What if some of the most useful wellness tools were already in your kitchen cabinet… or growing in your backyard?
That’s the idea behind the work of herbal educator Jeanine Davis, who focuses on helping people build simple, practical plant knowledge they can use in everyday life.
As we learned in Episode 83 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast, her approach isn’t about mastering complicated herbal systems or replacing modern medicine. It’s about learning small, supportive practices that make people feel more confident and connected to their own well-being.
“You don’t have to go all in. You can just dip your toe in. Make one tea. Learn one plant. That’s enough to start.”
Sometimes, one cup of tea and one familiar plant is all it takes to begin.
From Suburbia to Self-Reliance
When life started to feel like “too much,” Jeanine Davis didn’t just slow down — she changed direction entirely.
A longtime creative professional with a background in graphic design, Jeanine’s path into herbalism and natural living began not with a trend, but with a turning point. In her early 30s, she developed severe sensitivities to synthetic fragrances.
“All of a sudden, I couldn’t wear perfume. I would get violent headaches that went right into migraines,” Jeanine shares. “What we cleaned our house with and what we put on our bodies just wasn’t on my radar — until my body forced it to be.”
That wake-up call sparked a 25-year journey into herbal education, DIY natural remedies, and a deep reconnection with nature — a journey that now includes teaching herbal workshops in Pennsylvania and building a community for the “herbal curious.”
From Long Island Living to a Slower, Nature-Centered Life
After decades on Long Island, Jeanine and her family made a bold move to northeastern Pennsylvania near the Delaware River — a place filled with forest trails, farmers markets, and star-filled skies.
“I knew in my bones it would work,” she says about the move. “The energy of where we were living just became too much. Up here, it’s quiet. You can breathe. You can think.”
That shift in environment didn’t just change her lifestyle — it expanded her herbal practice. With more access to wild plants, local farms, and regenerative growers, Jeanine deepened her hands-on knowledge of food-based herbs, medicinal plants, and seasonal remedies.
She now grows over 40 varieties of plants in her garden — many of which others might mistake for weeds.
“There were things growing in my yard people would want to rip out, and I’m like, ‘No, no, that’s a really cool plant!’”
Everyday Plants With Powerful Benefits
Jeanine specializes in making herbal knowledge approachable, especially for beginners. Some of the plants she teaches about are likely already in your backyard.
Plantain (the leafy weed, not the fruit)
Used traditionally for bug bites and stings.
“You can pick a leaf, chew it, and use it as a poultice for a bee sting. Simple things like that are empowering.”
Stinging Nettle
Nutrient-rich and commonly used in teas and broths.
Mullein
Known for its soft, fuzzy leaves and tall flower stalk, mullein has a long history of use in respiratory herbal traditions.
“The leaves are really supportive of lung function, and the flowers can be infused into oil. I always say: never inside the ear, but the oil can be used externally.”
Her approach emphasizes food-grade, gentle herbs that support the body rather than aggressively suppress symptoms.
“It’s not about stopping a cough. It’s about supporting the body while it does what it needs to do.”
Herbal Remedies You Can Make From Your Kitchen
One of Jeanine’s most popular teachings is that herbal wellness doesn’t require a specialty store — many remedies start in your pantry.
Thyme Tea for Seasonal Support
“Who doesn’t have thyme in their spice cabinet? You can make a tea from it that’s incredibly supportive when you feel a cold coming on.”
Red Onion & Honey Syrup
A traditional home remedy she teaches in workshops.
“You chop red onion, cover it with honey, and let it sit. A syrup forms that’s great for a wet cough. Then you can even use the leftover honey-onion mixture in salad dressing — nothing goes to waste.”
Her philosophy blends herbalism with sustainability.
“I don’t like waste. If something’s reaching the compost, it’s lucky.”
DIY Natural Body Care: From Lip Balm to Deodorant
Jeanine’s herbal journey also led her to making her own personal care products.
What started as experimenting with lip balms turned into years of perfecting a natural deodorant recipe after discovering how expensive commercial options were.
“I was spending $20 on deodorant and thought, I can make this. It took years of tweaking, but now I have one that really works for me.”
Her biggest lesson for aspiring DIY makers?
“Take notes. You think you’ll remember what you changed — you won’t.”
Teaching Herbal Workshops for the “Herbal Curious”
Today, Jeanine is focusing less on selling products and more on herbal education and community learning.
She teaches at environmental nonprofits like the Lackawack Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, where she leads hands-on classes in making teas, fire cider, and simple home remedies.
“I love teaching in nonprofit spaces because it makes learning affordable and accessible. People can come, learn something practical, and feel empowered.”
She’s also developing virtual herbal workshops where small groups can make remedies together over Zoom.
“Some people feel nervous trying this stuff alone. When we do it together, it becomes fun instead of intimidating.”
Her project, Jeanine’s Herbal Adventures, is designed for caregivers, beginners, and anyone curious about natural wellness.
“You don’t have to go all in. You can just dip your toe in. Make one tea. Learn one plant. That’s enough to start.”
Food as Medicine: Beans, Garlic, and Everyday Nourishment
Jeanine’s herbal philosophy extends into the kitchen.
She’s a passionate advocate for heirloom beans, garlic, and slow, nourishing food.
“Garlic is your friend, people. I use garlic in everything.”
She also shares practical tips that make healthy eating easier.
“If beans make you gassy, try boiling them hard for 10–15 minutes first, then cooking them low and slow. And eat them regularly — your body adapts.”
A Gentle Gateway Into Herbal Living
What makes Jeanine’s work stand out isn’t complexity — it’s accessibility. She focuses on small, doable changes that reconnect people to plants, food, and their own resilience.
“Not everyone wants to be an herbalist, and that’s okay. But isn’t it nice to know a few simple things you can do at home?”
For many, that’s exactly the kind of wellness knowledge they’ve been missing.
Click here to listen to the Episode 83 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast with Jeanine Davis.
