The Active Herbalist

Cold and flu season is here, and I'm breaking down my newest seasonal blend, Immuni-Tea 2.0 — a completely updated recipe with new herbs and features from last year's version.

In this episode, I walk through the formula herb by herb through the lens of herbal actions: immune support (echinacea, elderberry, calendula), respiratory support and the difference between dry vs. productive coughs, the three types of expectorants (stimulating, relaxant, and demulcent), and diaphoretics — including the difference between stimulant and relaxant diaphoretic action and why I use both ginger and yarrow.

You'll learn why a good herbal formula isn't just a pile of "herbs that are good for colds," but a thoughtful combination of complementary actions built to support the whole picture of an acute respiratory illness.

Herbs covered: ginger, mullein, calendula, echinacea, elderberry, licorice root, elecampane, cinnamon, wild cherry bark, and yarrow.

This episode explores the role of herbs in addressing long-term digestive imbalances, emphasizing a holistic approach to wellness. Becca highlights several herbs, such as calendula, licorice root, gotu kola, red raspberry leaf, and burdock, noting their supportive roles in gut health and overall well-being.

The podcast focuses on long-term digestive health and lifestyle practices using a variety of herbs, their affinities, actions and energetics rather than just one-size-fits-all symptomatic relief. We also cover the preparations for each herb! 

What does recovery actually look like—before and after a race?

In this episode, I share how I approached tapering, racing, and recovery from my final Ironman without fully stepping away from training. We talk about nervous system support, reducing input, and the herbal blend I’ve been using for both myself and clients during race season.

This is a holistic look at recovery—what you add in, what you take off your plate, and how to support your body through high-output phases.

Caffeine-free doesn’t have to mean low energy. In this episode, we explore herbal allies for focus and sustained vitality—without the jitters or crash. From gotu kola for calm mental clarity, to mint for a quick sense of alertness, eleuthero for long-term resilience, and holy basil for steady, stress-balanced energy, this conversation breaks down how to support your system rather than overstimulate it. If you’re looking to stay sharp, focused, and grounded throughout your day, this one’s for you.

Hibiscus is highly regarded for its beauty, taste, color, and health benefits. Today, we'll deep dive into the history, actions, energetics, traditional and current uses of hibiscus before wrapping up with an easy hibiscus recipe and astrological associations! 

Your starter herbal toolkit episode! Discover how chamomile, ginger, and mint can address a variety of patterns and enhancing daily wellness with easy, natural remedies anyone can use.

In this episode, Becca explores herbal remedies for emotional overwhelm, burnout, and grief, emphasizing their supportive roles during challenging times. She highlights key herbs such as passionflower and skullcap for evening relaxation, hawthorn and nettle to ease the heart and calm anger, wood betony and St. John’s Wort for grounding, and holy basil and mint to boost mood and cognitive clarity. Becca also encourages listeners to experiment with different herbal combinations to find what best supports their own emotional healing.

In this episode, we explore herbal allies for supporting the prostate during midlife and beyond. As hormones shift and the body changes, herbs like nettle root, saw palmetto, soothing plants and adaptogens, can offer steady nourishing support for the urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems.

We discuss the role of DHT, the importance of screening, and how herbal practices, diet, and lifestyle can help maintain balance, resilience, and vitality. This is an invitation to approach long-term male reproductive and prostate health with care and intention by utilizing widely available, safe and effective herbs and wellness practices to support the body through the natural transitions of aging.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has a centuries-long reputation as a powerful wound healer. In this episode, we dive into its history, traditional and modern uses, growing tips, and herbal actions, exploring why herbalists turn to it for tissue repair and skin support. We also break down the scientific studies that shaped today’s safety guidelines, including adverse reports from internal use and high-dose animal research, and how these findings differ from topical and traditional use. I'll share practical tips, safety considerations, and a weekly herbal recipe for Comfrey Oil so you can harness its healing potential safely.

In this episode, we explore gentle, nourishing herbal allies for pregnancy and the postpartum season. I share why not all herbs are safe during pregnancy, how to think in terms of herbal actions rather than trends, and what qualities I look for when supporting expecting and new mothers.

We talk about the power of nutritive tonics, nervines, demulcents, digestive herbs, and galactagogues, and I highlight some of my favorite plant allies including nettle, red raspberry leaf, oatstraw, chamomile, mint, and rose—plus a few honorable mentions like lavender, lemon balm, and calendula.

You’ll also hear about my Nursing Cup Tisane, a gentle postpartum tea blend crafted to nourish, soothe, and uplift mothers in the early weeks of new life.

This conversation is rooted in safety, respect for each unique mother & baby, and the belief that gentle does not mean ineffective.

Tune in for a grounded, heart-centered look at how herbs can support mothers in one of life’s most transformative seasons.