Herbs with Rosalee

Do you love chamomile? I love chamomile! Yay, Matricaria chamomilla! And as you’ll see, my guest today, Rebecca Luna, loves chamomile, too. We talked about chamomile tea, chamomile oil, chamomile glycerite, chamomile baths… We full-on fan-girled about chamomile’s gifts for babies, for harried parents,  throughout menopause, and into elderhood. We also chatted about what it’s like running an herbal apothecary, something Rebecca’s been doing for almost 20 years.I think herbal baths are a totally underutilized preparation… and Rebecca has shared a wonderful recipe for a chamomile lavender bath. If taking a little time out to let yourself breathe, relax, and be all-around nurtured sounds good to you, you do not want to miss this recipe! There’s a free, downloadable and printable recipe card available just for you, which you can find in the show notes.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► A great tactic to give a teething baby some relief with chamomile► The type of fever chamomile can be especially supportive for► How chamomile can modulate inflammation► A fun way to explore the gifts of Roman chamomile► Strategies Rebecca used to grow her business without compromising on the original vision and quality of products► and so much more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Rebecca Luna is an Herbalist and the proprietress of Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply. This retail shop provides everything one needs to use and make botanical medicines. They have a production kitchen where they craft a line of herbal products right on site. Rebecca has been steeped in herbalism since the early 1990s and is a graduate of the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Medicine. She has worked as a community herbalist, postpartum doula and botanical medicine-making teacher. She opened her apothecary in 2004 with the aim of connecting the community with botanical medicine and providing a thriving work environment for herbalists.If you’d like to hear more from Rebecca, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes and you can access your recipe card for Rebecca's Chamomile Lavender Bath at: https://bit.ly/48laY9jI’m beyond delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.

In this episode, I’m excited to explore the benefits and properties of California poppy with Benjamin Zappin, one of my first ever herb teachers down at the East West School of Herbology in California. When might you reach for California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)? Among other things, it’s a wonderful herb to support sleep, relaxation, and emotional quiet. (Know anybody who could use more of those things in their life?) ;) There’s a lot more to know about this beautiful plant, though, so be sure to listen in to the entire episode for all the details, including a recipe from Benjamin for a California Poppy Tincture. (By the way, don’t miss downloading your beautifully illustrated recipe card!)Besides celebrating the gifts of the beautiful California poppy, Benjamin also shares a wealth of general herbal advice about dosage and formulation. When I hear “herbal formulation,” in my mind, there’s Benjamin Zappin. So I’m really excited to share this conversation with you.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Which parts of California poppy are most potent and whether to make medicine with the fresh or dried plant► How to work with California poppy for sleep, anxiety, and pain relief (including what types of pain or discomfort may be helped by it)► How to grow California poppy in your own garden so wild stands are left alone► How to gain an understanding of the building blocks of herbal formulation► and so much more…For those of you who don’t already know him, Benjamin Zappin is an herbalist and licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of clinical experience. He co-founded Five Flavors Herbs with his wife, Ingrid Bauer, to provide their community with exceptional herbal finished products and custom herbal formulas. Benjamin offers integrative herbal consultations through Paeonia Integrative Medicine. In his free time, you’ll find Benjamin cooking and studying music.If you’d like to hear more from Benjamin, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for his website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably heard me say that herbalism is about so much more than, “Take this herb for that problem.” To me, reciprocal connection with the web of life is at the heart of herbalism and this episode with Laura Gilmour illustrates that beautifully.You’ll hear stories about white pine, as well as the beautiful ways Laura has developed a relationship with this tree over time. As Laura points out, she isn’t a clinical herbalist and this episode isn’t about giving you lists of ways that white pine can be prescribed as medicine. What it will give you is inspiration for how you can deepen your relationship with the plants that give so generously to us. I also really like Laura’s parting thoughts about finding your way as an herbalist and her wisdom about failure, so don’t miss those.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► The easiest way Laura’s found to harvest super-nutritious pine pollen► The culinary principle that guided Laura in the creation of her best-selling spice mix► The cultural and historical significance of white pine► How to find your own niche in herbalism► Why embracing failure is so important to your growth as an herbalist► and so much more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Laura Gilmour is a forager, herbalist, and business owner living near Dwight, Ontario, Canada. Laura has a passion for herbalism, naturalist studies, homesteading, and ancestral living skills that connect us to our food and the land in the most human of ways. Laura runs Wild Muskoka Botanicals, which produces artisan wild foods and cocktail products. It exists to reconnect people with the natural world and to promote wellness and fun by incorporating wild plants back into people’s modern lives. She also teaches foraging and herbal medicine classes in the Muskoka area from an animist and relationship-based perspective.If you’d like to hear more from Laura, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.

If you’re like me and love “behind the scenes” content, you’re in for a treat today! We’re pulling back the curtain to look at what it’s like to provide community support here at Herbs With Rosalee. My guest today is our Student Services Coordinator, Karin Rose. As a person who loves to interact with students and the herbal community, Karin answers emails, direct messages through social media, YouTube comments and more. She also supports the students enrolled in our online courses.Besides being the only extrovert on the team and a super-gracious, helpful-from-the-heart person, Karin is also an experienced herbalist and aromatherapist in her own right. I have no doubt you’re going to love her as much as we do here at Herbs with Rosalee!After listening in, you’ll know:► Why nature connection, community and practical learning in the kitchen are so important to growing your roots as an herbalist► Some of the challenges and rewards of running an herbal medicine program► How cultivating a practice of gratitude can enhance your learning experience and personal growth in herbalism► Lots of behind-the-scenes tidbits like what Karin wishes people already knew about herbalism and how we respond when people are mean► and so much more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Karin Rose lives in sunny San Diego. She is an herbalist and aromatherapist, and has a business degree and years of leadership training. Her herbal training includes dozens of herbal classes and conferences with a variety of teachers, including the two-year Herbal Medicine for Women professional program.I'm delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode, I’m sharing three ways to win over the herbal naysayers in your life.Here’s the backstory. Last fall, I sent a survey to my newsletter subscribers to ask them what was on their herbal minds. One of the responses I saw most often went something like this: “Help! I love herbs but my (spouse, partner, friend, etc.) doesn’t think they work. How do I get them to see how powerful herbs really are?”You asked. I listened… and here are my three best tips, compiled just for you.After listening in, you’ll know:► Why cultural beliefs about herbs changed dramatically in the first half of the 20th century in the U.S.► Why there’s no single approach to dealing with herbal skeptics (and how to increase the odds of reaching the skeptics in your life)► The one way to almost guarantee you won’t influence your skeptic’s opinion of herbs (and what to do instead)► The power of the pleasure principle and how you can use it with your skeptic► and more…----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was an honor to sit down with Mimi Prunella Hernandez to discuss the many gifts of Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.). Mimi also shared her passion for science and her herbal journey that led to becoming the executive director of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of her new book, National Geographic Herbal: 100 Herbs From the World's Healing Traditions (which, by the way, I LOVED). In this episode, you’ll find lots of wisdom and heart-centered inspiration as she shares her own herbal journey and shares about the beautiful gifts of prickly pear.Also, don’t miss downloading your free recipe card for Mimi's Prickly Pear and Lemon Verbena Infused Vinegar!By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How you can bridge your love for science and herbs► How prickly pear shines as food, beverage, and medicine► Multiple ways to prepare and eat prickly pear cactus►  and much more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Mimi Prunella Hernandez is an herbalist and author of the National Geographic Herbal. With her wealth of knowledge, unwavering dedication, and genuine love for all things herbal, she has devoted her life’s work to advocating for traditional and professional herbal pathways. For over a decade, Mimi has served as the executive director of the American Herbalists Guild, where she has worked tirelessly to ensure that herbalists have a strong professional community to support their work. In 2023, Mimi received a Botanical Excellence Award from the American Botanical Council, a prestigious honor that recognizes her as a Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder. If you’d like to hear more from Mimi, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

There are so many benefits of elecampane root! It’s famous for coughs but be warned: it doesn’t help ALL types of coughs. Instead, elecampane truly shines for one type of cough in particular (and yes, I’ve got all the details in the episode). Elecampane root is also totally underrated as a bitter herb to support digestion. In this episode, I’m sharing my love for this powerful medicinal plant. As a listener, you’ll also get access to my favorite elecampane herbal bitters recipe. (Be sure to download your free, beautifully illustrated recipe card!)If you have elecampane in your garden, or you simply want to know how to use it, then don’t miss out on all my best tips for getting the most benefits of elecampane root!►►► To make it easy for you to keep this information organized, I’ve created a beautiful ebook as a companion to this episode. Receive your Elecampane ebook by signing up for my weekly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3th7E0EAfter listening in, you’ll know:► Why elecampane is not the herb to reach for when a cough has certain characteristics► What type of digestive complaint elecampane can be especially helpful for► Why elecampane can help you support a healthy gut flora (and how harvest time affects this)► How to harvest elecampane root without killing the plant► and much more----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

We all know how important sleep is. Our bodies and minds simply can’t be at their best without sufficient sleep. When we’re ill, sleep is foundational to healing. And yet, so many of us aren’t getting anywhere near the amount of sleep we need. So I’m truly excited to have Tammi Sweet on the show to discuss herbs for sleep, as well as her brand new class on getting a good night’s sleep. (Don’t miss downloading your beautifully illustrated recipe card for Tammi’s Sleepy Time Tincture recipe!)►►►Whether you want to improve your sleep or you’re working with clients who need more or better sleep, I definitely recommend checking out Tammi’s course, The Sleep Alchemist: https://bit.ly/48u6ttV(Disclosure: This is an affiliate link. By using it, you help support this channel. Thanks!)By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why herbs are only part of the answer to a good night’s sleep► Five factors to address when you need support getting enough sleep► Tammi’s favorite herbs for promoting sleep► When cannabis makes sense as part of a sleep protocol► and so much more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Tammi Sweet loves to teach. It’s her superpower. She has a magical ability to connect with almost anyone when teaching and help them understand complex material. For over 30 years, Tammi has shared her gift of teaching with varying levels of students throughout the country. Her background in physiology makes her an invaluable resource to developing herbalists and health seekers alike, who want to deepen their foundation as practitioners.In addition to her physiology expertise, Tammi is also a practitioner and teacher of herbal medicine. She is deeply influenced by her studies with accomplished herbalists, including Rosemary Gladstar, Pam Montgomery, and Tom Brown, Jr.Tammi and her wife, Kris Miller, run their Herbal Apprenticeship at Heartstone Center. Tammi also offers online courses that integrate physiology and plant medicine.She teaches extensively about growing & medicine making with Cannabis. She has published two books: The Wholistic Healing Guide to Cannabis and The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Cannabis.If you’d like to hear more from Tammi, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was such an honor to sit down with Rocio Alarcόn and talk about cacao, ancestral and traditional wisdom, hummingbirds, and so much more. You can find a wealth of inspiration in Rocio’s stories to help you deepen your own relationship with the plants, animals, family, and larger community in your life. I know you’re going to love the sense of gratitude and joie de vivre that shines through as Rocio speaks! Also, don’t miss downloading your beautifully illustrated recipe card for the recipe Rocio shares, a Cacao Beverage from Ecuador. Be sure to listen to the episode for details on kid-approved ways to make it more sweet, more savory, or more hearty!By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How can a plant provide healing, nourishment, and connection between generations?► Why do we feel happy when we eat or drink cacao?► In hummingbirds, Rocio sees the energy of the sun, a rainbow of light, and an invitation to let go of worries and sink into the present moment. But if hummingbirds don’t live where you do, how can mindfully spending time with plants help you to tune in to the gifts of the hummingbirds?► and more…For those of you who don’t already know her, Dr. Ligia Rocίo Alarcόn G., PhD is Director of the IAMOE Centre in the Ecuadorian Amazon, a curandera, an ethnopharmacologist, and an ethnobotanist. She has spent over 40 years working with ethnic groups in the tropical rainforest, the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, and in the Basque Country of Spain.She practices and teaches the art and science of curandero (shamanic) healing ceremonies, a knowledge that she received from her mother and grandmother.  She was born in the Andes of Ecuador, at the foot of the Pichincha volcano.  Dr. Alarcόn offers workshops for different organisations and universities around the world and has published multiple articles for various scientific journals such as The Journal of Ethnopharmacology.If you’d like to hear more from Rocio, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was such a pleasure to sit down with Frieda Kipar Bay to talk about angelica (Angelica archangelica). Not only is Frieda a really cool person, but she shared so much wide-ranging and in-depth information about this beautiful and medicinal herb! I loved angelica before this interview. Now I feel like I’m falling for it even more and I know you’re going to love it, too. Don’t miss downloading your free recipe card for Frieda’s Candied Angelica Root for a delicious way to enjoy angelica’s many gifts:► Many herbal systems call for moving stagnation before doing anything else - see what that means exactly and how angelica is especially suited to helping.► Are you amped up all night and then exhausted in the morning? Find out what may be causing that and how angelica could help.► The unique ways that angelica supports digestion.► and more…By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► When to turn to dong quai (Angelica sinensis) and when to turn to angelica (Angelica archangelica)► Who should avoid angelica – and when?► Who is angelica particularly supportive for?► How to develop your plant ID eye (always important, but especially when a plant has a toxic look-alike, as angelica does)For those of you who don’t already know her, Frieda Kipar Bay is an herbalist, movement artist, writer, and educator.  She began her formal study of the plants at the California School of Herbal Studies.  She went on to apprentice with The Herbal Apothecary for two years, study with Aviva Romm and Matthew Wood, and seed Taproot Medicine, a small line of potent herbal syrups.  As she began working clinically, she found the need for more diagnostic skill, and over the next 4 years, embarked on a journey into reading the tongue, pulse, and face primarily under the direction of acupuncturists Brian LaForgia and Will Morris.  This work has brought her to her current study of Daoist Medicine Theory, Qigong, and Daoist dream diagnosis.  She has volunteered as part of the MASHH Collective, the Botanical Bus, and the People’s Medicine Project, and taught advanced coursework through Gathering Thyme Herb School, Scarlet Sage, and her own apprenticeships.  If you’d like to hear more from Frieda, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.It sounds like a lot, but most of her days include at least one long conversation with a plant, and many awe-filled moments as a parent.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

My conversation with Dr. Patrick Jones ranged widely, from the wonders of teasel to amazing tales from Doc Jones’ veterinary practice, including how herbs helped heal severe wounds and treat rattlesnake bites. (That last one was my personal question.)Teasel is an herb I admittedly don’t work with a lot, but it’s a fascinating plant, both in its gifts and how it grows. Doc Jones has seen it help multiple clients in his naturopathy practice with nerve pain or damage. You won’t want to miss the stories he relates about patients who were helped by teasel’s unique gifts! And as a listener, you’ll also receive free access to a downloadable recipe card for Doc’s Teasel & Hops Pain Spray.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► The important role intuition can play in learning about herbs► Why it’s smart to address pain from more than one direction► How to identify and when to harvest teasel► Why working with herbs may be challenging for some medical professionals (and the foundation they need for working successfully with both pharmaceuticals and herbs)► and more…For those who don’t already know him, Dr. Patrick Jones is a clinical herbalist, traditional naturopath and practicing veterinarian. Because of his veterinary credentials, he's been able to use herbs to treat cases most herbalists don't get to address. Cases like rattlesnake bites, gunshot wounds and serious disease make up his daily practice.Because of the amazing things he's seen herbs do in both his naturopathy and veterinary practices, Doc has an evangelical zeal to teach others about medicinal plants. This passion gave rise to the founding of The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine.If you’d like to hear more from Doc Jones, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for his website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.It was a delight to finally sit down with Doc Jones and I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode, I’m sharing six important rosemary plant benefits including a recipe for rosemary tapenade, which is a great way to address chronic inflammation (in a delicious way!). I love rosemary not only for how it smells, but also because this plant truly blurs the line between what is food and medicine. In other words, this is a potent medicinal hiding in your kitchen cabinet! When might you reach for rosemary?► To boost your memory, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep quality.► As a support for the heart and circulatory system, which is susceptible to oxidative stress. (Watch the whole episode to find out which herb British herbalist Jeremy Ross recommends pairing with rosemary for heart health…and when)► To enhance your digestion, whether your digestion tends to be slow or cold or whether you’re eating a “heavy” mealThese are just a few of the occasions when rosemary can be your ally… But there are more, so tune in to the entire episode for all the details on the many medicinal benefits of the rosemary plant!After listening in, you’ll know:► The best way to get your daily dose of antioxidants ► Which worked better for pain with menstruation: rosemary or NSAIDs ► What dosage of rosemary resulted in a significant beneficial effect on cognitive function in an elderly population in one short-term study► Who needs to show caution in working with rosemary► and much more----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about rosemary for hair growth. When an herb gets a lot of attention, you often see some people show up who just want to sell you something. As a result, they may exaggerate or misrepresent the benefits of that herb. In an environment like that,  rosemary for hair growth might, understandably, sound too good to be true and leave you asking yourself, what are the facts?Luckily, when it comes to knowing the facts about rosemary for hair growth, we can pull from a lot of reputable sources. And that’s what I’m sharing in this episode, along with two DIY rosemary recipes for hair growth including an infused rosemary oil recipe plus a rosemary water recipe for hair growth.After listening in, you’ll know:► What a randomized, double-blind human clinical trial demonstrated about rosemary for hair growth► What to beware of when it comes to products for hair loss► Whether rosemary water or rosemary oil is the better preparation for you – and why► How to work with rosemary oil or rosemary water for hair loss – and how long it takes to know whether it’s working for you► What else you can use rosemary oil for – and why you might want to► What else to consider if hair loss is an issue for you – and what action you can take to identify and start addressing possible underlying causes► How you can learn to transform your rosemary oil into a deeply nourishing and soothing body butter► and much more----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

This was a really fun interview for me as today’s guest, Maia Toll, touched on many themes that are important to my own life, like nature connection and working with medicinal plants daily, both as food and simply as a part of life. She also shared interesting back stories on what her book writing process has been like. And, of course, we talked about sage (Salvia officinalis)!So, when might you reach for sage? Just to name a few…► A cup of sage tea can be just the thing on one of those raw, damp days when the cold gets into your bones► Sage honey can be powerfully healing and soothing to a sore throat► When you want a delicious topping for eggs, savory soups, pasta, or just a yummy snack, try Maia’s crispy fried sage leaves. (Don’t forget to download your free, printable recipe card!)By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► What it means to invite magic into your life (and what Maia means when she says “magic”)► How plants tell us about themselves► How you can foster a daily connection with plants► Why understanding place is a key to gardening success► and more…For those who don’t already know her, Maia Toll is the award-winning author of Letting Magic In, The Night School, and the Wild Wisdom Series. After pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and a master’s at New York University, Maia apprenticed with a traditional healer in Ireland where she spent extensive time studying the growing cycles of plants, the alchemy of medicine making, and the psycho-spiritual aspects of healing. She is the co-owner of the retail store Herbiary, with locations in Asheville, NC and Philadelphia, PA.If you’d like to hear more from Maia, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was an honor to get to interview Leigh Joseph, the author of Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness! This book was love at first read for me. Really, so many of the themes and concepts Leigh writes about describe everything I strive to be as an herbalist. And Leigh expresses them in such a beautiful way. I know you’re going to love listening in as Leigh shares about plants, reciprocity, and connection in today’s episode!Leigh also shares her love for mimts or beard lichen (Usnea spp.) in this episode. You’ll get to hear two powerful stories about how mimts acted as an ally in the backwoods, when more standard Western medical aid wasn’t readily at hand. Finally, don’t miss downloading your free, printable recipe card for Mimts' First Aid Powder.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How to identify mimts and harvest mimts sustainably► What it means to be in relationship with plants and the land► The importance of honoring those who walked before us► How plant and land-based knowledge can be expressed and shared in different yet complementary ways► and more…For those who don’t already know her, Leigh Joseph is an ethnobotanist, researcher and entrepreneur from the Squamish First Nation. She contributes to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant and land-based relationships.Leigh holds a BSc in Botany, MSc in Ethnobotany and is completing her PhD in Ethnobotany. She is the co-director and subject of the documentary Walking with Plants, nominated for 3 Leo Awards.As founder of beauty brand Sḵwálwen Botanicals, Leigh brings together Indigenous science and self care, providing luxury skincare and wellness products that draw from the ceremonial aspects of plants.Leigh aims to contribute her voice as an Indigenous academic so that other Indigenous authors and students will feel themselves represented and reflected in ethnobotany literature. Her first book, Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness, is part narrative, part field guide and recipe book that draws on her lived experience as an Indigenous woman, her training in Western Science, and her cultural journey toward identity.If you’d like to hear more from Leigh, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so very happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Burdock root (Arctium lappa, A. minus) is well known for its ability to support the liver and work as an overall alterative herb. And it’s a beloved herb for herbalists. But nobody said medicine couldn’t be delicious… and I know you’re going to love the delectable recipe for burdock shared by today’s guest, Margi Flint!I connected with Margi many years ago at an International Herb Symposium in Massachusetts and I’ve wanted to have her on the show for a while now. I think you’ll agree that the wait was worth it! This episode is sprinkled with herbal gems for you to enjoy. By the end, you’ll know:► The important role of listening on your herbal path► What type of herb Margi always recommended to her clients – and why► The breakfast blend Margi often brews (it sounds yummy!)► A tip that will lead to easier harvests of burdock root► How reading the body made Margi more effective as an herbal practitioner (and how you can learn to read the body yourself)► Margi’s memories of being mentored by one of the most influential herbal teachers of the 20th centuryFor those of you who don’t already know Margi Flint, RH HM, she owns and operates Earthsong Herbals in Marblehead, MA.  Her filters of wisdom include over twenty years of labor coaching, certification in Polarity Therapy and Reiki, and forty-plus years of herbal practice. She is on staff at Pacific Rim College in British Columbia. She has been caught lecturing at numerous amazing herb schools, Bastyr University, Tufts Medical School, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She is author of The Practicing Herbalist IV. The plants and her clients are her revered teachers.  She is retired from active practice, focusing now on teaching and learning how to play.If you’d like to hear more from Margi, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was such a delight to have Robin Rose Bennett back on the podcast! In today’s episode, she  shares some powerful words of wisdom about the mighty oak (Quercus spp.), a tasty way to benefit from oak’s medicinal gifts, and a peek at her new book. (You can also find Robin’s first episode here; I still have people commenting on the peach oxymel recipe she shared back in the summer of 2022!)Oak is a majestic medicinal plant! For example, oak can:► Help you recover from various intestinal difficulties, from leaky gut to common diarrhea► Promote healing from superficial wounds► Provide nutrient-dense physical food► and more…By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Which herbalist described oak as THE astringent► A powerful component of any herbal medicine► When to gather oak medicine and how to do so sustainably► One of the best medicines for hikers to knowFor those who don’t already know Robin, she is a story-teller, writer, and herbalist, offering classes in Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986. She teaches at herb conferences, festivals, medical schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants. Robin Rose shares herbal medicine with gratitude for the loving generosity of the plants and the magic, mystery, and beauty of the web of life. She is the author of Healing Magic: A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living and The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life.Robin’s latest book,  A Green Witch’s Pocket Book of Wisdom- Big Little Life Tips, is filled with golden nuggets of green witch magic and silver strands of spiritual wisdom. It offers inspiring guidance to help you live authentically and vibrantly, and provides practices that will support you as you grow and evolve. It draws upon teachings that Robin has practiced for decades.If you’d like to hear more from Robin Rose, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode, I’m sharing the 6 medicinal uses of goldenrod plant in the Solidago genus. Far from being a likely culprit behind seasonal allergies, goldenrod is brimming with benefits, some of which may surprise you! (Plus I’ll also share what may be causing your seasonal allergies.) Finally, as always, I love to share recipes that empower you to experience working with plants for yourself…and goldenrod is no exception. Be sure to download your free, printable recipe card for Goldenrod Tea for Urinary Support.When might you reach for goldenrod?► To soothe sore muscles or pain from arthritis. In the episode, find out which herbalist (and former guest on this show) recommends goldenrod for “pains nothing else has touched.”► To relieve seasonal allergies. (Surprise! Not only does goldenrod not typically cause allergies, it can actually play a role in alleviating allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergy symptoms.) You can find out the two herbs I like to pair goldenrod with for this purpose in the episode!► To support heart health, capillary strength, and healthy circulation throughout the body. Who doesn’t want that? And a simple goldenrod tea is tasty, too…These are just a few of the occasions when the uniquely pungent yet astringent goldenrod can be your ally… But there are more, so tune in to the entire episode for all the details on the many medicinal uses of the goldenrod plant!After listening in, you’ll know:► What type of infection the German Commission E has officially approved goldenrod to treat► What type of preparation to use when working with goldenrod to address seasonal allergy symptoms and how to determine your best dosage► The ideal time to harvest goldenrod for medicine-making► When to drink goldenrod tea cold and when to drink it warm for best results ► and much more----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a powerful relaxing herb! In this episode, I’m sharing five medicinal hops benefits, as well as an interesting way for you to work with hops in a hops oil recipe. When might you reach for hops?► To soothe muscle tension, including intestinal cramping and menstrual cramps. Hops truly shines when used topically for this type of pain. (Don’t miss out on your free, printable recipe card for hops infused oil!) ► To support metabolic health. While the causes (and therefore approaches) for metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes are complex, numerous studies have shown that hops have many beneficial effects for people with metabolic syndromes. (By the way, if you or a loved one want to know how to work with herbs holistically for chronic illness, definitely check out my free, on-demand video training: ►►► http://herb-training.com) These are just a couple of the possible applications for cooling, calming hops… But there’s a lot more to know about working with this powerful medicinal herb, so be sure to tune in to the entire episode! After listening in, you’ll know:► Why it’s worth intentionally smelling and tasting the hops you’re working with, rather than assuming all hops are the same► Who may especially benefit from working with hops for improved sleep quality► How hops may be a valuable ally to menopausal women► The three groups of people who need to avoid or be cautious when working with hops► How to receive medicinal hops benefits if you don’t like the taste ----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

I’m often asked about the best way to learn about herbs and herbal medicine. The answer is, “It depends.”Just as herbal medicine itself is best customized for the individual taking it, each person’s best path to learning about herbs is unique. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some underlying principles that can act like a map, empowering you to chart your best route before committing a lot of time or money.In this episode, I’m sharing five steps to take so that when you do commit to a particular course of study, you’ll know you’ve chosen the very best one for YOU.I’m also highlighting some of my teachers and mentors as well as some of my favorite herbal books. And guests in season 10 will be asked the question: Who have you learned herbs from, apart from the plants?After listening in, you’ll know:► How to learn from the plants themselves…and why that’s important► Three things to consider about yourself when deciding where to start your herbal learning journey► The don’t-skip-this step to evaluating an herbal school…and what certificates really mean► What to know if you’re interested in becoming a clinical herbalist► The book I think every human should read► and more…----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

There are so many tulsi tea benefits! In fact, super-yummy tulsi tea is one of my favorite ways to enjoy holy basil. In this episode, I’m giving you my three most-loved tulsi tea recipes. I’m also sharing some important holy basil side effects you need to know about before making tulsi tea a part of your life.(By the way, this is the second half of a two-part series on holy basil. In case you missed it, I’ve included the link for the first half in the resources section below.)After listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► How to grow and harvest your own holy basil (tulsi)► How to recognize high-quality dried holy basil if you’d rather not grow it yourself► Who should not take holy basil► Two important tips for working with holy basil if you’re diabetic► Three ways to make tulsi tea (plus lots of tips so you can enjoy the maximum tulsi tea benefits!) ► Two ways to work with holy basil externally that might surprise you----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode, you’ll learn all about holy basil benefits for your heart, immune system, brain health and so much more. In fact, there’s so much to know about the health benefits of holy basil (also known as Tulsi or Ocimum sanctum) that I decided to record this episode in two parts. Watch for part two, all about Tulsi Tea Benefits and Holy Basil Side Effects, next week.In the meantime, I’m also sharing a beautifully illustrated holy basil ebook to give you an easy way to keep all the information I share today organized.After listening in, you’ll know:► The differences between the four varieties of holy basil► Why certain herbs (including holy basil) are often best taken daily over a long period of time► Which commonly-used mouthwash active ingredient was outperformed by holy basil extract► Five health concerns which can be benefited by holy basil’s ability to decrease unwanted and chronic inflammation, as demonstrated by clinical studies. This is a big deal because most chronic diseases have some component of systemic inflammation! (As an aside, one of my passions is helping people figure out how to best work with herbs and lifestyle changes to powerfully reduce chronic inflammation so that they can finally address the root cause of their chronic illness. If that’s something you or someone you love could benefit from, be sure to check out my free training at: http://herb-training.com)► How holy basil can be worked with to address cold sore outbreaks, ringworm, or eczema ► Why holy basil can be a wonderful ally during cold and flu season (plus four other herbs you might consider taking at the same time)► and so much more…----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), as well as other bee balm plant species, offers us so many benefits! The gifts of bee balm include promoting digestion, helping you recover from colds and the flu, fighting fungal and yeast infections… That’s just naming a little of what bee balm can do. (Really, bee balm can be some of our most potent herbal medicine against infections and stagnant conditions.) One of my favorite ways to enjoy wild bergamot bee balm is as a tea, so I’ll be sharing my bee balm tea recipe with you as well! (Be sure to download your free, printable recipe card from the show notes page.)UPDATE: Oops! At 4:15, I accidentally said lemon balm, rather than bee balm tea. Just a slip of the tongue; bee balm tea is what I meant.Speaking of bee balm tea…Feeling chilled? Brew a mug of bee balm tea, settle in with your favorite comfy throw, and prepare to be amazed as you sip.Need to treat a minor burn? Try a wash of cooled bee balm tea.Gut feeling heavy and uncomfortable after a meal? Say it with me… bee balm tea.These are just a few of the potential applications for spicy-hot bee balm tea… This episode goes into many more. Besides benefiting us medicinally, bee balm makes a delicious addition to many savory dishes. And to say the bee balm plant is beloved by pollinators might just be the understatement of the year. As you make bee balm’s acquaintance, I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with this beautiful plant, too!After listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► Why bee balm is such a powerful, one-stop pharmacy for the cold and flu season► Who should NOT take bee balm in medicinal doses► Why bee balm is an herb to consider growing yourself► Why taste informs how to work with bee balm► When to combine taking bee balm internally with external application► My favorite combination of herbs for soothing an inflamed urinary tract► and much more…----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Slippery, slimy, gooey… these probably aren’t words you associate with medicine, but sometimes they’re exactly what you need. And they perfectly describe marshmallow root’s benefits! In fact, marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is one of our most healing and soothing medicinal herbs! In this episode, I’m showing you exactly how to make a marshmallow root tea recipe for the best marshmallow root benefits. Making this tea is so easy, you don’t even have to heat up water!So… when might you turn to marshmallow root tea?► To soothe your sore throat and/or dry, spasmodic cough. Marshmallow root tea is cooling and moistening, a welcome balm to dry tissues. ► To address many kinds of inflammation in the gut. Its ability to calm irritated tissues and promote healing makes marshmallow root tea a valuable ally when you need to modulate inflammation in the gut. (By the way, if chronic inflammation is a concern for you or a loved one, definitely check out my free, on-demand video training: ►►► http://herb-training.com)These are just a couple of the possible applications for tissue-calming, healing marshmallow root tea… But there’s a lot more to know about working with marshmallow, so be sure to tune in to the entire episode for all the goodies.After listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► How marshmallow supports the body in fighting off pathogens► The surprising way marshmallow can aid a breast/chestfeeding parent► Which medication for treating atopic dermatitis was outperformed by marshmallow► The marshmallow relative whose leaves and flowers are even more demulcent than marshmallow’s► When and how to harvest marshmallow leaves and roots► Who is NOT a good match for marshmallow► Why marshmallow can be great when you’re convalescing► and more…----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode, you’ll find out how to avoid unwanted chamomile tea side effects. I also show you how to be sure your chamomile is high quality so you can get the most benefits from your tea. PLUS I’m sharing three chamomile tea recipes with you.Chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla, is like having an entire apothecary at your fingertips! I reach for chamomile tea to soothe an upset tummy, to relieve stress and tension, and even to promote sleep. And, of course, chamomile tea is a lovely way to relax and promote digestion after a meal.But you need to know how to prepare it so that it matches your intended purpose…and that’s where this episode and the recipes I’m giving you come in. (Be sure to download your free, printable recipe cards!)After listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► How to approach chamomile tea if you’re sensitive to plants in the aster family► The advantages to buying your chamomile in bulk ► WHEN to reach for a simple versus a strong versus a blended chamomile tea (and how to make them)► and more…----Get full show notes and more information @herbswithrosaleepodcast.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

In this episode I’m sharing my top 6 chamomile plant benefits PLUS I’m sharing a completely underrated remedy: a chamomile oil recipe. Chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla, is one of our most powerful medicinal herbs, yet it’s gentle enough for most people to use. Chamomile seemingly does a thousand and one different things, from soothing the nervous system, relieving muscle tension, and addressing cold and flu symptoms, to promoting digestion and modulating inflammation. That’s a lot of amazing benefits from one little plant!Speaking of inflammation, If YOU’RE concerned with chronic inflammation and the many ways this can show up in our bodies, like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain, and more, then you’ll definitely want to check out my free, on-demand training: How to Use Herbs to Transform Your Health to get More Energy & Vitality – Without Expensive Supplements or a Restrictive Elimination Diet. ►►► http://herb-training.comGetting back to chamomile specifically, the chamomile infused oil recipe I’m sharing will give you a luxurious way to support your skin and promote rest. (Who couldn’t use more of that?)After listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► The key to working with chamomile to promote a good night’s sleep► What types of pain chamomile can help to relieve ► What makes chamomile such a standout herb for supporting digestion► How chamomile can benefit children► and more…As an herbal teacher, my success is seeing your success, so I love supporting you along the way! Be sure to download your free printable recipe card to get all the details on how to make your own high-quality and potent chamomile oil. I’m also sharing a beautifully illustrated chamomile ebook to give you an easy way to keep all the information I share in the video organized.One of the best ways to retain and fully understand something you’ve just learned is to share it in your own words. I’m excited to hear YOUR herbal thoughts about chamomile plant benefits and this chamomile oil recipe in the comments on the show notes page!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was truly a delight to connect with Jesus Garcia. And it was so interesting to learn about Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), a plant I wasn’t familiar with before this episode. I think you’ll love hearing Jesus share memories of how his grandmother turned to Mexican oregano for food and medicine. There’s no doubt that plants can be deeply nourishing and healing to our bodies. But I love how Jesus embodies the awareness that plant medicine can go far beyond the physical to encompass connection, nurturing, and positive movement.Which leads me to the work Jesus does with kids in the school systems just outside of Austin, Texas. (It seriously made me wish I could be one of the students in his preK classes!)If nurturing a connection between children and our beautiful Earth is one of your values, I suspect you’ll come away from this episode with a LOT of ideas and inspiration for:► How a food forest can evolve into a place of peace and sanctuary► How plants can be a caretaker and the caregiver for community► How children can make their own medicineHere is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “Every little pocket of our gardens and our food forest has not only food. It has a beautiful sensation of spiritual care.”For those who don’t already know Jesus, he is a Mexican Shaman and Herbalist teaching the traditions of lineage work through botanical practices of curanderia and community spiritual herbalism.Jesus is an early childcare educator focusing on nature school fundamentals through holistic enrichment garden programs and is the founder of the HerbalActionProject, a nature play-school and community.If you’d like to hear more from Jesus, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for his website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

If you are or you know a woman of a certain age, you know how un-fun certain menopause symptoms can be. (Hot flashes, anyone?) Wouldn’t an herb that shines for menopause support, easing symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes be a wonderful ally? Well, that’s exactly the sort of benefits you can enjoy by making cooling, soothing, nutrient-rich and delicious red clover tea (Trifolium pratense) an everyday part of your lifestyle.And red clover tea benefits don’t stop there! (Be sure to download your free, printable recipe card so you can start enjoying the gifts of red clover right away.)Red clover is also wonderful for supporting skin health and clarity, gently moving lymph, protecting against xenoestrogens, easing PMS symptoms, and more! Herbs like red clover are deeply healing and transformative IF you know how to work with them well. If you’d like to know how to work with herbs holistically to support your health from the ground up, then definitely check out my free training: How to Use Herbs to Transform Your Health to get More Energy & Vitality – Without Expensive Supplements or a Restrictive Elimination Diet.  ►►► http://herb-training.comAfter listening in to this episode, you’ll know:► A major difference in the way herbs and pharmaceutical drugs work in the body► Does red clover act against cancer cells or does it promote cancer cells?► Why red clover is one herb that is really worth growing yourself if at all possibleShow snippet: “With its fresh pink blooms and nutrient rich profile, red clover is a joy to grow, harvest, and to make medicine with.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

This episode about the herbal medicine of pine trees was so much fun to record and I know you’re going to love listening! Kat Mackinnon is hilarious and quirky, while sharing an impressive amount of information about the medicinal gifts of pine.  Just to name a few, pine can:► Free the breath, whether there’s tightness or stuckness in your lungs from a cold or flu or from that “weight on your chest” that sometimes accompanies depression or grief► Relieve indigestion, sour stomach, slow digestion, constipation… pine can be a great digestive tonic and delicious addition to bitters blends► Gently ease that bloated, irritable, crampy feeling of stuck menses ► Soothe achy muscles► Promote healing of superficial wounds► Provide nutrient-dense physical food… and the soul-food that comes from being with a plant whose very presence invites you to take a deep breath, ground and unwind (even if you’re an “inside kitty,” as Kat put it)No wonder Kat describes pine trees as beautiful “year-round medicine cabinets”!By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How to work with pine safely► Are pine pollen supplements worth the money? Why or why not?► Why Vitamin C is so much more than ascorbic acid► How you can personalize your own herbal first aid kitAs a listener, you’ll also receive free access to Kat’s recipe for pine elixir, which she turns to anytime she needs relief from stuck respiratory crud.Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “They’re hosts to so much and that’s part of why I also love pine. It’s this force on the landscape…It’s this profound presence. Their smell and their nature, the habitat that they provide is this medicine all on its own that you can actually step into.”In case you don’t already know her, Kat Mackinnon, RH(AHG), has been a certified clinical herbalist and nutritionist through the NAIMH since 2011. Kat is the founder and director of Meet the Green, through which she runs a private clinical practice and teaches classes on herbalism and ancestral skills. She is the co-founder of Plant Camp, an online and in- person botanical learning community. She has also been primary faculty at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism in Lafayette, Colorado since 2012, and the Clinic Program Director, where she mentors student clinicians at the public low cost clinic, and is a principal reviewer of student clinician cases.If you’d like to hear more from Kat, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Willow tree bark is a fantastic herb for natural pain relief! Backaches, muscular soreness, headaches, arthritis…these are just some of the complaints willow can help you with. But, as with any herb, you need to know how to work with it safely and effectively. Join me in this episode to find out how you can work with willow tree bark when inflammatory and musculoskeletal pain is bringing you (or a loved one) down. I’m sharing a recipe for willow bark tea so you can easily have your own willow bark medicine right at your fingertips. (Don’t miss downloading your free, printable recipe card with all the details!) I’ll also show you a great way to apply this powerful tea topically… it’s wonderful for cooling and soothing itchy rashes like poison ivy, poison oak, and eczema! After listening in, you’ll know:► Why willow is safer than aspirin► How to choose the willow you make medicine with► Who should avoid taking willow barkShow snippet: “Willow is one of our most generous plants, offering us pain relief, digestive and skin support, baskets, and even a bit of shade to rest under.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Herbal medicine from the beautiful and fragrant linden tree (Tilia cordata) is a powerful way to soothe your nervous system, heal your gut, and support your heart. That’s a lot, but linden has even more to offer. Join me in this episode for a deep dive into linden tree medicine. I also share my favorite recipe so you can enjoy the medicinal benefits of delicious linden tea. My handsome French husband and I drink this tea all summer long and I know you’re going to love it!After listening in, you’ll know:► What kind of person most benefits from linden tree medicine as a digestive aid► The juxtaposition of qualities that makes linden such a unique ally for irritated, inflamed mucus membranes► An herb that makes a wonderful, synergistic partner for linden to support cardiovascular health► What species of linden has especially aromatic and sweet flowersShow snippet: “Linden’s cooling, relaxing, and moistening qualities are a soothing relief for a variety of symptoms associated with heat, excess stimulation, and dryness. Linden’s gifts are often appreciated by those who are feeling overly stressed, tense, and hot.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

A compact, easy-to-travel-with herbal first aid kit is a wonderful way to be prepared for everyday health concerns when you’re away from home.With that in mind, my question for guests in Season 9 of the podcast is, “What would you include in your herbal first aid kit?” I’m getting the ball rolling by giving you a peek into my travel kit. I hope it will serve as a useful springboard for creating your own. After listening in, you’ll know:► Principles to rely on when creating an herbal first aid kit for travel► Seven herbalist-tested and -recommended products to support the big three systems in your body that are often impacted by travel► What to look out for when you’re reading labels and choosing productsShow snippet: “I like to have something that’s really readily convenient that I know is going to work for me because if I have anything off… I don’t want to have to go spend time looking for something. I just want to have it with me.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a stunning flower, a nutritious food, and a potent herbal medicine that grows all over western North America. Here’s just a smattering of arrowleaf balsamroot’s medicinal gifts to tempt you…Arrowleaf balsamroot:► Relieves the misery of sinus or lung congestion from a cold or flu► Soothes cold, sore muscles ► Disinfects wounds► and more…Between its cheerful blooms, its hillside-stabilizing and medicinal roots, and its pleasantly resinous-tasting spring shoots, who wouldn’t fall in love?That said, when you harvest roots for medicine, you’re injuring or perhaps even killing the plant. And arrowleaf balsamroot plants take a long time to reach their full stature. That’s why with this episode, you’ll also receive FREE access to a downloadable wildcrafting checklist, so you’ll have the know-how to harvest sustainably, ensuring a plentiful yield for years to come. After listening in, you’ll know:► The easiest way to prepare balsamroot seeds for food► How to work with arrowleaf balsamroot tincture for a sore throat► The best digging tool for harvesting roots (surprisingly low-tech!)► What herbs to work with if arrowleaf balsamroot isn’t a locally abundant plant for you Show snippet: “Arrowleaf balsamroot has many offerings as food and medicine but the first gifts they offer are the joy they bring with their bright sunny blooms.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Cancer. The very word can strike fear in the heart—and unfortunately, it touches many of us at some point in our lives, whether directly or indirectly through family and friends. But cancer… and herbs? What role can herbs possibly play in a big, scary, potentially deadly  disease like that? If you’re faced with a cancer diagnosis, what can you do to take control of your journey and feel empowered? Just as important, what steps can you take to help prevent cancer in the first place?These are just some of the issues covered in today’s episode with Chanchal Cabrera—an herbalist with 35 years of clinical practice who specializes in holistic oncology. It was so good! And Chanchal’s new book, Holistic Cancer Care, needs to be on everyone’s bookshelf. It’s an impressive and helpful book for anyone who’s ever been touched by cancer, and even those who want to prevent it.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► What is patient-centered medicine, and why is it so vitally important when crafting a treatment plan?► Is it true that lymphatic herbs shouldn’t be used by cancer patients? Why or why not?► Why sunscreen doesn’t give you the protection you might think it does (and what you can do instead)► How can herbal medicine be included in cancer care, and what are some specific herbs that have been researched for this purpose?► Depending on the treatments selected and the cancer itself, patients may suffer with radiation burns and/or neuropathic pain. As a listener, you’ll also receive free access to not one, but two downloadable recipe cards from Chanchal for soothing herbal creams.Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “I see the role of a herbalist as an incredible opportunity to connect people with plants in such a way that they actually care enough about the environment the plants grow in to do something active to help the environment. Really, I see herbalism as an extremely effective form of activism and I consider myself an environmental warrior, an environmental activist through my herbal medicine work.”For those who don’t already know her, Chanchal is a medical herbalist and has been in clinical practice for 35 years with a specialty in holistic oncology. She is the author of Fibromyalgia: A Journey towards Healing and her latest book, Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence, launched in April. She held the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster 2004-2016. She serves on the board of advisors of Dominion Herbal College in Burnaby, on the editorial board of Medical Herbalism clinical newsletter, and she publishes widely in professional journals and lectures internationally on medical herbalism, nutrition, and health.Chanchal is also a certified Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) practitioner, a certified Master Gardener and a certified Horticulture Therapist. She lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia where she and her husband manage Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, a 7 acre internationally registered botanic garden specializing in food and medicine plants, and where they host apprenticeships in sustainable food production and herbal medicine. The farm also hosts Gardens without Borders, a federally registered not-for-profit society established to run the botanic garden and provide horticulture therapy.If you’d like to hear more from Chanchal, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for her website and social media channels. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m beyond thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Ros

I’m excited to have our first Chinese medicine practitioner, Toby Daly, on the show. That he chose to talk about dan shen—one of my favorite herbs to grow in a garden and perhaps one of the herbs that I have been growing the longest—just added to my delight! If you don’t already know dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), I’m confident you’ll love it, too, by the end of this episode.To give you a sneak peek, dan shen can help to:► Cool and calm irritability► Ease chronic pain► Support the heart and pericardium► and moreAll this while having the additional distinction of being the lead player in a whole herb formula that’s just been approved in the U.S. to go to Stage Four clinical trials. (That’s big, folks!) And, as if that wasn’t enough, dan shen is absolutely gorgeous, with brilliant, large purple flowers that are beloved by pollinators of all sorts, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.Any which way you look at it, there’s an abundance to enjoy and appreciate about dan shen! By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why Chinese medicine (and, of course, clinical herbalism) always starts with the patient, not with the herbs► What does it mean to “move the blood” and why is that important?► How does dan shen compare and contrast to hawthorn?► The role of humility and collaboration in herbalism► How to make a tincture with dan shen that supports the heart and the liver, the two major emotional systems in the body from a Chinese medicine perspective (be sure to download your recipe card!)Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “We can never say something is good or bad. We always have to say, ‘For who? What’s the constitution? What’s going on with them right now? When? What’s the season or the climatic factors that’s going on?’ We can never answer ‘Is this a good herb or bad herb?’”For those who don’t already know Toby, he received his undergraduate degree in Food Science from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. He began studying Chinese medicine in 1997 with Sunim Doam, a Korean monk trained in the Saam tradition. He earned his master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2002 upon completion of training at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco and Chengdu University in China.During his four years of training in San Francisco, he interned with the prominent acupuncturist Dr. Angela Wu and learned to apply the lofty theories he was studying in school into the pragmatic setting of a busy clinic. In 2013, he developed the Chinese Nutritional Strategies app to provide digital access to the wealth of Chinese dietary wisdom.In 2016, proving that some people never learn, he completed a PhD in Classical Chinese Medicine under the guidance of 88th generation Daoist priest Jeffery Yuen. In 2021, he developed the Chinese Medical Characters app to enable direct access to foundational Chinese medical terms and concepts.He lectures internationally and in April 2023 he published his first book, An Introduction to Chinese Medicine: A Patient's Guide to Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition & More.I didn’t know Toby prior to this episode and I really enjoyed getting to know him. I think that like me, you’ll find him to be very sweet, endearing and super knowledgeable. He didn’t even bat an eye when I interrupted him to talk about Tori Amos, so big score in my book. If you’d like to hear more from him, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get an easy link for his website. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.&nbsp

If you've been following my herbal offerings for even a short time, you know that I'm not about focusing on fear. While some alternative health practitioners rally around toxins and pollutants, I'd rather focus on joy and the things that I do have control over. But unfortunately, environmental contaminants do exist, and we can't simply ignore them away. That's why I'm especially grateful to Sarah Sorci for coming on the show. She has taken it on to research important contamination issues for gardeners and foragers, and then shares that information in a way that's based on empowerment rather than fear. (Love that!)By the end of this episode, here’s just a sprinkling of what you’ll know:► As a forager, how can you navigate effectively around contamination concerns?► How can you address it if your garden soil has contaminants?► How can you navigate conversations with neighbors about using herbicides or pesticides on their property?► What simple and practical safety tips can you implement today when using your garden hose? (Don’t forget to download your handout from Sarah!)Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “We should all have access to being able to harvest clean and safe food and medicine, whether from our gardens or from our local communities. And I wanted to create a location  where gardeners and foragers could find some answers to these [safety] questions in one easy location.”If you’re not already familiar with Sarah, she is an herbal educator, writer, and the founder of Sweet Flag Herbs. She loves supporting folks who seek meaning, empowerment, and environmental sustainability by connecting with plants.Through her writing project, A Nourishing Harvest, Sarah explores environmental contamination issues that affect gardeners and foragers, translating scientific data into practical and approachable free articles. She also creates beautiful educational boxes that facilitate ancestral connection by way of the plant world. Sarah has offered hundreds of classes and plant walks throughout Western New York and beyond.Sarah came to herbalism by way of an Environmental Studies degree, farm work, and offering therapeutic gardening programming. She’s a 2014 graduate of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine's Holistic Herbalism program, and she’s taken clinical herbalism classes with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine. Sarah is grateful to the unnamed elders, foragers, and tenders who have contributed to our collective herbal knowledge.Sarah lives and gardens with her partner in Chautauqua County, NY, homeland of the Seneca Nation of Indians (sni.org).If you’d like to hear more from Sarah, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

At first blush, today’s episode with earth skills expert, Lynx Vilden, might not seem to be “about” herbs. But au contraire! At the heart of herbalism is connection with Earth and the entire web of life that dwells on her. And my guest today, Lynx Vilden, lives and breathes that interconnectivity.Like anything, living off the land while relying on primitive skills has its ups and downs. And Lynx has a knack for describing it in a way that’s completely unromanticized yet captures your  imagination.Rather than instructing, our conversation opens up an invitation for you to wonder… How many different ways are there to be a healer? What would you learn about the world and yourself, living in the wilderness for weeks at a time? And if you’re not ready for that, what might it look like to take just a step closer to connecting with Earth as our ancestors knew her?Here’s one of my favorite takeaways:“Earth sustains us, circling the sun as we cycle through life, death and rebirth. Without her, we are lost. It’s a truth we all fundamentally know, but one that recedes in the rushing madness of modern life, the prioritization of convenience and money over time, community and connection.”For those of you who don’t already know her, Lynx has been practicing and teaching primitive living skills with passion both in the US and in Europe since 1991. With her experience traveling, exploring, and researching the nature and traditional cultures of arctic, mountain, and desert regions, she started the Four Seasons Prehistoric Projects program in 2001, which was dedicated to learning and sharing the ancient skills of primitive living, and created Living Wild in 2011. Lynx’s story has been featured in The New York Times, Outside Magazine, The Guardian, and others. She currently lives on an old homestead in Norway.If you’d like to hear more from Lynx, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.It’s such a special treat for me to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was such a pleasure to sit down with herbalist and teacher, Nicole Telkes, to discuss juniper (Juniperus spp.)! In some bioregions, this plant is hated as a pest in the landscape and a source of misery to seasonal-allergy sufferers. But juniper is full of medicinal gifts! For instance, juniper:► Supports the kidneys and urinary tract► Warms cold, cramping muscles and can soothe the pain of osteoarthritis► Can help to clear fungal infections► and moreJuniper also gives us aromatic, beautifully-colored and -grained wood and provides habitat and food for a multitude of animals.There’s a lot to enjoy and appreciate about juniper! By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why it’s important to question and observe the role of plants in their environment… and to critically evaluate what you’re going to do with plants before you harvest a single leaf► Two types of infections it’s really smart to talk with your doctor about before self-treating► Who needs to be cautious about working with juniper (and why)► The surprising role of passivity in herbalism► How to make a juniper infused herbal oil you can massage into sore muscles or cold joints…or just enjoy as an after-bath oil that will leave you smelling delicious (be sure to download your recipe card!)Here are two of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “In permaculture, we always talk about turning problem areas into solutions, or things that are looked at as a problem into a solution. I look at invasive and weedy plants and how can we turn them into solutions.”“It’s like a grocery store. You can’t just walk into the grocery store and take whatever you want. Even in a grocery store, you still have to exchange something. In nature, we might not be exchanging money, but we need to exchange something back.”For those who don’t already know Nicole, she is an award winning practicing herbalist and RH(AHG). She has a background in botanical studies, plant conservation work, community activism, and herbal first-aid clinics. She wrote the books Medicinal Plants of Texas and Herbcraft: The Complete Guide to 21st Century Holistic Western Herbalism. She lives between Seattle and Austin, supervising over 250 medicinal plants and themed gardens at Bastyr University and is the founder and lead instructor at the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine. She is best known for her work freeing fire cider.If you’d like to hear more from Nicole, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Oak trees (Quercus spp.) probably aren’t the first plants that come to your mind when you think of herbal medicine. But as today’s guest, Greg Monzel, shares, oak trees are more than bountiful with their gifts!“Plant x for problem y” is how many people start out thinking about herbal medicine… and oak is not without this type of benefit.  To give one example, oak is a powerful astringent that’s helpful as a wound wash and as an ingredient in tooth powder that can help to tighten up your gums.But oak doesn’t stop there. It gives you an invitation to go deeper. As a hub in the web of life, oak teaches you about connection… to the land and to the other creatures we share it with. If you have roots in the Northern hemisphere, acorns even give you a way to connect with your ancestors as you fuel your body. And the quiet, stately beauty of oak is a medicine in itself, a pleasure to spend time with.To quote Greg, “For me, the most important medicine from oak is that giving, nourishing quality. It not only does that for the little bugs but turkey, squirrel, humans… everybody eats [acorns] and benefits.”By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How to process acorns into flour (and why you’d want to)► How to make a nutrient-dense treat from acorns (be sure to download your recipe card for acorn crackers!)► When to work with red oak vs. white oak (and why)At one point during this interview, I forgot I was doing a podcast. Instead I was caught up in all that Greg was sharing and simply there for the conversation. Here’s one of my favorite takeaways:“We’re disconnected… We don’t feel connected to those same biscuits that you make from wheat flour or from the $.99 a pound bag of wheat compared to those dense acorn muffins that you can make where you know what tree you were under when you gathered those. You can smell the air again. You can see the squirrels scurrying around. You just feel connected to your land and to the place that you’re in.”For those of you who don’t already know him, Greg Monzel is a student of nature with a gift for nourishing deep connections between people and plants. He first experienced the medicinal power of plants as a teenager when he successfully treated his chronic strep-throat with raw pineapple. He has been a practicing herbal educator, medicine maker, and grower since 2008. Greg and his wife Colleen co-founded Persimmon Herb School in 2015 to hold plant centered space and build a healing community.If you’d like to hear more from Greg, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for his website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is one of my favorite plants. I love hawthorn so much that I turn to it  almost every single day of my life. So I was very excited when today’s guest, Tatiana Eaves, chose hawthorn as a topic for our conversation.There are so many gifts of hawthorn!Hawthorn is often revered for how it strengthens the physical heart… but this is just one of the medicinal gifts Tatiana mentions.Hawthorn has so many benefits beyond your physical heart. Herbalists often turn to hawthorn for the energetic heart, too. For example, hawthorn medicine is for when you’re feeling broken hearted, experiencing a loss of heart or when you find yourself in a self-protective and walled-off survival mode during a stressful season. What if there was an herbal friend that could help you keep your heart open through a tough time? How would that change your experience? How would that change the experience of your loved ones?To quote Tatiana, what if you could  “remain receptive to receiving love, to be loving, to be delicate but not fragile, to be strong and soft”... no matter what’s going on around you?I invite you to listen in and explore whether hawthorn could be that protective and supportive herbal ally for you.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How hawthorn can be a model for being loving while expecting respect► What flower essences are and how to work with them► How to connect with a plant – and why you’d want to► How to show respect when you’re harvesting plants – and why that’s importantHere is one of my favorite takeaways: A scientist by training, “I love the Western point of view and I thought it was really useful, but in some aspects it felt really limiting not to be able to discuss the beauty and the feelings evoked in me by Nature, like our inherent heart connection with all of life.” Tatiana Eaves is a Medicine Woman – an ecologist, herbalist, wildcrafter, and spiritual guide, among many other things. She has spent her life seeking to deepen her understanding of the interconnected nature of life; learning and finding the threads of connection between various ways of knowing. She believes in sharing her knowledge and the wisdom of the forest to bring us all back into the remembrance of our personal power to enact change in our lives, our communities, and beyond. Her goals are in bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet by working collaboratively with others to strengthen our connection with ourselves, Mother Earth, and each other. While I was interviewing her, I had to suppress the urge to stand up and clap many times throughout our conversation. I so loved all that Tatiana had to share, not just about hawthorn, but also about reciprocity, relationship and connections to the plants.If you’d like to hear more from Tatiana, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m beyond delighted to share our conversation with you today.----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It’s not every day that you’ll hear someone express love for a “pernicious” weed. But by the end of this episode, I think you’ll understand exactly why Sunny Savage loves spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) and why I seriously can’t wait for amaranth to start popping up in my own garden this spring.Really, what’s not to love about a plant that:► Takes care of itself (your only work is to harvest and cook)► Is deeply nutritious…to quote Sunny, “ticking lots of boxes on my nutritional needs”► and tastes good, to bootAs Sunny shared, “If they only knew: Spiny amaranth, in particular, can be up to 87% of the human nutritional needs from one plant. That’s eating the seeds, the leaves.” Wow!  By the end of this episode, you’ll:► Have a new perspective to consider about working with the edible invasive plants of your ecoregion► Have some basic ID tips for amaranth species ► Know how to avoid the herbal mistake that left Sunny with a pit in the bottom of her stomach when she realized what she’d doneFor those of you who don’t already know Sunny, she is a mother and wild food forager, whose life is dedicated to helping people identify, harvest, and prepare invasive plant species through her mobile app the Savage Kitchen. She is the author of the book Wild Food Plants of Hawai'i and hosted the internationally-airing wild food cooking television series Hot on the Trail. In addition, she has been a headlining chef at the “Taste of Chicago”, a TedxMaui presenter, and served as faculty at the White Earth Tribal & Community College. Sunny earned a Master’s Degree in Nutrition, focusing on the antioxidants in wild greens.An avid adventurer, Sunny traveled to every continent before her 30th birthday and has learned from plants and people along the way. She has called the island of Maui, Hawai'i home for the last 14 years, but previously adapted to life aboard a sailboat for over 3 years, in an RV for a year, at a research station in Antarctica for a year, and grew up without electricity or running water in the wilds of Northern Minnesota. She enjoys distilling her observations of the natural world into storied solutions.If you’d like to hear more from Sunny, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

As you’ll see in this episode with astrologer and herbalist Maeg Keane, there’s much more to blackberry than an astringent herb to help bind up loose stools or diarrhea! For instance… What if blackberry could teach you about setting boundaries and letting go of what’s not serving you? These are just two of the astrology-inspired perspectives that Maeg explores in our conversation.But even on a more physical plane, what’s not to love about a plant that:► Gives you a delicious dose of antioxidants and a blood tonic all in one► Can bring some relief from leaky, boggy allergy symptoms► Tightens up mouth ulcers or spongy gums► and more…By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How astrology and herbalism complement each other► When a very simple herbal recipe is best► A possible remedy to call upon for relief from acute or traveler’s diarrheaHere is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: There’s “a belief that there’s only one way to know the truth, that it has to look like lab coats for it to be true. I think that is one way that we find out what the truth is… and I don’t think we should walk away from it. And there are many others that predate it and live alongside it.” For those of you who don’t already know Maeg, they are a consulting astrologer, herbalist, and writer. Their work is rooted in an animist, devotional approach that tends to the ties that bind us to each other and to the more-than-human world. Whether relating to the stars from which we come or to the alive and wise planet we call home, Maeg hopes to bring people into nourishing companionship with the teeming, enchanted world around them. They run Third Sister, an online client practice through which they offer one-on-one astrology readings and herbal care.Meag weaves perspectives and disciplines together in such a kind, gentle, grounded, and thought-provoking way. If you’d like to hear more from Maeg, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for their website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so excited to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

You have a double treat in store with this episode.First, have you ever wondered what it takes to grow herbs commercially on a large scale? I kept hearing about Oshala Farm from my students, so last year, I placed an order to check them out. I was so impressed with the herbs I received and knew immediately that I wanted to interview Elise Higley, the farm’s cofounder! From finding the right location to the hard work of growing, harvesting, processing the harvest, fulfilling orders, stewarding the land… there are so many details to juggle! I came away from this episode with even more respect for herb farmers than I already had. I hope you’ll enjoy this peek into running a successful herb farm, too!Second, stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is one of those herbs that people grow to love and crave, even if they’re not initially drawn to the taste. I loved discussing the gifts of this nutrient-dense herb with Elise! Who couldn’t benefit from an herbal ally that:► Is deeply nourishing, strengthening, and energizing – an herbal tonic you can enjoy every day (and that your body will thank you for)► Can provide support to folks who suffer from seasonal allergies► Supports kidney health► and more…To quote Elise, “Nettle is nutritive, high in iron, high in minerals… I feel like it’s a staple as far as nourishing and fortifying the body.” I completely agree.This episode is full of tips and ideas you can borrow like:► Best practices for growing medicinal herbs (whether you use this to inspire your own garden or as a springboard for asking questions when you’re sourcing herbs to purchase)► Possible herbs to blend with nettle when making infusions (and how they complement nettle)► Various ways to work with both fresh and dried nettle leaf► How to grow stinging nettle in your own gardenFor those of you who don’t already know her, Elise Higley is a folk herbalist, wife, mother, grandmother and farmer.With her background in Western Herbalism at California School of Herbal Studies and her husband Jeff’s background in organic farming, they blended their dreams and created a full-fledged herb farm in 2013. Together they own and operate Oshala Farm. Located in Applegate Valley, Oregon, Oshala Farm has over 80 medicinal herbs in cultivation.Elise’s teachers and mentors include Cascade Anderson Geller, Rosemary Gladstar, Karen Aguiar, Teri Jensen, Lily Mazzarella, Autumn Summers, David Hoffman, Shana Lipner-Grover, Jon Carlson and, of course, the plants themselves! In her downtime, (9pm-5am) she helps with the Breitenbush Herbal Conference and TerraVita Herbal Symposium and works on agricultural advocacy with Our Family Farms.If you’d like to hear more from Elise, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is one of my most-adored herbs! So I was thrilled when today’s guest, Alex Crofoot, chose calendula as a focus for this interview. And I loved hearing both new and familiar ways of working with this favorite (and very versatile!) plant. Calendula is an herbal friend that:► Is powerfully healing to the skin, yet is gentle enough to soothe a baby’s diaper rash or to bring some relief to red and irritated eyes. Calendula belongs in every herbal first aid kit!► Has a range of applications for women’s health, from postpartum healing to helping relieve symptoms of vaginal atrophy► Supports the lymphatic system and is healing to the gut, both of which can benefit folks who suffer from chronic allergies or frequent illness (or just about anyone, really!)► and that’s naming just a few of calendula’s gifts…To quote Alex, “Calendula is such a great introductory plant that also builds upon itself.” I couldn’t agree more.This episode is full of tips to help you:► Make infused oil with fresh calendula flowers (without spoilage due to  moisture content)► Make a full-spectrum calendula tincture (and why you might want to take the extra steps)► Avoid problems with mold on your harvested calendulaFor those of you who don’t already know Alex, she was born in the southern tier of NY, among rich farmlands and birch forests. She is a trained community/clinical herbalist and full spectrum doula who is passionate about accessible herbal care and supporting all pregnancy outcomes. Alex was raised around her Southern great grandmother who was a birthing assistant for her mother who worked as a midwife and herbalist with the Chestnut Ridge People. This may explain her admiration for the plant and reproductive world since childhood.Alex is a queer cis woman. She is the founder of the Community Care Camper, a free mobile herb clinic serving underserved populations in and around Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is the co-owner of Black Locust Gardens herb farm and plant nursery, a coordinator for the Great Lakes Herb Faire, an herbal educator, mom, animist, pagan, writer and is currently working on opening up a mutual aid herb shop. She works on a sliding fee scale, weaving together a harm reduction and client centered lens. She works mostly with AFAB people's health around postpartum, pregnancy loss, gut and hormonal health.If you’d like to hear more from Alex, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

We often grow in important ways because of mistakes. But while experience can be a powerful teacher, it can also be a painful one. The cool thing is that hearing other people’s mistakes can help our own growth and learning…minus the regrets. With that in mind, a theme for Season 8 of the podcast is looking back at herbal mistakes, a bit like alerting other drivers to a hazard on the road ahead. I’m getting the ball rolling by sharing my three most important mistakes with herbs. I’m also sharing tips and resources to help you avoid those same potholes. After listening in, you’ll know:► How to minimize waste in your home apothecary (and why that’s important)► One big reason why herbs sometimes help and sometimes don’t…and a more nuanced approach to herbalism that’s far likelier to be successful► How I learned that at its heart, herbalism is about so much more than swapping out herbs for drugsShow Snippet: “The beauty and joy and even the biggest impact of herbalism… is finding our way back to tending this beautiful earth.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

What to treat to sit down with herbalist and author, Nancy Phillips, to discuss dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)! Who couldn’t use an herbal friend that:► Supports our hardworking livers (which may beautify our complexions, too!)► Is rich in inulin to feed the beneficial bacteria in our guts► Is bursting with nutrients AND enhances digestion► Benefits pollinatorsBut, as if all that wasn’t enough, dandelions usher in joy with their sunny blossoms and whimsical seedheads. These unique plants serve as models of resilience and tenacity while simultaneously inviting the child in all of us to play.There’s a lot to love about dandelions! Nancy shares two delicious recipes for dandelion greens, too. (Now I have even more reasons to await Spring with happy anticipation!)By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why growing a plant yourself is such a special way to get to know it► Why to pay attention to your intuitive nudges when choosing which herb to work with► The easiest way to make dandelion wine (this could become a fun seasonal celebration!)► The benefits of focusing on getting to know just a few herbs really deeplyHere is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “If there’s a possibility of growing a plant and seeing it move from seed to seedling and to see it through the seasons, that’s really my favorite way to get to know plants.”For those who don’t already know Nancy, she is an herbalist, yoga/Ayurveda instructor, and small-scale farmer. She delights in supporting people on their path to finding more peace, joy, and vitality through healing herbs, healthy food and strengthening their connection to Earth and Spirit. She and her daughter, Gracie, lovingly tend Heartsong Farm, an herb farm, organic apple orchard, and holistic educational center. They offer consultations, workshops, grower’s intensives, and healing retreats at their farm in Northern NH. Nancy and her husband, Michael, co-authored The Herbalist’s Way: The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines.If you’d like to hear more from Nancy, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so glad to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It was an honor and a deep pleasure to have this informative conversation about the medicine of calamus root (rhizome) and leaves with Karyn Sanders. Herbalism is about so much more than “this herb for that condition” and Karyn personifies that truth. Her deep connection with this lovely and versatile plant shines throughout as she shares the many ways of working with calamus medicinally, such as:► Lending its grounding qualities to facilitate trauma work, soothe nervous energy, smooth the edges around times of rapid change like puberty or menopause, and more► Calming the gut when there’s heartburn, ulcers, cramping, or chronic gassiness► Soothing toothaches and teething pain, relaxing the throat (Karyn even included it in a throat spray for professional singers!), and strengthening and supporting the healing process from hiatal hernia► and so many more…By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► What makes calamus “deep medicine” – and what can it help with?► Who should avoid calamus – and when?► How one city worked with calamus for water purification► What is the dosage for calamus?► How you can make a yummy summer tea with calamus leafHere is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “Be humble, humble, humble. These [plants] are gifts and they’re beings and they’re sharing those gifts… If you took the herbs away from herbalism, you wouldn’t be doing a whole lot.” Karyn has been working with plants for most of her life. She was first trained in Native American traditional plant medicine by her grandmother. In her mid-teens she apprenticed with a Mexican curandera and has subsequently studied with various traditional teachers as well as Western herbalists. Karyn has been teaching and practicing herbal medicine from an energetic perspective for over 47 years. Karyn has been a teacher at the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine for over 20 years. She also has had a live radio show, The Herbal Highway, that has aired weekly since 1997 on KPFA, 94.1FM out of Berkeley, California.If you’d like to hear more from Karyn, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!****Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

While many swoon over its amber balsamic scent, the cottonwood tree (Populus spp.) is more than just a pretty smell. For thousands of years, cottonwood has been used as medicine and to make a variety of tools. I honestly can’t imagine my life without this powerful tree and cottonwood bud oil (also called Balm of Gilead oil), which I use in practically all of my herbal salves, creams, and body butters. With this episode you’ll also receive FREE access to a downloadable recipe card you can refer to again and again for how to make cottonwood bud oil of your own. After listening in, you’ll know:► How to work with cottonwood bud oil medicinally► How I discovered that cottonwood is an amazing preservative► The super-cool way researchers studied Poplar trees as a potential treatment for warts… and the intriguing results► What you need to know to ethically harvest cottonwood Show snippet: “Cottonwood trees are water sentinels that offer healing gifts to all those around them including bees, mammals, fish, birds, and even the soils and waters they grow in.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

My dear friend, herbalist jim mcdonald, returns to the show to share all about calamus root benefits. Among its other gifts, calamus root is known as an herb that can help you clear away mental cobwebs and enhance your focus. jim is a gifted storyteller and I know you’ll enjoy hearing how an early experience with calamus root set the stage for how he approaches learning about herbs to this day.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► The many gifts and medicinal benefits of calamus root. ► Does it matter what species of calamus you work with?► Is calamus root safe?► How you can grow calamus at home.Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “I didn’t just learn about calamus from chewing on it and feeling how did I feel before and how did I feel after, I learned a way of learning about plants.”For those of you who haven’t already met him, in 1994, jim mcdonald's life changed when he drank tea from a wild plant he harvested from the land he lived upon.  Since those first sips of strange tea, his life in the woods and meadows of southeast michigan has been centered on the plants & ecosystems of that land, and how he might share their virtues to restore wellness with those around him.  jim's approach to herbcraft is deeply rooted in the land he lives upon, and blends traditional european folk influences with 19th century eclectic and physiomedical vitalism, which he conveys with story, experience, humour, common sense and lore to students, clients, random passersby and readers of his websites www.herbcraft.org & herbcraft.podia.com.  He's taught classes throughout north america, is one of the organizers of the Great Lakes Herb Faire and is currently alternately writing Foundational Herbcraft and the A Great Lakes Herbal, in addition to articles for journals and other publications.  jim is a community herbalist, a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker, and has been an ardent student of the most learned teachers of herbcraft… the plants themselves.I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!****Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. 

It’s always exciting to hear about a little known herb with powerful medicinal action, especially when it also happens to grow abundantly. And that’s what you have to look forward to in this conversation about ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) with Val Alcorn! You’ll also receive Val’s recipe for an Upper Respiratory Tincture which contains ground ivy. This is a formula she describes as ideal for “heavy, stagnant congestion and/or pain in the upper respiratory system.” By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Are there ever any advantages to invasive plants?► Why look at how herbs were used ancestrally?► How following your curiosity and intuition can lead to powerful medicineHere is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “I feel like everybody’s so excited about the exotic plants, the adaptogens, those buzzword herbs, but sometimes I feel like the most common plants are the most powerful.” If you don’t already know Val, she is an herbalist, herb farmer, writer and artist living on Anishinaabe land in what is now Michigan. Her goal is to connect people with the stories and the medicine of the plants so that we may heal body and spirit with curiosity and reciprocity. She crafts a variety of herbal tools and goods with a focus on herbal bitters and runs a brick and mortar store in Gladwin, Michigan.If you’d like to hear more from Val, which I highly recommend, then head to the show notes where you can get easy links for her website and social media. You can also find Val's recipe as well as the transcript for this episode in the show notes.I’m so grateful to share our conversation with you today!****Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.