f4ebd5ed9e272/2A3B44CC-72EE-4985-94DD-600E53BB6C37.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="3555" width_o="3024" height_o="3555" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/924f19ddcfe323b0825b23e7a4c90a1aae57b3427e14768efd4920ef28980e11/DD8D8901-E526-4D93-9571-3F7B7660383A.jpeg" data-mid="183931699" border="0" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/924f19ddcfe323b0825b23e7a4c90a1aae57b3427e14768efd4920ef28980e11/DD8D8901-E526-4D93-9571-3F7B7660383A.jpeg" /> <img width="828" height="1035" width_o="828" height_o="1035" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/10792d10a5cb4b283c42b56a7e693945b4208b8d9024d147dadffd5341a0c167/436C9A4D-E116-4AE4-8CB5-F50B028793AA.jpg" data-mid="183931700" border="0" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/828/i/10792d10a5cb4b283c42b56a7e693945b4208b8d9024d147dadffd5341a0c167/436C9A4D-E116-4AE4-8CB5-F50B028793AA.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b054eb7ee7612205aa79112311f5767148642db0174ac47badb3ea4884673d6e/Artboard-61.png" data-mid="194416720" border="0" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/b054eb7ee7612205aa79112311f5767148642db0174ac47badb3ea4884673d6e/Artboard-61.png" /> Lightning︎Round Favorite herb book(s): Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman is always my go to. When I can’t find what I need from that book, I usually look to Rosemary Gladstar or Stephen Harrod Buhner. I would love to see more diversity in herbal publications and am always looking for suggestions.&nbsp; Non-herb book(s): Just Kids by Patti Smith is my bedside table book at all times. I’ve carried my copy around for over ten years and open up to random chapters when I need to feel inspired creatively. I’m also a major sucker for low brow thriller novels. I blow through those, and it’s such a good distraction when I need it. Film: The movies that I think about the most are: The Worst Person in the World, Room with a View, Elvira Madigan, Practical Magic, Picnic at Hanging Rock, In the Realms of the Unreal (the Henry Darger doc), X + Pearl, Wayne’s World and Tommy Boy. It really ranges. Song: I’m usually playing 90’s R&amp;B, hiphop, Joanna Newsom, or some morose 80’s sad dance girl stuff. I recently discovered the joy of making spotify playlists and I’m obsessed. Artist: Ohhh wow this is hard! Maud Lewis, for her folk simplicity and magic. Simone Rocha, for her whimsical, puffy, Edwardian Irish clothing designs. My husband and I have a collection of so many thrift store pieces from unknown folk artists that we love so much. I think that the best artists haven’t been given the platform they deserve. We’re just lucky to come across them. Destination: Any coastal region as long as there's lots of fog involved. And I’m a sucker for cities with an abundance of good food, like New York or Rome. Tea: I treat myself to sugary black tea with lots of cream every now and then. It’s so comforting, and reminds me of the vanilla milk my grandparents made me as a kid. When keeping things herby, I love birch mixed with roses, calendula and a stick of cinnamon. Or basic overnight oatstraw infusion! That’s probably the one I turn to most. Herbalists who inspire you: My friend Summer Singletary of Warmly Agency, is a big inspiration for modern herbalism and the business that goes along with it. Liz Migliorelli of Sister Spinster has been a major inspiration as well. She inspired me to join Instagram actually. My friend Kratua makes the most incredible herbal food at her cafe in Thailand. I’m always in awe of her creations. Chanelle Allesandre of Moon by Moon Apothecary has also been inspiring me for years. I love her combination of herbalism and art/music as medicine. Herbs that are always in your apothecary: Rose petals, oatstraw, nettles, tulsi … sooo many. I’ve been told that I say every herb is my favorite when I teach - haha. https://licea.org/Getting-Started-With-Herbalism Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:47:21 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Getting-Started-With-Herbalism Getting Started With Herbalism Fantastic (credible!) resources are floating around the ether, but they can be hard to find. So I've rounded up some resources I leaned on when I was first getting into herbalism, plus resources I wish I knew about. Here are some free ways to start your herbal education – The Library I'm a library fan girl. It's the ultimate resource, and best of all, it's free! Start here &amp; take out any herb books you can find. Check out some of my favorites here. Henriette's Herbal, The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine &amp; Maud Greives Modern Herbal Three INCREDIBLE websites packed with free information. There's a learning curve with the user interface, so devote a little time to exploring. Each have information dating back a couple of hundred years, so you can go pretty deep here. Classes, Webinars + Conferences Herban Cura and Sister Spinster have online and in-person offerings that always light my fire.&nbsp; Check out organizations like United Plant Savers (UpS), American Herbalists Guild (AHG), American Botanical Council and herbal symposiums &amp; conferences like the International Herb Symposium, Womens Herbal Symposium, and Emblossom — they’re not free but often offer free online classes. Youtube Some of my favorite YouTube resources are HerbRally, Kami McBride, and Danu’s Irish Herb Garden. Podcasts Listening to interviews with other herbalists and hearing their journeys has been so impactful and informative in my decision-making process and guiding me through my journey. I suggest checking out EarthSpeak, The Plant Path, HerbRally, The Herbal Highway, and Herbal Radio. Other resources – Spellbound Herbal has an incredible list of resourcesMountain Rose Herbs list of herb schoolsChestnut School of Herbal Medicine https://licea.org/Hilary-Go Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:02:35 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Hilary-Go Hilary Go, Clinical Herbalist &amp; Medicine Maker, Eating Flowers Hilary is a clinical herbalist, holistic nutrition consultant and herbal skincare formulator. She inspires simple ways to integrate medicinal herbs &amp; healing foods into one’s routines and skin care rituals. Hilary completed her clinical herbal training at the California School of Herbal Studies and has earned a holistic nutrition consultant certification from Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. She is currently investing in continued education at Five Branches University’s Doctor of Chinese Medicine program and formulates for her own medicinal line, Eating Flowers. Where are you based? Who are the indigenous peoples of this land? I currently inhabit the territorial lands of the Southern Pomo. Also known as Sebastopol in Sonoma County. What ignited your herbalism journey? I was raised in the Philippines and Singapore. Growing up as a city kid, there was a lot of color and culture around me but I was disassociated with my relationship to nature and my own body. My parents were also raised in an urban, post-colonial environment and we just weren’t that exposed to the natural world or herbalism. Throughout my 20’s I lived in New York City studying and working in the art and jewelry world. I loved the creative process of making art and jewelry but I didn’t love the extractive aspects and chemical exposures that often came with working in these fields. While this was all happening, I became passionate about ecology and the zero-waste movement and eventually felt like my life’s work wasn’t in alignment with my values. <img width="384" height="512" width_o="384" height_o="512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/259597f641daf724308c3666ea133ba4aa8aef30ad53a1c4a7187a1b1c703c92/unnamed-2.jpg" data-mid="194363219" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/384/i/259597f641daf724308c3666ea133ba4aa8aef30ad53a1c4a7187a1b1c703c92/unnamed-2.jpg" /> <img width="384" height="512" width_o="384" height_o="512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/08169c56efe9d2ee1716a1a03a57032a467b1b1f1a3892e9b09bb0abb3161fcc/unnamed-11.jpg" data-mid="194363210" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/384/i/08169c56efe9d2ee1716a1a03a57032a467b1b1f1a3892e9b09bb0abb3161fcc/unnamed-11.jpg" /> <img width="384" height="512" width_o="384" height_o="512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0fcc9a657d638382b9facb95a1708f8728e1b2daec1f0d7ddbe022a6b4fc33fc/unnamed-3.jpg" data-mid="194363218" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/384/i/0fcc9a657d638382b9facb95a1708f8728e1b2daec1f0d7ddbe022a6b4fc33fc/unnamed-3.jpg" /> I was also going through my own health issues and learning how to take care of myself through whole foods cooking. Fate eventually led me to the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center in Sonoma County where I met herbalists and learned about herbalism for the first time. I was immediately hooked and knew this was what I was meant to be doing with my life. I moved to the area to attend the California School of Herbal Studies program in 2019 and haven’t looked back since! Who are your ancestors? Do they influence your herbal practices? I have ancestors from Shanghai as well as the Fujian province of China. A big part of my herbalism journey has been a deep remembrance and reclamation of ancestral medicine. Through my grandmother I’ve also learned about food as medicine and how herbs and wellness practices have always been woven into daily life. I resonate with the philosophy and practice of Chinese medicine, especially with how elemental it is and the emphasis on balance, seasonal wellness and preventative health. I continue to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and incorporate elements of this system into my life and clinical practice. How do you incorporate herbalism into your everyday life? Herbalism shows up in many ways in my everyday life. In the kitchen, in the garden and the way I care for myself and others. I would say the simple daily practices infused with plants inherently make my days brighter and magical, whether that’s a cup of tulsi tea, my herbal skin care routine or a walk through the garden. Plants are also an endless source of creativity for me- I am in constant awe of the alchemy of plants. As a medicine maker and avid homecook, I love working with plants as a medium for expression. Whether that’s creating a face cream based on local coastal ingredients or whipping up a dish with what’s alive in the garden. I’m so grateful that through herbalism, I’ve been able to intersect my passions of plants, art and healing. What are your tips for someone who is just starting? Follow your natural interests and what lights you up about plants. There’s no one path to herbalism! How do you cultivate reciprocity with plants? Centering indigenous ways of relating to the earth and our non-human relations. I’ve learned a lot from studying the roots of permaculture and how indigenous people have always observed, respected and tended the wild. I think reciprocity means continuing to question, honor and grieve our history and relationship with land. Tending the plants on the land I live on and growing a garden has also been a loving way I can cultivate reciprocity with plants on a daily basis. What is your herbalism philosophy? I’m driven by root cause perspectives and approachability when it comes to herbalism, as well as herbalism’s ability to empower each of us to live our best lives. When I learn about traditional cultures and my own ancestral ways, it’s clear herbs and humans have always been in relationship. This connection runs ancient and deep. We are remembering the ways our ancestors have related to the earth by weaving plants into our simple daily rituals and routines. Everyday can be rich with healing plants, aromatic yummy oils and medicinally delicious meals. Any exciting projects you’re working on? Yes! Earth Allies is an herbal brand I’m collaboratively a part of with two dear friends and incredible herbalists, Allie Cuozzo and Isabella Ayala de Credico. We have been working behind the scenes to launch our medicine offerings this winter 2022. Having gone through my own serious gut issues, I’m really passionate about digestive health and have begun specializing in this through my clinical practice. Next year I’ll be starting a Masters in Nutrition and Functional Medicine to further deepen my knowledge in this area. Finally, medicine making continues to evolve for me as a creative and ancestral practice. I’m excited to share offerings with folks in the future through my personal herbal project, Eating Flowers. Lightning︎Round Favorite herb book(s):&nbsp; Guido Mase’s The Wild Medicine Solution is such a great read on the mythology, biology and history behind aromatic, bitter and tonic herbs. Body Into Balance by Maria Noel Groves is a fantastic book to learn about uses of herbs and the body’s relationship to them. I like suggesting it to friends and family who are interested in deepening their understanding of herbalism. Non-herb book(s): Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nostrat, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (also an herb book!), Inward by Yung Pueblo, The Mending Life by Nina and Sonya Montenegro Film: Howl’s Moving Castle Song: Playground Love by Air Artist: Georgia O Keefe Destination: I’m dreaming of a visit to Crete to experience the nature, mythology and wild medicine there. Tea: Nettle leaf and burdock root decoction. So earthy and grounding! Herbalists who inspire you: I am blessed to be surrounded by so many incredible healers in my local community! I’m inspired by all the herbalists I work alongside at Farmacopia, Taproot Medicine and Earth Allies. I am also inspired by creatives who highlight the magic and medicine of plants through their craft like botanical perfumer, April Lea of LVNEA and chef + cookbook writer, Amy Chaplin. Herbs that are always in your apothecary: Kitchen is stocked with fresh ginger, chrysanthemum, jujube dates, tulsi, lemon balm, chamomile and nettle. Also, there’s always homemade herbal skin care in my bathroom- herbal infused oils, creams and hydrosols are my staples! https://licea.org/Sarah-Kate-Benjamin Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:02:34 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Sarah-Kate-Benjamin Sarah Kate Benjamin, Herbal Foods Chef &amp; Cookbook Author, Kosmic Kitchen Herbal foods chef, herbalist, cookbook author &amp; founder of The Kosmic Kitchen, Sarah Kate Benjamin shares her tips on getting started with herbalism and incorporating it into daily rituals. Where are you based? Who are the indigenous peoples of this land? I live in West Sonoma County California on the unceded land of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples. Can you share a bit about what ignited your herbalism journey? Growing up in Florida, my family was always gardening and spending time outdoors. They instilled in me an appreciation for nature which eventually led to getting a degree in Environmental Studies. While at school, I was lucky to have an opportunity to help start a community garden on campus where we grew vegetables and medicinal herbs. I studied with an herbalist there and quickly became enthralled with how to use herbs and work with them medicinally. At this same time, I was struggling with what was eventually diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome and turned to the plants for healing. Thankfully, I was able to work with my mentor and herbal teacher, Emily Ruff, who encouraged me to infuse restorative herbs into my meals for deeper nourishment and support. I always struggled with taking tinctures and capsules so eating my herbs felt so aligned and helped to nurture my love for cooking. Herbal foods completely changed the way I approached eating and became a powerful tool for healing and learning how to take care of myself. <img width="2048" height="3072" width_o="2048" height_o="3072" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5b3e6c1df9104b910b106a02854c02fb5c9ac6936280e99e83febb9c6e630f0a/Anna-Schneider--4.jpg" data-mid="194362148" border="0" data-draggable alt="Photo by Anna Schneider" data-caption="Photo by Anna Schneider" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5b3e6c1df9104b910b106a02854c02fb5c9ac6936280e99e83febb9c6e630f0a/Anna-Schneider--4.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="667" width_o="500" height_o="667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6fe79e0e432fdfa4db6363419f84f70cbddf22636a91c0a458b34f443c434e88/herbal-broth-fall-copy.JPG" data-mid="194362152" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/6fe79e0e432fdfa4db6363419f84f70cbddf22636a91c0a458b34f443c434e88/herbal-broth-fall-copy.JPG" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2eff0c493d68317bef87e9b1a43953ac08731498cd4bbebc19a939716044a36c/Artboard-21.png" data-mid="194416959" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/2eff0c493d68317bef87e9b1a43953ac08731498cd4bbebc19a939716044a36c/Artboard-21.png" /> Who are your ancestors? Do they influence your herbal practices? My ancestors on my mother’s side are from Menorca, the smallest Balearic island in Spain. They came to America in the 1700’s to work as indentured servants on indigo plantations in St. Augustine, Florida. Growing up in Florida and starting my herbal journey there, I now realize that I worked with a lot of the same plants my ancestors likely found around them. After visiting Menorca this summer, I was in awe of how many medicinal plants I came across and how connected I felt while being there. Eventually, I’d like to spend intentional time in Menorca studying the plants and learning more about my ancestral ties to this magical island. How do you incorporate herbalism into your everyday life? My herbal practice centers around infusing herbs into my daily meals. The foundation of this is making what I like to call herbal preps, which are pantry staples and ingredients infused with nourishing and restorative herbs each season. You can infuse dried, fresh, or powdered herbs and spices right into honey, vinegars, dressings, dips, spice blends, and more. This not only adds a medicinal component but can add even more flavor to simple dishes. We all have to eat, so why not infuse our foods with beneficial herbs while we’re doing it? Many of us are constantly in flight-or-fight, which can make it more difficult to find balance. Teas, broths, and herbal foods provide an instant comfort, and create rituals that you want to come back to time and time again. Using restorative herbs that are more gentle doesn’t always mean you see immediate effects. That’s why they’re so great in foods, because you get a little dose each day and makes it easier to enjoy your herbs this way. What are your tips for someone who is just starting? Start working with herbs and spices that you already have in your kitchen. The great thing about culinary spices is that they’re enzymatic, meaning they help us digest and assimilate our food better. So if you just added more spices to your meals you’re getting benefits! You can also curate the herbs and spices you use depending on the seasons for even more support. Think about using warming herbs like ginger, cinnamon, thyme, or rosemary in the fall and winter months to help combat the effects of cold weather while supporting the circulatory and immune systems. In the spring and summer, you can focus on working with herbs like cilantro, rose, or lemon balm that have more cleansing and cooling properties to help alleviate stagnation or inflammation that can occur during those times of year. There’s an old saying in herbalism that essentially says it’s better to really know a handful of herbs well rather than knowing a little about a lot of herbs. Building relationships with herbs that you already have around you whether that's in the kitchen, the garden, or in your environment is much more powerful than seeking out the new “it herb.” How do you cultivate reciprocity with plants? Sitting and listening to plants is one of my favorite ways to engage in reciprocal relationships with them. It’s so easy to be in my head about herbalism especially when so much of my work requires me to be online. When I stop and create time to just be in the garden and tune into the plants, I’m always reminded of my deeper connection to the earth and the sacredness of all things. This allows me to hear directly from the plants and know what they’re asking of me. What is your herbalism philosophy? The best way to take herbs is the way you’ll actually enjoy taking them. Any exciting projects you’re working on? I’m currently finalizing details of my first herbal retreat in Portugal with my friend Grace Yoon this spring.&nbsp; I’m also dreaming up my second herbal cookbook, which I’m really excited about. And hoping to do more in person workshops and retreats which has felt really nourishing lately. <img width="2048" height="3072" width_o="2048" height_o="3072" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9cfd4f4357f5b63b7e12480be340092940ad0b7d2e0797ab12c9a12382373254/Anna-Schneider--2.jpg" data-mid="194362150" border="0" alt="Photo by Anna Schneider" data-caption="Photo by Anna Schneider" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9cfd4f4357f5b63b7e12480be340092940ad0b7d2e0797ab12c9a12382373254/Anna-Schneider--2.jpg" /> <img width="1126" height="1777" width_o="1126" height_o="1777" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/76619508ba7c718675edde8b94b7b1aea469139badae085acd26fb36c0c66e42/spring-fridge-1.jpg" data-mid="194362153" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/76619508ba7c718675edde8b94b7b1aea469139badae085acd26fb36c0c66e42/spring-fridge-1.jpg" /> <img width="2048" height="1365" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e930ec8b34e4c2bed9159e44093be0d55f2dfbf66f8adf247f8f1ec4b1143323/Anna-Schneider--3.jpg" data-mid="194362149" border="0" alt="Photo by Anna Schneider" data-caption="Photo by Anna Schneider" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e930ec8b34e4c2bed9159e44093be0d55f2dfbf66f8adf247f8f1ec4b1143323/Anna-Schneider--3.jpg" /> <img width="2048" height="3072" width_o="2048" height_o="3072" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e1876379a718d9afac61aca36994a7bcab6b98ae1e6025186d73550f94db3a64/Anna-Schneider--1.jpg" data-mid="194362151" border="0" alt="Photo by Anna Schneider" data-caption="Photo by Anna Schneider" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e1876379a718d9afac61aca36994a7bcab6b98ae1e6025186d73550f94db3a64/Anna-Schneider--1.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b37aec329922a9185acaa62feeb886e0228e9fc5abd803786ead62cb2be1d64f/Artboard-11.png" data-mid="194416909" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/b37aec329922a9185acaa62feeb886e0228e9fc5abd803786ead62cb2be1d64f/Artboard-11.png" /> <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ad152669559bd48924005d419a113c711f70cac207b5d8345aee1c2ee3456e14/Artboard-51.png" data-mid="194416955" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/ad152669559bd48924005d419a113c711f70cac207b5d8345aee1c2ee3456e14/Artboard-51.png" /> Lightning︎Round Favorite herb book(s): Anything by Rosemary Gladstar, The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. David Frawley, The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood, A Life of Balance by Maya Thawari, Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra Non-herb book(s): Tending the Wild by MK Anderson, Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice, Japanese Home Cooking By Sonoko Sakai, Circe by Madeline Miller, and all of Heidi Swanson’s cookbooks Film: Juliette of the Herbs is a life changing film! Song: Cactus Tree by Joni Mitchell Artist: Hilma af Klint Destination: Menorca, Spain Tea: Lemon verbena and ginger with a little cream Herbalists who inspire you: Rosemary Glastar, DeAnna Batdorrf, Juliet de Bairacli Levy, Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, Kami McBride, Karen M. Rose, and Erin Lovell Verinder Herbs that are always in your apothecary: lemon verbena, nettle, wood betony, reishi, rose,&nbsp; marshmallow root, ginger, and calendula https://licea.org/Lemon-Balm-Monograph Sat, 21 Oct 2023 01:20:23 +0000 LICEA https://licea.org/Lemon-Balm-Monograph Melissa officinalis Monograph Scientific Name: Melissa Officinalis Family: Lamiaceae Common Name: Lemon Balm Parts Used and Collection: Leaves and essential oil of leaves. For the highest concentration of volatile oils, harvest aerial parts just before flowers open. To harvest, cut stem 2 inches above ground. Dry within 2 days of picking –&nbsp;in the shade at temps between 90-110º F. Habitat and Cultivation: Native to Southern &amp; Central Europe, N. Africa. Now found widespread throughout the globe. Grows easily from seed and germinates better if seeds are uncovered. Keep seeds moist and soil well-drained. Grows best in full sun. Taste: Fresh, Citrusy, Lemony Energetics: Cooling, drying, sour Actions: Antiviral, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Nervine, Trophorestorative Body System: Digestive system, Nervous system, Respiratory system, Reproductive system Modern Indications/uses: Carminative nervine used for anxiety, indigestion, stress, headaches, as a trophorestorative it tonifies and repairs the nervous system. Used as a radioprotectant – study showed that when tea was consumed daily, radiology workers showed increased antioxidant activity and decreased DNA damage. History and Traditional Use: Greek physician Dioscorides used lemon balm topically on bites – including scorpion and dog –&nbsp;and would add it to the wine of the patient as well. Used in Arab countries for heart disorders and to brighten mood. In the 19th century, Pereiara’s Materia Medica noted that lemon balm was an effective diaphoretic and emmenagogue. Specific Indications: Herpes simplex sores as balm, Depression, Anxiety, Dyspepsia (indigestion), Insomnia, Stress, Dementia Agitation (see below) Preliminary studies have shown improvement in mild dementia symptoms when taken daily, by mouth, for 4 months. Lemon Balm lotion was also seen to improve dementia agitation.&nbsp; (60 drops per day) Constituents: Volatile oils, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, triterpenic acids (Hoffmann, 2003) Dosage and Preparation: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoon(s) of dried lemon balm (stems and leaves) in 1 cup of hot water, infused for 10-15 minutes (drink 2-4 cups/day). Tincture: 3-5 mL, 3-4x/day of a 1:5 Also prepared as: Salve, glycerite, soak, infused honey Combinations: When combined with valerian, lemon balm was found to significantly improve social behavior and symptoms in children with hyperactivity, impulse issues, and difficulty concentrating. (Gromball, et al., 2014). Works well with sedative herbs like passionflower and valerian to encourage restful sleep. Also effective when paired with California Poppy, Chamomile, Lavender, Catnip to calm the nervous system and improve anxiety symptoms. Aromatherapy: Calming and uplifting, good post-trauma, shock, panic etc. Also useful to soothe painful menstruation. Blends well with: Basil, Chamomile, Geranium, Ginger, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Rose, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang. Safety/Contraindications: Should not be taken during pregnancy or if patient has hypothyroidism (may reduce thyroid function and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy) or is taking thyroid replacement hormones. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Traditionally used during breastfeeding to relieve colic symptoms in&nbsp; infants. Used in moderate amounts during pregnancy to help with morning sickness. References Hoffmann, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. Kowalchik, Claire, et al. Rodales Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, 1998 Winston, D, and Kuhn, Merrily. (2007). Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Wiliams &amp; Wilkins. Perry, E. and Howes, M. J. Medicinal plants and dementia therapy: herbal hopes for brain aging? CNS.Neurosci.Ther 2011;17(6):683-698.