Nature's Pharmacy

Articles

The Oracle at the Center of the World

5 days ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Good morning from the sunny city of Larissa, Greece! I’ve been invited here to speak at the University of Thessaly this evening as part of a celebration of their 25th anniversary of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology! (More info on my events page.)I’m here with my husband and two of our four kids. We made the drive yesterday from Athens to Larissa, skirting along the base of Mount Parnassus, where we stopped to visit the Delphi archeological site and museum.
Shepherd's Purse

1 week ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Shepherd’s purse (scientific name: Capsella bursa-pastoris Medik.) is a hardy annual plant from the mustard and cabbage plant family (Brassicaceae), easily recognized by its heart-shaped seed pods (see image above). It has a peppery, slightly bitter taste with cabbage-like undertones. Growing up to 60 cm tall, it has a white taproot that may fork depending on soil depth, and its lower leaves are large and serrated, while the stem leaves are smaller and shaped like lances.
20 Years of Sharing and Learning at the Intersection of Plants and People

2 weeks ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Many greetings from Prague in the Czech Republic! I’m here this week for the annual conference of the Society for Ethnobotany (SEB).
Elderflowers

3 weeks ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

It’s that time of year when the lovely white bunches of elderberry flowers decorate the countryside of Europe. The black elder tree (elderberry), also known by its scientific name of Sambucus nigra L. of the Viburnaceae family. One of my favorite natural soda treats is elderflower soda. Oftentimes, you can find this in restaurants in Europe made with from a syrup of the flowers, mixed with sparkling water, and sometimes garnished with mint, lemon balm, and a slice of lemon.
Five Herbs for Insomnia & Anxiety

3 weeks ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Most of us know what it’s like to toss and turn in bed, with a racing mind that refuses to quiet. For millions, insomnia is more than an occasional frustration. It’s a chronic disruption that impacts both health and quality of life. Sleep is not a passive state but a carefully regulated process governed by a network of brain chemicals. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, glutamate, and orexins promote wakefulness, while others such as GABA, adenosine, and melatonin support the transition to rest.
Argan Oil

1 month ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Earlier this week, I shared my first encounter with Moroccan black soap (aka, Savon Noir) during my trip to Casablanca. Savon Noir is made from olive oil, argan oil, and the aromatic essential oils of several common Mediterranean plants (eucalyptus, rosemary, and Mediterranean cypress) saponified with potassium hydroxide.
Savon Noir: Black Soap from Morocco

1 month ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Following our visit to the Canary Islands, the next stop was Casablanca, Morocco, located on the northwestern coast of Africa, not far from the Strait of Gibraltar. This was my first visit to Morocco, though I’ve collaborated with scientists who study plants in the Atlas Mountains.
Tenerife: Interesting Plants & the Barraquito

1 month ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

Hello dear readers, and greetings from Tenerife, Spain! Over the past week, I’ve been en route to Europe by ship with my mom, who is celebrating 50 years of service to our hometown school system—first as a special education teacher and later as a school psychologist. She’s set to retire next month and is looking forward to relaxing and spending more time on her emerging hobby of nature photography.
Resource Roundup: Herbs at a Glance

1 month ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

In 2023, annual sales of herbal dietary supplements reached an astounding $12.5 billion USD. Nearly one in three Americans use these supplements daily, yet accurate information on their ingredients remains difficult to find. Misinformation on video and social media platforms continues to hinder public understanding of the safe and effective use of herbs. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has been a critical player in filling this void.
🎧 From Cactus to Culture: The Science of Ethnomicrobiology with Dr. César Ojeda

1 month ago | naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave

New on the show, I speak with Dr. César Ojeda, an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Dr. Ojeda shares his insights on traditional Mexican fermented beverages, particularly focusing on the science and cultural importance of these foods. We discuss the concept of ethnomicrobiology, the role of microbes in traditional agriculture, and how microbial communities impact the fermentation process.