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What's in a Season?

Eating seasonally means eating foods that are naturally in harvest at that time of year, such as strawberries in June and butternut squashes in October. This usually goes hand in hand with eating local produce and so also better for the planet....

Easing Chronic Sinus Issues

“I’ve struggled for years with sinus problems and so I used to take Sudafed a-lot to help with the symptoms. However I found this year it was worsening and becoming more frequent. I didn’t want to keep taking medication so I spoke to Sam who made me a tincture. Since then my sinuses have cleared, I felt like they were solid and after a couple of weeks of blowing my nose (a lot!) my sinuses feel so relieved. I didn’t realise how much the sudafed had dried me up and actually made things wo...

Sexy Herbs

💜 Want to get your groove on (or back?) 💜 Overwork & stress lowering your libido? 💜 Time of life impacting your sex drive & performance? Ignite your passion & pep up your sex life with these sexy herbs! 🌿 Horny Goatweed (Epimedium grandiflorum) - the name says it all - increases both male & female libido & shown to promote nitric oxide synthesis to enhance erectile function 🌿 Puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) - used in Ayurvedic medicine as a sexual stimulant for both men & wome...

Soothe Me Cream for Infected Eczema Case

“Thank you for the cream. I’ve used the first cream in its entirety yesterday and today and it has been amazing … My daughter's skin was really red and the cream has soothed it and peeled it so it’s looking much calmer today... Thanks Sam … I can’t tell you what a relief the cream has been this week!” I added some antimicrobial herbs such as Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) to the Soothe Me Cream to ease some infected eczema for this lovely girl. I'm so pleased to hear i...

Reaching for a Monday morning coffee?

Caffeine increases the stress hormone cortisol which stimulates our fight or flight response. This can make us overreact to situations, become irritable & agitated and make our hearts beat faster. Our bodies are designed to boost energy levels in the mornings so we already produce cortisol naturally, adding that cup of coffee first thing swamps our system. Try waiting until you have been up for at least an hour before consuming any caffeine. If you already have increased anxiety or suffer from p...

Sleep Powder

Making a lovely powder mix to help a client get their sleep back on on track 🥰 💤Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) - traditionally used in India as bedtime drink, relieves stress, anxiety and inflammation 💤Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) - sedative and calming effect, a heart tonic and tones nervous system 💤Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) - a powerful sedative, at low doses acts as an antidepressant and useful for calming an agitated mind 💤Turmeric (Curcuma longa) - reduces inflamma...

Castor Oil Packs

A castor oil pack is a piece of wool or cotton cloth soaked in castor oil which is applied on the skin. People use them to ease several ailments, including skin conditions, blood circulation problems, and digestive issues. Specifically, application of a castor oil pack seems to increase detoxification through the liver and trigger the other organs of elimination to open and release. It may also help stimulate the lymphatic system, improve circulation, and generally aid toxin removal....

King of Bitters - Andrographis paniculata (green chiretta)

This herb has been in the news this week after trials in Thai prisons to treat COVID-19 have shown encouraging results. A strong antimicrobial, antiviral and stimulates the immune system. I often use it in remedies for infections either as a tincture (liquid extract of herb in alcohol) or as a tea. Due to its immensely bitter taste - known as ‘King of Bitters’ - I will often combine it with other herbs such as Liquorice or Elderberry to make it more palatable. The bitter taste also stimulat...

Alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shohana

This technique balances Vata and because Vata is the chief dosha this in turn balances both Pitta and Kapha. Benefits of this technique: 🍃It activates, cleanses, and brings balance to the solar (masculine) and lunar (feminine) channels of the subtle body. These channels are directly related to the same dualistic energies activated by different hormones in the body, so hormone imbalances almost always reflect an excess or deficiency in either solar or lunar energies—and sometimes both. ...

Immune Boosting Astragalus Miso Soup

Astragalus is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen wei qi – the energy that circulates the surface of the body. It is also known to increase white blood cell count, decrease viral replication and stimulates production of T killer cells. (word of caution – do not take if you have an active infection, speak to your practitioner first) Miso is a fermented bean sauce which is full of probiotics – supporting healthy gut flora has been strongly linked with immune system health. Add...

Homemade Fire Cider

Most herbalists will have their own version of this immune booster, here’s mine with a little added extra to super charge that immune system.Ingredients:½ cup grated or chopped fresh horseradish root½ cup or more fresh chopped onions¼ cup or more chopped garlic¼ cup or more grated or chopped gingerChopped fresh or dried cayenne pepper ‘to taste’ (whole or powdered). To Taste means it should be hot, but not so hot you can’t tolerate it. Better to make it a little milder than too hot; ...

Autumn Equinox

The Autumn equinox marks the end of summer where day and night are equal and we start our journey to longer nights Also known as Mabon, named after a Welsh mythological god the son of the Earth Mother, it is a good time to reflect on the year recognising your successes and letting go of the things that have not served you well. This equinox is a time for us to find balance and nurture ourselves, an opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath and prepare for the winter - and give our immune sy...

My Naturopathic Journey

You might say herbalism is in my blood.  The story goes that my great-great grandmother was known for her home-made remedies and was secretly referred to as the witch of the village in her local community. My journey to being a Naturopath & Herbal Medicine practitioner doesn’t start in the small Welsh mining town where my ancestor practised but with a career in Chemistry where I obtained a Masters in Analytical Chemistry and then went on to become a Chartered Accountant. As I navigated my...

Menopause is a natural stage of life and not a disease, often it has been viewed as a taboo subject

Menopause is a natural stage of life and not a disease, often it has been viewed as a taboo subject but we are now speaking up and looking for natural strategies to help with some of the common symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, palpitations, loss of libido...the seven dwarves of menopause.We will explore how diet, stress and gut health can impact our experience.Perimenopause can occur 2 to 8+ years before periods cease, ovulation and periods become irregular and often w...

Moon Seed Cycling

Originally a female’s hormone cycle was dictated by the moon. Modern living has disconnected us from nature (artificial lighting, environment toxins, stress, processed diet and inactive lifestyles) and largely disrupted our natural rhythms. This protocol is designed to push your body’s rhythms back towards the lunar cycle, helping to balance hormone levels and support fertility....

Nettle Pesto!

Ingredients:- 100g young nettles or top leaves of older plants (that aren’t flowering)- Small handful of basil, parsley or whatever you have to hand (I used leafy carrot tops for this one)- 50g walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds- 25g parmesan or vegetarian equivalent (or nutritional yeast for vegan version)- 1 garlic clove- 100ml olive oil- salt and pepper Method: 10 mins prep time Place nettles in a pan of boiling water, making sure they are fully immersed. Cook for 1 minute which is enough to rem...

Urtica Dioica - Stinging nettle

The Latin name for nettles is Urtica which means “to burn” most of us have experienced that painful stinging when we have brushed against a nettle Did you know that the Romans rubbed nettles on their arms and legs to keep warm? The nettle sting is a “counter-irritant” which means its chemicals can actually decrease existing pain. Nowadays fresh nettles have been used to ease muscle and arthritic pain. What else is this stinger good for? Full of vitamins A, C and some B plus minerals suc...

World Chocolate Day

Did you know that in Britain we eat an estimated 660,000 tonnes of chocolate a year – WOW! As you will know chocolate is made from the cacao bean (which is processed into cocoa) but few of us are aware of the benefits Cacao. Cacao is packed with calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. Cacao powder can help: Promote healthy digestion Reduce IBS symptoms Lower blood pressure Reduce heart disease risk Improve your mood! A great way to get the benefits of Cacao is to add a coupl...

Is the weather giving you a headache?

There’s been a lot of talk about people experiencing headaches lately and a lot of it is due to our ever-changing weather we’re having! “Grey skies, high humidity and thunderstorms causes pressure changes which are thought to trigger chemical and electrical changes in our brains, leading to headaches" (NHS.UK) Ginger and feverfew are natural remedies we can use to help ease these headaches. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects as well as being known to increase serotoni...

Love your lungs week

Whether it is a respiratory infection or a chronic respiratory issue such as asthma these herbs have shown to be useful lung tonics. Verbascum thapsus (mullein)A relaxing expectorant, can be used for a wet or dry cough with catarrhSoothes irritated & inflamed airways and eases spasmsThe infused flower oil is often used for earaches Inula helenium (elecampane)A stimulating expectorant, removes excess mucous & chronic catarrh.An excellent lung restorative herb used in chronic respiratory condition...

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The snails seem to know what plants are good for them…Despite being well munched my fenugreek plant is holding on and has given me a beautiful flower. Well known for its culinary use but did you know fenugreek seeds have medicinal properties:Natural source of ironStimulates milk production in mothersCan be gargled to ease sore throatsAids digestion & soothes irritation and inflammation in the gutLowers harmful cholesterol & triglyceridesRegulates blood sugar levelsReduces menopausal sympt...

Herbal Sunscreens - The Future?

With the sun finally making an appearance, I wanted to see if plants can be used to protect us against the sun’s rays.  How can we tap into the properties that a plant has to protect itself from the sun?Whilst moderate exposure to the sun is beneficial to our health & wellbeing and triggers vitamin D production, excessive UV radiation can cause sunburn, premature ageing & skin cancers and suppress our immune systems.There is growing interest in the use of herbs to protect against damaging...

Benefits of Lemon Balm

Harvesting some lemon balm today, lovely used fresh as an infusion. I’m letting mine cool for a refreshing drink Lemon Balm benefits: Reduces tension, anxiety & agitation Antiviral against herpes simplex Volatile oils are antibacterial, antifungal & antihistamine Helpful in irregular & painful periods, PMS & menopausal depression Thyroid inhibitory effect (avoid with thyroid drugs) May be useful in prevention & treatment of Alzeheimer’s due to it’s ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase ...

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) - known as the “Caterpillar fungus”

A unique species in the medicinal mushroom family, it grows on an insect host rather than a plant. Originally thought to be a parasitic relationship, in some cases it seems to be also beneficial to the moth larvae it grows on - they obtain energy from the cordyceps to give them a selective advantage, particularly useful in extreme environments such as the high Tibetan plateau. The vast majority of cordyceps available today is cultivated on non-insect, grain-based substrates so suitable for veget...

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) - “known as the fragrant mushroom”

I can’t help but think of the Outkast song Roses ...I know you’d like to think your shiitake don’t stink Shiitake mushrooms have been used as medicinal food in Asian Countries for thousands of years. As well as having a delicious rich, savoury taste, they are packed with nutrients. High levels of B vitamins and 18 amino acids (including the essential ones that we can’t make ourselves) to maintain muscle tissue and keep a healthy balance of feel-good neurochemicals. Not to mention m...