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Love this recipe!!! Thank you NATUREANSWER. When you think of chlorophyll you probably think of the green stuff in plants. Believe it or not, Chlorophyll is very beneficial. There are so many ways to introduce chlorophyll to your daily routine. Our favorite way to take chlorophyll is super easy and simple. You probably already have the ingredients in your home. But first, what is chlorophyll you may ask? Chlorophyll is the green substance that is found in all vegetation that helps plants produce nutrition from sunlight! Chlorophyll is what makes “Green foods” like broccoli and spinach. It doesn’t just help plants it can be very beneficial to people as well but don’t worry it won’t make you turn green. Read on to learn how to make chlorophyll water. Benefits of Drinking Chlorophyll What is chlorophyll good for? This is usually the next question someone asks after what is chlorophyll? Chlorophyll helps to support overall energy* and is known for its freshening effects on the breath and neutralizing other natural body odors*. It does not eliminate the need for clean habits so do not use this as a substitute use it to supplement your clean habits. It also supports healthy skin*, and hair* while it supplies micronutrients for overall body wellness. It also can be used to support healthy cleansing and detox*. Did you know that the most common chlorophyll products found on the market today are derived from, hold your breath, Silkworm Excrement? I know, it is gross. They actually feed Mulberry leaves to the silkworms and collect their poop to extract the chlorophyll from it. This was not an option for us, so we found a better way. We only use a clean natural chlorophyll derived from alfalfa leaves that’s not only superior to these cheap alternate sources but 100% Vegan. We only use the best ingredients to make sure that you are getting the very best quality chlorophyll. We hope that you will enjoy this product and our simple recipes to add to your daily routine. * Chlorophyll Water Recipe Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Nature’s Answer Chlorophyll ½ tablespoon of Lemon Juice (fresh or bottled) or to taste Water Fresh lemon to garnish (optional) Directions: Fill your favorite glass with ice Pour 1 tbsp of Chlorophyll Add ½ tbsp of lemon or to taste Pour water into a glass Give it a quick stir Place fresh-cut lemon on glass and enjoy This is our favorite way to enjoy chlorophyll but there are so many other ways to enjoy this product here is an additional recipe to try. Chlorophyll Smoothie Recipe Ingredients: Ice 1 tablespoon Nature’s Answer Chlorophyll 2 cups of mixed greens: spinach or kale 2 cups of coconut milk or milk of your choosing ½ cup of pineapple ½ cup of banana ½ cup of green apple Directions: Add ice to the blender Add 1 tablespoon of Nature’s Answer Chlorophyll Add 2 cups of mixed greens Add 2 cups of coconut milk Add pineapple, banana, and green apple Blend till a smooth consistency Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy These are two simple recipes for you to enjoy whether you are on the go or have a little more time in the morning to make a smoothie. We hope that you enjoy these Chlorophyll drink recipes as we do and if you’re looking for a different way to incorporate this into your routine, check out our chlorophyll gummies. If you do make these recipes, tag us on social, we would love to see your version! Post by https://www.naturesanswer.com/chlorophyll-recipes/ @naturesanswer and TikTok @natures.answer Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach

Let Your First Chakra Ground You in Wellbeing Deborah King, New York Times best-selling author and spiritual teacher, speaks about the chakra system. Designed to move energy between your personal field and the universal field, your chakras are invisible but vital engines that replenish your energy and restore your health. How you feel each day depends on an optimum level of physical and spiritual energy, and your seven chakras, when clear and balanced, power your link to the divine Source of all creation. If you are seeking a firm foundation for your hopes and dreams, check in with your first chakra to be sure you are well-rooted and ready to receive nourishment from Source. The first chakra is located at the base of your spine and acts as your foundation, your roots, your connection to the physical world. When your first chakra is imbalanced, you may not feel safe in your body or secure in your earthly home. Your first chakra is all about grounding and feeling the power of your connection to Mother Earth. You’ve noticed the sweet spiritual reverberations of a barefoot walk in the grass or on the beach? The root chakra is called the root or base chakra because it not only provides your connection to the earth but also supports all your chakras above it. Every chakra has a governing principle: resting here on the earth gives you stability, so the first chakra’s governing principle is foundation. The first chakra relates to the element of earth and builds the structure that supports and sustains your life. Physically, your legs and feet root you to the earth. The sciatic nerve, which even looks like a root system, starts near the first chakra and goes down to your feet, connecting your nervous system to the ground beneath you. Your roots anchor you and also draw up nourishment. To have a solid foundation, you have to be able to “hold your ground” and also be receptive to getting support and sustenance from the earth. So what stops you from being grounded? From being fully present in your body? From feeling supported by the universe? When you don’t feel secure, when you don’t feel like you “belong” here on earth, when you are disconnected from your physical body and the natural world, you lose energy and start to worry about your existence. Fear, the biggest obstacle to free-flowing energy in the first chakra, can come in many forms: fear about your personal safety, about not fitting in with your family or friends or where you live, fear about your job and money issues, fear about being alone, even fear about death. Clearing and Balancing Taking a walk in the beauty of nature, actually touching the ground with your bare feet if you can, brings you back to the foundation of your being. This grounding gives you the experience of being present and being safe and will automatically strengthen your first chakra. In addition to walking barefoot in nature, some simple ways to clear your first chakra are dancing, belly breathing, gardening, creating order and structure in your house, and repeating affirmations such as “I have a right to be here” and “I am safe.” Healing can take place in the first chakra any time you re-establish a connection to physical reality, whether through spending time outside or through any practice that gets you more in touch with your body. Yoga, Pilates, and tai chi build your spiritual as well as physical strength. Also, try foot massage since the feet are the point of contact between your body and the earth. The Spiritual Aspects There are other important reasons for tending to your first chakra wellness. The kundalini, which is the spiritual energy of consciousness, rises from the area of this chakra. It’s usually shown as a snake coiled and sleeping at the base of the spine. Before this vital energy can wake up and rise into the higher chakras, your root chakra must be open and clear of any blockages. All of your chakras receive only as much energy as can pass through the first chakra, which is why basically all physical disease has a strong first chakra component. Without the healthy flow of energy through your body’s chakra energy centers, you might feel empty, depressed, and powerless– as if someone just pulled the plug on all of your hopes and dreams. As you clear and balance your chakras, you feel better and vital energy flows freely throughout your interconnected chakra system. When you are in balance, your whole being is lighter, freer, healthier, and happier. Autor: Deborah King New York Times best-selling author and spiritual teacher Listen to Deborah’s weekly show, “Heal • Thrive • Grow” at deborahking.com Art via Sarah Grub Saatchi Art & Rod Hillen

Today I am sharing a recipe from someone extraordinary that I met in Mallorca, her name is Barbara and she has created a dreamy and unique ecological hotel. Ecocirer has six unique rooms in a historic house from the early 20th century that have been transformed into an intimate single-family home. And as if that were not enough, Barbara creates her original recipes that are delicious. Sicily, the land of pistachios. And from her last trip to Italy last September, several recipes are merged into one and our no-bake Sicilian pizza is born! Crispy pistachio pesto, sun- dried tomatoes marinated in five species and extra virgin olive oil. Smooth and creamy coconut feta cheese. So delicious and light! The trick is to knead by stretching the dough, stretching the gluten to create air bubbles, which will inflate the dough, leaving it airy, when it receives a high heat temperature. We are talking about an explosion of flavors! That follows our line, prepared a delicious dish with few ingredients. Fresh, light and really especial. INGREDIENTS 300 g white spelled flour mineral water Pinch of salt 200 g shelled pistachios, not salted Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/2 lemon squeezed dry species; thyme, oregano, anise, basilica Coconut feta, I like Violife. Or normal feta, but it’s not that good 🙂 Dried tomatoes, the good ones, really good ones. INSTRUCTIONS The only thing you have to do is; Marinate the dried tomatoes, the good kind, with extra virgin olive oil a few days before. And many dry species such as thyme, oregano, anise and basilica. It is important that the tomatoes are completely covered by oil. What will keep them for a long time outside the refrigerator. Let it marinate for at least a week. To make the dough, you have to add the spelled flour in a bowl and mark a volcano with your fingers. In its center, you add a pinch of salt, fill it with water and begin to integrate the dry with the water, with the index and middle fingers. Once you have the dough integrated, well moldable and not sticky, without being dry, it’s time to knead stretching the gluten. You will notice some bubbles, which will be fabulous! Follow the process for about 5 minutes. Set the dough aside for a moment and make the pistachio pesto. Add the pistachios, oil, squeezed lemon and salt, in a blender. Process, but not too much, the pesto must continue to maintain consistency. Notice the bite! Heat a skillet over high heat. Without adding oil. Make a ball of dough of about 50 g, with a hand roll, knead until it is very fine. Add the batter to the pan and wait a few seconds until it changes color and starts to swell. Then flip it over and let it start for a few more minutes. Fill the pizza with dollops of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, coconut feta, seeds, and fresh arugula. As you see in the photo. Season with the same oil as the tomatoes. Bon Appétit!!!! Original Post Ecocirer Hotel With Love, Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach

For all the anguish around substance dependence, addiction cuts a much broader swath across our culture. Most addicted people use no drugs at all and addiction cannot be understood if we restrict our vision of it to substances, legal or illicit. Addiction is manifested in any behavior that a person craves, finds temporary relief or pleasure in but suffers negative consequences as a result of, and yet has difficulty giving up. In brief: craving, relief, pleasure, suffering, impaired control. Note that this definition is not restricted to drugs but could encompass almost any human behavior, from sex to eating to shopping to gambling to extreme sports to TV to compulsive internet use: the list is endless. “I’m not going to ask you what you were addicted to,” I often say to people, “nor when, nor for how long. Only, whatever your addictive focus, what did it offer you? What did you like about it? What, in the short term, did it give you that you craved or liked so much?” And universally, the answers are: “It helped me escape emotional pain… helped me deal with stress… gave me peace of mind… a sense of connection with others… a sense of control.” Such answers illuminate that the addiction is neither a choice nor a disease, but originates in a human being’s desperate attempt to solve a problem: the problem of emotional pain, of overwhelming stress, of lost connection, of loss of control, of a deep discomfort with the self. In short, it is a forlorn attempt to solve the problem of human pain. Hence my mantra: “The question is not why the addiction, but why the pain.” And the source of pain is always and invariably to be found in a person’s lived experience, beginning with childhood. Childhood trauma is the template for addiction—any addiction. All addictions are attempts to escape the deep pain of the hurt child, attempts temporarily soothing but ultimately futile. This is no less true of the socially successful workaholic, such as I have been, than of the inveterate shopper, sexual rover, gambler, abject street-bound substance user or stay-at-home mom and user of opioids. Not only is the urge to escape pain shared by all addicts, substance users or not, the same brain circuits are involved in all addictions, from shopping to eating to dependence on heroin and other opioids. The same brain circuits, the same brain systems involving pleasure and reward and incentive, the same neurochemicals—not to mention the same emotional dynamics of shame and lack of self-worth, and the same behaviors of denial and dishonesty and subterfuge. It is time to realize, then, addiction is neither a choice nor an inherited disease, but a psychological and physiological response to painful life experiences. It can take many forms, but whatever form it takes: • it employs the same neurological pathways and emotional patterns; • the damage it does extends well beyond the suffering imposed by drug use specifically; • to ostracize the drug addict as somehow different from the rest of us is arrogant and arbitrary; • to criminalize certain substances, say heroin, while allowing the profitable distribution of more deadly products such as cigarettes is irrational and harmful—yes, though it may be a startling assertion it is medically a simple fact: heroin use, short of overdose, is far less lethal than cigarette smoke; • to treat the addiction, which is a symptom, without treating the pain that underlies it is to deal in effects rather than in causes, and therefore dooms many to ongoing cycles of suffering. Finally, a word about childhood trauma and its relation to addiction and the use of opioids. When people see this word, they often— perhaps naturally—assume that we are speaking of terrible events, such as abuse, sexual exploitation, the death of parents, violence in the home, and so on. And surely, as the research abundantly shows, the more such experiences a child has to endure, the exponentially greater his or her risk of addiction. But trauma is not restricted to horrific experiences. It refers to any set of events that, over time, impose more pain on the child than his or her sensitive organism can process and discharge. Therefore, trauma can occur not only when bad things happen, but also when the parents are too stressed, too distracted, too depressed, to beset by economic worry, too isolated, etc. to respond to a sensitive child’s emotional need to be seen, emotionally held, heard, validated, made to feel secure. Such is the reality behind many a story of “happy childhood.” In fact, the denial of one’s pain, the splitting off of distress from conscious memory, is one of the outcomes of trauma. As the astute trauma pioneer Peter Levine has written, “Trauma has become so commonplace, that most people don’t even recognize its presence.” Not all traumatized people become addicted, but all addicted people, including those addiction to opioids, were traumatized in some way. That is the reality of our culture, where addiction, like trauma, is so commonplace that most people also don’t recognize its presence. Yet it surrounds us, engulfs so many of us, that our near-exclusive focus on the troubles of drug addiction is itself but another escape from reality. original post Gabor Mate May 8, 2017 Posted by Stephanie Lee

It is spring, and to many of us that means time to watch for the nettle. Long ago, our ancestors also watched for the first greens of spring after a hard winter with nutritional foods in short supply. As soon as they were able, they harvested nettle and incorporated its revitalizing nutrition into their diets. Nutritionally, nettle is one of nature’s powerhouses. Nettles are very high in calcium, chromium, magnesium, and zinc, and high in cobalt, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, protein, riboflavin, selenium, silicon, thiamine, vitamin A, and vitamin C (Pederson, 1998). Many an herbalist claims nettle is one of their favorites, and here we’ll share some of our favorite nettle recipes! Gathering Nettle Leaves It’s not called “stinging” nettle without reason. The leaves and the stalk are covered with fine hair-like daggers containing several chemicals including formic acid, which, when touched, causes a sting. Reactions to the sting vary. Some people accept the sting and thank the plant. Others feel the tingle the rest of the day. In others the burn can last twenty-four hours. (Japan has a nettle whose sting, they claim, lasts a year!) It appears if you work with nettle a lot, the sting isn’t as harsh. The leaves are best harvested in the spring when the nettle is less than 18 inches tall. Taking only the top six inches is recommended. Try to harvest only stems with unblemished leaves. If you’re new to harvesting nettle, you should wear gloves and take a large paper grocery bag or basket for placing the nettle in. If you are harvesting for teas for later in the year, dry the nettle, either by hanging, or my favorite method: Placing the nettle loosely in brown paper bags, marking the bag, putting it in your backseat, and parking in the sun. Depending on the temperature, it usually takes only one day (more on harvesting here). Once the nettle is dried or cooked, it loses its sting. If you are looking for a place to buy dried nettle, we recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. Stinging Nettle Recipes for your Cookbook Nettle Soup Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion chopped ½ cup uncooked rice (wild rice is great but any rice will do) Several large handfuls stinging nettle tops 3-4 cloves chopped garlic 8 cups chicken broth 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste Mixed vegetables, or corn or whatever veggie you like that day ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste Potatoes and/or leeks can also be added Directions Carefully pick nettles – gloves are recommended. Take only the top 4-6 inches of new unblemished spring plants that are less than 18 inches tall. Remove the leaves. You may need to rinse and pat them dry. Start cooking your rice. In a separate large soup pan melt the butter, add the onion and garlic and simmer until translucent. Add the chicken broth and onion and garlic mixture and nettles leaves in the soup pan and bring to a full boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes. At this point we use an immersion blender and blend until smooth. Add the vegetables, rice and salt and pepper (and any other herbs you like) and simmer a few more minutes. Nettle Pasta You can use any of your favorite pasta recipes and incorporate the nettle. Ingredients 3 cups flour 2 or 3 large handfuls of fresh nettle tops (harvested from plants no more than 18” tall and only taking the top 6”) 2-3 eggs Directions Bring nettle and water to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain nettles, retaining the water – you’ll use that water to boil your pasta in later. Puree nettles and the eggs using immersion blender. Make a well out of the flour in a mixing bowl and add the nettles and eggs mixture. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth dough ball. (You may need to add extra flour if the mixture is wet or the retained nettle water if the mixture is dry.) Put the ball of dough in a bowl and let it stand for 15 minutes. Roll out about 1/3 of the dough at a time into a ball. Cover the ball of dough with damp towel and let set aside for 10-15 minutes. Roll 1/3 of the dough at a time on a floured surface as thin as you would like – can be very thin or thicker if you like thick noodles. Cut into any length strip – as long or short as you want, or in squares if you want to make ravioli. Hang them, if possible, for about 10 minutes. We have a pasta hanger, but you can use a clean plastic hanger. Bring the saved nettle water to a boil again and place your green noodles into the boiling water. Cook for 3 – 8 minutes depending on the thickness. Check them for doneness. (To sacrifice health benefits but maximize delight, we drizzle with melted butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese.) Nettle Broth Adapted from Traditional Scottish Cooking by Margaret Fairlie Ingredients 2 cups chopped young fresh nettle (dried nettle can be used off season) 1 quart chicken broth ½ cup barley 1 cup diced potatoes Salt and pepper as needed Directions Wash and pat dry the nettle. Remove the stems and discard.Finely chop the leaves. Bring the chicken stock and barley to a boil and simmer in a saucepan for about an hour. Add the nettles and diced potatoes. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about twenty to thirty minutes. Serve hot. Serves 4. Nettle Oatcakes Adapted from Prehistoric Cooking by Jacqui Wood Ingredients bowl of nettles 2 tablespoon butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg approximately 1 cup oatmeal (until it binds) Directions Wash a large bowl of nettles and pat dry. Place them in a pan with two tablespoons of butter and simmer over low heat stirring occasionally. Strain. Add salt and an egg and beat until smooth. Add oatmeal until it binds together. Let sit one hour. Press into about two inch patties, and fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve warm with bacon, cheese, or with maple syrup. Nettle Leaf Shortbread Adapted from Je Cusine Les Plantes by Amandine Geers Ingredients 5½ ounces of butter at room temperature 10½ ounces of plain flour 2½ ounces sugar (powdered sugar will make them less sweet) 3 tablespoons nettle leaf finely chopped (powdered) ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 or 2 egg yolks Directions Preheat oven to 350F. Cut butter into the small pieces. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, nettle powder, baking powder and sugar). Add butter and mix until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add one egg yolk and form a ball (if one egg yolk isn’t enough, add another and then add milk (about three tablespoons) to dry ingredients until it forms a dough. Roll dough on parchment paper to about 1/3 inch. Cut into squares. Bake 15 – 20 minutes or until golden brown. Easy Nettle Tea Nettle tea is nutritious at any time of year. I use about 1 teaspoon of dried nettle and 1 cup of water and let it brew, covered, for about 20 minutes. It can be drying in the winter, so watch for this. I hope you have access to fresh nettle this month so you are able to try some of the above recipes. And don’t forget to dry some nettle for use during the winter! More Nettle Recipes to Enjoy: Nettle Vinegar Spring Nettles with Garlic-Lemon White Beans Nettle Spring Side Salad by Hunter Gather Cook Stinging Nettle Chips by Learning and Yearning Stinging Nettle Frittata by This Original Organic Life Stinging Nettle and Sharp Cheddar Omelet by Nourished Kitchen REFERENCES Pedersen, Mark. (1998). Nutritional Herbolo In collaboration and affiliation with Herbal Academy. Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach Request a free discovery consultation here DISCLOSURE The Herbal Academy supports trusted organizations with the use of affiliate links. Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.

Are you new to herbalism and wondering where to find the herbs you need to get going on your craft? Or perhaps you are looking for a new, wonderful place to buy your next batch of botanicals. Regardless of where you are on your herbal path, purchasing herbs and supplies for making botanical creations can sometimes be a challenge. After all, this is a special niche, and it can take a bit of research to find suppliers in your region/country who offer the supplies that fit your own needs best! To give you a hand, we have pulled together a list of places to purchase herbs and supplies world-wide. This list is broken up by continent, and sometimes subdivided by country, to make it easier for you, no matter where you’re located, to find the herbs and suppliers that are closest to you. When possible, we have divided the lists into specific types of supplies as well. We hope this list will help you to get started on gathering your herbs and supplies for herbal craft making! And if you have any favorite suppliers, farmers, or resources, feel free to contact us and let us know as we plan to update this post regularly. Types of Herbs and Supplies Our goal is to provide a list of businesses that offer bulk herbs, plants, herbal preparations, aromatherapy products, and other supplies for making herbal products. On some of the following lists, you will notice businesses organized by the types of supplies they offer. If you are looking to order large batches of herbs and supplies, we have included some bulk herb suppliers that are worth looking into. When you are looking for fresh herbs, the hunt narrows down quite a bit. While we recommend shopping locally when possible, it can be difficult depending on where you live. Some health foods stores, grocery stores, and local farmers markets or farms may be the best option to find great herbs grown fresh in your area! If sourcing fresh herbs locally isn’t an option, here are some of our favorite fresh herb suppliers that you can order from online. For those of you interested in growing an herbal garden, you may be in the market to purchase live plants or seeds. If so, we’ve included a list of excellent online suppliers of herbal plants and seeds. What about aromatherapy suppliers? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! When it comes down to sustainability and quality of essential oils, we’ve included some of our favorite brands. However, before purchasing any essential oils, please do your research and investigate each business in depth. If you need some guidance on how to buy essential oils that are of the best quality, visit our article, How To Choose High Quality Essential Oils. If you’re looking for packaging so you can store your herbal preparations or make them look nice for gift giving, many of the businesses mentioned here offer packaging supplies alongside their other supplies and some are specific to packaging. Before Purchasing Supplies We also want to encourage you to research and investigate each business in depth before purchasing herbs or supplies from them to make sure they line up with your personal values and standards when it comes to purchasing herbs and supplies. The USDA Organic Integrity Database can be a helpful resource when it comes to finding organic botanicals and supplies. The Sustainable Herbs Project has a helpful list of questions consumers should consider when evaluating a company/purchase, including Fair Trade and Fair Wild certifications. Sourcing Supplies – North America United States Bulk Herbs Mountain Rose Herbs – [Herbal Academy Student Discount] Bulk Herb Store – [Herbal Academy Student Discount] Jean’s Greens Zack Woods Herb Farm – [Student recommended] Frontier Co-op – [Wholesale] Rosemary’s Garden – [Student recommended] Healing Spirit Farm – [Student recommended] Bulk Apothecary – [International] Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply – [Student recommended] Monterey Bay Spice Company Dandelion Botanical Company The Herb Shop StarWest Botanicals – [International] Ryan Drum – Island Herbs – [Student recommended] Pacific Botanicals – [Student recommended, International] Oregon’s Wild Harvest Herb Affair – [International] The Natural Health Alliance – [Student recommended] Herbal Com – [International] Penn Herb Co. LTD – [International] American Botanicals – [Wholesale only] Banyan Botanicals Lotioncrafter – [International] San Francisco Herb Company – [International] Reverie Farm Red Moon Herbs – [Student recommended] Fresh Herbs Elderberry Herb Farm Zack Woods Herb Farm – [Student recommended] Flack Family Farm Pacific Botanicals – [Student recommended, International] Live Plants & Seeds Strictly Medicinals – [Student recommended, International] Seed Savers Exchange The Grower’s Exchange Companion Plants Renee’s Garden Aromatherapy Plant Therapy – [Student recommended, International] Rocky Mountain Oils – [Student recommended, International, Wholesale only] Floracopeia – [International, Wholesale only] Aromatics International – [International] The Ananda Apothecary – [International] Mountain Rose Herbs – [Herbal Academy Student Discount] Bulk Apothecary – [International] Packaging SKS Bottle Company Mountain Rose Herbs – [Herbal Academy Student Discount] Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply – [Student recommended] Lotioncrafter – [International] Paper Mart Voyageurs Soap and Candle Company – [International] Bulk Apothecary – [International] Jean’s Greens Canada Bulk Herbs Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary – [Herbal Academy Student Discount] Organic Matters – [Student recommended] Botanic Planet – [Student recommended] Richters – [Student recommended] Herbie’s Herbs – [Student recommended] Aromatherapy Aliksir – [International] Voyageurs Soap and Candle Company – [International] Packaging Voyageurs Soap and Candle Company – [International] Botanic Planet – [Student recommended] Aliksir – [International] Live Plants & Seeds Richters – [Student recommended] Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds William Dam Seeds Sourcing Supplies – Europe United Kingdom Organic Herb Trading Company – [Student recommended, International] Caley’s Apothecary – [Student recommended] Organic Herbal Remedies – [International] Neal’s Yard Remedies – [Student recommended] G Baldwin & Co – [International] Aromatic Natural Skin Care – [International] Aromatherapy G Baldwin & Co – [International] Neal’s Yard Remedies – [Student recommended] Packaging G Baldwin & Co – [International] Neal’s Yard Remedies – [Student recommended] France Florihana – [International] Portugal Cantinho das Aromaticas – [Student recommended] Ervital – [Student recommended] The Netherlands Puur Aroma – [Student recommended] Superfoods Online – [Student recommended] Pit & Pit – [Student recommended] Sourcing Supplies – Asia India Cultivator Natural Products Pvt. LTD Mother Herbs – [Wholesale only] Sourcing Supplies – Africa Bulk Herbs Pharma Germania – [Student recommended] Mountain Herb Estates Health & Herbs Packaging Bonpak – [Student recommended, Wholesale only] Consol – [Student recommended] Live Plants & Seeds Mountain Herb Estates Sourcing Supplies – Australia & New Zealand Bulk Herbs Austral Herbs – [Student recommended] Herbal Connection – [Student recommended, Wholesale] Herb Cottage – [Student recommended] All Rare Herbs – [Student recommended, International] Diggers Club Live Plants & Seeds Diggers Club All Rare Herbs – [Student recommended, International] Herb Cottage – [Student recommended] Shaman’s Garden – [International] Packaging Herb Cottage – [Student recommended] Again, we hope this list makes locating and purchasing herbs and supplies world-wide easier for you and that this is a helpful resource for you throughout your herbal studies and herbal practice. Please keep in mind that the vendors shared here are not endorsed by the Herbal Academy. We have reviewed these suppliers to the best of our ability, but as we mentioned earlier, we recommend that you do your own research to determine if the supplier you are considering ordering from is a good fit for your needs! If you know of any suppliers, farmers, or resources for any of the above locations, feel free to contact us and let us know as we plan to update this post regularly. Take Your Herbal Studies To The Next Level Join us for Back To School season here at the Herbal Academy. We would love to have you join us in one of our online herbal classes! No matter where you are on your herbal journey, we have a course that is a fit for you and your budget! If you’re interested in taking your herbal studies to the next level, you can learn more about all of the online herbal courses we offer right here: https://theherbalacademy.com/courses-classes/. En colaboración y afiliación con Herbal Academy Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach DISCLOSURE Herbal Academy apoya a organizaciones confiables con el uso de enlaces de afiliados. Los enlaces de afiliados se comparten en todo el sitio web y Herbal Academy puede recibir una compensación si realiza una compra con estos enlaces. La información que se ofrece en los sitios web de Herbal Academy tiene únicamente fines educativos. Herbal Academy no hace afirmaciones médicas ni tiene la intención de diagnosticar o tratar condiciones médicas. Los enlaces a sitios externos son solo para fines informativos. The Herbal Academy no los respalda ni es responsable de ningún modo por su contenido. Los lectores deben hacer su propia investigación sobre la seguridad y el uso de cualquier hierba o suplemento.

Taste's like a cocktail, but doesn't leave a headache. Mocktails are your new spirit-free summer treat. Cocktails sans alcohol have been around most likely since the mixed alcoholic beverage was invented, circa 1916 according to its first recorded usage as documented by Merriam-Webster. Ever heard of the Shirley Temple? The world’s most famous blend of ginger ale, grenadine and citrus with a maraschino cherry garnish is also believed to be the world’s first mocktail. Since then, zero-proof drinks (as mocktails are also known in modern hospitality) have entire books and bars dedicated to them. While some people who don’t consume alcohol seek them out for their lack of hangover-inducing qualities, others simply enjoy the flavors and creativity mocktails have to offer even the most sophisticated palates today. Want to impress drinkers and non-drinkers alike? If you know the recipe for a cocktail and have a sense of its dominant aromatics (citrus, caramel or olive, for example) and its garnishes, you can actually achieve the same depth in a mocktail. You’re guaranteed to surprise both the full-proof cocktail lovers in your life and your casual picnic buddies this weekend, and all summer long! If you want to “health-ify” your boozy cocktails, you can still integrate some of the herbal allies below for an added wellness boost to the summer drinks you already know and love. Benefits of Mocktails No need for a designated driver after downing a pitcher of virgin sangria because unlike traditional cocktails, mocktails can be enjoyed without getting intoxicated! Even if you’re not planning to operate any heavy machinery or get behind the wheel, mocktails’ many benefits are worth the swap for herbal, booze-free ingredients. Did you know … Mocktails make your liver and gut happy. Mocktails can help equalize social situations and make them enjoyable for all. No awkward refusing alcohol; everyone can enjoy mocktails. No hangovers. Your head will thank you! Mocktails are generally safe for children and pregnant people. Mocktails may provide a healthy alternative for recovering addicts, without anyone having to disclose personal information … mocktails for all! The Anatomy of a Cocktail/Mocktail Here are some important foundational terms and tricks of the trade to create memorable mocktails using cocktail recipes and artistry as a point of reference: The foundation of a delicious drink is achieved by using the right proportions of spirits. But in the case of mocktails, this is swapped for your chosen tonic, elixir, or main herb maceration of sorts, along with the right balance of sweet and sour elements. The essence of your drink is what gives you the aromatic pop, and the general impression you want people to take away from each sip. The finish is the elegant garnish, or aromatic element. And of course, the spirit of your mocktail is the magical intention, prayer and vibrational medicine you wish to add. Since the mocktail recipes below are herb-centric, the elixirs and tonics can apply in both the foundation and the essence of your drink. It all depends on the intention and strength with which you wish to make your herbal mocktail. If you’re subbing one of the elixirs and tonics as your “booze”, then it qualifies as the foundation. If you’re looking to just add essence to an existing drink recipe by adding an elixir as a booster, then it applies as a supportive essence. Home Mixology Toolkit Shaker Long Spoons Dropper bottle(s) Mixing Glass Pitcher Jigger Vital Components for Mocktail Making Sweeteners of choice (for simple syrups) Citrus juice of choice Tea / “Waters” (Rose Water, Lavender Water, etc.) Effervescent (Sparkling Water, Kombucha, etc) Fancy Ingredients of Choice (For finishing touches: flowers, fresh crushed spices, dried petals, sprigs of fresh herbs, etc.) Pro Tips Make your own tinctures to use as your spirit. Go wild with your homemade tinctures! Although we have quite a few of these in our apothecary, make your own magic if you’re feeling it. Get fancy with the garnishes! Flowers, herbs, smoke, exotic foods, etc. Use tea water as part of your base to add depth and medicinal qualities. Infused Simple Syrups If you’re looking to level up your cocktail/mocktail skills, simple syrups are key. Made from any sugar you love then paired with your favorite aromatics, simple syrups deepen the magic and flavor of your mixology. Many mixologists infuse their simple syrups with a heap of herbs and spices to sweeten drinks and to create elegant, complex flavors. Sweeteners you can use when composing syrups are: regular white sugar (we recommend organic), brown sugar, and agave. Lower glycemic options I love using are coconut sugar, maple syrup, and monk fruit. You can of course use stevia (ideally, the actual herb!), yacon, or any other sweetener if you’re into it. Bottom line: get playful! There are a million and one ways to make simple syrup infusions, and it’s all up to the sweetener you choose and herbs you want to infuse. You can also make several simple syrup flavors so that you have them ready to make decadent drinks anytime. Here’s a floral base syrup that we’re also using in one of the recipes below: HIBISCUS INFUSED COCONUT SYRUP (aka Hibiscus Simple Syrup) Ingredients ¾ cup Dried Hibiscus Flowers (or give Mangosteen Hibiscus Powder a try!) 1 cup Coconut Sugar Directions Add Hibiscus in a pan with double the amount of water to its volume (almost two cups of water) and allow it to simmer. When its about half way evaporated, add 1 cup of sugar. Remove from heat, cover and let it stand for about 30 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer, discard solids, and transfer into a clean bottle. Recipes Before we jump into the recipes, as a precaution, if you cannot drink any kind of alcohol, be ware that our liquid elixirs and tonics do have a small percentage of alcohol, that is used to extract the medicinal herbs. And although it’s minimal, we add this note to be sure that component is not missed for those that cannot consume any amount. You can however, use our powders, which we do below, and still make a fabulous cocktails sans the alcohol. CURAM COLADA One of the world’s most popular summer cocktails, the Pina Colada is refreshing and sweet. It ́s super easy to make but adding fresh passionfruit and lime will take this beach bar favorite to the next level. Ingredients: 1tbsp Curam Beauty Elixir 1Tbsp Lime juice 3oz Fresh Pineapple Juice 2oz Coconut Cream ½-1 fresh Passionfruit pulp Ice cubes Directions: Dry Shake, fill shaker with ice, shake hard, strain into glass, fill with ice. Optional, blend all ingredients with a handful of ice, and pour into a cocktail glass. RASPBERRY MANGOSTEEN LEMONADE Also known as the queen of fruits, Mangosteen, is one of the most delicious fruits out there. One of my personal favorites, she is packed with nutrition and often used as an anti-aging ally as it particularly nourishes and protects the skin. In rainforest communities, the peel is often used for skin damage, as it greatly assists in repair and rejuvenation. Research also suggests that mangosteen may increase your number of immune cells and reduce inflammation — potentially boosting immune health. Anyhow, lets get to this gorgeous lemonade! Think of this as sparkly lemonade with a sweet and sour mangosteen/hibiscus twist, with the added essence of brain drops to assist with clarity, cognition and sight. Ingredients: 2oz Mangosteen Hibiscus Simple Syrup 1/2oz Lemon Juice 60 drops Cerebrum Brain Tonic 4oz Sparkling Water (or Kombucha) 1oz Aloe Vera Goo or Juice (optional) Ice Cubes Directions: In a shaker or blender, combine a thumb’s worth of fresh aloe vera goo (only scoop the inside part, as the gooey parts close to the peel can be irritating to the gut to some!), lemon juice, mangosteen simple syrup and cerebrum Brain Tonic. Shake well, until well combined. Pour over ice in a cocktail glass, add sparkling water or berry flavored kombucha of choice. Add a sprig of rosemary or basil to garnish, and enjoy! TARRAGON PEPPER EUPHORIA LEMON ZEST Did you know that tarragon is also known as ‘hierba bruja’ in Latin America? Across history it has been noted to have witchy properties, so add it into your potions for a mystical component! 1tsp Euphoria Powder 1tbsp Euphoria Elixir Herbal Tonic Water or Sparkling Water 1oz Lemon Juice Lemon Zest 6-8 sprigs Tarragon Ice Cubes Directions: First let's start with a tarragon simple syrup. Combine your chosen sugar with 1 cup water and 6 sprigs tarragon in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, add the Euphoria powder, mix, and let cool to room temperature. In a shaker, or pitcher, combine lemon juice, 2tbsp tarragon-euphoria sugar syrup, and some cold water. Mix well. Taste it, if you’d like it sweeter, add another tablespoon of the simple syrup. To serve, fill glasses with ice, add 1tbsp of Euphoria elixir, pour your prepared tarragon juice mix in. Top with herbal tonic water, garnish with citrus zest and tarragon sprigs. ROSE WATER AND LEMONADE Rose water has been used for thousands of years, starting in the Middle East, where they blended roses and H2O for beauty, food and drinks. Roses have long been revered for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, while water has been proven over and over again to improve metabolism and flush toxins from the body. This divinely refreshing and heart opening elixir is what most of us wish for on a hot summer day. The Happiness drops are composed of ‘happy herbs’ such as St John’s Wort, known to boost serotonin, Mucuna, also known as ‘dopamine bean’, Albizzia, also known as ‘the eternal happiness tree’, Rhodiola, a powerful adaptogen known for its anti-depressant qualities. All these together make for a true happiness tonic that can be easily integrated into just about anything. If you’re feeling like adding Happiness to some of your other favorite flavor pairings, you can easily sub into any of the others. Ingredients: ¼ cup Rose Powder (or sub for same volume of dried Rose Petals) 60drops Happiness Tonic (per serving) 1/2oz Lemon Juice Handful Fresh Raspberries 2Tbsp Maple Syrup, (or make your own Rose Syrup!) Ice Cubes Optional Pro-Tip: Make rose tea and add into large ice cube tray for a true delight Make a Rose Syrup instead of adding maple syrup or any sweetener! Following direction for our Hibiscus Simple Syrup, and sub for rose instead of hibiscus! Directions: Making rose water is super easy, and it sounds so much more fancy that what it actually just is! The secret to rosewater is using the right temperature of water. Some recipes call for simmering roses in hot water, then straining, which will make you BITTER rose water. So be sure to use about 175-180F to brew roses, which is about 80% to reach boiling point. Start with ¼ cup Rose Powder, and fill up to 1 cup in total volume of hot water. Add about 2 Tbsp of Maple Syrup, mix, and allow it to steep until the sweetened rose water is room temperature. Here feel free to adjust sweetener to your liking. Strain the petals out and keep your tea in the fridge. When ready to serve, add ice, 60 drops of Happiness Tonic and fresh raspberries into a cocktail glass. Pour in the chilled rose water (use rose cubes if you’re really wanting to take it to the next level!) and enjoy! *If you’re using Rose Syrup: Add rose syrup, ice, Happiness Tonic and lemon juice into a shaker, and shake until mixed well. Pour into a cocktail glass, top with Rose Water, and mix gently. ELDERBERRY STRAWBERRY GRANITA MOJITO This is for the every-day valentines day. Well, with a side of immune protection? Ha! That doesn’t sound so sexy. But it actually is. I Love Elderberry-everything, and now-a-days we all have to think about protecting ourselves and cultivating resilience. Elderberries are one of my go-to’s for added nutrition and immune resilience. It’s easy to use and integrate into almost any summery beverage, AND it’s also one of my favorite to feed our kids, since it’s so effective and tasty. Give the granita process a try, which is essentially a fancy word for saying slushy! Cheers! Directions: 2 cups quartered strawberries* 1 cup raspberries Fresh Grated Ginger 1/4 cup lime juice 2-3Tbsp Elderberry Elixir * 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup 4 mint sprigs TIPS: *Calculate 1Tbsp of Elixir per serving made or calculated for *You can get playful here, and switch some of the fruits, you can do all watermelon, blood orange or anything you’re feeling for, in equal suggested proportions. Directions Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish or smaller plates if that fits your freezer better. Cover and freeze 3.5 hours. Uncover; scrape mixture surface with a fork until it resembles a slushy. Re-cover and freeze 3 hours. Uncover; re-scrape mixture surface, and serve in a cocktail glass of choice. Cheers! SCHISANDRA ROSE DROP Ingredients 1Tbsp Schisandra Rose Elixir 1tsp Rose Powder or 1tbsp Rose Petals Lavender to garnish Water Directions: This is an EASY one that will make all your friends impressed! First off, follow the instructions above to make rosewater. In a shaker, combine 1Tbsp Rose Schisandra Elixir, 2oz of Rose Water, fresh raspberries and a lavender sprig, or two. Shake. Pour into an iced cocktail glass and top with raspberry kombucha (or berry flavored kombucha of choice). Cheers! ADAPTOGENIC BEET ROSE You can have your shrooms, even in your cocktails! I know many of you can’t stand the shroomy taste, well – here you have it! A medicinal grade mocktail with 7 medicinal mushrooms, and you would never even notice. Taking your plant medicines can be fun and tasty. Get creative and sprinkle your shroomy allies into all the refreshing potions you’ll be concocting this summer. Ingredients: Adaptogenic Mushroom Tonic Beet powder Rose Syrup (see above for instructions) Sparkling Water Ice cubes Directions: First let’s make our beet water. In a small pitcher, dissolve ¼ cup of beet powder, into a cup of boiling water. Mix and allow it to steep. Once the water is deep fuchsia, strain if needed. If you have beets, but no beet powder, you can use the water you use to boil beets for this! When you boil your beets, the water residue is usually a beautiful deep fuchsia that is lovely, tasty and nutritious. Add your beet water, rose syrup (see instructions above), ice and a dash of lemon into a shaker. Shake well. Pour into an iced cocktail glass, add your Adaptogenic Mushroom Drops, and mix. Garnish with rose petals and/or rose powder. Written by Adriana Ayales Original post ANIMA MUNDI HERBAL Love this products!! Shop Products here Photos by Silvia Bifaro With love, Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach

We usually celebrate the new year in winter, but Nature celebrates the new year in spring when the soil's microbes awaken, melting snow feeds rivers, lakes, forests, and gardens, birds weave their nests for a new life, and flowers begin to grace our meadows. In the northern hemisphere, we rejoice as refreshing and inspiring impulses from Nature help us burst out of our stagnation to try something new, exciting, and joyful! As the days get longer, it's easier to deepen our relationship with the Earth and follow Nature's biological rhythms, to come out of hibernation inspired to birth something new. We at Alaskan Essences celebrate these changes and encourage you to embrace the momentum of Nature’s joyous example and begin something new or challenge yourself in a new way. We have all experienced difficulty following through on our best intentions and good ideas, and we often look back after a few months and wonder what happened. We can get stuck when creative thoughts and intentions get lost because we unconsciously push against them with self-imposed obstacles. For instance, when we feel like changing or trying something new, but we don't know where to start or how to get there, or our insecurity feeds self-doubt, and our programmed behaviors and beliefs get in the way. The Alaskan flower, gem, and environmental essences reveal solutions to these problems and inspire us to get unstuck and find our way back to our highest path, where our heart leads the way and the mind helps us get there. They remind us that each moment is an opportunity for new beginnings, and we can start right now with small steps, whether we have a new idea or project, a change in life direction, enhanced self-care, or want to learn something new. Peridot – support for new cycles of growth and experience Peridot is the stone of new beginnings. This gem elixir provides gentle structural support when we start something new or move into a new phase of our lives. It creates a fresh, clear space in our hearts to give birth to our dreams when insecurity or fear of failure prevents us from moving forward. When we are challenged by transition and change, Peridot's soft and protective energy helps us feel safe and secure enough to move beyond our usual safety zone into new areas of life. Bog – support for your creations from Mother Earth Bogs are semi-swampy habitats that nurture a rich diversity of life. Being in Nature is grounding, but when visiting a bog, you feel one step closer to the Earth Mother. Bogs are alive with an abundance of elemental energies, the fresh new energy of potential, and nurturing and grounding feminine earth energy. Bog environmental essence captures that energy to introduce a unique and vibrant creative power into our lives, helping us realize our potential and increase our ability to hold the promise of new creation. Bog essence helps connect our hearts to the heart of Mother Earth, opening us to her love, wisdom, and unlimited support. Sticky Geranium – getting unstuck Sticky Geranium flower essence is ideal when we feel caught in a web of procrastination. Its vibrant and catalytic energy can help us move from a place of lethargy to decisive and focused action. This essence stimulates a higher degree of cooperation between the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of our being, enabling us to move with clarity, focus, and a sense of order to the next level of an experience. Whether writing the next chapter in a book or making a more substantial commitment to a job or relationship, Sticky Geranium encourages us to tune into our inner knowing where we can release old levels of programming and resistance that hold us in a place of stagnation. It empowers us to free up our inner potential and go beyond previous stages of growth and self-definition to jump into life with energy and enthusiasm. Aventurine – the courage to face unknown adventures Aventurine gem elixir connects us to our inherent power and heart-centered courage, inspiring us to open ourselves more than ever to the joy and excitement of living. It is essential when we lack stamina and fortitude or want to quit when faced with obstacles, especially our limiting belief systems. When life tests our resolve with significant changes, this essence provides the strength and stability we need to move into and through new experiences with grace, stamina, and perseverance. This a powerful essence for spiritual trailblazers and pioneers because it helps us gain a new level of trust in ourselves, move past our control zone, and become more comfortable exploring the edge of the unknown. Wild Rhubarb – leading with the heart Wild Rhubarb flower essence promotes mental flexibility and creative problem-solving by clearing and expanding the communication channel between the higher self, the heart, and the mind. It is vital when our mind thinks it can run the show, resulting in stubborn, controlling, and uninspired behavior. When we receive and follow impulses from our higher self, a relaxation of inappropriate mental control will follow, resulting in new thoughts, perspectives, plans for action, and solutions to our problems. This essence also teaches us to lead with the heart when considering our future, especially the challenge of setting priorities for our life. It reminds us to start the process by asking the heart what it thinks about the situation and how it would like to proceed. Go-Create – taking creative action Our Go-Create abundance formula and spray are designed to help you co-create what you want, need, and desire in your life with less resistance and more ease, efficiency, and effectiveness. This formula will help you clear limiting beliefs from past experiences, enhance your ability to feel worthy to receive your heart’s desire, and find the trust, faith, and gratitude to empower you to hold a vibration in alignment with what you truly desire to create in your life. Use the Go-Create formula to: Open your awareness to the unlimited generosity of the Universe Focus your intention and attention on what you want to manifest rather than on what you perceive to be missing Trust in your capacity to create Tap into your inner truth, joy, and wisdom Feel more empowered around the whole co-creative process Use the Go-Create Spray whenever you want to ignite inspiration and feel empowered in your capacity to create. Use it in your home, office, studio or during meditations, classes and workshops. The spray contains our original Go-Create Abundance Formula and the essential oils of Rosemary, Coriander, Lavender, Laurel, and Fresh Ginger. These refreshing oils are well known for their ability to support self-esteem, inner fire, enthusiasm and creative boldness, liberating you from doubts about your ability to manifest a flowing abundant life. YOU CAN BUY ALL THIS ESSENCES HERE Original post of Alaskan Essences I love flower essences and I hope you too discover this amazing brand! Happy Spring! Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach

As we so often remind our readers and students, learning herbalism is a lifelong journey to be savored and experienced. It is an endeavor to be nurtured with hands-on practice, study with experienced teachers, and learning from the many herbal books written by herbalists of all traditions and approaches, both modern and historical. As herbalists, our libraries are treasured collections of the books that have helped lead us along the learning journey. The books that continue to line our shelves are the ones that resonated with us most strongly and clearly at some point during our education. Some of these we return to frequently; others played a role in building our herbal foundation and hold fond memories. All have offered valuable information and insight to us. Curating your herbal library doesn’t happen instantly, nor does it happen without expense. It’s a process of selecting those books that are right for your current learning needs or desires and making room in your budget to purchase them (the library is a good option, too!). To give you suggestions, we have compiled 101 herbal books on our shelves that have contributed to our education and career development. These are written by many beloved herbalists who have helped shape the landscape of modern herbalism (and some historical herbalists, too). In an effort to help you determine which books are right for you, they are grouped by topic and by difficulty—(B) for beginner, (I) for Intermediate, and (A) for Advanced levels. Keep in mind that these are just suggestions to note who might benefit most from a particular book, not a hard-and-fast rule! Many books may be suitable for a variety of levels, from the beginning student learning new concepts to the advanced practitioner seeking reference, and we may also take away different things from a book at different points in our education and career. Enjoy perusing this list and making note of which titles might be a fit for you! Introductory Herbals 1. Backyard Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies by Julie Bruton Seal and Matthew Seal (B) – Profiles 50 common herbs and offers numerous recipes for herbal remedies. 2. Body Into Balance by Maria Noel Groves (B) – Covers the foundations of good health, a review of body systems, chapters on managing pain, longevity and vitality, herbal medicine for children and pets, monographs, recipes, and key recommendations. Body Into Balance by Herbal Academy Teacher Maria Noel Groves 3. Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Bairacli Levy – An insightful and practical book from a grandmother of the herbalism revival in the United States, who shares her deep knowledge of herbs and herbal remedies gained through hands-on study with traditional cultures. 4. Complete Earth Medicine Handbook by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi (B) – Describes 33 plants of Europe and North America from the traditional folkloric perspective, and includes recipes, lore, and practical uses for the plants. 5. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier (B) – Begins with an overview of herbal medicine and traditions and presents information on 550 plants, including habitat and cultivation, parts used, active constituents, therapeutic properties, uses, and preparations. 6. Flower Power by Anne McIntyre (B) – A beautiful, insightful, and well-written book that profiles numerous flowers, covering their usage in historical traditions as well as their usage as herbal remedies, aromatherapy oils, homeopathic remedies, and flower essences in the contemporary tradition. 7. Healing Wise by Susun Weed (B) – A classic herbal book that sets forth the foundations of the Wise Woman tradition and uniquely describes the personalities and uses of seven nourishing herbs. 8. Healing with the Herbs of Life by Lesley Tierra (B) – A detailed yet approachable book on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that covers fundamentals, TCM perspective on disease and healing, and a detailed materia medica. 9. Herbal Renaissance by Steven Foster (B) – Profiles clearly and in detail the botany, cultivation, harvest guidelines, historical and modern uses, and clinical research of numerous herbs. 10. Holistic Herbal 4th Edition: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies by David Hoffmann (B) – A comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide to over 200 herbs covering harvesting, constituents, preparation, actions, uses, and dosage, as well as herbs for various common ailments. 11. Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech (B) – A much-loved how-to guide to making herbal preparations that also includes plant profiles of 100 herbs that can be grown in North America. 12. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use by Rosemary Gladstar – A hands-on book for readers who want to make their own remedies, includes information on growing, harvesting, making herbal preparations, and using 33 common healing plants. The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Herbal Academy Educator Matthew Wood 13. Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs by Gail Faith Edwards (B) – Lovely profiles of the cultivation, harvest, and uses of 113 herbs and trees written in the author’s warm, wise woman style. 14. Planting the Future: Saving our Medicinal Herbs edited by Rosemary Gladstar and Pamela Hirsch (B) – Multiple herbalist contributors celebrate at-risk wild plants and teach how to protect, cultivate, and use these important plants. 15. Practical Herbs by Henriette Kress (B) – This Finnish herbalist writes about 23 plants found in her home region (and throughout the world), how to cultivate and harvest them, and how to make herbal preparations. 16. Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Remedies for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar (B) – A comprehensive guide to herbs and recipes for supporting overall wellness and everyday ailments written by one of our most treasured American herbalists. 17. The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicine by Matthew Wood (B) – Integrates North American indigenous herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, and Western herbalism to paint a picture of medicinal uses of more than forty plants. 18. The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine by Brigitte Mars (B) – Detailed monographs of 180 herbs, including actions in the body, constituents, energetics, common, historical, and modern uses, and contraindications. 19. The Gift of Healing Herbs by Robin Rose Bennett (B) – A wise and insightful book written from the author’s own perspective and experience, detailing the nature of each herb as well as their potential to support our wellness, and illustrated with anecdotal case studies. 20. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism by David Hoffmann (B) – Covers the history and practice of various herbal traditions, herbal actions illustrated by applicable herbs, how to use herbs for various body systems/ailments, and how to grow herbs and use them for remedies, cooking, and dyes. 21. The Herbal Kitchen by Kami McBride (B) – Chock full of simple and creative ways to use herbs in the kitchen, complete with numerous recipes and detailed profiles of how many common cooking herbs and spices are useful for health. 22. The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green (B) – Authoritative yet lighthearted guide to making all kinds of herbal preparations, complete with detailed step-by-step instructions and the why and how to help it all make sense. 23. The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra (I) – Integrates Western and Eastern perspectives to present the wider holistic approach of herbalism and profiles the botanical and therapeutic properties of 140 Western herbs and 31 Chinese herbs. 24. The Wild Wisdom of Weeds: 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival by Katrina Blair (B) – Profiles 13 wild plants “essential for human survival” that grow along with human civilization across the globe; profiles include photographs, botany, habitat, history, edible uses, medical actions, medicinal uses, and recipes. Traditional and Folk Herbalism 25. The Earthwise Herbal: Complete Guide to New World Plants and The Earthwise Herbal: Complete Guide to Old World Plants by Matthew Wood (I) – These two volumes focused on western herbalism and a folk-style approach encompass a thorough materia medica, including historical use, Wood’s personal experiences working with the herbs in his clinical practice, and plant energetics. The Earthwise Herbal by Herbal Academy teacher Matthew Wood 26. The Plant Healer’s Path: A Grassroots Guide For the Folk Herbal Tribe by Jesse Hardin (I) – A collaborative work from several modern herbalists that explores modern folk herbalism and guides (and inspires) readers to reflect and find their individual herbalist voices to add to the collective. 27. The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism by Matthew Wood (I) – A study of the rich history and underlying framework of traditional Western herbalism stemming from an array of western traditions, including the language of “energetics”; includes both theory and fascinating plant profiles. 28. Traditions in Western Herbalism Essays And Class Notes: Essential Information & Skills by Jesse Hardin (I) – Offers the work of a bevy of respected modern herbalists culled from Plant Healer conferences, offered in four sections: Herbal Practice, Clinical Skills and Therapeutics, Herbs and Actions, and Food, Wildcrafting, Self-Care & Sense of Place. Historical Texts 29. A Modern Herbal Vol. 1 and A Modern Herbal Vol. 2 by Maud Grieve (B) – Written in 1931 and a beloved classic, presents a fascinating look at herbalism that is a blend of earlier sources like Culpeper alongside the herbal folklore of the British Isles and modern (at the time) science and botany; includes an extensive A to Z compilation of plant profiles. Also available online at Botanical.com. 30. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper (I) – Originally published in 1653 and still in print, details 411 herbs and their uses, remedies, and cautions from Culpeper’s blend of Greek medicine and astrological herbalism. Also available online at Archives.org. 31. Kings American Dispensatory by Harvey Felter and John Lloyd (I) – The extensive materia medica of the Eclectic physicians at the Eclectic Medical Institute, first published in 1854. Also available online at Henriette’s Herbal Homepage. 32. The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy by Finley Ellingwood and John Uri Lloyd (I) – Published in 1919, an extensive materia medica arranged by ailments of the various body systems. Also available at Henriette’s Herbal Homepage. 33. The Eclectic Practice of Medicine by Finley Ellingwood (I) – Written in 1910, a comprehensive guide to herbal and other therapeutics for treatment of disease in the Eclectic tradition. Available online at Henriette’s Herbal Homepage. Ayurveda 34. The Ayurveda Bible by Anne McIntyre (I) – Comprehensive exploration of the science of Ayurveda, its herbs, preparations, and formulas, and Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment. 35. The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World’s Oldest Healing System by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Michael Tierra (I) – Extensive information on Ayurvedic healing and using Ayurvedic herbs to support wellness from two experienced practitioners. 36. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine by David Frawley and Vasant Lad (B) – A great introduction to Ayurvedic theory, materia medica, and herbal preparations and uses. Traditional Chinese Medicine 37. The Energetics of Western Herbs: A Materia Medica Integrating Western and Chinese Herbal Therapeutics, vol. 1 (4th Rev. Ed.) and The Energetics of Western Herbs: Vol. 2 (4th Rev. Ed) by Peter Holmes (I) – Comprehensive look at holistic herbalism through the lenses of Chinese and Greek herbal medicine, vitalism, and modern science, with an emphasis on energetics; over 220 thorough and enlightening plant profiles. 38. The Way of Chinese Herbs by Michael Tierra (I) – Informative yet easy-to-follow, details the uses of herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and how to integrate them into daily life, includes recipes and formulas. 39. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk (I) – A good starting point for exploring the complex theories and practical framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 40. Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Practitioner’s Guide by Thomas Avery Garran (A) – An authoritative guide to using Western herbs in the TCM tradition; includes 58 plant monographs and describes how to use Western herbs in Chinese formulas. Native American Herbalism 41. Native American Ethnobotany by Daniel E. Moerman (I) – A extensive and impressive work documenting the ways North American native people have used 4,000 plants for food, medicine, fiber, and dye. Also available as a searchable online database. 42. Native Plants, Native Healing: Traditional Muskogee Way by Tis Mal Crow (B) – Teaches how to identify, harvest, and prepare common plants of Eastern North America and how to use them for human ailments; emphasizes the importance of spirit and intent to honor the plants when wildcrafting. 43. Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism by Stephen Harrod Buhner (I) – Drawing from his own experiences as well as careful research, the author explores the ways spirituality and herbalism can overlap, and the sacred relationships indigenous people cultivate with plants. Plant Identification and Foraging 44. Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel (B) – Teaches a novel way of identifying plants by observing their plant family patterns and characteristics, which often also give clues to their edible or medicinal usage. 45. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore (B) – Covers the medicinal herbs found in New Mexico, Arizona, west Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California, more than 100 species; it is both an identification guide with information on harvesting and preparing herbs, and also a materia medica on the medicinal uses based on the author’s deep experience. 46. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West by Michael Moore (B) – Covers 300 species of medicinal plants from Baja California to Alaska; an identification guide that also discusses harvesting and preparing herbs as well as extensive information on their medicinal uses. 47. Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West (B) by Michael Moore – Covers more than 100 species of medicinal plants of rock and arid lands of the Western uplands; an identification guide that also discusses harvesting and preparing herbs as well as well as extensive information on their medicinal uses. 48. Nature’s Garden by Samuel Thayer (B) – Details 41 common North American edible plants, from identification and harvest to preparation and use. 49. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb (B) – Learn to identify flowering plants of the northeastern United States using the key system to answer questions about shape and structure of the plant parts. 50. Peterson’s Field Guide: Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke (B) – Geared toward the eastern and central United States and Canada; plant photos organized by color; text outlines plant traits, habitat, uses, and warnings for more than 530 important medicinal plants. 51. Peterson’s Field Guide: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Christopher Hobbs, Steven Foster, Roger Tory Peterson (B) – Geared toward the western North America; plant photos organized by color; text outlines plant traits, habitat, uses, and warnings for more than 530 important medicinal plants. 52. The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer (B) – Details 32 more common North American edible plants, from identification and harvest to preparation and use. Medicinal Mushrooms 53. Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series) by Christopher Hobbs (B) – Describes the use of fungi for food and wellness in Eastern and Western cultures and details the benefits of more than 100 species of edible fungi. 54. Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets (B) – a fascinating and comprehensive look at mushrooms role in a healthy ecosystem and how they can (and do) support the wellness of the planet; includes medicinal and nutritional information as well as growing methods. Cultivating Herbs 55. Homegrown Herbs: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying More Than 100 Herbs by Tammi Hartung (B) – A beautiful book that profiles 101 herbs, describing their habitats, tips for propagation, cultivation and harvesting, and culinary a medicinal uses; and covers garden design, soil building, gardening, making herbal preparations, and cooking with herbs. 56. The Medicinal Herb Grower by Richo Cech (B) – A guide to growing medicinal herbs organically, written in the author’s amusign and anecdotal style, covers growing and processing herbs for seed and for medicinal herbs. 57. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer by Jeff Carpenter and Melanie Carpenter (B) – The owners of Zack Woods Herb Farm in Vermont share a vast amount of practical information covering all aspects of propagating, growing, harvesting, drying, marketing, and selling medicinal herbs (and includes detailed plant profiles for 50 herbs), as well as how to manage the business side of things. Specific Herbal Topics 58. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes (I) – A fantastic, well-researched book that describes adaptogenic herbs, their use in various herbal traditions, and their actions and role in supporting the human stress response and wellness; detailed monographs for 21 adaptogens and 19 nervine and nootropic herbs that complement adaptogens include uses, actions, preparation, and dosage information. 59. Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism by Donnie Yance (A) – Explores the author’s holistic approach for using adaptogens to support the body’s energy levels and response to stress and as a tonic to support the body’s wellness, includes 60 herbal monographs and custom formulations. 60. Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner (I) – A well-researched guide to using herbal antibiotics to build immunity and protect against bacterial infections; includes detailed plant monographs and wellness protocols. 61. Herbal Antivirals by Stephen Harrod Buhner (I) – A well-researched guide to using herbal antivirals to build immunity and protect against viral infections; includes detailed plant monographs, herbal preparations, and wellness protocols. 62. Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen (I) – Describes the minerals and nutrients in herbs and presents in herbal monographs the nutritional profile, folk history and use, medicinal properties, and usage information for numerous herbs; then delves into herbs for addressing deficiency and excess in the various body systems. 63. The Wild Medicine Solution by Guido Masé (I) – With deft clarity, combines concepts from traditional herbalism with history and mythology, modern herbal practice, and modern scientific research to describe how aromatic, bitter, and tonic herbs are uniquely suited to support our physiological wellness; includes recipes. 64. Winston & Kuhn’s Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily Kuhn & David Winston (I) – Combines traditional herbalism and modern science to present traditional and modern use, botanical descriptions, constituents, recommended usage, side effects, and safety for 115 herbs. Dietary Therapeutics 65. Food as Medicine: The Theory and Practice of Food by Todd Caldecott (B) – Using the theories of Ayurveda and modern science, offers practical nutritional guidance (and recipes) to support individual wellness. 66. The Healing Power of Minerals, Special Nutrients and Trace Elements by Paul Bergner (B) – A great read on the role of minerals and trace elements in our wellness, their dwindling availability in our modern food supply, and how to replenish them in your diet. Women’s Health 67. Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way by Susun Weed (B) – Offers information in the wise woman tradition for maintaining breast health or for supporting the body after a breast cancer diagnosis, including herbal and dietary therapeutics and lifestyle suggestions. 68. Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health by Susun Weed (B) – Walks through the reproductive body parts (both female and male) and describes their healthy states and common imbalances, then makes herbal, alternative, and allopathic therapy suggestions based on six steps of healing: do nothing, collect information, engage the energy, nourish and tonify, stimulate/sedate; use drugs; break and enter. 69. Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar (B) – With home remedies for the common ailments women experience from adolescence through menopause, this health care manual empowers women to support their wellness with herbs; includes recipes and preparation instructions as well as an herbal materia medica. 70. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health by Aviva Romm (I) – Dr. Romm and several other herbalist contributors integrate traditional herbalism and modern science to describe medical and herbal therapeutics in support of women’s health and common conditions; materia medica includes a plant’s clinical indications and recommendations for safe use. 71. New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way by Susun Weed (B) – Supporting a woman through menopause the wise woman way; organized by the six steps of healing mentioned above, offers herbal solutions for a multitude of symptoms and conditions that accompany menopause. 72. The Complete Woman’s Herbal by Anne McIntyre (I) – A thorough reference book of simple and effective herbal remedies for health conditions and symptoms faced by women from puberty through menopause and elder years; beautiful plant profiles discuss history, energetics, chemistry, and uses to give a thorough picture of the plant. 73. The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm (B) – A comprehensive guide to pregnancy, the ailments a women may encounter, and dietary suggestions and herbal therapeutics to promote wellness and ease the journey. 74. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed (B) – In the wise woman tradition, shares simple and safe herbal support prior to and during pregnancy to ease symptoms and promote health of mother and baby. 75. Women, Hormones, & the Menstrual Cycle by Ruth Trickey (A) – Discusses common conditions and complex disorders women face from puberty through menopause and dives into the endocrine system and hormonal replacement therapy; offers information on allopathic treatments as well as dietary and herbal therapeutics; includes a materia medica organized by herbal actions. Men’s Health 76. The Male Herbal by James Green (I) – A guide to herbal support for both preventative wellness and common conditions boys and men may face in terms of their physical and emotional health; includes numerous herbs and remedies and how to choose the appropriate herb based on a new constitutional model. Children’s Health 77. Herbal Healing for Children by Demetria Clark (B) – A practical guide, this book gives parents an introduction to herbalism and teaches them how to make simple herbal remedies for common childhood conditions. 78. Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Jill Romm (B) – Offers easy-to-understand herbal and dietary recommendations for the common health conditions and symptoms children face as babies through pre-adolescence. 79. Herbs for Children’s Health by Rosemary Gladstar (B) – This beloved herbalist shares recipes and instructions for making herbal remedies for common childhood ailments, offers clear dosing guidelines, and profiles 24 herbs especially suited for children. Advanced Herbalism and Practice 80. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs by Kerry Bone (A) – Explores the art and science of making and herbal extracts and formulating blends to help an advanced practitioner or an herbal entrepreneur interested in manufacturing products to take their art to a new level. 81. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 4e by Shirley Price (A) – A solid textbook for the herbalist interested in essential oils that takes a practical and studied look at essential oil science and the foundations and context of safe use. 82. Clinical Botanical Medicine by Eric Yarnell, Kathy Abascal, and Carol Hooper (A) – Geared toward the clinician, discusses the use of botanicals for a long list of diseases and conditions, and includes information on safety, potential toxicity, and herb-drug interactions. 83. Clinical Naturopathic Medicine by Leah Hechtman (A) – Geared toward the clinician, takes a comprehensive look at conditions affecting body systems and the herbal, dietary, and lifestyle therapeutics that can be used to resolve them. 84. Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 2e by Michael Heinrich (A) – Explores the chemistry involved in the interaction between herbs and the human body; covers basic basic plant biology, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals derived from plants, natural product chemistry, and herbs that are important in modern herbalism and phytotherapy. 85. Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistryby Lisa Ganora (A) – This herbal textbook explores the chemistry behind how medicinal plants work in the body, yet is written with a holistic perspective by the author equally adept with traditional herbalism and chemistry. 86. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Sharol Tilgner (I) – A resource for the herbal practitioner that includes profiles of 192 herbs with dosage and safety information and herbal formulations for each body system. 87. Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide, vol. 1 and 2, by Lesley Braun and Marc Cohen (A) – This set provides foundational knowledge for safe clinical practice and evidence-based monographs detailing modern, science-based uses and safety information for 132 herbs and supplements. 88. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffmann (I) – Great resource for those interested in learning the science of herbalism, explains the different types of chemical compounds and goes into great detail with pharmacology, toxicity, and safety issues, formulation, treatment approach by body systems and an extensive materia medica. 89. Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra (I) – Explores Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western Herbalism and integrates them for a practical holistic approach to wellness; includes profiles of 400 Western medicinal herbs. 90. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, 2nd ed by Kerry Bones and Simon Mills (A) – Another comprehensive work that explores the fundamentals of herbal medicine, offers practical clinical guides for the safe and effective use of herbs for various conditions and body systems, and includes 50 detailed plant monographs. 91. Textbook of Natural Medicine by Joseph Pizzorno and Michael T. Murray (A) – Geared for the clinician, discusses both natural and western medical intervention, profiles the pharmacology of 80 herbs and natural agents as well as herb-drug interactions, discusses numerous diseases and conditions and their pathophysiology and therapeutic rationale. 92. The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner’s Guide by Matthew Wood and David Ryan (A) – Takes a holistic approach to determining the appropriate herbal remedy for a particular person and condition by considering personal constitution, energetics, and symptoms and cross-referencing that with characteristics of herbs; as with Wood’s other books, this book is rooted in knowledge from multiple traditional herbalism systems. 93. The Herbalist’s Way: The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines by Nancy & Michael Phillips (I) – Informal but detailed exploration of the art of herbalism, how to become an herbalist, and why – from an overview of the many possibilities, to finding your niche, legal aspects, and more. 94. The Consultation in Phytotherapy by Peter Conway (A) – Written from a UK perspective so not entirely applicable to clinical practice in the US, but provides insightful information on effective herbal consultation and practice. 95. The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments by Alan Tillotson (I) – Within the framework of Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, explores the body systems, details individual herbs, and discusses the use of herbs for various health conditions. 96. The Practicing Herbalist by Margi Flint (I) – The author and several clinical herbalist contributors provide guidance for listening to and observing a client, including reading the face, tongue, pulse, and body, as well as information on herbal and dietary therapeutics. Safety and Herb-Drug Interactions 97. AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook by Zoe Gardner and Michael McGuffin (A) – Valuable reference for gaining insight into the potential contraindications and safety questions that may arise about particular herbs in a client’s specific situation; includes 500 herb profiles with safety summary, literature review, side effects, toxicology, and drug interactions. 98. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions plus Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines by Francis Brinker (A) – Evidence-based review of known herb contraindications and herb-drug interactions. 99. Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions by Mitchell Bebel Stargrove, Jonathan Treasure, Dwight L. McKee (A) – Evidence based information on interactions for common herbal, nutrient, and drug therapeutics. 100. Meyler’s Side Effects of Herbal Medicine by J.K. Aronson (A) – Textbook approach to the potential side effects and adverse reactions that can occur with herbs and with the combination of herbs and pharmaceuticals. 101. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety by Simon Mills and Kerry Bone (A) – Evidence-based guide presenting safety information for 125 common herbs, including herb quality, herb-drug interactions, adverse reactions, toxicity, and allergic reactions. Looking for more books to support your herbal studies? Our new Herbal Bookshelf can help! Search, preview, and purchase books that have been hand-picked by Herbal Academy educators with ease. What will you add to your herbal library next? Books and resources listed in the Herbal Bookshelf, as well as in references, citations, and book reviews on the Herbal Academy website may contain titles and language that include words and phrases such as “healing,” “treat,” and “medicinal.” Herbal Academy web pages that include book reviews, products, references, citations, periodicals, or other publications and links should not be construed as medical claim, diagnosis, or treatment. The Herbal Academy is not responsible for the content of these outside resources. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. In collaboration and affiliation with Herbal Academy. Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach Request a free discovery consultation here DISCLOSURE The Herbal Academy supports trusted organizations with the use of affiliate links. Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.

Aside from being one of the most popular morning wake-up beverages, the coffee bean (Coffea spp.) is a plant that offers a range of health benefits. For many coffee drinkers, sipping a morning cup of coffee is a cherished ritual—it’s not just about the caffeine pick-me-up, but also about the smell, flavor, aroma, and brewing process. Brewing methods range vastly…including French Press, cold brew, moka pot, drip, and espresso; there are myriad ways in which to prepare this delightful bitter beverage. Turning ground coffee beans into coffee extract is yet another way to enjoy the taste and benefits of the coffee bean. Before diving into the benefits of coffee and how to make coffee extract, let’s first consider the pros and cons of this beloved bean. If you are trained in Ayurveda or Chinese medicine, you may have been cautioned against coffee consumption. Chinese medicine views coffee as being overtaxing to the adrenal glands (Tierra, 1988) and it is generally discouraged in Ayurveda because it is believed to stimulate yet ultimately depress the nervous system (Lad & Lad, 1997). However, for those who choose to drink coffee in spite of these cautions, many ayurvedic practitioners suggest adding a dash of cardamom to your cup of coffee to balance out its stimulating effects—a principle which holds true for black tea as well. If you have ever tasted Turkish coffee, you may have noticed that cardamom is a key ingredient. Cardamom is considered a sattvic spice; it helps to refresh and clear the mind, and in addition assists with the digestion of heavy foods, such as dairy (Dass, 2013). All in all, it is always important to have a sense of one’s individual constitution and how one responds to various foods, herbs, and beverages. For those who are caffeine-sensitive (common with vata types), coffee may indeed be overly stimulating. However, many people find that enjoying coffee in moderation has an uplifting and enjoyable effect on mood and energy levels. And, there’s always decaf coffee, which contains a fraction of the amount of caffeine in regular coffee. Furthermore, the coffee bean certainly comes with health benefits. Coffee is a well-known rich source of antioxidants, including melanoidins, phenylalanines, and heterocyclic compounds, and parallels tea and red wine in terms of total antioxidant content (Yashin et al., 2013). Also, scientific studies demonstrate that coffee significantly reduces the risk of chronic liver disease and has a healthful effect on liver enzymes (Heath et al., 2017). In addition, studies have demonstrated that consuming coffee once a week or more is correlated with reduced depression and anxiety; this is true for coffee intake specifically, not caffeine intake in general (Nouri-Majd et al., 2022). Coffee Extract For all coffee lovers, coffee extract is yet another way to enjoy the tasty, bitter bean. Making coffee extract is simple and fun. Use this richly flavored extract for baking and cocktail-making. Or, gift it to the coffee lover, cook, or mixologist in your life as a special culinary ingredient. If preferred, use decaf beans for a less-caffeinated variation. Ingredients 1/4 cup coffee (Coffea spp.) beans, freshly ground Vodka ½ pint canning jar Directions Using a clean, dry ½ pint canning jar, add 1/4 cup freshly ground coffee. Fill the remaining space in the jar with vodka. Cover with a piece of parchment paper and screw the lid on. Leave in a dark place for 3-10 days, giving an occasional shake. Strain the grounds and store the liquid extract in a closed glass jar, either in the fridge or in a cool, dry place. Dark Chocolate Delights With Coffee Extract If you are a dark chocolate lover, these Dark Chocolate Delights are for you! This is an easy-to-make chocolate ball that requires few ingredients and yields remarkably rich and creamy results. Coffee and vanilla extract complements the bittersweet chocolate. After trying this recipe you may also want to repeat and swirl in a tablespoon of nut or seed butter just before you put the mixture in the fridge to cool. Or, add a tablespoon of your favored powdered adaptogen for an extra nourishing boost! Yield: about 15 balls. Ingredients 12 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate chips/chunks 1/2 cup oat milk or coconut milk 2 teaspoons coffee (Coffea spp.) bean extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) bean extract Dash cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) bark, ground Tiny dash clove (Syzygium aromaticum) bud, ground Optional ingredients for Dark Chocolate Delights coating Raw cacoa powder Sesame seeds Shredded coconut Directions Place milk in a medium-sized saucepan and gently warm, without boiling. Add the chocolate and slowly melt, keeping heat on medium-low (careful not to scald). Remove from heat. Swirl in the vanilla extract, coffee extract, a dash of cinnamon, and a tiny dash of clove. Cover loosely for 5 minutes, allowing any remaining chocolate pieces to melt thoroughly. Remove lid and gently stir so that the mixture is creamy and even, careful not to let too much air into the mixture. Chill mixture in the fridge uncovered for 2-3 hours. The mixture should be firm but soft enough to scoop out with a spoon. Leave out at room temperature for a bit if it needs to soften. Remove and scoop out tablespoon-sized balls (think two-bite sized). Using the palms of your hands, roll into balls and then coat in any of the following: raw cacao powder, sesame seeds, or shredded coconut. To Use: Keep these Dark Chocolate Delights in the fridge or freezer and enjoy 1-2 as a tasty treat—or gift to the chocolate lover in your life! In Closing, Coffee extract is easy to make and can be incorporated into a range of recipes, such as fudge, brownies, and the Dark Chocolate Delights in this post. Or, add a dash of coffee extract to your cocktails or hot cocoa. Make a bottle and keep it for yourself to use in your favorite baking projects or pour it into an attractive glass bottle and gift to a friend or loved one. In colaboration with Herbal Academy Posted By Greta Kent-Stoll Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach REFERENCES Dass, V. (2013). Ayurvedic healing East & West: A practical guide to ayurvedic herbal medicine. Lotus Press. Heath, R.D., Brahmbhatt, M., Tahan, A.C., Ibdah, J.A., & Tahan, V. (2017). Coffee: The magical bean for liver diseases. World Journal of Hepatology, 9(15), 689–696. https://doi.org/10.4254/wjh.v9.i15.689 Lad, V. & Lad, U. (1997). Ayurvedic cooking for self-healing (2nd ed.). The Ayurvedic Press. Nouri-Majd, S., Salari-Moghaddam, A., Hassanzadeh Keshteli, A., Afshar, H., Esmaillzadeh, A., & Adibi, P. (2022). Coffee and caffeine intake in relation to symptoms of psychological disorders among adults. Public Health Nutrition, 25(12), 3509-3519. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980022000271 Yashin, A., Yashin, Y., Wang, J. Y., & Nemzer, B. (2013). Antioxidant and antiradical activity of coffee. Antioxidants, 2(4), 230–245. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox2040230 Tierra, M. (1988). Planetary herbology. Lotus Press.

Most of us agree that a clear, peaceful mind is desirable. There are few of us who wish for an internal state that is characterized by turbulence and discord. Of course, cultivating and maintaining inner clarity is often easier said than done. However, we can take steps to create conditions for greater clarity and harmony within our own mental and emotional landscape. This post will explore foods and herbs for supporting a clear, or sattvic, mind. What is Sattva? First of all, what is sattva and why does it matter? According to yoga and ayurvedic philosophy, all of nature is characterized by three gunas, or qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Sattva is the quality of illumination, purity, and lightness. It leads to clarity, harmony, and serenity. Rajas is the quality of mobility and activity. Someone who is predominantly rajasic will be restless, tense, agitated, and even aggressive. Tamas is the quality of darkness and inertia. Without tamas, we would not fall asleep at night. However, a predominance of tamas in a person may be reflected as delusion, sloth, dullness, and even deceit and cruelty (Iyengar, 1979). It is clear from these descriptions of the three gunas that a luminous, clear sattvic mind is desirable. That said, sattva, rajas, and tamas are all necessary and are simply inherent in nature. In addition to clarity and lightness of being, we need activity and willpower (rajas), and we also need some degree of heaviness and earthiness. As I mentioned earlier, tamas allows us to go to sleep when we need to and it keeps us from floating off into the ether, so to speak. Still, many of us wish to cultivate a sattvic mind and clarity of being. This is a normal and healthy desire—to be a more clear reflection of our higher selves on a day to day basis is a worthy aim. So, which herbs and foods support a sattvic mind? Herbs for a Sattvic Mind When I think of herbs for cultivating clarity, nervines come to mind. However, not all nervines are considered sattvic. Sedative herbs, for instance, though useful in some situations, are generally not regarded as sattvic. Herbs that promote a clear, calm mind are more likely to be considered sattvic. Here are a few examples. Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) When I think of herbs for a sattvic mind, gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is one of the first plant allies that surface. Interestingly enough, while working on this article, I opened the book The Yoga of Herbs by David Frawley and Vasant Lad to a random place, and gotu kola is where I landed. So let’s begin there! Gotu kola has a bitter taste, a cooling energy, and is overall nourishing and rejuvenating— especially for a tired, overworked mind (Frawley & Lad, 2001). Most foods and herbs that cultivate sattva have a mildly cooling energy. This low-growing leafy plant likes to spread its tendrils and produces rounded, green leaves that when eaten fresh taste a bit like very bitter spinach. I have a gotu kola plant that sits at my window and I like to take a little nibble here and there! Gotu kola likes sunlight and lots of water; it even does well as a houseplant as long as it gets plenty of sunshine and moisture. Turn to gotu kola to bolster mental stamina, clarity, memory, and longevity (Frawley & Lad, 2001). In fact, some say that elephants have such a great memory because of all the fresh, wild gotu kola they eat! This cooling, bitter green may be taken fresh, dried, tinctured, in capsules, or infused in ghee. It is also very useful for stubborn skin conditions such as acne or eczema (Frawley & Lad, 2001). I think of gotu kola particularly for calming an overheated pitta brain. However, it also calms the nerves, which is quite helpful for vata dosha, and can reduce sluggishness or dullness caused by excess kapha (Frawley & Lad, 2001). Ayurvedic practitioner and author Vishnu Dass (2013) underscores how gotu kola helps to nourish a sattvic mind, “Gotu kola has the ability to enhance sattvic qualities in the mind and purify the nadis (subtle nerve channels), thus being a valuable herb for spiritual practices like yoga and meditation” (p. 217). Thus, sattvic herbs such as gotu kola may even be helpful in supporting one’s contemplative practices. Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) Tulsi, or holy basil, is another lovely herb for supporting a sattvic mind. This tasty, aromatic leaf is warming, so it is better suited for the cooler times of year or for those with a cool constitution (vata and kapha types). However, pitta types can enjoy tulsi in moderation or combined with cooling herbs such as gotu kola, hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), or rose (Rosa spp.). Tulsi is respected for its ability to cultivate clarity when taken internally and also imparts similar benefits when enjoyed as a house plant in the home or temple. Nicknamed the “incomparable one,” tulsi is highly regarded in Ayurveda and has many applications. It helps clear the mind of sluggishness and helps relieve deep-seated emotions held in the lungs and heart region (Dass, 2013). The lungs and upper chest area are ruled by kapha dosha, so this plant may be a particularly good ally for those with a kapha constitution or kapha imbalance. There are many ways to enjoy tulsi. You can keep it as a houseplant, enjoy it as a tincture, or make tulsi tea with the dried leaves. In the masala chai recipe in my other Herbal Academy post, Herbal Tea Blends for Morning, Midday, and Night, you have the option of using tulsi leaves instead of black tea. Or, something I like to do is to add just a dash of dried, powdered tulsi to my morning chai made with CTC Assam (black tea) leaves, enjoying tulsi in addition to the flavors of a traditional black tea masala chai. Hibiscus ​​(Hibiscus sabdariffa) In Ayurveda, hibiscus flowers are typically used for imbalances with menstruation, urinary difficulties, and for purifying the blood. These beautiful flowers are considered cooling and astringent and therefore are generally indicated for issues involving excess pitta dosha. That said, in Hindu traditions, the flowers are also used in special devotional ceremonies, called pujas, and are connected to Ganesha, the elephant god who is considered the remover of obstacles (Frawley & Lad, 2001). Hibiscus is said to support clarity and focus in meditation (Frawley & Lad, 2001). With its cooling energy and appealing color, hibiscus tea is a fine choice for simmering down, taking a slow breath, and supporting both a cool head and a cool body during the summer months. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) More than a tasty cooking spice, cardamom seed offers a sense of joy, clarity, and gentle mental stimulation (Frawley & Lad, 2001). It is considered sattvic and “is particularly good for opening and soothing the flow of the pranas in the body” (Frawley & Lad, 2001). (Prana being a vital life force and subtle energy). In addition to refreshing the mind and imparting sattvic qualities, cardamom is a much-loved digestive aid. Adding a pinch of cardamom to dairy foods, sweets, and other heavy foods helps stimulate the agni so that the digestive process is more efficient. This tasty aromatic spice does wonderfully well as a spice for ice cream or warmed milk, and it is a key ingredient in masala chai. Foods for a Sattvic Mind If one wishes to cultivate a sattvic mind, attention to diet and lifestyle are indispensable. Here I will share some dietary tips for cultivating clarity. That said, the saying, “what comes out of your mouth is more important than what you put in it” rings true in my heart. Practicing truth and nonviolence as well as choosing the right foods and herbs can have an important impact on our lives. And, in addition, foods and herbs can assist us in cultivating clarity, luminosity, and sattva. “The sattvic diet was originally for the practice of yoga and for the development of the mind” (Frawley, 2000, p. 100). A sattvic diet consists of vegetarian foods that are light, fresh, and mildly cooling. These foods help bring lightness of being and clarity of mind. That said, a purely sattvic diet may not be nourishing and strengthening enough for everyone (Frawley, 2000), but this is not an all-or-nothing decision. You may choose to eat mostly light, fresh, plant-based foods and also add in a bit of animal protein or some more warming spices per the needs of your body. Sattvic Foods: What’s On The Menu? Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally considered sattvic (Frawley, 2000). Food that is organic and that has undergone minimal processing is considered rich in prana and is more sattvic than canned, frozen, or highly processed foods. Vegetables can be eaten raw depending on the time of year and one’s digestion and constitution. Ayurveda generally recommends eating cooked foods over raw. However, I find that in the summer, if my digestion is fine, I can eat about 1/3 raw vegetables (such as lettuce and leafy greens) and 2/3 cooked. For a sattvic diet, it is best to lightly cook vegetables with just a small amount of oil and mild spices. You can steam your veggies and add just a bit of oil such as ghee or olive oil. Fresh, organic fruit is a staple in a sattvic diet. Ayurveda teaches that fruit contains a high amount of ether (Frawley, 2000) which is good for cultivating clarity and lightness of being. However, for those with a strong vata constitution, they need to be careful not to create too much ether as this can lead to a sense of instability, light-headedness, and other vata-related issues. These individuals will need to be sure to also eat plenty of cooked grains, cooked vegetables, and can even cook their fruit along with mildly warming spices such as cardamom and cinnamon. Kitchari For Sattvic Eating Whole grains, mung beans, most nuts and seeds, and ghee are also included in the diet for a sattvic mind (Frawley, 2000). The ayurvedic food kitchari can serve as a staple in sattvic eating. You can learn more about kitchari and how to make it in my other Herbal Academy post, Ayurvedic Guide to a Spring Cleanse. This simple porridge essentially consists of mung beans, basmati rice, spices, and sometimes vegetables and ghee. You may wish to focus on sattvic spices when making kitchari and other soups, stews, and porridges. Those spices include ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seed, cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) bark, turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed, and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed and leaf (Frawley, 2000). In addition, saffron (Crocus sativus), though an aphrodisiac, is considered one of the best spices for clearing excess pitta (heat) from the blood and it is deemed sattvic (Frawley & Lad, 2001). In Closing, I think it is helpful to remember that eating for a sattvic mind need not be an all-or-nothing endeavor. There are many foods, herbs, and practices that can help cultivate clarity. Foods and herbs that are wholesome, light, and refreshing can serve as supports in leading a lifestyle that emphasizes truth, clarity, and luminosity. At the same time, we need some degree of heat and stimulation, just as we need a certain amount of heaviness and earthiness—there is no light without darkness. Posted By Greta Kent-Stoll In Colaboration with Herbal Academy REFERENCES Dass, V. (2013). Ayurvedic herbology East & West: A practical guide to ayurvedic herbal medicine. Lotus Press. Frawley, D. (2000). Ayurvedic healing: A comprehensive guide. Lotus Press. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The yoga of herbs (2nd ed.). Lotus Press. Iyengar, B.K.S. (1979). Light on yoga. Schocken Books.

The Lion's Mane mushrooms in these balls will power up your brain and memory. Oh My Shrooms is all about incorporating the power of medicinal mushrooms into delicious plant-based bites. Serves: 3 Ingredients Energy Balls 120 g dried apricots 30 g maple syrup 125 g fresh strawberries 1/4 lemon's zest 65g coconut oil, melted 15g hemp protein powder 1.25g salt 100 g coconut flour 9 g Lions Mane Cashew Cream 45g soaked cashews 15g water 15g coconut cream 15g coconut oil 15g maple syrup 7g lemon juice pinch of vanilla and salt Method Make your cream by blending all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and store it in the fridge. Process the apricots, strawberries, maple syrup, lemon zest and coconut oil in a food processor into a smooth mix. In a bowl, mix the hemp, salt, coconut flour, and lion’s mane. Then add it to the processor and process it until it is all combined. You want it to be moist enough to be able to press it into balls. If it is too dry add 1 tbsp of water at a time until you can form a ball that doesn't crumble away. Roll the mix into palm-sized balls. We recommend storing the balls and cream separately and only dipping them when you're ready to munch them. Feel your brain thank you for this neuron candy! Source: Ayelen Martinez https://plantacademy.co.uk/inspiration/apricot-strawberry-hemp-energy-balls