Have you ever seen a butterfly wrestling to leave its chrysalis? It may seem like an unnecessarily arduous task, but as it works its new, rumpled body & wings out through a small opening, fluid is pushed into the wings, giving them strength & structure once dry. Without this proper distribution, the butterfly would not be able to fly. So you see, by nature, it is this very struggle that breathes a new life into the animal.This episode is Mel Mutterspaugh's very own herbalist's path, told in her own words, on her 42nd birthday (ya know, life, the universe, and everything). This is the story of growth and struggle and joy and purpose. Mel's mission is to start a movement to inspire an herbalist in every home...again. A return to empowering anyone to find better health with ingredients from their kitchen cabinet to their own backyard. There is such a rich opportunity in this time of global upheaval for every one of us to become a little more self-reliant and, in the process, be kinder to ourselves and kinder to the planet. And Mel wants to help us all access the power of the plants!Mel has always believed in doing what you love for a living, and for her, that means being surrounded by nature. During the years she spent volunteering and working as a hiking guide, Mel noticed that hikers often brought harsh toxic chemicals with them in backpacks and first aid kits. They were heading out to nature to soothe their souls, but had no idea how the plants surrounding them were able to heal them physically. It was this realization that inspired Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods. Mel wanted to create products that people would feel good about putting on their bodies as they went out and explored nature’s splendor. Passionate about nature, sustainability and herbal medicine, Mel’s mission is to share the abundant power of plants and respectfully preserve them for generations to come.If you are interested in continuing your herbal empowerment, join our mailing list at theherbalistspath.com to stay in the know about upcoming courses & events. Our Boosting Immune Strength, Health & Resilience Course will be back in October. In the meantime, check out this free workshop Immune Boosting Remedies From Your Kitchen CabinetThere’s a variety of ways to get this plant medicine in your body --tinctures, capsules, teas, etc. For some ready-made tea options, check out Mountain Mel’s Herbal Teas at mountainmels.com. Use code THP15 at checkout to receive  15% off just for listening.Please share this with your friends! Together, we caWhether your kids go to a school, or homeschool, as moms we see them struggle with focus, anxiety, and definitely with getting sick. And, as moms, that all falls on our shoulders.So here's a class for you, all about the BEST Herbs to Help Your Kids Thrive In School.Get registered right here You don't have to spend a fortune on your home medicine chest, when you start with these 5 essential ingredients.Join me in this FREE class, and I'll share all the goodies about getting started with herbal remedies!https://www.theherbalistspath.com/apothecaryessentialsSupport the show