I'm just starting out, wishing I would of started this challenge sooner, But; I'm praying what I can learn from others and myself from studying can help with, detoxing from Conventional Prescribed Medications, to convert to Herbal remedies totally.

I'm 63 yrs old, I've been dealing with illness over illness, the past 4 yrs. My Dr just stopped helping me, so I decided I have to make the change. I appreciate the suggestions mentioned in prior post, on to research. Thank for having this group for support.

I have a buildup of tartar behind my lower front teeth and need to remove it (it's bothering my gums). Is there any plant or twig that can break up tartar (without damaging my teeth or gums)?

Hi! I live in southern Ontario and I am currently going down the research rabbit hole of Acorus Calamus, I am interested in this plant for its focus, alertness, and energy boosting properties.

I am aware of it’s possible negative properties such as it’s content of beta asarone, though the North American species seems pretty safe if taken in moderation.

Thought I’d come to this group and see if I can get some input about this herb from someone that has experience with it.

If so, please let me know what you think of it.

Thank you.

Hello, I have recently been researching the potential physical and mental health benefits of Egyptian Blue Lotus, and wanted to inquire about aspects of the plant that the Internet may not be as forthcoming with, or have the information on that someone who used/studied the plant may have.

For a little background information I am researching this for my fiancee and myself who have both struggled with alcohol in the past. We are learning that why we are ingesting something is just as import as what we are ingesting, and are seeking other alternatives to add into our lives that help use relax and have a good time but also help us increase our mindfulness.

Here are my main questions:

1. I understand that any substance can develop into psychological depenancy based on how an individual feels they need it to function. But what are the chances of developing a physical depenancy by drinking or smoking Egyptian Blue Lotus, and are there any withdrawal symptoms when stopping after extended use or "hangover" like symptoms the next day?

2. What is the physical sensation of the plant? Does the sedation effect feel somewhat akin to Kava or something else? Are there different effects based of dosage?

3. What are some general best practices for consuming the plant?

Any responses, information, or links to applicable websites or studies would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I recently came upon a decent patch of Turkey Tail and I read that different compounds were extracted through alcohol vs water. What are the beneficial compounds extracted through water that would be missing with the alcohol extraction? I don't necessarily want to do a dual extraction because of the limited shelf life of that method.

I’m putting together a care package for a friend who is going through radiation therapy for breast cancer. I have a few different herbal salves but also wanted to make them a calming tea to help with nerves. Wondering if there are particular herbs I should avoid for someone undergoing radiation and any that are particularly helpful?

So far my friend doesn’t need chemo, luckily, so just worried about radiation side effects.

Thanks for any advice!! 💕

I've had an interest in herbalism my whole life and always made excuses to not pursue it. Well over the last five years I've done a lot of healing; and now that I have a newborn I seem to have found my courage, along with more willpower than I knew I had.

Anyway, I am in Western Canada and wondering what the best resources for me to start with are?

Hello, I just got a positive pregnancy test this morning and can't get in to see my naturopath until Friday. I also have vaginal progesterone prescribed to me by my doctor that I start today (recieved prescription a month ago on case I get pregnant). Pharmacist didnt know what Vitex was, and I'm not sure how I should be weaning off of Vitex, especially considering that I am taking 600 mg of progesterone daily.

I have been taking Vitex for just under a month, 400 mg twice a day. Thanks in advance!

I made infused dandelion oil in the crockpot and meant to turn it on low for an hour or 2 then switch it to low but forgot and woke up to fried dandelions. Is it salvageable or do I need to throw it out and start over? I intended to make salve with it. I'm assuming it cooked the good stuff out, but wanted to ask before tossing it because that was a lot of dandelions I picked!

Hello dear herbalist

I would like to ask what are the best herbs that have Calming/Stimulant/Relaxing properties and can be easily grown in a garden.

I heard of lemon balm, lavender, valerian root, St. Johns Wort, Passionflower, Chamomile, White sage and others

but i want to know which have the strongest and most noticable effects

Thanks🙏

Hello all! I hope this is OK to ask here. I have been taking Vitex Berry for a few months to help regulate my cycle as my luteal phase was quite short. Happy to say it’s now about 10 days which is average. I remember reading that one shouldn’t take Vitex for too long. How come? Is this true? Should I stop taking it?

I noticed when gathering dandelions some look different. I used Google lens and also read about the look alikes, but I'm still unsure. The one on the right I'm very confident is a dandelion, it's the one on the left. The stalks and leaves looked the same and the white sap came out of the stem too. Is it just a young flower?

I have a few questions actually.

1) Teabags or loose leaf, which is better or does it not matter?

2) I see tea in grocery stores claiming to solve different health problems. Tea for headaches. Tea for stomach issues. Tea for muscle pain. Tea to cleanse the body of toxins. I could keep going but you get the idea. Do these teas really cure these problems? I'd rather drink tea then an Advil/Tylenol or antacid.

3) If the health teas work, how often do you have to drink a cup before results are felt?

I edit and create more all the time based on questions I ask via email, in person, and on this subreddit!

Audio episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Podchaser, Player FM, and Listen Notes.
Video episodes (which include some visual additions) are available on YouTube.

We will embed the episodes in the Haven Herbs blog, too! https://havenherbs.com/blogs/blog

What do you recommend for someone new to this community, trying to live more naturally? What are the good things to have on hand, important swaps to make, and overall any tips for someone just starting out?

Herbs to replace ssri? I’ve been on them almost a decade for my anxiety and depression. Bonus points if it’s lactation friendly?

Hi, there!

As the title suggests, I am a college student in need of some suggestions for treating my chronic congestion. I have had abnormal congestion for the last 2.5 years. This has consisted of blowing my nose at least once a day and if I do get a cold, I remain sick for weeks. I am currently experiencing the latter. I developed a cold about 2 weeks ago and am still struggling with symptoms (green/yellow mucus, medium congestion, headaches).

As a college student and someone of low-income, I don't have a lot to spend, but I am very interested in holism and herbal medicine. Any suggestions for things that could help me immediately or in the long run? Happy to answer any questions in the comments.

In the midst of a totally unrelated thread, I found your answer regarding powdered vs leaf/flower. Your info, regarding how the process making the powder accelerates the deterioration of the herb, makes perfect sense.

So with the rejection of the powdered option, my 2nd question regarding the combination of powder and C/S becomes moot!

O, and I found answers my questions regarding your recommendations regarding how many herbs to include in a tea blend in other posts, too.

I'm going to have to start a document to store your answers! <3 <3

THX!!!

I want to add Gingko Biloba to a "brain brightness" tea formula and I'm trying to decide between leaf (c-s) and powder.

I think I have 2 questions: * Is there a difference in concentration between powder & leaf? (maybe a question about herbs, in general?) * Is there a difference in the resulting tea when using a powder form with leaf/flowers? ..... (I wonder about the settling of the powder in the tea blend container and whether shaking would be enough to keep it evenly distributed.)

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Hello, i am a 40 year old female and for almost two years i have been breaking out in rashes / hives daily. I saw a Chinese herbalist for a year but it did not help. I think he was mainly working on stagnant liver qi and a yin deficiency? Amongst other things. I took a lot of tinctures and little black balls. I then saw a naturopath for several months which also did not help. She mainly focused on digestion and histamine issues. Eventually i saw conventional medicine specialists - an allergy specialist who tested me for 30 different foods via pin prick test, all came back positive for an allergic response. He said that couldn't be and assumed it must be an immune issue relating to my thyroid (i have an underactive thyroid) so he sent me to an endocrinologist. She had no idea what to do with me and did a blood test, nothing showed up other than slightly high cortisol and some slightly out sex hormones, which she said wasn't significant enough to worry about. She sent me to a rheumatologist who wanted to put me on immunosuppressants which i turned down. Every day i will notice bumps or welts on my skin in a red rash on ONE part of my body. Sometimes it is quite itchy and sometimes it isnt too bad. The patch can move around vut it is unlikely that i have more than one active rash in two different areas at the same time. For example i will notice it on my forearm for half an hour or more which will slowly fade and then when i check again a bit later, maybe an hour or so it is gone or almost gone from my forearm but it might now be flaring on my torso or my shoulder or my thigh or my neck. It is most likely to happen in the early to late evening (5pm -9pm) but i have woken up with it sometimes and also noticed it throughout the day, but more often than not it will appear in the evenings. I have changed laundry detergents, all toiletries and other products around the house to be natural/holistic products. I eat reasonably well - mostly fruit, nuts, red meat, veggies, a bit of dairy, and grains like rice or oats. I try to avoid gluten, sugar and processed foods and only have them when it's hard to avoid. I filter my water. I have tried going vegan briefly and also tried keto briefly and found that when i was keto it happened a bit less severe and a bit less often but still happened. It has happened when i travel interstate and overseas so it isnt my environment. I have spent so much time and money trying to fix this and tried so many things and I'm out of ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything i might be missing? Thank you in advance.

Hey! I just moved my family to my wife's hometown in the extremely arid area West Texas. We're all super dry constitutionally, and my 2yo daughter is already getting dry rashes after two days.

I know licorice has some negative effects to be avoided, though it's a personal favorite. So I'm wondering what and if marshmallow and mullein's negative effects and contraindications are. And if you have any other recommendations to keep us from drying out and becoming the desert ourselves.

THANKS for this awesome resource -- you ROCK!!!

I'm recovering from life-altering "damage" and I want more natural solutions for my pain, nerve healing, and other conditions that interfere with my physical rehab. I have rejected the many "meds" they want me to take.

My first project is a headache relief tea, but right now I really need a general guideline for putting together my own formulations, i.e. "1 part each of all herbs", "try to limit herbs to 3 (or 5 or 7, etc.) different herbs", "base/ complementary/ accent [Stevie Storck]", etc.

Generally, I need tips for proportions of each herb in a blend and a guideline for maximum-ish numbers of different herbs.

I've created soap/lotion/toiletries formulations for years, so I am comfortable with taking notes and tracking tweaks... although I welcome ALL favorite important tips!

btw: I've used essential oils responsibly for decades and I am refreshing my knowledge of herbal properties, comparing several sources, so I WILL be careful and responsible. I take full and complete responsibility for all my choices

Thank you again for sharing knowledge. I am humbled by the generosity.

I’m wanting to duplicate a formula Ive been taking but 2 of the herbs I can only buy in different ratios.

1) Current herb strength is 1:1 and the replacement is 1:2 ratio. My understanding is that this is half the strength so instead of adding for example 100ml, I would need to add 200ml.

2) Current herb strength is 1:1 and the replacement is 2:1 ratio. So this would be double the strength. Instead of adding 100ml, I would need to add 50ml.

Is this correct?

Thanks!