Herb Mentor Radio

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Four: Topical Herbalism.To guide us into this deeply sensory and ancestral world, we are joined by herbalist Shereel Washington, founder of Ixalted Natural Body Care & Botanicals. Shereel brings a rich perspective rooted in folk herbalism, body care traditions, ancestral knowledge, and relationship with the plants that nourish and protect the skin.Together, we explore how topical herbalism lives far beyond modern skincare trends. Shereel shares vivid childhood memories of being lovingly coated from head to toe in warm cocoa butter, opening a conversation about touch, care, scent, and the ways herbal body traditions become woven into everyday life and memory.We also explore how herbs work through the skin to influence the body more deeply, supporting comfort, inflammation, restoration, immunity, and relationship with ourselves. From herbal baths and foot soaks to infused oils and body butters, the conversation highlights topical herbalism as both practical and deeply nourishing.Shereel also shares beautiful insights into traditional herbal craft, including working with infused animal fats as deeply nourishing carriers for topical remedies. The conversation explores how herbal oils, salves, and body butters made with tallow and other traditional fats carry both practicality and ancestral memory, connecting modern herbalists back to longstanding traditions of skin nourishment and whole body care. In this episode, we explore: Topical herbalism as both ancestral care and practical everyday medicine Childhood sensory memories connected to herbal body care Herbal baths, foot soaks, infused oils, and body butters How herbs work through the skin to support the body Folk herbalism, bioregional traditions, and relationship with plants Infusing herbs into oils and traditional animal fats for deeply nourishing topical remedies Shereel’s Folk Herbalism course on HerbMentor Learn more about Shereel Washington and her work at Ixalted Natural Body Care & Botanicals and at Berkeley Herbal Center.   Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor! HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

On October 25th our dear friend Rosalee de la Forêt hosted an online memorial to honor our co-founder John Gallagher's life and legacy. Rosalee brought together people from all different eras of John's life to share their stories about John and what he brought to this world. It was such a beautiful event that we wanted to share the recording here in case you weren't able to join us live. We're so grateful to everyone who contributed to putting this memorial together and to everyone who is part of our herbal learning community.

Let’s be honest: when many herbalists hear the word marketing, they cringe. It can feel out of sync with the heart-centered work of healing. But what if marketing could actually be a sacred tool: one that helps your message and your medicine reach more people? In this episode, herbalist and marketing expert Jules Benefico shares simple, soulful ways to help you grow your herbal business with integrity and heart. Jules is a clinical Western Herbalist and founder of Boss Witch Botanicals, where she offers clinical mentorship and courses for herbalists and healers. She also works in Marketing Communications at Traditional Medicinals, blending her marketing expertise with her passion for plant medicine. In our conversation, Jules shares... Simple tips for marketing your herbal business Common marketing mistakes that small business owners make Why astrology and the plants are intimately linked And so much more! You can learn more about Jules Benefico here and check out her podcast, The Herbal Astrology Podcast here.  Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? Sounds like it’s time to check out HerbMentor! HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content — including an in-depth course on food as medicine — that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure, take your time, and connect with other herbal learners and experts whenever you login. Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards

Roses (Rosa spp.) offer a bounty of healing gifts through their fragrant flowers and nutrient-dense fruits. Rosehips are chockfull of vitamin C: making them an incredibly supportive herbal ally. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of rosehips? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of rosehips. And after learning these 3 benefits of rosehips you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a bold, aromatic herb that’s probably sitting in your kitchen cupboard—but don’t let its everyday status fool you. This Mediterranean plant is a potent medicinal herb with a long history of use as a digestive aid, respiratory support, and antimicrobial remedy. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of oregano? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of oregano. And after learning these 3 benefits of oregano, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale or "common comfrey") is a prolific plant that has an infamously mixed reputation as an incredible healing herb and potentially risky herbal ally. We'll get into all of this in the comfrey Herb Note. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of comfrey? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of comfrey. And after learning these 3 benefits of comfrey, you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs. Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorite common herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn all about popular herbs like catnip, aloe, elderberry, and more. Get your FREE Herb Notes printable flashcards here: https://herbnotes.cards/.  

It's not everyday you get to sit down and chat with an herbal legend—and that's exactly what we did in this episode of HerbMentor Radio!Rosemary Gladstar is a star figure in the field of modern herbalism, internationally renowned for technical knowledge and stewardship in the global herbalist community. She has been learning, teaching and writing about herbs for over 40 years and is the author of 12 books.  Her latest book, The Generosity of Plants—a heartfelt collection of plant wisdom, quotes, and reflections gathered over many years. In our conversation, Rosemary shares... How her grandmother’s notebook sparked her latest book How to find your herbal community The importance of preserving herbal heritage How to take your herbal learning to the next level Why true herbalism is rooted in relationship, not just remedies  Learn more about Rosemary Gladstar here.  Grab a copy of The Generosity of Plants here.  Check out her podcast Voices of Our Herbal Elders here.   Are you ready to take your herbal learning to the next level? HerbMentor offers a wide variety of rich herbal content that gives you the opportunity to choose your own herbal adventure. Courses, trusted resources and a supportive community. HerbMentor is a trusted herbal learning space that grows with you.  Get a special offer on HerbMentor at https://HerbMentorRadio.com Are you just starting to make herbal remedies? Build your natural first aid kid with our free Herbal Preparation Cards: https://Herbal.Cards