Desert Moon Botanicals

Spring is one of the best times to explore the desert and see medicinal plants growing in the wild.

This Saturday I’ll be leading a guided medicinal plant walk in the Superstition Wilderness, where we’ll explore desert herbs, traditional uses, and how to identify plants in their natural habitat.

We’ll walk through the desert landscape, stop along the way to look at plants up close, and talk about how these species have been used traditionally for food and medicine.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the plants growing around us here in Arizona, this is a great opportunity to experience them in the field.

WHEN: Saturday, March 14
TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: Superstition Wilderness (Apache Junction)

Only a few spots remain. Registration closes Thursday.

Register here: https://desertmoonbotanicals.com/plant-walk-superstition or link in bio

Join me this Tuesday morning, for a walk through the desert in Fountain Hills.

We’ll spend our time moving slowly through the landscape, observing medicinal plants in place—how they grow, how they respond to early spring, and how herbalists learn directly from the land.

This walk is for anyone curious about herbal medicine, plant identification, and building real, grounded plant knowledge. No experience is required—just comfortable shoes and a willingness to observe.

A few spots are still open if you’d like to join us.

Details and registration are available online at: https://desertmoonbotanicals.com/plant-walk-fountain-hills

Happy Earth Day 🌿

Today and every day, I’m grateful for the plants, the land, and the timeless wisdom held in nature. From the Sonoran Desert to the Australian bush, I’m constantly reminded that the Earth provides medicine, connection, and healing—if we choose to listen.

Let’s continue to honor, protect, and learn from our mother.

💚 What are you doing to connect with the Earth today?

Eucalyptus trees are such an iconic part of the Australian landscape, those tall, graceful figures with silvery leaves, curling bark, and that unmistakable scent carried on the breeze. You can’t walk through the bush without feeling their presence.

Locally known as "gum trees," they’re deeply rooted in both the ecology and cultural memory of this land. There are over 700 species (yes, really!), many of them perfectly adapted to the dry heat and fire-prone conditions. Here in South Australia, one you’ll often come across is Eucalyptus globulus, also called Southern Blue Gum or Tasmanian Blue Gum.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal communities have known the healing power of these trees. The leaves were crushed and inhaled to ease congestion, brewed into teas for fevers and immune support, or used in steam baths and smoke rituals for cleansing and protection. That kind of deep plant knowledge has been passed down through generations—and it's still relevant today.

These days, eucalyptus is still one of our go-tos for respiratory support. You’ll find it in chest rubs, steams, salves—even natural cleaning products and insect sprays, thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory magic.

And of course, I can’t leave out the koalas. 🐨They’re famously picky eaters, choosing only certain species—like Eucalyptus globulus, E. viminalis (Manna Gum), and E. camaldulensis (River Red Gum). They even prefer specific trees based on taste and moisture. I love that.

Being here, surrounded by these old giants (or broccoli trees as my daughter calls them), reminds me of how much medicine is all around us—how plants and people are intertwined in ways that go beyond words. It’s humbling. It’s beautiful. And it fills me with so much gratitude.