When we feel a longing to connect with our sensual side, herbal aphrodisiacs are an alluring option.

Aphrodisiac herbs are plants that elevate, nourish, or sustain our sexual or sensual desires. How is this magic aroused in the body? Herbal aphrodisiacs work in varied and complex ways—while some are known to enhance libido and improve sexual function, others bring us into states of passion through more subtle channels.

For example, some herbal aphrodisiacs widen our blood vessels and stimulate blood circulation, thus moving more energy, oxygen, and nourishment into our pelvis and heart. Other herbs help us relax, making us feel more open and receptive to intimacy. Some herbs support the release of blissful compounds produced by our bodies when we are in love or experiencing sensual pleasure.¹

All of which is to say, herbal aphrodisiacs are nuanced—finding the right ones for you (or your loved one) can be an exciting experience.

References

Ashwagandha, Lavender, and Vanilla herbal-infused ghee.

Preparing herbal-infused ghee recipes is a wonderful way to enjoy herbs and easily incorporate them into your daily rhythm.

There are several methods to craft medicinal ghee, but in this recipe, we’ll follow a simple formula: infusing dried herbal powders into hot ghee, followed by cooling and whipping the herbs and ghee together. Beware of herbal-infused ghee recipes that cook the herbs with the butter during the ghee-making process; this method burns the delicate herbs and spices.

This article features a recipe for Ashwagandha, Lavender, and Vanilla-Infused Ghee. Ashwagandha is a strengthening tonic herb and calming adaptogen that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to fortify health and nurture a long life. Its nutty, musky flavor is complemented by lavender’s floral aroma and vanilla’s stirring warmth in this ghee.

Note that any herbal powders and ground spices can be infused into ghee—this recipe can be adapted to incorporate all kinds of herbal combinations!

For more in-depth medicinal ghee methods (including using fresh plants from your garden) or to learn how to make amazing ghee at home, check out Goddess Ghee’s Online Class: Crafting Culinary + Medicinal Ghee.

Ghee infused with cacao powder is poured into jars at Goddess Ghee.

An AI-generated image of a robot in an herbal apothecary.

Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is now interwoven into the basic technology we use daily. Like all technology, it’s only as helpful or harmful as the intentions of the people using it. Mostly, we hear about the dangers of using AI and how it can be used in nefarious ways, yet it also offers promising solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. In this article, we’ll primarily explore the risks of using AI in herbalism, especially herbal education.

As a seasoned herbalist and longtime plant enthusiast, I’m concerned about how machine learning will affect herbal medicine’s ancient and nuanced practice. The richly woven world of herbalism challenges this electronic emissary in unique ways. So, let’s explore why AI may not be the ideal guide for blossoming herbalists and why traditional learning grounds, like the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, continue to be vibrant havens of wisdom.

I’m certainly no authority on artificial intelligence, but I’ll use my research and outlook as an expert herbal author and instructor throughout this article. And as a reformed technophobe–who lived off the grid in my twenties with no running water, electricity, or a phone, let alone a computer–who now owns a technology-based business, I have a unique perspective.

Here, we’ll explore how AI platforms might complement formal herbal education and research and how artificial intelligence can support small herbal businesses. I’ll share what to look out for when learning about herbalism and my tips for finding trusted herbal teachers, authors, and schools. Finally, I’ll share my favorite herbal resources so you know where to find dependable information.

There is an inextricable link between learning herbal medicine from AI and unreliable Internet sources: both can be inaccurate, untrustworthy, and fragmented.

When applied to search engines, artificial intelligence looks for expert sources to find the most accurate information. Unfortunately, most of the highest-ranking sites covering a specific health condition or herb are not written by experienced herbalists. And AI can take liberties in populating information. In its current iteration, artificial intelligence sometimes fills in the gaps with falsehoods.

I put this to the test, asking a popular emergent AI to write my bio, and it inserted fallacies sandwiched between accuracies: it gave the wrong title of my book and misreported my herbal education. Disconcertingly, the human mind is befuddled about reliability when truths are intermingled with falsehoods. And our nation’s educational system isn’t renowned for teaching critical thinking and how to fact-check from non-biased sources. We already know how easily swayed humans are to misinformation, especially when falsehoods are sprinkled with veracity.

We tried the same experiment with another herbalist author, and the AI supplied inaccuracies about her history and current employment. I know an AI doesn’t have a genuine personality, but I couldn’t help feeling like it was eerily confident while delivering cavalier falsehoods. Artificial intelligence can be trained to have a persona, or “voice,” which can make them feel all the more human and make actual humans more vulnerable to manipulation.

An AI-generated image of Juliet Blankespoor, founder of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.

Popular medical or gardening sites are often the first places AI will pull its herbal information from. The authors of these articles are typically not experts in herbal medicine, let alone herbal aficionados. Instead, they rely on cursory research from other non-experts and search engine optimization expertise (which brings their article to the number one spot). Compounding the issue, AI may pull from many sources, resulting in a smorgasbord of details with apparent holes in knowledge and even inconsistencies.

Now that we’ve established the risks of using AI in herbalism due to populating data from unreliable sources, let’s discuss how this relates to online research in general. Suppose you’re conducting herbal research using the highest-ranking results from search engines (which have already used AI in their algorithms for years and will continue to rely on it more in the future). In that case, you’ll find spotty information that lacks vital details, such as the proper plant part used, the most effective preparations, and safety considerations. Machine learning will also miss the most common confusions and questions the general public will have. For all these reasons, it’s crucial you seek herbal information from trusted sources.

An AI-generated image of a computer chip intertwined with herbs.

The drawbacks of relying on AI to learn herbalism include a need for more safety information and personalized guidance.

Artificial intelligence collects data, analyzes patterns, and provides information based on these patterns. However, when it comes to herbalism, the nuances and complexities of the field can often be lost in translation. Take, for instance, the herb elderberry (Sambucus nigra var. canadensis). While machine learning could correctly tell you that elderberry has antiviral properties, it might fail to warn you that the raw seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause digestive distress if not correctly prepared.

Preparing a potent calendula (Calendula officinalis) oil or tincture, for instance, requires an understanding of not only its properties but also how to extract its medicinal benefits efficiently. An AI might suggest using only the petals, neglecting the flower heads’ green bases (involucres), where most of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial resins reside. It could also fail to mention that calendula is unsafe in pregnancy due to its stimulating effect on the uterus. This is because artificial intelligence pulls its data from the highest-ranking site, which almost always does not come from an herbalist. Try searching for “calendula’s medicinal properties” and clicking on the top result: you’ll likely land on a popular hospital system or basic popular medical information site. These articles are written with SEO in mind and are typically not written by experts in the field.

An AI-generated image of comfrey tea shows some inaccuracies.

Here’s another example: an AI might suggest using comfrey (Symphtum officinale) tea internally for wounds, not indicating that internal consumption of comfrey can be toxic to the liver due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Likewise, artificial intelligence might suggest using St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) for depression without explaining that it can interact dangerously with many prescribed drugs, including hormonal birth control and many psychiatric medications.

Herbalism is not merely a catalog of plants and their effects. It demands a deep understanding of different herbs and how to utilize them effectively and safely. It also includes the nuances of humans’ constitutions and how an individual herb might affect an individual based on whether their body runs hot or cold, warm or dry. Experienced herbalists also know where to find the most up-to-date information on drug-herb interactions. This level of comprehension and wisdom is born from years of hands-on experience and learning, something an AI can’t replicate.

Watch out for the potential pitfalls of AI and manipulative herbal education tactics.

I recommend avoiding sites that don’t include sources or citations when discussing scientific information. Also, steer clear of sites (or AI responses) that are absolutist (present perspectives in a black-and-white, oversimplified manner) or overly sensationalist. Herbalists who blame all of an individual’s disease or ill health on one’s thinking or one’s diet are often not considering the complete picture: genetics, epigenetics, environmental pollution, mental disorders, systemic marginalization, limited access to essential resources, or the simple fact that bodies are fallible and mortal.

This isn’t to say that the mind and diet don’t affect health. Instead, I caution you to avoid herbalists and natural health experts who don’t consider the full scope of factors affecting health and wellbeing.

Another red flag: authors who frequently present themselves as the sole “owner” of information on specific remedies. These charismatic natural health “experts” align themselves with their followers by sharing unique and “secret” information. They present themselves as benevolent and generous imparters of previously unrevealed remedies or “cures” despite the alleged threat to their platform from authoritarian government agencies or the censoring medical establishment. (I’m not saying censorship or greed-based policies aren’t real, but if it’s always happening, and the “expert” is the humble superhero saving you from medical authoritarianism, it’s a classic cult-leader manipulative tactic, which is sadly present in the natural health community.)

An AI-generated image of an elephant in a field of lavender includes purple ears.

Machine learning is only as reliable as the humans supplying and using the information.

An AI-generated image of ginseng growing near a stream displays an odd root structure.

An AI-generated image of mushrooms growing in a forest.

The benefits of structured learning with experienced and trusted herbalists remain the best way to learn herbal medicine.

Herbalism is more than just a list of plants and their properties—it’s a dance with nature. This intimate tango is born of years of patient practice and tangible touch, a duet that AI can’t quite master.

If your passion for plant medicine runs deep, I highly recommend finding an herbal instructor, either in-person or online. Despite its advanced algorithmic learning, AI can’t replace the invaluable mentorship traditional herbalism schools provide. For example, the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to learning. We not only teach the science behind herbs but also their traditional uses, safety precautions, and the best preparation methods. This holistic approach helps students grasp the why and how of herbal medicine, not just the what.

Our instructors come from diverse backgrounds, offering a well-rounded perspective that includes traditions from around the globe. Our approach to herbal medicine is bioregional: we encourage cultivating your own medicine and relying on the abundant (often invasive) healing herbs growing right outside your door.

You’ll also receive expert feedback on your coursework, ensuring that you grasp complex subjects like botany and herbal therapeutics. Our staff is available every day of the week to answer medicine-making, gardening, or foraging questions. This invaluable guidance cannot be provided through machine learning or artificial intelligence. Of course, we are not the only herbalism school, and others may be a better fit due to your professional goals, finances, location, or wanting an in-person instructor.

We have created the most comprehensive list of herbal schools for this very reason. Picking the right school can be daunting, so we created a guide to help you get an herbal education.

An AI-generated botanical illustration of chestnut features many inaccuracies.

Real-life herbalists vastly outperform artificial intelligence as a source of herbal instruction.

One of the benefits of formally studying herbal medicine is a well-thought-out curriculum that leads you through the journey from novice to expert. An excellent teacher will start with basic concepts and core skills and build upon that foundational knowledge deliberately.

Established herbal programs offer feedback along with ways to help you refine and integrate learning. For example, at the Chestnut School, we provide review questions at the end of each module. After successfully reviewing the material, you move on to a quiz and experiential projects to infuse the learning deep into your body and mind. Educational courses that are intentionally designed ensure your education is thorough so you can safely use herbs at home or embark on an herbal profession, depending on your goals.

Artificial intelligence can complement this learning type but cannot replace it. It falls short without the nuances of offering tailored feedback and a thorough curriculum. Here are a few examples of how personal instruction aided our students’ journey as burgeoning herbalists:

“The education and guidance I received from the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine gave me the confidence to start my own practice making tea blends, tinctures, and other products. I feel empowered to offer my clients advice to improve their health naturally.” ~ Rita L.

“I have always been intimidated by experimenting in the kitchen, but after finding the Hibiscus Ice Cubes so easy and a delight, it created a spark within to do more. I ended up making countless recipes, which created so much joy, confidence, and laughter within the home and helped with my overall mental well-being. As an individual who identifies as BIWoC, this past year and the events that occurred on 6 Jan have made it quite difficult to find peace and hope. These projects have been a lifesaver during this time, and I am so thankful for the unexpected joy that this has brought into my home.

I cannot wait to build upon my skills in your other courses and am beyond grateful for the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. This course has been a completely amazing and transformative experience. It has touched my life in a way that has been completely unexpected, and I have already been able to apply my knowledge thus far to help bring joy and wellness to those in the marginalized communities that I serve.” ~ Nicole D.

An AI-generated image of a robotic herbalist who appears forlorn and confused. This robot should enroll at Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. 

Despite its downsides, AI has valuable applications in herbal businesses, including search engine optimization (SEO) and copywriting.

For any small business, time is often in short supply. If you want your customers or clients to find you on the Internet, it’s imperative you pay attention to SEO, as it gives you a leg up with search engines. As part of your SEO strategy for herbalism, you’ll need to know what people are searching for and which words they use. You’ll then need to incorporate these terms into your website, social media, and blog. You can use AI for SEO.

In full disclosure, we used AI to help us create the outline for this article and find the key terms people would be searching for (I’d like folks to be able to find and read my articles!). We even used a few snippets of AI-generated writing as a jumping-off point. And, if you haven’t guessed yet, Astra Intergalactica—in tandem with Chestnut’s resident AI expert Amanda Lael Davis—created the AI-generated imagery adorning this blog.

In our grand ballroom of the digital age, finding harmony is vital. Let’s keep in mind that the soul of herbalism thrives on a more personal connection— with the plants, the Earth, and each other.

LEARN FROM THE HERBAL EXPERTS

Preparing the Calendula Tulsi Chai recipe.

The following Calendula Tulsi Chai recipe is a special excerpt from my book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies—a detailed herbal reference, decadent cookbook, and garden manual all in one. It’s written for home gardeners and anyone looking to bring the healing benefits of herbs into their garden, kitchen, and apothecary. Copies can be purchased wherever books are sold. You can find more details on the book and its accompanying bonuses at the Healing Garden Gateway.

This calendula tulsi chai recipe is wonderfully spicy, warming, and immune-boosting.

Few beverages are as warming to the body and heart as chai, a spiced tea blend that originated in the Assam region of India at least 5,000 years ago. The blend traditionally features cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, black pepper, and cloves. My herbal take on classic chai is loaded with immune support and tastes fantastic with the additions of semi-sweet astragalus, earthy calendula, and enlivening tulsi.

A jar of processed astragalus root.

Astragalus, calendula, and tulsi are herbal tonics for the lymphatic, nervous, and immune systems. The Calendula Tulsi Chai recipe will help ward off colds and flu during winter months. The aromatic botanicals in this chai—cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and ginger—keep the blood and lymph moving and are especially helpful for those who feel cold or sluggish. These pungent spices may be too heating and drying for those who run hot and have the potential to aggravate heartburn, peptic ulcers, and gastrointestinal heat. During warmer weather, dilute the concentrate with ice and your choice of milk for a refreshing summertime beverage.

To learn more about the medicinal uses of the herbs in my Calendula Tulsi Chai recipe, visit our articles on:

Jodi McKee, owner of Jewelweed health and wellness boutique.

An Interview with Jodi McKee of Jewelweed

We recently had a conversation with Jodi McKee for our Student Business Spotlight series. Jodi is the proprietor and herbalist behind Jewelweed, a small-batch herbal apothecary and healing venue located just outside of Minneapolis, MN. The shop was named in honor of the local wildflower that grows prolifically nearby. Jewelweed offers an exclusive in-house seasonal line of handcrafted products made with organic or locally-grown and wildcrafted plants. They also stock a beautiful array of goods sourced from small makers and artisans, including herbal remedies, flower essences, essential oils, green beauty products, incense, tea and drinking cacao, and so much more.

Our Student Business Spotlight is a series featuring Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine graduates, their work, and the wide variety of professions herbalists can choose from. Jodi is a graduate of our Online Herbal Immersion—1,000 hours of our personal mentorship in sustainable herbalism and herbal career building.

I’m a mother of three boys and that’s where it all began for me. I was 25 when my oldest son was born (he’s 27 now), so I was very young and had never encountered anything other than traditional Western medicine. He was born three weeks early and was sick all the time. He had RSV and we had a lot of hospital stays, 911 calls, and tons of emergency room visits for his asthma and allergies. I did everything the doctors suggested up until he was five. Then there was a moment when I knew I needed to figure out something different. And so I started looking for alternative treatments. I found a brochure for an herbal class. I went to the class, and the teacher—Lise Wolff—ended up becoming my long-term mentor and friend. I brought my son to see her and through a combination of diet, lifestyle changes, and herbs, his health turned around in a year. My son never had allergies or asthma again. It was big.

Then I went on to have two more boys. My kids have now been raised on natural health and herbs have become a lifestyle for us. Herbal medicine is a little bit unusual where we live and so as a young mother, I was always showing my friends the plants they could use for bruises and this and that— the things that we all know and use as herbalists. That’s how I started in herbal medicine and those were the early roots of Jewelweed.

An interior view of Jewelweed.

Please tell us about your herbal business. What does it offer your community?

Jewelweed is a little retail shop. It’s 600 square feet and located in Wiseta, which is a suburb of Minneapolis on Lake Minnetonka. We sell high-quality, small-batch herbal remedies, flower essences, essential oils, and green beauty products, along with our favorite books, teas, and crystals. The shop is an invitation to explore what healing is for each person who comes in. I want it to feel like a safe and accessible place for people to engage with their healing.

How did you know opening Jewelweed was the right career move for you?

From a really young age, I wanted to have a store. I used to set up garage sales in my yard and sell rocks that I found. When I grew up, I got a degree in accounting. Later, I went into design work and remodeling and had my own little design studio. I also had a store that sold home furnishings. While it was fun, and I loved the work and the people I worked with, it just stopped feeling fulfilling. So I sold that business and took some time off. That’s when I studied with the Chestnut School. From there, I just couldn’t get the idea of an herbal store off my mind. Yet I’d never been to a store like the one I wanted to open.

To be honest, opening Jewelweed was the scariest thing I ever did. It was also the most fun, and I really felt called to do it. I was never 100% sure it was the right career move because it was terrifying, and I didn’t know if anyone would come. But now I know it was the right move. I just listened to that internal voice, my calling, and to what felt really fun and exciting. And that ended up being Jewelweed.

Nature organizing kits at Jewelweed.

What do you love most about running Jewelweed?

I love the people that come in. It’s like a sitcom—you don’t know who’s going to walk in the door. And I love the relationships that happen—people who come in offer what they know, and I offer what I know, and we both end up better for it. We have regulars, we have new people, we have people who come in every summer or winter when they’re in town. I love the herbal match-making: introducing people to plants and stones and seeing what sparks their curiosity or interest. I feel lucky to witness and be a part of this. At the same time, I’m an introvert, so it can be exhausting. But it’s fun at the same time. My customers enrich my life so much. I get to share what I love with them, and we all walk away better. It’s really healing for me, and I hope it’s healing for them.

What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered running an herbal business?

Running a retail store is a lot of work! We’re open six days a week and on our feet all day, interacting with people. Which, as I said, can be both joyful and exhausting. So I really have to balance my life in other ways, like having plenty of quiet time at home. Maintaining that balance is so important and always on my mind.

Jewelweed smoke bundles.

The logistics of owning a business are also a big deal. I have a business degree and experience running businesses (Jewelweed is actually the fourth business I’ve started), and it’s still a lot. There are so many things to manage: the website, the store floor, payroll, social media, marketing emails, keeping up with technology, etc. Learning all these different pieces and integrating them into the different aspects of my business can be overwhelming at times, even for such a little shop. I’m lucky I have good help, so I don’t have to learn and do everything myself. When I first opened Jewelweed, I thought I was just going to be selling my herbal remedies and hosting classes, but in the last year, I haven’t been doing these pieces I love as much because I’m just running the business end of the shop. My intention for the coming year is to get more help where I need it so I can get back to why I opened Jewelweed—which is connecting with people and plants.

What inspired you to study with us at the Chestnut School? How has your herbal education, especially the business training inside our programs, supported your business?

I’ve already owned several businesses, so I started Jewelweed with a lot of business experience under my belt. But what drew me to the Chestnut School was Juliet Blankespoor’s style and her eye for beauty. I know it sounds crazy, but when I saw her photos of the plants and how beautiful everything she does is, I knew I was going to take her program as soon as it became available. It was life-changing to realize how important beauty is and how beauty itself can be healing, especially when beauty is backed up by wisdom and truth. Juliet really showed me how to present my business in a beautiful, accessible way. That spirit is so present in Jewelweed and allows me to combine my design training with my herbal training and running a shop. Jewelweed is a place where beauty comes alive and people who visit can feel it and experience it.

A Jewelweed gift box filled with items to nourish the heart, mind, and body.

What are three herbs that are essential to your herbal practice/business and why?

Well, one, of course, is jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). When I was thinking about what to name my store, ‘jewelweed’ just immediately came to mind. It grows everywhere where I live—all around my house, along the lake, and right across the street from my shop. I just love jewelweed because its flowers are so tiny, and you really have to look for it—it’s not loud or in your face. That’s how I am—I don’t like to be the center of attention. Jewelweed was also a plant that really helped me in my last pregnancy. I was having some trouble with my kidneys and I was designated as high-risk. I needed to go to my OB and a nephrologist constantly. So I went to see my local herbalist and teacher, Lise Wolff. She put me on drop doses of jewelweed, and within a couple of weeks, my kidney numbers regulated, and I didn’t have any trouble with the pregnancy whatsoever. My son is 17 now, and he’s been working in the shop with me since he was 12.

The second herb is yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and I always tell people that it was one of the first plants I worked with. When my boys were little, they were always getting hurt. So they always had yarrow in their bag, and they used it all the time. Even their friends would ask for it. It’s such an amazing blood remedy and a powerful healer for bruises and cuts. And it works fast. Plus, it’s really accessible and it grows everywhere. When Jewelweed first opened, yarrow was the plant I always loved to introduce people to.

The third herb is tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), a plant I learned more about from Juliet than anybody else. The first summer I was in the Chestnut School, I ordered seeds and grew it. I like to say I had a love affair with tulsi—I was eating pesto and drinking the tea every single day, and I was talking to everybody about how it’s the best plant! It’s really special and so uplifting. If I could only plant one herb, it would be tulsi because I cannot live a summer without holy basil in my garden.

Velvet-covered Jewelweed journals.

Do you have any words of wisdom for those just starting their herbal education? What advice do you have for budding herbal entrepreneurs?

What I like to tell people who come into the shop feeling overwhelmed because there are so many herbs, is to just learn about what’s in their yard or neighborhood. To just go be with the plants themselves and figure out what’s around you. For people who aren’t comfortable with wild plants or weeds, I suggest they start in their garden. That’s why I love Juliet’s teachings; she makes everything beautiful and accessible—the wild weeds and the plants from the garden. So you don’t have to start with 50 plants, just start with one plant, or two plants, or three. And if that’s all you learn your whole life, that will be fine. Personally, I always like the plants that are around and aren’t too expensive. I love plantain (Plantago spp.) as a first plant. I love yarrow and even some of the grocery store herbs like thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus). Everybody can get them.

It’s similar when starting a business. What skills do you already have? What’s available to you and easy to learn? What’s natural and easy to get started? When I started my business, I didn’t jump right into Jewelweed. I began teaching classes and selling medicine out of my house. I wanted to see if people were interested and wait before making a big investment. From there, my vision grew more and more. I feel so excited that the landscape of herbalism is changing and that up-and-coming entrepreneurs, maybe people reading this, are the future.

The Lucid Dreamer’s Toolkit by Anima Mundi at Jewelweed.

What do you think is next for you on your herbal journey?

There are a couple of things—something for myself and something for my community. For me personally, I’m just entering the menopausal years. So I’m working with plants in that way. I want to be able to teach others what I learn and experience in my own body. Also, I’m excited for this time in general. My last son will go to college next year and I’m asking what will that look like for me. What do I get to do?

My broader focus is returning to the reasons I started Jewelweed in the first place—I want to create community around plants and healing. I want to talk about the idea that we’re all healers, and there are plants right outside our front door that can help us heal. If we understand that, we can care for the plants and the land a little bit better and then see how the land’s health reflects the health of our own bodies and families. What I’m saying without saying it is: if people quit spraying their yards, if we quit poisoning our plants and our water, we can use them. And so I’m hoping to help people make the connection between their own health and the health of the world around them.

An interior view of Jewelweed health and wellness boutique.

We’re so proud of our students!

We hope this interview inspires you to check out Jodi’s products and support a small woman-owned herbal business. And perhaps you’ll find some ideas for your own herbal business. You can connect with Jodi on Instagram @jewelweed.shop and via the Jewelweed website. To see what our other graduates are up to, check out our Student Herbal Business Directory.

Ashwagandha’s pungent roots, which possess a notoriously musky aroma, can be profoundly renewing for your health.

If you experience overwhelm in your life—whether from insomnia, anxiety, or burning the candle at both ends—the medicinal benefits of ashwagandha bring many blessings. Ashwagandha calms and heals your nervous system, refreshes sleep cycles, invigorates immune resilience, and infuses your entire being with strength. 

This charismatic herb heralds from India, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. Ashwagandha’s medicinal use in the Western world is thanks to the traditional healers of these regions, who cherish its healing root for countless ailments. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the following (click to jump ahead):

• How to Identify Ashwagandha
• The Culinary & Edible Uses of Ashwagandha
• The Medicinal Benefits of Ashwagandha
• How to Grow Ashwagandha in Your Home Garden

Among herbs, only a venerated few are true vitality tonics and nourishing rasayana restoratives. Ashwagandha—whose name means ‘essence of the horse’—is one of these, and its medicine is revered in the ancient traditions of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Indian folk healing.

Its pungent roots, which possess a notoriously musky aroma, have been enthusiastically adopted by Western herbalists in recent years for their adaptogenic qualities. When taken over time, ashwagandha can be profoundly renewing for your health.

Ashwagandha’s medicine is calming, centering, and strengthening.

Psst…If herbal profiles like this tickle your botanical fancy, you’ll find more detailed monographs on our blog, including calendula, passionflower, pine, witch hazel, violet, goldenrod, and more.

Ashwagandha’s papery husks peeled back to reveal its fruit.

How to Identify Ashwagandha

Scientific Name: Withania somnifera

Botanical Family Name: Solanaceae, nightshade family

Other Common Names: Indian ginseng, winter cherry, asgandh (Hindi)

Range: Native to the drier regions of India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and northern Africa, ashwagandha has naturalized throughout southern Eurasia and many parts of Africa. It is now cultivated in temperate and subtropical climates around the world.

Botanical Characteristics: In its native range, ashwagandha is a small evergreen perennial with woody stems and a shrub-like appearance. In temperate regions, it grows as an annual in the herb garden. The leaves are softly silver-green, alternate, and elliptic, with glabrescent (smooth) surfaces and slightly hairy undersides. The star-shaped flowers are a subtle shade of yellow-green and give way to bright scarlet berries that ripen late in the season, earning ashwagandha the nickname “winter cherry.”

The fruits are encased in papery brown husks (the persisting remnants of the calyx) and resemble tiny tomatillos. Belowground, ashwagandha’s roots are cream-colored and fleshy, exuding a bracing scent when chopped or crushed.

The developing fruit of an ashwagandha plant.

Culinary & Edible Uses of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha’s roots possess a curious flavor—they’re pungent, nutty, and sometimes said to taste of malted milk balls. Traditionally (and less favorably), their scent has been likened to horse sweat. This comparison is unflattering, but don’t let it dissuade you from trying ashwagandha, which can be prepared in a number of delicious ways.

In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is classically powdered and paired with healthy fats, such as ghee or warmed whole milk with honey. The addition of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), and vanilla powder (Vanilla planifolia) is enticing to the taste buds. Try this Ashwagandha, Lavender, and Vanilla-Infused Ghee for a medicinal treat.

Ashwagandha can also be stirred into hot chocolate, blended into smoothies, or steeped with chai herbs. The powdered roots can be used to make adaptogenic snack balls when combined with ghee, ground toasted sesame seeds, nut butters, and/or other powdered herbs like shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus).

You can even make cookies, like these adaptogenic snickerdoodles from Asia Suler of One Willow Apothecaries. Just substitute an equal amount of ashwagandha powder for the ginseng powder in her recipe.

Ashwagandha, Lavender, and Vanilla Herbal-Infused Ghee. Try the recipe. Photograph courtesy of Goddess Ghee.

The developing fruit of an ashwagandha plant.

Ashwagandha is an ancient rasayana and adaptogenic herb that repairs the body from stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

An adaptogen and Ayurvedic rasayana, ashwagandha rejuvenates the body at the deepest levels and nurtures a long life. It’s said to impart the strength of a stallion to its imbibers, and its musky roots spell out this signature—they’re known to bear the scent of horses drenched in wild sweat, racing across the plains.

This vital energetic makes ashwagandha especially useful for states of weakness or fatigue, such as depletion from stress, anxiety, overwork, poor sleep, or chronic illness.^1,2 The roots work to repair the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and are esteemed for their ability to aid recovery and convalescence—they’re indicated for debility of almost any kind.³ For this reason, ashwagandha is supreme across the arc of our lives: it’s safe for children, revitalizing for adults, and maintains health for elders. Unlike most adaptogens, which are stimulating in nature, ashwagandha is calming and nourishing—it restores us to health from weakened states.

Ashwagandha is a preeminent herb for insomnia, as its species name somnifera implies. It’s not overtly sedative but instead helps restore healthy sleep cycles and replenish bone-weary nervous systems.⁴ It must be taken tonically for these benefits to build over time, and I recommend combining ashwagandha with other calming adaptogens like milky oats (Avena sativa) and reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma spp.)

Ashwagandha’s strengthening and balancing qualities extend to the immune system, where it shines as an immunomodulating ally. It both nourishes and energizes depleted immune systems and, conversely, quells overactive immune responses that trigger allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.⁵

In Western herbalism, ashwagandha is used as an herbal adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation for building strength and immune resilience in cancer.¹ In India, ashwagandha has been a folk remedy in cancer protocols. Preliminary research attributes the anti-tumor properties to steroidal lactones, known as withanolides, found in the roots.⁶

No materia medica on ashwagandha would be complete without mention of its aphrodisiac and fertility benefits. Taken over time, the root can refresh and balance hormone levels, enhance circulation to the reproductive organs, improve sperm count and motility, and increase libido.³ In one notable pilot study, 25 women given 300mg of high-concentration ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 8 weeks reported significant increases in sexual function, including increased lubrication and orgasms.⁷

It’s traditional to ingest ashwagandha in fat-based preparations, such as medicated ghee or milk.

Ashwagandha’s medicinal benefits are most effectively extracted in delicious milk or ghee-based preparations.

It’s traditional to ingest ashwagandha in fat-based preparations, such as medicated ghee, dairy milk, or nut or seed milk. This is because many of ashwagandha’s medicinal compounds are fat-soluble (they need to be extracted in a fatty medium). Other aspects of ashwagandha’s medicine are water-soluble, so mixed water/milk decoctions, like this ashwagandha latte recipe from Banyan Botanicals, are also appropriate.

Surface sowing ashwagandha seeds.

How to Grow Ashwagandha

If you can grow tomatoes, you can likely grow a healthy harvest of ashwagandha, as these Solanaceae cousins prefer similar conditions in the garden. Ashwagandha loves heat, semi-arid soils, and an early indoor start to the season (in frost-prone areas).

Zones: 3-7 (grown as an annual); 8-13 (can be grown as a small, shrubby perennial)

Soil: Ashwagandha prefers warm, dry, well-drained soils and will even tolerate drought. It fares best in average garden soil (no need to pile on the compost) and will grow sizable roots in a single growing season throughout the temperate world.

Propagation: Ashwagandha is a light-dependent germinator, meaning its seeds require direct sunlight to sprout. Therefore, sow them on the surface of the soil and lightly tamp them in. The soils must be warm for germination to occur, so starting the seeds indoors or in a greenhouse (much as you would tomatoes) is helpful. Plus, you’ll get a leg up on the growing season, which can mean larger roots to harvest in the fall.

Siting and Garden Care: A warm-weather native, ashwagandha delights in sunshine. Plant in full sun, or select the brightest spot in your garden. If you grow lavender (Lavandula spp.) or rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), ashwagandha will likely relish a place in their neighborhood.

Space plants 2 feet (0.6 m) apart and consider companion planting with herbs and flowers that deter pests. A few suggestions include marigolds (Tagetes spp.), nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus), calendula (Calendula officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and peppermint (mentha x piperita). In the case of mint, plant it in pots throughout the garden unless you’re ready to embrace its exuberant proclivity to spread.

In areas where ashwagandha grows as an annual (i.e., most places in the temperate world), try cultivating at least a few plants to obtain a good harvest. I often grow a dozen plants (or more) to feel confident of a robust supply and not fret if I lose a plant or two throughout the season.

Ashwagandha eaten by flea beetles.

Problem Insects and Diseases: Flea beetles will be the bane of your ashwagandha’s existence if they’re a nuisance in your area. They feast willfully on the leaves and can cause the plants’ demise. Using row cover helps immensely, at least until the plants have reached a mature size. Alternately, wait until your ashwagandha starts are larger and hardier before transplanting them to the garden.

Harvesting: Dig ashwagandha roots in the fall before the first frost. Wash and chop the roots right away, spreading them on screens or loose-weave baskets to dry. Make sure to dry them in a warm, ventilated space out of direct sunlight.

Once dry, the roots can be stored, tinctured, or powdered. Note that the powder will degrade more quickly than the whole, chopped roots. Therefore, you may wish to powder ashwagandha in small batches, as needed.

Asia Suler holds a freshly harvested  ashwagandha plant.

References

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Explore the Herbal Immersion

Of the Forest Non-Alcoholic Festive Bitters by Xálish Medicines. Photograph courtesy of Xálish Medicines.

Give the perfect herbal gift to your loved one

Giving a great gift is an art. Giving an herbal gift is to know and love the plant person in your life. To help you find the perfect present, we’ve compiled an herbal gift-giving guide featuring special items from small makers to please your herbally-inclined loved ones.

For fun and ease, we’ve grouped these gifts into categories suited to unique plant personas. Shopping for an herbalist who cherishes culinary traditions? See our selections for the Herbal Kitchen Witch. Excited to share something special with a magical friend? Pick a present from our list for the Herbal Ritualist.

You’ll find gift-giving suggestions for:

• The Home Apothecary Angel
• The Herbal Ritualist
• The Aromatically Enchanted
• The Herbal Kitchen Witch
• The Gleeful Gardener
• The Botanical Beauty
• The Plant-Passionate Person
• The Heart of Gold

Note that we do not receive any compensation for promoting the products and businesses featured in the Herbal Gift-Giving Guide. We simply love these makers and are excited to share them with you!

*Links in purple denote BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA2S+-owned businesses
*Links in brown denote Chestnut graduate-owned businesses

55-card oracle deck and guidebook written by Adriana Ayales of Anima Mundi Herbals and illustrated by Josephine Klerks. Photograph courtesy of Anima Mundi Herbals.

For the Home Apothecary Angel

These gift suggestions go out to all the home medicine makers and artisanal remedy collectors. Even the most savvy and experienced herbalist loves to sample the soulful concoctions of other crafters. These are among our favorite small apothecaries to support.

• Ancestrally-inspired remedies from Xálish Medicines. Everything in this shop exudes spirit and healing. Choose from an extraordinary selection of oxymels, herbal honeys, adaptogenic powders, flower essences, plant wands, elixirs, and tea blends.
• Top-quality, homegrown bulk herbs from the magnificent gardens at Kestrel Herb Farm, including anise hyssop, ashwagandha, chamomile, and reishi mushrooms.
• Flower essences from the magical shelves of One Willow Apothecaries. You’ll find a numinous number of interesting essences, including Sister Ivy for setting boundaries, Opium Poppy for powerful protection, Mimosa for joyful inspiration, and Ghost Pipe for ancestral healing.
• Apothecary angels will also appreciate simple yet special staples: raw local honey, glass Mason jars, craft brandy and other spirits, and local beeswax. A few of these items gathered together (or paired with any of the other gifts in this guide) make a thoughtfully themed gift bag or basket.

Mirrors in the Earth Complete Healing Collection by Asia Suler. Photograph courtesy of Asia Suler.

For the Herbal Ritualist

If your loved one relishes the ritual arts, offer them a gift that enhances intuition, inspires ceremony, and creates connection with the plants. These are the books, boxes, and tools that enliven our own experience of herbal magic.

• The evocative and culturally-rich Earth Medicines book by Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz. This volume of breathtaking beauty and plant ceremony can be enacted in every herbalist’s kitchen and apothecary.​​​​​​​​
• Beautiful card decks for connecting with plant allies. We especially love the rainbow-hued art and stirring descriptions of the Dirt Gems Deck & Guidebook created by Anne Louise Burdett and Chelsea Iris Granger. Equally adored is the traditional, astrologically-nuanced wisdom in the Herbal Oracle Deck by Adriana Ayales of Anima Mundi Herbals.
• Intuitive Gift Boxes from Jewelweed Shop. These personalized boxes feature herbs, candles, cards, journals, and other healing tools. Simply describe a theme and the person the gift box is for, and Jewelweed’s staff will put together an extra-special package that will be shipped straight to your loved one.
• Mirrors in the Earth by Asia Suler. This keepsake and guide is a ritual initiation into your personal connection with the plants. Readers will emerge transformed, with pockets full of jade-green insights about the natural world and how we are our own healers.

Need more book recommendations? See our list of the Best Herbal Medicine Books for Herbalists.

Green Man Plant Perfume by Fat and the Moon. Photograph courtesy of Fat and the Moon.

For the Aromatically Enchanted

Fragrance imprints deeply in our memories. An aromatic gift will leave a lasting impression on your loved one. Here are the scents and plants that we love to wrap up for our own cherished friends and beloveds.

• Plant hydrosols from Ash Sierra of Ritual Botanica. These are the most sensational hydrosols we’ve ever laid our noses on. Our favorites include the Tulsi Rose and Florida Water hydrosols. Get ready to inhale heaven.
• Botanical perfumes from Fat & the Moon. The jasmine and cedar notes in their Persephone Emerges perfume evoke the heady scents of a summer garden, while their Green Man perfume featuring clary sage and vetiver is deeply warm and comforting. Both scents are available as perfume sprays or spreadable balms.
• Roses! A bush or two, rather than a bouquet. If your scent-ual loved one has a green thumb, consider bestowing them with a fragrant antique rose to grow and tend. For a divine selection of organically-grown roses shipped right to your door, we recommend the online shop at Angel Gardens.

Winter Mint Ghee Seasonal Blend by Goddess Ghee. Photograph courtesy of Goddess Ghee.

For the Herbal Kitchen Witch

Magic is made in the herbal kitchen—from culinary confections to potent medicines. Whether your plant pal is more herbal foodie or medicinal alchemist, these gifts will inspire their creative process and take their table to new hawthorn berry heights.

• Vibrant single-origin spices from Diaspora Co. It doesn’t get much fresher than their Pragati turmeric, Baraka cardamom, Sannam chili, Kaveri vanilla, and Anamalai cacao.
• We also love the exquisite spice selections from our friends at Spicewalla. Try their Haute Chocolate and Golden Milk collections for warm winter afternoons by the fire.
• Hand-crafted herbal bitters from Woodspell Apothecary. Every herbal table needs a bottle of bitters, and these are among the best and most beautiful. We recommend the Spellbound Bitters, featuring a dreamy blend of lavender, lemon balm, and anise hyssop.
• Decadent medicinal and culinary plant powders from Anima Mundi Herbals, including their gorgeously gift-worthy blue butterfly pea powder, Euphoria joy + mood powder, and rose powder.
• Small-batch, grass-fed ghee from Goddess Ghee. You can choose from Classic Ghee, Brown Butter Ghee (my favorite), and over a dozen herbal blends, including Sweet Lullaby, Lunar Cacao, and Wild Ramp.

The Healing Garden: Cultivating & Handcrafting Herbal Remedies by Juliet Blankespoor. Photograph by Meghan Gemma.

For the Gleeful Gardener

Know a green thumb you can’t wait to gladden with a gift? Try one of the suggestions below for a plant-centered present that will make their gardener’s heart glow.

• The Healing Garden: Cultivating & Handcrafting Herbal Remedies by Chestnut School Queen Bee, Juliet Blankespoor. This book is a gorgeous herb gardening guide, sumptuous herbal cookbook, and medicine-making manual all in one. It’s soil-to-apothecary perfect as a present for every herb gardener!

Plus, with their copy of the book, your dear one will receive access to the Healing Garden Gateway, an exceptional online bonus overflowing with invaluable material: video tutorials, printable charts and worksheets, recipes, and a hand-picked list of herbal resources they’ll definitely want in their back pocket.

• A precious package of medicinal and floral seed sets from special sources like Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Floret Flower, and Earthbeat Seeds. Tie them up with a green velvet bow for the seed-lover in your life.
• A collection of sturdy and artisanal tools. For gifting, we especially recommend a great pair of pruners, a hori hori (Japanese digging knife), or a gardener’s tool belt. You’ll find links to all of these items in our article, Essential Gardening Tools for the Home Gardener.

Marigold Wrap Top by Needlebone. Photograph courtesy of Needlebone.

For the Botanical Beauty

Adorning ourselves with botanically-inspired beauty can be pure pleasure. Does your special plant person have a penchant for pampering? Here are a few of our top picks for adding something singular to their wardrobe or skincare ritual.

• Beauty Fruit Face Mask & Scrub from Heilbron Herbs, featuring raw honey, roselle hibiscus, marshmallow, aronia berry, and calendula. This vitamin C-rich scrub is food for your face (and it tastes like jam!).
• Clothing, prints, and cards inspired by herbal flora and crafted by Karalyn Wysocki of Needlebone. Try the Monarch and Milkweed Tee, Marigold Wrap, or the Ephemerals print.
• Have a dashing darling? Give them a jaunty plant-dyed beret from Maggie Pate of Nade Studio. Choose from a rainbow of natural colors, including violet, sky, cherry, charcoal, and luna.

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine online herbal programs. Photograph by Amanda Davis.

For the Plant-Passionate Person in Your Life

Do you know someone exceptional who wants to become an herbalist? The gift of an herbal education will put them firmly on the plant path and provide years of meaningful learning. Consider an Online Herbal Program with yours truly. We offer the most beautiful and detailed online programs in sustainable, professional herbalism anywhere in the world. Choose from our 1,000-hour Online Herbal Immersion, 150-hour Online Medicine Making Course, and our seasonally available 375-hour Online Foraging Course.

• The Online Herbal Immersion was designed for the truly green-hearted plant person. The program covers medicinal herb gardening, foraging, medicine making, herbal materia medica, plant identification., herbal entrepreneurship, and so much more in 167 videos, 186 lessons, 183 recipes, and a 1,500+ page printable course manual!
• The Online Medicine Making Course provides our expert guidance on the art (& science!) of handcrafting your very own herbal remedies—tinctures, teas, syrups, honeys, oils, salves, and so much more!
• The Online Foraging Course teaches everything you need to know to confidently identify, harvest, and prepare wild food + medicine by going deep with 21 of the most abundant and nourishing plants on the planet.

Rootwork Herbals People’s Medicine Reclamation Project. Photograph courtesy of Rootwork Herbals.

For the Heart of Gold

Would your herbal beloved rather give than be given to? For the generous green soul, consider a donation-based gift that supports plants and plant people around the country. We’ve listed a few suggestions below, but also consider local gardens, schools, and initiatives!

• Make a donation in your loved one’s name to Mountain Gardens, the plant sanctuary and home of the late and great Joe Hollis. Joe’s gardens are one of the largest collections of medicinal plants anywhere in the world and have been an educational destination for decades. Donations help keep this paradise thriving!
• Contribute to the People’s Medicine Reclamation Project. Your donations support the BIPOC community with free access to herbal medicine, individual consultations, and educational opportunities with the People’s Medicine School. They also sustain the Jane Minor BIPOC Community Medicine Garden, where BIPOC folks can freely access land, food, and medicine.
• Support the United Plant Savers, an extraordinary organization dedicated to research, education, and conservation of native medicinal plants and their habitats. In lieu of a donation, you can gift your heart of gold a United Plant Savers Membership, which includes the Journal of Plant Medicine Conservation and access to numerous other benefits and discounts.

Hibiscus Chutney makes an especially nice stand-in for cranberry sauce on the holiday table. Photograph by Sarah Snyder.

Delicious homemade recipes make great herbal gifts

Perhaps you want to try your hand at something homemade? We share several decadent recipes on Blog Castanea that make gorgeous gifts when packaged and paired with appropriate accouterments.

• Ashwagandha, Lavender, and Vanilla Herbal-Infused Ghee
• Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider
• Maple Medicinal Mushroom Concoction
• Spiced Hawthorn Pear Persimmon Brandy
• Hibiscus Chutney
• Herbal Finishing Salts

Flavored culinary butters add thrill to any cuisine.

Rich and sultry, compound butters generously lend a delectable flavor and silky texture to almost any dish. They can be slathered onto baked roots, fresh bread, and crackers or used to roast veggies or meat. Fruity, sour, and sweet butters are delicious with pancakes, muffins, or waffles. When you set the table with buttery herbal spreads, every occasion instantly feels special—from Sunday brunch to your best friend’s birthday dinner.

Despite compound butter’s stodgy-sounding name (borrowed from the French, beurre composé), flavored butters reliably add thrill to any cuisine. You may be familiar with compound butters if you’ve ordered steak at a swanky restaurant. After grilling meat or fish, the chef melts a melon ball-sized pat of compound butter on top, the flavor percolating in a pool of lavishness.

Compound butters can be frozen, giving you an elegant method of preserving fresh culinary herbs, especially those that don’t dry well like chives, cilantro, or parsley. Use the butter immediately or roll into logs, wrap in wax paper, and freeze for later use. Simply slice off a round when you’re ready to use the butter, or thaw out smaller portions to have on hand in the refrigerator.

If you avoid dairy, try one of the many non-dairy “butters” or, for a sweet butter, try coconut manna. These plant alternatives will have a different consistency than butter—you might not be able to roll them into a log, and instead, can serve them in a small bowl.

A bowl of Herbes de Provence herbal compound butter.

A bowl of pomegranate molasses compound butter.

Learn more about the ingredients

For information on the medicinal benefits of herbs featured in these compound butter recipes, visit our articles on:

Looking for more feast-worthy recipes?

Try making our Hibiscus Chutney—it’s the ultimate herbal twist on cranberry sauce—and these show-stopping Herbal Finishing Salts (see pic below).

A close up of herbal finishing salt made from fresh sage, rosemary, orange zest, and juniper berries.

Star Feliz, owner of Botánica Cimarrón small batch apothecary and creative wellness company.

An Interview with Star Feliz of Botánica Cimarrón

Do ancestral herbal traditions inspire you? Are you intrigued by medicine that’s place-based, plant-based, and spiritual? Remedies that are cultural and rich? This is the kind of herbalism practiced by Star Feliz (they/them) of Botánica Cimarrón.

Star is a clinical herbalist, full-spectrum doula, spiritual guide, and Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine graduate. They practice Afro-Taino Caribbean and Western herbalism, drawing creative inspiration from their ancestral lineage and a big imagination for an earth-healing future.

The world needs more earth- and community-centered herbalists.

Botánica Cimarrón is the community vessel for Star’s vision: a small-batch apothecary and ritual arts container that sells expertly formulated bespoke medicines and spiritual tools. It’s also a local resource for herbal classes and accessible healthcare.

Star recently shared an interview with us for our Student Business Spotlight—a series featuring Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine graduates, their work, and the wide variety of professions herbalists can choose from. Star is a graduate of our Online Herbal Immersion Program—1,000 hours of our personal mentorship in sustainable herbalism and herbal career building. If you are interested in the wide variety of herbal careers you might pursue, see An Herbalist’s Salary and Career Opportunities and Learn How to Become an Herbalist.

Botánica Cimarrón’s elixir collection.

I’m a Dominican-American artist, herbalist, and spiritual guide. The beginning of my path in herbalism started with my mother and grandmother and the herbal infusions we made together. When I was 19, I lived and worked on a permaculture farm, and that’s where I truly began to listen to the plant spirits, deepen my self-study, and honor my ancestral gifts for healing.

Please share with us about your herbal business, Botánica Cimarrón. What does it offer your community?

Rooted in ancient Afro-Taino wisdom, Botánica Cimarrón is a creative wellness company focused on healing marginalized people’s relationship to the earth through innovative lifestyle products and learning experiences that ensure our thriving futures. Everything is formulated and handmade in ceremony with the earth & stars. Botánica Cimarrón is based in Los Angeles, the unceded territory of Tovaangar.

Star Feliz creates powerful, ethically sourced, and lovingly handcrafted spiritual tools.

How did you know this was the right career move for you?

The signs were everywhere. My soul feels the most alive when I’m creating and close to nature. For many years before starting my own brand, I experienced firsthand the powerful healing effects my medicine had through working as a community-based herbalist, doula, and organizer. I never imagined this would be a career, but step by step, I’ve built a path for myself based on a sacred calling.

How has your herbal education, especially the business training inside our programs, supported your business?

Before I started at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, I was already a practicing community medicine-maker, but I didn’t realize how much I was truly craving a learning structure until I delved into the coursework. The impact was so measurable! It was helpful to have new materials for reference and confidently move through blocks in my practice.

Botánica Cimarrón’s Healing Alcoholado and Rainbow Serpent Oil are available in their online shop.

What inspired you to study with us here at the Chestnut School?

I was attracted to the self-paced curriculum. It meant that I had the flexibility to lend my full energy to the mutual aid project I was involved with at the time, the Lenapehoking Freedom Fighters Herbal Care Kits, without having to choose one or the other.

What do you love most about running an herbal business? What are some of your challenges?

I love sharing this ancient knowledge with people in new and innovative ways. It helps that I get to work with some of the most amazing people in the world — people who work for the earth’s healing are the most open-hearted. The challenging part is the fast pace and often overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done for a business to keep running. Especially when you’re starting out as a team of one.

Botánica Cimarrón’s Rainbow Serpent ritual oil is formulated with real snake skin, gemstones, herbs and flowers, essential oils, and gold dust.  

What are three herbs that are essential to your herbal practice/business and why?

Hibiscus – Potent fire medicine.
Moringa – A tree of life. Deeply nourishing.
Licorice – A brilliant activator within any formula.

Do you have any words of wisdom for those just starting their herbal education who are interested in starting a business? What advice do you have for budding herbal entrepreneurs?

Community is crucial (both personal and professional). If you don’t already have a community, focus on building one. And don’t skip over the boring legal, structural, backend, and other organizational building blocks!

Watch the Botánica Cimarrón website for a new extended edition of  Green Gold: An Ancestral Plant Spirit Oracle Deck.

What do you think is next for you on your herbal journey?

I’m looking forward to writing more, plus teaching and studying in the tropics for periods of time. I’m working on an extended edition of my publication Green Gold: An Ancestral Plant Spirit Oracle Deck, so look out for that!

We’re so proud of our students!

We hope this interview inspires you to check out Star’s online shop and support a small, earth-centered herbal business. Perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for your own herbal business. You can connect with Star on Instagram @botanicacimarron and via the Botánica Cimarrón website.

To see what our other graduates are up to, and the wide variety of businesses they run, check out our Student Herbal Business Directory.

Everyone can benefit from a bottle of herbal bitters!

Paradoxically, bitter herbs make life sweet, as they have a profound effect on our enjoyment of food—one of life’s great pleasures. You might also say they improve our relationship with food, as many digestive woes can be corrected simply by adding herbal bitters to the diet.

Herbal bitters benefits include:

• Improve symptoms of digestive turmoil, including gas, bloating, cramps, indigestion, nausea, constipation, and even post-meal crankiness
• Curb sugar cravings
• Promote the growth of healthy intestinal flora
• Facilitate detoxification through their support and stimulation of the liver

It’s optimal to ingest bitters twenty minutes before eating, but if you forget, simply take them when you begin to eat. Try keeping your bitter tinctures on the kitchen table as a reminder. Bitters must be tasted to exert their medicinal effects. A few drops are all that’s needed.

Fresh herbs can be bundled together and hung on a wooden rack to dry.

Which are the best herbs to start your home herbal apothecary? Which medicinals can I easily grow to dry and store? Where do I buy dried herbs?

Whether you grow your own herbs or purchase them from a bulk supplier, storing dried herbs properly will ensure they enjoy a long life filled with potency and freshness. In this article, we’ll share the basic rules of thumb for storing dried herbs (and tinctures, infused honeys, herbal oils, salves, and powdered herbs), plus we’ll impart our tips for finding the best high-quality bulk herbs to use in your home apothecary. 

To learn about starting your own herbal medicine chest, visit our article on The 10 Best Herbs to Start Your Home Herbal Apothecary. And if you’re looking for high-quality sources to purchase your bulk herbs, along with medicine-making supplies, you’ll find details below.

Ready to grow an herb garden where you can gather and dry the freshest medicine on the planet? Check out our Medicinal Herb Gardening Hub—it’s loaded with articles to set you up on the green path, including:

• 9 Tips for Planning the Medicinal Herb Garden of Your Dreams
• Medicinal Herb Gardening for Beginners
• How to Grow an Herbal Tea Garden
• And so much more!

Dried herbs last longer if stored in a dark cabinet or hutch.

What is the best way to store dried herbs for freshness and longevity?

In general, you’ll want to store dried herbs and other medicinal preparations in airtight glass jars inside a cabinet, on a dark shelf, or anywhere out of direct sunlight. A location that is cool and dry will further increase the shelf life of your remedies. Keep your medicines out of the reach of small children and always label each bottle, as it’s all too easy to forget the contents of an unmarked medicine over time!

If you store dried herbs correctly, you’ll find the following to be a useful guideline:

• Dried leaves and flowers have a shelf life of 1-2 years
• Roots, seeds, and barks can last 2-3 years

Use your senses—smell, sight, and taste—to determine the vitality of stored herbs. If an herb looks vibrant and has retained most of its flavor and/or aroma, it’s still good medicine!

Label your jars of dried herbs with the name of the plant, the part gathered, and the date they were stored.

Where can I find high-quality dried herbs?

To source the most vibrant herbs, look first to small herb farmers and medicine makers (and even some top-notch larger suppliers). When purchasing herbs, we recommend sourcing them in this order when possible:

Local Growers and Small Sellers. This is an opportunity to visit local herb farms and see their medicine for yourself (plus you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy). Some growers even offer you-pick herbs. To find sources near you, see Rosalee de la Forêt’s List of Sustainable Herb Farms and Ethical Wildcrafters and our List of Bulk Herb Suppliers.

Local Medicine Makers. Check with your local apothecaries and medicine makers for freshly stocked bulk herbs and tea blends. Feel free to inquire where they source their herbs!

Mail-Order and Online Sellers. This is a straightforward option for purchasing bulk dried herbs online or by catalog. Check out our Sources of Bulk Herbs and Medicine Making Supplies list.

Dry Your Own Herbs. For a tutorial on drying fresh herbs from your garden, check out Mountain Rose Herbs’ article on How to Harvest, Dry, & Store Herbs from the Garden.

Storing freshly made tincture in an amber glass bottle will extend the medicine’s shelf life.

How do I store tinctures and other herbal preparations? And how long do tinctures last?

Like dried herbs, other herbal remedies will benefit from storage in a cool, dark space—a cabinet, hutch, pantry, wooden pie safe, or the like. Below you’ll find nuanced storage details and shelf life expectancies for:

• Herbal Tinctures
• Herbal Vinegars
• Herbal-Infused Honeys
• Herbal-Infused Oils and Salves
• Powdered Herbs and Capsules

To prevent ink from running due to dribbles from the bottle, place clear packing tape over your labels.

To protect your medicine from potential contamination due to corroded canning lids, place a layer of natural waxed paper on the inside of the lid while your herbs are infusing in vinegar.

Elderberry-infused honey is a delicious stand-alone remedy, or it can be transformed into a medicinal herbal syrup.

Herbal Storage & Shelf Life Chart