Herb Notes: The Benefits of Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a familiar garden plant with a long history as both a culinary staple and a revered herbal ally. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of sage? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of sage. And after learning these 3 benefits of sage 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/

Big news at HerbMentor Radio! We open this episode with an exciting announcement that Mimi Prunella Hernandez is joining HerbMentor Radio as a co-host alongside Kimberly Gallagher. From there, we take time to get to know Mimi a bit better, her journey as a lifelong herbalist, author, and mentor, and what has shaped her herbal path. Mimi shares her excitement and joy about what she calls her new herbal playground, and what it means to step into a deeper role within the HerbMentor community. As a new co-host, Mimi will be popping into the HerbMentor forums, participating in community meetups, and offering her guidance as a true herb mentor, curious, generous, and grounded in science, tradition, and into the kitchen. We also take a peek inside Mimi’s books, beginning with sensory experience and moving outward through weeds and forests to the global landscape of herbalism. We highlight the velvet soft cues of peach leaf, the tart brightness of hibiscus, and other beloved herbs featured in National Geographic Herbal and Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants. In this episode, we explore Mimi’s journey as an herbalist, author, and educator What excites her most about joining HerbMentor Radio as co-host The role of mentorship and community in modern herbalism How herbalism lives in everyday life, from the home to the wider world And what’s ahead for HerbMentor Radio with Mimi on board Learn more about Mimi and her work at www.herbalandhome.com, and follow her on Instagram @herbalandhome. 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. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path.  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

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a sweet, warming spice used in Ayurvedic medicine and beloved in kitchens around the world. It’s treasured in herbal medicine for its aromatic, stimulating gifts. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of cardamom? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of cardamom. And after learning these 3 benefits of cardamom 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/

Gut health isn’t just about digestion: it’s the foundation of whole-body balance. Clinical herbalist and author Maria Noël Groves brings a practical and deeply empowering perspective to the conversation, helping demystify gut health and showing how herbs can gently and effectively support digestion and long-term vitality. Maria is the author of several books, including but not limited to Body into Balance and Herbs for Gut Health. She is a clinical herbalist and herbal medicine teacher with more than 2 decades of experience and a registered professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. Her business, Wintergreen Botanicals, is based in Chichester, New Hampshire. In our conversation, Maria shares… Why gut health matters—and why it’s about so much more than digestion Key signs your digestion is out of balance (and signs it’s healing) Common root causes of gut issues and what realistic healing timelines look like How herbs support gut health and the microbiome An herbalist’s perspective on heartburn, GERD, leaky gut, and food sensitivities And so much more! You can learn more about Maria Noël Groves and her work 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. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path. 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

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a pungent culinary delight that makes for a wonderful spice and herbal ally. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of clove? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of clove. And after learning these 3 benefits of clove 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/

Ginger (Zingiber officiniale) is far more than a spicy addition to your meals. This beloved plant has been used for centuries across the world as a powerful herbal remedy. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of ginger? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of ginger. And after learning these 3 benefits of ginger 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/

Menopause isn’t an ending: it’s an initiation. Herbalist Mimi Prunella Hernandez offers a refreshing, grounded, and deeply compassionate look at the post-menopausal years, breaking down stigma and opening the door to a new era of vitality, strength, and self-trust. She shares how simple, time-tested herbal allies can support the body through this powerful life chapter. Mimi is a clinical herbalist, educator, author of The National Geographic Herbal and coauthor of The Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Rooted in her Colombian heritage and the Mexican tradition of curanderismo, she honors the art of folk healing while weaving in modern science. She is the former Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild and the 2023 recipient of the Botanical Excellence Award for Herbal Community Building from the American Botanical Council. In our conversation, Mimi shares… How to release outdated stigma around menopause and post-menopause Her favorite herbal allies for bone health, skin nourishment, sleep, joint support, and nervous system resilience Common misconceptions about herbs like kudzu, evening primrose, and ginseng Her go-to herbs for post-menopausal vitality And so much more! You can learn more about Mimi Prunella Hernandez 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. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path. 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

Dreams aren’t just random stories from the night: they’re powerful messengers. Herbalist and ceremonialist Lauren Morgan shares how you can begin (or deepen) an intentional dream practice, and how simple herbal allies can support the journey. Lauren is a community herbalist, dreamer, Earth-based ceremonialist, author, mother, and host of the Herbs and Dreams podcast. She attended her first herbal medicine apprenticeship almost 20 years ago and holds a degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University. Since 2014 she has taught hundreds of students through her Dreamweaving & Herbalism Immersion program. In our conversation, Lauren shares... Easy ways to dive into your intentional dream practice Her go-to herbal allies for dreaming How herbs and dreams are doorways to the wisdom within and beneath you And so much more! You can learn more about Lauren Morgan here and check out her podcast, The Herbs and Dreams 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. You can join HerbMentor for just $1 to see if it’s part of your own herbal path. 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.

Oats (Avena sativa) are more than just a tasty breakfast cereal. This nutrient-dense plant is a gentle yet powerful tonic for the nervous system. Want to learn more about the healing gifts of oats? Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of oats. And after learning these 3 benefits of oats 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/