Herbs with Rosalee

Is there anything black seed can’t do? In this episode, herbalist and nutritionist Abrar Al-Shaer takes a deep dive into the many gifts of black seed ( Nigella sativa ), a revered herb that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Abrar has been studying this plant since she was a child, and has so much to share about it—from the home remedies her mother gave her as a child, to ancient te...

What if one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory herbs isn’t in your supplement cabinet—but already in your kitchen? In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of my students, Mylinda Ogundipe, to talk about a plant that has quietly become a lifelong ally for her family: turmeric. Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) is one of the most widely used herbs in the world—and that familiari...

Register for our free webinar, “Avoid Common Herbal Pitfalls So You Can Make Remedies That Heal,” by visiting http://www.herbalminicourse.com/ . In this webinar, my co-teacher Emily Han and I will be diving into the most common mistakes people make when working with herbs (as well as how to avoid them). You’ll also get access to our free Rooted Medicine Circle mini course when you register. But do...

Is there a “right” way to use herbs topically? Most people are familiar with salves, lotions, and creams—including non-herbalists!—but there are so many other ways that herbs can be used topically beyond these popular applications. From herbal baths and compresses to poultices and liniments (and yes, even suppositories!), topical remedies offer powerful, often immediate ways to support the body—th...

In a world obsessed with stimulation and strength, what can this gentle, velvety herb teach us about healing? In this episode, herbalist and prolific author Maria Noël Groves joins me to discuss one of the most soothing herbs around—the lovely marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ). Together we explore what makes this mucilaginous (read: velvety, not slimy!) herb such a powerful ally for irritated an...

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—an...

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 sup...

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 share...

From opening the lungs to easing grief, pine offers both physical and emotional medicine. In this week’s episode I’m joined by herbalist Liz Neves, who shows us how to tap into pine’s gifts through working with its resin, needles, and the simple yet profound medicine of just being in its stately presence. Liz reveals the many ways she works with pine ( Pinus spp. ), from crafting pine needle baske...

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 soothin...

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...

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 firs...

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...

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 wha...

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 med...

Can you believe we’ve made it to 200 episodes of the Herbs with Rosalee podcast?!  Week after week, I get to sit in the host’s chair—asking the questions, guiding the conversation, and shining the spotlight on other herbalists (and the plants we love). Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things to do. So when we realized the 200th episode was coming up, we knew it had to be something different....

What happens when a playful kid turns dandelion fluff into mischief? Spoiler alert—those days of early herbal mischief may just turn into a lifelong passion for the plant world, as it did for my good friend Mason Hutchison. In this episode, Mason discusses the many virtues of the much-maligned (though not in the herbal world!) dandelion, Taraxacum officinale . From stories of childhood antics to h...

What hidden stories of women are tucked inside this humble herb—linking old folklore, a touch of alchemy, and even today’s healing practices? My guest today, Alyssa Dennis, invites us into the world of lady’s mantle ( Alchemilla spp. ), a plant whose cloak-shaped leaves hold both practical healing gifts and threads of ancient story. From her experiences in urban herbal sanctuaries to a life-changi...

Warrior, healer, and protector—could this common roadside plant be nature’s ultimate ally for both body and spirit? In this episode, herbalist and educator Carolyn Jones shares about a plant often called the “mother of all wound healers”—yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ). I was so excited that she chose to discuss this plant, as it’s my herbal ally for the year and one I hold close to my heart. Alth...

What if the “ordinary” marigold in your garden was actually a sacred plant with centuries of healing tradition behind it? In this week’s episode, Texas-based herbalist Lauren Peterson shares how she first learned about the medicine of yauhtli ( Tagetes lucida ), an herb hiding in plain sight all around her. Commonly referred to as Mexican tarragon or Texas tarragon, this cheery little marigold is...

Have you been missing this amazing and underrated mushroom? Chances are if you’ve ever gone out in the woods in North America, you’ve walked past the mushroom red-belted conk ( Fomitopsis pinicola )—though you may not have noticed it. This ubiquitous, yet often-overlooked mushroom may not be well known among herbalists, but it certainly deserves to be! As this week’s podcast guest, Logan Keister,...

Once beloved in root beer and medicine cabinets, sassafras was later banned as dangerous . So...is it poison or a powerful plant ally? In this episode, we’re diving into the wild and winding story of Sassafras albidum —a tree deeply rooted in Southern culture, traditional herbalism, and kitchen magic. From thickening gumbo to flavoring root beer (before it was pulled from shelves in the 1970s), sa...

I am so excited to share this conversation with Dana Hutchinson! I really identified with her herbal path – like me, as a young person she suffered from a debilitating autoimmune condition, and it was through her search for healing that she found herbalism. As a clinical herbalist herself now, she offers so much hope for others in similar situations.   Dana had so much to share about one...

I’ve been looking forward to this interview with Lorna Trigg for a while now! Lorna’s herbal path was strongly influenced by the practices of the indigenous people who lived near her childhood family farm in South Africa, and she has such a creative and unique perspective that I just had to learn more from her. Lorna shared about a plant that she has known since childhood, the beautiful passionflo...

I was so excited to talk about St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) with this week’s podcast guest, Kyle Denton. St. John’s wort is one of my all-time favorite herbs, and Kyle told me he’d be sharing a few things about it that you don’t commonly hear. He certainly didn’t disappoint! Kyle discussed mythological and poetic aspects of the plant, how he understands it via the lens of the doctrine...