https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/b9b67f65-a7e8-459c-b69a-73daddd12e0e Everyone’s trying to get rid of it—but around the world, it’s treasured as medicine. What if pennywort could change the way you see your backyard? Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.) is one of those plants that many people overlook (or actively try to remove!). Yet across the globe, it’s commonly harvested and enjoyed as both a nourishing food and a traditional remedy. In this conversation, herbalist and botanist April Punsalan shares how this unassuming, persistent plant became one of her most meaningful allies. Drawing from her background with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and years of hands-on experience with wild plants, April brings a unique perspective that blends ecology, science, and intuition. She explores pennywort’s rich chlorophyll content, its role as a fresh, nutrient-rich herb, and why she prefers working with it in simple preparations that feel more like daily nourishment than “taking medicine.” Along the way, she invites us to rethink our relationship with the plants growing all around us—and to consider what we might discover if we slow down enough to truly notice them. April shares a simple, vibrant way to bring fresh plant nourishment into your daily routine with her Hydrocotyle Chlorophyll Refresher. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card for this delightful, energizing drink from the resource section below. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► Why pennywort is so widely used around the world (even though it’s often seen as a weed in the US!) ► What makes fresh pennywort preparations uniquely potent—and why drying may reduce its benefits ► How the botany and habitat of pennywort can help clue you in to its health benefits ► Several ways pennywort can support your health—providing benefits for the skin, the urinary system, the brain, overall vitality, and more! ► Why herbalism is as much about connecting with plants as it is about their medicinal uses ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, April Punsalan is a botanist, herbalist, author, and founder of Wild Herb Academy, an online school devoted to ecological remembrance and plant-based healing. A former botanist for the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she spent years protecting endangered plants before answering a deeper call to teach. April’s lifelong relationship with plants led to degrees in botany and more than twenty-eight years of studying medicinal and edible species. Today, she weaves together botany, ethnobotany, Ayurveda, and intuitive plant wisdom, helping people reconnect with the Earth as stewards, healers, and conscious participants in the living ecosystem worldwide today. Whether you’ve been pulling pennywort out of your garden or walking past it without a second glance, I hope this episode inspires you to pause, look closer, and maybe even begin a new relationship with this humble plant. -- RESOURCES -- ► Get your free, downloadable recipe card, plus herbal goodies every Wednesday when you sign up for my weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3OdTwQn ► Access the transcript for this episode here: https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/pennywort-benefits.html ► April’s website: https://www.wildherbacademy.com/ ► April’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildherbacademy/ ► April’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHerbAcademy ► Are you looking for high quality dried herbs? My recommendation is Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to check them out: https://bit.ly/3ms3vQ2. You can also look for local places to buy herbs near you in my directory here: https://bit.ly/3NRQq0U -- DISCLOSURE -- I’m a huge fan of Mountain Rose Herbs and will often share referral links to buy herbs or herbal supplies at their online herbal apothecary. By using the above affiliate link, you help support this channel. Thanks! -- TIMESTAMPS -- 0:44 - Intro to April Punsalan + her plant path 13:13 - Challenges facing plant and ecosystem preservation 20:03 - Why April chose to speak about pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.) 22:35 - Medicinal benefits of pennywort 25:38 - Hydrocotyle Chlorophyll Refresher recipe 33:58 - The value of patience, attention, and intuition in herbalism 38:59 - April’s current herbal projects 45:26 - Something herbs taught April that she wasn’t expecting 49:14 - Student spotlight 50:18 - Herbal tidbit -- SWEATER PATTERN -- Yes, I did knit my sweater! Pattern is: Very V Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs -- DISCLAIMER -- The herbal and plant information in this video is for educational purposes only. The information contained is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition. Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:37:28 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://stream.echo6.co https://stream.echo6.co/client/assets/images/icons/icon-512x512.png https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/b9b67f65-a7e8-459c-b69a-73daddd12e0e All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://stream.echo6.co/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.