Update: I made Heidi’s magnesium spray with a little lavender. I sprayed my husband once on each thigh. He didn’t have any more cramps that night. We did this 3 nights in a row. He stopped cramping after I sprayed him every time! We forgot last night until he started cramping again. He actually asked for it last night, AND he was rolling eyes the first night 😆. I can’t believe it worked that quickly. I think it’s helping him fall asleep faster too. 

 –Sara Hale

"I now have preparations in my apothecary that not only support symptoms of common ailments, but actually have healing and restorative benefits as well. Getting through things such as the flu will no longer require a chemical s@#! storm (excuse me). We will actually be nourishing our bodies in the process. This course has changed my life because it helped me become intentional with my herbal preparations. I was able to use the guide in the course to list out the remedies most relevant to my family and immediately begin the process of building a diverse and well stocked apothecary. ...This course accelerated the building of my apothecary and increased my confidence in knowing what, when, and how to use each preparation. I cannot emphasize enough the relevance of this course. You'll be astonished at what you can accomplish!"

 –Courtney Cocke, R.N.

Here's what one of my students experienced when she began using herbs for her family. She saw immediate positive results! See what journeying into plant medicine can do:

"Heidi - Your encouragement and instruction has helped me in so many more ways than just his breathing! We started with your lung supporting tea made into a tincture.  Meanwhile I was learning about all of the individual lung/respiratory herbs. The Confident Herbalist course equipped me so well, and I was then able to use that knowledge as I pursued and prepared other herbs for use.  It has been a huge blessing! One of the biggest victories aside from the breathing problems is that we no longer buy 1-2 boxes of Sudafed EVERY MONTH!  We don't use ibuprofen every day like we used to, either! I don't remember the last time we used it!  This is all MAJOR.

The M&M tincture has been amazing, along with Nettle and Goldenrod.  Because of you we are no longer putting these allergy-sinus related drugs into our bodies.  I'd say I probably haven't bought those things since around 6 months or so after beginning to study under you! Oh...one more thing that popped into my head is Robitussin.  We used to go through that SO FAST.  I use only herbal expectorants now!  My last bottle of Robitussin is on the shelf, expired! 

Now that I'm getting more comfortable with a lot of the uses of various herbs for respiratory, I've been working on anodynes/nervine herbs to use on the occasions when I have pain from a past injury. I don't get these 'bouts' very often, but in the past they have been known to set me back two full days at times!  Aside from seeking out proper physical therapy, watching my water intake, posture, etc., I have recently finally had the time and brainspace to to work with the anodynes/nervine herbs to add to my arsenal.  I'm happy to report that the last two times I've needed support for this I've found great improvement with an herbal tincture combination!  This has been a stubborn condition and to get through it without drugs is amazing!  I am SO encouraged!  I used to take ibuprofen and tylenol 'piggy back' style, if you've ever heard of that.  Now I'm finding alternatives that give me support and encourage me toward balance rather than the OTC alternatives which include side effects!

Lastly, for now, I have to say that we have just not been sick since we started using herbs regularly!  As soon as we get a scratchy throat or feel extra tired, etc., we take appropriate herbs and the threatening 'bug' just gets kicked out!  That makes a huge difference in our lives!  I also use chickweed salve instead of itch cream and have even made pine (and other)-infused facial moisturizer.  I also have found plants that can soothe my digestive tract if needed and I use your wonderful Healthy Bones tea to stay strong and well.  My world continues to expand and unless something changes I am no longer in need of the OTCs!  I didn't even realize to what extent untiI I gave my herbal journey some thought! I can't thank you enough for giving me the practical instruction and encouragement that I needed to jump in to all of this after hesitating for so, so long!  Thanks again!"

 –Sandy Judy, Student and Herbalist

NOTE: Many of the herbal preparations Sandy mentions in her note to me are included in this course! And, because I believe in providing a LOT of support for my students, when you ask questions about specific needs, new recipes and remedies are going to be added to the Ditch the Drugstore Recipe Book during this first course round!

"Hi, Heidi, I got this rash on my arms periodically for several years. It is only on this one arm and itches terribly. I have gone to the doctor, 2 allergists, 2 dermatologists, taken medications, used medicinal salves, itch creams and whatever I can find to relieve it. Nothing and no one has been able to help me.

Finally because of your teachings I put together an oil and I put it on my arm several times a day. It has REALLY helped!! Not only did it cut down the itching, but it is going away. I'm sure it will keep helping. Thank you, thank you, thank you Heidi for giving me the confidence to make up this oil"

 –Rose Felton, Herbal Tea Business Owner

"Ditch The Drug Store is a wonderful course for someone who is ready to get their home apothecary going. The workbook helps create a personalized plan for your family's apothecary. With Heidi's guidance and knowledge you will be amazed at how many over the counter medicines you can replace with a much safer herbal or essential oil alternative. I would recommend this course to everyone. My greatest take away is that the course stopped the paralysis by analysis and I actually made some things. I have started taking some immune boosting remedies faithfully and am working on some preparations to eliminate the need for any OTC medicine"

 –Ann Gaquinto-Scott

Here's another note from a new student:

"A lot has been happening, in regards to putting to use what I have been learning.

I was a student of the Herbal Tribe for about 5 weeks, before DTDS. With Covid going around I started some tinctures.  Willow bark (Aspirin), and Fire Cider then a few weeks later added the Elderberry and Echinacea Tincture plus The decongestant with Mullein and Marshmallow.

I was exposed to Covid last Thursday and started feeling crummy 2 days later. I started on my Aspirin (as I had a killer headache) and the Fire Cider which both hit their 6 week mark, the day before.  I pulled the Elderberry and Echinacea 2 weeks early and started taking them all, 4 times a day.  That evening I was feeling pretty darn good...the tinctures kicked it out of my system immediately.   I went ahead and stayed home from Church Sunday, but kept taking my 3 droppers of each tincture and my Husband started feeling lousy, so he choked down 4 tsp. as he was 'Not' a fan of the Fire Cider (I like the taste) and some of the E&E.  He felt better that afternoon, as well!  We took it all several more days to make sure it was gone!   So WOW IMPRESSIVE! 

Then my Son called, he had covid for 5 days and so I got to send him a care package...with all that plus immune boosting Tea and some M&M, that I pulled early for him, as he was congested.

My Sister we just found out Tuesday has possible Ovarian cancer, but a bunch of stuff is grown together and a huge mess in there (prayers would be appreciated)...she called me in severe pain, Thursday.  So I made her the Menstral cramping oil, a ginger honey syrup and a Ginger poultice, along with my Willow Bark Aspirin. Praise God she got relief!

Heidi, I am so grateful to have already applied what I have been learning to help my family.

I do not have words to express my heart felt thank you to you!

This knowledge is priceless...

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

May the good Lord bless you immensely for sharing your knowledge with us!  I know He set me on the path to meet you and Wow, miracles are happening all over the place!"

 –Deb Huddleston

"I gag on store-bought cough & cold medicines. I am so glad to have an alternative!.....What I love most is that herbs give us more control over our own health care, and they connect us to the earth. I feel like I am touching more areas of ME than I ever have and am incorporating my love of science and the natural world more than I ever have in my adult life... I have always been a bit leery of meds of any kind, even hesitant to take OTC pain meds for a headache. I have had too many "opposite" reactions to them or some risks have been too great. For example, Cipro can sometimes cause tendon rupture. I had been on that a couple of times before I learned about this. I will never take it again, and I made the Dr change the prescription when my son was on it. We musicians put enough stress on the tendons and a rupture could be career ending for me. Nope, not worth the risk!"

 –Heather Niemi Savage

"Take the course!! When you have herbal remedies that work why would you buy a bottle of aspirin or allergy medicine that contain ingredients you can't pronounce and don't know what they are. It is very empowering to realize you can provide safe and effective medicine for your family that you made yourself. Heidi is a great teacher and makes you excited about learning more about what our grandmothers knew and has been lost."

--Lou Clark

"I found a new world of natural medicine thanks to Heidi and Healing Harvest Homestead. Herbs have made an incredible difference in my life, a difference I didn’t know was possible or that I really needed before I started my herbal journey. I have several issues that had become worse and the solution seemed to be more medication. I finally said, "NO MORE!"

I have been able to replace my inhaler (which I took twice daily) for a Marshmallow Mullein tincture. I also make a tea blend of Marshmallow and Mullein and Rosemary. There are days when my condition is worse that I will take the tincture a couple times a day. That being said I have NOT had to take my inhaler for a year now! This has not only helped me not put harmful steroids in my body, it has also saved me $135 a month.

There are herbs that have helped me go from 2% away from stage 5 kidney failure (which requires dialysis). I am now stable in stage four and there is no talk of dialysis! The herbs I am taking are Dandelion leaves, Marshmallow, Red Clover, Ginger, Chickweed, Cleavers, and Stinging Nettles. I make these into a tea, and it is delicious iced or hot.

There are other changes I have made too. My husband and I take many herbs to boost our immune system now. I make Elderberry Syrup and Fire Cider vinegar and many tinctures. Some of these are taken daily and more often if we get ill, which doesn’t happen as often now. Needless to say, herbs have changed my life and are helping my husband and I get healthy. This journey is a blessing. Thank you so much Heidi!"

 –Amy Balser

"After taking the DTDS course my confidence in my new Herbal journey exploded!! I have tinctures, salves, oils, teas and many other medicinal preparations ready to go when needed. I have been so happy to be able to just go to my own "Drug Store"  and have natural healing medicine that is not full of chemicals available or to be able to create them when necessary. I'm only just beginning my journey so my apothecary is still small but I have been able to share some of my herbal preparations with others and have had wonderful feedback from those I've had the pleasure to share with.  I tell them about Heidi and her wonderful teaching and courses and the free community that they are welcome to come and check out! I thank God for Heidi and her mission to share her knowledge with as many people as she can. I have such a better quality of life now and only see new ways to improve my self physically, mentally and spiritually in the future as a result of an amazing teacher and the great community here.  I have several pictures to share but it is because my apothecary is a little spread out at the moment. Thank you Heidi you are truly a blessing to anyones life that you touch!! 

 –Cindy Prickett

“My greatest takeaway from Ditch the Drugstore is the feeling of being in control. I love knowing I have to tools at my fingertips (hoping some to be from memory) to take care of most of my family's heath and wellness needs. Heidi genuinely wants her students to learn as much as possible and has been there for us via zoom meetings a couple times a week as well as in the online student group all week long. This course is jam-packed with detailed information and herbal recipes for our home apothecary. There is so much peace of mind in knowing I have the tools to help keep my family heathy naturally. Thank you, Heidi!"

 –Karen Herrman

"Heidi, Not only do I use the things I have made but my family has started using them too.  I put together a small apothecary for 2 granddaughters going to college.  My son is a respiratory therapist so now takes fire cider every day as he is exposed to covid all the time. My neighbors have loved the salves and things I have given them to try. Thank you so much for the DTD course and all the other courses you have made available in the " Confident Herbalist Tribe Group too.

 –Norma Steiner

“What a great resource for those beginning their herbal journey! And it is jam packed with a ton of valuable information. Heidi has done a fantastic job of making this course easy to follow in a language that isn’t overly complicated. She makes it feel very personable and as though I am learning from a close friend. I highly recommend this excellent course for anyone who wants to learn how to use herbs safely and effectively in their everyday life!”

 –Mary Woita, Boots and Hooves Homestead