The Radiant Mission Podcast | Episode 45
Host: Rebecca Twomey @theradiantmission
Co-Host: Rachel Smith @rachelsmithsmith
Guest: Courtney Lozano @soothsayer_teahouse
Thank you for listening to The Radiant Mission podcast! We are on a mission to encourage and inspire you on your walk with Christ and as you journey through life.
In Episode 45 we explore what it means to cultivate a relationship with herbs as opposed to “using herbs” when we need them. We are joined again by special guest and trained herbalist, Courtney Lozano. She is the owner of Soothsayer Tea House & Apothecary and you can find her on Instagram @soothsayer_teahouse or on soothsayertea.com.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode is NOT medical advice.
In This Episode on The Best Herbs for Health: Cultivating a Relationship with Herbs:
What are some of your favorite herbs and why?
Tulsi (aka Holy Basil) takes the #1 spot, hands down. She’s on Courtney’s product labels and everything. She is a versatile herb and can help in so many ways. Tulsi can help normalize blood glucose, blood pressure, help with memory, is a purifier, and so much more.
Nettles is in 2nd place for Courtney. She is great for cleansing the kidney and livers. A great antihistamine and arthritis helper. She’s gentle but very powerful.
Courtney also love oatstraw, dandelion, and hibiscus. They’re so meaningful because they’re all gentle and safe for just about everybody, but also incredibly powerful. And so versatile too.
Example: you can mix and match those herbs in different proportions for at least 50 different ailments. I took an herbal formulation class years ago, and the teacher was taught by her teacher that in every formula, 1 part should be Nettles, and 1 part should be dandelion. And it’s just so true.
What’s the difference between using herbal tea, taking an herbal supplement, or using a tincture? Any benefits we should know about?
Herbal Teas
Tea is the simplest and the most ancient. It’s primal. A tea is what we call whole plant medicine. So, you’re using the plant as it occurs naturally, and getting the whole spectrum of constituents. And water is a great vehicle for most constituents. Our bodies are mostly water, so it’s primal and familiar to take herbs that way.
Supplements
When we get into supplements, often those are standardized. This means a certain constituent is being targeted and isolated from the rest. Like curcumin in turmeric. But isolating parts of the plant goes back to the whole pharmakeia concept–playing God and thinking we know what’s best thing. That plant was divinely and perfectly created with an energy all its own, with hundreds or thousands of constituents that balance and support each other. You have synergy this way. Supplements often miss that.
Tinctures
With tinctures, it’s another whole plant medicine. But sometimes we’re leaving behind lots of medicine. Like alcohol isn’t a good solvent for vitamins and minerals, so it does a huge disservice to a plant like nettles. But it’s great for herbs with lots of essential oils or resins, like lavender.
Tinctures can also taste horrible, since they’re so concentrated and made with high proof alcohol. Which is also a concern for sober or sensitive folks and young kids. Courtney actually keeps her business alcohol free, so her extracts are based on glycerin, honey, and apple cider vinegar. And they each have their unique way of interacting with and drawing goodness out of the plants.
So, it comes down to knowing what you’re working with, looking at the historical and modern uses, and following your intuition from there.
What do you want others to know about herbal medicine?
It works best when it’s a part of your daily life, not as a desperate last resort. And it also doesn’t have to be all or nothing – you can reach for other modalities too, like homeopathy or acupuncture or somatic work.
In fact, herbs work best when you don’t have everything riding on them. When they’re instead part of a web of support and solutions. Herbs are not a substitute for basic self-care and personal responsibility. For example. you could use adaptogens as a crutch to get through the stress of the day. Or, you could put down your phone, make sure you’re eating enough food at regular intervals, go to sleep at a reasonable time, and set some boundaries with people and situations. It boils down to cultivating a relationship with herbs, rather than viewing them as a tool.
Final Takeaways on Herbs?
Herbalism might not be the best modality to fit what you’re going through. Holistic medicine is about your whole life. Spiritual health, physical health, and mental health—it all goes together. It’s important to know which piece comes first. It might not be herbs, it could be getting out into the sun or drinking structured water.
Bible Verses Mentioned:
- Psalm 19:7-14
Resources Mentioned on The Best Herbs for Health: Cultivating a Relationship with Herbs:
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Connect with Courtney:
- IG: @soothsayer_teahouse
- Website: soothsayertea.com
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