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What herbs are must-have remedies for every home apothecary? I think every herbalist would probably answer that differently.

But there are certain foundational herbs that are not-to-be-missed, partly because they are safe, gentle, and versatile.

Those are the kinds of herbs we cover in today's episode.

Clinical herbalist and host of The Herbalist's Path podcast, Mel Mutterspaugh shares about 5 of her absolute favorites to have on hand as a mama (or parent) for those common accidents, ailments or conditions that require a little first aid care.

Which herbs, you ask? We cover plantain, comfrey, echinacea, yarrow and calendula.

Especially for those bumps, scrapes, bruises, gashes, splinters, colds, flus, fevers, etc... these simple herbal remedies are some of our best allies!

I remember when I first discovered I didn't need to go to the pharmacy to get first aid supplies. I truly barely ever even set foot in there anymore.

So much of what we need is growing right outside your doorstep, or easy to grow in your garden. It's the kind of home herbalism we all deserve access to.

Simple, accessible, effective and abundant.

Mel shares practical tips, stories and experiences from her own family and community herbalism work in the apothecary she used to run.

We talk everything from sprains from ski injuries to flus and fevers to pulling out an embedded blackberry thorn and more.

It's a fun and informative conversation that I hope you love.

Listen to learn:

• how leading outdoor trips led Mel to herbal medicine
• why Calendula is Mel's favorite plant (+ how it helps "where the sun don't shine")
• what Echinacea does aside from supporting our immunity
• why plantain might be called "nature's band-aid" + how it helps the gut
• the magic of comfrey as a topical application + was we both think of those pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains
• the versatility and first-aid-kit-in-a-plant that yarrow is
• a couple great tips on encouraging kids to actually *take* their herbal medicine from Mel's 11+ years of experience as an herbalist mama

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Get links to all of Mel's offerings, courses, etc
• Grab your spot on the Natural Contraception course waitlist
• Episode 4: Herbal spotlight on Tulsi
• Episode 12: The simple sacred practice of making herbal teas
• Episode 82: Making herbal vinegars, oxymels, shrubs
• Episode 134: Herbal baths and compresses
• Download the FREE Track your cycle naturally guide

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

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Click here to send me a quick message :)

Fire. The energy of light, of transformation, digestion, metabolism, creation, vitality, radiance.

In Ayurveda, the concept of Agni (which is akin to digestive fire) is a key to digesting, metabolizing and absorbing both food and information.

It's not solely related to the gastro-intestinal tract but relates to anything we are taking in -- through our meals, sensory experiences, information, etc.

So the state of our Agni has a direct impact on everything from our hormones to our organs to our brain function.

And while we ideally want to experienced "balanced" agni, it's more likely to experience imbalance in some way (typically fast, slow or variable).

According to today's guest Ayurvedic practitioner Kimberly Kubicke, the quality of our agni corresponds to our hormonal and overall health.

Not only do we need to support the optimal function of agni, but we also need to both cultivate an optimal environment for it *and* maintain it over time.

For those of us with wombs, our fluctuating cycles and the major transitional times like postpartum and perimenopause are all impactful ON our agni, too.

Learn about many ways to caretake your unique agni on today's episode.

Listen to learn:

• what agni is
• why agni is not just "digestive fire" but also relates to brain function
• the four kinds of agni according to Ayurveda
• how to protect, support and maintain your digestive fire
• some initial practical steps you can take to support your own agni
• how agni impacts our hormones and vice versa

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Get links to Kimberly's offerings
• Grab your spot on the Natural Contraception course waitlist here
• Episode 3: Ayurveda + your hormonal health
• Episode 49: How to create a sacred window

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

Click here to send me a quick message :)

Well hey my loves, it's a freaking wild time in the world. Full of uncertainty. Who knows what's coming this week, this year, in the next decade, and on and on.

There is so much we have no power or control over. But one thing we DO is our own bodies and ideally also, our choice of what to do with them.

But when we talk about choice related to our bodies, it's often speaking to access to contraption or termination options provided by practitioners or medical establishments outside of ourselves. (and unfortunately widely controlled by those in power in our governmental or religious organizations).

What I mean when I speak to choice is something entirely different. It is the POWER inherent in practicing natural contraception from the lens of Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) combined with herbal allies to help us prevent pregnancy if needed.

It is entirely within our capacity to prevent pregnancy with no outside assistance. And that, to me, is embodied sovereignty.

Today I share a little about 5 benefits of practicing natural contraception based on my personal 16 years of doing so, and teaching tens (maybe hundreds now) of others to do so too.

My life and work has been profoundly shaped by this practice, so I'm excited for you to hear these benefits especially if you're considering walking this path, too.

Listen to learn:

• what I mean by natural contraception
• how learning your unique rhythm + cycle can change your life
• how practicing natural contraception is an act of resistance
• about FAM as a skill to build towards resilience
• how natural contraception compares with hormonal birth control
• 5 benefits I have found practicing FAM for 16 years and counting

Resources:

• Free Guide: Track Your Cycle Naturally with FAM
• Grab a spot on the Natural Contraception course waitlist
• Episode 5: Are you ovulating? And why it matters
• Episode 84: Herbal support for transitioning off hormonal BC
• Episode 105: What is your fertile window?
• Episode 143: What is FAM?

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show