DR. CHRISTOPHER HOBBS is a fourth-generation, internationally renowned herbalist, licensed acupuncturist, author, clinician, botanist, mycologist, and research scientist with over 35 years of experience with herbal medicine.
Christopher has a doctorate from UC Berkeley in phylogenetics, evolutionary biology and phytochemistry. He is also a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild.
This site is dedicated to all who love and are inspired by the natural world, especially the green world and kingdom Fungi.
🍄 Chicken of the Woods on the tree → on the pan 🍳🌿
Spotted this Chicken of the Woods growing right on the trunk. Bright, bold, and one of the best wild edibles when it’s young and tender.
How to cook it (simple + clean):
1️⃣ Harvest only fresh, soft edges
2️⃣ Clean + slice
3️⃣ Heat olive oil in a pan
4️⃣ Sauté until golden, flipping once
5️⃣ Salt to taste (pepper, garlic optional)
It pulls apart just like chicken and soaks up olive oil beautifully. Wild food doesn’t get better than this. 🌲🔥
Always properly ID before eating.
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #plantmedicine #medicinalmushrooms #forestmedicine
Green papaya is packed with powerful digestive enzymes, especially papain, that help break down proteins and support smoother digestion. Traditionally used to ease bloating and heaviness after meals, green papaya can help your gut do its job more efficiently. Whether eaten fresh, fermented, or taken as an extract, this tropical fruit has long been valued for gentle, natural digestive support. 🌿🥭
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #herbalwisdom #plantmedicine #herbalism
For your information
Not medical advice
Remember, the first time eating hot chillies can be very hot!
• Cardiovascular health
Supports endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide availability, promoting vasodilation, improved blood flow, and healthier arterial flexibility—key factors in preventing early, “silent” heart disease.
• Metabolic regulation
Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces post-meal glucose spikes, and supports healthier lipid metabolism, including reduced LDL oxidation and triglyceride burden.
• Anti-inflammatory effects
Modulates inflammatory signaling pathways and may reduce chronic low-grade inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction.
• Nervous system adaptation
Repeated exposure desensitizes TRPV1 pain receptors, reducing perceived burn while improving neurovascular signaling and pain tolerance.
• Neurochemical benefits
Triggers release of endorphins and dopamine, often producing a calm, focused, mildly euphoric state after the initial burn.
• Longevity associations
Regular chili consumption is linked in population studies to lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, particularly when part of a whole-food, traditional diet.
Speedwell (Veronica spp.) 🌿
That “little weed” you see creeping through lawns is actually a classic herbal ally. Speedwell has a long history in European folk medicine, traditionally used to support the lungs, soothe coughs, and gently aid digestion. With its tiny blue flowers and low-growing habit, Veronica is a reminder that powerful plants don’t have to look dramatic to matter.
Often overlooked, always resilient. Nature hides medicine in plain sight.
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #herbalwisdom #plantmedicine
Preserving the wisdom of medicinal plants—for today and generations to come. 🌎📖
Follow @worldherblibrary 📚🌿
#worldherblibrary #herbalwisdom #plantmedicine #plantsofthebible
Sweet, simple, and low-key powerful 🍓
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C for immune support, antioxidants that help fight inflammation, and compounds that support heart health and skin glow. Traditionally used to cool the body, support digestion, and gently cleanse the blood. Food that heals and tastes good doing it.
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #plantmedicine #plantwisdom
🌿 How to ID Usnea (Usnea spp.)
Look for a pale green, beard-like lichen growing on trees — when gently stretched, it reveals a strong white inner core, a key identifying feature.
Thank you for walking the plant path with me,
Dr. Christopher Hobbs
#usnea #lichen #herbalmedicine #forestmedicine #christopherhobbs
🌿 Usnea is a lichen traditionally valued for its antimicrobial properties and long history of use in herbal medicine.
Often found hanging from forest trees, it’s a symbiotic organism that reflects the health of the ecosystem it grows in and has been respected in many traditional healing systems.
#usnea #lichen #herbalmedicine #christopherhobbs #forestmedicine
Know before you forage 🍄
The Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide — often mistaken for edible species.
Comment “AMANITA” and I’ll send the @sfgate article straight to your inbox! 📬
#amanita #deathcap #christopherhobbs #mushroomidentification
Birch polypore 🍄
A classic forest mushroom with a long history of traditional use. Found growing almost exclusively on birch trees, this tough, shelf-like fungus was once carried by travelers and used by herbalists across Europe
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #medicinalmushrooms
Yerba Santa 🌿
A classic California medicinal plant, Yerba Santa means “holy herb.” Traditionally used for the lungs and sinuses, it’s known for helping loosen mucus, soothe coughs, and support breathing. The leaves are resinous, aromatic, and slightly bitter with a sweet finish.
How to make Yerba Santa tea:
• Use 1–2 teaspoons dried leaf (or a small fresh leaf, torn)
• Pour over hot, not boiling water
• Cover and steep 10–15 minutes
• Strain and sip warm
Optional: add a little honey or blend with mullein or licorice for extra lung support.
Slow, grounding, and deeply herbal — a tea that feels like clearing the forest air in your chest.
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #herbalwisdom
A beautiful reminder that herbal wisdom should be accessible to all 🌿
The World Herb Library is a free online resource sharing traditional plant knowledge from around the world.
Explore it today at worldherblibrary.org 🌎🌿
Follow @worldherblibrary 📖✨
#worldherblibrary #christopherhobbs #plantwisdom #herbaleducation
Have you heard of bromelain, pineapple’s natural enzyme? 🍍
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in Ananas comosus that supports protein digestion and has been studied for its role in inflammation modulation, tissue recovery, and sinus health. Traditionally valued in herbal medicine, bromelain is a reminder that food and medicine often overlap. 🌿
#bromelain #pineapple #digestivehealth #foodasmedicine #christopherhobbs
In Thailand, Andrographis is revered as a national bitter herb for fevers, infections, and acute illness—often called the “king of bitters.”
It is widely available in pharmacies and hospitals, especially during cold, flu, and COVID outbreaks, often supplied by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
Officially allowed claims (traditional use): helps relieve fever, sore throat, upper respiratory symptoms, and inflammation — framed as supporting immune and respiratory health, not as a drug cure.
Claims must be presented as traditional Thai medicine use, not as treatment or prevention of specific diseases.
Key point:
In Thailand, Andrographis sits at the intersection of tradition, public health policy, and modern clinical research, giving it unusually high legitimacy for an
"First and foremost, let us slow down for a moment each day and offer gratitude for
the incredible intelligence of the natural world." - Christopher Hobbs
I invite you to explore the library at worldherblibrary.org 🌎🌿
I co-founded the @worldherblibrary with fellow herbalists and book collectors Bob Brucia and David Winston to help preserve rare and historic herbal texts and make them freely available to everyone.
What began with our personal collections has grown into an online library of centuries of plant wisdom—offered as a resource for students, practitioners, and anyone drawn to the study of medicinal plants.
#worldherblibrary #herbalism #plantmedicine #herbalhistory #medicinalplants
Giant Pacific horsetail ( Equisetum telmateia ) — a living fossil that’s been around since the age of dinosaurs 🌿
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #herbalwisdom #plantmedicine
Sun-soaked Mediterranean herbs 🌿
Wild, aromatic, and deeply rooted in ancient tradition. Used for flavor, healing, and daily life for thousands of years — where food, medicine, and culture become one.
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #herbalwisdom #plantmedicine
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Dr. Hobbs's News
Medicinal Mushrooms for Cold and Flu Season
Join Dr. Hobbs 4-hour presentation and demonstration, Live. Prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections, including the use of potent mushroom extracts for heightened immunity.
Magic Mushrooms Course
Join Dr. Hobbs for a 7-Week Online Magic Mushroom Course (Evergreen stream)
Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide
Dr. Hobbs’s latest book is available to order and being shipped now.
Follow Dr. Hobbs's on YouTube
🌿 The Famous (and Infamous) Datura Plant | With Christopher Hobbs, PhD
In this video, we explore the fascinating history, biology, and cultural significance of the Datura plant—one of the most well-known and misunderstood plants in the world.
Joined by Christopher Hobbs, PhD, we discuss where Datura grows, how it has been used historically in different cultures, and why it has earned a reputation as both powerful and dangerous. This conversation focuses on education, plant identification, traditional knowledge, and safety awareness.
⚠️ Important Note: Datura is a highly toxic plant. This video is for educational purposes only and does not promote ingestion or misuse of any kind.
🌱 Topics Covered:
What is Datura?
Historical and cultural uses
Botanical characteristics
Why Datura is considered dangerous
Safety, ethics, and respect for medicinal plants
📚 About Christopher Hobbs, PhD:
Christopher Hobbs is an herbalist, botanist, author, and educator with decades of experience in plant science and traditional herbal knowledge.
👍 If you found this video informative, like, subscribe, and share to support more educational plant content.
#Datura #MedicinalPlants #Ethnobotany #PlantScience #ChristopherHobbs #HerbalEducation
Fennel
Discover the power of fennel! 🌿
In this video, I break down what fennel is, its health benefits, and easy ways to use it in everyday life. From digestion support to overall wellness, fennel has been used for centuries—watch to learn why and how to add it to your routine.
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more natural health and food tips!
#christopherhobbs #herbalmedicine #nature
Golden Milk with Fresh Turmeric | Natural Health Drink
🌟 Golden Milk Recipe | Turmeric & Milk Health Drink 🌟
Learn how to make Golden Milk using fresh turmeric and milk in this easy, natural recipe. This comforting health drink is known to support immunity, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation.
Ingredients:
Fresh turmeric (preferred), milk (dairy or plant-based)
Optional: black pepper, honey, cinnamon
Simple, healthy, and perfect for any time of day.
Like, comment, and subscribe for more wellness recipes!
#GoldenMilk #TurmericMilk #HealthDrink #Wellness #FreshTurmeric
🌿 Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) with Dr. Christopher Hobbs 🌿
🌿 Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) 🌿
Black Sage is a powerful herb native to California, known for its aromatic leaves and traditional uses in herbal medicine. It has been valued for its ability to support respiratory health, ease muscle tension, and even promote a sense of mental clarity.
The leaves can be used to make infusions, teas, or poultices. When preparing, always use sustainably harvested leaves.
Whether you’re exploring wildcrafted herbs or cultivating your own, Black Sage is a wonderful addition to an herbal toolkit.
Into the forest 🌲
"And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul" - John Muir 🌲
Earthstar Mushrooms
🌍✨ Earthstar Mushroom (Geastrum spp.)
The botanical name for these mushrooms comes from the genus Geastrum, derived from the Greek words for earth and star—a perfect description of the way these remarkable fungi open into star-like rays upon the forest floor.
Next time you’re walking in the woods, look closely and you may just find a small star opening at your feet.
#earthstarmushroom #geastrum #mycology #mushroomstudy #christopherhobbs
Dryad’s saddle with Dr. Christopher Hobbs
Dryad’s saddle (Polyporus squamosus or
Cerioporus squamosus)
A mushroom growing on hardwoods like Maple and Elm, mostly in spring but sometimes into early summer or fall. Young mushrooms are nutritious, immune-supportive, and great in soups, stocks, or powders. Always ID wild mushrooms before use.
- Dr. Christopher Hobbs
English Ivy (Hedera helix) with Dr. Christopher Hobbs
English Ivy (Hedera helix) 🌿
Note: English Ivy needs to be properly heated and processed before use. The raw plant can be irritating or even toxic if not prepared correctly. Please use with caution.
Comment "HERBALIST" to join my mailing list and stay in touch with my latest newsletters, herbal guides, and educational offerings.
Thank you for walking the plant path with me 🌿
Dr. Christopher Hobbs
#englishivy #hederahelix #herbalmedicine #herbalism #herbalwisdom #medicinalplants #plantmedicine #respiratoryhealth #lunghealth #christopherhobbs
Forest figure🌲 What do you see?
Forest finds🌲
What do you see?
- Dr. Christopher Hobbs
Herb Walk
Garlic
Allium sativum
Garlic acts as a warming herb for the digestion and respiratory tract, and is the “herbal antibiotic,” and much more.
Cactus
Selenicereus grandiflorus
Cactus is the spectacular night-blooming cereus of Jamaica and Cuba.
Burdock
Arctium lappa
Burdock is a blood purifier commonly used for skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Black Cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa
Black cohosh preparations are useful for hot flashes and depression during menopause.
Ginseng
Panax ginseng
Use ginseng for chronic fatigue, convalescence, lethargy, depression, and chronic infections related to immune weakness, especially if you’re over forty-five.
