Sometimes, I have a pretty good idea what guests on the podcast are going to talk about. But going in to this conversation with Carin Fortin, I wasn’t sure what to expect - I knew very little about Carin and even less about her chosen herb, ashitaba (Angelica keiskei)! At first I thought this plant would be similar to angelica (Angelica archangelica) or even dong quai (Angelica sinensis).

But no! Ashitaba is an amazing herb with its own unique gifts.

It was fascinating to hear all that Carin had to say about this versatile, strengthening herb, and the connections she made among ashitaba, the different systems of the human body, and the workings of the earth. Carin also shared why it’s so important to build personal relationships with plants, along with some intriguing perspectives from biodynamic farming.

You’ll love Carin’s recipe for Ashitaba Honey with Rose, Burdock, and Light Root - a delicious example of how food can be our medicine! To download your beautifully illustrated recipe card for this herbal honey, check out the resource section below.

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

► How ashitaba can be seen as a mirror of the human body, as well as the body of the earth

► Seven medicinal benefits of ashitaba - and why Carin sees it as a knight in shining armor!

► Why getting to know herbs is a lot like like getting to know people

► Five tips for growing ashitaba

► How biodynamics influences Carin’s approach to farming and herbalism

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Carin Fortin—herb farmer, herbalist, and teacher— grew up in Switzerland and has been living in America for 25 years. She is a member of national and international Biodynamic Agriculture committees and is active in the Santa Cruz Anthroposophical Society branch. Together with her partner, Delmar McComb, she started and runs Blossom’s Biodynamic Farm in Aromas, California, where she grows and value-adds medicinal herbs from all over the world. She distills hydrosols, and makes skincare products as well as other health products. Blossom’s first line of California-grown remedy was a range of digestive bitters, picking up Carin’s family’s Swiss tradition.

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

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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