Join host Jim Applegate on the Reality of Herbal Therapy podcast for a deep dive into cayenne — one of the 20 herbs Dr. James recommends every home should have. This episode traces cayenne’s journey from Central and South America to kitchens and medicine cabinets around the world, with a special New Mexico perspective on green and red chiles, ristras, and regional varieties like Big Jim and Anaheim.

Topics covered include cayenne botany and varieties (cayenne, Tabasco, African bird, jalapeño and others), how heat is measured on the Scoville scale, where capsaicin is concentrated in the pod, and tips for controlling spice in culinary use. Jim explains common culinary uses — sauces, salsas, marinades — and how drying and seed removal affect flavor and heat.

The episode also focuses on medicinal uses: cayenne as a circulatory stimulant and catalyst in herbal formulas, its role in boosting metabolism and digestion, breaking fevers, loosening lung congestion, aiding menstrual cramps and wound coagulation, and topical use in salves for localized pain. Jim describes practical preparations — dried powder, capsules, teas, poultices and topical salves — and highlights a favorite formula, “Travl” (cayenne + ginger), for increasing metabolic rate and energy.

Key takeaways:

• hotter varieties (like African bird) are often preferred for stronger circulatory action
• heat concentrates in the stem, veins and seeds
• a pinch of cayenne can speed up other herbal actions
• Tolerance matters — those with sensitive stomachs or ulcers should use caution and moderation.

The host references Dr. James’s guidelines throughout and offers hands-on tips for integrating cayenne safely into both culinary and medicinal routines.

Listeners can expect practical, down-to-earth guidance on choosing, preparing and using cayenne at home, plus real-world anecdotes from New Mexico about culture, climate and why this fiery pepper became a staple in both kitchens and herbal practice.

On this Reality of Herbal Therapy episode host Jim Applegate explores slippery elm — one of the essentials from Dr. James’s classic 20‑herb first‑aid kit. Jim explains what slippery elm is, where it grows, and why the inner bark’s mucilage makes it such a versatile, gentle remedy for the whole family.

You’ll learn the herb’s primary actions (mucilaginous coating and soothing of irritated membranes) and practical applications for sore throats, acid irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive complaints. Jim also explains why slippery elm pairs well with other herbs (for example in the Flem Up formula) and why it’s considered safe and calming for children through the elderly.

The episode covers how to choose good slippery elm — always the inner bark, typically in powdered form, dry and fluffy rather than clumpy, and with a sweet woody scent that signals freshness — plus storage tips to preserve potency.

Jim walks through common preparations: teas, capsules (with advice to drink water), and poultices for local drawing and soothing (abscesses, mastitis, bruises), including basic poultice technique and herb pairings like goldenseal or echinacea for infection‑drawing effects.

He shares a detailed, listener‑friendly recipe for the comforting “Slippery Elm Drink” used by Dr. James and his family: a milk or nut‑milk base blended with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, coconut oil and about one teaspoon of slippery elm powder, finished with a raw egg (or a flax/chia binder for a vegan version). Jim explains why this warm, mucilage‑rich drink helps stop vomiting, soothe digestion, and support bowel function.

Practical notes include when to reach for slippery elm, how to store it (cool, dark cupboard), and why keeping a jar on hand is useful during stomach bugs or sudden sore throats. Jim also references personal anecdotes involving Dr. James, Veronica, and his wife Lynn to illustrate everyday uses and successes.

Listen for clear, actionable tips on selection, preparation, and real‑world uses so you can add slippery elm to your herbal first‑aid toolkit with confidence.

In this episode of the Reality of Herbal Therapy with Jim Applegate, Jim traces the origin stories behind the clinic’s most trusted herbal formulas, centered on the life and work of his father-in-law, Dr. James.

Listeners will hear how an 18-year-old’s near-fatal ulcer and later debilitating allergies in Oregon led Dr. James to study at Dominion Herbal College under Ella Berznik, start making house calls from an old delivery truck, and develop patient-tested blends like Hay Asz (for upper respiratory/allergies) and Flem Up (a dramatic remedy for severe asthma and lodged lung toxins).

The episode covers: the hands-on process of evolving formulas through real patient use; why Dr. James chose capsules over teas or tinctures for portability and preserving plant integrity; the critical importance of herb quality and freshness; the herbalist’s system-based approach to healing (treating root systems such as kidneys, blood, or the respiratory tract rather than only symptoms); and touching anecdotes about specific formulas and the people behind them.

Expect practical examples, clear explanations of how herbal formulas are created and tested, and guidance on when and why to use specific blends. Jim also explains how to choose a formula, offers examples of how formulas addressed severe conditions, and invites listeners to contact the clinic with questions.

This episode is for anyone curious about traditional herbal practice, the stories behind trusted remedies, and how individualized, system-focused herbal therapy can restore quality of life.