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#34 Brigitte Mars on Addiction, Psychedelics & Healing with Wild Plants

What does it really take to break free from addiction and what if plants held more answers than we've been told?

And what if those same plants could also help us face the one thing we fear even more than our addictions — death?

In this episode, I sit down with herbalist and natural medicine legend Brigitte Mars to talk about the natural way of healing from addiction, the healing power of plant medicine, and why your lawn might be more of a pharmacy than you think. Brigitte Mars is someone I deeply admire for her decades of lived experience with plants, healing, and service. She has spent over 60 years working with herbal medicine, authored 18 books, and serves as both a psychedelic sitter and end-of-life doula.

 

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • Why your lawn could be your salad bowl
  • Herbs and oils that support addiction recovery
  • How psychedelic-assisted therapy is changing lives
  • Plant medicine as soul retrieval and heart opening
  • What it means to be an end-of-life doula and how plant medicine fits into that sacred work

 

Memorable Quotes:

  • "We need to stop being a just say no culture and become a just say how culture."
  • "Millions of people using something for thousands of years means a lot more to me than a two-year rat study."
  • "Rather than feeling hopeless, we can all do something — maybe you're growing plants on the balcony, that's a good start."

 

Buy Brigitte’s books:

 

Other books: https://www.brigittemars.com/books

 

Links & Resources:

  • Never wonder "what plant is that?" again. Brigitte's iPlant app puts plant identification right in your pocket. Whether you're out on a hike or exploring your backyard, you'll have a trusted herbal guide with you wherever you go. Download iPlant on iOS.
  • Want more herbal wisdom from Brigitte? Stay in the loop with the latest news, tips, and updates straight from Brigitte herself. Sign up for her newsletter here.
  • Brigitte's courses will inspire every corner of your life. Join Sacred Self Care, Herbal Kitchen Wizardry, and Hip Homemaker — plus get the HempNut Cookbook eBook when you sign up. Explore the courses here.
  • Want to learn wild herbs at your own pace? Join a growing community of plant lovers discovering the healing world of wild herbs. The Wild Herb Academy Membership gives you the tools, guidance, and inspiration to get started today. Claim your 14-day trial for just $1.

 

 

About the guest, Brigitte Mars:

Brigitte Mars is an Herbalist author of 18 books on Natural medicine and professor at Naropa University. She is a psychedelic sitter and End-Of-Life Doula and has been working with herbal medicine for over 60 years. She has written the book Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health and Addiction Free Naturally. She is currently working on her 19th book.

 

About the host, April Punsalan:

April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants.

 

Rate, review, and subscribe:

Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who is walking through addiction, loss, or simply searching for a deeper connection to the Earth and to themselves.

🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.

 

With love,
April Punsalan


Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition, and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a medical condition.