Episode 128:
Valerian with Dr. Laurie Dohmen

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Episode Summary

I felt like I found a kindred spirit in this interview! And not just because we both love cats!

Dr. Laurie Dohmen, an herbalist and veterinarian, deeply loves valerian (Valeriana officinalis) just like I do. And she works with valerian in a very interesting way. For example, she shares how a valerian tea blend really saved the day when she had an extremely stressful experience after being robbed (and how valerian helped her to still show up for her patients). 

As a listener, you’ll also have access to Dr. Dohmen’s Calm but Focus Tea Blend, featuring valerian. There’s also a free, downloadable and printable recipe card available just for you, which you can find in the section below.

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

► A valerian preparation you may want to experiment with (especially if valerian root typically isn’t relaxing for you)

► Why cats who love catnip also react to valerian

► Why Dr. Dohmen favors whole-plant medicine

► How plants respond differently to different people (Dr. Dohmen shares an inspiring story about being in relationship with stinging nettle)

► Why intention matters when preparing herbal medicine

► Lots of tips to help your cat live its longest and healthiest life (including an important thing to avoid to preserve your cat’s long-term health)

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t already know her, Dr. Laurie Dohmen graduated from UPenn’s Veterinary School. She is trained in Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Food Therapy, and Bach Flower Essences. She received her MS from MUIH. Dr. Dohmen lectures on Veterinary Herbal Medicine and other wholistic topics.

She co-created the only hands-on veterinary herbal medicine course for western veterinary practices in the USA. She publishes in veterinary journals. Dr. Dohmen is a Registered Herbalist (AHG), a Fellow of the ACVBM, Past President of VBMA, and a member of the IVAS, AAVA, AHVMA, and AVMA.

I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect With Dr. Dohmen

• Website | PurpleMoonHerbStudies.com
• Instagram | @purplemoonherbs
• Facebook | @PurpleMoonHerbsAndStudies

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:10] Introduction to Dr. Laurie Dohmen
• [02:40] How Dr. Dohmen’s roots informed her veterinary practice
• [08:55] Why Dr. Dohmen loves valerian
• [12:25] Calm but Focus Tea
• [15:06] What about valerian for animals?
• [18:02] Closing thoughts about valerian
• [23:23] Oohing and aahing over plants and sunsets
• [24:55] The story behind Purple Moon Herb Studies
• [29:20] Herbal medicine for animals
• [31:11] Essential oils and cats
• [33:24] Holistic health for cats
• [36:46] Dr. Dohmen’s upcoming book
• [39:23] Dr. Dohmen’s most influential herbal teacher
• [47:48] Herbal tidbit

Recipe

Ingredients:

Equal parts dried herbs:

• Valerian
• Linden
• Lemon Balm
• Spearmint
• Ginkgo
• Gotu kola

Directions:

1. Blend equal parts of all the herbs. 
2. To make one cup of tea, use 1 Tbsp. of the blend to 8-12 oz. boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes or to your desired strength.  I use a tea ball when I make this.
3. Prepared tea should be enjoyed within 24 hours of steeping.

-- TIMESTAMPS --

• 01:11 - Introduction to Dr. Laurie Dohmen
• 02:42 - How Dr. Dohmen’s roots informed her veterinary practice
• 09:06 - Why Dr. Dohmen loves valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• 12:54 - Calm but Focus Tea
• 15:37 - What about valerian for animals?
• 18:37 - Closing thoughts about valerian
• 24:04 - Oohing and aahing over plants and sunsets
• 25:35 - The story behind Purple Moon Herb Studies
• 30:08 - Herbal medicine for animals
• 32:01 - Essential oils and cats
• 34:15 - Holistic health for cats
• 37:44 - Dr. Dohmen’s upcoming book
• 40:30 - Dr. Dohmen’s most influential herbal teacher
• 48:56 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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