Many people who are new to taking herbal tinctures become concerned when the alcohol percentage reads over 40%. Why is the alcohol so high and is that safe? In this episode, Kris Vaughan explains the role of alcohol in herbal extracts (tinctures) and gives some comparison to common foods and beverages for context. Kris also discusses the plant compounds we extract from herbs and their solubility in water, alcohol, and glycerin. This episode offers basic information  and some chemistry to consider when making your own herbal tinctures or choosing to use them for your own health and well be ..read more

John Slattery joins Kris Vaughan on this episode to discuss lessons from the plants during this current time of changing reality due to pandemic concerns. John shares his message from ocotillo and how we each can begin to release fear and assumptions surrounding the current state of affairs. John Slattery is a Southwest herbalist from Tucson, Arizona, an herbal educator, forager, and author. Learn more about John Slattery: www.johnjslattery.com Learn more about Herbal Wisdom Institute: www.herbalwisdominstitute.com ..read more

In this episode, Kris Vaughan interviews Audrey Barron of Gaia Chef about developing connection to our food and medicine and becoming your own medicine woman (or man). Audrey discusses her journey onto the plant path and how we each have an opportunity to empower ourselves by learning to grow our own food and medicine. Audrey and Kris discuss the current pandemic and how it is changing our needs and leading to an awareness of the need for self-reliance. Audrey is the owner of Gaia Chef and Ezra's Enlightened Cafe, a vegan gluten-free cafe in Indianapolis. Audrey and her family also own a 6 acr ..read more

Coronavirus has everyone very afraid and confused about what to do. You don't have to just wait to see if you will get sick, there are things you can do now to support your immune system for this virus but also for flu and colds. This episode was a webinar presented by Kris Vaughan, herbalist and owner of Herbal Wisdom Institute. In this episode she discusses the following: What is COVID-19 and how does it affect the body, Why is social distancing important, and nutritional and herbal therapeutics for your immune support.  Subscribe to this channel for new episodes Learn more about Herbal Wisd ..read more

Menopause is treated as a disease in conventional medicine circles but is this necessary? Menopause is a woman’s birthright; the right to move freely into the next phase of life where we truly know who we are and have a sense of freedom. Moving through this phase comfortably is a priority and nature offers options for supporting normal healthy hormone production as well as support for symptoms that may be uncomfortable ..read more

Botanical medicine provides us with many tools useful for common menstrual complaints. This presentation is useful for any practitioner working in women’s health and who wishes to provide foundational support using botanical medicine. Kris Vaughan offers her experience using botanicals for supporting normal healthy menstrual cycles and in caring for women experiencing different varieties of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). In this episode, Kris provides an overview of the menstrual cycle and discusses amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and PMS along with specific botanicals for each condition. This episode ..read more

Kris Vaughan, CH discusses how herbal flavors and energetics can simplify how you choose herbs. You can apply these concepts to herbs and formulas but also to people and health conditions. Energetics and flavors allow us to formulate with the idea of always working to bring balance to the herbal formula, the body, and the person we are working with. Kris Vaughan, CH is the owner and Program Director of Herbal Wisdom Institute in Arizona. www.herbalwisdominstitute.com ..read more