HerbsAllAround

02/12/2026

Thank you for the interest and follows everybody. I will make the next video more concise..

Still pondering that question "what things should I do to not get colds and fevers and sore throats?" I am still answering this at the kitchen-medicine level, folding in your spices and foods and habits into many things you can do every day. This might be frustrating ro folks who expect a formula or protocol that covers a lot of answers.

And you may find your single or just a couple of your herbs that are your go-to for just about everything. But those would be unique to your needs, not the same as your neighbor's.

Anyway! I am reminded again of how important cultured foods can be in strengthening your body's ability to redist and heal diseases. Today we made a few more crocks of things to ferment.. descriptions in the comments

Vinegars, cow- and non-cow yogurt will have to wait ril next week. And then we should have the talk about mayo, mustard and ketchup

02/10/2026

01/29/2026

Miso day!

Some herb-and-client friends have been asking, what can I do to prevent colds and flu bug illnesses, sore throats, aches and pains etc.? Well first of all, my training is that so much illness and imbalance is so unique to each person, that it is hard for me to generalize an answer. But!

One thing I have been talking about is using your kitchen as your first clinic and pharmacy. Cook everything with aromatic herbs and spices, make tangy tasty sauces and soups...generally speaking.

Here's another "first line of defense" thing to do..make and use fermented and cultured foods. Recently we made cheese, and we usually make yogurt every couple of weeks. In our household we do not eat or drink plain cold (uncultured) milk...except for the occasional ice cream sundae, which is medicine.
Today we are starting a crock of miso, another cultured food. This batch is made with our regionally grown, organic non-gmo soybeans. I would like to try making some with barley too, I understand that is really good.

Next we will make a jar or two of fruit vinegar, which has a live culture of Acetobacter which makes the tart vinegar when they nom up the fruit sugars. Apples work, but we have made pineapple vinegar (awesome) and pear vinegar among others. Maybe next week!

So...cook with aromatic spicy herbs. Make soup. Make and use cultured foods. You might be surprised at how much these kitchen medicine habits will help lower your tendency to get sick...generally speaking

What are your favorite cultured foods, how do you like to use them?

01/26/2026

Uh oh, I should have known! I have to do the deep dive about Family Geranaceae and the genera Geranium and Pelargonium. I (and a lot of other folks too apparently) have been confused about what is actually called by the common name "geranium". I will get back to you on that!

One thing I want to specify for you all is, what are safe amounts of common geranium species to take? Again, it is wonderful, all the information about herbal medicine that is out there. I am trying to piece the information together, from leaf to recipe to how-to, to how much and when,. So you can I hope really use this information in real life

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10873751/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10873751/
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/rose-geranium/?cookie-consent-set=true

01/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aVNa9ThV9/
Call or text Laurie 608-780-2255 to register for this free and I hope very helpful class!

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01/09/2026

Feb. 5 Thursday class

Your Medicine Pantry and Garden –
planning and planting your medicines indoors and outdoors

When: noon to 3pm

Where: Herbs All Around workshop 1729 Kane Street in La Crosse
if folks in other areas are interested we can have a repeat class at the Galesville garden too

Cost: Free or donate or buy if you feel like it

We will look at plant medicines that are easy to grow and care for, both in the house and in the garden. Some plants will supply general support for each Season but also, bring your families’ unique concerns so we can outline ways to personalize your medicine plant resources to fit your needs.

I will help you start your Family Recipe Book or file too! I hope this class can help you feel more organized and able to care for your family’s basic health in easy and inexpensive ways.

We can also start an ongoing group or revisit this class and subject with different Seasons and circumstances.

photo: spiced apple cider chai with almond cream...just to remind you how easy and delicious and inexpensive your basic units of medicine and self care can be...

01/09/2026

Nice hedge of astragalus membranaceous! My little patch comes back every year but is being pushed around by the raspberries. We collected seeds, and this year I think I will plant them and also transplant some little roots. It's a legume, and very easy to grow. We will have seeds available for you also.

Anyway, yesterday I posted a research summary article that went deeply into phyto-physiochemistry. Today I reviewed some Chinese Medicine and other references and my previous teachers' information. I am posting some article links below. The question I got was about the use of astragalus in (late) pregnancy. My learning was to not use during pregnancy, but that it could be helpful to the new mom after childbirth in small, tonifying doses as part of a general rejuvenating regimen with other herbs and foods.

https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/astragalus/
https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_astragalus.htm

One resource I read stated that only the root is used, while another says the young leaf as well as the root are used. When I find conflicting references, I go with the more conservative until finding out more. It helps to review the chemistry; this gives further clues as to the use and safety of different plant parts. I do note that the recommendation I found is for the "young leaf", which supports the idea that this part of astragalus may contain compounds that accumulate later in the growing year, which are not helpful.

That's herbal medicine for you!

01/08/2026

I had a question this morning about the use of astragalus root in pregnancy. From brain-memory (a very big library with a very poor filing system) I said the use is not recommended by the traditions I have studied. So now I am going back through my books and internet to fill in some details.
I am adding a link to a summary of research about astragalus (various species). So this is everything you want to know about phyto-physiochemistry and then some! I think it's interesting that there is some evidence of its benefits for certain imbalances, but they still conclude that it's still not recommended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758356/

So next I will review more about the traditional uses and recommendations... but my Chinese medicine and holistic and nutritional notes are up at the garden cabin and I am at the shop home just now.

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01/05/2026

Teaching again after taking a year off! I would love to teach with other herbalists and holistic health providers also.

February
-Thursday Feb. 5:Your Medicine Pantry and Garden - Class at the La Crosse shop-home - planning and planting your medicines indoors and outdoors

--Feb 20 - 22 Healing Retreat Weekend- more details about this very soon!

-Feb. 28 Saturday at the Garden house- Basic Clinical Herbalism/Holistic Family Care

I will be posting more information today and tomorrow, but please text or message me if you are interested in these hands-on classes. We will have internet use also for those unable to attend in person.

I have also had requests for 1-to-1 clinical internships and mentoring for "in real life" client situations. Honored to do this so let me know if that is something you would like. Cost is flexible and depends on time, tasks and local or remote.

So honored to work with you all and learn from you too!

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