June 10, 2026

Happy Herbal Note Wednesday!

Today's note is going to be a pretty 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. The prices of medication are skyrocketing.

Did you know that almost 100% of the ingredients or complete medications for United States persons come from overseas? A couple of years ago that number was around 61%. Today?

The percentage has risen to between 70% and 90%, depending on whether we're speaking of ingredients or finished or generic medications. The majority of these are made in India and China, and ONLY 10% are made in the United States? Source​

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?"

Or...

"My prescription now costs almost $1,000 a month, and we can't afford it. What can we do?"

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 almost always replace over-the-counter medications (and in some cases even prescriptions—always with wise medical 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.”
• “My medications are 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.”
• "The doctors can't figure this (xyz thing) out."

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

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 in its natural healing processes instead of bulldozing it.

A few months ago, one of my YouTube viewers said it perfectly:

“All these pharmacies shutting down have me worried.” —HalfLatinaJoy

Here’s what really bothers me...

Most preparedness conversations coming from preparedness "experts" and homesteaders and other self-reliance types tell us to do things like these:

1. Get some kind of "medical kit" that contains mysterious antibiotics but zero mention of herbs....or:
2. Spend a jillion dollars on synthetic OTC meds with short shelf lives and big price tags… and again, no healing herbs.

And I’ll be honest: it breaks my heart at 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. And long-term use in my twenties is still causing lingering health issues for me today, which really makes me angry. Most of us don't realize that over-the-counter medications aren't always safe just because we can go to the store to buy 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....

And I was a young woman!

Now? At my much wiser age of 62, 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 in our household for around 15 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.
• PLUS....some things we used to use prescriptions for

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💡The moment I’ll never forget...

Years ago, when we still lived in Las Vegas and before we moved off-grid to the Southern Nevada Mountains (so it's been quite awhile now), Mr. V. and I were in CVS Drugstore 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, "Do you have anything in your basket?"

"No," I said back.....

He replied, “Heidi… we don’t need any of 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.

It happened gradually for us because I didn't have a mentor to support me in my learning. But...it happened nonetheless.

That’s what I want for you. Only, I'm here to be a real live person--a mentor--as you learn. I provide a LOT of free information, but you can only learn so much from random articles and posts, even if there are hundreds of these.

You need a real live person. A village of like-minded supportive friends who "get" you. And excellent content that attends to a variety of learning styles.

Okay. I’ll rein it in. 😊

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Ready to build your home apothecary?

"My interest in herbalism dates from a long time ago, but I never felt confident enough to start in earnest. Too many opinions, a sense of aloneness, and frankly sometimes a bit of unpalatable arrogance on the part of certain people contributed to my hesitation. I can honestly say that something about you feels so wholesome and good, it's inspiring. I'm opening this new door of herbalism with peaceful confidence."

--Odile B., Student and Herbalist

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

Enrollment for this cohort closes in a little over two days (Friday, June 13th).

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

During the cohort, I host live Q&A chats for about six weeks (often longer if students need it). Those are recorded too—and we now have 120+ searchable past Q&A replays that I give you as a valuable 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.

​Our Family Herbalism programs are 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's (and over 120+ searchable replays)
• community + real help when you need it
• guidance for substitutions and adjustments and any question you have
• planning and organizing your apothecary...so you don't waste money on herbs and oils you don't need
• and yes—I can even help create custom formula options for students, depending on the need
• and MORE

PLUS you’ll own the course for life, so you can fit 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.

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Encouragement + Inspiration

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

"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?" --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

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🌼 FINAL DAYS Bonus: Free herbal training videos

I also have a limited-time free Family Herbalist video series with three free downloads that include best questions to ask as a family herbalist.

👉 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. 🥰

P.P.S. There's just ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY to watch our updated training workshop on becoming your family's herbalist and the five BEST herbs to begin your home apothecary with. Register now, so you can get the link and join us today, in just a few hours.... Yes, there's a replay if you can't make it live. But you need to register. And please forward to a friend!

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

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