Wildcrafting Ethics, Botany, and Trailblazing Herbalism with Howie Brounstein

Wildcrafting has gotten trendy, and that's not always a good thing. Misidentified plants, sketchy sourcing claims, and a whole lot of misinformation are floating around social media right now, and it's worth slowing down to talk about why that matters.Howie Brounstein, founder of Columbine School of Botanical Studies and an herbalist who has been teaching for over 40 years, talks about why botany matters, what real wildcrafting ethics actually look like, and why he’s scared by a lot of what he sees online.What's in this episode:The real risks of misidentification and why positive plant ID is non-negotiableWhy botany matters, and when it doesn't need to be your focus as an herbalistHow to evaluate herb books and spot information that isn't coming from real experienceWhy Howie teaches a long-term apprenticeship instead of one-day wildcrafting classesWhy Howie believes you should taste every herb you give to someone elseWhat it was like building an herbal career in the late 1970s when nobody believed it was possibleHow AI and social media are accelerating herbal misinformationFor full show notes, resources, and links visit: theherbalistspath.com/blog/herbal-wildcrafting-ethics-howie-BrounsteinLearn more about Howie's apprenticeship and classes at botanicalstudies.netLike the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!Wondering how you can use your herbal skills to help people when times are tough?Grab Medicine For The People - An Herbalist's Guide To Showing Up For Your Community In Times of NeedIt's loaded with ideas and resources to help you help others!💚 Click here to geSupport the showReady to deepen your herbal skills and knowledge?Whether you're stocking your family's medicine cabinet, building your formulation skills, or stepping into the role of community herbalist, we have a program for you.Learn more hereIf you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left us a review and shared it with a friend. It helps more herbalists find their way here, and helps make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers 🌸Join me on: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTubeDisclaimer:*The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbs.