What if spending just two days in nature could give you a full month of health benefits and flower essences could help you evolve faster consciously? 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie Hess, the founder of LOTUSWEI flower essences, author of Flowerevolution, and expert of bioenergetic remedies. Katie shares how a chance encounter with a mysterious indigenous woman on the cobblestone streets of Mexico changed the entire trajectory of her life and led her to become one of the world's leading experts on bioenergetic flower remedies.

If you spend hours in front of a screen, struggle with low energy, depression, or feel disconnected from nature, this episode is for you. Katie breaks down how flower essences work on a vibrational and energetic level, how it differs from herbalism, and and the ways flower essences can support emotional balance, joy, courage, and personal transformation.

In this episode, we cover:

Links & Resources:

About the guest, Katie Hess:

Katie Hess is the author of Flowerevolution, founder of LOTUSWEI and expert of bioenergetic remedies. She has collected over 300 flower essences across the world and studied their impact over the last 25 years. She established an intuitive system for doctors, natural practitioners and all individuals to determine their own needs, accelerate their transformation and realize their true potential.

Connect with Katie Hess:

About the host, April Punsalan:

Hi, I'm April Punsalan — a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. My new book "Foraging Wild Herbs: 30 Healing Plants of the Coastal Carolinas", is a hands-on guide to identifying, ethically harvesting, and turning wild herbs into potent remedies for everyday wellness. Grab your copy here: https://uscpress.com/Foraging-Wild-Herbs

Connect with April Punsalan:

Rate, review, and subscribe:

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who loves flowers.

🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With love,
April Punsalan

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition, and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a medical condition.

What does it really take to break free from addiction and what if plants held more answers than we've been told?

And what if those same plants could also help us face the one thing we fear even more than our addictions — death?

In this episode, I sit down with herbalist and natural medicine legend Brigitte Mars to talk about the natural way of healing from addiction, the healing power of plant medicine, and why your lawn might be more of a pharmacy than you think. Brigitte Mars is someone I deeply admire for her decades of lived experience with plants, healing, and service. She has spent over 60 years working with herbal medicine, authored 18 books, and serves as both a psychedelic sitter and end-of-life doula.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Memorable Quotes:

Buy Brigitte’s books:

Other books: https://www.brigittemars.com/books

Links & Resources:

About the guest, Brigitte Mars:

Brigitte Mars is an Herbalist author of 18 books on Natural medicine and professor at Naropa University. She is a psychedelic sitter and End-Of-Life Doula and has been working with herbal medicine for over 60 years. She has written the book Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health and Addiction Free Naturally. She is currently working on her 19th book.

About the host, April Punsalan:

April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants.

Rate, review, and subscribe:

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who is walking through addiction, loss, or simply searching for a deeper connection to the Earth and to themselves.

🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With love,
April Punsalan


Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition, and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a medical condition.

What if your dreams were a direct conversation with the Earth itself?

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Morgan, a community herbalist, dream weaver, and author of Seasonal Herbalism, whose work bridges the worlds of plant medicine and dreaming.

This conversation weaves together herbalism, dreaming, and deep Earth connection in a way that feels both grounding and expansive. You will learn how plants speak to you in your dreams, how dreaming reconnects you to the living Earth, and what it means to remember your dreams as a form of soul guidance. Lauren also shares her personal journey of losing and reclaiming dream recall, her work with mugwort and rosemary, and powerful dream experiences that reveal how plants actively teach and support us in waking life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your dreams are meaningful, how to reconnect with them, or how plants might be communicating with you beyond the physical world, this episode will open something in you.

Notable plant allies mentioned:

Memorable Quotes:

Buy Lauren's book: 

Links & Resources:

About the guest, Lauren Morgan:

Lauren Morgan is a community herbalist, dreamer, Earth-based ceremonialist, healer, author of the book Seasonal Herbalism: A Beginner's Path to Medicine Making and Dreaming with Mother Earth. She's a mother and teacher, creatrix and host of the Herbs and Dreams Podcast.

She teaches classes and convene community gatherings online and in-person devoted to learning how to weave our lives with the wisdom of dreams, in alliance with the healing plants of Mother Earth on behalf of All Life. You can find Lauren on her website

About the host, April Punsalan:

April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants.

Connect with April Punsalan:

Rate, review, and subscribe:

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants and the wisdom of the Earth through dreams.

🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With love,
April Punsalan

What does it truly mean to rewild yourself?

In this powerful, impactful episode, I had a conversation with Jesse Wolf Hardin, an American author, activist, musician, artist, herbalist, and wilderness guide to explore the concept of ''rewilding".

This conversation goes far beyond ecology. It’s an invitation to remember that we are not separate from nature. We are nature. Together, we talked about how modern life has distanced us from our instincts, intuition, and wild essence and how reconnecting with the Earth can restore not only ecosystems, but our very identity.

From Wolf’s 50 years living off-grid in New Mexico to his reflections on plants, activism, and inner transformation, this episode is a call to return to your roots, reclaim your wildness, and live more fully, and authentically.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Memorable Quote:

“We cannot be natural practitioners unless we are within our own nature.” ~Jesse Wolf Hardin

“You are a part, just as the tree is, of all that has ever existed.”

“Rewilding is not a place. It’s a way of being.”

Books by Jesse Wolf Hardin:

Wonderements

Links & Resources:

About the guest, Jesse Wolf Hardin:

Jesse Wolf Hardin is a presenter, musician, ecosopher, activist, artist, and author of hundreds of magazine articles and dozens of books – a champion of both human and bio diversity, as well as of nature’s medicines. Wolf tends and rewilds his very remote wilderness sanctuary home, and founded the international Good Medicine Confluence and Plant Healer Magazine with Kiva Rose in 2008. Connect with Wolf and Plant Healer on Instagram

About the host, April Punsalan:

April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: Wild Herb Academy Instagram Page

Invitation

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way and to reWILD their spirit.

🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With Love,

April Punsalan 

What if one of the most powerful longevity “superfoods” was literally falling from trees around you?

In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Dr. Saeid Mushtagh to explore the science, tradition, and real-world benefits of pine pollen, a potent plant ally known for supporting hormones, energy, and longevity.

From its roots in traditional Chinese medicine to modern clinical insights, this conversation dives deep into how pine pollen influences the HPA axis, supports anabolic health, and may help combat the chronic stress patterns of modern life.

You’ll also learn how to harvest, preserve, and use pine pollen safely, and why freshness matters more than species.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Resources mentioned: 

About the guest, Dr. Saeid Mushtagh:

Dr. Mushtagh is a licensed naturopathic Physician and has been practicing naturopathic medicine in Canada since 2006. He is a graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and specializes in functional medicine, offering personalized diagnosis and treatment in his private practice. His integrative approach is rooted in therapeutic diets as the foundation for healing and long-term wellness. In addition to his clinical work, he is the co-founder of the Canadian Pine Pollen Company. Connect with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh: https://www.instagram.com/canadianpinepollen/

About the host, April Punsalan:

April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: https://www.instagram.com/wildherbacademy/

Invitation

If Pine speaks to you, take time this winter to sit with a pine tree. Observe its needles, cones, and presence. Let it teach you directly.

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way.

🌲 Stay wild. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With Love,

April Punsalan 

In this returning episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April dives deeply into the medicine, botany, and spirit of Pine—an ancient evergreen ally that shows up for us when we need resilience the most.

Pine has survived ice ages, climate shifts, and mass extinctions, and in the heart of winter it continues to offer powerful medicine for the lungs, immune system, and spirit. In this episode, April weaves together botany, herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and intuitive plant wisdom to explore why Pine is such a profound teacher for 2026.

This episode is both a practical guide and a spiritual invitation—to slow down, receive fully, and remember that plants are not just remedies, but living oracles.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Pine is one of the most ancient and resilient trees on Earth

How Pine’s xylem and spiral water movement reflect efficient, rhythmic growth

How to identify pines using needles, fascicles, sheaths, and cones

Why Pine is especially important medicine in winter

The medicinal actions of Pine (expectorant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory)

How Pine supports colds, mucus, immunity, and inflammation

Why fresh Pine is preferred over dried

The spiritual symbolism of Pine, spirals, and the Fibonacci pattern

What Pine teaches us about receiving, presence, and sustainable growth

How to build a relationship with plants before turning to books

Why intuitive plant connection is a vital part of herbal medicine

Mentioned in this episode:

Medical Botany: Foundations in Ancient Plant Wisdom, Click Here to Join Medical Botany Waitlist and Be the First to Know When Doors Open!

Registration opens February 9, 2026

Course begins February 17, 2026

Invitation
If Pine speaks to you, take time this winter to sit with a pine tree. Observe its needles, cones, and presence. Let it teach you directly.

If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way.

🌲 Stay wild. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

With Love,

April Punsalan 

In this deeply nourishing episode of The Wild Herbs Podcast, April Punsalan sits down with Malieokalani Urrutia, founder of Sacred Woman School, to explore the ancient feminine wisdom of the womb. Together they uncover what it means to live from the womb space—a center of intuition, creation, and divine knowingand how this awareness transforms a woman’s life.

Malieokalani shares how women can awaken and heal their womb energy through connection, ceremony, and remembrance, offering profound insight into the spiral of feminine creation, the energetic anatomy of the womb, and how menopause marks not an ending, but a rebirth into wisdom and power.

Listeners are guided through a gentle womb clearing and activation, and learn how to use the womb as an oracle, a source of intuitive guidance, clarity, and inner truth.

💫 In this episode, you’ll learn:

What it means to “live from the womb space”

The spiral energy of creation and how it moves through the body

How modern women can reclaim ancient womb wisdom

The energetic power of menopause as transformation

A guided womb activation and clearing practice

Resources Mentioned:

Womb Wisdom Workshop with Malieokalani – November 12, Register for Sacred Womb Garden

Crafting a Sacred Womb Oil with April Punsalan – November 13, Register for Sacred Womb Garden

Womb Wisdom Level 1 Training – November 15, Womb Level 1 Training

What if the key to healing our bodies, our spirits, and our planet has been preserved for thousands of years — by people living in deep relationship with the land?

In this unforgettable conversation, ethnobotanist Nishanth Gurav takes us inside the Gond Tribe of India, considered one of the oldest Indigenous communities in the world. Nishanth has lived with the Gond for nearly two years, documenting their wild foods, sacred groves, and medicinal rituals — and what he shares will change how you see the plants outside your door.

This isn’t theory. It’s lived wisdom. And it may just be the medicine our modern world is starving for.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

🌿 Why the Gond people eat 10–20 wild greens a day and never use the word “weed”
🌿 How sacred groves protect biodiversity more effectively than modern conservation laws
🌿 The barefoot ritual that dissolves the separation between human and forest
🌿 How simple fermented foods and herbal kitchens keep disease away
🌿 The Gond approach to bone-setting, gut healing, and skin health using only local plants
🌿 Why Indigenous wisdom offers real solutions to our modern crises: climate, health, and mental well-being

Nishanth isn’t just my guest today — he’s also my teaching partner inside Medical Botany: Mastery of the Flowering Plant Medicines. Every Wednesday, he joins us live to share his ethnobotanical knowledge and stories directly with Medical Botany apprentices. Alumni always comment how much they loved Nishant's teachings in Medical Botany. It is a true honor to have him join us in Medical Botany. 

If this episode stirred something in you, don’t just listen — come learn from Nishanth himself.

👉 Join Medical Botany (Sept 3–7 only): Click to Join the Medical Botany Apprenticeship: Mastery of the Flowering Medicines

We begin September 10, 2025, and I can’t wait for you to experience this life-changing apprenticeship.

Please share this episode with at least one friend. This episode contains so much medicine and wisdom that many people need to hear. 

I love you!

With Love and Green Blessings,

April Punsalan 

What does it truly mean to come home to the land—and why is land a source of both healing and power? 🌿 In this inspiring episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April sits down with Aleya Fraser, author of Caribbean Herbalism and land steward in Trinidad & Tobago. Aleya shares her extraordinary journey from Johns Hopkins medical labs and urban life to farming on ancestral lands, embracing agroecology, and creating spaces where others can reconnect with the earth.

Together, they discuss:

The life-changing moment that called Aleya back to the land

Why land is power and a source of freedom for our communities

How agroecology connects farming, healing, and social justice

Simple spiritual practices to reconnect to local land—even if you live in the city

Trinidad’s rich herbal traditions and the plants that have shaped Aleya's path

Listeners will leave this episode feeling grounded, inspired, and called to reconnect with the rhythms of the Earth.

Stay in Touch with Aleya and Access the Free Medical Botany Lessons:

Aleya Fraser on Instagram: @naturalalyea

Aleya’s land and cacao project: @panoramacacao

April’s free 6-lesson Medical Botany preview, Click here to learn Medical Botany for free!

I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. Follow this show so you don't miss an episode.

With Love and Gratitude,

April 

You can't miss this episode with Doug Tallamy! Doug is a conservation visionary, renowned entomologist, ecologist, professor, and New York Times bestselling author. As the co-founder of the Homegrown National Park initiative, Doug shares his visionary approach to transforming our lawns and backyards into thriving ecosystems that support biodiversity and combat biodiversity loss. 

You will be super pumped after this episode to transform your yard! ​

What You Will Learn:

The Lawn Epidemic: Doug discusses the staggering statistic that over 40 million acres of the U.S. are covered in lawns—an area larger than New England. He emphasizes the potential impact if homeowners reduced their lawn space by half, potentially restoring 20 million acres to native habitats, surpassing the combined area of all major national parks.​

Genesis of a Movement: Delving into his background, Doug recounts the pivotal moment that ignited his passion for conservation. Moving to a property overrun with invasive species, he observed a stark absence of native insects and wildlife, leading him to investigate the profound effects of non-native plants on local ecosystems.​

The Insect-Plant Connection: Highlighting the specialized relationships between native plants and insects, Doug explains how many insects have co-evolved with specific plants. The decline of these native plants directly threatens insect populations, which in turn affects the broader food web, including bird species and you.​

Empowering Homeowners: Doug introduces you to the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots call-to-action encouraging you to transform your outdoor spaces. By planting native species and reducing lawn areas, you can play a crucial role in restoring ecological balance.​

Success Stories and Practical Tips So You can Get Started: Sharing inspiring anecdotes, Doug illustrates how simple changes in landscaping practices have led to the return of diverse wildlife, from caterpillars to birds. He offers practical advice on selecting native plants and creating environments that support local fauna.​

Relevant Links:

Homegrown National Park Initiative: Learn more about how you can contribute to this nationwide movement by visiting Homegrown National Park.​

Doug Tallamy's Books:

Native Plant Resources:

Please share this episode with as many friends and family members as possible. Let's spread Doug's important message and mission and transform the health of this Earth, one yard at a time. 

With So Much Love and the Chirp of the Yellow-rumped Warbler,

April 

P.S. I would be super grateful for a good rating of the Wild Herb Podcast, it will help our small show grow!