Episode 135:
Doing Much with Few Herbs
with Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir

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Episode Summary

Today’s episode is a little different from the usual.

To give context for newer audience members, Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir was one of my earliest guests on the podcast. When Anna Rósa was last on the show, she shared a big adventure and new project she was just about to embark on, empowering women in refugee camps in Iraq.

Since we last saw her, that project has been realized and today, Anna Rósa is sharing an update with us. This is a really interesting adventure and you’re definitely going to want to hear about it!  We’ll also hear about Anna Rósa’s philosophy on how you can do a lot with very few herbs, which is an important skill for herbalists!

As a listener, you also have access to Anna Rósa’s recipe for an herbal infused Pain Relief Oil. This is one of the recipes Anna Rósa developed at the request of women in the refugee camps. You can find your recipe card in the resource section below.

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

► The attitude you need to create effective remedies when resources are limited

► How to help budding herbalists build confidence

► Why local herbs are so valuable

► Why cultivating deep knowledge of just a few herbs can be so powerful

► Why Anna Rósa considers Iraq the most hospitable country she’s ever visited

► and so much more…

Medical herbalist, wildcrafter, and author, Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir is the heartbeat and passionate founder behind Anna Rósa Skincare. She hand-picks wild Icelandic herbs to use in her 100% natural, non-toxic, small batch skincare products. Anna Rósa‘s Skincare Collection is a skincare that empowers because she uses the profits to support Helping Herbs, a registered charity in Iceland dedicated to empowering refugee women. As the founder and manager of Helping Herbs, Anna Rósa also works in refugee camps in Kurdistan, Iraq, teaching women to make herbal products. Anna Rósa is the author of Icelandic Herbs and their Medicinal Uses and an online course: The Healing Power of Icelandic Herbs.

It was great to catch up with Anna Rósa and I’m excited 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 Anna Rósa

• Website | HelpingHerbs.org
• Instagram | @helpingherbalist
• Facebook | @helpingherbalist

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:10] Introduction to Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir
• [02:57] Anna Rósa’s herbal work with refugees
• [08:06] What about logistics?
• [12:47] Doing a lot with a few herbs
• [16:25] What it’s like working in the refugee camps
• [20:03] Sourcing ingredients in the local markets
• [22:01] More on working with just a few herbs
• [27:40] How is Anna Rósa’s work with refugees funded?
• [36:12] How can I help?
• [37:14] Anna Rósa’s course on Icelandic herbs
• [41:35] How herbalism has surprised Anna Rósa
• [46:03] Herbal tidbit

Recipe

A warming oil to soothe sore muscles and joints.

Ingredients:

• 40 g (3 fistfuls) dried rosemary
• 8 g (3 tablespoons) cut and dried ginger
• 19 g (3 tablespoons) whole cloves
• 16 g (3 tablespoons) black peppercorns, coarsely ground
• 800 ml vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Infuse in a Bain-Marie for 2 hours. 
2. Use a sieve and cheesecloth to strain the herbs from the oil.
3. Bottle and label.

-- TIMESTAMPS --

• 01:12 - Introduction to Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir
• 03:00 - Anna Rósa’s herbal work with refugees
• 08:16 - What about logistics?
• 13:01 - Doing a lot with a few herbs
• 16:43 - What it’s like working in the refugee camps
• 20:30 - Sourcing ingredients in the local markets
• 22:30 - More on working with just a few herbs
• 28:16 - How is Anna Rósa’s work with refugees funded?
• 37:00 - How can I help?
• 38:02 - Anna Rósa’s course on Icelandic herbs
• 42:37 - How herbalism has surprised Anna Rósa
• 59:29 - 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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