Somatic Herbalism: Healing Trauma through Plant Medicine and Polyvagal Theory, with Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD


September 9, 2026

Listen in now as our guest, Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD, discusses herbalism in a different light in her new book  Somatic Herbalism: Healing Trauma through Plant Medicine and Polyvagal Theory.

Featuring more than 100 hands-on activities, this book's unique approach combines herbalism, polyvagal theory, and somatic therapy for profound healing and posttraumatic growth.  Elizabeth gently guides you on your wellness journey, revealing which plant allies will calm your vagus nerve and help your nervous system move toward a more restorative state. These botanicals, paired with therapeutic exercises, create a customized support system for coping with stress and processing negative experiences.

Through breathing techniques, journal prompts, meditations, and more, you will learn what it means to listen to your body and what its sensation language can tell you about your emotional responses. With guidance from herbs like rose and dandelion, you will cultivate safety and shift your paradigm, building resilience and reconnecting with your body, mind, and spirit.

Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD, is a clinical herbalist and certified professional aromatherapist. She holds a PhD in Natural Medicine with specializations in naturopathic psychology and herbal medicine, and a Master of Public Health degree in Functional Nutrition. Elizabeth has also been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Herbalists Guild and has authored Essential Oils for Trauma and The Trauma Informed Herbalist. Learn more at TraumaInformedHerbalist.com.

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