I had the pleasure of meeting Helen Ward earlier this year at an herbal retreat in Italy, and I was immediately taken with her warm and kind spirit. It was such a joy to catch up with her again in this interview! Helen’s connection with elderberry runs deep, and in this conversation we get to hear all about how this plant became such a big part of her herbal path – and how it continues to nurture her both physically and as a way to bring her closer to nature and her community.  For me, this conversation really gets to the heart of herbalism and how herbs can deeply transform our lives. 

Helen also shared her recipe for elderberry syrup, an herbal remedy that many people turn to for help warding off colds and flu this time of year!  You can find a beautifully illustrated recipe card for Helen’s Elderberry Syrup here: https://bit.ly/41ndHzt

Elderberry is a beloved herb for many, and it’s not hard to understand why! Here are just a few ways you can work with elderberry to benefit your health:

► As an immune tonic to help prevent you from getting sick (or to shorten the duration of a cold or flu if it’s already set in)

► As a delicious, nutrient-rich food in jams, pies, baked goods, and beverages

► To modulate inflammation, helping to decrease arthritic or rheumatic pain

To learn even more benefits of elderberry, be sure to check out the entire episode!

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

► Four medicinal benefits of elderberry

► Why elderberry doesn’t grow best in rows - and tips on where to grow it so it will thrive

► The importance of infusing your intentions into the herbal medicines you prepare

► How working to connect more closely with nature can bring more gratitude and joy into your life

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Helen has joyfully worked with the plants for more than 20 years. For 14 years, Helen has combined her professional career with her passion for working with the plants by serving as Director of Rosemary Gladstar’s The Science & Art of Herbalism. 

Helen is dedicated to deepening students’ relationship with plants through Rosemary’s teachings. She teaches at local national and international herb events, has been featured in online publications and provides local herbal care. Helen has contributed to both the International Herb Symposium and Women’s Herbal Conference, and her Vermont farm is part of the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary Network. Last but not least, she loves hiking with her puppy and spending time in her garden. 

I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!

 Are you interested in studying herbalism with Rosemary Gladstar’s course The Science & Art of Herbalism? Helen has graciously offered our audience a coupon code to receive an additional $10 off the (already on-sale!) price of any version of the course. The coupon code, Elderberry, is valid through December 31, 2024.  For more information, check out the courses at https://scienceandartofherbalism.com/shop/.

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Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com

For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!

The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.

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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 Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. 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.