Episode 174: Ashitaba with Carin Fortin

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Episode Summary

Sometimes, I have a pretty good idea what guests on the podcast are going to talk about.  But going in to this conversation with Carin Fortin, I wasn’t sure what to expect - I knew very little about Carin and even less about her chosen herb, ashitaba (Angelica keiskei)!  At first I thought this plant would be similar to Angelica (Angelica archangelica) or even Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis).

But no! Ashitaba is an amazing herb with its own unique gifts.

It was fascinating to hear all that Carin had to say about this versatile, strengthening herb, and the connections she made among ashitaba, the different systems of the human body, and the workings of the earth.  Carin also shared why it’s so important to build personal relationships with plants, along with some intriguing perspectives from biodynamic farming.

You’ll love Carin’s recipe for Ashitaba Honey with Rose, Burdock, and Light Root - a delicious example of how food can be our medicine!  To download your beautifully illustrated recipe card for this herbal honey, check out the section below.

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

► How ashitaba can be seen as a mirror of the human body, as well as the body of the earth

► Seven medicinal benefits of ashitaba - and why Carin sees it as a knight in shining armor!

► Why getting to know herbs is a lot like like getting to know people

► Five tips for growing ashitaba

► How biodynamics influences Carin’s approach to farming and herbalism

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Carin Fortin—herb farmer, herbalist, and teacher— grew up in Switzerland and has been living in America for 25 years. She is a member of national and international Biodynamic Agriculture committees and is active in the Santa Cruz Anthroposophical Society branch. Together with her partner, Delmar McComb, she started and runs Blossom’s Biodynamic Farm in Aromas, California, where she grows and value-adds medicinal herbs from all over the world. She distills hydrosols, and makes skincare products as well as other health products. Blossom’s first line of California-grown remedy was a range of digestive bitters, picking up Carin’s family’s Swiss tradition.

I can’t wait 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 Carin

• Websites | BlossomsFarm.com and Millefolium.org
• Instagram | @blossomsbiodynamicfarm 
• Facebook | Blossom's Biodynamic Farm

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Student spotlight
• [2:48] Introduction to Carin Fortin
• [4:02] Carin’s plant path
• [15:04] Medicinal benefits of ashitaba
• [23:18] Ashitaba as a fresh vegetable
• [25:50] Tips for growing ashitaba
• [28:11] Different ways to work with and get to know ashitaba
• [40:56] How biodynamics guides Carin in farming and herbalism
• [48:17] Carin’s educational offerings
• [52:14] Ashitaba honey with rose, burdock, and light root
• [57:04] How herbs instill hope in Carin
• [1:00:54] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) powdered ashitaba leaf (Angelica keiskei)
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) powdered burdock root (Arctium lappa)
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) powdered rose hips (Rosa rugosa)
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) powdered light root (Dioscorea batatas)
• 1 teaspoon crumbled rose petals (Rosa damascena)  
• 1 thread of saffron (Crocus sativus)
• 1/2 cup (118 mL) raw honey

Directions:

Add the honey and the powdered herbs to a 1-pint mason jar. Stir or simply shake the jar to mix.

Eat immediately or let sit for a week and longer for stronger flavour, shaking regularly. (Do not strain the herbs - this is meant to be eaten with the powdered herbs still mixed in.)

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-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 01:09 - Student spotlight
• 02:49 - Introduction to Carin Fortin
• 04:03 - Carin’s plant path
• 16:17 - Medicinal benefits of ashitaba
• 25:34 - Ashitaba as a fresh vegetable
• 28:10 - Tips for growing ashitaba
• 30:55 - Different ways to work with and get to know ashitaba
• 45:01 - How biodynamics guides Carin in farming and herbalism
• 52:58 - Carin’s educational offerings
• 57:20 - Ashitaba honey with rose, burdock, and light root
• 1:02:41 - How herbs instill hope in Carin
• 1:06:29 - 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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