Herb Spotlights

Spilanthes is one of my favorite plants to grow in our gardens. It’s fun—its flavor is exciting, its bright button-like flowers add a unique charm, and its gracious sprawling habit makes it a stunning addition to borders. The deep green leaves and purple stems create a striking contrast, making it as beautiful in the garden as it is useful in the home and apothecary. Whether dried or included in fresh-cut flower arrangements, Spilanthes offers more than just aesthetic appeal—it’s also a powerhouse for immune support and culinary creativity.

Skullcap (Scutellaria) belongs to the mint family and comes in many varieties. Some, like lateriflora and helmet (integrifolia), are native to North America, while others, like baicalensis and barbata, originate from China.

What’s the difference between Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea?

Both varieties are incredible allies for immune support, but they have distinct specialties. As an herbalist, I prefer to extract both varieties to provide a broad spectrum of immune system support. Specifically, angustifolia is especially powerful in helping the body defend against urinary tract infections. The alkaloids in its roots differ from those in purpurea, making both varieties valuable additions to your herbal toolkit.