Body Systems

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis Family: Compositae Common Names: Marigold, Pot Marigold These common names can be confusing and imprecise so always check the botanical name before using. Part Used for Medicine: Flower Habitat in Which it is Found/ Harvesting Season/ Special Considerations: Calendula is found only as a culitvated flower in the Southwest. It is generally considered to be a very easy flower to grow. It does best with improved soil and extra water. An annual, it re-seeds freely in the right conditions. Frequent picking of the flowers encourages more growth. If purchasing the dried flower, the deep orange-yellow color […] See More

In recent years, the issue of intestinal inflammation, commonly known as Leaky Gut Syndrome, has become a topic of much discussion and some controversy.      The protocol for Leaky Gut Syndrome is addressed in detail in our Advanced Topics in Herbal Medicine program. The following links have been gathered to support the information shared in class. These links include views from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, mainstream western medicine and traditional western herbalism. Our hope is you will find these helpful in your ongoing work towards greater health and becoming a more skilled herbalist. An in depth article on this topic from […] See More

These links have been gathered to assist people in accessing more information on a variety of topics related to the Cardiovascular Health class that is part of the Advanced Topics in Herbal Medicine program. 1. A heart health-based E book from the blog of Chris Kresser. This is one of the better health blogs out there. It is not specifically geared to herbal medicine but gives quality heart-based information in many areas including saturated fat, cholesterol, low fat, metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. 2. Good heart healthy info from Rosalee. She has one of the best herb-based blogs and this […] See More

Notes from the Digestive Bitters Class... Defensive Strategies in Nature All animals have some way to defend themselves. The defensive mechanism may be armor, a poisonous sting or bite, camouflage or the ability to outrun a predator. Some animals, such as mice and rabbits, simply outbreed their predation rate. The goal of all these strategies is to stay alive long enough to reproduce and keep the species extant. Plants also have predators. A deer is a predator to a tasty leaf. A javelina is a predator to succulent roots. Plants need to defend themselves either by making their food unavailable, […] See More

Valerian is a well known and commonly used plant in western herbalism that has been categorized as a sleep herb. Many people have used it late at night when they are tossing and turning and are disappointed when it doesn’t provide the sleep results they were hoping for. This article provides further information on this plant and some ways to combine it that may provide better results for the sleep deprived. Botany The common valerian in commerce is Valeriana officinalis. It is native to Europe and has naturalized in wetter areas of North America. It is commonly found in cultivation […] See More

Many traditional views of healing from around the world view the digestive system as a key to overall health. This includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and Western Herbalism. One way to support complete and thorough digestion of our food is through the use of spices. These aromatic seeds and roots are seen as more energetic than nutritive. They are included in the diet for their ability to positively influence the warming - cooling and moistening - drying continuums used in energetic medicine. They are not considered nutritive due to the fact that they do not contain significant amounts of […] See More

Botanical Name: Symphytum officinale Symphytum ×uplandicum There is confusion in the herb and gardening communities about these two species. See the .gov links at the bottom of this page. Family: Boraginaceae   Common Names: Comfrey, Knitbone   Part Used for Medicine: Leaf & Root - these have the same therapeutic uses   Habitat in Which it is Found/ Harvesting Season/ Special Considerations: Comfrey prefers well watered, rich soil so it is rarely found in the SW outside of well tended gardens. It is fairly easily cultivated in the right conditions. I have only seen it growing wild once in the […] See More

Calendula is one of my favorite herbs and definitely at the top of the list for topical applications. It has all the attributes of a top quality herb: safe, effective, easy to grow, inexpensive to purchase, and it possesses a wide range of uses. For folks looking to build a basic home pharmacy with a select group of botanicals, this plant should be high on your list. The botanical name is Calendula officinalis. The species name of officinalis means it was designated the official medicinal species of that genus when botanists were assigning names. There is a definite Euro-centric flavor […] See More

Chai tea has become quite common in the US in recent years. While it is still considered a bit of a newcomer here, it has been a staple in India for many generations. Like many traditions, the change from one culture to another is not always smooth. The current view of chai in the US, especially in coffee shops, seems to be a sweet and creamy drink with a few spices thrown in for a mild flavor. It can be served hot or cold. This is very different from its intended use in India. Another difference I have noticed is […] See More