The Lifestyle Herbalists Podcast--A healthy dose of happiness
Welcome to The Lifestyle Herbalist Podcast.
We are Dabney Vaccaro, a dental hygienist, herbalist, and wellness coach, and Sabrina Cooper, a dental hygienist, herbalist, mindful eating coach. We are so glad you're here.
For years, we've have worked with people who were struggling with things like fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, weight challenges, chronic stress, and oral health concerns. What we have learned is that these issues rarely exist in isolation. The body is always communicating with us, and often the mouth is one of the first places those messages show up.
That's why this podcast exists.
Here, we'll explore the fascinating connections between oral health, mineral balance, herbal medicine, nutrition, and whole-body wellness. We'll talk about how everyday habits influence our health, how herbs can support the body's natural healing processes, and why addressing root causes often leads to better outcomes than simply chasing symptoms.
Our goal isn't to give you all the answers. It's to help you ask better questions, become more connected to your body, and discover practical tools that support your health in a sustainable way.
Whether you're a health professional, an herbal enthusiast, or someone simply looking to feel better, you're welcome here.
Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygeinist.com
and Sabrina at www.nurishwell.com
Episodes

Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
10 min
Your Instagram feed is lying to you about teeth whitening.
✨ In this no-BS episode, we're exposing the truth behind the trendy products bombarding your feed. We'll reveal why that jar of charcoal powder is like sandpaper for your teeth and why that viral lemon juice hack is a recipe for disaster. But it's not all bad news! We’re also giving you the real, doctor-approved secrets to a whiter smile—without the gimmicks. Discover the simple daily habits and powerhouse ingredient that actually work. Your journey to a naturally brighter smile starts here.
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
8 min
Tired of being told to "just floss more" but still seeing blood? The solution is far more complex and fascinating. In this episode, we dismantle the common misconception that bleeding gums are a simple hygiene issue. We reveal inflammation as a whole-body problem and explore the intricate web of factors that cause it:
The Diet Connection: How sugar fuels inflammatory bacteria and nutrient deficiencies hinder repair.
The Stress & Sleep Axis: The surprising ways cortisol and sleep deprivation sabotage your mouth's immune system.
The Mouth Breathing Effect: Why a dry mouth at night creates a bacterial nightmare.
The Microbiome Mismatch: Understanding dysbiosis and the balance of good vs. bad bacteria.Join us as we outline the essential partnership between you and your clinician, transforming you from a passive patient into an active health detective to finally solve the mystery of your bleeding gums for good.
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com
#oralhygiene #gingivitis #oralhealth #inflammation #dentalhygiene

Sep 22, 2025
Sep 22, 2025
21 min
Why does that 3 PM sugar craving feel so powerful? In this episode, we go beyond willpower to uncover the biological roots of sugar addiction. As a dental hygienist, herbalist, and health coach, I reveal the shocking chain reaction that starts in your mouth the moment you eat sugar. You'll learn exactly how sugar fuels the "bad bacteria" that lead to more than just cavities—it's a primary driver of systemic inflammation linked to heart disease and diabetes. But it's not all doom and gloom! I'll give you a practical toolkit featuring blood-sugar-balancing herbs like cinnamon and holy basil help assist and a crucial dental pro-tip for when you do indulge. Learn how to break the cycle for the sake of your oral health and your entire body.
Rasa --Alternative coffee with adaptogens
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
@dabneytheherbalhygienist on IG
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Sep 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
21 min
Feeling off-balance? It might not be you—it might be the xenoestrogens in your environment. Join Dabney on The Lifestyle Herbalists for a crucial conversation about these endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The 101 on Xenoestrogens: What they are and how they trick your body.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The most common household and cosmetic sources you need to know.
The Impact on Your Health: Understanding the link to hormonal issues, metabolic dysfunction, and more.
Your Action Plan: Practical, realistic steps to eliminate these chemicals from your life.
Moving Forward: How to build a protective, cleaner lifestyle for lasting vitality.
If you're a woman looking to optimize your health and minimize your toxic load, this episode is your first step. Listen now and empower yourself with knowledge!
The Dirty Dozen
The Clean 15
Bees Wax Food Wraps
Silicon Huggers--I love these things!
Food Covers
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025
13 min
Join us on an immersive journey to the windswept coast of Brittany, France. This week, Dabney explores a fascinating holistic paradox: a culture where ancient herbs like motherwort, yarrow, and comfrey grow wild alongside bustling cafés, where daily pastry indulgence and wine are woven into the social fabric, yet a visible lack of obesity prevails. What's their secret?
We’ll wander through the cobblestone streets and wild landscapes to discover the untamed apothecary growing at every turn, including the most enormous rosemary shrub you can imagine. But the real medicine goes far beyond the plants. We’re diving deep into the art de vivre—the art of living. We'll unpack how daily rhythms of walking, shopping at local markets for that day's catch, truly savoring food, and prioritizing deep social connection create a powerful foundation of health that transcends modern diet culture.
This episode is a love letter to holistic living in its truest form: a vibrant, joyful tapestry of movement, real food, plant wisdom, and community. If you’ve ever felt torn between indulgence and well-being, this conversation offers a refreshing, inspiring perspective on how to weave it all together. Get ready to be inspired to look down at the weeds beneath your feet and rethink the rhythm of your own life.
Keywords: Holistic Health, Herbalism, Brittany France, Lifestyle Medicine, Farm to Table, Slow Living, Foraging, Functional Nutrition, Mindful Eating, Social Wellness, Natural Movement, French Paradox, Plant Identification, Motherwort, Yarrow, Comfrey, Rosemary.
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Sep 1, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
31 min
This week on The Lifestyle Herbalists, hosts Dabney and Sabrina find themselves in a botanical tale of two climates. One is navigating mold, slugs, and waterlogged roots; the other is hand-watering precious herbs under a scorching sun. Join their conversation as they explore how extreme weather—be it endless rain or punishing drought—shapes the life of an herbal garden. They share their successes, losses, and the adaptable mindset needed to work in partnership with nature, even when it throws its biggest challenges our way.
Contact Dabney--dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Contact Sabrina--sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025
20 min
Ever wake up with a dry, sticky mouth? Or find yourself gasping for air through your mouth during a workout? It might feel normal, but this common habit is secretly sabotaging your health from the inside out.
In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden consequences of chronic mouth breathing. We're not just talking about bad breath and snoring—we're tracing a direct path from your mouth to your gut. You'll discover how breathing through your mouth:
Drastically alters your oral microbiome, creating a paradise for cavity-causing and gum-disease bacteria.
Starves your body of Nitric Oxide, a crucial molecule for immunity, circulation, and oxygen uptake.
Fuels gut inflammation and dysbiosis, explaining the surprising link between oral health and conditions like IBS.
Impacts your sleep, energy levels, and even facial structure.
Join us as we break down the science and offer practical, actionable steps to retrain your breathing, rehabilitate your microbiome, and reclaim your health—one breath at a time.
Tune in to learn why your nose is your body's first line of defense and how shutting your mouth might be the simplest health hack you’ve never tried.
BioGaia Oral Probiotics
Reach Dabney ~ dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina ~ sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Aug 18, 2025
Aug 18, 2025
14 min
Think allergies are just about sniffles and itchy eyes? Think again. This week on The Lifestyle Herbalist, we’re pulling back the curtain on how seasonal allergies wage war on your entire body—from brain fog and sleepless nights to gut drama and oral health woes.
Discover why your immune system acts like an over-caffeinated bodyguard (tackling innocent pollen like it’s a threat), and learn how a simple 4-herb tea blend (goldenrod, nettle, mullein, and elderflower) can help rewire your response to allergens—before the season hits.
We’ll break down:🔹 The surprising ways allergies mess with your brain, gut, and even teeth🔹 Why antihistamines alone aren’t enough (and what to do instead)🔹 Pro tips to prep your body NOW for a symptom-free season
Plus: Is local honey actually helpful? Can a neti pot change your life? And why does your face puff up like a balloon? Get ready to rethink allergies—and reclaim your energy, focus, and sleep!
Herbs mentioned: Goldenrod, nettle, mullein, elderflowerKey terms: Histamine, immune modulation, inflammation, preventative herbalism
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! 🌿☕
P.S. Tag us with your weirdest allergy symptom @LifestyleHerbalist—we might feature you in our next episode!
Find your ALLERGY RELIEF TEA HERE
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Aug 11, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
13 min
In this eye-opening episode, Dabney uncovers the untold story of vitamin K – the unsung hero of your blood, bones, and cardiovascular system. From its dramatic discovery in bleeding chickens to its Nobel Prize-winning research, you'll learn why this overlooked nutrient is making waves in modern medicine.
She'll break down the crucial differences between vitamin K1 (the clotting agent found in greens) and K2 (the bone-and-heart protector in fermented foods), and reveal why most people are dangerously low in K2 without even knowing it. Discover the hidden signs of deficiency that your doctor might miss, from easy bruising to early bone loss, and why your gut health plays a surprising role in vitamin K status.
You'll get practical, science-backed strategies to optimize your levels through food and supplements, including:
The best dietary sources of K1 and K2
Why taking vitamin D without K2 could be doing more harm than good
How this nutrient fights arterial calcification – the hidden cause of heart disease
Special considerations for newborns, seniors, and anyone on blood thinners
Whether you're concerned about osteoporosis, heart health, or just want to understand how nutrients really work in your body, this deep dive into vitamin K will change how you think about this essential but forgotten vitamin. Tune in to discover how correcting this single nutritional gap could transform your long-term health!
Perfect for listeners who enjoyed episodes on: vitamin D deep dives, gut microbiome science, or preventive cardiology.
Subscribe now so you don't miss this fascinating exploration of one of nutrition's most under appreciated players!
Do you have questions? contact Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com or Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

Aug 4, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
11 min
In this episode, Dabney talks about ways to cultivate an abundance mindset in the midst of overwhelm.
Life pulls us in a million directions—work, family, responsibilities—until exhaustion and scarcity thinking become our default. But what if you could shift from survival mode to a life of deep fulfillment, even in the chaos?
In this episode, we explore how overwhelm hijacks our ability to think abundantly and the powerful ways to reclaim it. Discover how chronic stress rewires your brain for lack, why gratitude feels impossible when you're burned out, and how adaptogenic herbs like gotu kola, holy basil, and wood betony can quiet mental chatter and reset your nervous system.
We’ll dive into the physical, mental, and spiritual ripple effects of living from abundance—less anxiety, stronger intuition, and a body that thrives instead of just survives. If you're tired of feeling stretched thin and ready to rewrite your relationship with enoughness, this episode is your invitation to pause, recalibrate, and choose a richer way of living.
Key Takeaways:
Why overwhelm fuels scarcity mindset (and how to break the cycle)
Herbal allies for mental clarity + stress resilience (including dosing tips)
The body’s dramatic shift when you operate from abundance
Simple daily practices to rewire your brain for trust and gratitude
Tune in and discover how to stop chasing "more" and start living like you already have enough.
(Episode length: 11 minutes – Perfect for your morning walk or commute!)
P.S. Love herbs? Grab my free guide on "3 Adaptogens for Instant Calm" at www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com








