Anatomy of a Formula
The Plant Path
Have you been studying herbs for a while, but you still feel unsure about how to combine them into an effective formula? Or maybe you’re newer to herbalism and ready to dive into the art and science of formulation? Formulation is one of my favorite parts of herbal medicine, so I’m excited to kick off a new series called The Anatomy of a Formula. I love the synergy that emerges when herbs are combined in intelligent, intentional ways—and the specificity you can achieve when formulating for a particular person. It’s both powerful and fun. However, for budding herbalists,...
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The Seasonal Allergy Strategy Part 2
The Plant Path
Welcome to Part 2 of the Allergy Strategy. In this episode, we'll explore the two key approaches to working with allergies and intolerances: prevention and acute care. Whether it's you, your loved ones, or your clients dealing with seasonal allergies, you'll find plenty of tools here to support the process—and many of these strategies can also be applied to other types of allergies. If you haven't had a chance to read Part One yet, I recommend starting there: as it covers the foundational concepts we'll be building upon. Here's what you'll find in this episode: How to...
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The Seasonal Allergy Strategy Part 1
The Plant Path
Spring has officially sprung. The birds are chirping, the plants are waking up, and the earth is on the move again. It's a beautiful time of year—and here in the Pacific Northwest, we welcome the lifting of the cold, the retreat of the rain, and the chance to head back outside to enjoy nature's splendor and get our gardens growing. But spring's return comes at a high cost for many due to seasonal allergies. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, stepping outside can bring so much discomfort and suffering that it hardly seems worth...
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Interview with Pam Montgomery
The Plant Path
Have you ever wondered how to understand plants on a deeper level, beyond “This herb is good for that thing?” If so, you won’t want to skip this post! I am excited to be joined today by my colleague, friend, and teacher, Pam Montgomery. Pam is an herbalist, author, international teacher, earth elder, and new paradigm thinker who passionately embraces her role as a spokesperson for the green beings. She has investigated plants and their intelligent spiritual nature for over three decades. Pam is the author of Co-Creating with Nature: Healing the Wound of Separation and the...
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The Zodiacal Study Strategy
The Plant Path
Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to learn herbal medicine and astrology? This is one of the biggest challenges I hear from people studying herbalism on its own… throw astrology on top of it, and it just seems like too much. They say, “I was already overwhelmed trying to learn how to become a great herbalist. And now, to practice this way, I have to learn the massive system of astrology too. I'm busy with my day job, family, home, and garden, and it's too much.” But it doesn’t have to be that way! There is a strategic approach that allows you to study herbal...
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Top 3 Spring Tonics
The Plant Path
Spring is the season of renewal—and the perfect time to support your body with cleansing and nourishing herbs. Last week, we covered the overall concept of the spring cleanse and whether it's a good thing for us to do in our modern culture. We got a birds-eye view of the qualities and characteristics of herbs that would fit into this category. Ready to learn more about spring cleansing and which herbs to prioritize? In this episode, I’m spotlighting my three favorite spring tonic herbs. I’ll tell you why these are so fantastic for this purpose and how to prepare these herbs...
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The Spring Cleanse
The Plant Path
The premise of cleansing is popular in alternative medicine circles, seen as one of the most important ways to get and stay healthy. But is it really? Is our modern take on cleansing the same as it was traditionally? And most importantly, is cleansing really appropriate for anyone and everyone? We’ll cover all that and more in our exploration of the spring cleanse. Here’s what I’ll cover: What happens in the spring transition that necessitates a cleanse? The qualities that predominate in winter and what that means for you The equinox transitions and how patterns in nature...
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Astrological Medicine: Scientific vs. Pragmatic Truth
The Plant Path
Have you ever wondered how science views medical astrology or whether it has been proven "true?" Should we consider astrology a valid tool for understanding health, or is it just pseudoscience? Astrological medicine is a central part of our approach to herbal medicine here at The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, so it's a topic we discuss regularly. Today, we're breaking down medical astrology's relationship to scientific and pragmatic truth and proof, and what really matters. Here's what you'll find in this episode: The goal of the tools we use—what matters most? What is...
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Planetary Sympathy and Astrotherapeutics
The Plant Path
Most traditions of herbal medicine across the world use the fundamental principle of antipathetic medicine in their approach to therapeutics. But in the practice of alchemical medicine—based on Paracelsianism— and in astro-herbalism, another approach is commonly used: sympathetic medicine. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the principles of sympathetic medicine, how it differs from the antipathetic approach, and how we can work with it to deepen our understanding of plant to planet correspondences. Here’s an overview of what you’ll learn: The key differences between...
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Astral Polarities & Organ Systems
The Plant Path
In medical astrology, astral polarities offer profound insights into the body’s interconnected systems, revealing hidden relationships between organ functions and celestial archetypes. By studying opposing zodiac signs, we gain a deeper understanding of how the various parts of the body interact. This perspective aligns with holistic traditions like Ayurveda, which recognize the dynamic interplay between organs, emotions, and physiological processes. Each axis in astrology represents a functional system within the body rather than isolated structures. These polarities provide a...
info_outlineIf you walk into a hip smoothie shop or health food store, you’ll undoubtedly be flooded with the newest “superfoods” and cure-all herbs. Like so many things in our modern culture, herbal medicine also has its own “fads,” as it seems as if there’s almost a new one in style each season.
Although it may seem harmless at first and they may be a good gateway into the realm of herbal medicine, herbal fads may not necessarily be a good thing. Most of the time, they’re promoted by big supplement companies looking to inflate their bottom line, even if the truth is a bit fudged to get there (or even flat-out lies!). By learning about the danger of herbal fads, you can become a more conscious consumer and herbalist and know how to navigate this sometimes confusing territory.
In today’s blog post you’ll learn:
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Who’s behind herbal fads and how they’re born in the market
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How herbal fads hurt the credibility of herbalism and pigeonhole herbs
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The ecological and cultural damage herbal fads can cause
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Ways companies lie about herbs and how they can hurt you
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Why herbal fads can change the way you think about herbs without even realizing it
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CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
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https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
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ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
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The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
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ABOUT SAJAH
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Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines.
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If you’d like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.