“Your symptoms are real.”
Those four words may not sound extraordinary, but for millions of women living with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, and unexplained health conditions, they can be life changing.
Too often, women are told they’re stressed, anxious, hormonal, or simply imagining their symptoms. They bounce from one doctor to another hoping someone will finally connect the dots. Sometimes that happens quickly. More often, it doesn’t.
That reality became a central theme during my conversation with chef, clinical herbalist, and author Lisanna Wallance on the Plant-Based Eating for Health podcast.
While the discussion explored herbal medicine and the role of plants in supporting health, it became much more than that. It was a conversation about listening to your body, advocating for yourself, and recognizing that healing isn’t always found in one prescription, one diagnosis, or one solution.
A Health Crisis That Changed Everything
Before Lisanna became known for beautifully crafted plant-based recipes and her knowledge of herbal medicine, she was simply trying to figure out why her body wasn’t cooperating.
Born with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a hereditary connective tissue disorder, she had dealt with health challenges for much of her life. But after college, everything changed.
Her symptoms escalated to the point where she could barely get out of bed. Eating became difficult. Her digestive system struggled. The career she thought she would pursue no longer seemed possible.
Like many people facing chronic illness, she found herself searching for answers beyond what she was hearing in the exam room.
That doesn’t mean she rejected conventional medicine. Quite the opposite.
Throughout our conversation, Lisanna was clear that medical care played an essential role in stabilizing her condition. But she also realized there were things she could do every single day that supported her body rather than simply reacting to symptoms.
That’s where food entered the picture in a whole new way.
What started as a love of cooking became an intensive study of nutrition, herbal medicine, and the remarkable chemistry found within plants. That journey eventually led her to Paris, where she earned a degree in clinical herbalism and began exploring how food could become an important part of supporting overall health.
Food Is More Than Fuel
Most of us grew up thinking about food in fairly simple terms.
- Eat enough protein.
- Watch your fat intake.
- Get your vitamins.
- Avoid too much sugar.
Those are all important pieces of the puzzle, but Lisanna challenged me to think beyond nutrients alone.
Plants contain thousands of naturally occurring compounds that scientists continue to study. While vitamins and minerals help keep our bodies functioning properly, many of these other plant compounds appear to influence inflammation, immune function, digestion, and countless biological processes we’re only beginning to understand.
It’s a reminder that an apple isn’t simply vitamin C. Broccoli isn’t simply fiber. Herbs aren’t simply seasoning.
Nature has developed an astonishing level of complexity, and we’re still uncovering how many of those compounds interact with the human body.
I found that perspective fascinating because it shifts the conversation away from counting calories and toward appreciating food for everything it brings to the table.
When Healthy Foods Don’t Feel Healthy
One of the biggest surprises during our discussion was learning that even healthy foods aren’t always healthy for everyone.
That statement may sound contradictory, but Lisanna explained it beautifully.
For people dealing with autoimmune disorders, connective tissue diseases, mast cell activation, histamine intolerance, or certain digestive conditions, foods that are generally considered beneficial can sometimes trigger symptoms.
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.
- Certain fruits.
- Some vegetables.
- Even foods widely celebrated within the health community.
The takeaway wasn’t that these foods are bad.
It was a reminder that nutrition is deeply personal.
Too often we look for one diet that works for everyone. The reality is that our bodies are wonderfully complex. What supports one person’s health may temporarily challenge someone else’s, particularly when chronic illness is involved.
That kind of nuance is often missing from conversations about nutrition.
A Conversation That Became Personal
As Lisanna described how women are frequently told their symptoms are exaggerated or psychological, I found myself reflecting on my own experience.
More than fifty years ago, I developed severe abdominal pain that left me barely functioning. My abdomen became so swollen I couldn’t tolerate being touched. For months I searched for answers while being told, more than once, that the problem was probably in my head.
Eventually I found a physician who had recently attended a medical conference discussing a condition that was only beginning to receive attention.
Endometriosis.
Finally there was a name for what I had been experiencing.
Listening to Lisanna speak, I couldn’t help wondering how many women today are still hearing those same dismissive responses.
Fortunately, researchers are making important discoveries about the connections between hormones, inflammation, the immune system, connective tissue disorders, and gut health. We’re learning far more than we knew even a decade ago.
But as our conversation made clear, there is still much work to be done before every woman feels heard, believed, and properly treated.
Looking Beyond the Prescription Pad
One aspect of our conversation that I found especially interesting was Lisanna’s perspective on the relationship between conventional medicine and herbal medicine. Far too often, people believe they have to choose one or the other. Lisanna doesn’t see it that way.
She credits conventional medicine with helping stabilize her condition, but she also believes there is tremendous value in asking what we can do every day to support our health. That includes what we eat, how we prepare our meals, and even the herbs we choose to incorporate into our daily routines.
It’s not about replacing one form of care with another. It’s about recognizing that healing often requires a comprehensive approach.
That philosophy resonated with me because it’s one of the reasons I adopted a whole food, plant-based lifestyle years ago. I wasn’t looking for a miracle cure. I wanted to reduce inflammation, improve my overall health, and give my body the best opportunity to thrive. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, and conversations like this reinforce why those choices matter.
What Europe Can Teach Us About Food
Since Lisanna now lives in Paris, I was curious about the differences she sees between food in Europe and the United States.
Her observations were eye-opening.
She described grocery stores where fresh produce is front and center rather than processed foods. She talked about ingredient labels that often rely on natural colorings like beetroot, turmeric, and spirulina instead of synthetic dyes. Even something as simple as bread sparked an interesting discussion. Many people report digestive issues when eating bread in the United States but find they can enjoy it without difficulty in countries like France.
Is it the wheat? The pesticides? The preservatives? Farming practices? Food regulations?
There isn’t one simple answer, but it’s a conversation worth having.
We also talked about portion sizes and the amount of sugar hidden in foods and beverages sold in the United States. Over time, many of us have come to accept oversized portions and heavily processed foods as normal, when in reality they’re anything but.
The more I learn, the more convinced I become that the quality of our food matters just as much as the quantity.
Herbs Aren’t Magic. They’re Science.
With book titles like Plant-Based Magic and The Natural Witch’s Cookbook, it’s easy to assume Lisanna is talking about something mystical.
She’s not.
The “magic” she refers to is the remarkable chemistry of plants.
One example she shared was herbal tea. Most of us reach for a single herb like chamomile when we want to relax or peppermint when our stomach is upset. Clinical herbalists often approach herbs differently, blending several herbs that complement one another rather than relying on just one.
It reminded me that nature rarely works in isolation. Plants evolved alongside one another, and many herbal traditions recognize the value of combining them thoughtfully.
As someone who has spent years encouraging people to embrace more whole plant foods, I found this perspective refreshing. It wasn’t about chasing the latest wellness trend. It was about understanding how plants have been used across cultures for generations and why modern science is beginning to validate many of those practices.
Healthy Eating Shouldn’t Feel Like Punishment
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Lisanna what advice she would give someone just beginning to eat more plant-based foods.
Her answer was simple, practical, and something I wholeheartedly agree with.
Start with foods you genuinely enjoy.
Too often people approach healthy eating as a long list of restrictions. They focus on everything they think they have to give up instead of discovering the incredible variety of foods they can enjoy.
Lisanna encouraged listeners to find meals they love, stock their kitchens with wholesome ingredients, and make healthy choices the easiest choices. Maybe it’s adding hemp seeds to breakfast, keeping herbs within easy reach, or experimenting with vegetables you’ve never tried before. Small changes have a way of becoming lifelong habits.
I’ve seen that happen in my own life.
When I first transitioned to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, I wasn’t trying to be perfect. I was simply looking for a better way to support my health. What I discovered was far more than a different way of eating. I found more energy, less inflammation, and a renewed appreciation for how good healthy food can actually taste.
A Conversation Worth Having
One sentence from Lisanna has stayed with me since we recorded this interview.
“Your symptoms are real.”
For anyone who’s struggled with chronic illness, that’s more than reassurance. It’s validation.
Whether you’re dealing with an autoimmune condition, digestive issues, chronic inflammation, or you’re simply looking for ways to support your health as you age, this conversation offers thoughtful insights without making unrealistic promises.
Food won’t solve every health challenge.
Neither will herbs.
But together, alongside quality medical care and healthy lifestyle choices, they may become powerful allies in helping us feel our best.
About Lisanna Wallance
Lisanna Wallance is a chef, clinical herbalist, and author whose work combines the healing power of plant-based nutrition with traditional herbal wisdom. She is the author of Plant-Based Magic and The Natural Witch’s Cookbook, which has been published in four languages.
Born and raised in New York, Lisanna attended Barnard College of Columbia University before moving to Paris, where she now lives. Her passion for food as medicine grew out of her own health journey. Born with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, she turned to cooking and plant medicine to help manage her symptoms and improve her well-being.
Lisanna holds a degree in clinical herbalism from l’École des Plantes de Paris and is dedicated to helping others discover how nourishing, plant-based foods can support both physical and emotional wellness. Through her recipes, writing, and teaching, she shows that healthy eating can be both deeply healing and incredibly delicious.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits. Kathleen recently joined the Board of Directors for Blue Barn Farm and Sanctuary in Creswell, Oregon.