Bloom Institute of Holistic Living & Learning

There are two spots available for my herbal weekend retreat -
June 26-28, at Blue Forest

Nettle soup is on the menu, along with other yummy herbal foods and drinks. Herbal happy hour mocktails are a highlight! 😋

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This Sunday at the Bloom building - there will be lots of medicinal herb transplants avaialable - come early!

A remarkable healing story —
Stinging Nettle to the rescue!

Nettle flogging, also known as urtication, is not merely an ancient folk practice, but a valuable therapeutic strategy still used today.

Urtication involves applying fresh nettle topically to stimulate circulation, nerve activity, and localized healing.

Meet Rebecca — a lovely client and student of mine. Nettle urtication has brought her tremendous healing, helping restore function to her finger after a serious injury.

Last September, she accidentally severed the tendon in her right index finger with broken glass. An infection led to scar tissue and inflammation that prevented the joint from bending. Over time, it developed into a chronic pain condition with limited use of her hand.

She used herbs throughout her recovery to help stabilize her system after antibiotics and surgery.

Then, when the fresh nettles emerged this spring, she began applying them directly to the affected area. She willingly embraced the sting, irritation, and mild swelling in exchange for what she describes as “the best relief she’s had since the accident.”

She now has more feeling, flexibility, and mobility in her finger — something especially meaningful because she is an artist, and her hands are her tools.

The treatment can become intensely itchy afterward, but Rebecca makes her own herbal salve to soothe the irritation.

She can’t wait to tell her surgeon about it this summer when she returns for a second attempt at surgery.

Nettle will forever be her hero.

I’m deeply impressed by Rebecca’s perseverance and commitment to herbal healing. Sometimes a little short-term sting can bring long-term gain.

United Plant Lovers 🌺

Plants are an antidote to division.
They are our common ground.

Regardless of culture, religion, politics, ethnicity, gender, or age — we are all deeply shaped by the plant world.

Over the past 25 years, I’ve witnessed the power of people coming together to learn, heal, and grow through herbs. Herb class becomes more than education — it becomes community.

As Katie said this weekend, “Herbs attract the best people.” 😘

And in Jade’s words:
“I don’t normally like people, I don’t have friends, however I’ve found my heart family in herb class.”

Again and again, I’ve watched students reconnect with themselves through the plants, the learning, and the shared experience. One student arrived feeling exhausted and burdened by life, and slowly unfolded again — like a wilted flower returning to the sun.

Herbs heal in more ways than one. 💚

Holistic Herbal Wellness begins this September.
Year-long herbal study and community.
Levels 1–5 now open for registration.
Early bird discount until June 21 🐦