The Latest from WRI™
Get Inspired!Cyclamen Purgative Toxic Herb that can Also Heal
Cyclamen is a popular house plant. But did you know it can also be a medicine? Its roots have powerful purgative properties that can be either toxic or healing. They are therefore only recommended for external use and remain quite potent and effective when used in...
[VIDEO] Cyclamen: Death, Birthing, and Purgative
Cyclamen is a very acrid and bitter herb. Its potentially toxic but used correctly is a powerful healing herb. Find out how to use cyclamen safely and effectively from both a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.Check out my Herb Health Session all...
5 Key Aspects of Coptis
Coptis, also called Golden Thread or Canker Root, is considered one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are other species of coptis (Coptis chinensis) with similar healing properties found in North America (Coptis trifolia) and Japan...
[VIDEO] Two Key Aspects of Coptis
Coptis, often called golden thread or canker root, is one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has powerful gastrointestinal and respiratory healing powers. Find out more about coptis from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine...
[VIDEO] Butterbur and the Question of PA’s
Butterbur is used in both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalism. Considered safe and commonly used to effectively treat migraines, headaches, and seasonal allergy symptoms it does contain PAs that can make it harmful to the liver. Find out more about PA’s...
Key Uses for Butterbur
Butterbur is an herb used in both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Note that butterbur (Petasites hybridus, P Japonicus) is often lumped in with the species Tussilago farfara, aka coltsfoot, which is a common name that is often used interchangeably by...
[VIDEO] Your Brain on Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane is a popular medicinal mushroom with multiple health benefits. Here are a few key specifics about lion’s mane and brain function. Find out about lion’s mane from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. You’ll be glad you did.Check out my...
Barberry Not Bayberry!
Barberry, also sometimes spelled berberry, has been used in Asia, Europe, India, and the Mediterranean for over 2500 years to treat a wide variety of health issues ranging from digestive disorders, diarrhea, plague, heart issues, and liver disorders. Used externally,...
[VIDEO] Barberry or Oregon Grape, What’s the Difference?
Barberry and Oregon grape are two plants in the same genus, with some overlapping properties. But what’s the difference between the two? Find out more about these two healing plants from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.Check out my Herb Health...
5 Key Uses for Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is a popular Asian fruit and medicine. It is considered the most bitter of all fruits and vegetables. It is an essential component of the Okinawan diet. Okinawa is one of the earth’s “Blue zones” which are areas and cultures known for superior health and...
[VIDEO] Using Bitter Melon to Treat Diabetes
Bitter melon, also called wild cucumber, is a popular Asian fruit and medicine. Find out how it is used to treat diabetes from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.Check out my Herb Health Session all about Bitter Melon (Ku Gua). Be Healthy!- Ann
[VIDEO] Are Anise and Star Anise the Same Thing?
Anise (a.k.a. aniseed) is often confused with star anise. Find out why and what’s unique about these two popular culinary and medicinal herbs from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.Check out my Herb Health Session all about Anise / Star Anise (Hui...
Anise and Star Anise Paste, Oil, Gargle, and Tea
Anise (aka aniseed/Pimpinella anisum) is the seed of a small flowering plant that is a member of the dill family, Apiaceae. It is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Star anise (Illicium verum) is the star-shaped fruit of a tree that is a...
Lemon: The Power of Sour
Lemon has traveled the world as food, medicine, scent, and other amazing uses (did you know they can charge batteries?) Best known for their soothing and cleansing scent, lemons are also famous for their tart, sour flavor, which we even describe as “lemony”. The sour...
[VIDEO] The Legacy and Recorded History of Lemon
Lemon has a long history and interesting legacy as a scent, a food, a medicine, a cleanser, and so much more. Gain insight about using and celebrating lemon from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective.Check out my Herb Health Session all about...
[VIDEO] There’s more to Nettle than its Sting…
Stinging nettle has a long history of use for treating allergies and skin conditions (even frostbite), and supporting immune and metabolic functions, but it also has a magical, edible, and fabric-producing history. Find out more about nettle from a Western and...
Why Does Nettle Sting???
Nettle is magical, edible, and medicinal, with a long history of treating allergies, especially hay fever, boosting the immune system and metabolic functions, and helping to flush the kidneys and bladder. It is native to Africa and West Asia. And despite their long...
Hibiscus Yesterday and Today
Hibiscus is native to Angola and is now cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Especially in Sudan, Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, and China. It has a long history of use in Egypt, Sudan, Iran, and North Africa for supporting respiratory function, improving...