Herbs with Rosalee

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► Reishi for chronic, long-term stress and resilienceI also share an important lesson I've learned after many years of working with herbs: while herbs can be incredible allies...

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 nourishing minerals and restorative qualities to its role as a fiber plant, natural dye, and lifelong herbal companion.Through story, personal experience, and practical herbal wisdom, Juliet reveals why stingi...

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 certain types of insomnia—but unfortunately, sometimes all the herbs in the world can’t help if chronic stress is what’s keeping you from being able to...

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 for soothing dry, irritated tissues► Echinacea for oral discomfort and deeper tissue supportI also talk about one of the most important shifts in herbal...

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, and is commonly reached for to help relieve anxiety and depression—though as CoreyPine shares in this conversation, its benefits are much more nuanced than that.CoreyPine also shares...

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 turmeric mouth pack for deeper long-term gum supportI also talk about one of the biggest mistakes people make with herbal oral care: not gi...

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 herbs for oral careI also share why I’m so excited about the free Herbal Dental Care mini course created by my fr...

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...