Ben Zappin, the co-founder and chief formulator of Allies Botanicals, has a long career in herbal medicine. We interviewed Ben to learn more about his insights and the creation of Allies Botanicals, which offers herbal solutions tailored to support individuals through their psychedelic journeys.
Yogi: Ben, can you tell us a little about your background with herbs and how you came to this path?
Ben: I grew up witnessing both the successes and limitations of Western medicine, which left me searching for a more holistic way to nurture the body. My journey into herbalism really began when I attended university in Santa Cruz, California—a hub of herbal education and the herbal industry. I had the good fortune of learning from pioneers like Christopher Hobbs, Michael Tierra, and Roy Upton, who were ground-floor authors, educators, and clinicians in the field. These same individuals were instrumental in formulating effective commercial products and communicating efficacious use to the public.
My studies encompassed both Western and Chinese herbal traditions, and I completed a four-year apprenticeship that led to my licensure in acupuncture. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the power of herbs, especially in more complex health situations, where Western medicine alone wasn't enough.
Yogi: How did this lead you to work with psychedelics?
Ben: Psychedelics were part of the cultural fabric I grew up in. In my younger years, they were readily available and a regular part of the music and social scenes I was immersed in. But over time, as I deepened my understanding of herbalism, I realized that herbs could be an incredibly powerful tool in supporting those using psychedelics.
In many instances, I found myself using herbs to help friends and clients manage the aftermath of intense journeys—whether it was coming down from a challenging trip or rebalancing the body afterward. Over nearly 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand how herbal remedies can play a critical role in helping individuals navigate both the physical and emotional complexities of psychedelic experiences.
Yogi: How do these two worlds—herbalism and psychedelics—intersect in your work?
Ben: My work has been a process of exploring how herbs can support the body during intense experiences. I’ve spent decades observing how herbs can help ease discomfort, alleviate stress, and facilitate recovery, especially after difficult or disorienting journeys. In addition to supporting individuals in psychedelic journeys I gained a lot of experience collaborating with allied mental health practitioners including psychiatrists, peer groups, and psychiatrists supporting individuals experiencing extreme states of consciousness. We also ran a community apothecary in Oakland during a unique psychedelic zeitgeist and supported a lot of new users who were inspired by emerging cultural acceptance and a body of evidence supporting use. This hands-on experience formed the basis of the herbal blends we've created at Allies Botanicals.
For example, the Grounding formula is designed for moments when someone has had enough—whether they're experiencing confusion, overwhelm, or just need to come back to a more grounded state. Centering prepares the body and mind for a deeper exploration. These formulas are tools—guardrails, if you will—that create a safer space for people to lean into the discomfort and insights that psychedelics can bring.
Yogi: Can you share a specific story about how you've used herbs to support someone through a psychedelic experience?
Ben: One story that comes to mind is from the days when ayahuasca culture started gaining traction in Santa Cruz. Many people would return from ceremonies with both physical and emotional distress. Some came back with digestive issues, some were mentally disoriented, and others felt like they were still carrying the energetic residue of the experience. In these cases, I used a combination of Chinese diagnostic tools and herbal remedies to help them rebalance and recover more quickly. Herbs like wood betony, kava kava, and blue vervain are wonderful for calming the nervous system and helping people return to a more settled state.
Yogi: It sounds like the formulas you've created for Allies Botanicals are based on these experiences.
Ben: Absolutely. Each formula in the Allies Journey Collection is designed to meet specific needs that arise during different phases of a psychedelic journey. For instance, Grounding is for when someone needs to come back to earth after being in a very expansive or intense state. It’s gentle but powerful. We also have Centering, which helps prepare the mind and body before a journey, and Integrating, which aids in processing and settling the insights after the experience. Sustaining supports mood and resilience in the weeks that follow, helping maintain the positive momentum from the journey.
Yogi: How can someone integrate Allies Botanicals into their wellness routine if they’re new to herbalism or psychedelics?
Ben: One of the best ways is through microdosing the formulas and getting familiar with how they feel in your body. Take a few drops of Grounding or Integrating in a quiet space, maybe before or after meditation, and see how they affect your mood and mind. This practice helps people tune into the herbs’ effects before they’re in a more intense setting. It’s about creating presence and awareness, which naturally leads to a deeper understanding of how these remedies support you.
Yogi: You’ve mentioned safety a few times. Can you talk more about how Allies ensures the safety of its products?
Ben: Safety is our top priority and is considered in manufacturing and also what we want to advocate for in terms of making an offering to the psychedelic community. Allies Botanicals operates out of an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility, which means we follow rigorous standards for production. We source organic herbs from trusted growers and wildcrafters we’ve worked with for decades, ensuring the highest quality ingredients. Each batch is tested by a third-party lab before it reaches our customers, so you can trust that what you're putting into your body is clean, potent, and safe.
We also believe that introducing herbs to the psychedelic experience can reduce harm and nurture a gentle container. Let’s face it, it’s common to experience physical and emotional discomfort at various stages of psychedelics and part of our vision is to minimize overwhelm and optimize benefit.
Yogi: How did you and Mathew Gerson come together to create Allies Botanicals, and how has his work with Foria influenced this partnership?
Ben: Mathew and I had crossed paths for years, and I had followed his work with Foria closely. Foria was doing something groundbreaking—bringing plant-based wellness into underrepresented spaces, like sexual and reproductive health, and setting new standards for sustainability and innovation in the industry. I had a lot of respect for how Mathew built that company by challenging taboos and offering real solutions.
We connected over a shared vision of what was missing in the emerging psychedelic space. I had spent decades working directly with patients and seeing the emotional, physical, and mental challenges that arose from using psychedelics. Together, we realized there was an opportunity to bring plant-based, integrative solutions to people in this space, and that’s how Allies was born. It felt like the right time, and we both wanted to create something that genuinely served this community. We also really like hanging out together so that was a plus too.
Yogi: What’s your vision for the future of Allies Botanicals?
Ben: Our goal is to help people understand that herbal medicine can be a powerful ally in their psychedelic journeys, but also in their everyday wellness practices. I see Allies being used not only by individuals but by therapists, guides, and retreat centers who want to offer integrative, safe, and effective tools to their clients. We want to help people take responsibility for their health and their journeys, and we aim to provide herbal support that helps them do that in a sustainable way.
Yogi: Any final thoughts?
Ben: I just want to say how proud we are of the work we’re doing at Allies. We’re bringing high-quality, culturally appropriate herbal solutions to a landscape that really needs more safety and support. Our products are here to help people navigate the powerful, transformative potential of psychedelics with the grounding and care that herbs can provide.
