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PodcastsAlternative HealthThe Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

Sajah & Whitney Popham, founders of The School of Evolutionary Herbalism
The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy
Latest episode

222 episodes

  • The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

    The Danger of Herbal Fads

    22/07/2026 | 34 mins.
    If you walk into a hip smoothie shop or health food store, you'll undoubtedly be flooded with the newest "superfoods" and cure-all herbs. Like so many things in our modern culture, herbal medicine also has its own "fads," as it seems as if there's almost a new one in style each season.
    Although it may seem harmless at first and they may be a good gateway into the realm of herbal medicine, herbal fads may not necessarily be a good thing. Most of the time, they're promoted by big supplement companies looking to inflate their bottom line, even if the truth is a bit fudged to get there (or even flat-out lies!). By learning about the danger of herbal fads, you can become a more conscious consumer and herbalist and know how to navigate this sometimes confusing territory.
    In today's blog post you'll learn:
    Who's behind herbal fads and how they're born in the market

    How herbal fads hurt the credibility of herbalism and pigeonhole herbs

    The ecological and cultural damage herbal fads can cause 

    Ways companies lie about herbs and how they can hurt you

    Why herbal fads can change the way you think about herbs without even realizing it

     
     
    ————————————
    CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
    ————————————
    To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
    http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
     
    Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
    http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
    https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
     
    Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
    https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
    ————————————
    The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT SAJAH
    ————————————
    Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
    His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
    He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
     
    ————————————
    WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
    ————————————
    If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.
  • The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

    Beginning Tongue Diagnosis for Herbalists

    18/07/2026 | 51 mins.
    Tongue diagnosis is one of the most practical assessment tools available to herbalists — and one of the most overlooked. In this video, Sajah Popham from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism explores a simple framework for tongue diagnosis that can help herbalists gain deeper insight into constitution, tissue states, and remedy selection.
    Here's what you'll learn:
    Why the tongue is considered a microcosm of the body and an important tool for herbal assessment

    How tongue shape can reveal constitutional tendencies and underlying energetic patterns

    What tongue color indicates about heat, cold, deficiency, stagnation, and circulation

    How to interpret tongue coating to assess dampness, dryness, congestion, and elimination

    What tongue moisture reveals about fluid balance and blood stagnation

    A simple, practical framework for incorporating tongue evaluation into client assessments

    ————————————
    CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
    ————————————
    To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
    http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
     
    Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
    http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
    https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
     
    Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
    https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
     
    Shop our herbal products: 
    https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
    ————————————
    The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT SAJAH
    ————————————
    Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
    His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
    He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
     
    ————————————
    WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
    ————————————
    If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.
  • The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

    Comfrey Benefits: Traditional Uses & Safety for Herbalists

    15/07/2026 | 32 mins.
    Current herbal advice says you should never take Comfrey internally, but how did people traditionally use this plant? 
     
    In this post, we're talking about Comfrey (Achillea millefolium), which is usually taught only from a topical perspective — for cuts, scrapes, minor wounds, and injuries. However, there is a whole set of traditional uses for this herb that go beyond external use. 
     
    Here's what you'll learn:
    How Comfrey's tastes, energetics, and organ affinities reveal its traditional uses

    The traditional topical and historical internal uses of Comfrey for the skin, bones, connective tissue, and digestive lining

    How to safely prepare and apply Comfrey, including infused oils, poultices, and important wound-healing considerations

    The science behind Comfrey's safety concerns, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), who should avoid internal use, and why

    How Comfrey's energetic architecture reflects Saturn, Capricorn, Scorpio, the Water element, and the Salt principle in medical astrology and alchemical herbalism

    ————————————
    CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
    ————————————
    To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
    http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
     
    Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
    http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
    https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
     
    Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
    https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
     
    Shop our herbal products: 
    https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
    ————————————
    The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT SAJAH
    ————————————
    Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
    His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
    He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
     
    ————————————
    WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
    ————————————
    If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.
  • The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

    Mugwort: The Herb for Dreams

    08/07/2026 | 31 mins.
    Mugwort is the herb for dreams, but its medicine doesn't stop there. With a distinct effect on the nervous, digestive, hepatobiliary, and reproductive systems, Mugwort navigates, regulates, and balances the highways connecting them.
     
    In today's plant profile, you'll discover:


    How Mugwort benefits the nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems 

    Mugwort's unique flavor profile and how this leads to its complex actions

    Why this is a perfect remedy for highly sensitive people

    Mugwort's relationship to both the Moon and Venus

    Ways you can use and prepare Mugwort

    ————————————
    CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
    ————————————
    To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
    http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
     
    Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
    http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
    https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
     
    Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
    https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
    ————————————
    The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT SAJAH
    ————————————
    Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
    His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
    He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
     
    ————————————
    WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
    ————————————
    If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.
  • The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

    A Journey Through the Water Element Signs and Herbs

    01/07/2026 | 1h
    All of life is born from water: from the mythological primordial ocean to the evolutionary-biology view that life originated in the waters, to the cosmological perspective of God separating the waters from heaven and Earth. All mammals grow within the womb's embryonic fluids, and as birth begins, the water breaks and touches the Earth. Life is utterly dependent on water, but how do we work with the Water element in herbalism?
     
    In this post, we're exploring the Water element in herbal medicine and how it manifests in people and plants.

    Here's what you'll learn:
    How the Water element manifests in traditional herbal medicine, medical astrology, and Ayurvedic healing systems

    The unique roles of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces as expressions of nourishment, purification, and spiritual connection within the Water element

    How the Water element influences key body systems, including the reproductive system, mucosal membranes, lymphatics, and organs of elimination

    The defining characteristics of Water element herbs, including their morphology, tastes, affinities, actions, and energetics

    How to identify Water element plants, and examples such as Marshmallow, Cleavers, Red Clover, White Pond Lily, and Horsetail

    ————————————
    CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
    ————————————
    To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
    http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
     
    Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
    http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
    https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
     
    Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
    https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
     
    Shop our herbal products: 
    https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
    ————————————
    The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
     
    ————————————
    ABOUT SAJAH
    ————————————
    Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
    His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
    He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
     
    ————————————
    WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
    ————————————
    If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.
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About The Plant Path: Clinical Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy
The Plant Path is the official podcast from Sajah Popham and The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Our goal is to provide insights, skills and tools for the practice of true holistic herbalism grounded in tradition. We strive to share an equal balance of clinical strategies and spiritual perspectives on people, plants and the healing journey. The unique approach involves traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, spagyric alchemy, astrological medicine, and modern science. We don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather how you can work with them to heal, consciously evolve and be of service to your family, community or clinic.
Podcast website

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