Rosemary Gladstar | The Most Loving Herbalist of Our Time

In the spring of 2025, I finally got to meet Rosemary Gladstar in real life! We were a group of Swedish herbalists who had invited her for a retreat in Stockholm. It was a step towards strengthening networking among herbalists in Sweden. We (Örtfabriken, Karolineswayoflife, Läketrädgården and LifebyLisen) hope to make this something bigger in the future where we can invite you and everyone who wants to come.

Photo taken by Danielle Cohen

I've tried to explain to the uninitiated how significant it is to meet this powerful herbalist. But how can they understand without me first telling them that she is my greatest idol in life?

Isn't it absolutely wonderful to be an adult and have a new idol? Not only did I gain herbal knowledge, but I also became curious and excited again, just like when I was a child. I remember when I first read one of Rosemary's books. I made every other recipe. I read the book forwards and backward. And then once more.

Then four herbal sisters and I took her digital course, the Art and Science of Herbalism. We learned so much. Thanks to Rosemary, but also through our enthusiasm and meeting continuously week after week.

Rosemary is America's most beloved herbalist. What makes her so special is, of course, her herbal knowledge and ability to teach, but her main characteristic is her warmth and genuine love for you. How can one not love her?

Here's a tribute.

About Rosemary Gladstar, her younger years

Rosemary Gladstar (born 1949) is a living legend in herbal medicine, a loving teacher, and a passionate guardian of nature's powers. She has inspired countless people to reconnect with the wisdom of plants.

Of Armenian descent, she grew up in the USA and gained herbal knowledge as a child from her grandmother. Her work began in the 60s and 70s in California. Herbal knowledge was dwindling, forgotten, and mistrusted. There were few active herbalists and hardly any training programs. A completely different situation than today in the USA. Rosemary and several others began to revive inherited knowledge.

She began teaching herbal medicine and simultaneously fostering a community of herbalists. She is the founder of California School of Herbal Studies (1978), one of the first schools for herbal medicine in the USA. Rosemary has been extremely productive and founded United Plant Savers, an organization that works to protect endangered medicinal plants, and has written several books. Her book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, is a must-have for anyone wishing to explore the world of herbal medicine.

What makes Rosemary so important is her holistic view of healing. She sees herbs not just as medicine, but as beings or friends that can heal both body and soul. She combines science and tradition, intuition and practice, and urges us to honor both plants and ancient knowledge.

Her teaching is filled with love, respect, and gratitude for nature. She teaches us to listen to plants, to create our own medicines, and to care for the earth that gives us these gifts. Rosemary Gladstar is more than an herbalist – she is a voice for Mother Earth, a guide for those seeking natural health, and an inspiration for all who wish to live in harmony with nature.

About Rosemary Gladstar, later years

After spending many years in California, Rosemary Gladstar felt a strong pull northward. She longed for a life closer to nature, where she could grow her own herbs, live more self-sufficiently, and deepen her relationship with the earth. She moved to the forested mountains of Vermont, a place known for its wild beauty and rich herb lands. There she co-founded Sage Mountain where she lived and taught for over 30 years. She created a sanctuary for plants, animals, and people who wanted to learn about herbal medicine. It was also in Vermont that she founded United Plant Savers, when she saw signs that important plants were beginning to disappear.

This move was not just a geographical change but a deeper return to her roots – both literally and spiritually. By living in harmony with the forests and meadows around her, she could continue her life's work with even greater proximity to the plants she loved. Vermont became a place where she not only taught herbal medicine but also lived it – in every breath, in every growing season, in every cup of tea brewed with love and respect for nature.

There are so many stories to tell about Rosemary. I won't be able to tell all the fun and astonishing anecdotes here, but please read Örtfabriken's blog article about Fire Cider.

Rosemary has now started to retire, although I must say she still seems very active. She has moved from Sage Mountain but still lives in Vermont with her husband. Rosemary was a strong force in the renaissance of herbalism in the USA. Here in Sweden, we are eagerly waiting to meet her and we want to be inspired to build a vibrant network of herbalists here too. Just as she has done.

For my part, I want to bask in her energy in real life for a short while, and if I can, I will then convey this further.

What does Rosemary Gladstar mean to you?