Is herbal tea really that good for you? Herbal tea quickly absorbs and influences the body making it one of the best natural remedies available.

White pine needles are an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin A and vitamin C. The oil found in pine needles contain a natural form of suramin, which is used in pharmaceutical form as a parasitic treatment. Shikimic acid, also found in pine needles, has antiviral properties and is used for treating flu and respiratory illness. 

Little did I know this deep dive into herbs would coincide with a virus that would cause a world pandemic. I balanced news reports with herbal textbooks and while I am thankful for our modern day medicine, I am also thankful for the traditional teachings of the medicine growing around us. There is a need for both.

A herbalist teacher once told me to pay attention to the plants growing around me, they are often an indicator of the medicine I need. Some years it’s the dandelions growing in abundance. This year it’s clover. My fascination with plant medicine has branched into a fascination with soil and the microbiome within it. We can’t have healthy plants without a deep respect for the soil and life within it.