Meet Robert Dale Rogers, one of the most prolific herbalists alive today, with over 65 books and decades of clinical practice rooted in botany, indigenous plant wisdom, and a deep love of the overlooked medicines of the Earth. In this episode, Robert joins Chris and Mel to share the stories, the science, and the magic behind some of herbalism's most under-appreciated medicines: lichens, ferns, mosses, and fungi.

This one is rich with wisdom, wild stories, and a few things that might just change how you look at the forest floor.

What's in this episode:

• Robert's path into lichens, ferns, and overlooked plant medicine
• Usnea as a clinical tool for drug-resistant tuberculosis and antibiotic resistance
• Lungwort and the Doctrine of Signatures: why this lichen keeps showing up when you need it
• Learning from Cree healers and documenting a 10th-generation medicine bundle
• Flower essences in clinical practice, including Gorse for hope
• 26 years of developing mushroom essences and shadow work
• You can learn more about Robert and his coming events here, and get his latest books here.

Herbal Terms in This Episode:

• Doctrine of Signatures: A traditional concept suggesting a plant's appearance may offer clues about its potential uses
• Usnic Acid: A compound found in roughly 32 lichen species, studied for its unique ability to affect bacterial cell function

We'd love to hear from you!

Have you ever had a plant show up at exactly the right moment? Share your stories with us on Instagram or TikTok @eclecticherb

Full show notes and transcript: eclecticherb.com/ blogs/news/medicinal-lichen-robert-dale-rogers

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