“Herbalism was the grounding of flower power,” renowned medical herbalist, David Hoffman, once said. “Nature woke us up.” He added, “Herbalism is ecology in practice.” That perspective has always resonated with me.

Living on the East Coast during brutal winters, immunity is my number one focus. This past December and January, when COVID spiked again, I wanted to take control of my health as much as possible.

As they say, “health is wealth,” and I knew I needed to do my part to make my body a safe home. That meant focusing on immune-boosting herbs that could support each of my organs. I have relied on different herbal cleanses and support protocols for more than 15 years. They’ve helped me through many of my biggest health struggles. While that used to be a more unusual strategy, in the last year or so, it has begun to enter the mainstream, commodified in a way that actually feels pretty positive. People are getting educated.

Natural health boosters—from ashwagandha to lion’s mane to L-theanine—have begun popping up in everything from tinctures to gummies. Still, many people are not yet familiar with the benefits of nootropics, adaptogens and specific herbal remedies, though they may have heard the terms thrown around. So, for March, we’re spotlighting herbalists, innovators and healers who have created products and treatments around these powerful tools and who can break down how each of them work to boost our immunity and bolster our bodies.

Amassing the knowledge is the first step towards our best health, but sometimes sifting through so much information is overwhelming. That’s why we’re going to break it down into small, more digestible bites, so you can figure out what’s best for you.

Nature gives us freedom; it is our true healer. Incorporate a bit of plant magic into your life and it’s bound to have a positive effect.

x Robyn