Herb Whisperer’s
HerbStandtm with Thomas
Welcome to HerbStand with Thomas. This page is designed for students of our courses as a free service to help them to learn about medicinal plants while growing, how to recognize them, and specific information about how to gather, prepare, or apply clinically the species discussed in the video. These will continue to be added as time allows, so check in regularly.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is blooming now at the Herb Whisperer Certified Organic Farm. Hypericum perforatum is an important herb in Western herbal medicine that has been pigeon-holed for depression but can be used for a whole lot more. In this video Thomas discusses harvesting and medicinal applications of this versatile medicine.
Ground Ivy
One of the first “weeds” of spring, Glechoma hederacea is often hated for it’s invasive nature. It is, however, a wonderful medicinal herb, that is useful in a variety of conditions. Native to Europe, this little mint family plant is common throughout much of the eastern United States. Don’t pick it in parks or lawns where people use poisons.
Burdock
While at the Nanning Botanical Garden, we find Arctium lappa, which is known as niubang (牛蒡) in Chinese. Although the root is used as a food and tea, in contrast to Western usage of this herb, the seeds are the primary herb used in Chinese medicine. This is also a common weed found in many parts of Europe and North America.
Elder Flower
Elder flower is blooming now at the Herb Whisperer Farm. Sambucus canadensis is a very important herb in Western herbal medicine that can be used in a variety of ways. In this video Thomas discusses harvesting and medicinal applications of the flowers of this versatile medicine.
Wild Dianthus
Here we are back on Ling Mountain, west of Beijing, for a look at Dianthus superbus, one of the two official species of the plant known as qumai (瞿麥) in Chinese medicine. Also known as carnation or pink in the flower trade, this medicinal is a common wildflower and good diuretic.
Southern Danshen
While at the Nanning Botanical Garden, we find Salvia bowleyana, which is known as southern danshen (南丹參). This is a very attractive species of Salvia that is used as a regional substitute for the official species, Salvia miltiorrhiza. Although it is not the same, it may be comparable.
Valarian in China?
Look at what we found at Ling Mountain (靈山), west of Beijing. What appears to be a dysjunct population of Valariana officinalis. Listen in for a some insight into this plant and breath in the summer mountain air in northeast China.
Wild Ginger
Here’s a look at a very famous medicinal plant, with species used in medicine in Asia, Europe, and North America, Asarum. This is Asarum canadensis found in the woods not far from the Herb Whisperer farm, botanical sanctuary, and learning center.
Weedy Rehmannia
Most people who have studied Chinese medicine hold this species in high esteem, it is a common weed in China. Rehmannia glutinosa grows through cracks in sidewalks, is a farm weed, and is growing along the path in my garden at home.
Oregon Grape?
There are many species within these two genera, Mahonia and Berberis, used in herbal medicine. In North America, Mahonia spp. are used and known as Oregon grape root. The root, and stem, bark are the best parts but the whole root can be used.
For the bees
Agastache is found in China and North America. It is often mistaken in Chinese medicine for the another herb known by a similar name, huoxiang (Pogostemon cablin). However, Agastache rugosa, the plant in this video, is tu huoxiang.
Chinese Yarrow
Though not in common usage in Chinese medicine, this species of yarrow, Achilliea alpina. Like the Latin name suggests, it is found in the high alpine areas of northern China and into Russia. It smells different, is less bitter, but is more or less the same.
Elder Tree
Although the primary research we have available to us applies to the European species of Sambucus, S. nigra, our most common species, S. canadensis is commonly used and most herbalists would probably agree the two species are interchangeable.
Noxious Weed?
Commonly known as ragweed, this plant is both feared and hated by many who are sensitive to the pollen. The Ambrosia genus has several important species often used for the very disorders they are known to cause. In this video we look at Ambrosia artemisiifolia.
Lobelia
Common throughout much of the eastern part of the United States, Lobelia inflata is a native medicinal plant that has witnessed a very interesting history. One of the great antispasmodics in the materia medica, listen to just a little about this important herb.
Burdock
Native from east Asia to Europe, and not naturalized in North America, Arctium lappa is used as both a food and a medicine. Although the root is the primary medicine in the West, it is mostly eaten in Asia and, instead, the seed is used medicinally.
Natural Toilet Paper?
Mullein, known as Verbascum thapsus, is native to central Asian countries found as far east as western China and as far west as central Europe (now found around the world). The entire plant, leaves, flowers, and root are all used from this common weed.
Water Lily
Related to several species used in other parts of the world. Here in the famous Nanning Medicinal Plant Garden in southern China we have a look at Nuphar pumilum. This little water lily is common in the ponds throughout Southeast Asia.