Wintergreen Botanicals, LLC

02/04/2026

Local birder friends - this easy citizen science project is coming up if you’re interested with the New Hampshire Audubon!

Don’t forget to count your squirrels too! 🐿️

During last year’s Backyard Winter Bird Survey, 657 Red Squirrels were reported across New Hampshire. Join our 39th annual survey on February 14 & 15 and help us track all the activity happening in backyards statewide.

Participation is easier than ever—learn more at backyardwinterbirds.nhaudubon.org.

Photo of a Red Squirrel by Donna Ellis, taken during her 2025 Backyard Winter Bird Survey.

02/02/2026

The contributions of African and African-American herbalism in our Western materia medica, medicine, and herbalism are vast but have been largely ignored or erased from our current understanding. I'm still very much a work-in-progress aiming to learn more from the amazing Black herbalists in our communities since I never learned it "growing up" as an herbalist myself.

A few of the many great modern folks and resources to consider following, supporting with your purchases, and learning from...

Leah Penniman's work at Soul Fire Farm including book Farming While Black and keynote lectures for many conferences was one of my first inspirations to recognize, know, and do more. This particular lecture (slightly different version) was what started it for me: https://www.herbrally.com/podcast/episodes/uprooting-racism and she also did a free webinar on Plants of Black Freedom available here https://americanherbalistsguild.com/recordings/webinar-plants-black-freedom-leah-penniman/

Karen M. Rose of Sacred Vibes Apothecary wrote one of my favorite herbals The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism which interweaves traditional folk spirituality with science, ancestral-social-emotional overlays, and herbal healing in an approachable and multifaceted book organized by body system.

KhadiYah Preciado, Yah’s Apothecary, offers all sorts of books, resources, YouTube channel, and has done a few guest blogs on my website in years past. Her book Herbal Holistic Healing: African Herbalism for Modern Times is quite extensive! She's also running a deal right now on some of her other books. For folks looking for a more Scripture and science approach, KhadiYah also integrates this into some of her teachings. Check out this nice article from her https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/the-teas-we-grew-up-with-a-practical-history-of-black-herbalism-through-kitchen-remedies

Lucretia VanDyke has offered several great classes via Mountain Rose Herbs blog and Free Herbalism Projects, often highlighting inspiring individuals from our African American Herbal history. Her book African American Herbalism offers an excellent entryway into history and practical ways to learn about and work with plants from this tradition.

Working the Roots by Michele E. Lee is one of few books available (until recent years) on the topic of African-American healing and tradition and incorporates folk spiritual aspects of healing as well.

Olatokunboh Obasi is an herbalist and nutritionist trained in both Africa and the USA (among other regions, like Puerto Rico) whom I've had the honor of taking a handful of classes and connecting with over a few meals. She's an amazing human being and offers classes and other offerings through her school Omaroti Herbalism & Well of Indigenous Wisdom https://www.wellofindigenouswisdom.com Omaroti Herbalism & Wellbeing: Well of Indigenous Wisdom School

Selima & Tami Founders of Iwilla Remedy who often partner with the Herbal Academy (I've really enjoyed catching several of Selima Harleston-Lust's classes!), this is their affiliate link for a free HA African American Herbalism recipe book https://tickets.herbalismconferences.com/african-american-herbalism-recipe-ebook/?affiliate=iwillaremedy

Kendra at The Herbal Scoop sells lovely tea blends and offers inspiration via her newsletters and other work.

Amanda David Rootwork Herbals runs a great herb shop and various in-person and online programs

Claudia Ford, ethnobotanist and midwife, teaches wonderful classes on our African American history and the connection with medicinal plants including this video free on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O42yaDzbLS8

Who else inspires you or would you like to share about their work??

Welcome to Well of Indigenous Wisdom, your global sanctuary for herbal education, plant medicine, functional nutrition, and spiritual guidance.

02/01/2026

The February newsletter just dropped!

https://wintergreenbotanicals.optin.com/newsletter/awlist6545812/MjkwNzU4Nzg=/here-comes-the-sun-restoration-lung-health-february-2026-newsletter.htm

There is also a link to newsletter archives via my IG bio link

01/30/2026

Podcast Drop! My new Herbal Gut Health podcast with Kimberly Gallagher and Tara Ruth from LearningHerbs/ HerbMentor Radio. Follow/copy this link to listen https://www.learningherbs.com/podcasts/herb-mentor-radio/episodes/2149155578

01/29/2026

Boston 25 News interviewed me and colleague Liane Moccia Herbal Fertility with Liane about the surge in AI wellness books on Amazon and knock offs of our books. This has become a huge problem and poses a risk to consumers with bogus and unsafe information Just aired tonight on TV. Thanks to Liane and the reporter for setting it up!

You know the expression — don’t judge a book by its cover? Local authors say it’s never been truer. They’re warning readers about copycat books created with artificial intelligence and sold on Amazon — books that look strikingly similar to theirs, at least until you open them.

01/29/2026

Another podcast on Herbal Gut Health! This time with Renee Camila from KPFA. Follow/Copy this link to listen https://kpfa.org/episode/planting-medicine-january-13-2026/

01/15/2026

Join me next week for a special free class at the Concord Food Co-op in celebration of the release of my latest book Herbal Gut Health. In this class, I will focus on herbs that enhance and support healthy digestive function including digestive bitters, aromatic carminatives, and sours. I will share how each category of herbs benefits digestive function, why this aids overall health, and feature a few favorite examples of each—such as ginger, fennel, dandelion, and chamomile. Learn how, why, and when they work best as well as recipe tips and tricks. Copy/ Follow this link to register and enjoy a sneak peak of my book! https://concordfoodcoop.coop/2025/12/31/herbs-to-stimulate-and-support-digestion-ginger-profile/

Thank you to for the beautiful illustration!

01/10/2026

Release Day is Tuesday!! And so it begins - signing and packing up all the Herbal Gut Health orders to ship upon release!! There’s still time today to get your order in and be among the FIRST to get your signed copy! (I can only do USA shipping but other booksellers sell to other countries. Also you may be able to get the book cheaper via the big companies - I can’t compete with discounts and free shipping. But if you buy through me you get 10% an online class or series order! And a signed book!) everyone gets access to the mini gut health series coming out in March, no matter where you get your book. Folks who buy through me are automatically enrolled. Others see details and discount code on page 336 of book.

https://wintergreenbotanicals.myshopify.com/collections/marias-books/products/gutbook

There is soooooo much new and expanded content in this book not in my prior books!

01/07/2026

Podcast Drop! I was a guest on Herbs with Rosalee. Follow/Copy this link to listen in https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast211.html

01/02/2026

I'm honored to be a guest teacher in Camille Freeman's Supplement Deep Dive series in 2026.

The Deep Dive is a year-long continuing education program for herbalists and nutritionists (15 NPCE available). This year, we'll be covering commonly-used supplements, with an eye toward learning which ones are worth it and which are marketing hype, best forms/dosages, safety and quality considerations, and more.

Early bird pricing is available through Monday (Jan 5), but people can enroll anytime throughout the year.

Learn more and register at

An evidence-based, year-long program for herbalists and nutritionists exploring supplements in clinical practice with Camille Freeman and guests. Monthly expert classes, unbiased recommendations, and

12/25/2025

Wishing you all peace and love this season 🌱PS my morning tea today was perfect - 1 tsp heaping chocolate mint (or peppermint) herb, 1 tsp roasted cocoa nibs, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, steeped 15-20 minutes. Lovely without any sweetener at all, like and Andes candy. Enjoy! 🫖

12/16/2025

Festive cordials featuring seasonal produce like apples, pears, and cranberries are a delicious way to celebrate the holidays, both to serve at gatherings and give as gifts. Fruit and herbs combine beautifully in simple, delicious recipes with limitless possibilities. You won’t believe how easy they are to make! Follow/ Copy this link to learn more! https://wintergreenbotanicals.com/cordials/

Basic Cordial Recipe (~25% alcohol)
1 part simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup (ie: 2 2/3 ounces)
2 parts quality vodka, brandy, or other 80-proof spirit (ie: 5 1/3 ounces)
Chopped fruit, herbs, spices, etc.
Make your simple syrup (if using – see recipe below). Loosely fill your jar with desired fruit and herbs. Pour in your syrup and alcohol. Let sit for up to one month, shaking daily. Taste every day or two and strain when it tastes good to you. Strain through a cloth-lined colander or strainer, and squeeze as much out as you can with your hands. Store in glass in a cool, dark, dry spot.

Simple Syrup
Simple syrup without herbs will last in the fridge for at least a month. It’s an ingredient in
cordials, elixirs, and some herbal syrup recipes. If you add herbs, it should be preserved with alcohol or frozen to give it a longer shelf life.

2 part sugar
1 parts water
Handful herbs (optional)
Simmer until the sugar is dissolved. You may infuse (steep) or decoct (simmer) this with herbs (just eyeball it) for about 30 minutes, then strain.