Pickled red onions are a tasty and easy-to-make garnish. Made with simple ingredients, you can likely make this using things you have at home in your pantry. Pickled red onions are good for digestion, increase nutrient assimilation, and according to the Indian system of Ayurveda, they fulfill our body's need for the sour taste in each meal. Add them as a topping to eggs, sandwiches, salads, and more!

Ingredients:
 - One Red Onion
- 3/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 tsp Salt
-2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Peppercorns

Directions: 
1. Mix 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 water in a small saucepan over low heat.

2. Add 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp salt to the saucepan and stir until dissolved.

3. Thinly slice one red onion and add onion pieces to a glass jar. An old jelly jar works well. You can stuff them in if you need to!

4. Pour the contents of the saucepan into the onion jar and add 1 tsp of whole peppercorns.

5. Cap and let sit for 30 minutes and they are ready! Keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks (if they last that long!)

Join herbal friends Ashley and Holly as they chat about growing herbs and plants from seed, their experience caring for tadpoles, and the beginning of a conversation about rewilding. Holly Hildebrandt has been growing seeds since childhood, maintains a thriving home garden, and works in a plant nursery each year, starting and maintaining native plants and flowers. In this episode, you can sit with us for a casual chat about sowing seeds and several divergent topics, including our experience tending tadpoles as they transitioned into frogs and the terror and excitement we experienced in mothering them. 

Supporting our bodies through the transition from winter to spring can be gentle and, at the same time, effective. In this episode, we will explore detoxification, metabolism, stoking the inner fire, and herbs for increasing effective elimination and cleansing via the liver, lymph, and circulatory systems. 

RESOURCES
Herbalist and Alchemist Old World Bitters Blend: https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop-products-obc-old-world-bitters

Herbalist and Alchemist Original Bitters Blend: https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop-products-btc-original-bitters

Nettles as Mother Medicine Video: https://www.skyhouseherbs.com/blog/nettles-as-mother-medicine

Detox and Tonic Herb Recipe for Overnight Infusions
- Nettle Leaf - 1/4 cup
- Dandelion Root - 2 tbsp
- Lemon Balm - 2 tbsp

DIRECTIONS
Add herbs to a quart-sized mason (or glass) jar
Cover with boiled hot water and cap
Let steep overnight or 6-12 hours
Strain and add honey (optional) and drink throughout the day

A judgment-free exploration of alcohol, drinking, and addictive and compulsive behaviors with an herbal twist. 

Resources:

Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag)

Old World Bitters - https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop-products-btc-original-bitters

The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. David Frawley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-yoga-of-herbs-an-ayurvedic-guide-to-herbal-medicine-vasant-lad/10939891?ean=9780941524247

Alcoholics Anonymous - https://www.aa.org/

Al-Anon - Hope and Help for Families and Friends of Alcoholics - https://al-anon.org/

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is an ancient and well-known herb commonly used for supporting mood, anxiety, and digestion. In this video, we will explore the rich history of Lemon Balm as it relates to the archetype of the High Priestess and beekeepers, alongside the alchemical way this herb works in the body to regulate our nervous systems. I think the buzzy and bright spirit of Lemon Balm really shines through in this video. Please leave your comments and let me know what you think!

Resources:

4th Editition Herbs and Natural Supplements and Evidence-Based Guide, Volume 2, by Lesley Braun and Marc Cohen: https://www.amazon.com/Herbs-Natural-Supplements-Evidence-Based-Guide/dp/072954172X

The Herbal Astrology Oracle by Adriana Ayales: https://animamundiherbals.com/products/herbal-astrology-oracle-deck

Weeds in the Heart by Nathanial Higues and Fiona Owen: https://weedsintheheart.org.uk/product/five-valleys-herbal-softback

I love finding small-scale, sustainable companies that make rare, beautiful shoes, accessories, and clothing. Here are some of my favorite brands and craftsmen/women that curate beautiful essentials for any wardrobe.

French Chore Coats - I found some great ones in this Etsy shop- https://www.etsy.com/shop/InheritShopVintage/

Beaded Earrings - Dancing Willow Jewelry - https://www.shopdancingwillow.com/#/

OZMA of California - Raw Silk Cropped Pants - https://ozmaofcalifornia.com/products/crop-wide-leg-regen-silk-noil-natural

Clogs: Troentorp Swedish Clogs - In Brown https://troentorpsclogs.com/women/shop-by-style/sandals/mary-jane-cognac

Sandrens in Black - https://sandgrensclogs.com/collections/brett/products/brett-fudge-buc-dk

Search Used - Poshmark - https://poshmark.com/
Ebay - https://www.ebay.com/

Boots and Shoes - Blundstone 
Tall Brown Boots - not available on website
Rustic Black - https://www.blundstone.com/rustic-black-premium-leather-pull-on-boots-womens-style-2273
Rustic Brown - https://www.blundstone.com/rustic-brown-premium-leather-pull-on-boots-womens-style-1944

Damiana, Turnera diffusa, is a shrubby plant native to Mexico known for its aphrodisiac properties. In this episode, clinical herbalist, Ashley Elenbaas, will share her experience dieting this plant for 28 days, or a full moon cycle. The theme that played out in her experience of Damiana was a reframing of pleasure. Ashley shares how her childhood understanding of pleasure informed her ability to experience joy as an adult. Through the course of 4 weeks, Ashley shares how each week highlighted an aspect of the pleasure and slowly opened the doorway into a more mature and integrated experience of pleasure itself.

To watch the "Herb of the Month: Damiana" episode, click here: https://youtu.be/V76eFVrVt4k

Organic Damiana can be purchased through Mountain Rose Herbs here: https://mountainroseherbs.com/damiana-leaf

What is the heart, and how do we arrive in this sacred temple? In this episode, Bhakti teacher Rukmini Walker of UrbanDevi, and herbalist and yoga teacher Ashley Elenbaas explore what it means to make a pilgrimage of the heart. Through the intersecting teachings of Christianity, Bhakti, and Nature-based spirituality, we come to discover where home lives and its spiritual purpose. 

Resources 

"The Breath of the Soul" by Benedictine nun, Joan Chittister

"The Book of Qualities" by J. Ruth Gendler

"The Herbal Astrology Oracle" Tarot by Adriana Ayales

"The Love Locket" Composed 1684 in sanskrit, English edition translated in 1992 by Dasaratha-suta dasa.

Thank you so much and wishing you and Ron a Happy Valentines Day!

It's a cozy deep winter week, and I wanted to bring you along with me to far Northern Minnesota. In this video, I will share a bit about my recent trip to Lutsen, Minnesota, and some of the herbal and process-oriented takeaways that go along with the work of the winter. I hope you enjoy this more story-based episode, and would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

February’s Herb of the Month is Damiana or Turnera diffusa. This warming, aromatic herb is native to Mexico and the arid regions of central and South America. Damiana has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac and was used to increase endurance during long periods of travel. I chose damiana for the month of February as it is an herb that speaks to us about love. Not only our need for love and intimacy and connection with others but also our need for connection and intimacy with ourselves.

During this month of Valentine’s Day celebrations, you might try drinking damiana tea to get in touch with your sensual and intimate needs.

I recommend brewing damiana leaves as tea.

🌿 Add 1 teaspoon of dried herb to 2 cups of hot water and steep for 5 to 7 minutes covered.

🌿 Then strain and add a little bit of plant-based milk to reduce its drying qualities.

Enjoy a warm cup of damiana tea every morning, and if you have time, take a few minutes to sit and journal about how you’re feeling and any other sensations or images that arise.

Where to buy Damiana:
Mountain Rose Herbs - Wild Harvested from Mexico -  https://mountainroseherbs.com/damiana-leaf-wildharvested

Please leave your questions, comments, and takeaways below! I love to hear from you all!