The Family Herbalism Podcast (Naomi Kilbreth)

Up to 17% of people may be affected by MCAS, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. In this episode, I give my family’s testimony about living with a condition that is not well understood yet, and how our journey has taken us from pain and suffering to hope and healing. This is not a “how to,” but a “yes, you can” episode - to offer you hope and encouragement, that if you are suffering with a chronic illness, you’re not alone, and you can be your own advocate and fight for your future. If you have questions about MCAS, histamine, Celiac, or mold toxicity, or you have another condition you would like support with, please reach out. You can learn more at www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

Removing potentially harmful substances from your home can feel like an overwhelming subject, but one we know is important! In today’s conversation with student herbalist Angelica Benoit, we break down four of the key areas we consider a part of cleansing the home - shoes in the house, cleaning products, and water and air filtration. We also share our personal experiences and tips for getting started. Our hope is that, having listened to our conversation, you will feel encouraged to take baby steps toward detoxing your home so you can begin seeing the difference in your family’s health. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year is now open! For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Why do your fungal infections keep coming back? Why aren’t they staying away with antifungals? Maybe it’s time to take a look at what’s hiding underneath. In today’s episode we talk about primary infections like bacterial, viral, protozoan, and systemic fungal infections, and why they can make seemingly minor fungal infections so difficult to clear. Plus, of course! Many tools you can use to deal with it naturally.

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

“You talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?” Yes! I may have started out on this journey to provide a way to take care of my children, but I also take care to address my own health concerns when they come up. In today’s episode, I share how I finally decided to address my symptoms of under active thyroid, what I did to improve it, and where I stand today. Included are the actions I took and the supplements I worked with. I am in a much different place than I was this spring and I am excited to be able to share my personal experience with you as an offering of help and encouragement. If you would like to work with me directly to support your own thyroid health, you can reach out to me by emailing laureltreewellness@gmail.com or by visiting www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. Thank you for listening!

Have you ever struggled to decide? This happens more often among those who walk an alternative or complimentary medicine path, because integral to a holistic approach is the process of deciding what is right for you. There is no doctor telling you how to live or which path to take, what resource to use or whether it’s right for your family. If holistic medicine draws you, there will inevitably be seasons of hard decision making, but as always, there are herbs for that!

I asked and you answered! Today we are chatting about some of the questions our student herbalist listeners have asked about some of the business aspects of being a community or clinical herbalist.

Let’s talk about marketing, record keeping, apothecary stocking, charging money, and choosing topics to teach on!

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Not only was May 2nd National Baby Day, but May 5th was International Day of the Midwife, and on that day we recorded this very special interview with Glory Birth Team! Gloria Hines and Rebekah Hoover are Certified Professional Midwives serving families in Kansas City, where the homebirth rate is currently around 16%! Needless to say, they run a very busy practice, so it was special to have this conversation with them, and I know you will be blessed. We talk about why women are choosing to give birth at home, mindset for an easier birth, how to find a midwife in your area, tools for natural pain relief, what to expect during a transfer to the hospital, and about the difference between perception of safety and reality. If you are curious about homebirth, I encourage you to connect with Gloria and Rebekah at www.glorybirth.com or with myself by for more information, at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening, and please share this episode with someone you know who it would bless!

In today’s episode of our interview series I introduce to you my friend and Tranformational Life Coach, Julie Dodd! We know the old prayer, Lord grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference. Julie walks people through the process of developing courage and self-awareness in the light of strengths to guide them in really seeing the impact they have in the world, and their ability to improve themselves, their relationships, and their circumstances, in perhaps way they would have otherwise thought they could not. Julie has done the work herself, as she shares in today’s interview, and she is available for one-on-one and group coaching. To schedule your free first call, go to www.juliepdodd.wixsite.com/coaching and make sure to tell her you found her on the podcast! You can also begin the work by unlocking your top 5 strengths by taking the Clifton Strengths test at https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10108/top-5-cliftonstrengths Right now you can take the test and see all 34 of your strengths for $50 by using this link: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10003/cliftonstrengths-34 Be sure to reach out to Julie to share your results with her! You can also find her on Instagram at Coaching with Julie P Dodd. Thank you for listening, and if you are blessed by it, please share with your loved ones!

It sounds like an unscientific name, but it’s what doctors use to refer to bile when it no longer resembles bile. I see this scenario a surprising amount, and it’s one are herbalism can really shine, because the standard approach is to wait until it causes pain and then just remove the whole gallbladder! But functional nutritionists and clinical herbalists know there is SO much you can do to correct this problem. Think you are in the clear? I encourage you to listen anyway - most cases are found by accident because many people don’t experience symptoms for a long time. Consider this a part of your preventative, holistic healthcare. If you found this episode helpful, please share with a friend and leave a review! If you would like support creating a custom wellness plan, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

Welcome back to The Family Herbalism Podcast! In this sixth season, we drilling down on the topics you want to hear about! Today’s episode was requested by a listener and client, in which I break down a condition that affects up to 1 in 200 kids. In this conversation I share who is affected, what the standard treatment is, and what you as a parent of an affected child can do to help your child heal faster.

If you would like to hear me discuss a topic that is important to you, please email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com or call and leave me a message at 802-234-1177. I would love to hear from you!

We’re turning the tables here! Instead of focusing on a health problem, I decided to take a deep dive on a specific herbal action that supports everyone’s health - tonics! SO many herbs have a tonifying effect on the body, some systemically, and some on specific tissues or organs. But what exactly does a tonic do? It’s one of those words that seem a bit abstract in the plant world. Today I share with you what it means, how a few well-known herbalists describe them, and then I share 42 of my favorite herbs with tonifying action, including what systems they impact. Plantain is one of these, and it’s a widely available plant that I highly encourage you to get to know. Look for it in your back yard and welcome it into your home, you won’t regret it! If you have a request for a podcast topic, please send it to me at laureltreewellnessllc.com. Thank you for listening!

LS is one of those secret conditions that doesn’t get talked about because it affects a part of the body we try to keep especially private. And so people can suffer in secret as well. The steroids that are often prescribed are a short term relief at best, or completely ineffective at worst.

Thankfully, we can work with herbs both internally and externally, to address symptoms as well as the root issue. And what is the root issue? Listen in to find out!

If you would like support making custom herbal remedies to reduce your symptoms and guidance on how to correct your tissue state and foundational health, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com to learn more.

Thank you so much for listening! And thank you to the listener who requested this episode!

You can request a topic for the show by emailing laureltreewellness@gmail.com or calling 802-234-1177.

If this episode blessed you, please share with others, and leave feedback on the app! I appreciate it. Have a great week!

The Family Herbalism Podcast has now been live for a whole year!! 🎉🎈AND, we are moving forward into a new season, with some exciting episodes in the works! Thank you SO much for sticking around and listening. Your presence has been such a blessing, and I hope the podcast has been a blessing to you as well. If so, please leave a rating and review on the app, and also, would you take a minute to email me and let me know which episode has been your favorite, and what topics you would like me to discuss? You can reach me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com Thank you!!

Whereas personality tests help us to understand our personalities, body typing can help us understand our bodies. Ayurveda, TCM, and Southern Folk Medicine are great systems for understanding our physical strengths and weaknesses, and what remedies, foods, and lifestyle practices are best suited to us. Today’s episode is part one of this series, in which I will be sharing about the four body types of Southern Folk Medicine, and the resources best suited to them. To learn more, I recommend season 1 episodes 31, 35, 36, and 37, and the book Southern Folk Medicine by Phyllis D. Light. If you would like assistance creating a wellness plan based on your body type, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com to learn how working with an herbalist can help you. Thank you for listening!

Whether you have asthma, a viral illness, allergies, lung damage, or a chronic respiratory disorder, these nutritional, lifestyle, exercise, and herbal tips will help you to strengthen your lungs, increase capacity, and open your airways for deeper, easier breathing.

Hypothyroidism is more common, which means the resources available for hypERthyroidism are more difficult to come by. Today, I offer information on what hyperthyroidism looks like, touch on autoimmunity, and share tools that have worked for my clients.

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Eight basic areas to improve health for everyone - foundational health principles for people who may feel overwhelmed by their health story and don’t know where to start. By focusing on sleep, movement, food, water, breathe, social connection, purpose, and spiritual practice, you can improve your current and long term health! In today’s episode, I cover the definitions, the studies and evidence, and simple places to start applying each one. Thanks for listening!

Why should you read your own lab results? Why can lab reading be helpful for herbalists? What’s the difference between standard and functional labs? Why don’t normal ranges don’t tell the whole picture? How can I learn what these strange acronyms mean? All this and more is covered in today’s episode.

Don’t forget to leave a review!

Call 802-234-1177 to leave a top request and share feedback! We’d love to hear from you!

​This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Most concussions or other brain injuries are quite mild, but the research indicates that recovery is still very important to prevent long term complications. In today’s episode, I share what essential oils I used to recover from my own concussion, as well as foods, teas, mushrooms, and other oils that are shown to quicken the recovery time, improve brain function, support emotional health through the experience, and reduce risk of long term complications, including recipes, and instructions on how to make a tea using parts instead of specific measurements. If you need support creating a recover plan, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Thank you for listening!

For all of us home herbalists, one of the common themes of our remedy making is first aid. Today we’re talking specifically about wild-harvesting first aid supplies specifically. Knowing how to pick out a weed on a hiking path or by the family cabin, or out in your back yard might actually come in handy! Being able to go outside your back door and pick out a little flower or leaf amongst a sea of green and find a use for it is another aspect of traditional home herbalism that we get to embrace! Herbs mentioned include yarrow, cinquefoil, plantain, dandelion, mullein, rose, blackberry, wood sorrel, daisy, and self-heal. For your copy of Wild Plants of Maine by Tom Seymour, email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

What does the future of holistic health look like? Chiropractor and Nutritional Response Therapist, Dr. Keith Sheehan gives us a sneak peek into the grassroots movement of people who advocate for their own health, learn how their bodies work, and take action to improve their experience with the help of practitioners using skills like Nutritional Response Testing, Biochemical Lab Testing, and Clinical Nutrition Counseling. He gives us an inside look at standard versus optimal lab ranges, where you can go for free resources to understand what’s happening in your body, and hope for a future where we can become healthier as a nation. Dr. Sheehan and his wife Laura operate Sheehan Natural Health in Pennsylvania. You can learn more about their work by visiting www.sheehannaturalhealth.com, and https://youtube.com/@sheehannaturalhealth. In our conversation, Dr. Sheehan referred to the following resources: Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis by Dr. Weatherby and Ferguson and The Page Diet, which you can learn about on the Sheehan Natural Health website. Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode. Please share it with someone that you know it would bless, leave a review, and stay tuned for season 4 of the show, coming right up!

The holidays are upon us and that means, for those with IBS, the choice must be made to either eat to support the digestive system or eat to make other people comfortable. But what if there were a way to restore gut function and increase tolerance for a wider range of food? In today’s episode we talk about the root causes of IBS and how to reduce inflammation and tone the gut for long-term health. Herbs that are mentioned include: burdock, hibiscus, meadowsweet, milk thistle, astragalus, barberry, slippery elm, marshmallow, plantain, dandelion, yellow dock, cat’s claw, skullcap, chamomile, lobelia, St. John’s Wort, aloe, elderberry, horehound, borage, lavender, cinquefoil, mullein, valerian, rose, raspberry, wild lettuce, peach, blackberry, turmeric, black pepper, ginger, fennel, cardamom, prickly ash, Queen Ann’s lace, calendula, sage, thyme, oregano, mugwort, and coltsfoot. Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Please consider sharing it with a loved one and leaving a review. For more information please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Have a wonderful week!

There are so many options for relieving cold symptoms, but how do you know which one or ones will be best suited to your experience of illness? In today’s episode, I break down the most common types of coughs that occur with viral and bacterial infections, and which herbs are best suited to them. I also include multiple recipes for tea, chest, rubs, syrups, and elixirs. Herbs mentioned include thyme, sage, nettle, fenugreek, oregano, rosemary, aloe, yellow, dock, red clover, red raspberry, blackberry, goldenseal, barberry, mint, rose petals and hips, Queen Anne’s lace, lemon balm, Yarrow, wild cherry, plantain, horehound, ginger, marigold, anise, chickweed, violet, licorice, lobelia, slippery elm, marshmallow, cayenne, calendula, goldenrod, clove, pine needles, catnip, valerian, motherwort, comfrey, fennel, ginger, lemon, pineapple, chamomile, burdock, hibiscus, and passionflower. Thank you for listening to today’s episode! If you found this helpful, would you mind sharing it with someone you think it would bless? I appreciate that! If you are interested in a consultation to help your family, prepare for a healthy winter, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. Have a great week!

Fiery kids often receive a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, and while some of these kids do need support with nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, or toxin overloads, many of them are simply misunderstood and don’t fit into the neat little boxes our society has created. We can support these kiddos with the foods and herbs included in this podcast, including these herbs: skullcap, oats, wood betony, hawthorn, St. John’s Wort, peppermint or spearmint, tulsi, lemon balm, linden, valerian, peach, passionflower, elderberry, and schisandra, as well as the following essential oils: ylang ylang, clary sage, petitgrain, patchouli, vetiver, lavender, orange, neroli, lemongrass, and cedarwood. To request a consultation for support in applying these herbs, check out www.laureltreewellness. For podcast feedback, feel free to email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thanks for listening, for your reviews, and for sharing the podcast with your loved ones!

Have you felt overwhelmed with all there is to learn about plant medicine? In this episode, we’ll cover simple ways to apply herbalism to your life, including many you can start with using materials you already have.

Reviews I receive from listeners frequently mention how grateful they are to have found a podcast that focus on practical application of herbs and has a holistic approach that isn’t heavy in “Mother Earth” or “woo woo” references. While I am grateful to be able to provide that, these reviews inspired me to make a list of other podcasts that this group of listeners would enjoy. This episode is the result of that mission, and I hope you will be encouraged and inspired to check out these wonderful resources and find more podcasts that work well for you. Feel free to message me with reviews, thoughts, and episode requests at laureltreewellness@gmail.com

You can change your diet and take the perfect herbs for you, but knowing the story behind your experience gives you a unique roadmap to health that improves your health journey and makes your positive actions more lasting and effective.

Herbalist students have unique challenges to face as they grow their knowledge and skills and learn to apply them in their practices. In today’s episode, I answer questions from real herbalist students to help you expand your learning and experience in alignment with your learning style, your family priorities, and your big picture values.

Questions like - how do I choose a school? How do I homeschool my kids and study at the same time? How do I prioritize my finances? And what if my family doesn’t understand herbalism? Get out your notepad because this episode is full of practical ideas!

If you are an herbal student and you have a topic in mind that you would like to see made available in this season, please email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

Guess what!! There is a FREE PDF download available to help you choose the right herbal school for you. It will soon be on the front page of the website, but until then you can email us for your free download.

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Does the idea of making your own recipe of loose leaf tea sound overwhelming? Not to worry! In this episode, I teach you how to use the traditional blending triangle, considerations for choosing your herbs, resources for choosing them, and I walk you through the process of completing a blend, including how to get from the percentages of herbs provided by the blending triangle to a teaspoon based recipe for a single cup. So easy! For upcoming herb walks, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com and click Upcoming Events, and send me an email to tell me what herbal blend you’re making! I would love to hear from you at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!

The holidays are over, and we’re back to the humdrum of everyday stress. Stress is expressed differently for different people, depending on many factors. This includes our tissue state. In this episode, I share how to identify which herbs you should try for stress, based on your tissue state - hot or cold, tense or relaxed. For assistance with choosing herbs for your needs, check out my consultation service at www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

Listener Maryanne wants to know, what’s on my summer reading list? Altogether I have 96 books on my nightstand or in my wishlist, but the new herbal ones I currently have on hand include: The Male Herbalist by James Green, Live Longer Better by Joseph Dispenza, Wild Plants of Maine by Tom Seymour, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal by Nicolas Culpeper, Eat the Weeds by Ben Charles Harris, The 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speak, The Trauma Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie, Menopause without Medicine by Linda Ojeda, The Mood Cure by Julie Ross, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, Holistic Herbs for Pets by Elizabeth David, Modern Encyclopedia of Herbs by Joseph Kadans, Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech, The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown, Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix by Matthew Wood, Holy Herbs by Sudhir Ahluwalia, Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman, Herbal Therapeutics by David Winston, The New Natural Family Doctor by Andrew Stanway, The Complete Housewife by Eliza Smith, The Weed Cookbook by Adrienne Crowhurst, and Herbal Antivirals by Stephen Buhner.

We have specific, cultural ideas about what tension and relaxation mean, but do they mean the same thing when it comes to tissue states? And what do they have to do with symptoms like headaches, muscle knots, hiccups, canker sores, yeast infections, and excess sweating? In this episode, I share how the states of tension and relaxation must be in balance to prevent these and other symptoms, and how to do that with every day foods and herbs. I also share how the four elements and tastes of Southern Folk Medicine align with the Six Tissue States of Physiomedicalism and Western Herbalism. To help you determine what element you are dominant in, download this free PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dE62pU3BoGlFISRwav4PikoxkeKojqh3/view?usp=drivesdk

After releasing episodes on wildcrafting and on keeping your already-made remedies safe, it was high time we talked about how to get those herbs from the wild and into your pantry - how do we preserve them? In today’s episode we focus on two herbs as examples - St. John’s Wort and Red Raspberry - how to recognize them, when to harvest, which parts to harvest, how to preserve them, and my favorite ways of working with them. I also share the Simpler’s Method of making extractions, and some unique ways of drying herbs! This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

The world of medicinal plants is so vast, and the knowledge required to serve others from within the healthcare field so extensive, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the expectation that we memorize huge amounts of information to work as a Community or Clinical Herbalist! Today, I break down the functions of people and plants using an age-old system that has been adapted over the years to suit our language, and which simplifies our work in a meaningful way. It also counters the excessive “specialization” that has happened in modern healthcare, with a view of patterns that explains how numerous symptoms can reflect a single person’s experience. We are diving deep in this episode, so bring your notebook and pen! This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved ones! For more information, reach out to us as laureltreewellness@gmail.com

How do you get from a bag of dried herbs to a nice, steamy cup of tea? How do you prepare a tea to get the most medicinal benefit? How long can you keep a batch of tea for? How can you make a big batch of tea using a recipe for a single cup? What sweeteners are best? These and more questions are covered in this how-to episode! Thanks for listening! Learn more about me and the services I offer by visiting www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

Looking for a good source of nutrition, and looking for a way to do your part in taking care of your local environment? You can do both by eating invasive plants! In this episode I cover environmental responsibility concepts, five edible plants that grow wild in Maine, and some simple ways to eat them. To get in touch, send an email to laureltreewellness@gmail.com

It’s fall! And that means seasonal allergies, and all the congestion and sniffing! In today’s episode, I cover the difference between seasonal allergies, and “true allergies,” how an herbal approach differs from over-the-counter antihistamines, and one of my favorite controversial topics: goldenrod is actually good for you! Other herbs discussed today include ragweed, chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, licorice, milk thistle, Melaleuca, Rhodiola, bugleweed, coltsfoot, plantain, Mullein, dandelion, self heal, nettle, red clover, ground ivy, wild cherry, and peach. For more information on working with an herbalist to help you create a wellness plan, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com.com. Thank you for listening, and have a great week!

On Valentines Day we honor the heart, so today we talk about the physical heart! I offer 4 healthy habits, 5 supplements, 6 herbs, and 7 foods that support healthy cardiovascular function. I also cover Southern Folk Medicine concepts around high and low, and thick and thin blood, and what that looks like, symptom-wise, as well as how the liver, kidneys, and interstitial fluid are integral to a healthy heart. Lots of information packed into this episode! Take notes and choose 2-3 things you can start doing today to support your heart! For more information about working with me directly to customize your plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com

What is a spleen? What does it do? How can we help it? The spleen is one of those under-respected organs that we really shouldn’t live without. We may be able to live without one, but it makes life a lot easier! In this episode I share all about the spleen, and we’ll pick up where we leave off today in next week’s episode about the system this organ belongs to.

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Adrenal fatigue is a hot topic. Some would even suggest it’s not a real thing. I can tell you that is IS real, and it doesn’t occur by itself. Integral to healthy adrenal glands are also a healthy autonomic nerve function, and hypothalamus and pituitary function. If a person is stuck in a sympathetic nervous state, any illness or injury they incur is more likely to become chronic. For many people, addressing their stress is the first, most important step to healing. In today’s episode, I share how important nutrition, stress-reducing activities, and nervine relaxing and tonifying herbal remedies are, including a sample recipe, and an herb focus on one of my favorite herbal adaptogens. Thank you so much for listening! I’ll be away from the podcast for two weeks, but do keep in touch and I’ll see you back here with another helpful episode then. Happy Independence Day!

With these six items, you can address many common acute and chronic conditions, whether you have young children or you are elderly. They are not herbs, vitamins, over the counter meds, or standard supplements. What could they be?! To share your favorite remedies or suggest a podcast idea, send me an email at laureltreewellness@gmail.com!

What’s the difference between a clinical herbalist, a community herbalist, and a home herbalist? How does an herbalist get their education and training? Who gives them their titles? Who governs the function and work of herbalists? What laws are there regarding herbalism? These and other common questions are answered in today’s podcast. If you would like to continue this conversation or are looking for a clinical herbalist to work with, please email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. If you found this podcast helpful, please leave a rating and review! Thank you for listening!

Recommendations for bladder infections, nutritional herbs for urinary tract health, how to support your body if you need antibiotics, and much more in this episode, where I share why this episode was delayed in being released, and how it helps to be creative with resources you have on hand and to feel comfortable with intuitive use of herbs, including when to wave the white flag. If you would like assistance in creating a plan for urinary tract health, check out www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. Thank you for listening!

A no-nonsense approach to working with essential oils as a home herbalist. There are so many conflicting opinions on the safety and efficacy of essential oils. Are they actually worth their money? Are they as effective, and safe, as some people say they are? As a Certified Aromatherapist, who works with aromatherapy for my children and clients, I offer a few helpful thoughts in this podcast, which is an overview of aromatherapy and it’s offerings. If you have questions after listening to this podcast, email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com or visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

Today’s guest is Dr. Charles Landry of Landry Osteopathic Healthcare. Dr. Landry specializes in athletic and work-related injuries, and has had fantastic results using traditional manipulative techniques alongside a variety of injection therapies. His story, of choosing osteopathic medicine as his future, at the young age of 15, and creating a vision for healthcare that is honed in on what is best for the patient regardless of bias and cultural tradition is inspiring and restores hope. I know you will be blessed by this interview, and if after listening you would like to work with Dr. Landry, you can contact him through his website at www.Landryhealthcare.com or calling to schedule an appointment at (207) 241-0401. Thank you for listening!

Up to 10% of people in northern climates experience a form of depression known as S.A.D. for up to 40% of the year. In this episode, I share risk factors we have control over, as well as practical and proven steps for reducing the likelihood of experiencing it again and again, supplements that may help, six whole plants, three flower essences, and six essential oils. Key phrase: All the yellow flowers! Remember yellow and you’re on the right track. If you need help avoiding or recovering from seasonal affective disorder or other forms of depression, please reach out to me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com or www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

I really appreciate the ability to work with what you have, and in the case of covid, where it can take you by surprise, you may not have what you think you need on hand to help you. In this episode, I share almost 70 different plants and many ways they can be useful for different aspects of covid, both during an active infection and during recovery. As always, please seek medical attention if you need it, and if you would like assistance creating a wellness plan for your needs, send an email to laureltreewellness@gmail.com or visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Thank you for listening! If you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review!

In today’s bookend episode to our special summer series, I get to introduce to you Shellie Cook, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Owner of Cornerstone Wellness Center in Auburn, Maine. Shellie’s training and experience working with tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and so much more have changed the lives of her patients. In this conversation, she shares encouragement and guidance in how an integrated approach to emotional health, in which the whole person is recognized and validated, is changing the way we experience counseling, and improve our experience of life, and how it begins with listening and tuning in to what’s really happening and what we truly need. I know you will be blessed by this conversation, and if you know someone who would enjoy it I encourage you to pass it along. A few of the resources mentioned in the podcast include: “The Body Keeps the Score,” by Bessel van der Kolk; Laney Rosenzwieg and the Rapid Recovery Foundation www.artworksnow.com; Stephen Porges’s written works; myriad podcast interviews with Maine counselor Deb Dana, LCSW; and Mindful Magazine. Shellie invited those in need of support to call the Cornerstone Counseling team at 207-376-4981.

Let’s rock the boat a bit! As an herbalist, I NEVER tell a client they should stop taking their medications. I don’t even suggest it. However, reducing or eliminating medication is a natural topic of interest for people who are improving their health, possibly to the point that the medication isn’t necessary anymore. Alongside their doctors, I have helped many clients reduce and eliminate their medications by helping them to reduce the need for them. In today’s episode, I go over the seven steps of planning that every person considering this path should take. If you would like help reaching YOUR health goals, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com Thank you for listening and have a wonderful week!

We’ve all heard that food should be our medicine, and medicine our food, but water is equally important! In today’s episode, I make the case for proper hydration, mineral balance, using water as part of our herbal remedies and as a standalone treatment, and present some of the best sources of drinking water. This may seem like a simple subject not worth talking about, but water is a complex, biologically active substance that does way more than keep our skin soft! Listen to this episode to learn more. Be sure to share with a friend and leave a review! Thanks for listening! This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

With the number of children getting sick with chronic illnesses in our country, it has become ever more crucial that we as parents take steps to protect our children’s health. We know that we cannot change their genetic weaknesses, but we can impact how they turn on and off. In today’s episode, I offer my top tips for raising healthy children in this crazy world, based on my experience as a mother of four (nearly all teens). I invite you to continue this conversation on my instagram page and via email. Find me @laureltreewellness or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thank you for listening! This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

With every 1 out of 5 people having at least one food they can’t eat without problems, being able to determine food sensitivity or allergies is SO important! Healing the gut is a super important step, but before this can occur, you need a way to uncover the triggers. In today’s episode I share four ways you can suss out the culprits. This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Welcome to the very first podcast by Laurel Tree Wellness! In this, inaugural episode, herbalist Naomi Kilbreth introduces herbalism as a way of life that is simple, accessible, and affordable for people of all ages and walks of life.

In today’s episode, I give my personal reasons for harvesting over half of my herbal remedies from the wild, and I speak from my experience leading herb walks to give 12 tips for getting started, whether you live in the country or the city. Resources to continue the learning process, for all ages, are offered as well.

Whether you have no prior understanding of cannabis, or you work with it every day, you will enjoy this interview with Caregiver Nick Bonenfant and his wife, Artist Erika Bonenfant. Nick and Erika own and operate The KK Shop in Augusta, Maine, which sees the plant from “seed to sale,” and which places a huge emphasis on education and awareness, as well as individualized and custom preparations for patients. In this interview, Nick and Erika explain components of cannabis beyond CBD and THC, the reason smoking CBD or full spectrum products are not the best for everyone, the age full spectrum or synergy products are appropriate for young people, ways this plant can benefit the world far beyond medicinal use, and so much more! Please take a listen, and then visit www.thekkshop.com to purchase your supplies, or drop in to their shop on Bangor Street in Augusta! Thank you for listening!

After sharing my heart about the value of mothers as healers a year ago (season 4 episode 5), I knew I needed to follow it up with a conversation about fathers. Children NEED their fathers, there is no going around that fact. Fathers are essential to growing up healthy, as I share about in today’s episode. If you are a father, please listen in, and if not, share it with fathers you know… and also listen!

To request a topic that is important to you, email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com, or text or call me at 802-234-1177. To learn more about herbal consultations, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

My daughter asked me recently, “what’s your favorite herb?” How was I supposed to answer that?! It’s like asking which is your favorite child! Um, all of them! Actually, my response was something along the line of, “whichever I need at that time.” Each year I find myself drawn to 2-3 plants, which I will work with near-daily for several months. For the past few months, my personal favorite has been Verbena Hastata, or Blue Vervain. In this episode, I share all about my friend Blue Vervain, including what it looks like and where you find it growing, it’s energetic qualities, proper dosaging and cautions, actions, and specific indications. I also share why I was attracted to this plant and how to know if a plant is right for you. To order dried or tinctured blue vervain, e-mail me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com and for assistance in finding your herbal match, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Thank you for listening, and Happy New Year!! —>>Edit post recording - My sincere apologies, I referred to a recipe by Thomas Easley, and mentioned that I was not sure of the timeframe of his life, but he is very much still alive!! I mistook him for another herbalist and did not double-check before recording.

The second part of the episode on PTSD recovery, in which I share about essential oils and flower essences that can be very helpful in creating a new way of being after trauma. I also include specific recipes that have worked for me and my clients, and reminders of how you can create your own for maximum benefit. For more information on how to create an essential oil blend customized to your needs, please listen to the episode I created for HerbRally using this link https://www.herbrally.com/blog/all/essential-oils-emotional-health . To schedule an appointment with me to help you create a blend for yourself use this link https://www.laureltreewellnessllc.com/book-online . Thank you for listening, and if you found this helpful, please share this and part one with your loved ones. Have a wonderful April vacation!

About 1/3 of people with Covid continue to experience symptoms weeks or months later. Why? Several studies imply that a second virus, that was once dormant, may be responsible.

Everyone has a story about the first plant they work with. Stories are incredibly powerful to us. In this episode, I will tell you about my first plant experience, how to collect your experiences and knowledge around your plants, and what my materia medica looks like for my first plant. To reach out about my herb walk classes, email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Why are vitamins and minerals necessary? What are RDAs and DVs? Can a supplement improve my health? Why do experts disagree on whether supplements are safe? How do I choose a good product? How much should I take? Which nutrients are best avoided in supplements? This and more covered in Vitamins: to supplement or not to supplement, that is the question!

Shingles is a viral infection that can effect anyone who has the varicella zoster lying dormant in their body. We used to think of it as being a disease of the elderly, but statistics show it is happening to more and more people under the age of 50. The two most common triggers are a deficient immune system and stress. Today I share with you, as an almost 37 year old, what shingles was like for me, and the lifestyle changes and herbs I have worked with to recover. Herbs mentioned include St. John’s wort, calendula, comfrey, milky oats, cleavers, skullcap, prickly ash, lemon balm, Helichrysum, clove, echinacea, lavender, Yarrow, aloe, vera, sweet fern, chamomile, ginger, hops, Lobelia, kava, motherwort, Manarda, self heal, Wild Cherry, Linden, Cayenne, myrrh, gold, thread, licorice, golden seal, plantain, and peppermint. Thank you for listening! If you have questions, or would like to work with me, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com Have a wonderful week!

Do you have a hard time feeling motivated to exercise or making time for it in your busy schedule? Do you feel exhausted with minimal exercise? Are you struggling to build muscle? Are you tired of muscle soreness that lasts days after one session? In this episode, I share some tips that have worked for me when I have struggled with these issues, and proven foods and herbs for addressing them naturally. If you need assistance with side effects from working out, or need a referral to a personal trainer, contact me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating for me!

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved ones! For more information, reach out to us as laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Today, Angelica and I pick up where we left off, and break down the remaining seven key areas we consider a part of cleansing the home - EMF, plastic, metals, water leaks, pesticides, body care products, and food. Our hope is that, having listened to our conversation, you will feel encouraged to take baby steps toward detoxing your home so you can begin seeing the difference in your family’s health. This is the very last episode included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. After this, we will begin season five, which will carry us the remainder of the way through 2024 and will introduce community and clinical herbalist concepts! Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year is now open! For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

As a parent, I know how important it is to support our kids in school. And there are few things more saddening than watching our children struggle with ADHD, dyslexia, learning impairments, or memory troubles. In this episode, I cover some important foods and herbs that have been shown to support easier learning among children, including a few simple herbs that might surprise you! To receive one-on-one support in helping your child to learn more easily, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com for more information.

Have you wondered why you have such bizarre symptoms? Why all your efforts at treatment have failed so far, or even, why they are worsening? Did you know that physical symptoms are often the result of emotional or spiritual needs that we aren’t giving attention to? In this episode, I’ll talk about why we sometimes experience unexplained physical pain, and why flower essences are the perfect tool for helping us to release stored memories and old beliefs so we can heal more completely and for the long term.

Are you concerned about the potential side effects of the medications in your medicine cabinet? Or maybe you have experienced side effects? Are you frustrated at the lack of options for replacing them and still getting relief? In this podcast, I share a plan to help you shift from relying on the medications you don’t want to effective, safer, more affordable natural options. If you need help with your medicine overhaul journey, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com

Let’s make the last episode of 2024 an exciting one, shall we?! 🥰 Today we are jumping into one of those non-dinner table-friendly conversations, so be sure to save this episode for when the kids are busy elsewhere!

Why do men and women lose their sex drive? What is a normal libido? There are some pretty wild misconceptions about what is healthy and not about sex drive, and today we are exposing the truth! I will also share some herbs that we consider aphrodisiac, as well as other herbs that aren’t technically stimulating in this way, but should absolutely make the cut.

Don’t forget to leave a review!

Call 802-234-1177 to leave a top request and share feedback! We’d love to hear from you!

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Picking up where we left off last week with seasonal allergies, today we talk about the chemical responsible for triggering the allergic response, how to tell the difference between histamine intolerance and a mast cell disorder, and these steps needed to reduce flares and begin healing the body. Herbs mentioned include: nettle, milk thistle, feverfew, skullcap, licorice, chamomile, wild cherry, Goldenrod, peach, Hawthorne, red clover, slippery elm, marshmallow, Mullein, cayenne, Yarrow, black cohosh, fennel, fenugreek, turmeric, plantain, Angelica, Eleuthero, Japanese knotweed, Rhodiola, sage, chlorella, Spirulina, cats claw, calendula, garlic, ginger, astragalus, lemon balm, elderberry, Chaga, Maitake, reishi, shiitake, and cordyceps. If you would like assistance creating a wellness plan to address histamine intolerance or mast cell dysregulation, please visit, www.laureltreewellnessllc.com for more information on consultations. Thank you for listening and have a wonderful week!

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved ones! For more information, reach out to us as laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Now described on a continuum between risk-avoiding compulsion and risk-seeking impulsiveness, OCD is a facet of many neurological conditions, as well as an experience all on its own. Antidepressants and anxiolytics are sometimes prescribed, but why? What do we know about this disorder of the brain and what can that teach us about what we need, to experience order and comfort in our day-to-day life? In this episode I share what we currently know about the underlying root causes of this disorder and offer a holistic approach to creating balance and relief. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.” The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Fire Cider has become a classic winter remedy, but where did it come from? And what’s the magic behind the ingredients? In today’s episode I share about fire cider, shrubs, the energetics of the ingredients, and all the wonderful ways they support our immune systems, plus how to enjoy it! Featuring a recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs, which you can find here: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/fire-cider

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

We recognize our kidneys when we have UTIs or stones, but what about when we have back pain, wake frequently during the night, or have foamy urine? In today’s episode, I share about some of the important jobs that our kidneys perform, how to know when they need support (including lab markers), and a dozen herbs that help balance out the tissue states associated with kidney symptoms. Mentioned in today’s podcast include: staghorn sumac, dandelion leaf, Yarrow, goldenrod, cinquefoil, Juniper berry, boneset, horsetail, cornsilk, nettle, saw palmetto, and borage. For more information about consultations, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thank you for listening and have a great week!

In this mini episode I share about my kitchen accident last week. -> Please note, if you are squeamish about wounds, use caution listening to this story. <- Because of my encounter with a very soft avocado seed, I learned a couple of valuable lessons, and was enlightened to know that I am far from the only one who has experienced this! I also share herbs that I have worked with so far, my current symptoms, and the herbal regimen I plan to begin as soon as my stitches are taken out. Herbs mentioned include calendula, Helichrysum, St. John’s wort, lions mane mushroom, lemongrass, frankincense, geranium, lavender, copaiba, skullcap, kudzu, and milky oats. I would also likely add clove, and maybe prickly ash. Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Hopefully you were able to draw some thing useful from my experience :-) stay tuned for another regular episode soon. For more information on clinical herbalism please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Have a great week!

How does acupuncture work? What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling? How are movement techniques related to the healing effects of acupuncture? These and more questions are answered by licensed acupuncturist, Amanda Simmons. In today’s fascinating conversation, Amanda shared tips for getting energy and fluids moving to promote faster healing, acupressure points that are helpful for children and adults, Chinese herbs for detox, and shares her personal experience with the effects of climate on tendencies for illness, plus so much more! Join us for this great conversation, and check out www.auburnacumaine.com for more information on Amanda’s services. Amanda also recommends looking for Violet Li, or the TaiChi Examiner on Facebook and YouTube for guidance in movement. Thank you for listening!

So many of my clients have come into my office thinking that the constipation they grew up with was an inconvenience they just learned to live with, as if it was a variation of normal. But chronic constipation can have serious consequences, and throwing more fiber or laxatives at it isn’t necessarily going to fix it. In today’s episode, I break down the most common reasons why people experience difficulty with their bowel movements, and practical steps we can take to correct them. If you found this episode helpful, please share with a loved one and leave a review! Thank you for listening! This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

No one knows for sure what causes, eczema or psoriasis, but what we do know is that the current standard treatment does not effectively correct it. We do know that eczema and psoriasis, while different skin conditions, are impacted by the same tissue states in the body, and by the same herbal remedies. In today’s episode, I answer a listeners question about what to do to address her children’s eczema flares. And since eczema and psoriasis behave so similarly, it only made sense to create an episode that addresses both. If you find this podcast helpful, I invite you to share it with your loved ones who may be affected by the skin conditions. If you need assistance creating a holistic wellness plan for yourself, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. I also invite you to share your requests for Podcasts topics by emailing me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com and if you have not done so yet, would you consider leaving a review of this podcast on your favorite player? This will be really helpful for anyone. Checking it out for the first time. Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful week.

We are covering some hot button topics in today’s episode! Informed decision making, self-autonomy, co-dependence, interdependence, parental rights, authority to make healthcare decisions… all this and more when it comes to being your own herbalist and working with herbs to support your family’s needs. When starting out, it’s normal (as our culturally ingrained beliefs go) to question whether you have the right to practice herbalism, so let me help you out and share what I’ve learned about self-care herbalism and family herbalism in my 20+ years in the field of health. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/

Listeners have been sending in some really awesome requests for podcast topics! This one comes from Kelly, who wants to know - what can we do about eye fatigue? And since we’re on the topic about eyes, what about general support of eye health, and some of the other common issues that effect eyes? In today’s episode, I cover 12 common eye concerns, and include my favorite herbs and dietary treatments, plus some interesting research around xanthines, 3 super popular herbs for eyes, 5 supplements, 5 lifestyle changes, and 2 basic eye exercises that we have personally used extensively. AND! Today’s herb focus is fennel, a surprisingly powerful spice that is hiding in your pantry. Thanks for listening! If you found this episode helpful, please share with a friend that you know it would help, and consider leaving a review. You can reach me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com and www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Have a great week!

Let’s follow up the interview with Dayna Hutchins, all about making skin care products, with a discussion of herbs and foods that support overall health in the integumentary system! The skin, hair, and nails are a reflection of what is going on under the skin - if your integumentary system is not healthy, we first have to look at what is going on underneath. Are you digesting properly? Are your hormones balanced? When you start with the internal organs, the external ones improve naturally. There are a large number of herbs that can be worked with for hair, skin, and nail health as well. In today’s episode, I share tips on supplements, recipes for herbs, and pointers on what information to dig, based on your symptom picture. This episode will get you started, but if you need additional support creating a wellness plan, please email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com or check out my services on www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with your loved ones and review it on the app. Thank you so much for listening!

In this mini series, I am interviewing some awesome people with a wide variety of skills. Today’s interview is with a very special guest! Rebecca Seger was my co-creator of Laurel Tree Wellness! Over tea and coffee, around dining room tables, coffee tables, picnic tables, and cafe tables, Rebecca and I have weaved a story of personal development and purpose and mission in the world, so I am very happy to introduce you to her. Rebecca is a Holistic Health Coach and photographer. She customizes coaching experiences using a wide variety of creative healing modalities that foster the connection between mind, body, and spirit, and she leads groups through experiences of ecstatic dance. She is also creating a retreat opportunity for women to get in touch with their playful sides and release old beliefs. Rebecca is a sweet, compassionate, and inspiring person and we would love for you to reach out to her personally. You can find her at www.rebeccasegerphotography.com and on Facebook @feralwomanjourney. P.S. I apologize about the sound of the AC running in the background. Please don’t let that deter you from enjoying and learning from this conversation! Thank you for listening!

If you have been in the essential oil world for any length of time, no doubt you have heard the phrase, “when in doubt use Frank,” referring to Frankincense. In India, it’s not Frankincense, it’s Tulsi. Also known as Holy Basil, or Ocimum Sanctum, this plant is well known for a wide array of benefits, some hard to believe! Over 100 studies have been done on this amazing plant, and the stories around it’s traditional use explain why it is such a common and well-loved herb. I grew tulsi this past year, and have been working with it regularly for the past couple of months. In this episode, I review how to document what you are learning about plants, give lots of information about tulsi for you to include in your notes, and share my personal experience. I encourage you to reach out for a one-on-one visit to help you find the right plant friend for yourself, and to check out our upcoming events. All of this can be found on www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. If this episode blessed you, please share with a loved one, and I would be so grateful if you left a review! Thank you for listening!

Dental cavities are the number one health condition around the world, affecting 3.5 billion people at a time. We are familiar with antibiotics, pain medications, and dental procedures, but what if there were a way to prevent cavities and gingivitis and other oral health problems? Today I share top recommendations for lifestyle choices, food and herbs that will positively impact your oral and entire health. I include recipes for tooth paste and tooth whitening powders, how to make an herbal rinse for a variety of situations, and expand on the four modifiers the CDC reports that impact oral health, and which we have absolute control over. Thank you for listening to the podcast, and be sure to share with a friend!

Today I share with you about the underlying tissue state associated with common viruses and the foods and herbs that balance this state to support the body’s natural immunity and speed recovery. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Correction to the rehydration formula: it’s a 1/4tsp baking soda, not 1/4tsp lemon juice. :)

Nearly half of American children live by the rules of their chronic illness. Their lives are impacted in a myriad of ways by the diagnoses as well as the very real experience of being in their bodies. And. The rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even death among the parents of these precious children leave the rates of said illnesses among parents of well-children in the dust. Just in the past few years, researchers are finally looking at the stunning effects on families that having a child with special health needs can have. Among the top recommendations are: building your family support system, building a supportive medical team, and being part of faith-based groups and support groups. Support groups for parents of children with chronic illnesses are very hard to find. Spoonie Sidekicks is a 12 week program for these parents and their families. I created this program as a mother of a chronically ill child, and the experiences that have come from leading this program are exactly what are needed for these amazing people! I invite you to listen to this episode, in which I frame the need for support groups and share how Spoonie Sidekicks can be that group for you. I do hope you find this episode to be encouraging and that you will share it with a loved one who needs it. Thank you for listening! To find information on the upcoming Spoonie Sidekicks program and to enroll, please visit https://www.laureltreewellnessllc.com/event-details/spoonie-sidekicks-1

Why does your doctor only tell you that herbs are unproven? Why do Google searches only talk about the “potential dangers” of alternative medicine? Why is the media concerned about the money spent on vitamins? Why are people leaving their doctors? In this podcast, I share some disturbing evidence that “modern medicine” has some serious problems to work out before they can conclude that their way is best for public health. It’s time you had the information to make your own decision. Let me know what you think by emailing me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com and be sure to leave a review for me!

As we approach winter and those with preexisting respiratory conditions are thinking about illness prevention and what to do if they get sick, it’s time to talk about the underlying condition of asthma - what are the different types, what are the original causes, what are the tissue states behind it, and of course - what can we do about it!

Don’t forget to leave a review!

Call 802-234-1177 to leave a top request and share feedback! We’d love to hear from you!

This episode is included in either the Community Herbalism or Clinical Herbalism program, offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. These programs are currently in development, but you can currently enroll in The Family Herbalism Course, or get on the waitlist for one of these new offerings. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

For more information on Alms of Grace Clinic for donation-based consultations, email almsofgraceclinic@gmail.com.

For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Sleep is integral to a healthy life. You cannot bull through life on less than 7 hours of sleep without suffering eventually. In this episode, we will talk about how people of all ages, newborn through elderly, can improve their sleep quality and quantity for overall health. Thanks for listening!

If you have young children at home, herbalism not only something that shouldn’t be avoided over safety concerns, it is a gift that has far-reaching benefits. But how to use it safely? In this episode, I share what herbs and what forms of them are best suited to young children, including several common examples of problems faced, like teething, colic, nightmares, and separation anxiety. For more information about working with herbs for your young kids, or if you would like personal assistance caring for their health needs, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com.

This episode was destined to be released now! In the last week, one listener reached out asking for support with metal detox, and another requested that I bring it up on the show. Thank you Ray and Sheldon for listening and for the request!

The idea of metal toxicity and metal detoxes have garnered a fair bit of attention in the past few years, maybe longer. And it’s not just concern about vaccines that have drawn interest to the subject. Metal fillings, cookware, water pipes, ground contamination, and other sources of heavy metals have been targeted as a cause of many conditions and symptoms that have increased in occurrence.

In today’s episode, I share about how metals impact the body, what kind of testing is available in addition to environmental testing, how to avoid or limit exposure, and the steps involved in a holistic detox and recover protocol.

Please leave a review and share this episode with someone you think it would bless!

Email me your podcast topic requests at laureltreewellness@gmail.com or call and leave a message for me at 802-234-1177.

Thanks so much for listening and have a great week!

Bruises, varicose veins, palpitations… these and other cardiovascular symptoms may be considered variations of normal, but even if they don’t precede serious conditions, they can still be uncomfortable! In today’s episode I offer herbal and nutritional remedies that strengthen the heart and blood vessels and build the blood. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Lyme Disease, the great mimicker of illnesses, affects millions of people every year, and for up to 20% of those treated, symptoms can become lifelong. The good news is that a holistic approach is effective for almost 100% of people, at decreasing symptoms, reversing damage, and allowing people to feel and declare themselves healed. In this podcast, I talk about the basics of Lyme, current medical options being studied, a simple approach to tick bites, and what a holistic treatment plan looks like. If you have Lyme, you will be interested in learning about my latest program, Lyme Warriors, beginning September 30th! For more information, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com or email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Despite inhibitors to global communication until the last 100 years, healing cultures around the world have created surprisingly similar languages around how the body works, of which, states are integral. The state of our tissues explain why we can have a wide array of symptoms at the same time when there is only one illness. It explains why one herb for one symptom can help one person and worsen another. It explains why one herb can address a myriad of symptoms. And it can explain why a person can heal themselves without ever receiving a proper diagnosis. This series is a very simple introduction to tissue states, and how you can begin using this knowledge to your benefit right away. For more information on how to customize a wellness plan based on your health picture, send me an email at laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Whereas personality tests help us to understand our personalities, body typing can help us understand our bodies. Ayurveda, TCM, and Southern Folk Medicine are great systems for understanding our physical strengths and weaknesses, and what remedies, foods, and lifestyle practices are best suited to us. Today’s episode is part two of this series, in which I will be sharing about the four body types of Southern Folk Medicine, and the resources best suited to them. To learn more, I recommend season 1 episodes 31, 35, 36, and 37, and the book Southern Folk Medicine by Phyllis D. Light. If you would like assistance creating a wellness plan based on your body type, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com to learn how working with an herbalist can help you. Thank you for listening!

What is PTSD? What hormones and parts of the brain are involved? And how do we use this information to help us choose practical tools and herbs to help us heal? In this episode, we will answer all of these questions and talk about many of the herbs that help to support healthy hormone balance when it comes to stress and trauma, to work with alongside lifestyle practices to let go of old stories, and create a new way of being. In part two, we will talk about essential oils and flower, essences, as well as the process I went through to create an aromatherapy blend to help me through my own recent experience post PTSD. If you would like help creating an herbal plan to work alongside your wellness plan for recovery from PTSD. Please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com for more information or email me directly at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Summer is on its way! And that means bug bites, sunburns, poison ivy, and garden dermatitis (it’s a real thing!). That’s what you were thinking about, right?! As fun as summer is, it can come with unwanted experiences like rashes that leave you feeling sore, itchy, and otherwise uncomfortable. In today’s episode, I share my favorite herbs for skin care and some ways I use these herbs for my family. This episode is included in the Family Herbalist Program offered by Herba Remedium. Herba Remedium is an online, Christian herbalist school. Enrollment for the next FHP year will begin in June 2024. For more information visit www.herbaremedium.com or email laureltreewellness@gmail.com. The Family Herbalism Podcast was voted as one of the Top 100 Maine Podcasts for 2024. You can see the list by Feedspot by clicking this link: https://blog.feedspot.com/maine_podcasts/ For more information about Laurel Tree Wellness, your host Naomi Kilbreth, or herbal consultations to help you create a wellness plan, visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com.

Happy National Baby Day! In honor of this special day, Dayna Hutchins and I are hosting a special series on the podcast this month, all about the childbearing year. We share our personal experiences as mothers, and our professional experiences as herbalists, along with tons of tips for a healthy, positive experience. We hope you enjoy our conversations, and encourage you to share with your loved ones! For more information, reach out to us as laureltreewellness@gmail.com

Resources for those with sustained hypertension are pretty easy to find, but what about those who have a form of transient hypertension, which seems to come and go at will, sometimes without a good explanation? In today’s episode, I share about the four categories of hypertension that look like wide swings a variability; most days it is perfectly normal and then all of a sudden there will be a very high reading. I talk about what is going on during these episodes, the current pharmaceutical options being developed, and the herbal actions that are most helpful. Specific herbs mentioned include: borage, ashwaganda, eleuthero, rhodiola, tulsi, cayenne, milky oats, hawthorn, motherwort, wild cherry, bugleweed, yarrow, linden, ylang ylang, rose, hops, hibiscus, St. John’s Wort, peach, wood betony, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, sage, linden, valerian, blue vervain, reishi, skullcap, cramp bark, and nettle. For more information on herbalist consultations, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. If you know someone that this episode would bless, please share it with them, consider leaving a review, and send your topic request to laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!