Herban Herbalist

09/04/2026

Fun fact for your Friday: ginkgo biloba may be the most resilient tree on Earth. The species has survived for over 200 million years — it was already ancient when the dinosaurs disappeared — and in 1945, six ginkgo trees standing within about a mile of the atomic blast at Hiroshima survived and leafed out again the following spring. All six are still alive today, honored in Japan as hibaku jumoku, the survivor trees. No wonder ginkgo has traditionally been the herb of endurance and clear thinking. (For the back-to-school crowd: ginkgo is one for the adults in the house — see the blog for the safety note.) Have you ever seen a ginkgo turn gold in the fall?

09/03/2026

Here's a study trick that ancient Greek students figured out 2,000 years ago: keep rosemary nearby while you study — and again before the exam. They wore garlands of it; modern students keep a sprig on the desk or a drop of rosemary essential oil on a cotton ball. Our sense of smell is closely tied to memory, and a familiar scent can help bring the material back to mind when it counts. Add a morning cup of rosemary tea and you've got the classic focus herb working for you all day. Have you ever tried studying with rosemary?

09/02/2026

Lavender is the herb I'd send with every college student. Its calming reputation runs centuries deep — the name comes from the Latin lavare, "to wash," because the Romans scented their baths with it. Today it's the gentlest tool in the back-to-school kit: a sachet in a backpack or locker for stressful days, a few drops in a diffuser during homework, or a cup of lavender tea (blend it with chamomile) before bed. It's gentle enough for kids in sachets and diffusers — just keep the essential oil on a cotton ball rather than on skin or bedding. How do you use lavender at home?

09/01/2026

The school year is underway — early mornings, long study sessions, and a little more stress for everyone in the house. Three herbs Bonnie returns to every fall: rosemary for memory, ginkgo for concentration, and lavender for calm. Freshly updated on the blog with a simple daily routine, two easy DIY projects (including a kid-friendly study tea), and safety notes for families. 📚🌿

Rosemary boosts memory, ginkgo biloba sharpens concentration, and lavender calms stress. I use all three and here's how to work them into your school routine.

08/29/2026

The garden is slowing down — and Virgo season's quietest lesson is that we're allowed to slow down with it. Two herbs from this week's blog carry that reminder: lemon balm, hung in fragrant bundles to dry for winter tea and gently relaxing when sipped, and chamomile, gathered blossom by blossom all summer and tucked away for the cold months when a warm cup matters most. Restoration is productive too. As you prepare your garden to rest, remember to prepare some rest for yourself — and if your winter tea shelf needs stocking, our handcrafted loose-leaf wellness blends were made for exactly this season. 🍵

https://herbanherbalist.com/shop/

08/28/2026

Fun fact for your Friday: the word "marathon" literally means "field of fennel." The famous Battle of Marathon — the one the 26.2-mile race commemorates — was fought on a plain named for the fennel growing there (marathos in Greek). And in Greek myth, Prometheus smuggled fire from the gods to humanity hidden inside a giant fennel stalk. For thousands of years since, fennel seeds have been enjoyed after meals to support comfortable digestion — which is exactly why it's one of Virgo's most enduring herbal companions. Not bad for a feathery plant with little yellow flowers! Do you grow fennel in your garden?

08/27/2026

Virgo sees potential where others see problems — and no herb embodies that better than dandelion. Most people call it a w**d; it can pop up anywhere, even through cracks in concrete. But nearly every part of this remarkable plant has been harvested and used for generations, from the spring leaves to the autumn roots. Fall root harvest is coming soon — one of Bonnie's favorite reminders that some of nature's greatest gifts lie hidden beneath the surface, waiting for those willing to look a little closer. Maybe this is the year you stop fighting your dandelions and start harvesting them. Have you ever worked with dandelion?

08/26/2026

If one herb captures the philosophy of daily, consistent care, it's turmeric. This golden root has been woven into everyday meals across India and Southeast Asia for thousands of years — not saved for special occasions, but practiced like a habit. And that's the whole lesson of Virgo season: health is cultivated daily, not chased once it's lost. One practical tip from this week's blog: turmeric's key constituent, curcumin, absorbs far better with black pepper and a little fat — black pepper alone can increase absorption by up to 2,000%. Bonnie adds turmeric, a dash of black pepper, and a spoonful of coconut oil to her morning coffee. How do you take your turmeric?

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

As summer days shorten and the first hints of autumn appear, the garden reaches its most abundant moment — harvest season is in full swing, and Virgo season begins. It's Bonnie's favorite time of year, and it's no coincidence: Virgo's spirit of practical, everyday care is exactly what late summer asks of us. New on the blog: the five herbs that beautifully reflect the sign of the harvest — turmeric, fennel, lemon balm, dandelion, and chamomile — and what each one teaches about cultivating wellness through small daily habits. 🌾

https://herbanherbalist.com/blog/the-herbs-of-virgo-five-traditional-herbs-for-the-sign-of-the-harvest/