Hey friends—welcome to the Heart of Herbs Herbal School Podcast. I’m Demetria Clark, and today we’re opening one of my favorite doors in herbal study: the Materia Medica.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly belongs in a great plant profile?”—this episode is your roadmap. we’ll talk about what a materia medica is (and isn’t), the clean, repeatable outline i teach our students, and how to write entries you’ll actually use in real life—whether you’re blending a tea tonight or presenting a case next week. We’ll dig into naming and identification (Latin saves lives!), taste and energetics, key actions and indications, preparations and dosing (within an education-only scope), safety and contraindications, plus the big one—citations—because giving credit and showing your sources keeps our work ethical, traceable, and safer.

Quick reminder: everything here is education-based, not medical advice. always consider medications, pregnancy/lactation, and red-flag symptoms, and partner with licensed healthcare providers when needed.

Alright—grab your notebook, pour a cup of something lovely, and let’s build a materia medica you’ll be proud to use and share. 💚

In this conversation, Demetria Clark welcomes Naomi Kilbreth, RH (clinical herbalist) of Laurel Tree Wellness. Naomi traces her path from teenage assistant to home-birth midwife, to homeschooling mom, and full-time clinician. We dive deep into long-COVID—why symptoms vary so widely, the role of prior viral exposures (think EBV/shingles), and why nervous-system signs matter. Naomi shares practical ways to vet an herbalist, the lifestyle foundations she checks first (sleep, stress, and lymph), and introduces The Herbal Collective, an online library and community that organizes her classes, downloads, and weekly live sessions.

Connect with Naomi• Website: LaurelTreeWellnessLLC.com• Instagram: @LaurelTreeWellness

Connect with Demetria / Heart of Herbs• Programs & resources: www.heartofherbs.com

Topics• Herbal origin stories & birthwork roots• Individualized care for long-COVID (no one-size-fits-all)• Dormant virus reactivation, athletes, and “healthy before COVID” cases• Nervous-system clues (tongue/uvula) & why they matter• How to find a qualified herbalist• The Herbal Collective: free “Lite” tier, memberships, weekly gatherings

Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please work with your healthcare providers.

Welcome to the Heart of Herbs Herbal School Podcast! I’m your host, Demetria Clark — herbalist, educator, and founder of Heart of Herbs Herbal School. I'm so excited you're here today because we have an incredible guest joining us — KhadiYah Preciado of Yah’s Apothecary.

KhadiYah is a dynamic herbalist, educator, and entrepreneur whose work weaves together African-centered herbalism, Biblical wisdom, and modern holistic practice. She’s the founder and lead educator at Yah’s Apothecary, a rich and vibrant space offering classes, books, formulas, and guidance for herbalists and healers who want to build sustainable, profitable, and spirit-rooted herbal businesses.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to practice African-centered herbalism in modern times, how our faith and ancestral traditions can guide us, and Kadia’s inspiring journey from health-conscious teen to thriving herbal educator. We also explore the powerful ways she teaches safety, sustainability, and empowerment in herbal practice.

Get ready for an honest, heartfelt, and empowering conversation — one that honors the roots of herbalism while inspiring growth and purpose in your path. Let’s get started!