Herbs with Rosalee

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…...

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 an...

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...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 t...

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 Tati...

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 harv...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 ahe...

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 pollinators But, as if all that wasn’t e...

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:...

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 b...

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...

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...

You have a real treat in store with today’s episode, all about the many gifts of stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ). My guest, renowned herbalist David Winston, shares multiple stories about the rich herbal medicine of nettle leaf, nettle root, and nettle seed, gleaned from his decades of clinical practice.  David shares so many pearls of wisdom about stinging nettle, herbs, and herbalism duri...

In this episode, we look to the medicines that bees make with plants. Propolis is a medicinal resin made by bees which can be sustainably harvested to use as medicine. Benjamin Pixie is an herbalist, mead maker and bee keeper who has lots to share about plants, the wisdom of bees, and making medicines from the gifts of the hive.  Benjamin also shares a recipe and important tips for making you...

►►► To enroll in Rooted Medicine Circle (through Jan 25, 2023 – but after that, you can add yourself to the waitlist for 2024): https://www.rootedmedicinecircle.com/ One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I get started with herbs?”   In this episode, I share three tips to help you on the road toward a deep, working knowledge of herbs and herbal medicine. After listening in, y...

►►► Get started making herbal medicines with our Rooted Medicine Circle Mini Course happening January 17th-25th. Register for free here: www.herbalminicourse.com Citrus may be more commonly thought of as a food than as an herb, but from peel to pulp to seeds, citrus bursts with powerful gifts. Whether you’re looking for a tasty way to enhance digestion, soothe a sore throat, or just enjoy a delici...

Would you like an ally that can help to increase your energy naturally while dynamically supporting your immune system? If that’s you, then you’ll love this episode on Astragalus benefits!  Astragalus membranaceus , also known as Astragalus propinquus , is filled with so many powerful gifts. This is a plant I would never want to be without, especially during the winter months. After listening...

Ever wonder what it takes to run a podcast? In this episode, I share a behind the scenes view of the Herbs with Rosalee podcast. The beginning of the year seems like a good time not only to look back but also to share my wins, challenges, and ideas for the future with you.  YOU are very much why I produce the podcast. I really couldn’t do this without you! I hope you’ll find this glimpse back...

Pine ( Pinus spp.) gives us so many gifts beyond its timber. The needles, pine resin, bark, and pollen are all potent herbal medicines. While towering ponderosa pine trees are not often thought of as herbs, this is powerful plant medicine.  The land that my husband and I live on and caretake is filled with ponderosa pine trees and in this episode, I share my love for these majestic plants. I...