PODCAST · health
The Active Herbalist
by Becca Kawaoka
The Active Herbalist is a beginner-friendly introduction to common herbs and how they can support an active lifestyle. Learn about the herbs in your spice cabinet and their healing properties in a down-to-earth way along with tips on when to reach for an herb and easy application tips. The opinions stated in this podcast are individual and not reflective of a medical professional.
Episodes
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Episode 55: Immuni-Tea 2.0 - Formulating for Cold & Flu Season
Cold and flu season is here, and I'm breaking down my newest seasonal blend, Immuni-Tea 2.0 — a completely updated recipe with new herbs and features from last year's version. In this episode, I walk through the formula herb by herb through the lens of herbal actions: immune support (echinacea,...
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Episode 54: Herbal Support for Gut Health
This episode explores the role of herbs in addressing long-term digestive imbalances, emphasizing a holistic approach to wellness. Becca highlights several herbs, such as calendula, licorice root, gotu kola, red raspberry leaf, and burdock, noting their supportive roles in gut health and overall...
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Episode 53: Holistic Recovery for Race Season (Pre + Post Race)
What does recovery actually look like—before and after a race? In this episode, I share how I approached tapering, racing, and recovery from my final Ironman without fully stepping away from training. We talk about nervous system support, reducing input, and the herbal blend I’ve been using for...
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Episode 52: Cognitive Caffeine Alternatives: Herbs for Focus
Caffeine-free doesn’t have to mean low energy. In this episode, we explore herbal allies for focus and sustained vitality—without the jitters or crash. From gotu kola for calm mental clarity, to mint for a quick sense of alertness, eleuthero for long-term resilience, and holy basil for steady,...
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Episode 51: Hibiscus - A Cooling Cardiotonic
Hibiscus is highly regarded for its beauty, taste, color, and health benefits. Today, we'll deep dive into the history, actions, energetics, traditional and current uses of hibiscus before wrapping up with an easy hibiscus recipe and astrological associations!
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Episode 50: Herbs Everyone Should Have
Your starter herbal toolkit episode! Discover how chamomile, ginger, and mint can address a variety of patterns and enhancing daily wellness with easy, natural remedies anyone can use.
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Episode 49: Herbs for Emotional Overwhelm
In this episode, Becca explores herbal remedies for emotional overwhelm, burnout, and grief, emphasizing their supportive roles during challenging times. She highlights key herbs such as passionflower and skullcap for evening relaxation, hawthorn and nettle to ease the heart and calm anger, wood...
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Episode 48: Herbs For Men
In this episode, we explore herbal allies for supporting the prostate during midlife and beyond. As hormones shift and the body changes, herbs like nettle root, saw palmetto, soothing plants and adaptogens, can offer steady nourishing support for the urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems.…
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Episode 47: Comfrey & the Art of Wound Healing
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has a centuries-long reputation as a powerful wound healer. In this episode, we dive into its history, traditional and modern uses, growing tips, and herbal actions, exploring why herbalists turn to it for tissue repair and skin support. We also break down the...
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Episode 46: Maternity Herbs for New & Expecting Mothers
In this episode, we explore gentle, nourishing herbal allies for pregnancy and the postpartum season. I share why not all herbs are safe during pregnancy, how to think in terms of herbal actions rather than trends, and what qualities I look for when supporting expecting and new mothers. We talk...
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Episode 45: Calm & Clear - Herbs for Skin & Liver Harmony
Discover how your skin mirrors your internal health and meet five herbs that support liver, lymphatic flow, and calm, clear skin. This episode explores how to use them both as tea ingredients, food herbs, salves, and gentle facial rinses for an inside-out skincare approach. Learn about Becca's…
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Episode 44: Herbal Formulation - The Art & Craft of Blending Herbs
Today Becca discusses herbal formulation and "science" behind crafting an herbal remedy. We unpack herbal taste, actions, affinities, energetics, dosage and potential interactions to create plant remedies from the lens of an herbalist.
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Episode 43: Herbal Aphrodisiacs
The discussion focuses on herbs that support the reproductive system, particularly for athletes and those under chronic stress. Emotional wellness, sleep quality, and nutrition are foundational for restoring sexual health. Several herbs, including rose, ashwagandha, oats, shatavari, pau d'arco…
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Episode 42: Hawthorn for the Heart - Physical and Emotional Cardiac Support
Today, we’ll look at hawthorn’s physical support for the cardiovascular system, as well as its role in emotional healing, resilience, and long-term cardioprotective health. Join Becca for a deep dive into hawthorn's herbs energetics, actions, uses, preparations and alchemical correspondence…
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Episode 41: Vanilla - Beyond Flavor for Comfort & Calm
Join Becca for a deep dive into vanilla! We review vanilla’s taste, actions, energetic, uses and elemental/planetary associations before wrapping up with an easy DIY vanilla extract recipe!
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Episode 40: Juniper - Winter's Warming & Cleansing Berry
Today, we review Juniperus communis, a hardy shrub of the Northern Hemisphere. Juniper berry is most commonly used medicinally for the musculoskeletal and urinary systems, but has extended traditional and current uses we review in depth. Explore herbal actions, energetics, preparations…
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Episode 39: Christmas Herbs
Today's episode highlights 6 traditional Christmas herbs: juniper, clove, cinnamon, orange, pine, and elder! We discuss the parts of each herb used medicinally, herbal actions, energetics, traditional uses, folklore and fun facts, and a recommended preparation or recipe before wrapping up with a...
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Episode 38: Elder
The Active Herbalist Episode 38: Elder Sambucus nigra, Sambucus canadensis Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms: Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form...
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Episode 37: Herbs for Sleep
Today, we're talking about herbs for sleep! Becca reviews her four favorite nervine relaxant herbs: Chamomile, Valerian, Skullcap, and Passionflower. We review each herb's use, taste, growing style, dosage and preparation. Thanks for tuning in!
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Episode 36: Herbs for Athletes
Episode Summary: Introduction Herbs for Athletes Nettle Dandelion Licorice Root Comfrey Adaptogens: Tulsi, Gotu Kola, Eleuthero Herbal Preparations: Tea, tincture, topical
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Episode 35: Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental…
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Episode 34: Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Traditional Uses Current Uses & Studies When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion Citations &...
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Episode 33: Burdock
Burdock Arctium lappa, A. minus Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Traditional Uses Current Uses & Studies When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion Citations &...
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Episode 32: Wood Betony
Wood Betony Stachys betonica; Stachys officinalis Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Traditional & Current Uses When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion…
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Episode 31: Mugwort
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Affinities & Current Uses/Studies Traditional Uses When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion…
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Episode 30: White Willow (Salix alba)
White Willow Salix alba Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental,...
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Episode 29: Thyme
Thyme Thymus vulgaris Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental,...
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Episode 28: Oats
Oats Avena sativa Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental…
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Episode 27: Beginner Herbalism with Mary DeVries
Join show host Becca Kawaoka and Mary DeVries for a Q & A format episode. Today's show centers on common questions surrounding herbs and where to begin in the herb world. Conversations flow from herb supplementation form to basic constitutional patterns to make the right herb choice for the...
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Episode 26: Dandelion
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Family: Asteraceae History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste: Root, Leaf & Flower Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional & Current Uses When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation…
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Episode 25: Motherwort
Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary &...
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Episode 24: Red Raspberry
Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus Family: Rosaceae The Active Herbalist products featuring red raspberry leaf: Moon Cycle Support Tea History & Growing Parts of Red Raspberry Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Energetics Taste Actions Organs & Body Systems Red Raspberry Acts Upon Traditional Uses...
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Episode 23: Feverfew
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium Family: Asteraceae History & Growing Parts of Feverfew Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Energetics Taste Actions Organs & Body Systems Feverfew Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses Studies Dosage Contraindications Planetary, Elemental, Dosha Associations...
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Episode 22: Yarrow
Yarrow Achillea millefolium Family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications…
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Episode 21: Calendula
Calendula officinalis Family The Active Herbalist products with calendula: Immuni-Tea History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) o “Calendula officinalis shows...
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Episode 20: Valerian
History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms: Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses (& Studies/Research) When to Reach for Herb & In What Form Dosage & Preparation Contraindications Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion...
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Episode 19: Marshmallow
Marshmallow Althaea officinalis Family: Malvaceae family - History & Growing (Mountain Rose Herbs) - Parts Used Medicinally - Forms of Mallow Supplementation - Taste - Energetics - Actions - Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon - Traditional Uses National Confectioners Association Article…
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Episode 18: Catnip
Catnip Nepeta cataria; Lamiaceae (mint) family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation forms Taste Energetics Actions Body Systems and Organs Supported by Catnip Supplementation Traditional Uses Current Uses & Studies Dosage Contraindications When to reach for catnip (and in what...
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Episode 17: Skullcap
Skullcap The Active Herbalist products with skullcap: Peaceful Dreams Tea History & Growing Parts of Skullcap Used Medicinally Ways to Consume Skullcap Taste Energetics Actions Body Systems & Organs Skullcap Impacts Traditional Uses Current Uses & Research Superpower & When to reach for skullcap...
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Episode 16: Blue Vervain
Blue Vervain Verbena hastata, Verbena officinalis of the Verbenaceae (vervain) family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Supplementation Forms Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Blue Vervain Acts On Traditional Uses Current Uses & Research Blue Vervain’s Superpower When to reach...
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Episode 15: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Balm History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Ways to Supplement Lemon Balm Taste Energetics Actions Body Systems & Organs Lemon Balm Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses Lemon Balm’s Superpower When to Reach for Lemon Balm: Dosage Contraindications Planetary, Elemental, and Dosha...
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Episode 14: St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum Hypericaceae (St. John’s Wort) family History & Growing St. John’s Superpower Parts Used Medicinally Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Impacted by St. John’s Wort Traditional Uses Current Uses & Studies When to Reach for St. Johns & In What Form...
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Episode 13: Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea racemosa Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family History & Growing Parts of Black Cohosh Used Medicinally Ways to Consume Black Cohosh Taste Energetics Herbal Actions Primary Organs & Systems Black Cohosh Acts On Traditional Uses Current Uses & Studies When to...
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Episode 12: Passionflower
Passionflower Passiflora incarnata of the Passifloraceae (passionflower) family The Active Herbalist products with Passionflower: Peaceful Dreams Tea History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Ways to Consume Passionflower Taste Energetics Actions Organs & Body Systems Traditional Uses o USDA…
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Episode 11: Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet “Queen of the Meadow” Filipendula ulmaria Rosacea family History & Growing: Parts of Meadowsweet Used Medicinally Ways to Consume Meadowsweet Energetics Taste Actions Organs & Body Systems Meadowsweet Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses Studies Dosage Contraindications Planetary,...
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Episode 10: Holy Basil
Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum (formerly Ocimum sanctum) Lamiaceae (mint) family History & Growing Parts of Tulsi Used Medicinally Ways to consume Tulsi Taste Energetics Actions ** Understanding insulin-resistance and T2 diabetes Organs & Body Systems Tulsi Acts Upon Traditional Uses Current Uses...
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Episode 9: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
Cinnamon Cinnamomum spp. Lauraceae family History & Growing (Recommended video) Parts of cinnamon used medicinally Ways to consume cinnamon Taste Energetics Actions Organ systems impacted by cinnamon Traditional Uses Current Uses When to reach for cinnamon Dosage Contraindications Planetary,...
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Episode 8: Mint
Mint Mentha (spicata, x piperita, aquatica, suaveolens, x gracilis) Lamiaceae family History & Growing Parts Used Medicinally Forms of Mint Taste Energetics: Actions Organs & Systems Traditional Use (Recommended read) Current Uses Studies When to reach for mint Dosage Contraindications Elemental,...
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Episode 7: Rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) History & Growing Rosemary’s Taste Parts of rosemary used medicinally Rosemary’s Energetics Rosemary’s Actions Body Systems rosemary acts on Ways to consume rosemary Traditional Uses of rosemary Current Uses of rosemary When to reach for rosemary Studies on...
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Episode 6: Nettles
Nettles (Urtica dioca) *To try nettle in a tea blend, check out my Moon Cycle Support tea! -History & Growing *NBC News article with photo -Parts of Nettle Used -Ways to Consume Nettle -Taste, Energetics & Actions -Body Systems Nettle Influences -Traditional & Current Uses -Research & Studies…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Active Herbalist is a beginner-friendly introduction to common herbs and how they can support an active lifestyle. Learn about the herbs in your spice cabinet and their healing properties in a down-to-earth way along with tips on when to reach for an herb and easy application tips. The opinions stated in this podcast are individual and not reflective of a medical professional.
HOSTED BY
Becca Kawaoka
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Active Herbalist have?
The Active Herbalist currently has 55 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Active Herbalist about?
The Active Herbalist is a beginner-friendly introduction to common herbs and how they can support an active lifestyle. Learn about the herbs in your spice cabinet and their healing properties in a down-to-earth way along with tips on when to reach for an herb and easy application tips. The opinions...
How often does The Active Herbalist release new episodes?
The Active Herbalist has 55 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Active Herbalist?
You can listen to The Active Herbalist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Active Herbalist?
The Active Herbalist is created and hosted by Becca Kawaoka.
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