Foraging and Herbalism
Where to begin?! Herbalism has a rich history within our culture, and across the world. The plants, fungi and trees have woven themselves into our lives over thousands of years. With our ancestors they have created a magical relationship of wisdom, nourishment, medicine, tools, inspiration and story. At one time not so long ago, each community would have had Herbalists, Wise Women, Witches, Shamans….whatever the title, they held deep relationships with the natural world and could offer healing as a result. Here in Wales the Physicians of Myddfai still capture our imaginations, and memories of Grandmother’s home remedies remain.
The world of foraging and Herbalism is vast and no one person can ever know it all! But it is a world which welcomes us all freely, and even a few steps out of our front door we can find food, medicine, or both growing right beside us!
My goal is to help open your eyes to this world and empower you to embark on your own journey into a harmonious relationship with ‘The Green Ones’. I do this through workshops, retreats and other offerings throughout the year.
We may:
Walk with Plants – an emphasis on gently listening to the wisdom of the plants and dropping into a place of open curiosity.
Heal with Plants – create remedies to be used as preventive tonics or nourishing medicine such as skin balms, tinctures, Oxymels and Fire Ciders.
Flourish with Plants – create food, often based on more traditional recipes, that feed our microbiome and offer our bodies the nutrients to be well. For example, syrups, ketchups, sauerkraut and soups.
Foraging and Herbalism events coming up.
As much as I value plants, fungi and trees from around the world and their role within other cultures, I choose to mainly work with those that are native to my patch of the planet. I think this makes environmental sense: to limit plants been shipped or flown halfway across the world and help prevent certain species from going extinct due to over harvesting of the latest exotic ‘must have’.
I also firmly believe that the most effective medicine is that which we live alongside. It lives in the same ecological conditions as us and has (often, though I appreciate not always) co-evolved with our ancestors. It can be sourced from its natural habitat, when in season and can provide us with free, local food and / or medicine.
The act of foraging demands a greater awareness of our local spaces, which naturally leads to a greater love for it and desire to protect it.
As a kind of Hedge Witch, I will always advocate for our local plants, fungi and trees!
My Story
I have been drawn to plants for most of my adult life. I remember being out walking and feeling overwhelmed with a desire to somehow ‘capture’ them, capture the feeling of awe and joy I felt in their presence but not knowing how to do so. This all changed when I completed a Plant Spirit Medicine retreat and delved into the world of foraging and herbal medicine. I finally feel like this is MY way to capture their essence and share it with others – for the benefit of our plant and human family. Plants are very much part of my everyday life now: I forage regularly and love to create food, medicine and art in collaboration with them!
