If you live in the American Southwest, chances are you’re familiar with piñon pine (Pinus edulis and other species). But while this rugged tree is most often celebrated for its nourishing nuts, its needles, resin, and aromatic presence offer a whole world of medicine just waiting to be explored.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Briana Wiles to explore the many gifts of piñon pine. She shares how this beloved conifer can support everything from the lungs and immune system to the skin and nervous system, while also bringing an unexpected sense of grounding and brightness. Along the way, we talk about what it really means to build a relationship with a plant and how working deeply with one herb can open up countless possibilities.

Briana works with piñon extensively, and she shares a wide range of creative, practical ways to use it—from aromatic steams to infused oils and even unexpected culinary delights. Her recipe for Piñon Tallow is especially versatile, with uses that extend from the kitchen to your daily skin care routine. Be sure to download your beautifully illustrated recipe card here!

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

► How aromatics like piñon can shift your experience of stress and bring back your emotional “sparkle”

► What makes conifer resins so supportive for the skin

► How piñon can support the lungs during seasonal transitions

► Ten herbal preparations for piñon, including some surprising culinary uses (piñon coffee, anyone?)

► When tallow works beautifully for the skin—and when it might be best to avoid

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Briana Wiles is a master herbalist, author, mother of two, and the founder of Rooted Apothecary. She is the author of Mountain States Foraging and Mountain States Medicinal Plants, and teaches nationally through immersive plant camps, courses, and community education. When she’s not in the apothecary or teaching, Briana can be found growing herbs and cut flowers on her homestead, making remedies at the kitchen table, or exploring the outdoors with her kids. Her work centers on helping families and communities reconnect with plants as everyday allies for health, resilience, and relationship with the land.

I’m delighted to share our conversation with you today!

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Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.com

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.

You can find Briana at Rooted-Apothecary.com.

For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!

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On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.

Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.

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Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.