Whether you live in balmy, tropical Hawaii, or sub-zero, frosty Minnesota, the energy of winter is the same: storage. At this time winter’s cold drives your life fires deeply inward, collecting itself like a hibernating bear for the coming Spring. The Chinese believe that the water element rules winter, which is associated with the Kidneys,…
Details
I am Sarah Ford Thompson. I began my love affair with plants and plant medicines as a young child. I spent my first few years on a self-sustaining farm in Kentucky with my family. We grew our own food and raised goats for milk. We traded goat milk and homemade goat cheese with the nearest…
Details
Have you ever wondered what the Holy Family did with the three gifts brought to them from the far-off lands in the East by, according to tradition, the Magi? The Bible doesn’t say. The Armenian Christian tradition describes three Magi: Balthazar from Arabia, Gaspar from India, and Melchior from Persia (what is now known as…
Details
I love to read – so much so, that I always have several books going at once. I still love to hold a physical book in my hands. However, I do listen to recorded books as I drive or fall asleep. The following books all center around herbs in one way or another, either as…
Details
My fondest childhood memories are making “magic potions” over pretend rock fire circles in the forests of the Green Mountains in VT and the Appalachians in New York, the woods I knew as my back yard. I’d rock hop barefoot, seeking the head of the stream to obtain water where it bubbled out of the earth.…
Details
“Let food be your medicine.” — Hippocrates I founded the East West Free Natural Health Clinic in Santa Cruz, California, in July 2014. It consists of a group of students, herbalists, nurses, acupuncturists, homeopaths, body workers and a chiropractor who volunteer their services two Saturday mornings each month for a period of two to three…
Details
When I began to study herbs, my first class discussed the difference between the many ginsengs. It was information overload at that stage of my learning, but since then I’ve used them all. If the prospect of selecting the right ginseng for a specific set of symptoms seems overwhelming, this blog is for you. Why…
DetailsWelcome and thank you for signing up. Our school administrator is processing your course information. She will send you access within a day. Questions? Contact Jill at herbcourse@planetherbs.com.
My name is Emily Martin. I’m originally from the small town of Jena, Louisiana but currently live in Alabama. After graduating high school, I earned my BA in Elementary Education. With my husband’s military career and our family moving every 2-3 years we decided I would stay home with our children. Eventually figuring out that…
Details
It is virtually inevitable when lecturing on herbs that a man might surreptitiously take me aside and ask for an herb to improve sex. The first herb that always comes to mind is horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum). Certainly, the suggestive common name makes it easy to remember. Its name is derived from a legend…
Details
My name is Laurel Paxton, I grew up in the beautiful oceanic community of Santa Cruz, CA. I currently live in South Lake Tahoe, where I spend my days homeschooling my children and studying the healing arts. I love studying herbology from around the world and everything around me as much as possible! I have…
Details
We are fast approaching the joint of the seasons – summer into fall – and of all times of the year, this is the most susceptible for catching colds and flu. Weather is cooling now, school is starting, and activities pick up so generally there’s more stress. At the same time, we often cling…
Details
Sleep is a period of reduced activity where we leave waking consciousness to drift into a land of dreams and deep rest. It is a restorative process that lets us to recover from the wear and tear of daily life, allowing our body’s cellular activity, heart rate and breathing to slow in order to…
Details
Ironically, though I grew up on a dairy farm, surrounded by crops, animals, and nature, I was never exposed to natural health or healing during all that time. Farmers are not necessarily naturalists, and my parents showed little interest in herbal medicine. I never even tried whole wheat bread until I was a teenager and…
Details
Many climates throughout the world have five seasons – late summer, or Indian Summer, is usually the fifth, lasting from sometime in July through sometime through about mid-September. In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen is associated with the earth element. It is considered much more than a component of the lymphatic system but instead…
Details
On our recent second visit to Costa Rica, we re-experienced the wondrous biodiversity of its plants, exotic wildlife, volcanoes, and hot springs but also a rare insight into its traditional healing customs. With the assistance of an interpreter, this information was provided by our guide, the distinguished native ethnobotanist, Rafael (Raffi) Angel Ocampo Sanchez. Raffi, is…
Details
Old time herbalists and the Eclectics didn’t focus on common herbs – they mainly used “heroic” medicines instead. These are the toxic herbs, so strong that only 1-2 drops of tincture were generally taken for quick and effective results. Of course such plants are rarely used today, and when they are it’s mainly in homeopathic…
Details
Born a sixth generation Montanan, I grew up enjoying the outdoors, hiking, riding horses, camping, fishing and hunting. I love the circle of life and there is no place you can see and experience it more than in the backcountry wilderness. When I worked for an outfitter, my days consisted of hard labor, being in…
Details
Our second trip to lush Costa Rica proved just as magical as our first in September 2018. This time a wonderful group of 12 folks joined us to explore several areas of Costa Rica. We began our tour at Finca Luna Nueva (in the region of San Carlos), the second biodynamic farm established in Costa…
Details
I currently live in Colorado with my husband. Our three boys are grown and finding their way in this world, just as we continue to find ours. I always believed my calling was to be writer. I pursued that calling as an undergraduate and graduate student. I wrote short stories. I worked on several books,…
Details
“The perfected breathe all the way to their heels, unlike ordinary folk who breathe only as far as their throats.” Zhuangzi, 3rd century BCE[1] “Take a breather,” or ”Slow down and take a deep breath,” are common things we say when someone is in an acute state of anger, fear, frustration, or anxiety. In fact,…
Details
Choosing the right herb is essential to achieving healing results. But, if you continue eating to feed your disease, even herbs won’t help. This is because every food or drink we consume has a particular energy that in turn directly affects the energetic balance in our bodies. Food can cause heat or coldness, dryness or…
Details
Born and raised in France, I came to Boston with my family about twenty years ago to pursue a scientific education in biochemistry and biophysics. An avid Aikido student for many years, I have always been attracted to Eastern philosophies. While working my first science job, I took evening classes and earned a Zen Shiatsu…
Details
The renowned 16th century English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, described the use of lemon balm for depression by quoting Serapio who said the herb “caus(es) the mind and heart to become merry, and reviveth the heart, faintings and swoonings of such who are overtaken by sleep, and driveth away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of…
Details
Recently Michael and I witnessed the incredible scene of cherry blossom season in Japan. It is truly a remarkable sight. Clouds of pinkish-white flowers adorn dark branches that hang over green parks. blue waters, or frame distant structures. Crowds of locals stream through such areas, picnicking or strolling beneath their ancient glories, day and night.…
Details
I have been a massage therapist, gardener, wildcrafter and lover of herbs for over 20 years. I grew up in Florida and started my herbal journey in 1992, when I was 22, working part-time at an herbal apothecary and part-time for a master gardener doing landscape gardening. The combination of these two jobs helped me…
Details
Oxidation in the body is a natural process caused when wandering electrons called free radicals react with other molecules. Oxidation has both positive and negative consequences. A positive aspect of oxidation is that the process disrupts the cell wall of bacteria, which stops them from functioning. Humans have special immune cells (macrophages) that use oxidation…
Details
The Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha has become quite well known in recent years and it is no wonder, for it has many important uses. Overall, it’s a wonderful anti-aging and rejuvenative tonic for most all folks and so deserves its growing reputation. Specifically, it is a yang tonic (meaning it warms and strengthens the body’s energy…
Details
I was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I grew up in a culture where native plants were used everyday in food, medicine and limpias. My mother used to believe that negative spirits can cause disease; so when I would fall “mysteriously” ill, she would take me to the medicine woman to perform cleansing ceremonies…
Details
Privet is often used to plant hedges for privacy instead of fences. I used to watch the birds flit in and out of my parents privet hedge in Louisiana. However, not all privets are created the same.
Details
My name is Josh Kuhn. I am an Ohio native and have for as long as I can remember felt a deep kinship with the natural world. Over the years I have worn many hats (bicycle builder, found object sculptor, mime) but have always come back to the land. In 2011 my wife Bix and…
Details
Although yams have been around for eons, there are so many species (over 600), it can get very confusing at times. Which are eaten and which used medicinally? Are they all similar to each other? Plus where do they grow and how are they used? Wild yams have been an incredibly important food for much…
Details
Hi, my name is Jodi Martin. I have been a student with East West since 11/2013. I am from upstate New York but have been living on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii since 2011. I am a mother of three amazing daughters and most recently find myself with an empty nest. While living in…
Details
Korean Hand Therapy (KHT) was discovered by Tai Woo Yoo, OMD, PhD, a South Korean acupuncturist, in 1971, when he found himself unable to sleep with a headache that would not go away. Using a ballpoint pen, he poked an area at the tip of his middle finger which he believed corresponded to the area…
Details
In the cold of winter, a great herb to consider is the walnut. It is a rich source of fat that keeps the body warm and as a healthy snack, stifles hunger. But walnuts are more than a food; they have many valuable medicinal uses, too. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), walnuts gently tonify Kidney…
Details
I was lucky, though having been born in London, to have spent much time in Nature as a young boy. My mum who’s Polish also brought us up on natural foods and medicines at home and by the time I was a young student I was talking peoples ears off about natural being the best!…
Details
Stumped about what to give for the holidays? Here are some herbal treats you can easily make and share that will not only be unusual and fun but also help your loved ones’ health, too! HAWTHORN OXYMEL An oxymel is simple as it’s only made with herbs, vinegar and honey. Hawthorn is especially good for…
Details
This school has been such a transformative experience. My interest in alternative medicine started with my high school boyfriend’s mom of all places. With herbs, homeopathy, and so much love she helped me tackle health problems that Western medicine seemed to only make worse. That seemingly impossible success led me on an investigation in alternative…
DetailsClinical Herbalist Mentoring Program Compare Courses Herbalist Training FAQs Herbology Training Courses Letters from Students and Graduates Obtaining an Herbalist Certification or Herbalist Degree
DetailsMagical Herbs and the Kid’s Herb Book They’ll learn how to make their own healing potions, secret remedies, magical salves, enchanted syrups and special healing remedies. Recipes, …Read More Home Herbalist Course TEN SECTIONS TO HERBAL SAVVY: HOME HERBALIST COURSE We are very excited to announce that the East West School of Planetary Herbology …Read More 36-Lesson…
Details
Magical Herbs and the Kid’s Herb Book They’ll learn how to make their own healing potions, secret remedies, magical salves, enchanted syrups and special healing remedies. Recipes, …Read More Home Herbalist Course TEN SECTIONS TO HERBAL SAVVY: HOME HERBALIST COURSE We are very excited to announce that the East West School of Planetary Herbology …Read More 36-Lesson…
Details
Oxymel is one of the oldest herbal preparations. The word is derived from the Latin oxmeli meaning “acid and honey” and indeed it is extracted and made with a base of vinegar and honey. Individually, neither vinegar nor honey separately or alone is preferred extractive mediums, because they are already saturated solutions. However, both of…
Details
I grew up in the heart of Europe, in the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia) during the times of repression and Communist era. During these times it was second nature to grow or forage for food; this is simply what people did. Having a vegetable garden with fruit trees and a few chickens was the norm,…
Details
I have been studying plants, people and herbal medicine for over 20 years now. My interest first started as a youngster with a fascination for things natural, beginning with astronomy, moving into herpetology and later into plants and medicine. And all of this in the suburbs of Long Island, NY In my twenties, I began…
Details
When recently exploring the incredible plants of Costa Rica, we stayed at the magical retreat center Amatierra. It’s a hidden secret that is not only beautiful but also very nourishing as well. When we first arrived and climbed down the stairs to the main building and dining terrace, I was immediately struck by the…
Details
I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, in the Greater Victoria area (North Saanich). I have lived between Vancouver and Vancouver Island most of my life, and have developed a love for our mountains, oceans and old growth forests. We’re so fortunate to be surrounded by this magnificent beauty which offers so much opportunity for…
Details
Simply put, Costa Rica is a plant paradise. Michael and I were lucky enough to travel there a couple of weeks ago, and we were astonished by the botanical diversity there. So many regularly used herbs can be found in this forest wonderland. For starters, many of our kitchen spices come from Costa Rica. Ginger,…
Details
Celery often sits in our refrigerators for many different uses – making stocks, preparing soups, or filling with peanut butter for the kids. But celery has many more uses than that and is actually quite medicinal in concentrated form. Celery Seed Most herbalists are familiar with celery seed and teach about its many wonderful uses.…
Details
I am a California gal, born in Long Beach but I’ve spent most my life in the northern part of the state. I currently reside in the beautiful mountains of Santa Cruz where my passion for plants and the healing arts has taken root and the local, like-minded community has embraced me with such loving…
Details
Mung Bean for Hypertension Hypertension is a major risk indicator for heart attack and stroke. In the United States, approximately 75 million people (29%) have high blood pressure which is a staggering 1 in every 3 adults. About 42.7 million visits to physician offices are for primary essential hypertension. Blood pressure is measured with a…
Details
Finally, to close this series on herbs for Summer-Heat and for summer conditions in general, is the humble mung bean, a premier herb for clearing heat in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Mung bean (Vigna radiata, formerly known as Phaseolus munginis) neutralizes acids, clears toxicity, lowers and regulates blood pressure, heals ulcers, and relieves Summer-Heat and Hot-natured…
DetailsUnder Construction
I am a Northern Californian, born in Oakland, California where I currently reside. I grew up in Berkeley, California, but also in the woods of the Pacific Northwest and on the rocky beaches of California’s northern coast. As a teenager, I developed a sense that people came to me with their injuries and ailments for…
Details
In my last blog, I explained the Traditional Chinese Medicine disease pattern called “Summer-Heat,” largely parallel to what most Westerners know as heat stroke. As promised, here are two more herbs for this hot time of year: one made into a delicious cooling tea to ward off overheating, and another to deal with one of…
Details
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), a common kitchen spice with a warming, spicy energy, is used to add flavor to desserts and hot drinks. Called jaiphala in Ayurveda and rou dou kou in TCM, nutmeg is a well-known remedy for diarrhea in both these herbal systems, but lesser known is its usefulness in cases of insomnia. In…
Details
Once when comparing relative merits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine with an Ayurvedic doctor in India, the good doctor acknowledged both systems as having merit but said: “Ayurvedic tonics taste better!” Flavor is considered part of the therapeutic properties of an herb in both herbal systems, but it is much more emphasized…
Details
Summers seem to be getting hotter and hotter so staying cool – and keeping your cool – can be more difficult. But don’t fret! There are many fabulous herbs, some even easy to find or grow foods, that can help you cool off during such hot summer days. These herbs also help with what Traditional…
Details
A good portion of my life’s journey was spent among the corn and bean fields of Illinois, but I’m a California native currently living in the Sierras immersed in the beautiful backwoods. I’ve always had a pull towards nature, where I feel most at home. I spend as much time as possible enjoying the elements…
Details
We are very excited to announce that the East West School of Planetary Herbology now offers a Home Herbalist Course! While we have provided Family and Professional Herbalist Courses, we have not presented a basic course in learning herbs – until now! The Home Herbalist Course is a great way to get involved with immediately…
Details
As we enter the summer traveling season, many of you may be going on holiday adventures in the next few months. As you do so, be sure to take herbs along with you. I always travel with an herbal first aid kit and inevitably it comes in very handy. I often end up sharing herbs…
Details
I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon for most of my life, with short stints in Minnesota, Montana and Idaho. The plan out of college was to work as botanist, but the Bush Administration happened, and after attempting to get work with something of the naturalist flavor, I figured it was best to separate my vocation from…
Details
Recently, someone wrote me in response to an article I wrote on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle of dui yao, a principle of formulation where one might use two or more herbs as one brought up not one. His letter brought up a couple of common misconceptions about herbal medicine which I thought were…
Details
Oregon grape root is the Pacific Northwest variety of barberry (Berberis vulgaris). It was used by the indigenous mountain folk of California for all chronic degenerative diseases, especially cancer and arthritis. Oregon grape and barberry are so similar they are used interchangeably, yet Oregon grape is mild and well tolerated by most body types. It…
Details
Hello! My name is Rachael Witt. I am a land-steward, herbalist, and teacher of ancestral skills. I grew up amidst the Oak woodlands in the foothills of the Sierras. As I explored the world around me, studying plant ecology and ethnobotany, opportunities led me to the small town of Duvall, Washington, where I am currently…
DetailsPlanet Herbs implements multiple security methods to prevent fraud and to protect your payment information. Encryption Planetherbs.com uses the COMODO SSL (secure sockets layer) certificate to encrypt information end to end. Everything you send through our website is encrypted. Only our website and our payment provider can decrypt the information. Credit Card Security We request…
Details
East West School of Planetary Herbology Terms of Service Effective and Modification Dates Our Privacy Policy was posted on April 24, 2018 and last updated on April 24, 2018. It governs the privacy terms of our Website, located at planetherbs.com. Terms By accessing the website at https://planetherbs.com, you are agreeing to be bound by these…
Details
A recent article published in the New York Times has questioned the value of one of the sacred cows of the supplement industry: fish oil. This is based on “10 large randomized studies involving 77917 high-risk individuals with the mean entry age of 64.0 years over a period of 4.4. years. It was found that…
Details
Where can I say my journey into East West began…. I wasn’t much into natural medicine growing up, but I have always loved nature. I didn’t become interested in natural medicine until I travelled to Vietnam many years later, where I, unfortunately, picked up something nasty. Upon my return to Australia (where I was living…
Details
For the last 3 1/2 weeks, I’ve been suffering from shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. It is a terrible condition. There seem to be many cures and treatments for it that are either questionable, or in the case of Western medicine, have a potential for adverse side effects. Most people suffer from post-herpetic pain that can…
Details
Recently the CDC announced that some 40 cases of salmonella associated with individuals who took certain batches of kratom. I’ve checked many of the sources I buy kratom from and they have suspended sales while testing goes on. Some suppliers reported to the CDC the sources of kratom with salmonella contamination. As a result, vendors…
Details
Rhodiola is also used for nervous system disorders, ADHD, gastrointestinal complaints, coughing of blood, pneumonia, lowering fevers in colds and flu, and balancing blood sugar. It treats exhaustion headaches, minor hypotension, hemorrhoids, irregular heartbeat, erectile dysfunction, amenorrhea, and infertility. As well, it protects against chemotherapy and radiation. It relieves stiff muscles and spasm. As a mouthwash or gargle, it treats inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Details
Here are some of our East West Clinical Herbalists
Brian Kie Weissbuch L.Ac. is an herbalist and acupuncturist in private practice in Northern California since 1991. Cofounder of KW Botanicals Inc, San Anselmo, CA, he has 42 years experience as a botanist, western herbalist, and formulator of proprietary extracts for Eastern and Western practitioners.
Details
My name is Sheri Hawn and I am currently an Advanced Student here at East West. What a journey of learning and self-discovery this has been. I grew up in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and spent many hours, as a child, wandering the land, picking plants and flowers and “making medicine”, which I usually fed to the dog! I come from a line of healers and nature lovers; I am grateful to my elders for helping me to see beyond what eyes can see in both people and nature. …
Details
Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac., AHG Professional Member Five Flavor Herbs 415-816-3546 344 40th St., Oakland, CA, 94609, US https://www.fiveflavorsherbs.com/ Ben is an herbalist and Licensed Acupuncturist in practice in San Francisco, California. He utilizes his training in both Chinese and western herbal traditions along with modern medical perspectives on herbs and nutritional healing to his…
Details
I grew up in various places along the coasts of California, the Pacific Northwest and up into Alaska in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. As a very young boy I was always most at home in these old forests, bea …
Details
Ayurveda Austin Windsong Offices Craig Williams, L.Ac., Clinical Herbalist AHG, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veda Kovid 2111 Dickson St., Ste. 12, Austin, TX, 78704-4788, US http://www.ayurvedaaustin.com Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies with a focus on Eastern Religions. Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine. Nationally Certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Professional Member of the American Herbalist Guild.…
Details
Victoria Fortner, herbalist and artist, was a beloved elder and member of the American Herbalists Guild. She passed away nearly four years ago from cancer in Potosi, Missouri, where she lived and work …
Details
During this season of love, as well as tending to your loved ones, care for your heart, too! Here are four terrific herbs that assist heart function, which could prevent heart attacks as well as treat …
Details
The flu is now widely in circulation and quickly going into people’s lungs. This is not only inconvenient and uncomfortable but can also cause dangerous prolonged and harsh coughing spells that can el …
Details
Most people have heard of the herb astragalus. Usually it’s the first Chinese herb learned after ginseng, and maybe dang gui. Some know astragalus as the “tongue depressor” herb because its sliced bul …
Details
I have been treating a young man with Down Syndrome mostly with acupuncture over the course of years. His mother has him in a home with other people with Down Syndrome. As with many of these people, h …
DetailsAn old Chinese folk adage “Trying to cure disease after it has begun is like trying to forge weapons while the battle is underway” carries the same meaning as Benjamin Franklin’s aphorism, “An ounce o …
Details
Roy Upton, Registered Herbalist, Executive Director, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Vice-President, American Herbalists Guild Herbal Educational Services (800) 252-0688 Roy Upton is the Executive Director and Editor of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of quality control standards for botanical products. The AHP monographs have been regarded by many as being…
Details
East West School of Planetary Herbology has gone to China and will be traveling to other medicinal-herb-important locations. …
Details
The following are assessment areas, their meanings and the indicated formulas as used in Japanese Abdominal Diagnosis …
Details
The school’s teachers and students traveled to China where we learned Traditional Chinese Medicine and professional herbalist methods first-hand. …
Details
Meet our East West Clinical Herbalist graduates. Many are professional herbalists. Our Clinical Herbalist graduates are recommended by Michael and Lesley Tierra.
Details
Alan Keith Tillotson, Registered Herbalist, (AHG), Ph.D Chrysalis Natural Medicine Clinic (302) 994-0565 1008 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States https://www.chrysalisnaturalmedicine.com/ “I began my study of herbal medicine when I got sick in Afghanistan in 1976, and ended up at the clinic of famed Ayurvedic doctor Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya, who saved my life.…
Details
The Herbal Seminar teachers are all Clinical Herbalist professionals. Many graduated from the East West School. …
Details
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and I currently live in Burlington, WA with my husband. If someone would have told me, when I was young, that someday I would become an acupuncturist a …
Details
John Smith, B.A. (Hons) M; URHP C.H. BodyTonix 35 Dunkerry Road, Windmill Hill, Bristol, Avon, 0117 96316, UK “My background is in a blend of Ayurvedic, Chinese and Western Herbalism – (Tierra trained) my current studies include Unani Tibb (with particular emphasis on the Attars of Avicenna) and Alchemical Spagyrics (currently studying with…
Details
Benjamin is one of the Bay Area’s most respected and knowledgeable herbalists and a licensed acupuncturist. With over 20 years of experience, Benjamin has studied at Five Branches Institute in Santa C …
Details
The school’s science courses include Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathology and Disease …
Details