Wild Herbs with April

April Punsalan
  • 5.0 (31)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Wild Herbs with April Podcast where we unpack and uncover the healing properties of wild herbs so you can heal naturally with the plants beneath your feet.

  1. #32 Rewilding the Human Spirit with Jesse Wolf Hardin

    2D AGO

    #32 Rewilding the Human Spirit with Jesse Wolf Hardin

    What does it truly mean to rewild yourself? In this powerful, impactful episode, I had a conversation with Jesse Wolf Hardin, an American author, activist, musician, artist, herbalist, and wilderness guide to explore the concept of ''rewilding". This conversation goes far beyond ecology. It’s an invitation to remember that we are not separate from nature. We are nature. Together, we talked about how modern life has distanced us from our instincts, intuition, and wild essence and how reconnecting with the Earth can restore not only ecosystems, but our very identity. From Wolf’s 50 years living off-grid in New Mexico to his reflections on plants, activism, and inner transformation, this episode is a call to return to your roots, reclaim your wildness, and live more fully, and authentically. In this episode, you’ll learn: 00:00 – Teaser and Intro 00:43 – Jesse Wolf Hardin & his life’s work 02:12 – What rewilding really means 03:06 – Rewilding ecosystems vs. rewilding ourselves 04:28 – Disconnection, conflict, and the illusion of separation 07:08 – Humans as “feelers” of the Earth 10:04 – Wolf’s early experiences of wildness 12:17 – Learning from elders and living outside the system 14:02 – Finding his land in New Mexico 15:41 – Living off-grid and building a life rooted in nature 20:04 – Technology vs. connection: reaching the world from the wild 21:28 – The Good Medicine Confluence experience 23:16 – Feeling like an outsider & carrying “medicine” 24:44 – Raising children with imagination and wildness 26:26 – Can you rewild in the city or suburbs? 29:11 – Rewilding as a lifelong process 32:10 – Practical ways to begin rewilding anywhere 35:37 – Plant energy, medicine, and ecological connection 40:04 – Lessons from plants (especially Alder) 42:42 – Recommended books by Wolf 44:25 – Final reflections & gratitude   Memorable Quote: “We cannot be natural practitioners unless we are within our own nature.” ~Jesse Wolf Hardin “You are a part, just as the tree is, of all that has ever existed.” “Rewilding is not a place. It’s a way of being.”   Books by Jesse Wolf Hardin: The Healing Terrain Wonderements   Links & Resources: Good Medicine Confluence   About the guest, Jesse Wolf Hardin: Jesse Wolf Hardin is a presenter, musician, ecosopher, activist, artist, and author of hundreds of magazine articles and dozens of books – a champion of both human and bio diversity, as well as of nature’s medicines. Wolf tends and rewilds his very remote wilderness sanctuary home, and founded the international Good Medicine Confluence and Plant Healer Magazine with Kiva Rose in 2008. Connect with Wolf and Plant Healer on Instagram   About the host, April Punsalan: April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: Wild Herb Academy Instagram Page   Invitation Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way and to reWILD their spirit. 🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.   With Love, April Punsalan

    47 min
  2. #31 Pine Pollen, Hormones & Longevity with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh

    MAR 25

    #31 Pine Pollen, Hormones & Longevity with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh

    What if one of the most powerful longevity “superfoods” was literally falling from trees around you? In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Dr. Saeid Mushtagh to explore the science, tradition, and real-world benefits of pine pollen, a potent plant ally known for supporting hormones, energy, and longevity. From its roots in traditional Chinese medicine to modern clinical insights, this conversation dives deep into how pine pollen influences the HPA axis, supports anabolic health, and may help combat the chronic stress patterns of modern life. You’ll also learn how to harvest, preserve, and use pine pollen safely, and why freshness matters more than species. In this episode, you’ll learn: 00:00 – Teaser & Intro 01:51 – Meet Dr. Saeid Mushtagh 03:04 – The origin story of the Canadian Pine Pollen Company 13:59 – Pine pollen & longevity: what it is & why it's a superfood 18:55 – How to harvest & store pine pollen at home 22:12 – Balancing hormones, reducing cortisol & improving sleep 29:35 – How pine pollen supports adrenal gland health 31:01 – Anabolic health, aging & why hormones decline over time 37:16 – The key enzymes in pine pollen & how they work in the body 39:45 – Pine pollen, oxygen levels, cellular energy & inflammation 45:48 – Best ways to take pine pollen for maximum absorption 49:20 – Pine pollen & gut health: microbiome impact 53:01 – Canadian Pine Pollen Company products & where to find Dr. Saeid 59:42 – Pine pollen & PCOS: is it safe for women with high testosterone?   Resources mentioned:  Wild Certified Organic Pine Pollen | 100% Wildcrafted in Canada:Canadian Pine Pollen Company Enter code Wildherb for a discount at checkout   About the guest, Dr. Saeid Mushtagh: Dr. Mushtagh is a licensed naturopathic Physician and has been practicing naturopathic medicine in Canada since 2006. He is a graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and specializes in functional medicine, offering personalized diagnosis and treatment in his private practice. His integrative approach is rooted in therapeutic diets as the foundation for healing and long-term wellness. In addition to his clinical work, he is the co-founder of the Canadian Pine Pollen Company. Connect with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh: https://www.instagram.com/canadianpinepollen/   About the host, April Punsalan: April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: https://www.instagram.com/wildherbacademy/   Invitation If Pine speaks to you, take time this winter to sit with a pine tree. Observe its needles, cones, and presence. Let it teach you directly. Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way. 🌲 Stay wild. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.   With Love, April Punsalan

    1 hr
  3. #30 Pine Medicine: Learning the Plant Before the Books

    JAN 14

    #30 Pine Medicine: Learning the Plant Before the Books

    In this returning episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April dives deeply into the medicine, botany, and spirit of Pine—an ancient evergreen ally that shows up for us when we need resilience the most. Pine has survived ice ages, climate shifts, and mass extinctions, and in the heart of winter it continues to offer powerful medicine for the lungs, immune system, and spirit. In this episode, April weaves together botany, herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and intuitive plant wisdom to explore why Pine is such a profound teacher for 2026. This episode is both a practical guide and a spiritual invitation—to slow down, receive fully, and remember that plants are not just remedies, but living oracles. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Pine is one of the most ancient and resilient trees on Earth How Pine’s xylem and spiral water movement reflect efficient, rhythmic growth How to identify pines using needles, fascicles, sheaths, and cones Why Pine is especially important medicine in winter The medicinal actions of Pine (expectorant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory) How Pine supports colds, mucus, immunity, and inflammation Why fresh Pine is preferred over dried The spiritual symbolism of Pine, spirals, and the Fibonacci pattern What Pine teaches us about receiving, presence, and sustainable growth How to build a relationship with plants before turning to books Why intuitive plant connection is a vital part of herbal medicine Mentioned in this episode: Medical Botany: Foundations in Ancient Plant Wisdom, Click Here to Join Medical Botany Waitlist and Be the First to Know When Doors Open! Registration opens February 9, 2026 Course begins February 17, 2026 Invitation If Pine speaks to you, take time this winter to sit with a pine tree. Observe its needles, cones, and presence. Let it teach you directly. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way. 🌲 Stay wild. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.   With Love, April Punsalan

    24 min
  4. #29 The Healing Wisdom of the Womb: Reconnecting to Feminine Power with Malieokalani

    11/07/2025

    #29 The Healing Wisdom of the Womb: Reconnecting to Feminine Power with Malieokalani

    In this deeply nourishing episode of The Wild Herbs Podcast, April Punsalan sits down with Malieokalani Urrutia, founder of Sacred Woman School, to explore the ancient feminine wisdom of the womb. Together they uncover what it means to live from the womb space—a center of intuition, creation, and divine knowingand how this awareness transforms a woman’s life. Malieokalani shares how women can awaken and heal their womb energy through connection, ceremony, and remembrance, offering profound insight into the spiral of feminine creation, the energetic anatomy of the womb, and how menopause marks not an ending, but a rebirth into wisdom and power. Listeners are guided through a gentle womb clearing and activation, and learn how to use the womb as an oracle, a source of intuitive guidance, clarity, and inner truth. 💫 In this episode, you’ll learn: What it means to “live from the womb space” The spiral energy of creation and how it moves through the body How modern women can reclaim ancient womb wisdom The energetic power of menopause as transformation A guided womb activation and clearing practice Resources Mentioned: Womb Wisdom Workshop with Malieokalani – November 12, Register for Sacred Womb Garden Crafting a Sacred Womb Oil with April Punsalan – November 13, Register for Sacred Womb Garden Womb Wisdom Level 1 Training – November 15, Womb Level 1 Training Sacred Woman School, The School and Offerings

    58 min
  5. #28 The Gond Tribe’s Healing Secrets: Wild Foods, Rituals, and Living as One With the Forest with Nishanth Gurav

    09/02/2025

    #28 The Gond Tribe’s Healing Secrets: Wild Foods, Rituals, and Living as One With the Forest with Nishanth Gurav

    Why you need to hear this episode with Nishanth Gurav What if the key to healing our bodies, our spirits, and our planet has been preserved for thousands of years — by people living in deep relationship with the land? In this unforgettable conversation, ethnobotanist Nishanth Gurav takes us inside the Gond Tribe of India, considered one of the oldest Indigenous communities in the world. Nishanth has lived with the Gond for nearly two years, documenting their wild foods, sacred groves, and medicinal rituals — and what he shares will change how you see the plants outside your door. This isn’t theory. It’s lived wisdom. And it may just be the medicine our modern world is starving for. What you’ll learn in this episode: 🌿 Why the Gond people eat 10–20 wild greens a day and never use the word “weed” 🌿 How sacred groves protect biodiversity more effectively than modern conservation laws 🌿 The barefoot ritual that dissolves the separation between human and forest 🌿 How simple fermented foods and herbal kitchens keep disease away 🌿 The Gond approach to bone-setting, gut healing, and skin health using only local plants 🌿 Why Indigenous wisdom offers real solutions to our modern crises: climate, health, and mental well-being Nishanth isn’t just my guest today — he’s also my teaching partner inside Medical Botany: Mastery of the Flowering Plant Medicines. Every Wednesday, he joins us live to share his ethnobotanical knowledge and stories directly with Medical Botany apprentices. Alumni always comment how much they loved Nishant's teachings in Medical Botany. It is a true honor to have him join us in Medical Botany.  If this episode stirred something in you, don’t just listen — come learn from Nishanth himself. 👉 Join Medical Botany (Sept 3–7 only): Click to Join the Medical Botany Apprenticeship: Mastery of the Flowering Medicines We begin September 10, 2025, and I can’t wait for you to experience this life-changing apprenticeship. Please share this episode with at least one friend. This episode contains so much medicine and wisdom that many people need to hear.  I love you!   With Love and Green Blessings, April Punsalan

    57 min
  6. #27 Land is Power: Returning to Our Roots with Aleya Fraser

    07/31/2025

    #27 Land is Power: Returning to Our Roots with Aleya Fraser

    What does it truly mean to come home to the land—and why is land a source of both healing and power? 🌿 In this inspiring episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April sits down with Aleya Fraser, author of Caribbean Herbalism and land steward in Trinidad & Tobago. Aleya shares her extraordinary journey from Johns Hopkins medical labs and urban life to farming on ancestral lands, embracing agroecology, and creating spaces where others can reconnect with the earth. Together, they discuss: The life-changing moment that called Aleya back to the land Why land is power and a source of freedom for our communities How agroecology connects farming, healing, and social justice Simple spiritual practices to reconnect to local land—even if you live in the city Trinidad’s rich herbal traditions and the plants that have shaped Aleya's path Listeners will leave this episode feeling grounded, inspired, and called to reconnect with the rhythms of the Earth. Stay in Touch with Aleya and Access the Free Medical Botany Lessons: Aleya Fraser on Instagram: @naturalalyea Aleya’s land and cacao project: @panoramacacao April’s free 6-lesson Medical Botany preview, Click here to learn Medical Botany for free! Aleya's Caribbean Herbalism Website Aleya's Substack  Get Aleya's book Caribbean Herbalism Click Here I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. Follow this show so you don't miss an episode.   With Love and Gratitude, April

    52 min
  7. #26 Ditch the Lawn, Save the Planet: Doug Tallamy’s Blueprint for a Homegrown National Park

    02/28/2025

    #26 Ditch the Lawn, Save the Planet: Doug Tallamy’s Blueprint for a Homegrown National Park

    You can't miss this episode with Doug Tallamy! Doug is a conservation visionary, renowned entomologist, ecologist, professor, and New York Times bestselling author. As the co-founder of the Homegrown National Park initiative, Doug shares his visionary approach to transforming our lawns and backyards into thriving ecosystems that support biodiversity and combat biodiversity loss.  You will be super pumped after this episode to transform your yard! ​ What You Will Learn: The Lawn Epidemic: Doug discusses the staggering statistic that over 40 million acres of the U.S. are covered in lawns—an area larger than New England. He emphasizes the potential impact if homeowners reduced their lawn space by half, potentially restoring 20 million acres to native habitats, surpassing the combined area of all major national parks.​ Genesis of a Movement: Delving into his background, Doug recounts the pivotal moment that ignited his passion for conservation. Moving to a property overrun with invasive species, he observed a stark absence of native insects and wildlife, leading him to investigate the profound effects of non-native plants on local ecosystems.​ The Insect-Plant Connection: Highlighting the specialized relationships between native plants and insects, Doug explains how many insects have co-evolved with specific plants. The decline of these native plants directly threatens insect populations, which in turn affects the broader food web, including bird species and you.​ Empowering Homeowners: Doug introduces you to the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots call-to-action encouraging you to transform your outdoor spaces. By planting native species and reducing lawn areas, you can play a crucial role in restoring ecological balance.​ Success Stories and Practical Tips So You can Get Started: Sharing inspiring anecdotes, Doug illustrates how simple changes in landscaping practices have led to the return of diverse wildlife, from caterpillars to birds. He offers practical advice on selecting native plants and creating environments that support local fauna.​ Relevant Links: Homegrown National Park Initiative: Learn more about how you can contribute to this nationwide movement by visiting Homegrown National Park.​ Doug Tallamy's Books: Bringing Nature Home: Discover the essential role of native plants in our landscapes. Purchase here.​ Nature's Best Hope: A blueprint for individuals to help save the planet by starting in their own yards. Purchase here.​ The Nature of Oaks: An intimate look at the life cycle of oak trees and their importance to wildlife. Purchase here. How Can I Help, Saving Nature with Your Yard, Purchase NEW Book​ Native Plant Resources: National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder: Identify native plants specific to your area to support local wildlife. Access the tool here.​ If you want to learn how to connect with wild herbs for food and medicine, Click Here! Please share this episode with as many friends and family members as possible. Let's spread Doug's important message and mission and transform the health of this Earth, one yard at a time.    With So Much Love and the Chirp of the Yellow-rumped Warbler, April    P.S. I would be super grateful for a good rating of the Wild Herb Podcast, it will help our small show grow!

    45 min
  8. #25 The Hidden Microbiome of Leaves - Uncovering the Phyllosphere with Dr. Stephen Lindow

    01/21/2025

    #25 The Hidden Microbiome of Leaves - Uncovering the Phyllosphere with Dr. Stephen Lindow

    In this fascinating episode, I sit down with Dr. Stephen E. Lindow, a distinguished plant pathologist and microbial ecologist, to explore the phyllosphere—the diverse microbiome that covers plant leaves. Dr. Lindow shares his groundbreaking research on plant-associated bacteria and their role in plant health, immunity, and even their potential impact on human microbiomes. Key Topics Covered: What is the Phyllosphere? Understanding the microbiome of leaves. Bacteria on Leaves: Learn how thousands of different microbes colonize the surface of plants. Microbes & the Environment: How natural ecosystems support a more diverse plant microbiome than monocultures. Impact of Agriculture: How large-scale farming affects plant microbiomes. The Ice-Nucleating Bacteria Discovery: How certain bacteria can influence frost damage in crops. Foraging & Food Safety: What to know about wild foraging and the presence of microbes on leaves. The Human Gut Connection: Could eating wild plants positively impact your gut microbiome?   Why You Should Listen to This Episode: ✔️ Gain insights into the unseen world of plant microbiomes. ✔️ Learn how plants defend themselves with their microbial allies. ✔️ Understand how foraging wild herbs may support gut health. ✔️ Discover new perspectives on food safety and plant-based diets. Resources & Links: Read Dr. Stephen Lindow’s Research on the Phyllosphere - Phyllosphere Paper🌿 Join Medical Botany 1 - Registration Opens January 29th! Medical Botany 1   Follow Wild Herbs Podcast for More Herbal Wisdom We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the microbial world of plants! Make sure to follow the Wild Herb Podcast to learn from future expert guests who will continue to explore the intersection of plants, health, and microbiomes. Don’t forget to follow & leave a review! 🌱 Learn Wild Herbs. Stay Wild! Stay Human!

    40 min
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Welcome to the Wild Herbs with April Podcast where we unpack and uncover the healing properties of wild herbs so you can heal naturally with the plants beneath your feet.

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