What herb feels like comfort to you?

So… what are herbs, really? Before supplements, before pharmacies, before anyone decided to put everything in plastic bottles with warning labels longer than the Bible, there were herbs. And by herbs, I mean plants people noticed worked. That’s it. That’s the origin story. No lab coats. No marketing team. Just humans hurting, hungry, sick, tired, or annoyed, looking around and thinking, “Well… this leaf didn’t kill me yesterday.” Early humans didn’t have Google. They had trial, error, observation, and a lot of “don’t eat that again” moments. Over thousands of years, they figured out which plants eased pain, helped digestion, calmed nerves, healed wounds, or kept food from rotting long enough to eat tomorrow. Herbalism wasn’t a hobby. It was survival. Every culture on Earth developed herbal knowledge. Not because it was trendy, but because plants were the medicine cabinet. Grandmothers knew things. Healers knew things. Farmers knew things. And that knowledge was passed down by memory, story, and watching what worked. Then fast forward a few thousand years and suddenly herbs got labeled as: “Old-fashioned” “Folk remedies” “Alternative” Which is funny, because modern medicine literally comes from plants. Aspirin came from willow bark. Digitalis from foxglove. Morphine from poppy. Science didn’t replace herbs. It isolated them, concentrated them, and put them in capsules. Herbs didn’t disappear. They just got quieter. And here’s the part people forget: herbs were never meant to be magical cure-alls or miracle fixes. They were tools. Support. Helpers. Sometimes gentle, sometimes strong, sometimes not right for everyone. That’s what I’m here to talk about. Not fantasy herbalism. Not fear-based herbalism. Not “this plant will fix your entire life” herbalism. Just honest plant knowledge, where it came from, how people actually use it, and when to respect it instead of romanticizing it. Plants have been taking care of humans long before humans decided they knew better. We’re just remembering how to listen again.

Safer Swaps for Toxic Mandrake 🌱 Mandrake: The Legend, the Look, and the Safer Swaps Mandrake has one of the most dramatic reputations in plant history. Human-shaped roots. Screaming folklore. A résumé full of myths and bad decisions. Here’s the part people forget: most historical herbalists didn’t actually use real mandrake. They used look-alikes. On purpose. Because nobody wanted to poison the village. So let’s talk about the plant, the legend, and the plants that give the same vibe without the danger. 🌿 The Real Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) Mediterranean plant with a thick, forked root All parts are toxic Contains compounds that can cause hallucinations, confusion, and heart issues Historically used in tiny, controlled doses… and often replaced with safer plants Bottom line: fascinating history, not a casual houseplant. 🌱 Safer Plants That Give “Mandrake Energy” Without the ER Ginseng Naturally human-shaped roots Long history of use Grows slowly, looks ancient, feels important Much safer and widely cultivated Why it works: same mystical look, none of the screaming folklore. Ashwagandha Thick, gnarly roots Easy to grow in pots Used traditionally for stress and balance Calm plant. Cooperative plant. Why it works: mandrake’s chill cousin. Sweet Potato Ridiculous root shapes Easy, fast, and non-toxic You will absolutely grow one that looks like it needs a tiny sweater Why it works: mandrake, but happy and well-fed. Carrots, Beets, Turnips Grown in loose soil, they twist and fork naturally Fantastic for photos and teaching moments Zero danger, maximum personality Why they work: proof that you don’t need poison to get drama. 🌿My Big Takeaway Mandrake became famous because it looked human, not because it was practical. People wanted symbolism, mystery, and power. So they used plants that looked the part… and left the poison behind. You can admire the history without growing something that could hurt people or pets. Stanley Mandrake would approve. ~Lori

Hi, I’m Lori, and I teach herbalism without yelling. This is a quiet space for learning about plants as they are. No miracle claims. No mystical backflips. Just herbs, context, and slow understanding. You don’t need experience. You don’t need special tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to pay attention. If you want to introduce yourself, tell us: • a plant you already know • or one you’ve always wondered about Pull up a chair. The plants aren’t in a rush.

🌿 Rosemary The Herb That Tries to Help You Get Your Life Together Rosemary is that plant that smells like it knows what it’s doing, even when you don’t. People say rosemary helps with focus and memory, which explains why you walk past it and suddenly remember you left laundry in the washer three days ago. Growth. It makes any room smell like you cleaned on purpose. You didn’t. Rosemary just covered for you. A real one. Things rosemary is quietly doing for you: Helping your brain stay awake Making your house smell like an adult lives there Standing there looking productive while you scroll Thriving despite your questionable plant care skills Rosemary grows like it has confidence. Forget to water it? Fine. Move it again? Fine. Ignore it completely? Still fine. Honestly, it’s doing better than most of us. You can keep it fresh, dry it, put it near where you work, or just smell it dramatically and pretend you’re getting things done. Rosemary supports that fantasy. It doesn’t ask much. It just smells good, looks impressive, and gently suggests you might be capable after all. “Rosemary doesn’t fix your life. It just makes it smell like you might.” ~Lori