“What else do you think we should stir into the pot on this conversation about Foundations of Home Herbalism?”
Recently I got this question:
“Kami, what is home herbalism? Is it kind of something like you use garlic and lemon for colds instead of a decongestant, or what exactly does home herbalism mean?”
Hmmmmm, good question. What does this term that I use all the time actually mean? You won’t find it in Wikipedia…. (I looked….).
So, I shot a video about this amazing home herbalism journey we are on and talk about what I think goes into the mix as you grow your home herbalist skills.
Of course, these aren’t the only things that you need to have in place, but after looking back on my personal experience of having gone from not ever even having heard the word holistic until I was about 23 years old……AND watching thousands of my students and how they have successfully become comfortable with their home herbalist skills, here is what I came up with….
Of course, this isn’t the end-all list and ultimately what I want to do is get the wheels turning on this conversation…
I love this living, breathing craft of creating with the plants and the beautiful healing art of home herbalism.
Scroll down and leave me a comment. Let me know what you think about these 5 foundations of home herbalism and what else do you think we should stir into the pot in this conversation about Foundations of Home Herbalism?
Very informative. I will implement what you have shared. Thanks Cami!!
My pleasure!
I think you covered everything! We can use it to help us heal at home, or to provide comfort. I know language has to be so policed around this topic. I have been down with vertigo the last 5-6 months. I can say I have really only made St.John’s Wort… 🙏 thank goodness because I get severe nerve pain in my legs. It works so fast. I love this herb! I have a lot of calendula, I’ve grown it myself and I feel close to it. I need to log back into my classes and make some calendula oil for… Read more »
Thanks so much Kami …I deeply resonate with your approach to working with herbs 💚🌿
I think you are right. we need connect deeply with herbs.
Thank you
Thankyou so much for all of the experience and wisdom you share so freely Kami. None of my friends are interested in herbalism. They’re mistrustful and wouldn’t want to try anything I made. They’re so blinkered by proprietary medicines, remedies, cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning products. Hoping to bring them around a little with gifts of simple things like lip balm, bath salts and infused body oils. I guess you either have that instinctive connection to the natural world or you don’t. Soo wish I could find like-minded people to connect with in person and share my herbal journey. But… Read more »
Thank you so much! You have now inspired me to really start writing my recipes down!
This is beautiful wisdom, Kami. Thank you guiding us to look at home herbalism as a fun personal adventure that joins plants, passion, wisdom, and love with ourselves and our lives. I’ve been struggling getting started because there’s so much to learn, but you make it sound so manageable. Just pick a smell or taste I love (or an ailment that needs help) and start there. Then one at a time. I guess in even 15 minutes a day I’d learn a lot. Your energy around the love and the relationships is inspiring.
That’s right, Donna, you can do it one step at a time.
For me loving the plants and letting them guide me and also getting out in my locality and see what likes to grow there….being unafraid to experiment and really sense what works for you and not just whats popular
Yes! I talk to my garden every day. Pick a lemon balm leaf and rub it in my hand and smell its yumminess! Love picking sprigs of mint and eating it right off the plant. I finally have lavender plants this year which is my absolute favorite! Working on my first calendula salve. Loving this life!
Ahhhh….that sounds so wonderful!
I love Basil , rosemary. lemon balm, bee balm roses calendula chamomile parsley and lavender and use these herbs almost daily–I grow them and also dehydrate them for use in winter. Also make lots of vinegars , lotions, soaps, fire cider, infused oils for winter use ( Thanks to your course Tami I have not had any more moldy oils! ) Also love those naughty dandelions!!! Yvonne
Awesome, Yvonne!
My grandmother was the one that got me loving herbs and spices. When she passed away years ago I got to go through her cupboards and take all the spices and a lot of her recipes.. I still have some of the spices because they give me comfort with memories of her every time I see them. I love to grow some of my own things and eat as much fresh for the season as we can and then I will preserve some for the winter. I do love a good basil.. chicken in water with basil, garlic and lemon… Read more »
You are an inspiration Kami! Love your presentations. A newby to the herbal craft but love learning like you said, one plant at a time. Thanks!
Welcome, Joanne!
I love your enthusiasm and excitement when you speak about herbs. I also like your suggestion to learn a few things at a time and only go with the herbs that speak to you and that you really love!
For all the plants which have blended with you and around you, I give thanks. Thank you for all the blossoms and teachings, Kami.
I so enjoyed this with the crazy world at present very grounding I need to revisit your classes and watch a couple that I haven’t you mentioned one I didn’t have hmmmm. Been making awesome oils that I so love🙏🙏🙏❤️
I am so glad you love your oils!
Hi kami , I have been doing your course on herb infused oils.I came up with old man weed infused oil , my aboriginal ancestors used old man weed boiled up for skin ailments like eczema,psoriasis, and healing wounds and internal taken for women’s issues. Many thanks for the encouragement and also the beautiful reminders today .so much love and gratitude for this video xo
Very interest Lorraine in “old man weed” can you describe it it a little more? Sounds very very interesting, Thank you so much, for sharing.Yvonne
Lavender oil is simply a delight. For years I broke out in a rash from Lavendar and the scent made me nauseated. The only way it works is fresh cut then slow-cooked in olive oil then applied to the body warm, not cool or cold this way it absorbs into the aches and pains of natural aging. I’ve tried other carrier oils and they do not work.
I enjoyed the presentation, but how do you find the time to do and learn about these herbs?
Thanks for the video. I am pretty new to herbal uses other than cooking. I have been using Comfrey for fertilizer in my garden, but am eager to try it for wrinkle reduction. I am growing all the standard herbs, but need to learn more about what each one is good for other than cooking.
Thank you for another interesting and helpful video. Need to improve my record keeping thanks for the reminder. I like to use the herbs that grow well in my garden- this year have been blessed with an abundance of chamomile and calendula. I like making tinctures and have avoided a root canal by using tincture of oregano! Also experimented with using cayenne (except it was Thai pepper!) when I cut myself on the garden shears – amazing how quickly the bleeding stopped! So thank you for sharing so generously.
Hello Kami,
Thank you for this video. I enjoy them. You are such a real down to earth person with so much knowledge and passion.
Karla
You are so welcome, Karla
Thank you for everything! After many years of using oil and herbs I went a little crazy and made a ‘potion’ using all the herbs! I researched and all were okay, no contraindications with my allopathic meds. Unfortunately, it still threw my system out of whack! and I had a problem. Not life threatening, but still not good. I was using the herbs in small doses already but then took a big dose of all of them daily also. I stopped, took a break and then went back to a more simple recipe. I now am back to re=researching each… Read more »
I’m a couple years into learning about essential oils, herbs and botanicals. Really enjoy making “lotions and potions”, using them at home, sharing with friends. I think another prime ingredient would be education…..read and watch all you are able to, taking notes and keeping records…I REALLY need to get better about record/recipe keeping!! Thanks so much for your work and sharing.
Hi Kami, love your enthusiasm. It never seems to wane and is very contagious. A great summary of the foundations. As I live in Australia I’m also aware that some of the plants common to the US may not be as abundant as here so knowing what grows in your specific area and working with those may be crucial as well. Also recognition of the more unusual herbs( common weeds) that grow locally can be a blessing to work with too. So many facets! Look forward to learning more
Kami you are one of the best herbal teachers. I love to hear your guidance! Thank you so much for giving light to us with plants
Hi Kami, wonderful presentation!
Such a delightful and inspiring video lesson. Thank you!
It’s funny–for you, sore throat remedies are biggies. For me, it’s stuffy head remedies. I once made a tea by taking herbs that seemed as if they would help that stuffy head. I was so fuzzy-headed and tired that the herb jars remained on the counter until I was feeling better. YEA! I knew what to use the next time. I like to have recipes as a guideline, but rarely follow them to the letter. I TRY to make sure to write down my changes and results so that if something turned out well, then I don’t have to re-invent… Read more »
That is good you are keeping track. In a few years you may be surprised at how amazing your herb notebook has become!
Kami, as always you inspire and motivate! I have missed seeing your videos and your face, you always always delight with your info and enthusiasm.
Aawww…. Thank you Ellen, made my day!!
Hi Kami, I really appreciate what you said. One of the things that stood out for me is when you said, “Be You”. I actually heard a teen say that to a tween the other day and now I hear you say it. That is so cool and relevant. I also resonate with your saying that we develop a relationship with the plants. I had never really thought about that with the depth that you expressed. Thank you. I am just barely beginning this path of herbalism, and the way you stated to start with what you are drawn to… Read more »
Hi Sherry,
Good, glad you are inspired. Yes, this is a really common theme, that people think they should use this or that herb. There are so many out there, enjoy the journey!
Hi Kami! I love it that in your videos you are just like one of us! I hope you never change and try to become more “professional” in your video efforts. They are perfect just as they are, done right there where you work and learn right along with the rest of us. I really enjoyed this video, particularly, the part about the recipes and keeping a recipe journal. It’s good that you told us that it is ok to either follow a recipe or to make up our own. None of us should be made to feel inadequate because… Read more »
Hi Kami
I just love your videos and posts full of great information. I would love to join your class but times are hard.but i do try to follow along with your blogs and make my own foot soaks, bath blends and salves as best i can.i also have a few tinctures on the go .thank you for all your wonderfull information and enthusiasm, keep up the fantastic work.
Cindy
A lovely video to inspire us Kami! Many thanks❣️
Great ideas, your enthusiasm is contagious! Thanks for sharing your passion.
Great stuff Kimi would love to learn more and more please!