Erin Vanhee, LMT, Herbalist

01/13/2026

Finances should not be a barrier to herbal knowledge. This alumni sponsored tuition scholarship of $500 is available to anyone whose hesitation to enrol in the 8 Month Integrated Plant Immersion is due to finances.
Here is the link with more information and how to apply for the scholarship.

www.erinvanhee.com/scholarship

Link to more details on the Herbal Immersion offered every year in Skagit County is in the comments.

01/12/2026

Hey locals! I am delighted to have been invited to talk about my favorite topic - Plants! at the Upper Skagit Public Library January 17. This is a Free Event for anyone who wants to know more about the plants that grow around them and the wisdom they have to share.
Join us.

Send a message to learn more

01/07/2026

Thankful for all who cross my path. Grateful for the reviews, too. This is what they say about taking a class or herbal training program- in person- right here in Skagit Valley.
Join us.

www.erinvanhee.com

01/06/2026

Flu season is here and so are the plants. This class is packed with practical solutions to cold and flu symptoms, immune health, safe and most importantly, effective ways to use herbs for the cold and flu season- and beyond.

Hands on demo on herbal steams, onion poultices and a make and take herbal v***r balm. Not your average herb class, folks.

Here's the details- https://erinvanhee.com/in-person-classes/herbal-first-aid-for-colds-flu

01/06/2026

Last two spots open for Sundays afternoon class exploring botanical solutions to navigating stress and anxiety in a changing world. Plants are here for you- find out how.
www.erinvanhee.com/in-person-classes/herbs-for-anxiety

01/05/2026

Hawthorn is a tree from a large genus with up to 200 species. Long living deciduous tree/shrub with many cross pollinators tends to create hedgerows and seems to enjoy being part of a tribe.
Hawthorn is one of the plants we will be exploring in Sundays Herbs for Stress and Anxiety. Join us, won't you?
Here is more on Hawthorn.
Genus: Crataegus Family: Rose
Energetics:
Berries are warming
Tastes: Sweet, sour, salty
Flowers are neutral, sweet, astringent

Constituents: Leaf and flowers: Flavinoids | Quercetin | rutin (anti-inflammatories)

Berries: Flavinoids, anthocyanins
Citric acid, oxalic acid, betulin, vitamin C, choline

Berries have high nutritional properties : calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, vitamin A, B1 and B2, zinc, silica

Actions:
Vascular toning, peripheral vasodilator, circulatory stimulant, collagen stabilizer, connective tissue stimulant, nervine, shen tonic.

Slow acting, flowers and leaves dilate the coronary artery and enhance cardiac function, improving cardiac performance.

Normalises heartbeat

Increases oxygen and nutrients to the tissues

Collagen protectant actions support tendon, joint, ligament, bone integrity.

Lowers cholesterol with long term use, regulates blood pressure

Tincture: Fresh flowers and leaves or berries 1:2, 70-95 percent alcohol

Dry 1:5 60 percent alcohol

Tea: Prepare hot or cold infusion of the flowers and leaves, decoct berries

Want to learn more about how Hawthorn is a general circulatory enhancing herb with many applications when it comes to the matter of the heart? Including emotional well being, heart opening with in a safe context and is found most anywhere around the globe?
Join us this Sunday for an Exploration of Botanicals for Stress & Anxiety- including Hawthorn.
www.erinvanhee.com/in-person-classes/herbs-for-anxiety

01/05/2026

Extension of Exclusive Offer! This was first offered to my subscribers and I still have room in this Herbs For Stress and Anxiety afternoon class THIS SUNDAY in Burlington!
so - This is open to anyone. Register for yourself and bring a Guest for Free.
This topic is so important to me- And its a great class with loads of practical tips to ease stress, calm anxiety and we even make and take an aromatic salt blend.

Reistration will show for one person- to add a guest Register your name with the words Plus One so I have enough materials for class.

Questions? My email is erin@trilliummedicine.net.

Here's a link to register-

https://erinvanhee.com/in-person-classes/herbs-for-anxiety

01/01/2026

Got brain fog?
Brain fog can feel like your brain is dark and full of cobwebs keeping you from being able to think clearly and grasp at thought patterns. You may have a diffucult time finding words or stringing sentences together, you may feel zoned out or irritable or like the “blood isn’t reaching my brain.”

Technically, blood is too thick to reach the brain so we know that isn’t the problem! (More on that in the blog...link below)
But it could indeed be lack of circulation causing your brain fog. Common culprits for ways the circulation to the brain can become trapped is by poor posture, neck alignment and injury resulting in reduced cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).
Other roots of concern are stress and adrenal fatigue.

Inadequate circulation and adrenal fatigue can present with similar if not the same symptoms. Brain fog is one that fits both but others are dizziness, lack of concentration, exhaustion. Specific to CSF issues is lack of range of motion, visual weakness, confusion and inability to find a word or follow thought patterns.

Adrenals are part of our sympathetic nervous system. Adrenal exhaustion is often obvious- it’s accompanied by blue black circles under the eyes, inflammatory conditions (high cortisol), weepiness, unsure of life’s path. High levels of cortisol over long periods of time have been shown to cause brain cells to shrink and even die. A good question to ask if your adrenals may be part of your brain fog issues is “What do I or don’t I have control over?” If this causes a near mental breakdown, you may want to look at adrenal support.

I wrote a blog awhile back on Brain fog and some herbs that may help.
Here is a link:
www.erinvanhee.com/blog/brain-fog
This topic will also be addressed at the Herbs for Stress and Anxiety Class on January 11. Join us.

Here's a link to the Class:
https://erinvanhee.com/in-person-classes/herbs-for-anxiety

01/01/2026

The annual Herbal Immersion begins next month and there are still spots open. Here is the details of the Immersion including dates, syllabus, FAQ.
There is a scholarship of $500 unclaimed as yet- If finances are a barrier to the journey.

Begins February 28/March 1, 2026, meeting in person one full weekend per month through September 2026, Saturday 10:00-5:00, Sundays 10:00-3:00. 8 month training program with 100 hours in person hands on, practical training, home study projects and some online material to maintain growth in between c...

12/29/2025

I’ve been reading up on marketing in the era of social media. I see a lot of advise like" Don’t talk about yourself! This is not a journal.

"Be quick- people spend an average of 3 seconds on your posts"
and then the last one – "Repeat yourself – it takes 100 views before anyone even notices what you are saying."

The Virgo in me is thinking “Well, if they spent more than 3 seconds reading my post---would I have to tell them 100 times before they actually see the context?"

But, this not about me. That’s rule # 1. One blogger on marketing reminded us dear readers that Marketing is not about us because the readers "Do Not Care". That one hurt my feelings abit- But I digress.

I spent a few days pondering this and then I decided that I am just going to fail. On purpose. I am a failed marketer. I am going to talk about myself from time to time- Because I tell stories about plants- and I am part of that story.

As for repeating myself over and over- I stopped doing that along time ago. If people are ready to hear the call of plants and healing- they are paying attention.

Last, I see you made it to the end of this post. So, unless you're a speed reader- You spent more than 3 seconds of your day reading this post.
Maybe I'm not a failed marketer after all.

Send a message to learn more

12/27/2025

Weekday Wild Food- Wild Medicine Intensive is open for enrolment. This is for YOU- the one who really, really wants to take the 8 Month Immersion but cannot make it happen this year. Or for YOU- the one who is out there foraging already but sometimes spends 2 hours sending the same picture to Facebook groups or people they know- waiting for someone to assure you that you have the proper plant ID before you harvest and hurt someone!

Fast, fun, easy going class but still loaded with wisdom and knowledge about plants that grow around us. This is held on Public lands so not a weekend class- We meet four consecutive weeks - Thursday- Each day involves a harvest and preparation of wild plants into food and/or medicine.
🌱Plant ID at the beach, in the woods, in the field and wayside.
🌱Wild edibles, wild medicines- Which is which? Or are they both?
🌱Medicine Making on the fly! Yes, you can make medicine on a tree stump, beach rock or your trucks tailgate.
🌱Take home what you harvest and prepare for personal or community use.

Small group- Big Medicine. Join us.

Early bird pricing on NOW.

www.erinvanhee.com/wild-spring

12/27/2025

Learning about herbs for healing sometimes involves a bit of un- learning. Especially if you are well versed in the western model of matching ailment to cure.
Herbs can be effective in that model but you are much more likely to get long lasting support with herbs when you un-learn or unravel the mystery of what brings you to this place of dis-ease.
This is especially true when exploring plants for stress and anxiety symptoms. You can find the perfect remedy, yes. But the underlying core of the "cure" is nervous system regulation/health/wisdom.

I hope you will join us on January 11- Sunday afternoon for a look at how herbs can support your whole body awareness and nervous system to manage your walk in the world when it comes to managing stress and anxiety.

Here is a link-

An advanced exploration of herbs for anxiety & stress with Erin Vanhee, Herbalist, LMT.