Flavonoid-Rich Hibiscus Chutney Recipe Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor – – This Hibiscus Chutney is a favorite at my house any time of year, but it makes an especially nice stand-in for cranberry sauce on the holiday table. You can find this recipe and more in the upcoming Chestnut School Herbal Holiday Guide. Enjoy! – – Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae) Parts Used: Flowers (technically, calyces) Brewed as a puckery red tea, hibiscus is enjoyed as a refreshing and medicinal beverage throughout the world. The sour red “fruits” are also enjoyed in jams, chutneys, conser ..read more

Why Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden? Written and Photographed by Mary Plantwalker – In the last few years, there has been a steady increase in people gardening for the sheer therapy of it. Gardening can be a psychological lifeline1 in times of crisis, and I imagine anyone reading this would agree we are living through some crazy times that evoke continual crises of all kinds. More and more folks are beginning to catch on that when you plant a garden, you get more than just food for the body. You are also planting and harvesting food for your soul. Can you imagine then, the breadth of sovereign ..read more

Isis Hibiscus Sun Tea Recipe Written by Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz Photographed by Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz and Juliet Blankespoor During the Sonoran Desert’s summer monsoon season—the time of year when finding a shaded parking spot feels competitive—I seek out and make an array of cold beverages to stay hydrated. Living in Phoenix, commonly known as the Valley of the Sun, we regularly reach temperatures well over 115°F, putting into motion our summer plans. Not vacation plans, but summer plans. Friends and family members share new ideas with one another on tips for staying cool and we fill in new ..read more

Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe Written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor – Fire Cider Benefits One of my favorite ways to use hibiscus (oh, count the ways!) is in fire cider. Fire cider is basically a spicy herbal vinegar, often sweetened with a little honey. It’s taken by the dropperful or spoonful, depending on the cider’s strength and imbiber’s palette. Fire cider helps to clear out the sinuses and wake up the immune and circulatory systems. It can be taken to ward off a cold or other respiratory infection. Those with poor circulation can i ..read more

Lemon Balm Pesto Recipe Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor The following recipe is a sneak peek excerpt from my debut book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, a detailed herbal reference, decadent cookbook, and garden manual all in one. This book is written for home gardeners and anyone looking to bring the therapeutic benefits of healing herbs into their garden, kitchen, and apothecary. You can purchase a copy of your own wherever books are sold. You can find more details on the book and its accompanying bonuses here. Back in the day, when I ra ..read more

The Medicinal Benefits of Lemon Balm Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor The following article is a sneak peek excerpt from my debut book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, a detailed herbal reference, decadent cookbook, and garden manual all in one. This book is written for home gardeners and anyone looking to bring the therapeutic benefits of healing herbs into their garden, kitchen, and apothecary. You can purchase a copy of your own wherever books are sold. You can find more details on the book and its accompanying bonuses here. With its cit ..read more

Stinging Nettles Medicinal Benefits & My Famous Nettles Paté Recipe Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor The following article and recipe are a sneak peek excerpt into my debut book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies detailed herbal reference, decadent cookbook, and garden manual all in one. This book is written for home gardeners and anyone looking to bring the therapeutic benefits of healing herbs into their garden, kitchen, and apothecary. You can purchase a copy of your own wherever books are sold. You can find more details on the book and i ..read more

Pride & Healing Series: The Flowers We Request Written and Photographed by Heather "Brydie" Harris and Sarah Nuñez – Happy Pride! This blog post serves as an accompaniment to our month-long LGBTQ2+ Pride month series that has been posted weekly to Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine’s Instagram page throughout the month of June. The series, The Flowers We Request: Pride & Healing, has been written by Brydie (they/them) and Sarah (she/her/ella). This series began with a brief examination of LGBTQ2+ history. The acronym, LGBTQIA+ has many variations, however this particular ordering sta ..read more

African American Herbalism: A Blog Series History :: Ethnobotany :: Traditional Healers and Practices :: Resources Written by Marc Williams Part 3 Resources & Further Learning A plethora of resources are available for one interested in the rich traditions related to African American herbalism. Below are a few lists in various media. Included are books, conferences, Facebook groups, herbalists, organizations, and websites. This is of course only a subset of items in this field but will hopefully get you well on your way if you’re just starting to explore this area, and will be helpful to a ..read more

African American Herbalism: A Blog Series History :: Ethnobotany :: Traditional Healers and Practices :: Resources Written by Marc Williams Photography by Marc Williams (except where noted) – Part 2 North American Black Herbalism Many new or modified herbal traditions arose within Black communities in North America. These traditions were most celebrated, documented, and depended upon in the Southeast, where slavery was most concentrated. Typical elements included a combination of African, European, and Indigenous healing modalities, medicinal herbs, spiritual practices, and folklore. Voodoo a ..read more