Our latest "subscriber only" extra content went out yesterday.   Inside, you'll find Rebekah's latest foraging adventures (Utah, this time), witch hazel toner, a yarrow remedy in honor of yarrow being herb of the year, a charming conversation between a group who all shared parts of the same plant, and our usual word puzzles!  Subscribe today and get it! www.essentialherbal.com ..read more

 From the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of The Essential Herbal  The following article was written in response to the IHA Herb of the Year® as we try to do each year.  For instance, we're aiming to include something about yarrow in each issue this year for the same reason.  We find that we learn so much about these herbs when we really look at them individually! Right now, Herb Society of America is honoring Savory as their herb of the month, and so I pulled this article out to share! Seasonal Savorys Savory Saturea ssp.   There are two types of Savory, Winter (Satureia montana ..read more

 This is one of those very rare books that I savor like fine chocolate.  I don't want to read a lot at one sitting, because each herb (for instance) description or tale requires some introspection.  To read too quickly, I couldn't absorb it properly.  It deserves the time. Physically, the book feels good.  Nice size (over 400 pages), easy to hold at 9" x 6" - and print that I can easily read.  The paper is non-glare, which I also appreciate. Very often when people are attempting to convey experiences that are mystical or beyond the mundane, they employ a sort of l ..read more

 The little mimosa grove in the lot next to the house is flowering.  I can stand on the deck and see exactly when it's time to go out and pluck the blossoms.  It's easy to see when storms knock down branches, so that I can get out there and peel the bark before it gets too dry. A lush St John's Wort plant popped up in the middle of the grove! Several years ago while writing one of my books, there were a lot of remedies using mimosa tincture, and several tea blends using mimosa.  It's one of my top 10 favorite herbs  I talked to a representative of a large herb ..read more

 This summer issue is a delight filled with all sorts of herbal wonders.  Take a break from the weather where you are and grab a copy! Subscribe  Single Issue  TABLE OF CONTENTS: Field Notes from the Editor, Tina Sams Discovering the absolute joy of perennials after decades of planting them. About the Cover  - Where is this magical place? Calendula, My Go-To Summer Flower, Marcy Lautanen Raleigh Growing, harvesting, and enjoying calendula in skin soothers, food, and tea! Surprising Summer Sides, Alicia Allen Tired of the same-old, same-old at potlucks?  These wil ..read more

 Our little Extras became more than we expected.  Originally they were going to be a single recipe with a note, or perhaps a puzzle and a tea blend to try. Maybe a short video showing how to do something... It was never quite that simple though, Not a one was ever that small.   In this issue, we had a great discussion of what wild food and medicine plants are available right now, in Rebekah Bailey's ongoing series  "A Year in Foraging." I wrote about how wet it's been here and how it has effected the garden.  We included our favorite recipe and instructions for ..read more

People often ask how I got into herbs.  I often wonder how one could NOT be into herbs, to be honest.  I played under pine trees, using the dropped needles to stuff between the sticks that formed the walls of our forts.  We wandered the woods with our grandfather, where he found wild fruit and shared information about plants he knew.  We gardened, grew food and flowers, and my sister and I went through the succulent craze in the 1970s together.  Let's face it.  If you think about it, plants are in every aspect of life if we notice them.  Fast forward to the e ..read more

 The latest issue: Click here for single issue or subscription. Table of Contents Crossword Puzzle How does your garden grow?  Tidbits about your favorite herbs will help solve this one. Field Notes from the Editor, Tina Sams   Has your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone changed lately?  I can barely keep track! About the Cover The Lunaria shines like jewels in the garden, beckoned on by the recent eclipse no doubt! Introducing Children to Culinary Herbs, Alicia Allen A delicious and easy array of recipes to help kids discover the flavors of different herbs. A Year of Foraging ..read more

  The First Few Days of February Falling midway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, the beginning of February brings the return of light and life to the Northern Hemisphere.  There are many celebrations covering a variety of spiritual traditions.  Imbolc, a Gaelic word that means “ewe’s milk” is a Celtic feast day that signifies the beginning of spring.  It has been widely observed by Gaels for centuries and it begins on the first evening of February, ending on the second.  Additionally, Feb 2 is Brigid’s feast.  In ancient beliefs, Brigid is a goddess ..read more

 I had a great time talking to Bevin the other day.  Have a listen! https://seedsandweedspodcast.com/tina-sams-essential-herbal/ Bevin's website: www.seedsandweedspodcast.com On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeds-weeds-podcast/id1659291864 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1hI0c0ZxvqI674e5hQia40 Youtube: https://youtu.be/QOnqNDDiidA?si=OswzYFc8l9jpjdGC Other Platforms: https://seedsandweeds.buzzsprout.com/   Want to make the hard candy we talked about? https://theessentialherbal.blogspot.com/2010/10/herbal-candy.html ..read more