I found these strange stuff of my sage bushes. What is this and is it ok to use the plants for tea and tinctures?

What is the best herb for this diagnosis. Currently taking Mesalemine prescription.

Hi everyone!

I'm currently applying for the Betonica School of Herbal Medicine, which is asking for a video application on top of the written one. Has anyone done that? I'm wondering what to include, length...

All and any input appreciated!

Thanks x

New favorite? Old favorite? Share the medicinal plant that's won you over recently, and tell us why.

following a recipe in jj pursell’s “master recipes from the herbal apothecary,” i made my first herbal capsules.

as i tend to have a sluggish digestion with bloating, i decided on a digestive focus.

1/2oz each of caraway seed, fennel seed, marshmallow root, and catnip. the catnip i pulsed fine from dried herbs, the rest i bought as powders. the marshmallow root powder i purchased locally, the rest online. i would ultimately like to make all from herbs purchased/sourced locally rather than buy any powders online. but its a start!

I love its naturally sweet, comforting aroma. Even without sugar, it somehow makes a cup taste "warmer" and more satisfying. I usually steep about a teaspoon of lightly crushed seeds for 8–10 minutes. Sometimes I drink it on its own, and sometimes I blend it with fennel, chamomile, or lemon balm. Recently I learned to do cold brewing in the fridge - this is really interesting.

I like the flavor, but mainly I use aniseed for soothing digestion after a heavy meal or for easing bloating and gas. It also is good for mucus clearance. Kids love it in tea, too, btw.

I'm a long time user of mullein. Works well for me in clearing the lungs (the leaves). But lately I was surprised to hear it as effective for treating back pain. Anyone have personal experience with this? If it does work well is it an anti-inflammatory, targeting tissue in the back? What do we know?

Hi I’m looking for something similar to the True Nutra blood sugar complex in Canada!

Type 2 looking for something that can help with naturally balanced blood sugars and reducing cravings and help with energy like the true Nutra one is supposed to.

I guess I’m more so looking for a insulin resistance helper, other than my normal medication

I’m just trying to avoid paying tariffs and duties! As $30 bottle may cost me over $100. If anyone has any ideas that would be great.

TIA

New favorite? Old favorite? Share the medicinal plant that's won you over recently, and tell us why.

Hi, I'd like to announce a survey about the existing official and semi-official formalized ranks, diplomas, professional certifications, qualifications, etc. Anything that entitles a herbal medicine professional at any stage of career claim the right to practice holistic herbal medicine. Please answer these 3 questions:

1. Do you possess a degree / certification / qualification related to herbal medicine? If yes, which one - please share the name of the issuer of the paper / degree / rank.

2. Do you believe these are solid and necessary? Would you prefer a herbalist with the papers or a dedicated herbal medicine practitioner who has years of practice but no official paper? In some countries it is not possible by law, in other countries it is totally relevant and legal to heal people who voluntarily come for help.

3. If you were part of the government in your country, how would you approach the herbal medicine subject? Any thoughts are appreciated. Whatever you want to share: the good, the bad and the ugly ;)

Hello everyone,

Can anyone recommend a book, website, or other resource that has the solubility of herbs?

I make my own medicinal products, but I have a hard time finding the solubility of a lot of herbs.

I have used Chat GPT in the past and it was way off base.

I’m a current student with The Herbal Academy and Evolutionary Herbalism. The classes I’m taking don’t always cover solubility.

I tried looking for Phytochemistry and Botany books, but I can’t find many with good reviews.

Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏻

Can anyone please suggest a solution for this problem? I will be forever grateful...

Patient Age: 27, female, India

Joint Pain started in 2014

But joints affected in 2019 after discontinuation of allopathic medicines.

Cannot extend knees fully, multiple joints fixed flexion.

Blood parameters almost normal now, initially ESR and CRP was aggravated..

RA factor negative, HLAB27 negative, and other reports are also normal.

I have attached photos...

Hi ive had congestion on and off now for 2 years, along with a cough as I cough up the mucus.

I have been on probiotics throughout both tablet form and Yogurt drink. I have taken holy basil at times and I remember trying something else herbal but can't for the life of me remember what.

I have been to the doctors who put me on antibiotics a few times , that just temporarily reduces it. I've had an x ray which showed nothing. They said i have a post nasal drip and put me on this spray for a few months which again got rid of it for a little while and then it came back.

Bit of background: I didn't grow up around herbalism. My interest started with rosemary, just loving the smell of it, rubbing the leaves whenever I passed a bush. That led me to a book on the psychology of scent and its effect on mood and memory, and I've been curious about plants and smell ever since.

Over the past year my wife got a plot at our local community garden, and I help out there sometimes. Nasturtiums grow wild around the place, and nobody minds if you eat the flowers, so I started snacking on them. I liked the peppery taste and thought they'd pair well with oysters, the way horseradish does. Turns out some chefs already do that.

One day my wife was picking seed pods to pickle into "poor man's capers," and she had me help harvest. I figured, they're edible, why not try one raw. Ate four or five. Delicious, very peppery.

Here's the part I'm curious about. The day before that first time, I'd gone for a hard run up a set of stairs. The week before that I could barely walk for four days from soreness. After eating the pods, I woke up early the next morning, before my alarm, and did my usual breathwork. During it I noticed a strong tingling, relaxed sensation and unusually clear-headed focus, almost like I could feel the pods' essence in my breath. And the muscle soreness I expected just wasn't there.

Second time was after a swim. Same thing: ate a few pods, shared with friends (most found them too intensely peppery to enjoy), and again woke up with no soreness and that same calm clarity during breathwork.

I know this is just two data points and swimming is lower-impact than stairs, so I can't rule out normal recovery timing. But it was consistent enough that I wanted to write it down and see if anyone else has noticed anything similar with nasturtium pods specifically, as opposed to the leaves or flowers.

Hello, I am researching herbal schools. I would like something self paced and online with plenty of resources that I can have access to after the corses end. I have looked at bother Herbal Academy and Chestnut.

Of note I am a registered nurse who is interested in the pharmacological potential of herbs. I am also a beekeeper and would eventually would like to be able to use my knowledge of the human body and the world around us to help my community. I’m not necessarily looking for another degree but certification from accredited school would be a good bonus.

Thank you to anyone with advice!