Hi Palmer- “All disease begins in the gut” – It's a quote attributed to the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates nearly 2500 years ago. And while we now know that not all diseases start in the gut, it’s true that many serious imbalances can be traced back to our digestive system, including a number of autoimmune diseases. Beyond the physical implications of an imbalanced gut, emerging scientific studies continue to validate the fascinating connection between gut health and mental health, something called the “gut-brain connection.” One can see great benefit from nourishing their digestive system with herbs, bitters, and a wholesome diet to support the digestive and nervous systems.   Herbs for Gut Health There are many different categories of herbs you can turn to for digestive support, and one great option is vulneraries. Vulneraries support healing of the tissues of the gut, whether through coating and soothing inflamed tissues or speeding their replication on a cellular level. Many budding herbalists think of vulneraries for external wounds, but these herbs share many of the same supportive benefits when applied internally, as well! A few vulnerary herbs for gut health include:  🌿 Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower 🌿 Plantain (Plantago spp.) leaf and seed 🌿 Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) root and leaf    HAPPY BELLY OVERNIGHT INFUSION The recipe features marshmallow and calendula, two vulnerary herbs that support gut health and help strengthen intestinal integrity. Marshmallow contains carbohydrates called “mucilage” that are best extracted in cold water, which is why this recipe has two different infusion steps. Mucilage has a somewhat slimy consistency (this is what helps it coat the stomach lining with supportive goodness), but if the drink is too gooey for you, then try swapping marshmallow root for marshmallow leaf, which is still effective but contains less mucilage so will be less slimy. Ingredients:  ½ cup marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) root or leaf ½ cup calendula (Calendula officinalis) aerial parts ¼ cup peppermint (Mentha x piperita) leaves 2 quart-sized glass jars Directions: Place marshmallow in a quart-sized glass jar. Cover with cold water then store in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight. Add calendula and peppermint to a second quart-sized glass jar and cover with just-boiled water. Cap and let infuse on the countertop for 6-8 hours or overnight. Strain both infusions into a large bowl and stir to combine. Rinse both quart-sized glass jars, then divide the finished infusion equally between them.  Store in the fridge, and drink one quart daily to support a strong gut and a healthy stomach lining.   Digestion is a big topic, and we have plenty of opportunities for you to dig in deeper!  Healthy Gut and Herbal Vulneraries LIVE Class: June 17   Get ready to discover and celebrate the wonders of digestive health! You can use herbal allies to support your digestive system while enjoying heightened vitality. This webinar is Class 1 in Herbal Academy’s 3-part Summer Herbal Health Series. SAVE YOUR SPOT Summer Bitters with Dandelion, Gentian, and Licorice Root Recipe   When you taste something bitter, it sends a signal to your body to kickstart the digestive process. The bitter flavor triggers the release of saliva and signals your stomach, liver, and other digestive organs to ready the body for food. In this Summer Bitters, we use a balanced blend for summer.  FIND THE RECIPE   Ayurveda and Digestive Health Intensive   Delve into the foundational concepts of ayurvedic eating, such as the six tastes, and the role that each of the three doshas plays in digestive health. You will learn how to recognize vata-, pitta-, or kapha-type digestive imbalance and what to do to provide support and balance.  LEARN MORE  We hope you enjoy this recipe and resources for a happy, healthy gut! Will we see you live on June 17th? As herbalists, we’re always looking for ways to support health for ourselves and those around us, and digestion is at the heart of this conversation.   Botanically yours, Jane & Amber Your friends and educators The Herbal Academy Team theherbalacademy.com   P.S. We can’t wait to see our Advanced Herbal Course students on Tuesday, June 11 for our first LIVE bonus class, “So You Want to Be a Registered Herbalist?” with instructor Lindsey Feldpausch, RH(AHG)! This six-part live series starts Tuesday, so if you haven’t yet enrolled, but you want to join the series, then sign up today and we’ll make sure you have the link to join.                No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe. Herbal Academy 24 South Road Bedford, MA 01730   

What Herbs can you Smoke? If so, Which ones? Herbs have been used for smoking for thousands of years. They have played a big role in certain spiritual rituals throughout the ages and have also been used for health purposes. Unlike tobacco, the herbs in this article are not addictive. They also tend to be much less expensive when you buy them and create your own custom blend. (Marijuana is not included in the list because it isn't legal in many states.) Here's more about the best smokable herbs and how to go about making your own smoking blend. Are There Benefits to Smoking Herbs? People decide to try smoking herbs for a wide variety of reasons. There's no question they are better for you than tobacco, and each herb has properties that may be good for your health. Here are a few of the most common reasons for smoking herbs: Kicking a tobacco/nicotine habit Relaxation Mood enhancement Spiritual ceremonies/rituals Respiratory support Mental stimulation/energy However, it's important to keep in mind that just because herbs are natural doesn't mean any herb can be smoked. Be sure to do your research on an herb before sticking it in a smoking blend. Also, smokable herbs are really meant for occasional use because constantly breathing smoke into your lungs- no matter the source- is not good for your health. What are the Types of Smokable Herbs? As you read through the following herbs, keep in mind that a good smoking blend is made up of three different types of herbs: base, supportive, and flavoring. Base herbs (also called carrier herbs) make up the bulk of the blend and

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