​

January 21, 2026

Happy newsletter Wednesday!

I’m going to say this up front: today is going to be a passionate herbal chat. Because what I’m seeing right now is a flashing red warning light… and too many people are ignoring it. We always think we have more time than we do.

The problem nobody wants to talk about....

Drug shortages are still happening. And supply issues aren’t the only concern.

Did you know that as of last year, 61% of our Big Pharma (OTC and Rx meds) are made in India and China, and ONLY 10% are made in the United States?

This tells us that those of us who rely on over-the-counter and Rx medications may be at risk if something happens in the world. It's so disturbing when I receive notes along the lines of, "What can I do for my mom's (insert health issue), because she can't get her medication?" And yes, I've received LOTS of these kinds of notes over the years.....

And I don’t say that to scare you. I say it because I want you prepared.

🌼 The solution is older than Big Pharma

Medicinal herbs and essential oils can replace over-the-counter medications (and in some cases even prescriptions—always with wise oversight).

Plant medicine is the traditional People's Medicine, and according to the World Health Organization, 80% of the world's people still rely on it as a first recourse.

But, in modern developed countries, we have lost the knowledge. It's time for a reclamation!

I’ve gotten messages for years like:

• “I can’t find what we need.”
• “It’s too expensive now.”
• “I’m tired of giving my kids harsh chemicals.”
• “We’re always sick and not getting better.”
• “The side effects are wearing me down.”

A mom once emailed me from Saskatchewan asking what to do for her baby’s fever because she couldn’t find medicine anywhere.

And honestly? When I see things like $30+ for Mucinex, I just shake my head. Because in many cases, herbal remedies work better—and they support the body instead of bulldozing it.

One YouTube viewer said it perfectly:

Here’s what really bothers me...

Most conversations about what to do in a health emergency are like these:

1. all trauma/first-aid (important) but with zero mention of herbs, or
2. a countertop full of OTC meds with short shelf lives and big price tags… and again, no healing herbs.

And I’ll be honest: it breaks my heart how un-empowered modern people (all of us) have been trained to be about our health.

It’s not our fault.

Like 99% of our modern population, I, too, used to think those OTC drug products were “safe” because they were "normal" to me. Approved by the government. Taken for granted as the ONLY way to go.

But I also remember what it felt like when I finally realized they were CAUSING my many health issues—not solving them.

From dangerous liver depletion to UTI's all the time, subsequent yeast infections and overgrowth of candida, digestive issues, weight gain, rosacea, annual bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis, seasonal allergies forever, L4-L5 issues in my spine, fatigue, insomnia, and more.... I finally, FINALLY woke up to why on earth I felt so horrible in my late thirties....

Now? My students and I make the majority of those “drugstore remedies” at home using medicinal plants and essential oils—things the body recognizes and can work with.

We've been OTC and RX FREE for around 14 years now!

That includes support for:

• coughs, colds, flu, and fevers
• pains and inflammation
• sleep and stress
• digestion (bloating, indigestion, constipation/diarrhea)
• skin issues, muscle soreness, menstrual cramps
• congestion and seasonal allergies
• immune support to help you stay well
  …and lots, lots more---pretty much all the things over-the-counter drugs do.

And yes—some students even manage to wean off prescriptions (with wise boundaries and proper medical oversight of course).

The moment I’ll never forget

Years ago, Mr. V. and I were in CVS in Las Vegas with a $50 gift card. We walked aisle after aisle… and we quickly realized we didn’t need ANY of the OTC (over-the-counter) products.

He called out from over the top of an aisle and said, “Heidi… we don’t need this stuff. You make all of it.”

We stood there and just laughed—because the light bulb had gone on!

We were no longer dependent.

That’s what I want for you.

Wisdom, and confidence in your herbal medicine skills—so you aren’t at the mercy of shortages, high prices, sometimes dangerous pills, or a system that doesn’t prioritize true wellness. A system that just masks symptoms instead of going to the root causes for true health.

Whew. Okay. I’ll rein it in. 😊

Ready to build your home apothecary?

If you already know you’re ready to stop dabbling and start building a real home medicine chest, my signature program is open:

​Ditch the Drugstore​

Enrollment for this cohort closes in three days (Saturday, January 24th).

We’ll have our Welcome + Orientation live chat on Saturday! If you can’t attend live, you’ll have the replay.

During the cohort, I’m active in the group and I host live Q&A chats for about six weeks (often longer if students need it). Those are recorded too—and we now have 100+ searchable Q&A replays as a bonus resource.

This is not a “watch videos and hope it works” course. This isn't a course with a bunch of slide deck notes and no texts. It's not me trying to sell my formulations.

This is support, structure, and a plan.

Inside you’ll get:

• video lessons + written lessons/books
• projects and formulas (200+ remedies (and hundreds more in the Certification option)
• live instruction and Q&A (and over 100+ searchable replays)
• community + real help when you need it
• guidance for substitutions and adjustments and any question you have
• and yes—I can even help create custom formula options for students, depending on the need

PLUS you’ll own the course for life, so you can take it in the margins of your life or move quickly—your call. You're also welcome to attend any future student groups, too!

If you’re the kind of woman or man who is:

• not afraid to learn
• ready to take back your health choices
• feeling like this is the time
• wanting real medical preparedness with natural options…

then you’ll love this.

👉 CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FAMILY HERBALIST ​

***********************

Encouragement + Inspiration

God made medicinal plants for our use. Over the centuries, big money entities have stolen our knowledge of plant medicine, leaving us dependent on Big Pharma.

We know that we are meant for a place of life, with leaves meant for healing as well as practical applications such as fig poultices for boils and balm for sores. Hyssop for purification and remedies and many ancient uses that continue today. God has provided for us in His medicinal and food plants.

"He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of mankind, so that they may produce food from the earth..." (And we know that our food is our medicine, such as elderberry, garlic, thyme, rosemary, hawthorn, and many, many more)

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?" --Jeremiah 8:22, referring to a famous healing ointment from the region of Gilead

"Then Isaiah said, 'Take a cake of figs.' And they took it and placed it on the inflamed spot, and he recovered." 2 Kings 20:7

Isn’t it comforting to know we’re not alone? Even when we feel alone, we aren’t. God is near, He is good, and He’s faithful. He gives us what we need!

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”​
—Jeremiah 29:11

******************************

FINAL DAYS Bonus: Free herbal training videos

I also have a limited-time free video series where we make remedies together:

1. a multi-purpose roller blend (2 formulas for kids + adults)
2. my favorite 2-ingredient seasonal allergy tincture
3. how to plan a custom apothecary for your family
4. and more 🥰

👉 Click HERE to watch the FREE videos on our All-Access Page still available for only a limited time​

Hugs, Health, and Herbs

Heidi 🌿

P.S. If you’ve been meaning to build a real home medicine chest… there’s no time like right now. Your future self and your family will thank you. 🥰

***************************************

​

​

Time is ticking away! I hope you can join us for this round! If you have any questions, please reach out to support@healingharvesthomestead.com or just hit "reply," and we'll answer personally.