Rooted in plants, steeped in wisdom, touched with magic
Pull up a chair, pour yourself something warm, and stay a while.
You Can't Always Go At Full Speed
A personal reflection on burnout, boundaries, and learning to rest, from a herbalist who's lived it, not just studied it.
She Didn't Need a Bigger Plan, She Needed a Smaller One
A client's journey through burnout: small, sustainable steps, like ten quiet minutes outdoors, that led to real, lasting change.
Frankinsence
Frankincense has burned on the altars of ancient Egypt, scattered evil spirits in medieval Europe, and traveled sacred trade routes for over five thousand years. Explore her history, folklore, and magic in this edition of Herb Lore from Wild Thistle Herbs & Alchemy in Waco, Texas.
Herbal Support for Sleep & Stress During Perimenopause
Gentle herbal support for sleep and stress during perimenopause. Explore tulsi, skullcap, lavender & more with a Waco clinical herbalist.
St. John’s Wort
St. John's Wort has been chasing demons, blessing Midsummer fires, and guarding thresholds for centuries. Explore her history, folklore, and magic in this edition of Herb Lore from Wild Thistle Herbs & Alchemy in Waco, Texas.
What Online Holistic Coaching Actually Looks Like, Session by Session
You've done the work. The books, the journaling, maybe that one retreat that cracked you open a little. You're not new to this. So why doesn't it feel like enough yet? Here's what holistic coaching actually looks like when you finally make space for it.
Basil
In ancient Greece, basil was once called the royal herb, an honor likely tied to her name itself. The word basil descends from basileus, the Greek word for king. Yet that royal reputation existed alongside a much darker one. In Crete, basil was associated with death and was believed by some to belong to the Evil One. Elsewhere in Europe, she was considered a witch's herb. The Greeks and Romans alike at one point believed she could cause madness. It is a striking contradiction, a plant simultaneously fit for kings and feared as cursed.
Bringing the Apothecary to You
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.
What Does Ongoing Holistic Support Actually Look Like?
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.
This Is Not Your Typical Coaching
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.
Why work with a Herbalist?
Curious about working with a clinical herbalist but not sure where to start? Michelle Spalding offers personalized herbal consultations via video nationwide and in person in Waco, Texas.
Herbalism Was Never Meant to Be a Commodity
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.
When the Season Feels Heavy: A Winter Reflection on Mood, the Body, and Gentle Herbal Support
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.
Working With Nature vs. Guessing Your Way Through the Wellness Aisle
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.
