Grace Rooted Wellness

What do comic books, wild plants, and the Great Depression have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, I sit down with herbalist, forager, educator, and author Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen known to many as the "modern caveman." We begin by talking about edible and medicinal plants, but the conversation quickly becomes something much deeper. Mark shares how growing up with paren...

Do you have cold hands and feet no matter the weather? Struggle with anxiety, insomnia, constipation, or feeling like your mind is always moving in a dozen directions at once? Are you creative, adventurous, full of ideas—and sometimes completely overwhelmed by them? In this episode, we're diving deep into the Ayurvedic concept of Vata , the constitution associated with the elements of air and ethe...

What makes bee balm one of the most versatile herbs in the herbalist's toolkit? In this episode, we're exploring the remarkable medicinal uses of bee balm (Monarda species), a plant that grows abundantly across East Texas and has earned a permanent place in my apothecary. To help remember its key actions, you'll learn a simple rhyme: "What's bee balm's charm? Kills bugs, calms guts, and soothes al...

Elderflower is in bloom across East Texas! Let's talk about what you can use it for, where to find it, how to harvest it and preparations that will have it ready to use when you need it. This episode answers questions like: What's the difference between elderflower and elderberry? Can I harvest plants from Texas state parks? Do I wash elderflower before using? What can I do with elderflower beside...

I once made the mistake of underestimating this little plant, but I don't any more! Self heal, Prunella vulgaris might be the something extra your medicinal herb regimen has been waiting for, and it's blooming now across East Texas. This episode covers: Identifying self heal Historic/traditional use Current medical research around autoimmune issues and cardiovascular inflammation How herbs can als...

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at high blood pressure—what it is, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it. After a personal experience with cardiovascular crisis, this topic became more than theoretical—it became urgent. We break down how blood pressure works, why inflammation is such a major driver, and how diet, movement, sleep, and stress all play a role in long-term he...

What if the key to better energy, stronger immunity, and real healing wasn’t another supplement… but your food source? Getting nutrient-dense, toxin-free food is vital for good health. Again and again when I work with clients, I see how much progress depends on the quality of what’s on the plate — and not all “healthy” food is created equal. In this episode, I sit down with Angie Gillette and Crys...

What happens when the herbalist is the one who’s run down, overwhelmed… and not taking her own herbs? In today’s episode, I’m getting more personal than usual. Over the past six months, I’ve been injured or sick more often than I’d like to admit. In the last month alone, I caught what was going around twice —and I was slow to recover. If a client told me that story, I’d immediately say, “Let’s fig...

How do you pick the right herbs and supplements and where can you get them? If you've ever felt frozen in the aisles staring at a sea of options or overwhelmed by the sheer number of online retailers, this episode is for you. Granary Health Foods Regional Manager Wynn Worthen explains how the leading multi-location chain evaluates for quality and purity. He also gives specific trustworthy brand na...

Get out into the cold and gather these 5 medicinal herbs ready to forage right now! Let's talk what part to harvest, what it's used for and how to use it. In this episode, we step into the quiet East Texas woods to explore five medicinal plants you can responsibly forage right now, even in the heart of winter. We’ll talk through mimosa bark, mullein root, kudzu root, dandelion root, and juniper be...

That cough just won’t quit—and you’re exhausted. In this episode of Grace Rooted Wellness , we dig into why lingering coughs hang on long after a cold or flu seems over, from airway inflammation and postnasal drip to environmental irritants and food sensitivities. You’ll learn the difference between dry, spasmodic coughs and wet, mucus-heavy coughs, what’s actually happening in the lungs when you...

In this very first episode of Grace Rooted Wellness , we’re talking about fevers—why they happen, why they’re usually not something to fear, and how herbs have been used for centuries to support the body during cold and flu season. Fever can feel miserable, but it’s actually a sign that your immune system is doing its job. In this episode, we explore what’s really happening in the body when temper...