Herbs with Rosalee

Pedicularis doesn’t shout for attention—but once you meet it, you may wonder how you ever lived without its profound ability to help the body let go.It was such a delight to sit down with Chicago herbalist Alex Williams to discuss the gorgeous pedicularis (Pedicularis spp.). Those who are familiar with this lovely plant treasure it for its ability to help release deep skeletal muscle tension—and yet it remains relatively unknown in the herbal world.In this rich and reflective conversation, Alex weaves together the clinical uses of pedicularis for pain, injury, and nervous tension with its surprising ecological role as a parasitic plant. He practically gushes about this beloved herbal ally, sharing its physical benefits along with the more metaphorical ways pedicularis has taught him to be a better human.Alex shares how his experience as a bartender helped shape his path to herbalism, and the recipe he included is a fun reflection of this! His Potion of Delight can be prepared as either a tea or a low alcohol fermented beverage; you can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why pedicularis shines in cases of chronic pain, headaches, and injury recovery► What ethical wildcrafting really looks like with sensitive native plants► How parasitic plants like pedicularis can actually increase biodiversity and ecological resilience► Why “less is more” isn’t just a dosage guideline—but part of pedicularis’ deeper teaching► How this plant can help loosen rigidity in the body and in the way we move through the world► and so much more….For those of you who don’t know him, Alex Williams is a clinical herbalist and founder of Greenspell School of Ecological Herbcraft in Chicago, where he offers herbal consultations, herbalism classes, and plant walks throughout the Chicago region, supporting those he works with in cultivating rest, genuine self-care practices, ecological awareness, and a deep sense of embodied aliveness.Alex also runs First Curve Apothecary which offers sliding-scale herbal supplements, along with herbal compounding services to holistic practitioners. Outside of the apothecary, Alex teaches medical sociology, psychology, and environmental justice at a local university. Every once in a while, he writes an occasional haiku.I can’t wait to share this episode with you today!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Alex at Greenspell.org and FirstCurveApothecary.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

This often-discarded kitchen staple makes powerful medicine—don’t throw it away!In today’s episode, Chilean herbalist Constanza Leal discusses an herb that is ubiquitous in my kitchen during the dark months of winter—orange peel (Citrus x sinensis). Together, we explore how this humble peel brings warmth, radiance, and the unmistakable sunny joy of citrus into our homes and our bodies. From supporting digestion and clearing the lungs to brightening our mood in the heart of winter, orange peel offers far more than most people realize.Constanza shares so many ways to help you savor the full magic of this accessible yet often overlooked medicine, including her Cozy Immune Boost tea—a delicious way to help strengthen your immune system during the winter! You can download a beautifully illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► The power of connecting on an intimate level with one herb at a time► Why orange peel—the whole thing, white pith included!—is even more beneficial to your health than the fruit itself► A surprising way to work with orange peel to improve your mood (warning: you’re going to get wet!)► Eight ways to enjoy the benefits of orange peel, from food to medicine to cleaning supplies► Why herbal powders are such a great way to work with herbs► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Constanza Leal is a South American herbalist from Chile who started her journey with herbalism in June 2011 after a hit & run bike accident that changed her life.In 2016 Constanza launched her herbalism project, Jardín Secreto, after moving to the mountains of Antioquia, Colombia with her husband. Growing food as medicine, wildcrafting, teaching decolonial herbalism and making small batches of medicine for her community became a dream come true.Since 2017 Constanza has been offering multiple herbalism apprenticeships a year and continues to deepen her relationship with the Tahamie Lands via regenerative agriculture, seed saving, soil microbiology, and biodynamic ways of medicine-making.Constanza teaches herbalism workshops in South America, in New England, and online through the Gaia School of Healing & Earth Education. Constanza’s stories and teachings offer such a radiant reminder that even the most familiar plants hold deep wisdom waiting to be rediscovered. Whether you’re brand new to citrus medicine or already love working with it, I hope this episode gives you fresh inspiration to explore, experiment, and enjoy the radiant gifts of orange peel.----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Constanza at SomosJardinSecreto.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

How can one tree be said to bless, protect, seduce… and curse?In this episode, I’m joined by herbalist and writer Ruthie Kølle for a deep dive into one of my all-time favorite plants: hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). Together, we explore hawthorn’s rich folklore, its potent heart-centered gifts, and the magic woven into its thorns, blossoms, and berries. Drawing from her Celtic heritage, Ruthie shares how hawthorn is not just a medicine, but a living bridge to old-world traditions and ancestral ways of healing.Ruthie brought us her recipe for Anam Cara Heart Opening Cordial, a delightful blend of hawthorn and other rose-family plants. I love how this recipe can be so easily adapted to reflect the region you live in! You can download a beautifully illustrated recipe card here. By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Three different body systems that benefit from hawthorn’s gifts► What makes hawthorn so nourishing and protective, both for the ecosystem and for the human body► Why most people could benefit from working with hawthorn on a daily basis► Five different ways to include hawthorn in food► Why hawthorn is called the "trysting tree" in Irish lore—and what that has to do with the putrid smell of its flowers► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Ruthie Kølle lives in a cabin situated on the northern hem of her family’s 9th generation farm, which occupies unceded Lenape land. She is deeply rooted to her place there and has apprenticed herself to reconnecting to her own Celtic ancestral ways, weaving them into the stories of the land where she is currently planted. It’s her passion to reconnect with and integrate these traditional and ritual methods of healing into our modern lives.Ruthie has been studying folk and clinical herbalism since 2012, has been practicing intuitive bodywork since 2005, and creating ceramic art for 30 years.This conversation is so full of wonder, story, and heartfelt herbal wisdom. If you’ve ever felt drawn to hawthorn—or are curious why so many people fall in love with this tree—you won’t want to miss this episode!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Ruthie at MotherHylde.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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 engaging discussion, herbalist Liz Neves, author of Northeast Medicinal Plants, explores the multifaceted benefits of pine. She shares how pine can alleviate grief and improve breathing, unveiling its physical and emotional healing properties. Liz recounts her journey from the corporate world to herbalism and dives into crafting with pine, including infusion techniques and basket-making. Surprisingly, she also touches on animal interactions and even the inventive use of porcupine droppings. Tune in for a treasure trove of herbal wisdom!

What makes calendula a must-have herb for gardeners and herbalists worldwide?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Helena del Pesco, whose background as a chef and fermentation enthusiast gives her unique insight into the world of herbs. Together we explore the many faces of calendula (Calendula officinalis)—from its glowing orange blossoms and otherworldly seeds to its remarkable gifts for soothing skin, supporting tissue repair, and inspiring generosity in both garden and spirit.Calendula is beloved in herbal oils and salves to heal and protect the skin, but it shines in so many other preparations, too! Helena shares the diverse ways that she works with this lovely herb, including in her Tissue Tonic Infusion—an incredibly versatile infusion that can help heal and restore tissues both inside and out. To explore it yourself, you can download her beautifully illustrated recipe here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Six different herbal preparations for calendula (and when you might choose one over the other!)► When to reach for a calendula salve to help heal your skin—and when it might actually make things worse► Why herbal teas often make better medicine than tinctures► How forming relationships with plants and the living world around you can help you become a better herbalist► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Helena’s work as an herbalist weaves together her love of plants with her background as a chef specializing in bioregional cooking and fermentation. Her first taste of wild food as a kid strengthened the sense of belonging she feels in nature. She seeks to walk alongside and support clients as they build relationships with plants. Helena specializes in gastrointestinal and nervous system support (gut-brain connection) and topical remedies. In addition to her studies at the Vermont Center for Clinical Herbalism and Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center, her practice is guided by lived experience of what plant kin can teach us about the physiological, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of being human.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Helena at HelenaDelPesco.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

Could the secret to a calmer mind and a healthier gut be hiding in your morning bowl of porridge?In this episode, I sit down with Swedish herbalist and nutritionist Karoline Karttunen to discuss one of my favorite breakfasts — the humble oats (Avena sativa).Grains have gotten a bad rap in recent years — and it’s true that highly processed or sugar-laden versions don’t do us any favors. But as Karoline reminds us, whole-grain oats are a true nutritional powerhouse that also carry the same medicinal gifts as oat straw and milky oats — beloved herbal allies for nourishing the nervous system and restoring resilience. She shares how oats support everything from balanced blood sugar to a calmer mind (and even a healthier microbiome).Karoline is so devoted to her oats that she eats them for breakfast five days a week! She keeps her daily porridge endlessly interesting by rotating the nuts, seeds, fruits, and herbs that she adds to the mix. You can even try her Herbal and Protein-Rich Oatmeal yourself — download the beautifully illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How a bowl of oats can calm frazzled nerves and lift your mood naturally► What butyric acid is—and why your intestinal cells can’t get enough of it► The truth about so-called “anti-nutrients” like phytic acid (and why you might not need to worry about them)► How your brain and heart thrive on the right kind of carbs—and why oats are the perfect fuel► How discoveries in archaeology and anthropology challenge the myth that eating grains is “unnatural” for humans► and plenty more oat-inspired insights to nourish body and mind….For those of you who don’t know her, Karoline Karttunen is a Swedish herbalist and nutritionist who brings herbs and food together in her herbal courses, blog and in personal consultations. She has in-person courses year round on the west coast of Sweden, as well as offering online courses in herbalism. Karoline’s courses always have a focus on how herbs can strengthen health and be used as a natural part of our everyday life, just as we do with vegetables.I was already a huge fan of oats, but after talking with Karoline, I couldn’t wait to make them an even bigger part of my herbal routine. I’m so happy to share this conversation with you—and I hope you leave feeling inspired to make yourself a big bowl of porridge, too!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Karoline at Way-of-Life.se.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

From easing hot flashes to calming muscle tension, black cohosh has long been a trusted ally for cycles of change.In this episode, I’m joined by herbalist, author, and Appalachian plant steward Patricia Kyritsi Howell for a fascinating deep dive into one of the forest’s most mysterious and misunderstood herbs: black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). Patricia shares how this powerful woodland plant first “brought her back to herself” during a time of personal healing—and how that experience shaped decades of herbal practice and advocacy. Together, we explore the magic, medicine, and conservation of a plant that’s as beautiful as it is complex, weaving in folklore, insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Patricia’s hard-earned wisdom from years in the Appalachian mountains.Patricia recently finished updating her beautiful book on native Appalachian herbs, and as part of this interview she has generously included an excerpt from the book. You can download your copy of the black cohosh herbal monograph from Patricia’s book here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Five ways that black cohosh can ease symptoms of PMS and menopause► Benefits of black cohosh beyond its use as a “women’s herb”► How this North American plant shares ancient lineage with herbs from China—and how it’s used differently in Western and Chinese traditions► How to harvest black cohosh in a way that preserves (and even increases!) the plant population for future generations► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Patricia Kyritsi Howell is a renowned clinical herbalist, teacher, and author based in the mountains of northeast Georgia. She’s the author of the newly expanded and updated Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians: Second Edition, a richly illustrated guide to the use of 44 herbs native to eastern North America. A respected voice in the herbal community, Patricia supports emerging practitioners in clinical herbalism through her virtual course, Crafting Your Herbal Practice. She also leads tours to the Greek island of Crete to explore regional herbs and experience traditional Cretan cuisine.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Patricia at PatriciaKyritsiHowell.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

Why have so many herbalists stopped using American ginseng — and what would it mean to welcome it back?In this episode, I sat down with Appalachian herbalist Phyllis Light to discuss American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), an herb that her family has had an intimate relationship with for generations. Wow, what a wealth of information she had to share about this legendary herb! Our conversation wound through the folk history of ginseng’s use in Appalachia, ginseng trade routes, and the many, many ways we can work with it to benefit our health. Phyllis also explored the widespread belief that American ginseng is ‘too endangered to use’—and why the truth is more complex than we might think.Phyllis shared about several different herbal preparations of American ginseng, including her recipe for Ginseng Honey—a simple and delicious way to work with this beloved herb. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card here.There are so many ways that American ginseng can benefit your health! Here are just a few reasons you might want to work with American ginseng:► To improve memory and cognitive ability► To benefit your immune system (and even help antibiotics work better!)► To help you build strength and muscle mass, boost energy, and increase enduranceTo learn even more ways that you can work with American ginseng, be sure to check out the entire episode!By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► How the global ginseng market impacts use of American ginseng in the United States► Why Phyllis considers American ginseng to be a “panacea herb”► How American ginseng can be worked with to benefit sleep—and the particular kind of insomnia that it is most appropriate for► When it’s best to use American ginseng on its own, and when to formulate it with other herbs► The legal and ethical implications of buying wildcrafted American ginseng (or of wildcrafting your own!)► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Phyllis D. Light, a fourth-generation herbalist and healer, has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for over 30 years. She is traditionally trained in Southern Folk Medicine with lessons from her grandmother as well as Tommie Bass, a renowned Southern herbalist. Phyllis has a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Health Studies, nutrition and healthcare.  She has taught CEU classes for allied healthcare professionals. She is director of the Appalachian Center for Natural Health and is the author of Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from Appalachian Fields and Forests.I can’t wait to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Phyllis at PhyllisDLight.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

What can this velvety, rose-family herb teach us about transformation and healing?In this episode, I’m joined by the luminous Robin Rose Bennett to discuss lady's mantle (Alchemilla spp.), a plant that embodies both strength and tenderness, ancient alchemy and modern healing. Robin Rose shares how this ancient herb supports women through every life stage, from menstruation to menopause, and what its alchemical nature can teach us about transformation, healing, and self-love.Together, we dive into the folklore, magic, and medicine of this lovely herb. Along the way, Robin Rose offers her Lady’s Luxury infusion recipe—a beautiful blend that nourishes both body and spirit. In fact, I’ve been making this tea regularly since our discussion, and it’s delightful! I can’t wait to share it with you. You can download your beautifully-illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► The ancient alchemy behind lady’s mantle—and why herbalists have treasured this plant for centuries► The secret of the sparkling “dew” on the leaves of lady’s mantle (and why it’s even more magical than it looks!)► Why lady’s mantle has been called the ultimate ally for women through every life transition—from maiden to mother to elder► How the simple act of gathering herbs with gratitude can transform your medicine making► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Robin Rose Bennett is a storyteller, writer, and herbalist, offering classes in Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986 - 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, The Gift of Healing Herbs - Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life,  A Young Green Witch’s Guide to Plant Magic - Rituals and Recipes from Nature, and A Green Witch's Pocket Book of Wisdom-Big Little Life Tips.I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comYou can find Robin Rose at RobinRoseBennett.com.You can learn more about Robin's courses here.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.

What happens when we follow one plant deeply enough to uncover its stories, traditions, and medicines?In this episode, I sit down with herbalist, artist, and folk magic researcher Rebecca Beyer to talk about her lifelong devotion to spicebush (Lindera benzoin)—a plant rooted in Appalachian folk tradition and brimming with story.Rebecca shares how a difficult illness first led her to herbal medicine, and how she eventually came to see spicebush as her patron plant. We explore its many gifts—from its role in spring tonics and colonial kitchens to its modern uses as a warming, aromatic ally. Rebecca also invites us into her creative world, where her herbal practice meets her art, tattooing, and deep love for regional traditions.Fresh spicebush berries are notoriously difficult to dry, so Rebecca likes to find other creative ways to preserve their peppery, citrus-spiced flavor. She’s shared her recipe for Spicebush Honey Bounce—spicebush berries infused in honey, plus a little something extra! You can find a beautifully-illustrated copy of Rebecca’s recipe here.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:► Why spicebush holds such a beloved place in Appalachian folk traditions, bridging the worlds of food, medicine, and seasonal ritual► Four medicinal benefits of spicebush► Rebecca’s trick for drying the fruit so they keep their flavor for years and don’t mold—quite a challenge for these juicy berries!► Six ways to work with spicebush for food and medicine, from the bark to twigs, leaves to fruit► Why embracing many teachers—and a community of learning—is key to becoming a better herbalist► and so much more…For those of you who don’t know her, Rebecca Beyer is an Appalachian folk herbalist and magical practitioner, tattooer, author, and crafts woman. She studies and teaches foraging, regional folk medicine and handicrafts at her home in the mountains of Western North Carolina through her school, Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft, and tattoos at her studio, Pars Fortuna.This conversation is full of history, heart, and plant wisdom. Whether you’re new to spicebush or already love the plants of Appalachia, I know you’ll come away inspired by Rebecca’s joyful relationship with this fragrant, generous shrub.----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comYou can find Rebecca at BloodAndSpicebush.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them 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.