Chestnut Herbal School
Lavender growing in a pot.
Last updated on March 1st, 2024

Growing Medicinal Herbs in Pots: 10 Healing Plants for Your Container Garden

When I first began foraging my own food and medicine, I focused on a particular array of plentiful, generous, and nourishing plants—the wild weeds, the common flora, and the invasives. These plants are some of our most superb medicinal allies and nutrient-dense wild foods. And these feral botanicals continue to be my main squeezes: non-native, “weedy” medicinals and wild foods are the most sustainable options out there.

A basket of foraged stinging nettles.
Last updated on March 7th, 2024

The Best Wild Foods and Medicinals for Beginning Foragers and Wildcrafters

When I first began foraging my own food and medicine, I focused on a particular array of plentiful, generous, and nourishing plants—the wild weeds, the common flora, and the invasives. These plants are some of our most superb medicinal allies and nutrient-dense wild foods. And these feral botanicals continue to be my main squeezes: non-native, “weedy” medicinals and wild foods are the most sustainable options out there.

An herbalist sitting at a desk using a laptop computer. Volunteering at herbal conferences is one of 17 free ways to learn about herbalism.
Last updated on January 4th, 2024

Free Ways to Learn About Herbalism: 17 Resources for Training as an Herbalist

When I first started learning about herbalism three decades ago, it was slim pickings in the educational arena. I could only find a few herbal books at my local bookstore. Perusing the bulletin board at the health food store for herbal classes or conferences proved fruitless. Finding books, teachers, or like-minded plant people was no small chore. You see, there was no Internet.

Passionflowers seeds displayed in a spiral.
Last updated on May 6th, 2024

Herbal Seed Suppliers and Nurseries: Ethical Sources for Medicinal Seeds & Plants

Winter is rife with viral booby-traps—there’s a head cold and cough waiting at every gas station pump and pin pad across the land. A strong immune system is adept at navigating pathogenic obstacles, but some scenarios call for a boost, herbal-style. When I know I’ve been exposed to a cold or the flu, I don’t waste a moment in reaching for my tried-and-true immune stimulating herbs.

A patch of Spilanthes.
Last updated on March 7th, 2024

The Best Herbal Immune Stimulants for Cold & Flu Season

Winter is rife with viral booby-traps—there’s a head cold and cough waiting at every gas station pump and pin pad across the land. A strong immune system is adept at navigating pathogenic obstacles, but some scenarios call for a boost, herbal-style. When I know I’ve been exposed to a cold or the flu, I don’t waste a moment in reaching for my tried-and-true immune stimulating herbs.

A handful of turkey tail mushrooms.
Last updated on March 7th, 2024

5 Tonic Herbs to Boost Immunity This Winter

The cold months of the year bring a flurry of beastly germs to our doorstep. These wee-but-wicked pathogens must sense that our immune systems are vulnerable—especially during the holidays, when rich food and drink prevail. I like to start bolstering my family’s immune systems early in the cold & flu season; well before everyone around us is sniffling and sneezing. Practices like eating a nourishing diet; getting plenty of sleep, sunshine, and water; and proper hand washing are essential, but I also rely on a handful of tonic herbs to keep us healthy and resilient.

An outstretched palm holding turmeric root.
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

Kauai Farmacy Gardens: Bioregional Farm-to-Apothecary

Last winter, I had the pleasure of visiting the Kauai Farmacy Gardens with my family on a visit to Kauai, affectionately known as the Hawaiian “Garden Island.” I was intrigued by their thriving tropical farm-to-apothecary business model and was eager to meet the plants and people involved. Doug Wolkon, one of the co-founders of the gardens, generously spent an afternoon with us, showing us around the plantings and apothecary.