The Dancing Willow

When Life Unfolds For Us: Cosmic Herbalism with Emma Prescher

How do we find our way back into the body after trauma, pain, and the complete unraveling of the life we thought we were living? In this powerful episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott Brinkley sits down with herbalist Emma Prescher to explore a healing journey that defies convention. After a near-fatal cycling accident left her with devastating injuries and an uncertain future, Emma turned not to rigid protocols but to intuition, plant medicine, and deep presence. Drawing from her background as a critical care nurse, Emma bridges the worlds of Western medicine, herbalism, and astrology. She shares how plants like nettle, kava, and calendula supported her recovery, how a near-death experience reshaped her understanding of life and death, and why curiosity may be one of the most powerful tools we have for healing. This conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t linear and that the body, the plants, and the cosmos are always in conversation. In This Episode: * Emma’s transition from ICU nurse to herbalist * Surviving and healing after a life-altering accident * A profound near-death experience and its message * Plant allies that supported her recovery * Intuitive and embodied approaches to healing * The connection between herbalism and astrology * Astrological connections to plants like Lemon Balm, Tulsi and Yarrow Links & Resources:  * Emma’s website, The Golden Fermata- https://www.thegoldenfermata.com/ [https://www.thegoldenfermata.com/] Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco [https://www.instagram.com/dancingwillowherbsco/?hl=en]

An Herbalist’s Journey Rafting 280 Miles Through the Grand Canyon

This one is part adventure story, part herbal deep dive, and part reflection on what it means to come back to your most natural, human state. In this solo episode, clinical herbalist Elliott Brinkley returns from a once-in-a-lifetime rafting journey through the Grand Canyon- 280 miles of raw beauty, challenge, connection, medicinal plants and profound transformation. From navigating powerful rapids to sleeping under endless stars, Elliott shares what it really looks like to live on the river for three weeks and how that immersion in nature became one of the most healing and perspective-shifting experiences of her life.  In This Episode, You’ll Hear: * What a 22-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon actually looks like day-to-day * The magic (and logistics) of living fully off-grid with a group in the wilderness * Lessons in surrender, simplicity, and letting go of control * How nature immersion can reset your nervous system and circadian rhythm * The powerful group dynamics that form when distractions disappear * Beauty as a nervous system state and the process of receiving * Desert herbal medicine allies, such as medicinal & energetic qualities of Ocotillo & Chaparral * Herbal formulas that were the most supportive on the long journey Links & Resources:  * Michael Moore’s Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West [https://www.amazon.com/Medicinal-Plants-Desert-Canyon-West/dp/0890131821] * Kristin Huisinga’s River and Desert Plants of the Grand Canyon [https://www.amazon.com/River-Desert-Plants-Grand-Canyon/dp/0878425233/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NOUPLF531J96&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6Ah4EBEV3XkXDFtFu0u1RGvTFQ1c46kMR0MSJok9jSRTUwqNYJAg7JJlnKihCP_a7KaVs_i7ONpbBO-Sj1RlzK23OmhiqlLWcW1hOzeyxo8TY3NbrivfY9GZD23d6jgvmalip06vnKVx1vahBVo9Liim57Ja8lrW4QM-tUTC0GlRe5qzUWc6Ayl4vpYKKMdRCAsDg7e2E-s5GNQ6lUYRAndiFI7q36iIfx0FpPvc81E.gwfvVnz9YM-4OWjD2JwtBasamPmeS7IL3PX69_Jc2oI&dib_tag=se&keywords=grand+canyon+plants&qid=1776785033&s=books&sprefix=grand+canyon+plant%2Cstripbooks%2C218&sr=1-1] * Ocotillo Products: Fresh Plant Ocotillo Tincture [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/ocotillo-bark-tincture?_pos=1&_sid=904369984&_ss=r&variant=42263272718493], PMS Tincture [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/pms?_pos=2&_sid=904369984&_ss=r&variant=12467088259] * Chaparral Products: Antifungal Salve [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/anti-fungal-salve?_pos=3&_sid=305cadc44&_ss=r&variant=12739024515], Antifungal Nail Oil [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/anti-fungal-nail-oil?_pos=1&_sid=305cadc44&_ss=r&variant=12727719299], Herbal Aid Salve [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/herbal-aid-salve-1oz?_pos=2&_sid=305cadc44&_ss=r&variant=12739999299] * Elliott’s Grand Canyon Favorites: Healing Soothing Salve, [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/healing-soothing-salve-1oz?_pos=3&_sid=6eddd4ea9&_ss=r&variant=12739852739] Rooted Heart Elixir, [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/rooted-heart-elixir?_pos=1&_sid=4658643d6&_ss=r&variant=43111924269213] Simple Bitters, [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/simple-bitters?_pos=1&_sid=61ccbf1c0&_ss=r&variant=11707159619] https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/neutralizing-cordial?_pos=1&_sid=86c902e8e&_ss=r&variant=11707218307 Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco [https://www.instagram.com/dancingwillowherbsco/?hl=en]

The Foundations of Vitalist Herbalism: Sleep, Stress & Gut Health with Heather Luna

What if better sleep, balanced energy, and a calmer nervous system all started with one simple shift, how you begin your day? In this episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott Brinkley sits down with clinical herbalist and Acorn Herb School founder Heather Luna to explore the real roots of chronic imbalance and the everyday practices that truly support healing. From gut health and sleep to nervous system regulation, Heather shares what she’s seen work time and time again in the clinic. They dive into why a high-protein breakfast can transform your sleep, how stress builds from both internal and external sources, and why herbs are most effective when paired with foundational lifestyle habits. The conversation also unpacks misunderstood herbal topics like black cohosh as a powerful nervine (not just a hormone herb) and the potential downsides of overusing adaptogens, while highlighting the importance of nourishing, moistening herbs for burnout and depletion. In This Episode: * Why digestion is the foundation of overall health * The link between protein at breakfast and better sleep * How blood sugar and stress impact energy + mood * Simple ways to support deep, restorative sleep * The role of movement, sunlight, and daily rhythm * How gut inflammation contributes to stress * Why adaptogens aren’t always the answer * A new perspective on black cohosh * The power of nourishing, moistening herbs for the nervous system Links & Resources:  * Join Acorn School of Herbal Medicine: https://www.acornherbschool.com/ * Follow Heather on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acornherbschool/ * Dancing Willow Herbs Digestive Formulas: Tummy Tea [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/tummy-tea?_pos=1&_sid=7de0c09ab&_ss=r&variant=13639799811] & Digestive Repair Powder [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/digestive-repair?_pos=1&_sid=eb67aaf3f&_ss=r&variant=13639128771] * Dancing Willow Herbs Sleep & Nervous System Formulas: Sleep Deep [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/sleep-deep?_pos=1&_sid=a4212bfba&_ss=r&variant=20057774979] & Peaceful Heart [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/peaceful-heart?_pos=1&_sid=f7f594ae9&_ss=r&variant=12471891907] * Dancing Willow Herbs percolated Black Cohosh Tincture [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/products/black-cohosh?_pos=1&_sid=a36a78465&_ss=r&variant=13281098755] A grounded, practical conversation that brings healing back to the basics, real food, daily rhythm, and herbal support that meets you where you are. Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco [https://www.instagram.com/dancingwillowherbsco/?hl=en]

Why Seasonal Allergies Happen: Histamine & Herbal Support

Struggling with seasonal allergies, histamine intolerance, or chronic spring congestion? In this solo episode, clinical herbalist, Elliott Brinkley explores the root causes of spring allergies through a holistic and herbal lens. Rather than focusing only on pollen or quick-fix antihistamines, she breaks down the deeper terrain that shapes histamine overload- including mast cell activation, liver detoxification, gut health, food sensitivities, hormone balance, and nervous system regulation. You’ll learn why histamine isn’t inherently “bad,” what drives allergic inflammation in the body, and how to approach natural allergy relief in a more sustainable way using herbs and lifestyle support. If you’re looking for a root-cause approach to seasonal allergies so you can actually enjoy the spring season, this episode offers both education and practical tools. In This Episode • Histamine intolerance + mast cell activation explained • Why seasonal allergies flare in spring • The “histamine bucket” overload concept • Liver detoxification & histamine clearance • Estrogen–histamine connection • Gut health, dysbiosis & food sensitivities • Herbal strategies for natural allergy relief Links & Resources Mentioned Herbal Allies for Spring Allergies (free ebook) when you sign up for our newsletter here: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/ [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] • Herbs for Springtime Online Class: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/classes/products/herbs-for-springtime-in-person [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/classes/products/herbs-for-springtime-in-person] • Elliott’s episode with Paul Bergner (food allergies & vitalist herbalism): https://open.spotify.com/episode/35evpNunqMVCdQ8Z0Bd4TT?si=fe8fea0dd4c446e8 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/35evpNunqMVCdQ8Z0Bd4TT?si=fe8fea0dd4c446e8] • Springtime Herbal Formula Collection at Dancing Willow Herbs: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/seasonal-springtime-herbs [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/seasonal-springtime-herbs] • Herbal consultations with Elliott: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/herbal-consultations/products/complete-herbal-consultation?variant=50483045335329 [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/herbal-consultations/products/complete-herbal-consultation?variant=50483045335329] Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco [https://www.instagram.com/dancingwillowherbsco/?hl=en]

Growing Medicinal Plants: Biodynamics & Living Soil with Crystal Chamberlain

Thinking about starting a medicinal herb garden but not sure where to begin? In this episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott sits down with Crystal of Growing Creations Herb Farm for a rich, grounded conversation about biodynamic growing, medicinal herb farming in the high desert, and what it really looks like to build relationship with plants from seed to medicine. Crystal shares her journey into herbalism and farming after a life-changing pivot in 2020, and how biodynamics, permaculture, and deep listening to the land now guide everything she grows. From cow horn preparations and planting by the lunar calendar to worms appearing once the soil is loved back to life, this episode is a dose of inspiration before the growing season begins.  Together, Elliott and Crystal explore: * What biodynamic farming really is, and how it differs from organic gardening * How Crystal transformed clay-heavy, dry land into vibrant, living soil * Choosing plants that call to you, and letting some plants choose you * Favorite medicinal herbs to grow (and which ones were surprisingly challenging) * Creating balanced ecosystems where insects, birds, and predators work together * Inside Crystal’s wallopini (pit greenhouse) and how it extends the growing season * Drying, harvesting, and working with herbs to preserve their vitality * Turning plants into salves, teas, tinctures, and everyday medicine * Why seeing plants growing in the earth changes how we understand herbalism This episode is perfect for gardeners, herbalists, and anyone curious about growing their own medicine, whether you’re dreaming of a full herb farm or just a few pots on a patio. ✨ Plus, Crystal shares details about an upcoming June plant sale at Dancing Willow Herbs, where locals in Durango, CO can purchase medicinal herb starts grown with care and intention! Save the dates June 5th, 6th and 7th from 11-3 PM at Dancing Willow Herbs, 1018 Main Ave in Durango!  Links & Resources: * Website: growingcreationfarm.us * Instagram & Facebook: Growing Creations Herb Farm * Shop Dancing Willow Herb Fresh Plant Tincture Collection sourced from local farms like Crystal’s: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/fresh-plant-tinctures Let this conversation inspire you to slow down, get your hands in the soil, and see what begins to grow. 🌱 Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com [https://dancingwillowherbs.com/] Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco [https://www.instagram.com/dancingwillowherbsco/?hl=en]