Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

A lot of people come to herbalism because something in their body doesn’t feel right, even if they can’t name it yet.

Feeling tired all the time. Craving ice. Getting short of breath and brushing it off as stress or “just life.”

These are some of the most common signs people ignore before realizing their iron is low. I recently shared a video breaking this down in a simple, grounded way.

💬 Before you watch, I’m curious, what’s one signal from your body you’ve been unsure how to interpret?

👉🏾 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/m24Dtha0WHo

1 day ago | [YT] | 17

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

Where are you in your herbalism journey?

If you’re starting (or starting again), this beginner herbalism lesson will help you build confidence without overwhelm 💚

👉🏾 Watch here: https://youtu.be/NhMZ1wHBUTs

2 days ago | [YT] | 6

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

What the Headlines Didn't Tell You

If you scrolled through health news last year, you might have seen some truly alarming headlines:

"Botanicals like turmeric and green tea are harming Americans' livers"
"More than 15 million US adults at risk from herbal remedies"
"Study estimates millions risk liver damage from herbs"

If you use turmeric for inflammation, sip green tea daily, or take ashwagandha for stress — you probably felt that little knot in your stomach. Should I stop? Am I hurting myself?

Here's what I want to do today: I'm going to walk you through what that research actually said, what got lost in translation, and why the real story is a lot more nuanced than those fear-mongering headlines suggest.

I'm not here to tell you herbs are perfectly safe for everyone. They're not. Nothing is. But I am here to help you understand the actual numbers — because when you see them clearly, the picture looks very different.

Let's Start With What Actually Happened
In August 2024, a paper was published in JAMA Network Open estimating how many U.S. adults use six herbs that have been linked to case reports of liver injury:
* Ashwagandha
* Black cohosh
* Garcinia
* Green tea (as a concentrated extract)
* Red yeast rice
* Turmeric/curcumin
The researchers estimated that about 15 million Americans had used at least one of these herbs in the past month.

Then came the headlines. And honestly? They made it sound like 15 million people were walking around with damaged livers.

But here's the thing:
Using something is not the same as being harmed by it.

The Numbers Tell a Different Story
Let's zoom in on ashwagandha as an example.
According to the study's own citations, from 2019 to 2022, there were 23 case reports worldwide of liver injury possibly connected to ashwagandha.

Of those 23 cases:
* 8 were from the United States
* The rest came from around the world, including unbranded products, herbal syrups, and preparations of unclear composition sold at local markets in India

Now, according to the same study, 1.25 million Americans were using ashwagandha in 2020.
So let's do the math:

8 cases out of 1.25 million users
That's 0.0006% — less than one-thousandth of one percent.
To put it another way: if you gathered 125,000 ashwagandha users in a stadium, statistically, you'd expect less than one person to have experienced a liver issue.

And even then, we don't know if the herb was definitely the cause — or if there were other factors involved (like contamination, interactions, or pre-existing conditions).

What About All Herbal Supplements Combined?
The study also referenced data from something called the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), which tracks cases of liver damage from all kinds of medications and supplements.
Here's what the headlines didn't explain:

Over a 10-year period (2004–2013), DILIN recorded 136 total cases of liver injury linked to herbal dietary supplements.
Sounds bad, right?

But wait:
* 45 of those cases involved bodybuilding products — many of which were later found to contain illegal anabolic steroids masquerading as herbs
* That leaves roughly 91 cases over 10 years from mainstream herbal supplements
* That's about 9 cases per year in a country where tens of millions of people use herbal products
Again: this doesn't mean harm never happens. It means the actual risk is extremely low.

A Big Statistical Mix-Up
One reason the headlines sounded so scary is because of a confusing statistic buried in the study.
The paper said that 57.6% of U.S. adults use dietary supplements.
But here's the problem: that 57.6% includes everything — vitamins, minerals, fish oil, probiotics, and yes, herbs.

The actual percentage of adults using herbal supplements specifically?
About 7.5%.

That's a huge difference. But the way the study was written made it easy for journalists to conflate the two — making it sound like more than half the country was at risk.

The Missing Context: What About Other Medicines?
Here's something else the study didn't do:
It didn't compare the liver injury risk from herbs to the risk from:
* Common painkillers (like acetaminophen, the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.)
* Prescription medications (many of which carry liver warnings)
* Over-the-counter drugs

The researchers noted that 15 million people use these six herbs — which is roughly the same number who use certain prescription cholesterol or anti-inflammatory drugs.
But they didn't tell us how the rates of liver injury compare.
Without that comparison, we're left with a number that sounds scary but lacks meaningful context.

So… Are Herbs Dangerous or Not?
Here's the honest answer:
Herbs are not risk-free.

But neither are pharmaceuticals. Or supplements. Or even food, for that matter.

What we know is this:
* Serious adverse reactions to these six herbs are rare
* Most reported cases involve very high doses, long-term use, contaminated products, or interactions with other medications
* Quality matters — a lot
* Individual sensitivity matters too

The point isn't that herbs are perfectly safe for everyone in every circumstance.
The point is that the actual data doesn't support the kind of fear the headlines created.

What This Means for You
If you use turmeric, green tea extract, ashwagandha, or any of these herbs thoughtfully — at reasonable doses, from reputable sources, and ideally with guidance from someone knowledgeable — the risk of liver injury is very, very low.

Should you be reckless? No.
Should you panic? Also no.


Here's what actually protects you:
✅ Buy from reputable companies that test for purity and potency
✅ Use appropriate doses — more is not always better
✅ Be cautious with concentrated extracts — especially if you're taking them long-term
✅ Talk to your doctor if you have existing liver issues or take medications
✅ Pay attention to your body — if something feels off, listen

Why Scare Tactics Don't Help
When headlines exaggerate risk, people don't become safer — they become confused, fearful, or dismissive of tools that might actually support their health. Given who owns our health care system, confusion and fear are likely the w

3 days ago | [YT] | 36

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

The holidays aren't joyous for everyone.
For some, this season is heavy with grief and missing the people who used to be at the table. For others, it's navigating family dynamics that feel triggering or unsafe. Some are carrying financial stress, relationship strain, or the weight of expectations they can't meet.
And when the pain gets loud, people reach for what helps them cope.
What we often label as "vices" are coping strategies. Sometimes they're the only tools someone has access to in that moment. So if that's you, here's some herbal support to lean on during this time 💞

Here is a video to help you make different food choices: https://youtu.be/cvxfXoOppo8

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5 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 62

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

That cough that won’t leave after a cold?
This thyme cough syrup is one of the most requested recipes in our home during the winter months.

If you missed it, it’s here 👉🏽

1 week ago | [YT] | 14

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

Herbal Syrup for Cold & Flu Season

When seasonal illness is going around, many herbalists turn to traditional herbal syrups as part of their home apothecary. This spiced herbal syrup is made with thyme, sage, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, honey, and alcohol for preservation, herbs that have been traditionally used during cold and flu season.

This is a nourishing herbal preparation that supports the body during times when extra care is needed.

If you’re learning herbalism, this is a great example of how herbalists think about:
• extraction
• preservation
• and seasonal plant support

Would you keep something like this in your herbal kitchen? 👇🏾

1 week ago | [YT] | 48

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

Because once the coughing starts…
Once the chest tightens…
Once the night cough shows up at 2:17 a.m. and nobody is sleeping…

You’ll wish you already had them sitting in the freezer.

This is one of those quiet acts of love we don’t talk about enough: preparing medicine before the body is in distress.

🌿 The Formula (yes, you need a kitchen scale- it's easier and more accurate)

10g Fresh Thyme
7g Wild Cherry Bark
5g Elecampane Root
5g Marshmallow Root
3g Licorice Root
12 ounces water

I slowly infused this blend, then poured it into molds and froze it into small cubes, so when someone needs support, we just pop one (or a few) in the mouth and let it melt.

🌱 How these herbs help

Thyme – Antimicrobial and antispasmodic; helps calm cough reflexes and clear stuck mucus

Wild Cherry Bark – Classic cough ally; soothes irritation and quiets dry, nagging coughs

Elecampane – Deep lung support; helps break up thick, stubborn congestion

Marshmallow Root – Rich in mucilage; coats and soothes inflamed, irritated tissues

Licorice Root – Moistening, synergizing, and expectorant; supports the whole blend and adds sweetness

🧠 A few important tips from my herbal experience

I never use more than 10% licorice in a formula. It’s powerful and has real contraindications.

I used my Levo machine because it keeps the temperature stable at 150°F, which is key for drawing out marshmallow’s mucilage without degrading it.

The Levo is also a closed system, so the water doesn’t evaporate.

You can absolutely do this on the stovetop, just keep the heat low and gentle.

No sugar needed. Licorice is already hella sweet. (Not my favorite flavor either, but I respect what it brings to a respiratory blend.)

These cubes keep beautifully, they’re easy for adults and kids, and they turn “Oh no, they’re coughing” into “Hold on, we’ve got something for that.”

Remember: herbalism teaches us to stay ready so we don't have to get ready. This is love that thinks ahead.

💭 Make them now while everyone is still breathing easy.

1 week ago | [YT] | 48

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

Cold and flu season coughs hit different.
If your cough is lingering even after the worst symptoms pass, this thyme cough syrup is something I make ahead of time so it’s ready when we need it.

1 week ago | [YT] | 27

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

We live in a moment where every single roundtable, fireside chat, and panel on health should include a clinical herbalist.

Our role in healthcare is not small. It’s foundational.

When modern medicine falls short or becomes too costly, who do people turn to? Us.

When folks want prevention and not just suppression, who guides them? Us.

When someone is looking for practices that rebuild vitality instead of masking symptoms, who holds that wisdom? Us.

When herbalism is practiced with skill, integrity, and in harmony with modern approaches, it changes lives. It saves lives.

Heal by every means necessary, but never forget the power of our first medicine. And for the record, herbals is evidence-based…you literally wouldn’t be here without it.

Join the movement 👉🏽 iwillaremedy.com

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 7

Selima & Tami of Iwilla Remedy

Still fighting smelly scraps, fruit flies, or compost fails?
This kitchen composter might change everything. ✋🏾🌿

We use it daily for herbal leftovers, veggie peels, coffee grounds and it handles it all without odor, without bugs, and without needing a yard.

If you’re in a small space, an apartment, or dealing with winter compost drama… this one’s for you.

🎥 Catch the video + your exclusive $10 off:

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 14