A major hazard of inviting herbalists on this show is that with each conversation, I get so excited about the herb we discussed that I want to run out and get it and start working with it right away! I often have to remind myself that I don’t need to try every single herb, and that many of my most versatile and beloved herbal allies are the ones that I already have in my garden and my spice rack.

This conversation with Dr. Orna Izakson about thyme was a great reminder that herbs don’t need to be unusual or exotic to be powerful! Orna shared about how thyme has supported her from the very beginning of her herbal journey, as well as her recipe for the preparation that helped keep her out of the hospital and healing at home. You can find the recipe for her Herbal Steam for Respiratory Health here: https://bit.ly/4iAD0Db

Thyme is an amazing herb with so many benefits, and the best thing is, you probably already have a jar of it in your spice rack! Here are just a few ways you can work with thyme’s gifts:

► Infused into vinegar to make an all-purpose antimicrobial cleaner

► Added liberally to food to boost flavor and aid digestion

► Prepared as a tea to soothe a sore throat or relieve congestion

To learn even more about this wonderful herb, be sure to give my conversation with Orna a listen!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► How working with thyme helped keep Orna from having to go to the hospital

► Why the herbs we need the most are often the ones growing right outside our door

► Three simple ways you can work with thyme for your health

► Why herbal steams are so powerful for warding off colds and flu

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Dr. Orna Izakson is a licensed naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist practicing in Alaska and Oregon, specializing in mental health, women’s health and chronic disease. She spent six years as the founding lead physician of the Traditional Roots Institute at National University of Natural Medicine, served on the Gaia Herbs science advisory board, and is a current faculty member of Psychiatry Redefined. Dr. Izakson previously was an award-winning environmental newspaper reporter, contributing to books on climate change and healthy living. She continues her mission of educating the public about plant medicine, mental health and clinical nutrition as a public speaker and online educator. Dr. Izakson is vice president of the Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors and founder of the Naturopathic Climate Alliance.

I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!

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Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com

For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!

The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.

If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!

On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.

Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at

Rosemary Gladstar was the very first person I interviewed for this podcast nearly four years ago, and it was truly an honor to be able to have her on the show again. She is such a presence in the world, having brought so much love and wisdom to the herbal community for decades. Rosemary’s work has inspired many thousands (at least!) of budding and experienced herbalists, and I am so incredibly grateful for every moment I get to spend with her.

Rosemary discussed a variety of topics in this interview, but there was one major thread that wove its way through our conversation: the beauty and power of diversity, whether that’s diversity in an ecosystem, in a group of people, or even in the thoughts and ideas that guide us on our journey through the world. She shared about many of the people, places, and plants that have influenced her path, and how sometimes the most challenging of situations have often been her biggest teachers.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► What inspired Rosemary to write her new book, The Generosity of Plants – and why she continues to be inspired by its contents

► Why Rosemary finds such value in being challenged by different viewpoints

► How the art of herbal formulation can be used as a model for community and collaboration among people

► Why connection, relationship, love, and adventure make such strong medicine

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Rosemary Gladstar has been practicing, living, learning, teaching and writing about herbs for over 45 years. She’s the author of 13 books, including her latest book, The Generosity of Plants. She’s also the author and director of the popular home study course, The Science and Art of Herbalism.

In 2018, Rosemary was awarded an honorary doctorate for her life work from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine. Rosemary is the co-founder and former director of both the International Herb Symposium and the New England Women’s Herbal Conference, the founding president of United Plant Savers, and the co-founder and original formulator of Traditional Medicinal Teas.

I can’t wait to share our conversation with you today!

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Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com

For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!

The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.

If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!

On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.

Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.

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Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book

You’re in for a treat! In this episode, I had such a delightful conversation with joAnna Sanchez, who has been “beckoned by the plants,” as she so lovingly puts it, for decades. She shares such hope for the world, gained through her work with the plants and relationships with other students of nature, and her positive attitude is infectious – I found myself just beaming after speaking with her!

I was thrilled that joAnna chose to speak about Lobelia inflata, a plant that she has been working with closely for many years. She had so much to share about it – not only its medicinal benefits and tips for working with it, but also some fascinating history of this often-maligned herb. joAnna included her recipe for Lobelia Acetract, and you can download your beautifully-illustrated recipe card for this traditional preparation here: https://bit.ly/3Dm78DL

Lobelia is a diminutive plant with some big effects! Here are some of the ways lobelia has been worked with both historically and in modern days:

► As a respiratory antispasmodic, to help with asthma and coughing

► To relax the nervous system, reducing muscle twitches and tics

► To help stop smoking and give support with nicotine withdrawal

To learn even more about lobelia’s benefits, be sure to check out the entire episode!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Why lobelia is infamous in the herbal world (and why, despite its notoriety, it’s such an amazing plant!)

► Why you should only work with lobelia in low doses

► What makes lobelia a great plant for herbal skeptics

► An old-fashioned but still relevant herbal preparation for lobelia

► and so much more…

For those of you who haven’t met her, joAnna’s herbal journey began in the natural foods industry in 1979; she later served as clinician in private practice for 13 years. She was, and remains, a voracious reader of all things botanical. In 1997 joAnna wrote five texts and started teaching coursework at Sonoran University, where she began what is now likely the largest plant medicine garden in the Southwest.

joAnna launched her own herb school for personal interest and professional training, and has trained a host of herbalism educators. She is a passionate educator, plant hunter, gardener, and conservationist herbalist. joAnna has a calling to remain personally experiential with her relationship to the plants, and to practice the preservation of herbal traditions.

I’m so excited to share our conversation with you today!

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Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com

For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!

The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.

If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!

On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.

Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.

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Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the...