Doing a google search for herbs to use during pregnancy often brings more questions than answers. Which herbs cause uterine contractions is one of the most common misunderstandings I come across in my work. To hear people on social media talk about it, you’d think every plant that grows out of the ground could accidentally kickstart labor! While red raspberry leaf is the most commonly misunderstood pregnancy herb, there are others that get unfairly lumped into the unsafe category. While caution is always best during pregnancy – with herbs, over the counter medicines, foods, supplements, and a ..read more

As with everything in 2020, Thanksgiving is going to look a little different this year! Whether you are having a small family gathering, a scaled-down Friendsgiving, or you are celebrating independently this year – here are some deliciously simple holiday meal options for you! We start with 2 classic cocktail options – but alcohol-free! You can drink these all day with no worries. The only side effects will be perfect hydration and digestive support! On Thursday, I plan on making a big pitcher of the mock mojito and tossing some frozen cranberries in each cup for a bit of sparkle and color ..read more

This green herbal salve is an absolute standby in our family. I have made a batch of this healing remedy every year since my first baby was born (more than 15 years ago!?!). We use it for ev.er.y.thing. Hence the name! Green salves have a long history in the herbal community. Often referred to as “herbal neosporin”, it can be used on nearly all conditions on the skin. Here are a few of the ways we have found consistent success with our green salve: Cuts and scrapes Rashes and other skin irritation Bumps and bruises Bug bites Stings “Road rash” from bike and rollerblade accidents Diaper rash ..read more

My poor children. Discussion about the immune system is not a brand new, coronavirus-related topic for them. Since health is a HUGE passion of mine, they have to hear me talk about hand washing, virology, and immune-boosting year round!!! So, when talk of this new strain of coronavirus first started surfacing, we had just finished a section in our science class about how viruses spread. They immediately reminded me about a “game” that we had used in one of our classes that showed how diseases spread through different types of populations. (That’s totally normal, right?? You guys all play games ..read more

(If you prefer video, click here for access to our free webinar on this topic.) With ever-changing COVID restrictions, birth businesses are struggling. We can’t work the way we used to. The whole way we interact with society is in flux. But is the shifting cultural climate the only thing that’s holding us back?? Or is there something else? Let me share with you “A Tale of 3 Gyms”. These are real businesses in my community whose owners all responded differently when we went into lockdown last spring. Gym #1: Looked at their in-person classes and thought “how can we reimagine this in an on ..read more

Popping a tylenol or ibuprofin will take the edge off of a headache, but it won’t do anything to address the root cause. This means that those headaches will keep coming! Instead, let’s take a look at some tricks that – when used on a regular basis – can knock those headaches out at the root. Since many of us work with pregnant and postpartum clients, all of these recommendations below are safe and effective for the entire perinatal period. They are also great for children, elderly family members, and anyone in between! Photo by Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash #1. Increase water intake As with m ..read more

Winter colds and sore throats are already starting to make their appearance. That means it’s time to start making Fire Cider! This is a splendid example of using food as medicine. Using only common foods from the grocery store, we can make a remedy that is antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory.  Fire Cider can be classified as a “tonic”, which is a generic term for an herbal preparation intended to promote general health and well-being. Tonics generally contain herbs that are nutritive, anti-inflammatory, and/or provide immune support. These preparations are typically ma ..read more

Let’s talk about glycerites. They are a favorite in my house. I love alcohol tinctures. They are easy to make, easy to use, and have a long shelf life. But my kids won’t take them! They don’t like the bit of a sting that comes with the alcohol base. So, we make lots of glycerites instead. The vegetable glycerine that we use as a base is thicker than alcohol and has a sweet, almost syrupy, taste. Especially when mixed with a good tasting herb like catnip, it goes down quite easily! Catnip is useful for all kinds of digestive complaints. As soon as I finished this batch, we immediately had the ..read more

My elderberry bush has been growing out of control this year! It was time for a trim, and I didn’t want these gorgeous leaves to go to waste. Elder leaves should not be ingested, but they make a wonderful oil or balm to use for bruises, sprains, and pain. The leaves (as well as the stems) of the elder plant should never be ingested because they contain a toxic amount of cyanogenic glycosides. When digested, these glycosides release very small amounts of a form of cyanide. It is not enough to be deadly, but it can make you sick. While there is only one reported instance of hospitalization fro ..read more

Here in the south, our magnolias are still blooming! So, it’s a great time to make a tribute to these beautiful trees. Did you know magnolia flowers are edible?? The petals are super spicy and gingery. They can be eaten raw, but they also make a delicious, gingery cordial. I try to keep a couple of cordials on hand at all time to add to sparkling water or to mixed drinks that need a little something special. I particularly like my magnolia cordial with sparkling water, a squeeze of lemon, and a fresh basil leaf. Many herbs and spices can be used to make cordials. Digestive herbs are often us ..read more