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Old Ways for the New AgeHere on the Old Ways for the New Age podcast we discuss all things energetic herbalism, astrology, plant spirit experiences, seasonal living and have conversations with change makers who dedicate their lives to making the world a better place. Author: Hannah Forest
A hearth-centered podcast exploring herbalism, folk magic, astrology and seasonal rhythms through a grounded, practical lens. Hosted by clinically trained naturopath and folk herbalist Hannah Forest, each episode offers soulful conversation and earth-honouring wisdom to help you work with plants, ritual and daily rhythms to cultivate a meaningful, connected life. hannahforestherbalist.substack.com Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S5E22 - Reclaiming Wonder in Herbalism with Amma Rosavalon
Episode 22
Wednesday, 12 August, 2026
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Amma Rosavalon, clinical herbalist, herbal educator, plant nerd and devoted Earth lover, for a conversation about something I think many of us in modern herbalism could use a little more of: wonder.Like many herbalists who have trained clinically, Amma found herself navigating the tension between the scientific and intuitive sides of herbal medicine. We talk about her early relationship with plants, her formal herbal training, and the gradual journey that brought her back towards ritual, animism, plant spirits and the more enchanted aspects of herbal practice.We explore what it means to practise embodied herbalism, learning about plants not only through books and clinical knowledge, but through our own bodies, senses and lived experience. We also talk about the importance of getting to know individual plants rather than experiencing Nature as simply a “wall of green”, and how building these relationships can deepen our sense of belonging and help us feel more at home in the world around us.Amma shares her perspective on animism, why she considers paying attention to be one of the best kinds of offering, and how simple acts of curiosity can begin to change our relationship with the natural world.A thread that runs through our entire conversation is the idea of whimsy: why joy, play, awe and enchantment aren’t frivolous additions to herbalism, but can be part of what makes our practice sustainable, nourishing and deeply human.Inside this episode:* Amma’s journey into herbalism and her early relationship with plants* Moving from clinical herbalism and phytochemistry back towards wonder and intuition* What embodied herbalism really means* Why whimsy, wonder and enchantment matter in herbal practice* The relationship between awe, wellbeing and nervous system health* Seeing beyond the “wall of green” and learning to recognise individual plant relatives* Animism and Amma’s understanding of plant, animal and land spirits* Why paying attention can become a spiritual practice* Amma’s relationships with Rose, Mugwort, Marshmallow and Oat* A powerful encounter with an ancient Oak in England* Creating everyday rituals that invite more enchantment into our lives* Finding ways to make time in nature feel playful, intentional and special* How reconnecting with wonder can change the way we practise herbalismThis conversation is a little reminder that herbalism doesn’t have to be either clinical or magical — it can walk both worlds.We can care about phytochemistry and still talk to the plants. We can understand physiology and still experience awe. We can take our medicine seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.Sometimes the most radical thing we can do is to simply slow down.Amma Rosavalon is a plant nerd, herbal educator, clinical herbalist, gardener and devoted earth lover. Based in Southern Oregon, she is deeply passionate about the interconnectedness between human health and the health of the natural world.Her lifelong relationship with nature has shaped her path as an herbalist, weaving together bioregional herbalism, Ayurveda, ethical wildcrafting, clinical herbalism, embodied practice and deep nature connection. She trained through the Hawthorn Institute and continues to explore the many ways plants can support healing, connection and a more intimate relationship with the Earth.Amma believes that connection to the Earth and herbal medicine is our intrinsic birthright, and that this relationship can be a powerful vehicle for healing both ourselves and the world around us.Find Amma:- https://www.ammarosavalon.com/- https://www.instagram.com/mamma.amma/- Living Herbalism Academy 8-Week Mentorship Program: https://www.ammarosavalon.com/lha- Living Herbalism Collective Membership: https://www.ammarosavalon.com/lhcFind Hannah:- hannahforest.com- https://www.instagram.com/hannahforest.herbalist/- Book a 1:1 session with HannahMentioned in Episode:- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17465709-braiding-sweetgrass Get full access to Hannah Forest Herbalist at hannahforestherbalist.substack.com/subscribe
