Herbs with Rosalee

Most of us think of cardamom as a baking spice—but what if it's actually one of the most delightful herbal medicines in your apothecary? Many of us know cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum ) as the spice that makes chai, pastries, and coffee taste extraordinary. But as Missy Rohs shares in this episode, cardamom is so much more than a delicious ingredient. Together, we explore its gifts as a digestive...

Linden is one of my favorite tree medicines, but it's also surrounded by a few common misconceptions. Here, I unpack three myths that may be keeping you from getting the most out of this remarkable herb. ► Why linden is much more than a calming bedtime tea ► Which parts of the tree are traditionally used beyond the flowers ► What research suggests about harvesting linden from urban areas If you'd...

Can one tiny flower soften dry skin, soothe swollen tissues, calm the heart, and even inspire a little everyday magic? Violets may be small, but they have an astonishing amount to offer. In this episode, I sit down with herbalist Lindsey Feldpausch to celebrate one of our shared favorite plants: violet ( Viola spp.). Together, we explore why this humble spring flower deserves far more attention—no...

What if one of the most helpful herbs for the lungs is one you’ve never heard of? Rabbit tobacco ( Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium ) may not be the most well-known herb, but according to herbalist Karen Lynn Burr, it deserves a place in every herbal toolkit. In this episode, Karen shares how this native North American plant became one of her most trusted allies after a serious respiratory health cri...

What happens when we stop looking at Japanese knotweed as a problem to solve and start looking at it as a teacher? Japanese knotweed ( Reynoutria japonica ) is often used as a go-to herb for Lyme disease, but in this fascinating conversation, herbalist Emily French invites us to see this remarkable plant through a much wider lens. From chronic inflammation and joint pain to menstrual stagnation, s...

Could the tree outside your window become one of your greatest herbal teachers? Living at the edge of the boreal forest, Erica Macrum is surrounded by balsam fir ( Abies balsamea ), and over the years this fragrant conifer has become one of her closest plant allies. But rather than relying on books, Erica has learned much of what she knows about balsam fir through observation, experimentation, and...

When people think about herbs for stress, they often reach for the usual recommendations. But some of the most supportive herbs aren't always the most obvious. Here, I share three surprising herbs that I frequently think about for different types of stress and nervous system support. ► Milky oats for deep depletion and nervous system nourishment ► Lavender for anxiety and acute stress support ► Re...

What can an old fairy tale teach us about one of herbalism’s most trusted plants? In this episode, herbalist and storyteller Juliet Howard shares one of my favorite stories, "The Wild Swans," an old tale in which stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ) plays a central role in healing, devotion, and liberation. From there, our conversation unfolds into a rich exploration of nettle’s gifts—from its nouris...

Have you ever found yourself lying in bed unable to sleep, thoughts spinning in your head like a hamster wheel? Passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) may just be the herb for you! In this short episode, I discuss what I love about passionflower, when it truly shines for dealing with insomnia, and my favorite ways to work with it. As you’ll hear, passionflower can be a wonderful herbal ally for ce...

When most people think about oral care, they think about toothpaste or mouthwash. But herbs have a long history of supporting the mouth, gums, and oral tissues in ways that are both practical and deeply nourishing. In this short podcast, I share three of my favorite underrated herbs for oral health and why each one works so differently. ► Plantain for supporting tissue healing ► Marshmallow root f...

What if one of the most beloved herbs for emotional healing isn’t just uplifting—but helps us gently reconnect with parts of ourselves we’ve had to tuck away to survive? In this episode, I sit down with CoreyPine Shane to discuss mimosa ( Albizia julibrissin ), often affectionately referred to as the “tree of happiness.” And what a fitting name! Mimosa is celebrated as a joyful, uplifting herb, an...

Herbs can be incredible allies for oral health, but knowing how and when to use them makes all the difference. Here, I share three of my favorite herbal recipes for supporting the mouth, gums, and oral tissues, along with practical tips for actually making them effective. ► A powerful herbal mouthwash with echinacea, sage, and plantain ► A sage and rose tooth powder for everyday oral care ► A turm...

Most people think oral health starts and ends with the teeth. But the mouth may be telling a much bigger story. Here, I share three important shifts in thinking that completely changed the way I understand herbal oral care. ► Why oral health is deeply connected to the rest of the body ► How herbal energetics can help us better understand gum and tissue patterns ► Why consistency matters when using...

Most of us were taught to think about dental health in isolation—brush, floss, rinse, repeat. But what if your mouth is actually a gateway to understanding your entire body? In this episode, my friend Mason Hutchison and I interview Kyle Denton to explore a more holistic approach to dental care. Drawing from his overlapping backgrounds in clinical dentistry and herbalism, Kyle shares how the mouth...

What if the medicine you need isn’t just in the plant—but in kneeling down to meet it? Sweet woodruff ( Galium odoratum ) may not be as widely known as other plants in the herbal world, but as Swedish herbalist Lisen Sundgren shares in this episode, it holds a quiet kind of magic. With its delicate white flowers, an aroma reminiscent of vanilla, and a long history in European traditions, this wood...

If you live in the American Southwest, chances are you’re familiar with piñon pine ( Pinus edulis and other species). But while this rugged tree is most often celebrated for its nourishing nuts, its needles, resin, and aromatic presence offer a whole world of medicine just waiting to be explored. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Briana Wiles to explore the many gifts of piñon pine. She s...

Peaches are sweet, juicy, and familiar—but what if there has been medicine hiding in the leaves all along? In this episode, I sit down with herbalist and nutritionist Betsy Miller to explore the often-overlooked medicine of peach leaf ( Prunus persica ). While peaches are widely celebrated as food, Betsy shares how the leaves of the tree offer powerful support for patterns of heat and irritation i...

Everyone’s trying to get rid of it—but around the world, it’s treasured as medicine. What if pennywort could change the way you see your backyard? Pennywort ( Hydrocotyle spp.) is one of those plants that many people overlook (or actively try to remove!). Yet across the globe, it’s commonly harvested and enjoyed as both a nourishing food and a traditional remedy. In this conversation, herbalist an...

Nettle has a reputation, and like many beloved herbs, it’s picked up a few myths along the way. In this short podcast, I untangle some of the most common misunderstandings about this deeply nourishing plant. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting the most from nettle, this is a great place to begin. And if you’re interested in going even deeper with nettle, I’ve got you! My friend Mason Hu...

Nettle all day, everyday. Does this sound exciting to you? Perhaps it sounds a little intimidating…or maybe you’re just curious why on earth you’d want to submit yourself to so much of a plant that literally stings you. (But not when it’s properly prepared, which is super simple to do, I promise!) Well, my friend Mason Hutchison and I are certainly excited about nettle—and that’s why we teamed up...

Isn’t smoking bad for you? Yes…but the conversation around smokable herbs may be more nuanced than you think. In this episode, I’m joined by herbalist and founder of Puff Herbals, Lian Bruno, for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about smokable herbs—especially mullein ( Verbascum spp. ). While many herbalists shy away from this topic, Lian approaches it through a lens of harm reduction, compass...

What if working with hawthorn isn’t just about supporting your cardiovascular system, but also about influencing how your body expresses health at the deepest level? In this heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by herbalist Betzy Bancroft to explore the many layers of hawthorn ( Crataegus spp. )—a plant that nourishes and protects the heart in more ways than one. Though hawthorn is widely known for...

Stinging nettle has a reputation as a mineral-rich powerhouse—but what happens when you drink it every day for decades? For many herbalists, stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ) is one of the first plants they fall in love with—and for herbalist Mary Blue, that relationship has only deepened over time. In this episode, I sit down with Mary to explore the many ways stinging nettle can nourish and supp...

What if our ancestors already found solutions for our modern health problems—and the answers are hiding in plain sight in your spice cabinet? Allspice ( Pimenta dioica ) may be small, but as Asia Dorsey shares in this episode, its medicine is mighty. Used throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and beyond, this aromatic berry carries anti-fungal, circulatory, and even menopausal support (all wh...

In a world of constant sensory overload, how do we care for the mind without burning it out? In today’s episode, I sit down with Jennifer Kurdyla to discuss gotu kola ( Centella asiatica ), an herb that has long been known for supporting calm focus, emotional spaciousness, and long-term nervous system resilience. Through the lens of Ayurveda, Jennifer explains how gotu kola cools inflammation, sup...