Oregon Grape Root: A Versatile Herb
Oregon grape root is the Pacific Northwest variety of barberry (Berberis vulgaris). It was used…
Rhodiola to the Rescue
Rhodiola is also used for nervous system disorders, ADHD, gastrointestinal complaints, coughing of blood, pneumonia,…
Care for Your Heart This Valentine Season
During this season of love, as well as tending to your loved ones, care for…
Vanquish the Flu with Elderberry
The flu is now widely in circulation and quickly going into people’s lungs. This is…
Astragalus for immunity
Most people have heard of the herb astragalus. Usually it’s the first Chinese herb learned…
Bigger, Better, More: The Brand New East West Herb Course Is Here!
With the expert aid of a wonderful support team, we have been updating, revising and…
Fall Power: Loquat Leaves
Not only do I love making medicines from my own garden but I also appreciate…
Why the “Energy” of Herbs is Critical to Their Success in Treatment
Have you ever talked with someone who thought that herbs didn’t work because they did…
How to Drain Your Essence
In summer we often graze through the garden, feast on fruit, or skip meals altogether…
Ophiopogon: A Common Garden Ornamental with Superpowers
This spring, plant an herb that is not only an ornamental but also a powerful…
Sweet Herbal Holiday Treats
I always love to make gifts when I can and especially love to receive handmade…
Cardamom: Your Best Friend
There is one kitchen spice most of us could use more of in our lives:…
What is “Gao Jelly”?
Gao Jelly is a black, jelly-like substance made from Chinese herbs. Sometimes called Gui Ling…
The Wonders of Moxa, Part 2
How to use moxa: If using purchased moxa, remove its commercial paper wrapper first (but…
The Wonders of Moxa, Part 1
On our recent trip to China we went to Mr. Wei’s clinic in Hong Kong. There…
How Is Herbal Medicine Practiced in Modern-Day China?
A group of 24 East West students, graduates, teachers, and a few of their companions…
East West Goes to China!
This year after one of our best seminars ever (per many students and teachers), a…
American Botanical Council Honors Michael Tierra with Community Builder Award
Thursday evening, March 10, 2016, Michael was given the Mark Blumenthal Community Builder Award by…
Merry Mistletoe
It’s that season when many pin a bouquet of mistletoe in their doorway for that…
Clove: The Old “New” Spice?
CLOVE (Eugenia caryophyllata, E. aromaticum, Syzygium aromaticum) Family: Myrtaceae Also called: caryophylli or ding xian…
Feverfew and Chrysanthemum
When most people hear of the herb feverfew, they think migraines. While feverfew became popular…
Black Cohosh, East and West: Part 2
See Part 1 here. Black cohosh has long been used throughout the world, but today…
Black Cohosh: East and West Part 1
When you hear of the herb black cohosh, what do you think it treats? Today…
Acorus calamus (Sweet flag)
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus; A. americanus) has been one of those on-again/off-again herbs where it’s…
Calendula, the Western Safflower
There’s another great Western substitute for a Chinese herb: Calendula officinalis can stand in for…
What About Quince? Medicinal Uses
After writing about the various types of citrus and their uses I thought about using…
Citrus: Fruit or Peel?
Most of us love some form of citrus – oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, lemons, limes and…
Making the Most of One Herb: Elecampane
Too often we find Western herbs pigeon-holed into convenient commercialized boxes. While this expands people’s…
Some of My Favorite Herbs and Therapies
It’s that season of the year again and so time to share some of my…
Berberine Buddies, Part 2
Continuing the discussion of berberine-containing plants as Chinese-Western substitutes for each other, we first looked…
Berberine Buddies, Part 1
In my investigation of finding western substitutes for Chinese herbs, I now turn to herbs…
Finding Western Substitutes for Chinese Herbs: Accept the Challenge!
For quite a while, I’ve been curious about Western alternatives to Chinese herbs. I’m particularly…
Hawthorn: Teaching an Old Herb New Tricks
In my search for western substitutions for Chinese herbs, it’s hard to ignore the easy…
Are Herbs from the West Really the Best?
Many people in the West eschew herbs from other countries because they only want to…
The Oldest Herb Shop in Barcelona
Recently, Michael and I taught in England, and as we generally do when teaching there…
Formulas Using Dandelion to Clear Heat and Toxins
Along with its typical purposes in Western herbalism, the Chinese use dandelion as a cold,…
Dandelion: My Favorite Spring Herb
I first learned about dandelion by reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury many decades ago, a book…
Back to Basics: Making Herbal Teas with Brigitte Mars
So many of us are removed from our herbs these days since we generally choose…
Clinician-Client Connection (or, The Ritual of Medicine)
In the late 1980s, I attended the first International Congress of Healing in India and…
Shilajit (Moomiyo), the Monarch of Tonics
There’s a fabulous kidney tonic that I want to tell you about if you don’t…
Got Shen? Part 2
There are many herbal approaches to supporting Shen depending on the imbalance affecting it: Nourish…
Got Shen? Part 1
Do you love life? Do you enjoy people? Are you enthusiastic about what you do?…
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things Part 2
HERBS – FOUR FAVORITES! While I’ve had many favorite herbs over the years with which…
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things Part 1
I decided it was high time again to introduce you to a few of my…
Cooking with Herbs for the Holidays
The holidays are fast approaching and before you know it, you might need to start…
What Is the Best Herbal Preparation for Your Condition?
When I first learned about herbs in the late ’70s, they were usually taken as…
Snap Your Spleen Back in Shape! Part 1
We are at the end of the Spleen/Stomach “time of year” – actually the Spleen/Spleen…
Snap Your Spleen Back into Shape! Part 2
In my last blog post we explored patterns of disharmony for the Spleen, which are so…
Care for the Caregiver, Part 2
In Part I of this series I began the discussion about using of herbs to…
Care for the Caregiver, Part 1
Now that you know how to be and find a hospital advocate, what about the…
Find Your Hospital Advocate, Part 2
In Part I we discussed the essential need for having or being an advocate when…
Find Your Hospital Advocate: Part 1
I hope this never happens to you, but it’s usually inevitable that one day either…
The Fifth Stagnation: Food Stagnation, Part 2
In Part I we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Food Stagnation. In…
The Fifth Stagnation: Food Stagnation, Part 1
We made it! We got through Qi, Blood, Cold and Damp stagnations, and now we…
The Fourth Stagnation: Damp Stagnation, Part 2
In Part I we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Damp Stagnation and its…
The Fourth Stagnation: Damp Stagnation, Part 1
Whether you’ve had April showers or are experiencing May ones, rain is a great metaphor…
The Third Stagnation: Cold Stagnation, Part 2
In Part I we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Cold Stagnation and its…
The Third Stagnation: Cold Stagnation, Part 1
Years ago when I worked in Cleveland, I’d stare out the office window at a…
The Second Stagnation: Blood Stasis, Part 2
In Part 1 we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Blood Stasis and…
The Second Stagnation: Blood Stasis, Part 1
After briefly covering the five stagnations in January (Parts 1 and 2) and Qi stagnation…
The First Stagnation: Qi Stagnation, Part 2
In Part 1 we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Qi stagnation and…
The First Stagnation: Qi Stagnation, Part 1
Last month we discussed the five stagnations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) along with two…
The Mother of All Diseases: Stagnation (Part Two)
In Part I of this blog, I discussed the Five Stagnations in general along with…
The Mother of All Diseases: Stagnation (Part One)
Usually this time of year I write about resting more, doing less and in general,…
Spice Up Your Holiday with Healing Culinary Herbs
I don’t know what it is about the holidays and me, but when this time…
Give Thanks to Your Illness with “Metaphor-phosis”
Why would one ever want to thank an illness? After all, illness is often distracting,…
Herbal Tonics: East and West
“What is the difference between a tonic in eastern versus western herbalism?” This question, launched…
Healing Crisis, or Wrong Formula?
You’ve just made an herbal formula for a new client. She took it for several…
Notation Tips for Herbalists and other Complementary Health Practitioners
Recently I read an article in Acupuncture Today titled “The Devil is in the Details”…
Healing the Whole Person
Healing means “to make whole.” This is frequently forgotten by western medicine as it typically…
Turmeric: Pros, Cons, and Contraindications
Turmeric has become increasingly popular over the last decade, first for blood purification and then…
Mitochondria and Brain Supplements
Mitochondrial DNA is big on the alternative scene these days. Brain research and the role…
Confessions of a Weight Gainer — and Loser
Weight has never particularly been a problem for me. Yes, I’ve weighed more than I…
Wishing You a Do-Be New Year
Yes, you read that right! I wish you a do-be-do-be-do-be year! Now what in the…
Nourishing Your Body, Heart and Spirit During the Holiday Season
When people study herbs and natural medicine they tend to focus solely on physical health.…
In Thanksgiving to Barefoot Doctors
Ever since I learned Barefoot Doctor techniques I have been most thankful, as they often…
A Tribute to Aviva Romm
As many of you know, our past AHG president, Aviva Romm (shown here), stepped down…
When “Going Viral” Isn’t a Good Thing
While most people dream of their projects and ideas going viral, there is one area…
Agastache for Summer’s End
Summer’s end can be a tricky time of year health-wise. It is the completion of…
The Wonders of Wan Hua Oil
I first learned about Wan Hua Oil over 20 years ago when my seven-year old…
Summer’s Back: Is It Supporting You?
have treated a LOT of people for low back pain this past month — far…
Treat the Person, Not the Disease
Recently I had an experience with someone that reminded me again about the major tenet…
Wen Dan Tang
In honor of the near end of Liver/Gallbladder time of year, here’s another favorite formula…
Hypertension II (Too!): A TCM look at types of high blood pressure
Michael has just done a great blog on hypertension, so I decided to supplement that…
Nourish Your Yin with Yi Guan Jian
I’ve already addressed strengthening Kidney Yang with Two Immortals in an earlier blog post. Now…
Cultivate Your Virtues this Valentine’s Season
Our emotions, attitudes and self-perceptions are often physiologically rather than emotionally based. This is a…
Shed Light on Your Life this New Year
Instead of making traditional resolutions this year, lose weight, save money, change jobs, shed light…
Spice up your holidays
Spice up your holidays this year with three of the season’s best medicinal spices: cinnamon,…
Winter: Time to Rest, Rest, Rest!
We have definitely entered the most crucial time of year ‘” winter. Whether you live…
Giving Thanks for Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an amazing herb. It is probably under-utilized and under-appreciated, so I’m…
Joint of the Seasons: Fall
We have reached the joint of the seasons, late Summer into Fall. This is the…
End of Summer Tummy Woes
Digestive issues are up now for many people ‘” this is the time of year…
Treating GERD with Chinese Medicine
As we are well into the season of late Summer, more cases are presenting at…
Throwing Down the Gauntlet on Sugar!
I find it extremely annoying that the west has gone sweet, that is, sickly sweet.…
Summer Soup (Kicharee)
Summer kicharee is not only great for detoxification, but it is also a light summer…
Late Summer: Season of Earth
We have just moved into time of year that corresponds to the Spleen and Stomach…
San Qi or Tienqi Ginseng: A Premier Herb to Stop Bleeding
Now that I’m on to ginseng-like herbs, here’s another one that can be taken during the…
Codonopsis: The “Other” Ginseng
Although not a ginseng at all, codonopsis has similar tastes, energies and tonifying properties as…
Summertime: The Heart Time of Year
We have now moved into the “Heart time” of the year. It runs from about…
Diet and Herb Tips for Spring Health
No matter where you live ‘” snowy Michigan or sunny Florida ‘” Spring is upon…
When Should I Take My Herbal Formula?
Students and clients often ask me, “When the best time is to take my herbs?”…
Wind-Chill Colds and Flu: What They Are and How to Treat Them
The cold and flu season is still upon us. Michael wrote about treating flu last…
Quickly Clearing those Wind-Chill Colds and Flu
The cold and flu season is still upon us. While Michael wrote about treating flu…
Nourish Yourself with Shilajit for Valentine’s Day
A libido as unwavering as the Himalayas? With the help of shilajit, perhaps! Let’s face…
Herbalists, Keep Learning: You Know More than You Know
At the recent American Herbalists Guild conference, I met various people who felt inadequate about…
Release the Past with Ho’Oponopono
Start the new year by cleansing old energies! One of the best ways I know…
Winter diet, herb and lifestyle reminders for a healthy year ahead
In Fall we harvest the fruits and labors of Spring’s planting and planning. Shorter days…
Appreciate the Little Things
I recently stated using a macro lens on my camera and it has changed my…
In Search of Figgy Treats
We’ve got two fig trees: one a black mission and one a green fig. The…
That Other Flu Rose: Garlic
No matter what name you give it (or what animal you name it after), we’re…
Comfrey Comfort
Recently I was sitting in my garden one late afternoon trying to pull myself together…
Autumn: Herbal and Diet Tips for Health
No matter where you live ‘” snowy Michigan or sunny Florida ‘” Spring is upon…
Mulberry Dreams
Our Mulberry Tree! Early this morning I trudged out under the foggy sky and picked…
Herbs for Late Summer
Many climates throughout the world have five seasons; late summer, or Indian Summer, is usually…
Watch Yourself! A great tool for self-diagnosis
Recently I reviewed some of the wonderful DVDs that David LaLuzerne of Green Earth Herbs’…
A Great Summer Sip: Cooling Chrysanthemum
The Chinese drink chrysanthemum as a summer beverage for its refreshing taste and cooling properties.…
Make a summer herbal salve for bites, stings and scrapes
While summer is one of my favorite times of year, I could do without mosquito…
The Fire Without and the Fire Within: Herbal and Health Tips for Summer
Summer is the essence of life, growth, heat and activity. With the sun at its…
Cordyceps, the strange ‘herb’
Call it a woman’s prerogative if you like, but I have a newfavorite herb! Now,…
Spring Tips for a Happy Liver
Spring is the beginning of the year, when the earth awakens and new life bursts…
Ophiopogon – Another Favorite Herb
Ophiopogon is a true blessing to those with Yin deficiency. … … Sweet, cooling and…
The Additional Wonders of “Benefit Lung Pills”
I’ve always used Li Fei Pian, or “Benefit Lung Pills,” for Lung Yin-deficient cough (a…
Stillness in Action
I have loved Mary Oliver’s poems ever since Michael introduced me to them. Provocative, sensual…
Have a REALLY Happy Valentine’s Day!
With the big hype surrounding St. Valentine’s Day already in full swing, many of us…
A Beautiful Poem to Live by . . .
I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear Of falling…
Start Your New Year off Right – Do Nothing!
Caught your attention with that one, didn’t I? … … Why give yourself permission to…
Salvia, Our Saving Grace
I once had to introduce myself as a teacher at an American Herbalists Guild conference…
A Few of My Favorite Herbal Things
A couple of weeks ago I had an idea for a new blog post: a…
Make Every Day Thanks-giving
How wonderful it is that our country has one day a year dedicated to giving…
Wonderful Celebration and Healing Song
Anyone know this wonderful little song, great for both healing and when you feel like…
On Ghosts and Bones and Dragon Bone . . .
When I think of bones I think of animal parts or anatomy or even the…
Welcome to Lesley’s New Practice!
Radiance Energy Medicine for a healthy body, mind and soul In the past I separated…