Welcome to the Growing Up Herbal Journal where you'll find information on herbal education, recipes, tutorials, natural living tips and tricks, and behind the scenes glimpses of how I live life naturally.
Chickweed is a spring herb that is abundant here in East Tennessee. Not only is it easy to identify, but it has several different uses — one of which is chickweed pesto. Chickweed pesto is one of my favorite ways to use chickweed. Not only is it healthy for you, but it’s easy to make […]
You. Guys. I love chicory so much! I am a bitter, black coffee kind of gal, and chicory is deep, dark, and bitter—making it a perfect fit for me. This doesn’t mean that you can’t sweeten up chicory for your enjoyment if you don’t have a black-coffee tooth. You can. In fact, everyone can enjoy […]
The “Dog Days” of summer are upon us in the South. The dogs and cats are lazy, the snakes are more prone to bite, the gnats, flies, and mosquitoes are more bothersome than normal, and the poison ivy is thriving. Thankfully, it isn’t all bad. These slow, hot days bring more time for family gatherings, […]
What do you do when you end up with a bad case of poison oak in the middle of winter, especially when your go-to poison ivy plant, jewelweed, is no where to be found? I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s no fun. Sure there are other plants and natural products you can use to […]
Mullein. There’s so much to say about this plant it’s hard to know where to begin. Not only does it grow all over the US and in many other parts of the world, but it’s one of the easier plants to identify and harvest. It has many valuable actions and can be used in a variety […]
Mushrooms are for more than adding to soups and side dishes. They are a food that provides the body not only with nutrients, but also with therapeutic benefits as well. Modern science is beginning to reveal all the different ways these mushrooms are beneficial to the body. There are mushrooms that destroy viruses, bacteria, and yeast. […]
Are you interested in learning how to use plants to support your health in as natural a way as possible — plants that grow in your backyard or in the forest behind your home or can be found in the local herb shop? If so, here's how you can become an herbalist!