Episode 228: Balsam Fir: Lung Support and Wound Healing, with Erica Macrum

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Episode Summary

Could the tree outside your window become one of your greatest herbal teachers? 

Living at the edge of the boreal forest, Erica Macrum is surrounded by balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and over the years this fragrant conifer has become one of her closest plant allies. But rather than relying on books, Erica has learned much of what she knows about balsam fir through observation, experimentation, and simply spending time with the tree itself.

In this episode, Erica shares her favorite ways to work with balsam fir's resin, needles, and bark, as well as the unexpected lessons she's gathered from years of companionship with this remarkable tree. Together, we explore its gifts for healing, the role of curiosity in herbal practice, and the wisdom that can emerge when we spend time getting to know the plants growing around us. 

Erica also shared her recipe for Spring Forest Herbal Salt, a delicious way to add a taste of the forest to your own kitchen. Be sure to download your copy from the section below!

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

► How balsam fir resin naturally protects the tree—and how you can harness that healing power

► The surprising differences between working with the resin, bark, and needles

► How Erica uses balsam fir to support respiratory health

► Why "playing" with a plant can be an important part of herbal learning

► What plants can teach us about compassion, patience, and meeting people where they are

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Erica Macrum is the owner of Sweet Fern Apothecary and has a deep passion for the healing arts. The ancient wisdom of Earth-based energetic modalities keeps Erica engaged and continuously learning. As a clinical herbalist, she loves sharing about the healing properties and energetics of plant medicine and strongly encourages the people around her to hold healing in their hands.

Erica has been studying and practicing Chinese medicine for over 20 years. She is a graduate of the East West School of Planetary Herbology, where she helped facilitate and teach the case studies class with her mentor Susan Kremer.  When she is not working with herbs, you will find Erica in the garden, walking in the woods, or spending time with her family. 

Whether balsam fir grows outside your door or hundreds of miles away, I hope this conversation inspires you to spend a little more time with the plants around you—and who knows, you just might find yourself looking at those familiar plants in a whole new way!

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 Erica:

• Website | SweetFernApothecary.com
• Instagram | @sweetfernapothecary 
• Facebook | Sweet Fern Apothecary

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:08] Introduction to Erica Macrum + Erica’s plant path 
• [14:55] The role of observation and experimentation in learning about plants
• [19:08] Medicinal benefits of balsam fir resin
• [20:15] Balsam fir for respiratory health
• [23:22] Topical use of balsam fir
• [24:05] Working with balsam fir needles
• [25:34] Spring Forest Herbal Salt recipe
• [31:02] Erica’s current herbal projects
• [34:30] How working with herbs has changed the way Erica sees the world
• [39:42] Student spotlight
• [40:50] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 00:40 - Introduction to Erica Macrum + Erica’s plant path 
• 15:14 - The role of observation and experimentation in learning about plants
• 19:44 - Medicinal benefits of balsam fir resin
• 20:55 - Balsam fir for respiratory health
• 24:14 - Topical use of balsam fir
• 25:00 - Working with balsam fir needles
• 26:33 - Spring Forest Herbal Salt recipe
• 32:17 - Erica’s current herbal projects
• 36:01 - How working with herbs has changed the way Erica sees the world
• 41:25 - Student spotlight
• 42:32 - 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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