The Deep Roots School of Foraging & Herbal Medicine

The Deep Roots School of Foraging & Herbal Medicine Southern Foraging and Herbal Medicine Education https://linktr.ee/deeprootsschool https://linktr.ee/deeprootsschool

11/19/2025

Poke Root Part 3 - Let's talk safety and identification...

First things first - do *not* eat poke root. When working with low-dose botanical we need to use more precise delivery systems than tea can provide. So we will make tinctures and dose with drop doses. When you're working with low-dose botanicals, precision matters – and tinctures give us that control.
Now, on to the berries. We only harvest ripe berries – the deep purple ones, not the green.

People sometimes confuse poke with other plants, so to identify poke root you are going to be looking for a very red flesh but sturdy stem. The berries are distinct and have these cute little flower scars on top (they look like a tiny crown). And the color is striking when you squish the berries.

When working with medicinal plants, harvesting timing matters too. When the plant is young to young-ish, we harvest the root (but you can still harvest it the whole season). When it's larger and mature, we're harvesting berries.

Want to learn plants like poke root the right way – with proper identification, safety protocols, and clinical applications?

The Herbal Medicine Monthly Subscription makes the perfect Christmas gift for anyone ready to build real plant knowledge.

Comment HMMS below and I'll send you all the details.🌿

So tell me – do you have poke growing near you, or is this one you'll need to seek out?

Are you tired of shooting in the dark with your herbal preparations?Pinterest recipes that sometimes work, sometimes don...
11/18/2025

Are you tired of shooting in the dark with your herbal preparations?

Pinterest recipes that sometimes work, sometimes don't, and you have no idea why? Hoping your medicine works instead of knowing it will?

If you want to move from guessing to understanding, this conversation is for you. We start with absolute fundamentals - no prior knowledge needed. But we go deep enough that even experienced folks fill gaps they didn't know they had.

This isn't about following more recipes. It's about understanding extraction science, phytopharmacology, and energetics so you can create personalized medicine like the herbalists of old.

Where are you on your herbal journey? Total beginner, dabbler, or experienced but want to go deeper?

Comment "AMMC" for more details and for how to join in!

11/17/2025

Poke root is one of my go-to lymphatic stimulants – and that's where it really shines in my clinical practice.

I use it topically for sore throats and ear infections with kids all the time. You can make a salve from the root (and because it's a low-dose botanical, one root makes enough medicine for your whole community).

When I'm working with ear infections, I'm applying it where the lymph is concentrated – behind the ear or in front of the ear – and doing some manual lymphatic drainage to help open that eustachian tube and get all that backed-up fluid moving. That pressure and pain? It's congested lymph flow due to infection and swelling.

So you can use poke topically anywhere you've got stuck fluid. Knee edema. Post-surgical swelling. Even mastitis – one drop of poke root tincture internally, especially if you catch it early, can make a huge difference.

(When we make tinctures of low-dose botanicals, we use a 1:10 extraction ratio. You can tincture the berries or the root.)

But here's what matters – this kind of precision herbalism requires real training, not just Instagram tips.

Give the gift of herbal education this Christmas, you know, herbal Aunt Jeanie would love this!

Comment HMMS below and I'll send you all the details about my Herbal Medicine Monthly Subscription.

What about you – have you ever worked with lymphatic herbs, or is this a new area for you?

What's your most embarrassing herbal fail that you can laugh about now?We've all been there. The overconfident blusterin...
11/16/2025

What's your most embarrassing herbal fail that you can laugh about now?

We've all been there. The overconfident blustering that became a learning moment (and hopefully a good story).

11/15/2025

Part 1 of 3 - Poke root is a low-dose botanical – yes, this plant demands respect (and proper knowledge), but it's been used safely in Southern folk herbalism for generations when people understood proper dosing.

The berries can be used as a once-yearly immune regulatory tonic.

The traditional Southern way was to start with one berry on day one, two berries on day two, work your way up to five or seven berries, then back down. You swallow them whole like pills – don't chew them (!!!) – because the seeds carry the highest concentration of phytolacca toxin, the constituents we are cautious about.

A lot of folks harvest a bunch in the fall and freeze them so they've got them ready when they need them. (That's what I do too.)

Low-dose botanicals require education, not guesswork.

If you want to learn about plants like poke root the right way – with the science, the safety considerations, AND the traditional knowledge – my Herbal Medicine Monthly Subscription makes a perfect gift this Christmas.

Each month covers one medicinal plant in depth, so you're building real competence, not just collecting random internet tips.

Gift it to yourself or someone you love who's ready to reclaim their birthright.

Link in Bio or comment "HMMS" for all the details!

I'm curious – have you ever used poke root, or is this one you've been nervous about trying?

Proper herb storage is where good medicine either stays fresh and yummy or becomes expensive compost.Cool, dark storage ...
11/13/2025

Proper herb storage is where good medicine either stays fresh and yummy or becomes expensive compost.

Cool, dark storage prevents constituent degradation. Heat and light break down constituents faster than anything else. I always label with date and source for quality control - making sure to monitor timelines and the ages of your stored dried herbs matter.

Minimize headspace in containers. Less air exposure means less oxidation and slower degradation. Glass is ideal, but plastic works with silica packets for moisture control.

Properly stored dried herbs stay effective 1-3 years depending on plant part. Leaves and flowers lose potency faster than roots and barks. Aromatic plants are especially vulnerable to constituent loss.

Check your stock periodically. Herbs should retain color, aroma, and taste. Brown, herbs that have no smell have lost their mojo.

Your nose and eyes are excellent quality control tools. If it doesn't look and smell like it should, it probably won't work like it should either.

How do you store your dried herbs? Glass jars, plastic bags?

Want to learn processing and storage techniques that keep your herbs fresh for a looooong while? Check out my Advanced Medicine Making Course! Comment AMMC for details!

I did the math recently - those $18 bottles of echinacea tincture? You can make the same amount for about $3 - and it w...
11/11/2025

I did the math recently - those $18 bottles of echinacea tincture? You can make the same amount for about $3 - and it will be better quality medicine and with fresher herbs.

But my friend said something else, "Saving money is nice, but what I really value is that I don't panic anymore when someone gets sick."

THAT right there. That confidence, that feeling of being prepared - it's priceless.

The shift from dependent to empowered. From frantically googling symptoms at 2am to calmly walking to your home apothecary knowing exactly what to reach for and why it'll help.

That's what real plant medicine education provides - not just recipes, but understanding. Not just treatments, but confidence.

What's one skill you learned that saved you money in the long run? (Cooking, sewing, car maintenance, anything!) Comment "AMMC" if your curious!

Give me the reference book that is dog-eared and stained and that you almost sleep with. Bonus points for pictures. :)We...
11/09/2025

Give me the reference book that is dog-eared and stained and that you almost sleep with. Bonus points for pictures. :)

We all have that one book that's been through everything with us. What's your most cherished herbal reference?

Vinegar extracts bring their own medicine to the party, which makes them uniquely valuable.Acetums extract minerals that...
11/06/2025

Vinegar extracts bring their own medicine to the party, which makes them uniquely valuable.
Acetums extract minerals that higher-proof alcohol often misses, plus provide antimicrobial and digestive support from the vinegar itself. It's a solvent that contributes therapeutically.

Fire cider isn't just trendy - vinegar excels at extracting warming, antimicrobial compounds from garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. Those alkamides and pungent constituents dissolve beautifully in acetic acid.

Raw apple cider vinegar adds enzymes for gut health. Shelf life isn't as good as alcohol (about one year) but way better than water extracts. Plus appropriate for kids and people avoiding alcohol.

Pro tip: use wax paper under metal lids to prevent vinegar from eating through and ruining your extract.

Musings: The strong taste becomes manageable when diluted in water or mixed into salad dressings. Daily medicine that doesn't feel like medicine.

Do you use herbal vinegars? What's your favorite way to take them - straight, diluted, or in food?

Get the FREE Medicine Makers Menu to help you know which herbal preparations you could be making! comment Menu and we will send it your way!

Ready to explore all extraction methods in your herbal toolkit? Our Advanced Medicine Making Course covers vinegar extracts and more - comment AMMC!

11/04/2025

Trees are highly underrated medicinal friends!

November 14th, 10-11:30am at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, we're doing a deep dive into tree medicine!

We're not just identifying plants. We'll discuss traditional uses alongside modern phytochemical understanding. You'll learn Why these trees work (the actual compounds and mechanisms), when to use them clinically, and How to harvest ethically. We'll identify these medicinal trees in person and talk about their properties.

Tulip Poplar - nervine, calms overstimulated nervous systems
Cedar - immune support, antimicrobial
Willow Bark - contains salicin (precursor to aspirin), anti-inflammatory
Pine (needles + pollen) - respiratory support, adaptogenic
Magnolia (bark + seed) - anxiety relief, digestive support
Birch Bark - anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Oak - astringent, wound healing
Black Walnut - antifungal, parasitic infections
Wild Cherry - antitussive, nervine

And the best part?!?!?!? We'll be tasting herbal preparations while we walk! You'll experience the taste and energetics of these plants firsthand. (It seems polite to invite them into the conversation.)

Who this is for:
Whether you're brand new to herbalism or you've been studying for years, tree medicine is often the gap in our education.

📍 Birmingham Botanical Gardens
📅 November 14th
⏰ 10-11:30am

🔗 Link in bio to register

What tree grows near you that you want to understand better? I'd love to hear!

"I finally found people who get excited about tannin extraction!"This message made me laugh and tear up at the same time...
11/04/2025

"I finally found people who get excited about tannin extraction!"

This message made me laugh and tear up at the same time. One of the most unexpected joys of teaching herbalism is watching students find their plant people.

Most folks think we're a little odd for getting this excited about proper extraction ratios and the taste of bitter herbs. But when you find your people? When you can geek out about phytopharmacology and nobody's eyes glaze over? That's magic.

There's something special about connecting with people who understand why you keep jars of tinctures on your kitchen counter and get genuinely excited about foraging season.

Have you found your plant people yet? We're taking applications, comment Kit for how to join in!

Who is one of your favorite herbie nerdy people to learn from?Those teachers who make you light up when you hang with th...
11/02/2025

Who is one of your favorite herbie nerdy people to learn from?

Those teachers who make you light up when you hang with them.

Who's feeding your herbal soul?

Address

Birmingham, AL

Website

https://linktr.ee/deeprootsschool

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Why I do this…

Hello friends!

My name is Cameron Strouss and I am a Clinical/Functional Herbalist, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, Certified Aromatherapist, Master Gardener, medicine maker extraordinaire, and professional forager of 10 years and clinician of 7 years. (If you want my extended nerdy credentials click here.)

Whenever I take steps back into a place of quiet inquiry I am always quickly lead back to the deep nourishment of wild foods and herbal medicines, foraging, ancestral food/medicine ways, and the utter joy and sense of rightness that foraging brings me. I (and if I am allowed we) so often feel lost, alone, out of place and time, lacking deep connection with self, place, and community.

Little else in my life brings me such clarity - and so quickly - as spending an hour collecting food or medicine, with friends in my neighborhood. It scratches this human-animal itch that is much like the ache of scratching poison ivy. It is the most satisfying feeling I can express.