Episode 139:
Motherwort with Thomas Avery Garran

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Episode Summary

I've spent many hours poring over Thomas Avery Garran’s materia medica books. In fact, his first book was one of the first herbal books that I bought when I started studying Chinese medicine!  And as you’ll see in this episode, Thomas clearly loves plants and has wonderful insights into them, from their gifts and energetics to how to grow and harvest them.

I was surprised when Thomas chose motherwort as his plant for the interview – I just didn't see it coming!  But as you’ll see, it’s obvious how much he loves motherwort, and he shares so much about this wonderful plant’s gifts – including his recipe for Tension Relief Tincture.

By the way, if you are or know someone who suffers from PMS, this is one recipe you don’t want to miss!  (You can find the link to the beautifully illustrated recipe card in the resources below.)

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► A lesser-known herbal preparation that can be made with motherwort

► How to recognize high-quality cut-and-dried motherwort

► Five tips for growing and harvesting your own motherwort

► The main health conditions for which motherwort’s gifts shine

► When you should (and shouldn’t) use motherwort

► Why Thomas is passionate about herb farming

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know him, Thomas Avery Garran has been studying plant medicine for over 30 years. He lived in China for sixteen years and received his PhD in Materia Medica studies and Plant Pharmacy at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, and was the first non-Chinese recipient of this degree. He has a master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and a certificate in herbal medicine from the American School of Herbalism. Thomas is the author of two books on the use of Western herbs in Chinese medicine; he is also the translator of the first book on growing and processing daodi Chinese herbs and the first men’s health book published in Chinese medicine in the mid 17th century. Thomas is also the co-translator of a free e-book on the initial response to the Covid outbreak by the Chinese medicine community in China. He is the executive director of the East West School of Herbology and president of Herb Whisperer, Inc. which focuses on agriculture of medicinal plants and education. Thomas now resides in Western Massachusetts, where he and his wife are building an herbal sanctuary and educational center.

I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect With Thomas

• Website | Herb-Whisperer.com
• Instagram | @east.west.herb.school
• Facebook | Thomas Avery Garran PhD

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:09] Introduction to Thomas Avery Garran, PhD
• [03:57] How Thomas found his herbal path
• [09:51] Thomas’ books on Western herbs and Chinese Medicine
• [12:09] Why Thomas loves motherwort
• [15:42] European motherwort vs. Chinese motherwort
• [17:56] Motherwort for the heart
• [22:22] How Thomas likes to work with motherwort
• [28:39] Gynecological indications for European motherwort
• [31:15] Tension Relief Tincture
• [36:26] What about the licorice in this recipe?
• [40:55] Closing thoughts about motherwort
• [44:38] Learning opportunities at East West School
• [52:31] The herbal skills Thomas is currently cultivating
• [1:01:15] Herbal Tidbit

Recipe

This is my go-to formula for breast tenderness and other signs of PMS.

Ingredients:

• 32 g cut and dried motherwort
• 16 g cut and dried skullcap
• 16g cut and dried blue vervain
• 8g cut and dried bitter orange
• 4g cut and dried licorice root
• 375ml 120-proof (60%) grain alcohol

Directions:

1. Place the herbs in a canning jar.
2. Add the alcohol over the dried herb. Cap the jar and label.
3. Shake daily for 2 weeks to macerate.
4. Strain or press the tincture (squeeze the herbs to extract as much of the liquid as possible). 
5. Bottle and label.

-- TIMESTAMPS --

• 01:11 - Introduction to Thomas Avery Garran, PhD
• 04:06 - How Thomas found his herbal path
• 10:39 - Thomas’ books on Western herbs and Chinese Medicine
• 13:15 - Why Thomas loves motherwort
• 17:13 - European motherwort vs. Chinese motherwort
• 19:35 - Motherwort for the heart
• 24:17 - How Thomas likes to work with motherwort
• 31:03 - Gynecological indications for European motherwort
• 33:58 - Tension Relief Tincture
• 39:39 - What about the licorice in this recipe?
• 44:16 - Closing thoughts about motherwort
• 48:14 - Learning opportunities at East West School
• 56:56 - The herbal skills Thomas is currently cultivating
• 1:05:55 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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