AI Summary
5 min readCassidy Moss, a clinical herbalist and mother of three, describes how she used reishi throughout her most recent pregnancy with the hope of having a “very zen and chill baby.” Her four-month-old is, so far, remarkably calm. Moss is quick to acknowledge this is a data set of one, but the image captures the spirit of her approach: steady, foundational support rather than dramatic intervention.
Moss’s path to herbalism was indirect. She grew up in a “crunchy” household in Kansas, moved to Washington in 2011, and spent years running a biodynamic farm and leading plant walks. After her first child, she moved to Seattle and took a job creating medical chronologies for personal injury law. Reading thousands of medical records gave her an intimate, wide-angle view of the Western medical system. She saw side effects from medications accumulate, short-term fixes create long-term problems, and a system too overburdened to address lifestyle change. “They just don't even believe anybody's going to be able to change their movement or their diet that much,” she says of the system. That experience pushed her into formal herbalism training at Commonwealth and later into managing a naturopathic clinic, where she worked alongside Bastyr-trained naturopaths.
The Nervous System as the Foundation
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Gentle, Steady Support for Pregnancy** - Cassidy introduces her foundational approach to pregnancy and postpartum herbs: steady support over heroic measures.
- 2 (04:32) **What Medical Records Revealed About the System** - Cassidy explains how reading thousands of medical records gave her a unique perspective on the limits of Western medicine.
- 3 (09:55) **The Identity Shift of Motherhood** - Cassidy and the host discuss how becoming a mom can consume your personal identity.
- 4 (12:58) **Herbs for the Anxious Parent: Nervines & Reishi** - Cassidy shares her personal journey with anxiety and the herbs that helped her become a more level-headed parent.
- 5 (18:45) **Reishi vs. Acute Anxiety Herbs** - Cassidy distinguishes between long-term foundational herbs and quick-acting herbs for panic.
- 6 (21:41) **Ashwagandha: The "I Like Myself Better" Herb** - Cassidy and the host discuss the profound personal impact of ashwagandha for parenting.
- 7 (24:09) **Community as Essential Support** - The conversation shifts to the critical, often overlooked, need for community in parenthood.
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Show Notes
This week on Herbal Radio, join host Tommy Nevar and the Seattle-based herbalist who weaves her knowledge of herbalism, motherhood, and mental health into her practice, Cassidy Moss.
Tag along as we explore:
- Reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom
- Herbs to support an anxious mind and body
- Importance of community for parents and children
- Leaning on foundational herbalism during and after pregnancy
- Nutrition and herbalism for postpartum depression
As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are so honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Email us at [email protected] to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism.
Learn more about Cassidy below! ⬇️
🪻Cassidy Moss is a Clinical Herbalist in Seattle, seeing herbalism clients worldwide through her business, Moss Herbalism. Her path into herbal medicine began in the garden as a young girl and evolved into a lifelong pursuit of plant-based health - rooted in science, tradition, and real-world practice. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, she became immersed in organic farming and permaculture on Whidbey Island, and began studying wildcrafting, plant ecology, sustainability, and herbal cultivation.
She has three children and as a parent and a person pursuing natural health strategies, Cassidy began managing a naturopathic clinic in Seattle while completing her training as a clinical herbalist. Working alongside naturopathic doctors has further expanded her knowledge of integrative care, pathophysiology, and the therapeutic use of botanicals.
Cassidy has a special interest in women's health, mental health and stress resilience, pregnancy and postpartum support, and optimizing neurodivergent minds through botanical medicine and lifestyle supports. Today, through Moss Herbalism, she offers personalized herbal consultations that draw from years of study, clinical collaboration, and land-based wisdom. She specializes in creating practical, holistic wellness plans that fit into modern life, helping clients reconnect with their health through medicinal plants and evidence-informed strategies.
📱 Find Cassidy on social media!