Slow Herbalism, Mental Health & Ancestral Healing with Herbalist Jo Sesay

What if healing isn't something you rush toward, but something you remember? In this episode, herbalist Jo Sesay shares how her grandmother, mother, and Aunt Jo created their own healing network long before the internet existed. You'll discover why cultural connection matters deeply in both food and plant medicine, how ancestral wisdom shapes modern herbal practice, and why slowing down is the most radical thing you can do as a budding herbalist. Jo brings together psychology, addiction counseling, perinatal mental health expertise, and a PhD candidacy in integrative health. She shares honest truths about the pressure to perform on social media, why herbalism thrives on collaboration not competition, and how to build a genuine relationship with plants one cup of tea at a time. Here's what you'll learn: Jo's family healing network across generations Why cultural foods matter in healing Mental health, trauma, and cultural processing Reconnecting to land Black Americans returning to herbalism Creating herbal rituals with children Oat straw as ally Creating your own blueprint Reclaiming the sacred in practice Connect with Jo here as RealRootedJo on Threads and Substack for science-informed reflections on herbalism, mental health, and ancestral healing. Ready to deepen your practice? This is the kind of thinking we cultivate inside the Community Herbalist Certification & Mentorship. Learn more at https://www.theherbalistspath.com/community-herbalist-certification Get full show notes here. Like the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text! If you've been learning herbs for a while, but still feel like you don't know enough, this free live class was made for you! We're going to cover the 3 essential steps to help you go from "dabbling" to feeling confident as an herbalist. Click here to get signed up for the free herb class! Support the show Ready to deepen your herbal skills and knowledge? Whether you're stocking your family's medicine cabinet, building your formulation skills, or stepping into the role of community herbalist, we have a program for you. Learn more here If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left us a review and shared it with a friend. It helps more herbalists find their way here, and helps make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers 🌸 Join me on: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube Disclaimer: *The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbs.