September 30, 2026

Happy Wednesday!

This week's reader question is one I've heard many times over the years. There are layers to this question that are important! So let's dive in....

Well, herbs are filled with chemical constituents, and yes, these can interact, which means that herbs can and do interact with each other.

However, the WAY they interact is very different than from the way drug interactions work, and this is the most important thing to understand. Most people hear the word, "interaction" and make the assumption that there's danger.

But in herbal medicine formulation, "interactions" are usually the point!

Here's the thing:

When a skilled herbalist is combining herbs in formulations, you're almost always doing this on purpose, for a purpose. The combinations of herbs are almost always safer and gentler than the sum of the parts, not more dangerous.

Here's an example:

Bugleweed (Lycopus spp) is a cooling, nervine relaxant and provides support for a revved up heart or heart palpitations.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is warming, a little bitter, and also is a mild relaxant which tends to gently settle down a stress response---which affects the heart.

When you put them together, this pair is lovely because they cover the emotional stress, the cardiac situation, and additional physical support for the nervous system layers all at once. In fact, this combination of herbs is usually far more reliable to use than either of the herbs alone--at least for the palpitations.

This is called synergy, and it means that the constituents of both plants work together in a harmony that provides a stronger and better formula than using either singly.

But we do have other interactions to consider besides "herb-herb" interactions, and these are "herb-drug" interactions, referred to as HDI's by both herbalists and medical professionals.

There are many kinds of HDI's, and when you begin learning herbalism, you will learn about these. The biggest one beginners usually learn about first is with blood-thinners--drugs that thin the blood and have anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties.

And even with blood thinners, sometimes herbs are ok to take. A good herbalist will always tell you to "talk with your doctor" about using herbs that may interact with medications. More and more doctors are beginning to understand the value of medicinal herbs as time goes on, thankfully. Some are even supportive of herbal medicine. It just depends on their training and open-mindedness.

And then there's the idea of "stacking" herbs with similar properties. You do need to be knowledgeable here when creating your own formulations because you don't want to potentiate relaxation into grogginess by using certain relaxants together or inappropriately, for example.

Herbs rarely cancel each other out...but they can help each other work better.

There are certain cases where herbs "offset" each other's more powerful ability.

My favorite example is when using a very drying herb like sage (Salvia officinalis) or goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) you'll want to offset the drying action just enough that the individual isn't harmed. Most herbalists with solid backgrounds will know how drying these herbs are and either avoid them with overly dry people (constitutions) or use them wisely over the short-term and also along with a moisturizing demulcent herb such as marshmallow root (Altheae officinalis).

Here's the bottom line:

A simple, intentionally and knowledgeably chosen combination is much safer than a random (or "kitchen sink") one. Two to five herbs that address the person's actual pattern is how traditional herbal practice generally works.

The real cautionary list is rather short and boring: If you're pregnant or nursing, on medications (especially blood thinners), or about to have surgery, be to check in with your doctor first. And just be sure to always check the contraindications for each herb and essential oil if you have medical or health needs.

We teach all of this and a lot more in our Family and Community Herbalist courses!

Herbs do interact with other herbs....and this is the art and the point of herbal medicine!

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Now, before I head out to my fall medicine and food garden and get to harvesting before we get a freeze here, I have some updates and invitations for you!

1) Be sure to save your seat for our Building Your Apothecary webinar, that's coming up Sunday and Monday!! You'll learn about five amazing plants for your apothecary with broad uses and all are easy to find, AND enjoy information on getting your home apothecary going.

If you can't make the dates/times, you're welcome to save a seat anyway, as that is how you'll get to enjoy a replay!

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​2) Enjoy the Thinking Like an Herbalist Video Trainings! These short but impactful videos include printables for your reflections and decision making about your apothecary that guides you into how an herbalist might think about things. Also, I'm offering live Zoom chats with me on this page, too.

We've already had our first one, and it was fun. Unfortunately, I received some emails from some people who either couldn't make it or who couldn't get the link to work on their device.

No worries!

We've decided to put the replays onto the Herbal Trainings Page too! You can find everything RIGHT HERE.

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3) Join me for a LIVE and fun Q&A session this afternoon on Zoom! You can find the special link at the above page!

Here's the link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88534835705

**You may need a zoom account to join and see video. It seems this was a problem some people had the other day. It's easy and it's free! Just go to zoom.com

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4) I'll be doing the final ATHAL (Ask the Herbal Answer Lady series for now) chat live on YouTube this morning at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time/1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Just go to my YouTube channel or check your lives, and I'll be there! 😊

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Fun Fall Things.....

Last week, I shared my recipe (SO good!) for my homemade pumpkin spice creamer and how to make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte! So if you missed that one, here it is again!

AND.....

​Pumpkin and Ground Beef Soup---Perfect for Cool Fall Days​

I don't share many recipes for foods, although I've thought about it over the years. But some of them are just TOO good not to share. Especially if they're fast and easy, too.

That's how this soup is. It's amazing.

I love the fact that adding some pumpkin not only thickens it perfectly, but adds so much extra nutrition! And nobody will notice because of course there are delicious herbal spices in it too---

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And that's all for today's note!

I'm heading out to harvest more herbs and vegetables now! I'm hoping to distill some lemongrass this weekend....oh, and I can hardly wait. It smells SO good, and I'm hoping to yield a decent amount of essential oil with my still!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

​P.S. Don't forget to get signed up for the special live webinar training this Sunday or next Monday! You'll get the replay if you do!

And again, the replay for the special live zoom meeting Monday is now on the Video Series page, too!