Herb Mentor Radio

Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic herb with a fascinating reputation: its name roughly translates to “smell of a horse,” while a companion saying promises that it gives you the strength of a stallion.

Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and Ayurveda has long valued it as a rejuvenating rasayana — an herb that nourishes, strengthens, and promotes longevity.

Let's ...

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Mimi Prunella welcomes Kimberly Gallagher and Lauren Morgan to explore Rhythms & Relationships, a new LearningHerbs course that invites us into a slower, more relational way of practicing herbalism.

Kimberly Gallagher is co-founder of LearningHerbs and HerbMentor, where she has spent years helping thousands of people cultivate joyful, practical relationships with medicinal plants through edu...

Lavender is one of herbalism's most recognized and beloved plants: familiar enough to live in a garden bed or a scented lotion, yet grounded in a body of clinical studies that most people never get to see.

Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, has been used medicinally for centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean, and it continues to impress modern scientific research. The Botanical Safety Handbook gives it its highest safety r...

This month on HerbMentor Radio, Kimberly Gallagher and Mimi Prunella welcome Appalachian herbalist, storyteller, and educator Heather Wood Buzzard for a delightful conversation celebrating the remarkable plants many people overlook. Together, they explore the world of weedy herbalism, where common plants become nourishing foods, trusted medicines, and lifelong teachers.

Heather shares the story of her unconventional introduction to...

If you've ever sipped a cold IPA on a warm summer evening, you've already had a brush with one of herbalism's most interesting relaxing herbs. Hops (Humulus lupulus) is most famous as the plant behind craft beer's signature bitter flavor. Long before artisan breweries started putting together tasting notes about citrus undertones and fruity finishes, herbalists were treasuring hops for its ability to help people unwind, sleep, and ...

Joining us is Brandon Ruiz, a community herbalist, educator, urban farmer, and author whose work beautifully weaves together gardening, foraging, culture, and community. Brandon shares how gardens become places where relationships grow, not only between people and plants, but between generations, neighborhoods, and cultural traditions.

Brandon takes us on a hear...

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum) has been revered in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, but its health benefits are uniquely relevant to the demands of modern life.

Want to learn about the healing gifts of Holy Basil?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of Holy Basil.

And after learning these 3 benefits of Holy Basil you might be wondering how you ...

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Four: Topical Herbalism.

To guide us into this deeply sensory and ancestral world, we are joined by herbalist Shereel Washington, founder of Ixalted Natural Body Care & Botanicals. Shereel brings a rich perspective rooted in folk herbalism, body care traditions, ancestral knowledge, and relationship with the plant...

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Three: Apothecary Herbalism.

To guide us into this hands-on and deeply personal aspect of herbal practice, we are joined by clinical herbalist and educator Mary Colvin, founder of Ancestral Herbology and author of The Herbalist’s Guide: How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary. Mary Colvin is a Registered Herbal...

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a quiet yet powerful medicinal ally in gardens and kitchens around the world.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of dill?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of dill.

And after learning these 3 benefits of dill you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favor...

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we continue our journey through National Geographic Herbal with Chapter Two: Kitchen Herbalism.

To guide us into this aromatic world, we are joined by Appalachian herbalist Patricia Kyritsi Howell, director of the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies and co-owner of Wild Crete Travel. Patricia brings a beautiful perspective shaped by both the mountains of Southern Appalachia and the herba...

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a beloved culinary staple around the world, and an ancient herbal ally for common modern ailments.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of fennel?

Follow along with herbalist Sorrel Hartford to learn about 3 medicinal benefits of fennel.

And after learning these 3 benefits of fennel you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more ab...

In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we begin our journey through National Geographic Herbal with the chapter that opens the entire path: Sensory Herbalism.

To guide us into this deeply relational way of knowing plants, we are joined by Kat Maier, author of Energetic Herbalism and founder of Sacred Plant Traditions. Kat has spent decades helping students and practitioners understand the energetic language of plants, not just...

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a familiar garden plant with a long history as both a culinary staple and a revered herbal ally.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of sage?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of sage.

And after learning these 3 benefits of sage you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more ab...

Big news at HerbMentor Radio! We open this episode with an exciting announcement that Mimi Prunella Hernandez is joining HerbMentor Radio as a co-host alongside Kimberly Gallagher.

From there, we take time to get to know Mimi a bit better, her journey as a lifelong herbalist, author, and mentor, and what has shaped her herbal path. Mimi shares her excitement and joy about what she calls her new herbal playground, and what it means ...

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a sweet, warming spice used in Ayurvedic medicine and beloved in kitchens around the world. It’s treasured in herbal medicine for its aromatic, stimulating gifts.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of cardamom?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of cardamom.

And after learning these 3 benefits of cardamom you might be wondering h...

Gut health isn’t just about digestion: it’s the foundation of whole-body balance. Clinical herbalist and author Maria Noël Groves brings a practical and deeply empowering perspective to the conversation, helping demystify gut health and showing how herbs can gently and effectively support digestion and long-term vitality.

Maria is the author of several books, including but not limited to Body into Balance and Herbs for ...

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a pungent culinary delight that makes for a wonderful spice and herbal ally.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of clove?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of clove.

And after learning these 3 benefits of clove you might be wondering how you can learn more about other common herbs.

Here’s the easy way to learn more about our favorit...

Ginger (Zingiber officiniale) is far more than a spicy addition to your meals. This beloved plant has been used for centuries across the world as a powerful herbal remedy.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of ginger?

Follow along with herbalist Tara Ruth to learn about 3 benefits and key contraindications of ginger.

And after learning these 3 benefits of ginger you might be wondering how you can learn more about other comm...