Rooted in Connection
The American Forager: Roots to Table series is my way of tracing how food and herbalism are never separate—they are one and the same. Through this journey, I’ll be connecting with farmers, gardeners, foragers, herbalists, and practitioners who are blending heritage, culture, and tradition into their kitchens. These stories are more than recipes; they’re living legacies of how people have used plants to heal, to feed, and to sustain.
In my book, The Kitchen and the Table: An Introduction to Herbalism, I state that herbalism, at its heart, is not locked in tincture bottles or tea jars—it’s in the way we cook, the way we season, the way we gather. You see, cooking is herbalism, and herbalism is cooking. By listening to others’ experiences, we find new approaches to some of the most common concerns people share with me—high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, water retention, low iron, and more.
When we look at Japan, their country tends to have much lower rates of type 2 diabetes when compared with the U.S., along with lower average BMI and more plant-forward diets. Their traditional diet has more fish, vegetables, fermented foods, less processed sugar and less red meat. (From global diabetes prevalence data and comparative GNI/health sources.) In the developed-country league, countries like Switzerland and Norway often show diabetes prevalence in the ~3-5-% range among adults, much lower than U.S. averages. They tend to have strong public health infrastructure, dietary culture favoring whole foods, more walking and outdoor activity, less processed food, etc.
It is no surprise, with the rise in popularity surrounding Mediterranean-themed diets, that many Western European countries have diabetes prevalence in lower ranges than the U.S., and often lower death rates from ischemic heart disease, partly due to dietary patterns (more produce, fish, less processed food), lifestyle norms, walking, less obesity; moreover, they also have stronger social health policies. Even with our neighbors to the north, Canada often shows better overall blood-pressure control and slightly lower diabetes prevalence (partially due to universal health care, preventive screening, healthier food norms, etc.). This comes from studies comparing hypertension prevalence across U.S., Canada, England.
The spirit of reconnection and revival woven throughout my Intercultural Revolutionary Herbalism (IRH) framework is rooted in the belief that here in the United States, because of our unique cross-pollination of cultures, we have a rare opportunity to bridge traditional practices with modern medicine and science. In doing so, we can both rediscover and innovate healthier solutions for today and for the generations to come. American Forager: Roots to Table isn’t just about documenting stories; rather, it’s about building bridges. When we connect across traditions and communities, we uncover practical solutions for modern wellness, grounded in wisdom that has always been here.
Discovering a Fellow Michigander
In searching for books on herbalism, I stumbled across Dandelion Magic by Sara Whitman, founder of Naturally Inspirational (@NaturallyInspirational). As I read her work, I immediately recognized a familiar truth: Sara, too, sees herbalism not as something separate from daily living, but as something woven into the foods we prepare and share.
Sara’s story begins with a question that many of us overlook: Why do we fight against dandelions? What started as curiosity soon became a journey of transformation. From making dandelion wine to crafting jellies, Sara discovered that the so-called “weed” was a gateway into a much deeper calling—reconnecting people with the gifts of creation.
Her resilience, creativity, and devotion to teaching others echo what I believe herbalism truly is: accessible, nourishing, and rooted in community.
To introduce Sara more personally, I’ve put together a Q&A below so you can hear her story in her own words.
Q&A with Sara Whitman – Naturally Inspirational
Q: Sara, your journey began with something as humble as a dandelion. What drew you to look at it differently?
A: It started when I was working in lawn care, where the goal was always to get rid of dandelions. I kept wondering—why are we so determined to destroy them? One day, curiosity got the best of me, and I Googled their benefits. To my surprise, one of the first things I found was dandelion wine. That small discovery opened the door to everything else.
Q: Your shared with me that your first foraging attempt didn’t go as planned. What lesson did you learn from that experience?
A: Well, I had collected dandelions along the roadside, not realizing how dangerous that could be because of pollution. Thankfully, the flowers molded overnight, showing me they weren’t safe. It was a blessing in disguise—it taught me the importance of safe, mindful foraging right from the start.
Q: What was it like to make your first successful batch of dandelion wine?
A: It was empowering. With guidance from a local brewing supply store, I finally got it right. That first sip of something I made from nature’s gifts was life-changing. It felt like I was tapping into something much bigger than myself.
Q: You later went on to make dandelion jelly. How did that idea come about?
A: It came from a sweet older gentleman at the coffee shop where I worked. I told him about my wine-making, and he said, “Why not make jelly? It’s just wine without the waiting.” I tried it, and that first jar of jelly made me realize how plants could bring joy and nourishment in so many ways.
Q: What was the turning point where this became more than just a personal passion?
A: In 2019, a friend gave me access to a 100-acre dandelion field—no chemicals, no pollution, just pure nature. Standing in the middle of those flowers, I realized this wasn’t just about me. It was about teaching, sharing, and helping others reconnect with what God has already given us.
Q: What role do dandelions play in your life today?
A: They’ve become my symbol of resilience and hope. People see weeds, but I see medicine, nourishment, and beauty. They remind me that even the simplest things can shine if we see them in the right light.
Q: What message do you hope people take away from your work and your book, Dandelion Magic?
A: That nature already offers us so much. Not every remedy will work for every person, but even helping one person feel better—or even just smile—can create a ripple effect of healing and hope. I also want to share that I wrote another book, Yarrow Magic, similar to Dandelion Magic, and I am currently working on Calendula Magic. Herbalism is God’s purpose for me, and it’s the reason I keep pushing forward. When I’m out in nature collecting herbs, I’m happy and blessed in a way that sitting inside on a computer can never match.
