Author: Sue & Candace

Sue Sierralupé Sue Sierralupé is a Certified Master Herbalist, Master Gardener and Sustainable Landscape Specialist. She is the clinic manager and lead herbalist at Occupy Medical clinic. Sue is author of The Pocket Herbal: Medicinal Plants that Changed the World and co-author of The Practical Herbalist Herbal Folios series. Follow her blog at Herbalism Manifesto for commentary on herbs, parenting, nutrition and a whole lot more. Candace Hunter Candace Hunter is a self-taught herbalist who never, ever practices on guinea pigs in part because her family and friends are generally up to the job. She is co-author of The Practical Herbalist's Herbal Folio series and author of Herbalism for the Zombie Apocalypse. She edits The Practical Herbalist website and Practical Herbalist Press publications. She has also recently entered into the field of podcasting with reckless abandon. Listen to her on Real Herbalism Radio today, or see her work at The Practical Herbalist, CandaceHunter.com, and NinthDegreeHerbals.com.

Strawberry: Nature’s Toothpaste

Fragaria vesca, a. k. a. Wild Strawberry, Woodland Strawberry Nothing says summer like a ripening field of strawberries. The tingly scent of the freshly picked fruit can bring a smile to almost any child’s face. It makes the herbalist smile, too, as this delicate woodland plant offers a wealth of healing in one sweet, tasty […]

Lemon Balm: Herb of Good Cheer

Melissa Officinalis, a. k. a. Sweet Melissa, Balm Like most other members of the Mint Family, lemon balm is durable. Come spring in the Willamette Valley, it greets the neighborhood in every available corner. Lemon balm grows happily in my drought garden, along the driveway, under the tire swing and between my vegetable beds. The […]

Chickweed: Skin Rejuvenator

Stellaria media, a. k. a. Starwort or Common Chickweed I am always delighted to see chickweed emerging from a layer of winter mulch in my garden. This delicate plant specializes in pH balanced soils, which means the little chickweed patches are signals the heavy composting I have done all year has truly paid off. Weeding […]

Hawthorn: The Heart Healer

Crataegus species, a.k.a. Mayhaw and Thornapple. Hawthorn loves the heart. It lowers high blood pressure and raises low blood pressure. Hawthorn, like other tonics, focuses on stabilizing the existing system to achieve a healthy balance. Happily, this tree grows all over Eurasia and the Americas and has hundreds of species adapted to their native climate. This […]

Yarrow: The Wound Healer

Achillea millefolium Yarrow is nature’s bandage. Since yarrow grows in every vacant lot, abandoned field and rocky wayside, it’s clear Nature must think herbalists need a lot of bandages. This scruffy little herb contains its own antiseptic and a soft calming scent that helps soothe gravity’s sniffling victims. Medicinal Properties of Yarrow Yarrow has a […]