Herbalism & tea resources
Liz has been working with plants and herbs all her life, and she's taking that to the next step by working on her herbalism certification. Herbalism and plant magic play a large role in many of her stories, and this guide will be updated regularly as she completes her certification. You can purchase teas and herbs through Liz's affiliate link at Mountain Rose Herbs here.
Legal disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.This is meant to be informative and does not constitute as medical advice.
Withania somnifera
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Adaptogen and helpful for autoimmune disorders
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Strengthens the immune system by building white blood cells
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Eases stress and anxiety
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Rebuilds energy levels
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Anti-inflammatory
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Helps with chronic pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia
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Eases PMS and balance hormones
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Increases libido (it’s an aphrodisiac!), sperm count, and sperm health
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Regulates sleep cycles, helping with insomnia
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Alleviates coughs
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Balances neurotransmitters and restores brain function
Herb: Ashwagandha
Astragalus membranaceus
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Immune system-strengthening adaptogen
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Helps regulate stress response and rebuilds the body after prolonged stress
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Repairs damage to brain, spinal cord and nerves
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Helpful for fibromyalgia
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Regenerates healthy tissue and cells
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Strengthening and restorative to the lungs, good for asthma and chronic lung conditions
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Protects and repairs cellular DNA from damage
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Heart tonic that lowers blood pressure
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Supports and rebuilds the liver
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Helpful for diabetes
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Increases T cell counts and stimulates white blood cell production
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Anti-cancer and anti-tumor
Herb: Astragalus Root
Arctium lappa
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Deep immune tonic
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Clears skin conditions, including boils, rashes, acne, eczema, psoriasis, herpes
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Strengthens hair, skin, and nails
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Lowers stress and anxiety; eases chronic fatigue
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Helps with focused concentration
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Supports gut bacteria
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Helps regulate blood sugar levels
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Rich in inulin, iron, zinc, protein, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, E, A, D, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, chlorophyll, trace minerals, and fiber
Herb: Burdock
Taraxacum officinale
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Nourishing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant
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Liver, kidney, and digestive tonic
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Supports gut bacteria
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Helps clear skin issues like acne, eczema and psoriasis
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Balances hormones and relieves PMS symptoms
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Encourages breast milk production
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Balances blood sugar and lowers cholesterol
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Rich in inulin, potassium, magnesium, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A, B complex, C, and D (more vitamins in the leaves, more minerals in the roots)
Herb: Dandelion
Crataegus oxyacantha
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Antioxidant and powerful restorative tonic for the heart
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Relieves the impact of stress on the heart
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Strengthens blood vessels
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Helps regulate blood pressure
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Reduces LDL cholesterol
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Clears arterial plaque
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Helps with arrhythmia, palpitations and chest pain
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Calming to the nervous system
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Helpful for depression, grief and healing a broken heart
Herb: Hawthorn
Ocimum sanctum
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Delicious adaptogen and deep immune tonic
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Restorative to the mind and nervous system
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Improves memory, focus and concentration
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Calming to stress and anxiety
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Balances cortisol levels
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Eases depression and restores energy
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Strengthens the lungs and opens airways (good for asthma and sinus infections)
Herb: Holy Basil
Melissa offcinalis
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Helps with inattention and hyperactivity, making it useful for those with ADHD
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Calms anxiety and eases depression
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Powerful ally for hyperthyroid disease and Graves disease
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Eases stomach cramps and nervous indigestion
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Anti-viral and a fever reducer, making it good for fighting colds and the flu
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Helps prevent and relieve herpes breakouts
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Eases both stress and tension headaches
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Can help counteract insomnia
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Improves the ability of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that declines as we age
Herb: Lemon Balm
Tilia sp.
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Powerful heart tonic
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Regulates blood pressure
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Strengthens blood vessels
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Soothes the effects of stress on the heart
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Helps with heart palpitations
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Supports digestion and soothes the stomach
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Eases anxiety and depression
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Helpful for muscle tension and migraines
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Opens the lungs
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Anti-inflammatory, nervine and gentle anti-spasmodic
Herb: Linden
Avena sativa
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Powerful multi-vitamin plant, deeply nourishing to cells and tissues
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Rebuilds the nervous system
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Helps ease anxiety and depression
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Alters the bodies response to stress and is especially helpful with burnout
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Eases joint pain, especially in the spine
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Strengthens bones, hair, teeth and nails
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Rich in magnesium, iron, calcium, protein, zinc, phosphorous, chromium B vitamins, and Vitamins E, K, A, C
Herb: Oatstraw
​Trifolium pratense
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Hormone balancing
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Heart tonic
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Skin clearing
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Supports nerve, bone and joints
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Lung strengthening
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Improves lymph circulation
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Provides the material needed to create serotonin and dopamine
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Regular use of red clover infusion can help alter how you respond to stress
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Rich in amino acids, calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, vitamin C, vitamin B complex
Herb: Red Clover
Schisandra chinensis
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Adaptogen and tonic for the brain and nervous system
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Boosts the mood and eases depression
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Improves concentration, memory and cognitive function
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Supports respiratory health
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Balances hormones and stimulates libido
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Helpful for chronic illness and a rundown immune system
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Increases energy and reduces fatigue
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Regulates the stress response
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Strengthens the cardiovascular system
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Balances cholesterol and regulates blood sugar
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Healing to the liver
Herb: Schisandra
Urtica dioica
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Adaptogen and deeply nourishing immune tonic
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Lowers stress and increases energy
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Natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine
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Eases arthritis and joint pain
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Alleviates chronic headaches
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Good for the skin; helps relieve eczema and acne.
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Strengthens hair and nails
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Helps prevent UTIs and kidney infections
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Rich in iron, protein, chlorophyll, zinc, potassium, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and Vitamins C, E, A, D, K and B complex
Herb: Stinging Nettle
Hypericum perforatum
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Natural antidepressant that eases both depression and anxiety
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Helps with fatigue and difficulty sleeping
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Especially helpful for seasonal affective disorder
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Boosts serotonin and balances neurotransmitters
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Rebuilds nerve damage and aids in stroke recovery
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May help relieve pain from fibromyalgia
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Note: Do not use with SSRIs or other antidepressant medication. Should not be used when having a manic episode. Can cause photosenstivity. Do not take while pregnant.
Herb: St. John's Wort
Rubus idaeus
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High in magnesium, helping ease muscle cramps
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Strengthens hair, skin, and nails
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Protects against age-related mental decline
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Balances hormones, increases fertility, helps with menstrual cramps
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Regulates menstrual cycles
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Prevents cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis
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Restores ligaments and muscles after birth, abortion or miscarriage
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Eases a sore throat
Herb: Raspberry Leaf
Salvia officinalis
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Calming and nourishing to the central nervous system
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Promotes mental clarity, activating mental function and focus
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Eases panic
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Shown to improve scores on word recall tests
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Can help bring back sense of smell
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Helps with cold, flu, and lung infections
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Helps relieve indigestion, nausea and gas
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Can alleviate restless leg syndrome and muscle cramps
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Helpful for PMS
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Dries up breast milk
Herb: Sage
Verbascum thapsus
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One of the most healing herbs for the lungs
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Helpful for asthma, dry coughs, and core throats
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Used to treat bronchitis, whooping cough, pneumonia
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Anti-viral and anti-bacterial
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Helpful for flu and respiratory infections
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Soothes anxiety and emotional pain
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Eases insomnia
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Supports the nervous system
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Healing to the kidneys
Herb: Mullein
Scutellaria lateriflora
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Calms stress, anxiety, and worry
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Helps with panic attacks and PTSD
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Particularly helpful for sensory overload
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Eases depression and lifts spirits
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Soothes heart spasms and tension in the lungs
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Relieves tension headaches, migraines, and pain from muscle cramps
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Increases HDL levels and lowers blood pressure
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Fights insomnia to provide restful sleep
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Helpful for neuralgia
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Eases PMS irritability
Herb: Skullcap
Hibiscus sabdariffa & Hibiscus rosa
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Supports healthy blood vessels
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Can help maintain healthy blood pressure if you have hypertension
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Regulates blood sugar and lipid levels
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Boosts the immune system
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Supports brain health
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Regulates menstruation, slowing excessive bleeding and easing cramps
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Acts as an aphrodisiac
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Relieves pain from UTI