Rachel Delphine Berndt is a Bioregional Clinical Herbalist in Des Moines, Iowa. She is the owner of The Potager, an herbalism practice that offers hands-on workshops and intensive herbalism courses, educational wellness consultations and high-quality bioregional remedies. Rachel is sincerely passionate about teaching herbalism to others and has had the great honor of presenting at the Good Medicine Confluence and the Midwest Women's Herbal Conference. She also loves to write and you can find her herbal musings featured in publications such as Plant Healer Magazine.  ​

This time of year can be both so fun, and so stressful. We might feel really excited about gifts for loved ones, and seeing friends, and celebrations -- but there's also the stress of the hustle and bustle, and the sometimes complicated emotions that can go along with complicated family relationships.

Fortunately, there's a sweet herbal remedy for both of those things!

Elixirs are a blend of something sweet plus a tincture. You can use any sweet thing, be it a plain simple sugar syrup, maple syrup, honey, or glycerin -- but my favorite is herbal infused honey. They're easy to make, they're easy to keep with you on the go, and they even make great gifts -- you can make one big batch and presto! You've got a gift everyone will love, and an ally to lean on when you're feeling stressed!

To make an elixir, you'll first need to choose the herbs you want to work with. You can choose any of your favorites -- nearly any herb goes well with a bit of honey! -- but here are some suggestions:

• Chamomile, Sage, and Tulsi: to keep you calm and positive even when your schedule feels completely overwhelming
  
  
• Lemonbalm, Hawthorn, and Basil: to help you stay calm and cool even if you have conflicting emotions or sadness about your relationships with family members or loved ones
  
  
• Sage, Tarragon, and Catnip if nervousness and anxiety in social situations makes you want to just pretend you're sick and stay home
  
  
• St. Johnswort, Orange Peel, and Ginger if you need a little help digesting rich holiday meals or complex emotions

Once you've chosen a formula, you need to figure out which is the tincture part, and which is the honey part. This is pretty easy, especially this time of year, because in order to make infused honey, you must use fresh herbs -- honey won't extract dry herbs. But Sage, Tarragon, Ginger root, and Basil are easy to get your hands on at your local health food store, and you will probably find others there to choose from as well.

To make an infused honey, just fill a jar at least half full with the fresh herb of your choice. (If you choose Ginger or other roots, make sure to chop them up or slice them first.) Pour honey in to cover them, and put the lid on. Now just wait for one to two weeks - you'll see the plant matter sort of wilt in the honey, and you'll notice that the honey becomes thinner - that's because it's absorbing the water from the plants, and all the goodness that comes with it. When you remove the herbs from the honey, you can use them in a cup of tea - anything left in them will come out in the tea water, plus the honey still clinging to them will sweeten your drink!

Next, you'll need a tincture. It's not cheating to purchase a tincture ready made! And especially because tincturing usually takes a month, you might need your tincture to be ready faster than that. No problem! Check out the Herbstalk vendors list for some great product makers, or order it from Mountain Rose or HerbPharm -- it's totally ok!
​
But if you have the time to make it yourself, it's easy: just fill a jar with the dry or fresh herb you want to tincture, and then pour in enough vodka or brandy to completely cover the herb. Cover it, and shake it once or twice a day for a month - presto! A tincture! You can get fancy and use rum if you prefer, especially if you're going for heavier flavors like Cardamom or Cinnamon - really any 80 proof alcohol will do! But vodka is flavor-neutral, so it's usually our standard: that way you all the plant flavor comes through. If you prefer not to work with alcohol, you can tincture in vinegar instead. (When you blend vinegar and honey together, it's not called an elixir anymore, it's called an oxymel, which is also fun to say!)

Once you have your infused honey and your tincture(s), the last step is to simply mix them together! I like to put in equal parts alcohol and honey, but if that is too sweet for your taste, you can use less honey. 

So if, for example, you have a tincture of Chamomile, a tincture of Tulsi, and a Sage infused honey, you could put in 50% honey, 25% Chamomile, and 25% Tulsi. Or go crazy and put 33% of each one! The beauty of herbalism is that there's plenty of room for experimentation. 

And if that feels a little too free-form, don't worry - there's an app for that! We teach herbalism online by video, so that you can learn when it's convenient for you. The Herbalism 101 bundle includes videos covering more than 85 different herbs close-up and in-depth, as well as step-by-step instructions showing you how to make all the different kinds of herbal products and remedies. You can watch it anytime, on any device connected to the internet - you can even watch it in your kitchen while you make your herbal goodies right along with us! And there are weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask us all your herby questions, plus a discussion thread you can type your questions into next to every video. 

Happy elixir creating!

Katja Swift has been teaching herbalism and practicing as a clinical herbalist since 1996. In 2011, she and her husband Ryn Midura founded the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism, a vitalist school with a three-year clinical training program. In addition to this program, they offer a one-year community herbalist program and community classes and workshops. Katja serves as adjunct faculty at MCPHS University and Northeastern University, and is also trained as a street medic and Wilderness First Responder. Learn more about her work and online herbal classes here.

by Josia DeChiara

Back in September 2017, I decided to do some googling to find out what other organizations around the Somerville area were involved in urban farming and gardening work. I stumbled upon the Herbstalk website, began talking to Steph about various ways the two organizations could work together, and the rest is history!

Groundwork Somerville is an environmental justice nonprofit based out of Union Square, whose mission is to create a cleaner, greener, healthier, more equitable Somerville. Our programs fall into three main categories: Youth Programs, Food and Farms, and Sustainable Environment. Within the Youth Programs, we have our Green Team and the Schoolyard Gardens.

The Green Team works on projects in urban agriculture, environmental justice, and civic engagement. Green Team Members develop leadership and job skills while building a team and serving their community. The Green Team grows the leadership potential of Somerville youth to work for environmental and social justice.

​Our Schoolyard Gardens program brings year-round garden-based education to children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Groundwork Somerville manages gardens at all nine of the city’s public elementary and middle schools, a public charter school, and a public library.  In both in-school and after-school programs, children learn to plan, plant, tend, harvest, and cook food from their own school gardens.

What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism?

Wild plants found on our local landscapes. Teaching people to use what is in their place as opposed to importing non-native plants from around the world. Bringing in plants from around the world to use for healing is a step in the right direction but it is still imposing our will on the landscape and it is still a reliance on industry. I like to foster (to the extent possible) learning to use what grows in your bioregion.

What challenges did you face when you first started?

There were a lot of challenges discerning myth from lore from evidenced-based research and what the value of each was.  Finding mentors who could share their expertise and experience was also difficult.

Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years?​

Highly regulated and likely prohibited in some realms with people becoming more and more afraid of allowing people to practice healing in their own families and communities.   This is not a vision I wish for, but based on my experiences, I am fearful of things continuing to trend in this direction.
 
​Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment?

Whatever I am eating at the moment, so currently, wood nettle (Laportea canadensis). Or maybe black locust as two family members have bows made out of this tree.

What advice would you give to budding herbalists?

Practice the medicine on yourself.
 
Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing?

We practice herbalism to have medical sovereignty but we want sovereignty in all areas of our life … so we gather our own food, we make some of our own clothing, we craft our own hunting weapons, and so on. 
 
Any guilty pleasures you’d like to share?

I guess California bay laurel nuts because they come from across the continent.  But they are as close to chocolate as I have had from a wild plant in North America.
 
Finally, what would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have around while stuck on a deserted island) 

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), and hemlock reishi (Ganoderma tsugae).

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), is often called holy basil, an herb that has been used for thousands of years in India treating colds, coughs and flu. It cleanses the respiratory system, relieves gas and is a rich source of an essential oil that eliminates bacteria, fungi and parasites.

In Ayurvedic medicine, it is considered holy because the plant is an incarnation of the goddess Tulsi who offers divine protection. Many Indians have a home alter with worship ceremonies dedicated to holy basil, using tulsi with reverence and making meditation beads from the woody stalks. Tulsi is an essential element of the worship of Vishnu, Krishna, Rama and Lakshmi. It is often planted in the middle of the central courtyard of Hindu houses.

Now found growing worldwide, holy basil is a woody shrub about 18 inches high with oval, serrated leaves and colors ranging from light green to dark purple, depending on the variety. The flowers are lavender and the fruit is composed of rust colored nuts.

In traditional systems of medicine, different parts of tulsi — the leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even the whole plant — have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, snake bites and scorpion stings.

​It’s also an adaptogenic herb that balances stress and many herbalists recommend it for daily consumption. In India it is often used as a substitute for coffee.
​
Tulsi can be used to garnish food and sauces, as a tea, powder, supplement, juice, or essential oil. Its leaves are used in many food recipes. It may slow blood clotting as a possible side effect.

I just had a cup of fragrant holy basil tea and it makes me feel wholesome. Why not take a break now and have a cup to relax yourself?

Learn what’s it like to be a peacemaker with strength!



References:
https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-holy-basil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum_tenuiflorum
https://draxe.com/holy-basil-benefits/

​Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism?

I've been interested in herbalism since childhood, when I read Jean M. Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear series, especially the first book. When I look back on my life, I can actually trace how profoundly those novels influenced me! I loved the connection between the young girl and her wise woman Neandertal foster mother, from whom she learned the herbal skills that enabled her survival. 

Though I can't say I spent time in nature beyond exploring my suburban landscape, I did find it enchanting. As an adult, I rediscovered herbalism after seeking a second opinion for a health challenge in 2011. My husband directed me to Madelon Hope, a Boston herbalist who he had studied with. I was astonished by the difference in the care that I received from her as opposed to the allopathic care I was so accustomed to; the level of attention, sensitivity and holism blew my mind. I began studying with her and Tommy Priester at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and it radically redirected my life path.

What challenges did you face when you first started?

Quite simply, it felt overwhelming. I still feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of plants that surround me everyday, but I don't let it bother me as much. I go out walking and recognize quite a few, but there are many more I don't know. The more you know the more you know you don't know, and that's okay. I wanted to learn everything then, to tincture everything, to use everything. 

If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say?

Slow down, start small, and stay local. ​

What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism?

My work is primarily with people who want to be pregnant, are pregnant, or are postpartum. I'm wrapping up my midwifery education this summer and will be certified and licensed midwife by this fall. I serve families outside of hospitals, so to me, herbalism is an essential part of my practice because it helps keep people low-risk by offering safe ways to stay within the realm of normal, as well as to nourish a healthy pregnancy.

Can you share some of your go-to herbal books or favorite herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration?

Absolute essentials for me are Aviva Romm's Botanical Medicine for Women's Health, Matthew Woods' The Earthwise Herbal books, and The Yoga of Herbs by Vasant Lad and David Frawley. I also love Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, which is a fun and helpful book for anyone interested in getting started with herbalism.

Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years?​

In the area of maternal and perinatal health care, I'm witnessing a greater appreciation for herbal remedies (or at least tolerance of) within the medical establishment. Although studies are lacking due to the ethics of researching on pregnant populations, we do have great information about herbs like ginger and echinacea. I suspect that we'll be seeing more research on herbal alternative treatments to pregnancy and postpartum complaints.

Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment?

I've felt really drawn to tulsi this year (perfect timing since it is the Herbstalk plant-of-the-year!), and drink it daily. I'm also obsessed with South Asian cuisine and so my life is full of warming spices--I'm flying through ginger these days.

What advice would you give to budding herbalists?

Start with your kitchen. Literally! Open up your spice cabinet, because spices are medicines we use most frequently and--considering how important our digestion is to our overall wellness--it's an important place to start. That represents the sort of practical day-to-day herbalism that anyone can use. Learn more about how you're already using herbs.

Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing?

I've become a fanatic knitter this year. 

Any guilty pleasures you’d like to share?

Dystopian feminist fiction! The Book of the Unnamed Midwife, Red Clocks, The Power, Parable of the Sower and not particularly feminist but another great post-apocalyptic novel is Station Eleven. 

What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you?

I haven't touched it in a while but I'm secretly an amazing embroidery artist. I have this incredible piece I did of David Bowie from the cover of Diamond Dogs that would pretty much blow your mind. 

What would be your top five deserted island herbs?
​
I'd live a sad, bland, meaningless existence without turmeric, ginger, cumin, and coriander. Aside from the obvious culinary uses, those four represent a wealth of anti-inflammatory, immune, carminative, anti-microbial, and so many other uses. The fifth I'd include is black cumin, or nigella sativa. The Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace, called it "the cure for all things except death." 

Finally, what made you want to be a part of Herbstalk?

Boston's herbal community has grown significantly since I began my studies and I'm just in awe of the organizers' vision, energy and hard work in bringing us all together. Herbalism is plants, it's about being in our bodies, it's about our connection to the world around and within us, it's about connection with people, it's about challenging dominant paradigms about health and wellness, it's about decolonizing medicine and society, it's about justice and access to healthcare, it's about universal wellness, it's about our strands of history, and it's about communities.

<< a light-hearted interview featuring Herbstalk teachers & vendors >>
​

Liat is the founder of Tamim Teas, the nation’s first herbal tea company exclusively dedicated to the benefits of medicinal mushrooms. She'll be one of our vendors at the Herbstalk Marketplace
offering her array of wonderful mushroom-based tea blends.
 

What steps did you take to start Tamim Teas? How did your work begin?

I was just the average tea drinker - until I first heard about mushroom teas.  My good friend contracted HIV and told me about how his herbalist recommended him to integrate medicinal mushrooms into his diet as a means to keep his immune system strong. It wasn’t long after that I, too, started making mushroom teas at home and learning more about all their amazing health benefits and long-time use in traditional medicine.
 
I found that the taste of some of these medicinal mushrooms was not as satisfying as my other herbal teas, though. Simply put, drinking these teas was more about reaping health benefits than actual enjoyment.
 
That’s when I had an epiphany, my spiritual ‘aha’ moment! 

I realized that if I carefully paired each medicinal mushroom with herbs and spices, I could not only add to the health properties but also make delicious herbal tea blends that I’d actually looked forward to drinking at any point of the day. I began by first making these herbal tea blends for friends and family, and slowly it become something that both health enthusiasts and tea lovers in my community were asking me for.
 
That’s when I formed Tamim Teas and exclusively dedicated each one of my herbal tea blends to the benefits of organic mushrooms.
 
Did you come across any stumbling blocks or challenges along the way?
 
I believe that sourcing medicinal mushrooms from organic local farms ensures the best flavor and functionality. That being said, traveling to farms and getting to know my farmer is no easy feat. It takes time! Of course, it would be a lot easier to simply order mushroom powders or extracts online. But it’s disturbing to discover that most of what is being offered on the internet is from unknown sources, and in the same way that I wouldn't want to consume other foods from questionable sources, I would never want a mushroom tea without knowing that the actual mushroom came from a trustworthy New England family farmer.
 
The second challenge is always a fun one – talking with people who have never heard of mushroom tea. Many people jokingly (or not jokingly) ask if it’s a psychedelic tea, not knowing about other types of mushroom tea that have long traditions of therapeutic use in eastern cultures. Others assume that all mushrooms have the same savory taste as the ones they eat and don’t realize that some - like chaga and reishi - are actually inedible, taste completely different than culinary mushrooms, and have been exclusively brewed as a tea for generations. It brings me no greater joy than to have people first learn about medicinal mushrooms through their sips of Tamim. 

Do you have any non-herbal hobbies or pursuits?
 
I love dancing. I can’t go too long without closing my eyes and letting music transport me to another dimension. If going out to dance is not an option, I simply plug in my earphones and convert my living room into a silent disco. I'm a firm believer that 'to boogie is a life blessing'.
 
What has been your main focus as of recent?
 
Handcrafting a new blend! I love learning and working with new herbs, and when I found out that holy basil/tulsi was the herb of the year at Herbstalk, I knew I wanted to dedicate a blend to it! 

I have to admit, it took time and patience to create this newest blend. In fact, I concocted different tulsi-based blends almost daily for nearly two months, even when traveling abroad to visit family on Curacao. I finally nailed the perfectly balanced blend with nourishing tulsi, refreshing ginger, and both revitalizing lion's mane and maitake mushrooms. 

I am so excited to share this blend and release it to the public for the first time at this year's Herbstalk! ​

There are many literary allusions to nettle. Shakespeare's Hotspur urges that "out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety" (Henry IV, part 1, Act II Scene 3). The figure of speech "to grasp the nettle" probably originated from Aesop's fable "The Boy and the Nettle". In Seán O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, one of the characters quotes Aesop "Gently touch a nettle and it'll sting you for your pains/Grasp it as a lad of mettle and soft as silk remains". The metaphor may refer to the fact that if a nettle plant is grasped firmly rather than brushed against, it does not sting so readily, because the hairs are crushed down flat.

In German, to sit in nettles means to get into trouble (as 8s can do without meaning to because they are outspoken and impulse action oriented). In French there’s an idiom that means “don’t push grandma into the nettles,” which means be careful not to abuse a situation.

Nettles when cooked tastes like spinach and is rich in Vitamin A, C, potassium, manganese and calcium. It has plenty of amino acids and is rich in antioxidants. Soaking or cooking removes the stinging hairs. At peak time, the leaves can be 25% protein which is high for a leafy vegetable. Nettle recipes often are used in polenta, pesto and soups. There’s even a World Nettle Eating Championship (8s tend to love eating and competition)!

Nettles has been used to treat just about everything. As a tea, tincture, extract or capsule, it can help to detoxify the body through its diuretic action. It also can promote healthy blood circulation and cardiovascular health.  Nettle is also well known for helping to alleviate allergic reactions due to environmental irritants. 

So gather your nettle (with gloves) and go into action. Don’t be shy. Nettles can be great for 8s to remember their vulnerability and that stinging can hurt themselves or others. This is also a great plant for non-8s to remember to be strong and direct.