Lisa Fazio: Italian-American Folk Herbalism

Lisa Fazio takes us on a journey through Italian-American folk herbalism, the healing power of food as medicine, and the medicinal properties of herbs like garlic, St. John’s wort, and olive. She shares her personal stories and ancestral wisdom, making this conversation a true gift for anyone passionate about herbal traditions.

When we first came across Lisa’s new book, Della Medicina: The Tradition of Italian-American Folk Healing, we knew we had to invite her to the show. Her book is a beautiful collection of stories and deep connections to beloved plants such as garlic, St. John’s wort, olive, and more.

We were especially excited to speak with Lisa because of our own Italian heritage and curiosity about ancestral traditions. However, the wisdom Lisa offers is relevant and deeply supportive, no matter where your roots lie. Her approach invites us all to reconnect with our ancestral medicines and understand how herbal practices have been passed down through generations.

In this episode, Lisa Fazio talks about:

• Practical traditions for honoring ancestors
• The protective qualities of garlic
• Benedicaria and the spiritual uses of herbs
• The connections between Catholic saints and herbs
• The rich herbal traditions of Italy and how they’ve evolved for Italian Americans and so much more

To learn more about Lisa Fazio and her work, visit The Root Circle.

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