How to Navigate Uncertainty in Your Herbal Practice

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I had the pleasure of hanging out with clinical herbalist Lila Swanberg.  Our conversation covers everything from why she thinks natural healing has "gone soft" to herbal dosing, clinical experience, misinformation, and what it means to practice herbalism with curiosity and integrity.  Lila has a knack for challenging conventional wisdom, and I always appreciate hearing her perspective—even when it pushes back against the status quo. We also talk about ashwagandha, herbal education, creating the resources you wish existed, and some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the herbal community today.  Whether you find yourself nodding along or questioning your own assumptions, I think you'll come away with something to think about. Thanks for listening! ~Mason PS - WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Learn more about Lila | TVNHC.com Lila's Herbal Revolution | LISTEN TO THE PODCAST LinkedIn | CONNECT WITH LILA Lila on Instagram | @lila_swanberg If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, and share it with a fellow plant person. 🌿Grab FREE Herbal Resources Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and get instant access to a 91-page Botanical Anthology sampler—plus a bundle of herbal freebies. 👉 Get the freebies | HerbalFreebies.com Want to join us live for future interviews?  Become a HerbRally Schoolhouse member: HerbRally Schoolhouse | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Use coupon code PODCAST for your first 30 days free! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

Farmer Cee Stanley returns to The Herbalist Hour to discuss her new book, The Black Girl's Guide to Building a Boutique Farm and share what she's learned while building Green Heffa Farms into a nationally recognized herbal business. I always enjoy talking with Cee because our conversations go far beyond herbs.  We dive into branding, entrepreneurship, marketing, mindset, fundraising, and what it really takes to build a business that's aligned with your values instead of chasing trends or social media algorithms. In this conversation, Cee introduces her "5 V's" framework for building a boutique brand, explains why market research should come before planting your first herb, discusses the difference between branding and marketing, and shares why she strives to be an impact generator rather than simply a content creator. If you've ever dreamed of starting an herb farm, growing an herbal business, or building something meaningful from the ground up, I think you'll get a lot out of this episode. ~Mason PS - WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Green Heffa Farms | GreenHeffaFarms.com Black Girl's Guide to Building a Boutique Farm | BUY THE BOOK Cee on Instagram | @farmercee 🌿Grab FREE Herbal Resources Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and get instant access to a 91-page Botanical Anthology sampler—plus a bundle of herbal freebies. 👉 Get the freebies | HerbalFreebies.com Want to join us live for future interviews?  Become a HerbRally Schoolhouse member: HerbRally Schoolhouse | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Use coupon code PODCAST for your first 30 days free! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

HerbRally listeners save 25% on tickets to the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence (October 12–15 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico) with discount code HERBRALLY26. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Welcome to episode 27 of The Plant Healer's Path | A Confluence of Good Medicine: Being a Vital Ingredient of a Most Unusual Healing Event & an Everyday Part of an Alliance of Purpose Originally released as a video promoting the 2024 Good Medicine Confluence, this episode remains a timeless invitation into the heart of one of herbalism's most beloved gatherings. Join Jesse Wolf Hardin for an inspiring look at what makes the Good Medicine Confluence so transformative. Through Jesse's narration, beautiful storytelling, and heartfelt testimonials from past teachers and attendees, you'll experience the community, learning, celebration, and deep connection with plants and the natural world that define this annual event. If this episode inspires you, the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence takes place October 12–15, 2026, at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. We hope to see you there! This audio was extracted from the video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. Jesse Wolf Hardin is an impactful author, ecosopher, ecological restorationist, personal counsel, graphic artist, musician, and historian on a mission –– a champion of diversity and what he coined "ReWilding," as well as an impassioned proponent of nature's medicines. Wolf co-founded with Kiva Rose both the international Good Medicine Confluence gathering and Plant Healer Quarterly magazine, and is the author of over 25 books on herbalism, nature connection, and personal realization.   For more information go to PlantHealer.org. The Plant Healer Online Bookstore is the largest single source or herbal related books and ebooks, both titles by Jesse Wolf Hardin and Kiva Rose, as well as numerous focused compilations by many dozens of other well known herbalists: PlantHealerBookstore.com Plant Healer Magazine is the most in-depth and artistic magazine available for herbal practitioners, artisans and healers of culture, see: PlantHealerMagazine.com Herbaria Monthly is a totally FREE full color zine, full of herbal information, inspiration and empowerment.  Subscribe at PlantHealer.org More Free Resources including complimentary guides to herb schools and suppliers can be downloaded at: LEARN MORE Plant Healer on Instagram: @PlantHealer Plant Healer on Facebook: @PlantHealer Herbalism in your neck of the woods.  HerbRally www.herbrally.com DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

Learn Herbal Strategies for Stress — Just $20 If you'd like to dive deeper into herbal approaches for stress support, check out Katja Swift & Ryn Midura's Stress Management course from CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism. As a member of the HerbRally community, you can get the entire 13-hour course for just $20 by using coupon code HERBRALLY. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Where will the herbal community be in 10 years? In this clip, we dive into the shifting landscape of modern herbalism, reflecting on the post-COVID inflection point that brought a massive surge of public interest—along alongside an unfortunate rise in scams and "quackery." This clip comes from our nearly 4-hour "20 Questions for 20K" celebration Q&A. WATCH THE FULL Q&A ON YOUTUBE DISCLAIMER  The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your healthcare routine or beginning any new herbal regimen.

Learn Herbal Strategies for Stress — Just $20 If you'd like to dive deeper into herbal approaches for stress support, check out Katja Swift & Ryn Midura's Stress Management course from CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism. As a member of the HerbRally community, you can get the entire 13-hour course for just $20 by using coupon code HERBRALLY. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Feeling paralyzed by constant stressful news? In this clip, Katja & Ryn break down why trying to process every crisis causes emotional paralysis—and how to shift that frozen energy into meaningful action. This clip comes from our nearly 4-hour "20 Questions for 20K" celebration Q&A. WATCH THE FULL Q&A ON YOUTUBE DISCLAIMER  The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your healthcare routine or beginning any new herbal regimen.

HerbRally listeners save 25% on tickets to the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence (October 12–15 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico) with discount code HERBRALLY26. LEARN MORE & REGISTER In this episode, Jesse Wolf Hardin sits down with Debora Greer for a thoughtful exploration of Makumba, an Afro-Indigenous spiritual tradition and philosophy of life that weaves together herbalism, ancestry, ritual, and relationship with the living world. Together, they discuss what Makumba is, why it has been so widely misunderstood, and how its teachings invite us into a deeper relationship with plants, nature, community, and healing.  They also explore the impact of colonization on our connection to the Earth, the importance of honoring our ancestors, and why Debora believes that "nature is our greatest ancestor." Whether you're an herbalist, naturalist, or simply curious about different ways of understanding our place within the web of life, this conversation invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the wisdom of relationship. If you'd like to learn from Debora in person, she'll be teaching three classes at the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence: Herbal Showers and Baths: A Makumba Healing Tool, Rose & Thorns of Death and Despair: The Teachings of Grandma Buruku, and 7 Knives and 7 Chili Peppers: Exu Magic for the Protection of the Oppressed.  This audio was extracted from the video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. Jesse Wolf Hardin is an impactful author, ecosopher, ecological restorationist, personal counsel, graphic artist, musician, and historian on a mission –– a champion of diversity and what he coined "ReWilding," as well as an impassioned proponent of nature's medicines. Wolf co-founded with Kiva Rose both the international Good Medicine Confluence gathering and Plant Healer Quarterly magazine, and is the author of over 25 books on herbalism, nature connection, and personal realization.   For more information go to PlantHealer.org. The Plant Healer Online Bookstore is the largest single source or herbal related books and ebooks, both titles by Jesse Wolf Hardin and Kiva Rose, as well as numerous focused compilations by many dozens of other well known herbalists: PlantHealerBookstore.com Plant Healer Magazine is the most in-depth and artistic magazine available for herbal practitioners, artisans and healers of culture, see: PlantHealerMagazine.com Herbaria Monthly is a totally FREE full color zine, full of herbal information, inspiration and empowerment.  Subscribe at PlantHealer.org More Free Resources including complimentary guides to herb schools and suppliers can be downloaded at: LEARN MORE Plant Healer on Instagram: @PlantHealer Plant Healer on Facebook: @PlantHealer Herbalism in your neck of the woods.  HerbRally www.herbrally.com DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

Learn Herbal Strategies for Stress — Just $20 If you'd like to dive deeper into herbal approaches for stress support, check out Katja Swift & Ryn Midura's Stress Management course from CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism. As a member of the HerbRally community, you can get the entire 13-hour course for just $20 by using coupon code HERBRALLY. LEARN MORE & REGISTER In this clip, Katja Swift and Ryn Midura discuss why absolute certainty in clinical herbalism can actually be a red flag, and why every body is entirely unique. Just because a remedy like chamomile works well for one person doesn't mean it will have the same effect for someone else. This clip comes from our nearly 4-hour "20 Questions for 20K" celebration Q&A. WATCH THE FULL Q&A ON YOUTUBE DISCLAIMER  The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your healthcare routine or beginning any new herbal regimen.

HerbRally listeners save 25% on tickets to the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence (October 12–15 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico) with discount code HERBRALLY26. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Welcome to episode 26 of The Plant Healer's Path: The Adventure Imperative | Exploration & Excitement for the Plant Healer In this episode, Jesse Wolf Hardin reflects on the spirit of adventure and why it's essential to a deeply lived life.  Exploring themes of courage, curiosity, purpose, and personal transformation, he examines how fear, responsibility, and self-doubt can keep us from pursuing our deepest callings.  Wolf invites listeners to embrace uncertainty, venture beyond the familiar, and recognize that the path of the plant healer is, by its very nature, a bold and lifelong adventure. This audio was extracted from the video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. Jesse Wolf Hardin is an impactful author, ecosopher, ecological restorationist, personal counsel, graphic artist, musician, and historian on a mission –– a champion of diversity and what he coined "ReWilding," as well as an impassioned proponent of nature's medicines. Wolf co-founded with Kiva Rose both the international Good Medicine Confluence gathering and Plant Healer Quarterly magazine, and is the author of over 25 books on herbalism, nature connection, and personal realization.   For more information go to PlantHealer.org. The Plant Healer Online Bookstore is the largest single source or herbal related books and ebooks, both titles by Jesse Wolf Hardin and Kiva Rose, as well as numerous focused compilations by many dozens of other well known herbalists: PlantHealerBookstore.com Plant Healer Magazine is the most in-depth and artistic magazine available for herbal practitioners, artisans and healers of culture, see: PlantHealerMagazine.com Herbaria Monthly is a totally FREE full color zine, full of herbal information, inspiration and empowerment.  Subscribe at PlantHealer.org More Free Resources including complimentary guides to herb schools and suppliers can be downloaded at: LEARN MORE Plant Healer on Instagram: @PlantHealer Plant Healer on Facebook: @PlantHealer Herbalism in your neck of the woods.  HerbRally www.herbrally.com DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

HerbRally listeners save 25% on tickets to the 2026 Good Medicine Confluence (October 12–15 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico) with discount code HERBRALLY26. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Welcome back to The Plant Healer's Path — Episode 25. In this hour-long episode Dr. Kenneth Proefrock is joined by Jesse Wolf Hardin, together presenting at the 2023 Confluence in Colorado.  Here they meld forces to cast light on the history, future and spirit of botanical medicine...exposing some of the fallacies of the medical establishment, helping to further inspire your personal path, and catalyzing your potential role in the essential healing of our bodies, our societies, and the natural world that we're a part of.  This audio was extracted from the video version available on the HerbRally YouTube channel. This episode is brought to you by The Good Medicine Confluence October 12–15, 2026 Ghost Ranch, New Mexico Join herbalists, healers, wildcrafters, visionaries, misfits, and medicine makers for four unforgettable days of learning, celebration, connection, ritual, and more than 100 classes from over 40 teachers. You're warmly invited to gather, study, celebrate, and dance under the stars in the Land of Enchantment. 👉 Learn more & register | GoodMedicineConfluence.com 🌼 WANT MORE HERBAL GOODNESS? Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and receive THIRTEEN herbal freebies! 👉 CLAIM YOUR FREEBIES! 🌿 WANT EVEN MORE HERBAL GOODNESS? Become an HerbRally Schoolhouse member! You'll get access to a TON of herbalism classes, monographs, webinars, and more — plus discounts to herbal companies, a private Facebook group, and ongoing education. Use coupon code PODCAST to get your first 30 days FREE. 👉 Learn more & register | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Herbalism in your neck of the woods. HerbRally HerbRally.com DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

A few days ago, a devastating fire tore through Oshala Farm. Thankfully everyone made it out safely, but the farm suffered an unimaginable loss. In this short episode, I share a quick update on how Oshala is doing, some of their immediate rebuilding needs, and how we, as an herbal community, can help. If you're able, please consider supporting Elise, Jeff, and the entire Oshala Farm team as they begin the long road to rebuilding. SUPPORT OSHALA FARM