Herbs with Rosalee

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 can reflect patterns of health throughout the body (and the many ways that herbalism can help us work with those patterns rather than simply masking them!).We also get in...

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 woodland herb has been used to gently support the nervous system, ease restlessness, and mark the turning of the seasons.But this conversation goes far...

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 shares how this beloved conifer can support everything from the lungs and immune system to the skin and nervous system, while also bringing an unexpected sens...

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 in the body, especially when it comes to nausea, digestive discomfort, and nervous system overwhelm.Weaving together clinical insight, personal experience, and a deep appreciation for the subtle ways plants su...

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 and botanist April Punsalan shares how this unassuming, persistent plant became one of her most meaningful allies.Drawing from her background with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife...

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 Hutchison and I teamed up to bring you the Nettle Immersion, a 30-day deep-dive into this amazing, nourishing herb.This...

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 to bring you the Nettle Immersion, a 30-day deep-dive into this amazing, nourishing herb.This immersive experience includes over 100 min...

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, compassion, and what she calls “holistic hedonism.”LIan explores why mullein has long been used in smoking blends, how formulation dramatically changes the smoking experience, and why all-or-nothing thinking can make conversation...

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 supporting cardiovascular health, Betzy shares how its effects go far deeper, helping regulate gene expression, improving flexibility of the blood vessels, and overall supporting the body’s natural resilience.At the same...

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 support the body, as well as what it means to build such a deep, lasting relationship with a single plant.Mary shares stories from her decades of work...

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 while making your food taste incredible!).But this conversation goes far beyond herbal actions. Asia weaves together ecology, fermentation science, ancestral cooking techniques, and herbal healing into a powerful reminder: everything we need is al...

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, supports the gut–brain connection, and nourishes the senses. She reflects on her personal journey with gotu kola, highlighting how this quietly powerful herb helped to bring her back into balance afte...

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 teachings from Islamic medicine, and even modern-day medical research on this celebrated plant.Abrar also shares her recipe for Black Seed Herbal Ener...

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 familiarity can make it easy to overlook just how powerful this plant really is. In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Mylinda shares how turmeric moved from bei...

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 don’t delay, the webinar and mini course are only open for a short time!For all the details about the free webinar and mini course, be sure...

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—that is, of course, if they’re used appropriately.In this episode, I’ll explore several different ways to work with herbs topically, and when you might choose one herbal preparation over another. You’ll learn why som...

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 and inflamed tissues—especially in the gut, where marshmallow helps to protect, moisten, and nourish while also supporting the microbiome.Maria shares why she’s fallen so deeply in love with this soft, s...

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—and yet it remains relatively unknown in the herbal world.In this rich and reflective conversation, Alex weaves together the clinical uses of pedicularis for pain, injury, and ne...

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 supporting digestion and clearing the lungs to brightening our mood in the heart of winter, orange peel offers far more than most people realize.Constanza shares so many ways to help you savo...

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 shares how hawthorn is not just a medicine, but a living bridge to old-world traditions and ancestral ways of healing.Ruthie brought us her recipe for Anam Cara Heart Opening...