Herbal insights for over two decades.
Western Wildflowers: The Herbaria
My personal observation and evidence-based research into Mountain West herbs has provided valuable herbal insights.
About The Herberia
Nature has a sublime sense of balance that captivates many people, from the less-is-more beauty of the desert to the oasis-like ecosystem in water-carved canyons to the nurturing richness of the mixed conifer forest. The plants and trees that thrive in each of these landscapes are a large part of the attractive atmosphere. They're a lively bunch with daily dramas taking place between them and their pollinators.
I personally find the connection among plants with their pollinators as fascinating as I do their eagerness to supply humanity with its medicinal needs. The flora do both with admirable detail, and the latter in curious ways sometimes still unsolvable to those they succor. This is what I write about for your enjoyment.
The Herbaria is an independent project, with all monographs and photos copyrighted by Christine Maxa and featured on The Herbarian1 Substack page.
About Christine Maxa
Christine is an internationally awarded travel writer and has authored 8 books on Arizona, two of which are devoted to wildflowers: Arizona’s Best Wildflower Hikes: The Desert and Arizona’s Best Wildflower Hikes: The High Country. Her articles have appeared state and national magazines. She was the remote content editor for the value-based health care platform Equality Health for three years and wrote health articles for daily newspapers for four years. She’s been researching and gathering herbs for over three decades.
In 2001 Christine's article appeared in the issue of Arizona Highways that won a Lowell Thomas Gold; in 2002 the editors at Arizona Highways chose an article she wrote in that year’s November issue as the best for that month; in 2003 Barnes & Noble chose her as author of the month; and in 2007 she won the International Regional Magazine Association’s Bronze Award for Readers Service. In addition to wildflower walks, Christine has been featured on National Public Radio and local television.
Read Christine's article on Astragalus Root posted 12.29.25 on Substack
. . . Sometimes the level of immunity needed goes beyond curbing sugar intake and eating good-guy foods that support the spleen. Like when several serious viruses brood (like H3N2 subclade K influenza, COVID-19 and norovirus strain GII.17) and the chances of catching one (due to limited access to a vaccine, a vaccine that does not target the trending microbe or limited resistance to new viral strains) continue to grow. Again, we turn to TCM.
TCM has used Astragalus Root, known as the Yellow Leader, for millenniums to tonify the spleen, strengthen immunity and invigorate lymph. The yellow-tinged root ranks high among Asia’s list of medicinal herbal tonics. . . . (click image to read the article)
Read Christine's article on Catnip posted 12.8.25 on Substack
. . . Catnip’s diaphoretic properties and ability to calm inflamed tissue and tempers landed the herb in Old Country remedies for fevers and indigestion. Its gentle action made Catnip a go-to for colic. The combination of Catnip and Fennel is still sold today for digestion and nerve health. (click photo to read the article)