Desert Aromatics of the American Southwest by Dara Saville Aromatic plants have been an integral part of landscapes and human cultures, playing important ecological and ceremonial roles since the beginning of history and beyond. The deserts of the American Southwest...
The Teachings of Saxifrage and Orchid by Dara Saville Saxifrages and Orchids are some of the most otherworldy plants you might encounter in your herbal path. They are known primarily for their inherent beauty and not widely used in Southwestern herbal traditions....
The Beauty of the Bioregional Approach to Your Herbal Practice by Dara Saville There are many ways to practice herbalism including a multitude of traditions all over the world, each with their own plants that form the core of that herbal path. No matter what...
Going Deeper with Pedicularis by Dara Saville There is undoubtedly a deeply alluring quality to Pedicularis plants that has drawn the attention of many herbalists and plant lovers of all kinds. For some, it is simply recovery for overworked muscles or the relaxation...
Connecting with Our Heritage Through Herbs by Dara Saville As a young girl, I heard my great-grandmother tell stories about growing up during the early 1900s and being an adult in the depression era. One of these stories included a tale of how her mother drank...
Ecological Herbalism by Dara Saville Every herbalist has a unique approach to their practice. For me, its all about learning lessons directly from the land. Here's one way to cultivate a deeper understanding of place and plant medicine... [gallery...
Wild-Spirited Gardening by Dara Saville The magic of wilderness allures herbalists everywhere. There is nothing like walking through misty woodlands on a cool spring morning with beloved plants emerging from their winter slumber or strolling through familiar desert...
Aligning with Invasive Trees as Herbal Medicine by Dara Saville Walking the urban sidewalks, riparian woodlands, and other forested areas around your home you may have noticed that the effects of globalization are not limited to fashion styles, international trade...
Going Deeper with Yerba Mansa by Dara Saville I will never forget the moment I realized that The Rio Grande Bosque and I were one in the same. Walking along on a lovely Autumn day, the scent of Yerba Mansa filled the air and the muted light brought out all the yellow...
Herbal Tales from The Chihuahua Desert by Dara Saville The northern Chihuahua Desert is a striking land filled with surprises of all sizes from an unending and humbling skyscape to the plethora of small flowers obscured by the grandeur of the place. Even in the...
For the Love of Weeds: Wild Lettuce and Company by Dara Saville A weed by almost any account... What do we mean when we call a plant a 'weed'? Usually that indicates a plant that is growing where we don't want it to be, a plant that spreads prolifically, or a plant...
Herbalism in the Crossroads of the Southwest by Dara Saville Welcoming in another new year often involves reflecting on the past and considering where we would like to go in the coming year. This post reveals those reflections and illuminates the background for the...