Supernatural News | mushroom science, broccoli for gut health, Supernatural press! an update on dark matter & more
The weeds I’m in lately ...
Supernatural News is a publication about herbalism and holistic health, the industry of wellbeing, and resources from Pharmakon Supernatural. Aka: The weeds I’m in lately. In inboxes since 2015.
IN THE NEWS
My partner launched something incredible last week. Meet HARD PACK, “a new type of ski magazine that combines edgy reportage with cerebral writing to create a new lexicon for the sport that is weird, philosophical, and dangerously fun.” Obviously I recommend buying a copy, following, and sharing!
Herbalist & Alchemist expands extraction capacity with new facility. This is David Winston’s company and what’s notable is the section about Bio-Specific extraction. “The company explained that its trademarked Bio-Specific formulation process requires more space than usual because of its labor-intensive nature, particularly since different herbs require various process to maintain the bioactive qualities of a vital extract. Herbs like skullcap, echinacea and cleavers are extracted fresh, while bitter, pungent or acrid herbs are first dried, and yet others like astragalus are simmered before adding alcohol. The herbalists also need room to sort through all fresh plant deliveries by hand to remove unwanted agricultural materials and for calcinating residues to include essential minerals for the full spectrum of plant nutrients.” That, my friends, is how excellent herbal products are made.
CBD sales continue to decline. In 2020, down 37% and in 2021, down 24%—“for several possible reasons, including legal confusion, a lack of a clear path for FDA regulation, market saturation, and published reports of inaccurate label claims for some CBD products.” Also: “an alarming lack of understanding about CBD” which I would add to the list of reasons for the decline.
The mechanism of action of broccoli for gut health, discovered!
Dark matter, undiscovered! Maybe …
Why Using Sustainable Herbs Matters: A conference “exploring the relationships between sustainable sourcing, high quality herbal ingredients, and clinical efficacy.” And a great opportunity to listen to a lot of brilliant plant people.
SUPERNATURALNESS
HRBLS packaging featured in Dieline—the world’s most visited packaging design website, highlighting the importance and value of packaging design for brands in today’s world.
New podcast: Episode 112: Living Unhurried with Herbalist Rachelle Robinett
I have an essay in the upcoming issue of Serviette magazine. See a preview of Fascinating Herbs with Intriguing Functions for Reducing Overindulgence on IG.
The video above is one I shot for Big Bold Health*, whose focus this month is on rebalancing the world within. Like the gardens and parks, the health of everything from our microbiomes to our minds relies on the harmonization of the whole. Think nourishment for energy, balance for vitality, and systemic rejuvenation. These approaches are represented well in BBH’s suite of products that are, as you know by now, designed to support holistic, nature-informed, health. The HTB Rejuvenate (HTB stands for Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat) reminds me of the pillar of earth, with its high-mountain superfood ingredient hero. Microbiome Rejuvenate represents nutrition and a plant-forward approach to eating, with gut health so central to our everything! And Omega-3 Rejuvenate is a powerful complement to mental health, with its spectrum of brain loving fatty acids plus forms of vitamin A and D. I hope this inspires you to spend some extra time or attention on the natural world within, and which we (you) are. As always, you can shop Big Bold Health with code RACHELLE20 for 20% off
I’ve been writing, a lot. As happens when I write about herbs, I want to take more of what ever I’ve deep-dived into. This week, it was Lion’s Mane, which is a nervine, nootropic, antidepressant and more (but not an adaptogen xo). Get into the science of its neurotrophic (nervous tissue growth) properties here, and find it also in the following collection of herbal beverages …
Whatever you think of morning routines, rising well is ideal.* Entering the day well-fueled, feeling balanced, and in an optimal state of mind can set the tone for all that follows—and even for how much we look forward to returning to sleep on time in order to enjoy the morning to-come. Most of us rely on a beverage (or several) to start the day, and those moments are an opportunity to choose well—picking what’s going to love your mind, body, and flow. I recommend incorporating herbs (obv). For example, multitasking cordyceps: This functional mushroom was first used by Tibetan herdsmen thousands of years ago and has been a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, primarily to support the immune system and provide antioxidant effects. These mushrooms are considered adaptogens, and promote natural energy—that is, the kind that’s nourishing and in synergy with your system, rather than the depleting taker type that coffee can so often be. Find the fungi in MUD\WTR’s :rise Cacao and more.
So much great info here! And I’m bookmarking your husband’s magazine as it happens, my husband is obsessed with skiing!