It was an honor to get to interview Leigh Joseph, the author of Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness! This book was love at first read for me. Really, so many of the themes and concepts Leigh writes about describe everything I strive to be as an herbalist. And Leigh expresses them in such a beautiful way. I know you’re going to love listening in as Leigh shares about plants, reciprocity, and connection in today’s episode!
Leigh also shares her love for mimts or beard lichen (Usnea spp.) in this episode. You’ll get to hear two powerful stories about how mimts acted as an ally in the backwoods, when more standard Western medical aid wasn’t readily at hand. Finally, don’t miss downloading your free, printable recipe card for Mimts' First Aid Powder.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know:
► How to identify mimts and harvest mimts sustainably
► What it means to be in relationship with plants and the land
► The importance of honoring those who walked before us
► How plant and land-based knowledge can be expressed and shared in different yet complementary ways
► and more…
For those who don’t already know her, Leigh Joseph is an ethnobotanist, researcher and entrepreneur from the Squamish First Nation. She contributes to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant and land-based relationships.
Leigh holds a BSc in Botany, MSc in Ethnobotany and is completing her PhD in Ethnobotany. She is the co-director and subject of the documentary Walking with Plants, nominated for 3 Leo Awards.
As founder of beauty brand Sḵwálwen Botanicals, Leigh brings together Indigenous science and self care, providing luxury skincare and wellness products that draw from the ceremonial aspects of plants.
Leigh aims to contribute her voice as an Indigenous academic so that other Indigenous authors and students will feel themselves represented and reflected in ethnobotany literature. Her first book, Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness, is part narrative, part field guide and recipe book that draws on her lived experience as an Indigenous woman, her training in Western Science, and her cultural journey toward identity.
I’m so very happy to share our conversation with you today!
-- RESOURCES --
► Access your recipe card and the transcript for this episode here: www.herbalremediesadvice.org/...
► Get Rosalee’s best herbal tips by joining her weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3EtBEqe
► Leigh’s Instagram: / skwalwenbotanicals
► Leigh’s website: skwalwen.com/
► Leigh’s Facebook: / skwalwenbotanicals
► Leigh’s TikTok: / skwalwen_botanicals
► Are you looking for high quality dried herbs? My recommendation is Mountain Rose Herbs. Usnea and usnea extract are available. Click here to check them out: bit.ly/3ms3vQ2
-- DISCLOSURE --
I’m a huge fan of Mountain Rose Herbs and will often share referral links to buy herbs or herbal supplies at their online herbal apothecary.
By using the above affiliate link, you help support this channel. Thanks!
If you’re looking for local places to buy herbs, check out my listing of herb farms in the U.S. and Canada. www.herbalremediesadvice.org/...
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 - Introduction to Leigh Joseph
04:32 - How Leigh found her plant path
07:59 - Held by the Land
11:53 - Land-based mindfulness and visualizations
18:48 - Why Leigh loves mimts (beard lichen, Usnea spp.)
26:03 - Mimts First Aid Powder
26:23 - Leigh’s current projects
34:48 - Herbal teachers who have impacted Leigh
43:16 - Herbal tidbit
-- DISCLAIMER --
The herbal and plant information in this video is for educational purposes only. The information contained is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.