News | Florida School of Holistic Living

Materia Medica: Chaya

I cringe when I hear the word "superfood" uttered in a mixed crowd. Between GOOP and Dr Oz, health and nutrition fads fill up my Facebook feed daily, and they fade into distant memory as…

Swamp Medicine: Healing Plants of Central Florida

See notes and slides from Emily's presentation at this link. Herbalist Emily Ruff presented "Swamp Medicine: Healing Plants of Central Florida" at the 2017 International Herb Symposium, highlighting medicinal plants growing in the subtropical climate…

Answer the call of the Plants – Community Herbalist Program

Have you been called by the plants into service? … amazed and transformed by the wisdom of the plants …. desire to share their teachings with others? Our Community Herbalist Program can help be the guide…

By Way of Sorrow: Healing Magick for Times of Grieving

Alexis of Worts and Cunning Apothecary created By Way of Sorrow: Healing Magick for Times of Grieving. Within these 40+ pages are rituals to get grounded and protect your aura, to let your queer heart…

Herbs for Times of Tragedy

Thanks to Alexis from Worts & Cunning for this beautiful article on Herbs for Times of Tragedy. Since originally posting this blog it seems like America has become only more violent. But that would…

Wesak Full Moon | May 10, 2017

Wesak is also known as the Buddha Full Moon. Wesak is the celebration of Buddha's enlightenment. Gathering to chant and pray are an important part of a traditional Wesak celebration. It is said that Wesak…

Materia Medica: Spiral Ginger

Insulin plant (Costus pictus) is the subject of numerous studies from the National Institute of Health for its effects on - you guessed it - hyperglycemia and diabetes. It has a history of use in…

Herbal Baths for Self Care

Thanks to Alexis from Worts & Cunning for this beautiful article. A few years back I was exposed to the work of Maurice Mességué via Rosalee de la Floret’s blog post on the famous…

Materia Medica: Loquat

Loquat Fruit Tree Eriobotrya japonica Also know as Chinese Plum, this cold hardy fruit tree is widely grown as a garden ornamental and commercial fruit and herbal medicine. Generous annual fruit production, plus many valuable…

Materia Medica: Arrowroot

Maranta arundinaceae, commonly known as Arrowroot, is a beautiful herbal ally to grow here in sunny Central Florida. It loves our tropical weather and thrives in humid environments. The rhizomes of this plant have been…