The Herbalist's Journal

Celine Colbert

The Herbalist’s Journal explores the stories behind the plants of the Northeast and beyond. Hosted by Celine Colbert, a forester and Master Arborist, each episode dives deep into one species—its botany, ecology, medicinal uses, and cultural history. From towering trees to hidden woodland herbs, discover how plants heal, harm, and inspire. The forest is speaking—let’s listen.

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 4 min
English

Episodes 27

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September 24 · 3 min
Blue Vervain — The Tension Reliever
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), a plant of edges, waterways, and quiet release. Long used to support the nervous system during times of stress and emotional strain, Blue Vervain offers medicine for tension held in the body and mind. Join Celine as she reflects on its traditional uses, ecological role, and the subtle power of letting go. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
September 17 · 4 min
Black Walnut — Medicine in the Shadow
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), a powerful forest tree known for its deep medicinal history and unmistakable presence. From Indigenous uses of the hulls and bark to its ecological influence through allelopathy, Black Walnut offers lessons in boundaries, discernment, and intentional healing. Join Celine as she reflects on this tree’s cultural significance and the role of strong medicine in both forests and human traditions. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
September 10 · 4 min
Sarsaparilla — The Woodland Tonic Root
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), a modest woodland plant whose roots have supported Indigenous medicine and early settler remedies for centuries. From gentle blood and digestive tonics to its ecological role feeding pollinators and wildlife, Sarsaparilla demonstrates the quiet generosity of the forest. Join Celine as she traces its cultural history, practical uses, and lessons in patience and subtlety. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
September 3 · 3 min
Golden Alexanders — Sunshine on the Forest Edge
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), a bright yellow perennial that thrives at forest edges and meadows. Celebrated for its delicate umbels, edible shoots, and medicinal roots, this plant has long supported Indigenous communities and early herbalists alike. Join Celine as she reflects on its ecological role, cultural significance, and the quiet generosity that makes Golden Alexanders a true woodland and meadow treasure. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
August 27 · 4 min
Solomon’s Plume — The Gentle Forest Tonic
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Solomon’s Plume (Maianthemum racemosum), a delicate woodland plant whose arching plumes and red berries mark the forest floor in late spring and early summer. Traditionally used as a gentle tonic for digestion, reproductive health, and overall vitality, this plant also supports pollinators and wildlife. Join Celine as she reflects on its subtle medicine, cultural significance, and the quiet wisdom it offers in the forest. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
August 20 · 4 min
Wild Blueberry— The Woodland Jewel
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), a small, low-growing shrub that carpets forest edges and sunny understory patches. Celebrated for its sweet, nutritious berries and medicinal leaves, Wild Blueberry has supported Indigenous diets, traditional remedies, and wildlife for centuries. Join Celine as she reflects on its ecological role, cultural history, and the quiet resilience that makes this plant a true jewel of North American forests. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
August 13 · 4 min
American Ginseng — The Forest’s Golden Root
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores American Ginseng — the forest’s golden root. From its slow-growing, shade-loving habitat to its centuries-long history in Indigenous medicine and international trade, American Ginseng offers lessons in patience, respect, and ecological stewardship. Join Celine as she traces its traditional uses as a restorative tonic and reflects on the careful balance between human use and forest conservation. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
August 6 · 4 min
Goldenseal — The Golden Thread in the Understory
In this thoughtful and ecological dive, Celine explores Goldenseal—a quiet forest plant whose golden root has been both revered and over-harvested. From Indigenous traditional uses to its rise as a commercially coveted remedy, this episode examines how cultural significance, scarcity, and ecological responsibility intersect. Goldenseal becomes a reminder that admiration and extraction are not the same, and that some plants are best honored by leaving them in place. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
July 30 · 4 min
Skullcap — A Steady Support for the Nervous System
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), a modest woodland herb with a long history of calming and restorative uses. Known for supporting the nervous system, easing tension, and promoting gentle relaxation, Skullcap is a plant of quiet strength. Join Celine as she traces its traditional applications, ecological role, and the subtle ways this plant teaches patience and nervous system care. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
July 23 · 4 min
Anise Hyssop — Calm, Comfort, and a Cup of Tea
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores the gentle, fragrant presence of Anise Hyssop—a plant beloved by pollinators and long valued in both Indigenous and settler traditions. With its soft licorice aroma, calming properties, and history as a tea plant, Anise Hyssop bridges the practical and the poetic. Join Celine as she traces its cultural significance, its role in supporting wellness, and the quiet resilience that makes it a favorite across gardens and wild spaces alike. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
July 16 · 4 min
Self-Heal— Everyday First-Aid in a Plant
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Self-heal—also known as heal-all—a small but remarkable woodland and meadow herb with a long history of use in Indigenous and European folk medicine. From its purple, tiered flower spikes to its reputation as a remedy for wounds, inflammation, and general wellness, Self-heal reveals how some of the most unassuming plants often carry the deepest stories. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
July 9 · 3 min
Violet — The Medicine of the Heart
Celine explores Violet (Viola spp.), a soft-spoken woodland plant known for emotional, lymphatic, and respiratory support. This episode highlights violet’s cultural uses, early spring ecology, and symbolic connection to grief and tenderness, offering insight into a medicine that heals through compassion and quiet strength.This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
July 2 · 4 min
Burdock — The Root That Cleans
Celine journeys underground with Burdock (Arctium spp.), a deep-rooted plant of long-term healing and resilience. This episode explores burdock’s role in liver and lymphatic support, skin health, and soil restoration, revealing how true cleansing happens slowly, deeply, and with patience.This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
June 25 · 3 min
Chickweed — The Medicine of Cooling and Care
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine meets Chickweed (Stellaria media), a tender plant that arrives in cool seasons to soothe heat and irritation. From skin and digestive support to its role as nourishing early greens, discover how chickweed teaches healing through gentleness and quiet abundance.This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
June 18 · 3 min
Calendula — The Sun’s Gentle Medicine
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Calendula (Calendula officinalis), a bright and generous plant long valued for skin healing and gentle lymphatic support. From household remedies to garden ecology, discover how calendula offers warmth, renewal, and care through consistent, radiant medicine. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
June 11 · 4 min
Mullein — The Listener of Lungs
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine meets Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), a tall, velvety plant of breath and boundaries. From respiratory medicine and ear oil to its role as a pioneer species, discover how mullein teaches steady support, deep listening, and the quiet power of gentleness. This show exists ad free, if you would like to show support, I gratefully except tips here: https://buymeacoffee.com/celinecolbert
June 4 · 3 min
Red Clover — The Medicine of Softening
Celine steps into open fields with Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), a plant known for nourishment, balance, and gentle restoration. This episode explores red clover’s role in traditional herbalism, soil renewal, and lymphatic health, offering insight into a medicine that heals through patience and abundance.
May 28 · 4 min
Plantain — Medicine Underfoot
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine explores Plantain (Plantago major and P. lanceolata), a resilient plant that follows human footsteps. From Indigenous field medicine to modern herbal first aid, discover how plantain draws out injury, soothes inflammation, and restores both land and body where disturbance is greatest.
May 21 · 4 min
Wild Bergamot
In this episode of The Herbalist’s Journal, Celine meets Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), an aromatic meadow plant that opens breath and gathers pollinators. From Indigenous respiratory medicine to ecological restoration, discover how this vibrant species shapes air, movement, and vitality wherever
May 14 · 4 min
Wild Rose
Celine explores Wild Rose (Rosa spp.), a plant of fragrance, nourishment, and boundaries. This episode highlights the medicinal value of rose hips and petals, Indigenous cultural uses, and the deeper lessons roses offer about tenderness, protection, and balance in both ecosystems and human life.

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