Yarrow has been carried into battle, woven into weddings, and used in divination for over 60,000 years. Explore her history, folklore, and magic in this edition of Herb Lore

After three rounds of our popular Herbal Incense Crafting workshop here at Wild Thistle Herbs & Alchemy, I am bringing this one to you. From the Apothecary is a private, hands-on herbal incense crafting experience for groups of 6 to 10, perfect for girls nights, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and more. I bring everything, you bring your people, and everyone goes home with handcrafted incense they made themselves.

Six week and three month support packages for women ready to go deeper. Personalized herbal consultation and holistic coaching with Michelle Spalding, available via video nationwide.

Not your typical life coaching. Michelle Spalding brings lived wisdom, certified coaching training, and a little plant magic to women ready for something deeper. Available nationwide via video.

Herbalism has always been the people’s medicine. At Wild Thistle Herbs & Alchemy in Waco, Texas, we honor a relational approach to herbalism rooted in education, trust, and community. Our apothecary offers thoughtfully crafted herbal teas and blends, with guidance from a local herbalist who welcomes questions and supports you in choosing what feels right for your body and season of life.

The holiday season can be beautiful, but it can also stir up a tender heaviness that many of us don’t talk about. As the pace quickens and the days grow shorter, our nervous systems, digestion, and emotional hearts all work a little harder than usual — and sometimes that shows up as feeling low, scattered, or simply not like ourselves.

In my work as an herbalist, I’ve seen how much mood is shaped by the whole body. It’s not “just emotional” — the nervous system, the heart, the gut, and the liver all participate in how we meet the world. And when these systems feel taxed, gentle support can make this season feel more manageable.

In this post, I’m sharing herbs traditionally used to support emotional grounding, comfort the heart, and encourage healthy digestive rhythms, along with the foundational nourishment our bodies often crave in winter. These aren’t cures or fixes, but steady companions that help us meet the season with softness and care.

If you’re navigating tenderness right now, you’re not alone. And if you have questions about herbs or want help creating or stocking your own home apothecary, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Herbal wisdom works best when it’s matched to the person. This post explores how working with an herbalist helps you stop guessing, save money, and find the plants your body is truly asking for.

If you’ve ever been curious about crafting your own incense or want to deepen your connection to herbs in a new way, this workshop is for you. In this cozy, hands-on class in Waco, Texas, we’ll explore the tradition of herbal incense—from the scent and symbolism of each plant to the simple joy of creating something by hand. Whether you're seeking a new ritual, a unique gift idea, or just want your space to smell amazing (without synthetic fragrance), you’ll leave inspired and equipped to keep crafting at home.

Learn gentle ways to use herbs like chamomile and mint in daily life. Join this beginner-friendly Waco workshop for tea tasting, plant wisdom, and connection.

Explore gentle, nature-based ways to support yourself through peri-menopause and menopause, including herbs like oat straw and calming evening teas traditionally used for relaxation and nervous system support.

"Discover how herbal allies like ashwagandha, holy basil, and oatstraw have traditionally been used to support the nervous system and everyday well-being. At Wild Thistle Herbs and Alchemy, I offer personalized herbal support for women navigating stress, fatigue, and burnout.

Feeling overwhelmed? These five herbs have a long tradition of use for nervous system support and everyday well-being. Read more to find your plant ally.

You Are The Medicine

Feeling overwhelmed? Learn how modern life impacts your nervous system and explore grounding practices and herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, California poppy, and tulsi, traditionally used for everyday nervous system support.