In this soulful exchange, Justiene Davis sits down with her teacher and mentor, clinical herbalist and educator JoAnn Sanchez, to trace a life devoted to the green world. JoAnn recalls a childhood awe that never faded, a small-town model where an herbalist and a physician cared for everyone, and the way lineage, books, and time in the woods shaped her path. Together they explore herbalism as original medicine, the harmony between intuition and science, and why recording elder voices matters. JoAnn also shares a powerful personal testimony about Lobelia as a nervous system ally, speaks to stewardship and conservation, and offers grounded guidance for beginners: go to nature, drink daily herb teas, and keep reading.

Takeaways:

• Many herbalists are called by nature long before the path has a name.

• Awe can be a lifelong practice that deepens with attention.

• Community care thrives when herbalists and physicians collaborate.

• Ancestral threads surface through family stories, food, and folk wisdom.

• Herbalism is not “alternative.” It is original, primary medicine.

• Intuition and science complement each other when we stay close to living plants.

• Personal plant allies, like Lobelia for Joanne, can be profound and stabilizing.

• True healing often asks for patience rather than instant gratification.

• Beginners can start simply: go outside, drink herbal tea daily, and read widely.

• Stewardship and conservation are core to ethical wildcrafting and practice.

✨ Stay Connected:

🌱 Shop herbal blends and wellness tools: Mystic Botanica — mysticbotanicaherbs.com📲 Instagram: @mysticbotanicaherbs

🌿 Connect with JoAnn Sanchez 🌿
Learn from JoAnn’s decades of teaching and clinical practice. Follow her talks, classes, and elder interviews through community events and herbal conferences.

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In this enlightening conversation, Justiene Davis speaks with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar about her journey into herbalism, the deep connection with plants, and the importance of mentorship and ancestral wisdom. They explore the evolving relationship with nature, the significance of community, and the challenges of disappearing culture in herbal practices. Gladstar emphasizes the need for stewardship of plants and the balance between intuition and scientific knowledge in herbalism. The discussion also touches on the legacy of herbalism and the future of plant conservation, along with Gladstar's upcoming projects and travels.

Takeaways:

• Herbalism often begins with a calling from the plants.
• Generational wisdom plays a crucial role in herbalism.
• Plants thrive in diverse communities, just like humans.
• The relationship with plants deepens over time.
• Cultural appreciation is essential in herbal practices.
• Intuition and science can complement each other in herbalism.
• New herbalists should spend time with plants as teachers.
• Stewardship of plants is a responsibility for herbalists.
• Challenges in life can lead to personal growth and understanding.
• The legacy of herbalism is rooted in community and shared knowledge.

✨ Stay Connected:

🌱 Shop herbal blends & wellness tools: Mystic Botanica

📲 Follow on Instagram: @mysticbotanicaherbs

🌿 Connect with Rosemary Gladstar 🌿
Discover more about one of the most influential herbalists of our time! Learn from Rosemary, explore her courses, and find her books at:
🌎 Website: https://scienceandartofherbalism.com/
📚 Herbal Education: The Science & Art of Herbalism
📲 Instagram: @rosemarygladstar

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