Herbalist Rebecca Lazarou (Laz the Plant Scientist)’s research interests encompass plant and fungal medicines, herbalism, pharmacognosy, quality control of plants, cannabis and psychedelics, ethnopharmacology, neuroscience, holistic therapies, ethnobotany and botanical quality control, entheogens, healing, and wellbeing. In this episode, Laz shares her journey from a prophetic dream in her teens to a career dedicated to the study and preservation of medicinal plants, blending rigorous scientific inquiry with reverence for ancestral knowledge.

The conversation touches on the marginalization of herbalism through colonial and patriarchal histories, the importance of re-integrating these ancient practices into a modern context guided by respect, curiosity, and care, as well as how herbal medicine works in harmony with the human body, why reductionist science often misses the bigger picture, and how reconnecting with the intelligence of plants can inspire both personal and planetary healing. 

Rebecca is a scientist, writer, and speaker working at the intersection of ethnobotany, pharmacology, and culture. With a Master’s in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry, she has conducted research at Kew Gardens, serves on the board of the McKenna Academy, and advocates for democratizing access to plant-based medicine and education.

Research and writings: https://www.rebeccalazarou.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laztheplantscientist/
Shop: https://laztheplantscientist.com/collections/all