Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine

Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine Blending the best of Chinese and American herbal medicine, with a focus on regional plants.

09/07/2026

Herbalist Kitchen Series: Tools of the Trade.

A lot of the time I get asked, “what are some good tools I should have in my kitchen?” Today I wanted to start with some basics before I dive into more of the electronic devices next week, so follow along.

Now keep in mind, you can certainly buy all of the things I list in this episode new, however nowadays it is very easy to buy things used. Facebook Marketplace and your local thrift shops will often have many of the items I discuss in this video. This is a very cost‑effective way to keep your kitchen stocked with tools that are often needed for the recipes we discuss here on the Herbalist Kitchen.

It doesn’t matter where in the world you come from — your ancestors used plants for healing. This is your ancestral gift, no matter what continent you are from, and setting your kitchen up does not have to be expensive..

09/04/2026

This was a hands on herbalism day our Holistic Herbalism students won't forget with teacher Sarah Nunez.

The students got to bundle fresh herbs to dry for smoke cleansing, they made Florida Water (two different ways), and they talked about some specific herbs to use in various ways such as in healing baths. The whole day was a hands on learning experience our students will never forget.

Good news! Applications for our 2027 programs are now open so if classes like this interest you, visit our website or follow the link in our bio to learn more/apply.

08/31/2026

Making sumac‑ade with Rhus glabra in the BRSHM kitchen today. Sumac’s berries are sour and can be made into a lemonade-like drink. They are naturally high in malic and citric acids, which give them their signature tartness and make them perfect for cold or solar infusions. The tannins add a mild astringency, and the flavonoids contribute both to color and antioxidant activity...all of which extract easily without heat.

Fill a large jar a quarter of the way with the berries and cover with good‑quality water. Let steep for at least 4-6 hours. Then let the sun do the rest of the work!

You can add a sweetener to the final product if you prefer but I actually like it best without one. Stain then enjoy!

Who has tried sumac-ade before??

Have you ever seen a more beautiful apothecary station? 🩷😍Our peach mimosa elixir batch is moving quickly! Once it’s gon...
08/28/2026

Have you ever seen a more beautiful apothecary station? 🩷😍

Our peach mimosa elixir batch is moving quickly! Once it’s gone it won’t return until next summer’s harvest. This is available on https://bit.ly/3wGTuam

If you’d rather craft your own, I shared the full peach mimosa elixir recipe for free right here on our page (posted on July 6th). This way you can make your own bottle of sunshine whenever you need it!!

This past Sunday I taught a plant walk at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden.If you are not familiar with this wonderf...
08/26/2026

This past Sunday I taught a plant walk at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden.

If you are not familiar with this wonderful place, it is a long‑standing, community‑run garden dedicated to food sovereignty, education, and land stewardship located in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Over the years it has grown into one of the region’s most active community garden programs. Gardeners get to tend to their own plots while also contributing fresh produce to local food‑sharing programs. The space itself has become a hub for education, volunteer work, and ecological care. It is always an honor for me to teach a plant walk on this land.

https://bit.ly/4xk7KjH

This is the classroom we like to teach in at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine. While many herbs schools have gon...
08/21/2026

This is the classroom we like to teach in at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine. While many herbs schools have gone online, we believe the forest is our best classroom, and in-person classes are the best way to learn.

We offer a range of programs designed to meet you right where you are – whether that means dipping your toes into kitchen herbal medicine or diving deep into herbalism through a clinical lens.

Each of our classes is taught with heart by Author and Clinical Herbalist CoreyPine Shane, together with a diverse circle of teachers, and grounded in place-based, experiential learning.

Applications are now open for our 2027 year Holistic Herbalism and Essentials of Herbalism Programs. And you can join the waitlist for our upcoming fall Wild Medicine Internship starting on September 12th. Follow the link in our bio or go to https://bit.ly/3MomGHR for more details..

One of our students hit the jackpot on a hike the other day and stumbled upon a plethora of chicken of the woods. Chicke...
08/19/2026

One of our students hit the jackpot on a hike the other day and stumbled upon a plethora of chicken of the woods.

Chicken of the Woods refers to mushrooms in the Laetiporus genus. They’re usually found on oak, but also on other hardwoods. They grow in big, layered shelves that look almost like coral or bright petals stacked on a tree.

When cooked, the texture is famously similar to chicken (firm and shreddable) hence the name. The flavor is mild but savory, especially when sautéed or roasted. It can be sautéed, fried, added to soups, or even used as a plant‑based “chicken” in dishes.

Who has tried this mushroom before and what's your favorite way to prepare it? 👇

08/17/2026

In the Herbalist Kitchen today, I’m sharing a tea that became a steady source of support in the days after our area was devastated by Hurricane Helene: Relax & Resilience Tea. This is a blend created by CoreyPine to help calm nerves, lift spirits, and keep people going when everything felt heavy.

It’s made with Holy Basil, Jiao Gu Lan, peach leaf, hawthorn flowers, and mimosa bark — herbs that soothe the nervous system, center the mind, restore energy, and gently ease grief. During those long days, I made sure the first‑aid workers and organizers had at least one warm cup to ground themselves before heading back out. Small plant‑based supports can make a real difference when you yourself, your household or your community is under strain.

This blend is simple, steady care for ourselves, for each other, and for anyone carrying more than usual.

Let us know if you give this blend a try.

Some of our Holistic Herbalism students were out harvesting some Reishi (Ganoderma spp.)the other day. 🍄‍🟫Reishi is prob...
08/14/2026

Some of our Holistic Herbalism students were out harvesting some Reishi (Ganoderma spp.)the other day. 🍄‍🟫

Reishi is probably one of my favorite medicinal mushrooms and for good reason. It is in the Chinese herbal category “Herbs to Settle the Spirit”. It does this by nourishing the Heart, where consciousness is based. This makes it an excellent medicine for those who are depleted from shock or trauma or are having a hard time settling back into their bodies after trauma. The most common symptoms are palpitations, forgetfulness, and especially waking up during the night from disturbing dreams. Reishi helps settle our minds so that we have the groundedness to work through our emotional issues.⠀
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This is probably the reason it was considered a sacred Taoist medicine for millennia – its ability to quiet the mind, settle the spirit, and allow us to be present with whatever arises is a special gift. And in this chaotic and unsettled world we live in, who couldn’t use more of this herb?⠀
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In Western herbalism we might call it an adaptogen and a nervine, because it is calming and centering while at the same time nourishing our basic energy and helping us deal with stress better. Not only that but it is also an immune modulator with powerful effects on the immune system.
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Have you ever used Reishi? Let us know in the comments. 👇

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