Herbs with Rosalee

In the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about rosemary for hair growth. When an herb gets a lot of attention, you often see some people show up who just want to sell you something. As a result, they may exaggerate or misrepresent the benefits of that herb. In an environment like that,  rosemary for hair growth might, understandably, sound too good to be true and leave you asking y...

This was a really fun interview for me as today’s guest, Maia Toll, touched on many themes that are important to my own life, like nature connection and working with medicinal plants daily, both as food and simply as a part of life. She also shared interesting back stories on what her book writing process has been like. And, of course, we talked about sage (Salvia officinalis) ! So, when might you...

It was an honor to get to interview Leigh Joseph, the author of Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness ! This book was love at first read for me. Really, so many of the themes and concepts Leigh writes about describe everything I strive to be as an herbalist. And Leigh expresses them in such a beautiful way. I know you’re going to love listening in as Leigh shares about plants...

Burdock root ( Arctium lappa, A. minus ) is well known for its ability to support the liver and work as an overall alterative herb. And it’s a beloved herb for herbalists. But nobody said medicine couldn’t be delicious… and I know you’re going to love the delectable recipe for burdock shared by today’s guest, Margi Flint! I connected with Margi many years ago at an International Herb Symposium in...

It was such a delight to have Robin Rose Bennett back on the podcast! In today’s episode, she  shares some powerful words of wisdom about the mighty oak ( Quercus spp.), a tasty way to benefit from oak’s medicinal gifts, and a peek at her new book. (You can also find Robin’s first episode here ; I still have people commenting on the peach oxymel recipe she shared back in the summer of 2022!)...

In this episode, I’m sharing the 6 medicinal uses of goldenrod plant in the Solidago genus. Far from being a likely culprit behind seasonal allergies, goldenrod is brimming with benefits, some of which may surprise you! (Plus I’ll also share what may be causing your seasonal allergies.)  Finally, as always, I love to share recipes that empower you to experience working with plants for yoursel...

Hops ( Humulus lupulus) is a powerful relaxing herb! In this episode, I’m sharing five medicinal hops benefits, as well as an interesting way for you to work with hops in a hops oil recipe.  When might you reach for hops? ► To soothe muscle tension, including intestinal cramping and menstrual cramps. Hops truly shines when used topically for this type of pain. (Don’t miss out on your fre...

I’m often asked about the best way to learn about herbs and herbal medicine. The answer is, “It depends.” Just as herbal medicine itself is best customized for the individual taking it, each person’s best path to learning about herbs is unique. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some underlying principles that can act like a map, empowering you to chart your best route before committing a lot of t...

There are so many tulsi tea benefits! In fact, super-yummy tulsi tea is one of my favorite ways to enjoy holy basil. In this episode, I’m giving you my three most-loved tulsi tea recipes. I’m also sharing some important holy basil side effects you need to know about before making tulsi tea a part of your life. (By the way, this is the second half of a two-part series on holy basil. In case you mis...

In this episode, you’ll learn all about holy basil benefits for your heart, immune system, brain health and so much more. In fact, there’s so much to know about the health benefits of holy basil (also known as Tulsi or Ocimum sanctum ) that I decided to record this episode in two parts. Watch for part two, all about Tulsi Tea Benefits and Holy Basil Side Effects, next week. In the meantime, I’m al...

Wild Bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa ), as well as other bee balm plant species, offers us so many benefits! The gifts of bee balm include promoting digestion, helping you recover from colds and the flu, fighting fungal and yeast infections… That’s just naming a little of what bee balm can do. (Really, bee balm can be some of our most potent herbal medicine against infections and stagnant conditions....

Slippery, slimy, gooey… these probably aren’t words you associate with medicine, but sometimes they’re exactly what you need. And they perfectly describe marshmallow root’s benefits!  In fact, marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ) is one of our most healing and soothing medicinal herbs! In this episode, I’m showing you exactly how to make a marshmallow root tea recipe for the best marshmallow r...

In this episode, you’ll find out how to avoid unwanted chamomile tea side effects. I also show you how to be sure your chamomile is high quality so you can get the most benefits from your tea. PLUS I’m sharing three chamomile tea recipes with you. Chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla , is like having an entire apothecary at your fingertips! I reach for chamomile tea to soothe an upset tummy, to rel...

In this episode I’m sharing my top 6 chamomile plant benefits PLUS I’m sharing a completely underrated remedy: a chamomile oil recipe.  Chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla , is one of our most powerful medicinal herbs, yet it’s gentle enough for most people to use. Chamomile seemingly does a thousand and one different things, from soothing the nervous system, relieving muscle tension, and add...

It was truly a delight to connect with Jesus Garcia. And it was so interesting to learn about Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) , a plant I wasn’t familiar with before this episode.  I think you’ll love hearing Jesus share memories of how his grandmother turned to Mexican oregano for food and medicine.  There’s no doubt that plants can be deeply nourishing and healing to our bodies. Bu...

If you are or you know a woman of a certain age, you know how un-fun certain menopause symptoms can be. (Hot flashes, anyone?) Wouldn’t an herb that shines for menopause support, easing symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes be a wonderful ally?  Well, that’s exactly the sort of benefits you can enjoy by making cooling, soothing, nutrient-rich and delicious red clover tea ( Trifoliu...

This episode about the herbal medicine of pine trees was so much fun to record and I know you’re going to love listening! Kat Mackinnon is hilarious and quirky, while sharing an impressive amount of information about the medicinal gifts of pine.  Just to name a few, pine can: ► Free the breath, whether there’s tightness or stuckness in your lungs from a cold or flu or from that “weight on you...

Willow tree bark is a fantastic herb for natural pain relief! Backaches, muscular soreness, headaches, arthritis…these are just some of the complaints willow can help you with. But, as with any herb, you need to know how to work with it safely and effectively.  Join me in this episode to find out how you can work with willow tree bark when inflammatory and musculoskeletal pain is br...

Herbal medicine from the beautiful and fragrant linden tree ( Tilia cordata ) is a powerful way to soothe your nervous system, heal your gut, and support your heart. That’s a lot, but linden has even more to offer.  Join me in this episode for a deep dive into linden tree medicine. I also share my favorite recipe so you can enjoy the medicinal benefits of delicious linden tea. My handsome Fre...

A compact, easy-to-travel-with herbal first aid kit is a wonderful way to be prepared for everyday health concerns when you’re away from home. With that in mind, my question for guests in Season 9 of the podcast is, “What would you include in your herbal first aid kit?”  I’m getting the ball rolling by giving you a peek into my travel kit. I hope it will serve as a useful springboard for crea...

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...