Many people struggle with food during the holiday season that runs from late November through early January. During this season, the issues that come up most often in my herb practice are: -The quality of food goes down -The quantity of food goes up -The ability of the digestive system goes down This article gives… Continue >>>
Botany: Melissa officinalis (Laminaceae) Common Names: Lemon Balm Southwest Habitat: Commonly cultivated. I have never found it growing wild. The best place to look for it outside of cultivation is near old homesteads like those in Oak Creek Canyon. Energy & Tastes: A delightful lemon-y taste. The energetic view of sour varies by herbal tradition.… Continue >>>
Late summer in the ponderosa forest, after the monsoons have taken effect, is my favorite time for wild greens. The two primary greens found here are goosefoot and amaranth. A nutritional profile from the USDA lists these two greens, along with dandelion leaves, as the three healthiest ‘weeds’ available to us. Besides the nutrition, another… Continue >>>
Valerian is a well known and commonly used plant in western herbalism that has been categorized as a sleep herb. Many people have used it late at night when they are tossing and turning and are disappointed when it doesn’t provide the sleep results they were hoping for. This article provides further information on this… Continue >>>
This Plant Profile is longer than usual for a few reasons: 1. Turmeric is a polycrest herb, meaning it has multiple uses. 2. The traditional and complete uses of turmeric have largely been lost as it has gained popularity in the inflammation supplement market in the US. 3. Much of the information available in the… Continue >>>
Calendula is one of my favorite herbs and definitely at the top of the list for topical applications. It has all the attributes of a top quality herb: safe, effective, easy to grow, inexpensive to purchase, and it possesses a wide range of uses. For folks looking to build a basic home pharmacy with a… Continue >>>
Many people wish to use turmeric for its wide ranging therapeutic benefits of which modulating inflammation is the best known. The quickest and most convenient way is to use turmeric concentrated extract in capsule form. This is also the most expensive approach and only uses the curcuminoids that make up 5% of the rhizome. Short… Continue >>>
One of the most common health issues we experience each winter is dealing with the congestion that accompanies the common cold. It makes our nose tips red and irritated, it makes our voices sound funny and it makes breathing enough of a challenge that we often feel tired and rundown. The spices used in this… Continue >>>
This article shares both basic and in-depth information for the How and Why of making traditional bone broth. Broth is best prepared at home. One issue I have seen is the tendency in our hurried modern life is to “instant-ify” everything. I have recently come across bone broth that was processed into a powder and… Continue >>>
Chai tea has become quite common in the US in recent years. While it is still considered a bit of a newcomer here, it has been a staple in India for many generations. Like many traditions, the change from one culture to another is not always smooth. The current view of chai in the US,… Continue >>>
Latest Courses
This trip is an optional field study opportunity for students enrolled in the Family Herbalist Program. Other herbal friends may be joining us. Photos from previous trips can be seen on Facebook here. Students are responsible for food, lodging (camping, Air B&B, hotel) and transportation. The dates for the 2025 program are July 13-17. Day… Continue >>>
This course is full and registration is closed.Registration opens on September 1, 2025 for the 2026 Family Herbalist Program.Send your contact info to mmasek@theforagerspath.com to be notified when registration opens. Choosing the path of herbal medicine can be a life-changing event. It was for me in 1990 when I made the decision to begin studying… Continue >>>
Educational Resources
The word Master often gets thrown around in regards to different occupations and skills. Master carpenter, chef, teacher, herbalist, etc. Everyone want this title but few have earned it. It is usually applied more for ego or marketing rather than actual skills and experience. It’s an issue in the herb community where there are no… Continue >>>
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This category includes herbs that are well known and frequently used in Western Herbalism. The definition of this category is poorly understood. These herbs are often misused because the energetics are ignored. These herbs are often grouped under the vague terms of Detox or Blood Cleanser. What They Are Herbs that support and open the… Continue >>>
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