I’ve only worked with black birch a little bit, and I was really excited when Amelia South told me she was interested in discussing this beautiful tree! Amelia had so much to share about black birch, and I left the conversation wishing I could be out in the woods smelling and tasting it right then. I’d be surprised if you don’t leave this episode feeling super interested in black birch, too!

One of the things Amelia shared was how black birch has supported her with pain relief in so many different situations, from arthritic pain to tummy aches. We have a beautifully illustrated recipe card for Amelia’s Tummy Ache Tea, which you can find in the resource section below.

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

► How to work with black birch both topically and internally for pain relief

► How to use your nose to distinguish black birch trees from wild black cherry trees

► Six tips for harvesting birch bark (and any tree bark!) ethically and respectfully

► How talking with the plants has helped Amelia in her herbal journey

► Why it’s important to learn from plants through your senses, not just about plants through reading books

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Amelia is a professional foraging instructor and practicing herbalist living on her small organic farm in eastern Connecticut. She helps people reconnect with nature, heal their bodies with wild food and medicinal plants, and reclaim their gut health by escaping the toxic Western diet. She teaches many lessons on her TikTok channel as well as YouTube.

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


-- RESOURCES --

► Get your free, downloadable recipe card, plus herbal goodies every Wednesday when you sign up for my weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3BYlYyZ

► Access the transcript for this episode here: www.herbalremediesadvice.org/black-birch-benefits.…

► Amelia’s websites: blacksunfarmct.com/ and www.herbalremediesbyamelia.com/

► Amelia’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/blacksunfarm/

► Amelia’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/blacksunfarmct

► Amelia’s TikTok:www.tiktok.com/@theoriginalmealchan

► Are you looking for high quality dried herbs? My recommendation is Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to check them out: bit.ly/3ms3vQ2.

You can also look for local places to buy herbs near you in my directory here: bit.ly/3NRQq0U


-- DISCLOSURE --

I’m a huge fan of Mountain Rose Herbs and will often share referral links to buy herbs or herbal supplies at their online herbal apothecary.

By using the above affiliate link, you help support this channel. Thanks!


-- TIMESTAMPS --

01:07 - Introduction to Amelia South

01:52 - How Amelia found her plant path

05:00 - Eat the weeds!

07:03 - How Amelia got started working with birch

09:39 - Tips for identifying black birch

11:13 - Medicinal gifts of black birch

15:17 - Tummy ache tea

17:22 - Tips for ethically harvesting bark

24:08 - When to harvest birch bark

25:27 - Experience birch with all your senses!

27:53 - Amelia’s current projects

30:48 - What Amelia wishes she’d known when she first started working with herbs

35:11 - Herbal tidbit


-- SWEATER PATTERN --

Yes, I did knit my sweater! Pattern is: Love Note by Tin Can Knits


-- DISCLAIMER --

The herbal and plant information in this video is for educational purposes only. The information contained is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.