The Healing Power of Herbs with Kellie D'Ascenzo

In this episode of the Well2You Podcast, Sue McCarroll sits down with herbalist and founder of Mystic Ginger Apothecary, Kellie D'Ascenzo, for a conversation on how herbalism can support whole-body healing in a way that is both practical and deeply rooted.Kellie shares her journey from working in a toxic salon environment to building a wellness practice grounded in plant medicine, education, and integrity. Together, they explore how herbalism blends ancestral wisdom, lived experience, and modern understanding while remaining accessible for everyday life.Aligned with Season 14: Whole Body, Real Life, this episode highlights how healing doesn’t have to be complicated. It can begin with simple, consistent practices that reconnect us to nature, our bodies, and traditions that have always been available to us.What We Cover: • Kellie’s transition from a traditional work environment into herbalism and entrepreneurship• Supporting the mind, body, and spirit through plant medicine• The importance (and challenges) of sourcing herbs locally• Personalized herbal formulations vs. one-size-fits-all products• The energetic and spiritual connection to medicinal plants• Navigating skepticism and the role of education and credentialing• Seasonality and aligning herbal practices with nature’s rhythms• Incorporating herbs into daily routines, cooking, and habit stacking• Reconnecting with cultural and ancestral herbal traditions• Building trust, safety, and integrity within herbal practiceKey Takeaways: → Herbalism is both practical and deeply personal→ Healing is more sustainable when it supports the whole person not just symptoms→ Local sourcing and quality matter in plant medicine→ Simple, daily use of herbs can be more impactful than complex protocols→ Seasonality offers a natural framework for supporting the body→ Everyone has a connection to herbal traditions whether they realize it or not→ Education, safety, and trust are essential in modern herbal practiceChapters:00:00 – Introduction to Kelly and Herbal Healing02:15 – From Salon Life to Herbalist05:00 – Land, Lineage & Lived Experience08:45 – Sourcing Herbs & Cultivation Challenges12:20 – Personalized Herbal Formulations15:30 – Spiritual & Energetic Connection to Plants18:10 – Skepticism, Credentials & Trust21:50 – Seasonality & Nature’s Rhythms24:20 – Herbs in Daily Life & Cooking27:25 – Cultural & Ancestral Traditions30:54 – Herbal Support for Families33:39 – Final Thoughts: Trusting Natural MedicineConnect with Kellie:Instagram: @mysticgingercollectiveWebsite: https://www.mysticgingerapothecary.com

Meet your host:Sue McCarroll is the founder of Opal Wellness Studio. Sue has a unique style of coaching women to increase self-care, self-compassion, navigate busy mom life and nourish their bodies mentally, emotionally, and physically. She is is a holistic health coach, Pilates teacher, business owner and mom who gave up diet-culture beliefs to live a lifestyle full of clarity and vitality!Connect with Sue:💛 @well2youpodcast💛 @opal_wellness_studio💛 @suemccarroll.opalifeThank you for listening! Please take a moment to subscribe and review. This supports the Well2You Podcast in reaching more people who need to be connected to these impactful conversations.APPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY