What is a Simple? A "simple" is one herb used at a time. A "simpler" is an herbalist who generally uses herbs one at a time, rather than in combinations. Most herbalists I have met -- whether from China or Japan, Eastern or Western Europe, Australia or North America -- use herbs in combinations. Simplers, like myself, don't. Why?

It was a snowy winter night when my sweetheart brought home the brochure and said: "Let's take a horseback riding vacation." Despite the fact that I am only an occasional rider, I did grow up in Texas, and spending a week in the saddle didn't seem like a big deal to me....

Whether astride a horse in Provence, climbing a volcano in Costa Rica, taking a jet plane to New Zealand, or just spending a quiet day in my gardens, I am never without my herbal first-aid kit. For daily health maintenance I rely on nourishing herbal infusions; but when injury or illness strike--on the road or at home--I reach for my first aid kit. That's where I keep the fast-acting remedies, some of which (like poke) can be dangerous....

Susun's classic Dandelion Wine recipe...

Are herbs "dilute forms of drugs" - and therefore dangerous? Or are they "natural" - and therefore safe? It depends on the herb! These thoughts on herbs will help you understand how safe--or dangerous-- any herb might be...

I always say the gardener's best revenge is to eat the weeds. I've been doing it for thirty years and can testify that my health and the health of my garden has never been better...

Almost every woman has, at one time or another, felt so fatigued she wanted to cry. But for some women, and for a variety of reasons -- including menopause, caring for a new-born, working odd hours, chronic anxiety, and poverty, to name only a few -- fatigue is a constant, not an occasional, problem...

Every woman I know is concerned about osteoporosis. Frightening stories equate it with broken hips, bent spines, wheelchairs, and death--things we all want to avoid. What can we do? Should we take calcium supplements? hormones? Fosamax? Can we rely on our green allies?