Today on the Herbalist Hour I'm joined by author, illustrator, and Appalachian folk magic practitioner Rebecca Beyer, along with my special co-host Rosalee de la Forêt. We dive deep into Rebecca's newest book, The Complete Folk Herbal, exploring everything from ethical wildcrafting to plant history, folk medicine-making, and the lived stories that shape her work.

Rebecca shares her thoughts on learning from many teachers, cultivating authentic plant relationships, avoiding "guru-ism," and keeping humility at the center of herbal practice. We talk about sustainable foraging, the realities of plant lust, and how she hand-illustrated every page of this beautiful book.

This episode is full of history, heart, humor, and grounded wisdom — a rich conversation for anyone who loves herbalism.

RESOURCES & LINKS

BOOK: The Complete Folk Herbal | BUY THE BOOK

Rebecca's Website | BloodAndSpicebush.com

Rebecca's Substack | BloodAndSpicebush.Substack.com

Rebecca on Instagram | @bloodandspicebush

Rosalee's Website | HerbsWithRosalee.com

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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

In this clip from Herbalists After Hours, jim mcdonald shares one virtue he believes is essential for herbalists: kindness.

Drawing on Octavia Butler's line, "Kindness eases change," jim reflects on how change — whether personal, cultural, or relational — is rarely easy. But kindness can soften the process.

We talk about kindness toward others, kindness toward ourselves, and the deeper roots of the word "kind" — connected to kin and nature — reminding us that we are not separate from each other or the living world.

In a culture where unkindness is often normalized, this is a gentle but powerful reminder: kindness matters.

Rosalee and I are sharing clips from this conversation across our channels — but the full, in-person interview is where the whole story unfolds.

FULL INTERVIEW | Watch on YouTube

Folk Methodology is a collaboration between Mason Hutchison and Rosalee de la Forêt, dedicated to celebrating the living culture of herbalism.

Get full episodes, behind-the-scenes updates, and future projects delivered straight to your inbox | FolkMethodology.com

🌿 Enroll in Medical Botany: Foundations in Ancient Plant Medicine

Enrollment is now open for April Punsalan's 13-week apprenticeship focused on wild plant medicine, plant evolution, botany, Ayurveda, and the 6 tastes.

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🌲 Episode Description

In this episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, April dives deeply into the medicine, botany, and spirit of Pine — an ancient evergreen ally that shows up when we need resilience the most.

Pine has survived ice ages, climate shifts, and mass extinctions, and in the heart of winter it continues to offer powerful medicine for the lungs, immune system, and spirit.

In this episode, April weaves together botany, herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and intuitive plant wisdom to explore why Pine is such a profound teacher for 2026.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why Pine is one of the most ancient and resilient trees on Earth

How Pine's xylem and spiral water movement reflect rhythmic growth

How to identify pines using needles, fascicles, sheaths, and cones

Why Pine is especially important medicine in winter

Pine's medicinal actions (expectorant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory)

How Pine supports colds, mucus, immunity, and inflammation

Why fresh Pine is preferred over dried

The spiritual symbolism of Pine, spirals, and Fibonacci patterns

What Pine teaches about receiving, presence, and sustainable growth

Why building a relationship with plants comes before turning to books

⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.