Violet: A Backyard Herb for Swollen Lymph Nodes and a Frazzled Nervous System with Lindsey Feldpausch

Violet: A Backyard Herb for Swollen Lymph Nodes and a Frazzled Nervous System with Lindsey Feldpausch

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—not only for its beauty, but for its remarkable ability to soothe dry tissues, support the lymphatic system, nourish the body, and gently soften both physical and emotional tension. Along the way, Lindsey shares stories from her own herbal journey, explains the fascinating diversity within the Viola genus, and reveals why she considers violet a true kindred spirit. We also dive into the chemistry behind violet's elusive fragrance, explore surprising new research, and, of course, spend plenty of time delighting in the simple joy of getting down on the ground with a patch of blooming violets. During our conversation, Lindsey also shares all about her gorgeous Violet Elixir—a beautiful (and magically color-changing!) spring preparation that's every bit as enchanting as the flowers themselves. Be sure to download your beautifully illustrated recipe card here [https://herbswithrosalee.aweb.page/violet-elixir-recipe]. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► The fascinating reason violet's fragrance seems to disappear almost as quickly as you notice it ► Why violet can be especially helpful for new mothers ►The simple trick that can make all the difference in your violet salve ► Exciting new scientific research that has herbalists paying even closer attention to this familiar plant ► The hidden botanical secret that helps violets spread so beautifully in the garden ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, Lindsey Feldpausch, RH(AHG) is a clinical herbalist, educator, and Assistant Director at the Herbal Academy. With over 15 years of experience in the field of herbalism, Lindsey's work has been focused on herbal education and clinical herbal practice, teaching for online and in-person herb programs, as well as at a variety of conferences, while maintaining a private practice of her own. As an herbalist, Lindsey's goal is to connect plants with the humans who need them. She believes in our innate ability to engage with the power of plants, and one of her life’s intentions is to kindle this belief in others. Lindsey's herbal works have coalesced into her business, Plant Matters, where she offers herbal education, consulting, and handcrafted herbal products. After this episode, you may find yourself slowing down the next time you pass a patch of violets—and discovering just how extraordinary these tiny flowers really are. ---- Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast231.html] Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here [https://youtu.be/IFBpmWjNp5s] for the video. You can find Lindsey at PlantMatters.org [http://plantmatters.org]. You can find Lindsey’s course, Holistic Approaches for Tick-Borne Diseases, here [https://theherbalacademy.com/product/holistic-approach-for-tick-borne-diseases-course/]. For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet [https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/] on Instagram! Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter [https://rmcsample.aweb.page/p/9a1dfc11-c62f-4f32-93db-e0209220a6ad]. 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 [http://herbswithrosalee.com/]. ---- Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140195006X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=metvalher-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=140195006X&linkId=015132911186b966727b15dabec8da5d] and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine [https://amzn.to/3a2G3R4]. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/rosalee-de-la-foret.html].

Rabbit Tobacco for Lung Health, Respiratory Healing, and Everyday Medicine with Karen Lynn Burr

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 crisis—so much that she credits it for saving her life! Along the way, we explore rabbit tobacco's long history of traditional use for supporting the lungs, soothing irritated tissues, and helping the body recover after illness. Karen also shares her broader philosophy of restorative herbalism, making connections between healthy ecosystems, healthy bodies, wild foods, and community care. From foraging and folk medicine to rewilding ourselves through plants, this conversation is packed with practical insights, inspiring stories, and contagious enthusiasm for the healing power of the natural world. Karen has also brought us her Respiratory Support Nebulizing Formula, an incredibly versatile herbal preparation that can be used to calm and soothe inflammation during or after a respiratory illness. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card here [https://herbswithrosalee.aweb.page/respiratory-support-nebulizing-formula-recipe]! By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► Why Karen is so passionate about wild foods (and how to harness their gifts to benefit your health!) ► How rabbit tobacco can help to rebuild thinning tissues—from the lungs, to the skin, to vaginal tissues, and more ► Plants that partner well with rabbit tobacco to support different health conditions ► Five herbal preparations for rabbit tobacco ► Tips for sourcing, harvesting, and drying rabbit tobacco to ensure you’re making the most potent medicine ► What disturbed ecosystems can teach us about resilience and recovery ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, Karen Lynn Burr, owner and clinical herbalist at Materia Medica Restorative Herbalism Center, brings over 20 years of holistic health experience. Her training includes integrative nutrition, vitalist herbalism specializing in acute skin conditions, medical botany focused on hormonal aging, and clinical herbal formulations for internal and topical use. She also has deep knowledge of folk medicine, wild food education, and herbal remedies for autoimmune support and environmental toxins. In 2024, Karen founded the Restorative Herbalism Center to champion wild food and regenerative healing for mind, body, and spirit. Their mission is to restore health naturally, avoiding costly supplements and overused pharmaceuticals. From respiratory health to ecological restoration, rabbit tobacco reminds us that some of the most powerful allies are hiding in plain sight. I can't wait for you to meet this fascinating plant! ---- Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast230.html] Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here [https://youtu.be/JBZzHWE74ZQ] for the video. You can find Karen at MM-RestorativeHerbalismCenter.com [https://www.mm-restorativeherbalismcenter.com/]. For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet [https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/] on Instagram! Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter [https://rmcsample.aweb.page/p/9a1dfc11-c62f-4f32-93db-e0209220a6ad]. 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 [http://herbswithrosalee.com/]. ---- Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140195006X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=metvalher-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=140195006X&linkId=015132911186b966727b15dabec8da5d] and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine [https://amzn.to/3a2G3R4]. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/rosalee-de-la-foret.html].

Japanese Knotweed for Lyme, Inflammation, and Infections with Emily French

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, skin care, and beyond, Emily shares why knotweed has become one of her most trusted herbal allies—and why reducing it to a single use misses the bigger picture entirely. Along the way, we explore knotweed's role as a blood-moving herb, its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and the surprising ways it supports both ecological and personal healing. Emily also offers thoughtful reflections on knotweed's controversial reputation, revealing how this much-maligned plant may have more to teach us about cooperation, resilience, and reciprocity than many of us realize. Japanese knotweed also makes a delicious wild food! Emily has shared her recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Knotweed Galette, a rustic dessert that transforms young knotweed shoots into a memorable seasonal treat. You can download your copy here [https://herbswithrosalee.aweb.page/strawberry-rhubarb-knotweed-galette-recipe]. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► Over fifteen medicinal benefits of knotweed (far beyond just being a “Lyme herb”!) ► Three tips for harvesting knotweed roots ► The fascinating ways that knotweed helps prevent Lyme-causing bacteria from taking hold ► When to use the roots of knotweed—and when the leaves and stems are best ► What makes this plant such an amazing ally for burns, bruises, and sprains ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, Emily French is a clinical and traditional herbalist who works 1:1 with clients and also teaches about herbalism online and in her 3 year herbal apprenticeship. Her work revolves around her love for reconnecting people with the sophisticated art and science of plant-based healing that we've all known, somewhere in our bones, for thousands of years. She is a passionate and intuitive herbalist, educator, wildcrafter, farmer, medicine maker, and mama. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Emily has a broad understanding of both acute and chronic health issues, and of working with the healing plants to help people move toward balance and vitality. Emily's passion for Japanese knotweed is contagious! By the end of this episode, you may find yourself seeing this controversial plant in an entirely new light. ---- Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast229.html] Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here [https://youtu.be/bRfybx1uCag] for the video. You can find Emily at Emily-French.com [https://www.emily-french.com/]. For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet [https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/] on Instagram! Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter [https://rmcsample.aweb.page/p/9a1dfc11-c62f-4f32-93db-e0209220a6ad]. 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 [http://herbswithrosalee.com/]. ---- Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140195006X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=metvalher-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=140195006X&linkId=015132911186b966727b15dabec8da5d] and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine [https://amzn.to/3a2G3R4]. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/rosalee-de-la-foret.html].

Balsam Fir: Lung Support, Wound Healing, and the Medicine Right Outside Your Door with Erica Macrum

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 simply spending time with the tree itself. In this episode, Erica shares her favorite ways to work with balsam fir's resin, needles, and bark, as well as the unexpected lessons she's gathered from years of companionship with this remarkable tree. Together, we explore its gifts for healing, the role of curiosity in herbal practice, and the wisdom that can emerge when we spend time getting to know the plants growing around us. Erica also shared her recipe for Spring Forest Herbal Salt, a delicious way to add a taste of the forest to your own kitchen. Be sure to download your copy here [https://herbswithrosalee.aweb.page/spring-forest-herbal-salt-recipe]! By the end of this episode, you’ll know: ► How balsam fir resin naturally protects the tree—and how you can harness that healing power ► The surprising differences between working with the resin, bark, and needles ► How Erica uses balsam fir to support respiratory health ► Why "playing" with a plant can be an important part of herbal learning ► What plants can teach us about compassion, patience, and meeting people where they are ► and so much more… For those of you who don’t know her, Erica Macrum is the owner of Sweet Fern Apothecary and has a deep passion for the healing arts. The ancient wisdom of Earth-based energetic modalities keeps Erica engaged and continuously learning. As a clinical herbalist, she loves sharing about the healing properties and energetics of plant medicine and strongly encourages the people around her to hold healing in their hands. Erica has been studying and practicing Chinese medicine for over 20 years. She is a graduate of the East West School of Planetary Herbology, where she helped facilitate and teach the case studies class with her mentor Susan Kremer. When she is not working with herbs, you will find Erica in the garden, walking in the woods, or spending time with her family. Whether balsam fir grows outside your door or hundreds of miles away, I hope this conversation inspires you to spend a little more time with the plants around you—and who knows, you just might find yourself looking at those familiar plants in a whole new way! ---- Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/podcast228.html] Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here [https://youtu.be/qcAg_nvp6wc] for the video. You can find Erica at SweetFernApothecary.com [https://www.sweetfernapothecary.com/]. For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet [https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/] on Instagram! Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter [https://rmcsample.aweb.page/p/9a1dfc11-c62f-4f32-93db-e0209220a6ad]. 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 [http://herbswithrosalee.com/]. ---- Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140195006X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=metvalher-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=140195006X&linkId=015132911186b966727b15dabec8da5d] and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine [https://amzn.to/3a2G3R4]. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here [https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/rosalee-de-la-foret.html].

3 Surprising Herbs for Stress

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 resilience I also share an important lesson I've learned after many years of working with herbs: while herbs can be incredible allies, lasting resilience comes from understanding your unique constitution and changing your relationship to stress itself. That's exactly why Rebecca Altman and I created the Building Resilience Course, which combines herbs, self-awareness, and practical tools for building resilience from the inside out. Learn more and join here [https://herbswithrosalee.mykajabi.com/building-resilience-2026].