Kirraleaf

02/05/2026

I was just given a bottle of Starlight mead made with Starlight honey... And then gathered some Starlight olive leaves to make a Starlight olive leaf tincture..... can't wait to see how life can get better than this... i hope you have a nice weekend everyone!

24/04/2026

Plants as wounded healers...

Plants have been around a lot longer than us and have faced many challenges and still do. They have had to constantly evolve and rebuild to survive.

Their survival also helped and still helps the whole ecosystem to survive with them.

I hope this helps you understand holism and the role of plants in healing!

21/04/2026

Congratulations to the quiz winner Max Stibbe who will get a half price initial consult with me for answering the question first (on my other page!)...

Benzene rings were a cool discovery because, it is not just benzene that has a benzene ring in its atomic structure, it's also many active compounds in plants, and in our bodies too. These types of molecules have powerful effects.... other powerful molecules that contain benzene rings are things like serotonin and ni****ne, as well as plant chemicals that help defend them from disease like flavonoids, and phenoloc acids (these also have healing capacity for all the animals in the environment that consume them).

This discovery was part of the scientific world coming to understand that there is much more to plants than just simple building blocks like carbohydrates, protein and fats... this is when science started to be able to explain plants' healing capacity, that we have known about for thousands of years.

And the way the scientist Kekule was able to invisage the molecular structure as being a ring rather than a stick was one of those moments where imagination is more important than knowledge...

19/04/2026

I've decided to do a weekly competition kind of thing....

Post your answer to this question (you will likely need to research it!) in the comments and you could win a...

HALF PRICE INITIAL CONSULT

Or

COMPLETELY FREE FOLLOW-UP
(f you have already seen me in the last 6 months)

!!!!!!!

(Online or in person available)
.. if you are the first person to get both parts of the question correct....

This week's question is:

Who discovered the existence of the Benzene Ring molecular structure in many of our plants medicinal compounds? And what made him realise?

11/04/2026

Garlic and goldenrod oxymel.. in a few weeks i will stain this.... oxymels are a base of vinegar and honey... the vinegar acts as a solvent and the honey adds flavour and antimicrobial benefits. Acetic acid in vinegar is also mildly expectorant. The honey goes great to balance the strong garlic taste. Garlic is a great mucolytic (breaks down and clears mucous) as well as strongly antibiotic/ fungal but selective (doesn't harm beneficial bacteria). The vinegar honey and garlic all ensure this product is unlikely to ever go off. The golden rod is anti- inflammatory, antibacterial/fungal, anticatarrhal (clears mucous), and also mildly analgesic and anti spasmodic so great for a colds and flus with a sore throat, cough or sinus congestion. This mix would also be great for swollen glands or Urinary Tract infections.

11/04/2026

Out in the sun today gathering this gorgeous solar herb with some other Golden Rod fan herbies! So great to meet you Thea and Michelle from The Herb Emporium

10/04/2026

My first Golden Rod tincture of the year is soaking. It will be ready when it's ready, probably in a few weeks. This whole bunch mostly (except the little frond of flowers in the last photo) all chopped up to nicely fit in a large jar. I then calculated the right amount of ethanol and water to make the right strength for this plant considering that it's fresh and has its own water content, that will work nicely to extract the healing constituents of this particular plant.

I realised as i did this that the plant makes the medicine but as we prepare and measure, handle and process the medicine we are also making medicine... our conscious prescence, focus, touch and vision, mind body and soul are a part of the process.

Maybe this is why I'm sure when i make my own tinctures, especially wild crafted ones, they are often better in smell and efficacy than the ones made in a factory. I really have found this to be true and it's fascinating.

On that note later in the year i am going to do some workshops on making herbal products. I am feeling like it will be a collaboration. More info in the coming months!

09/04/2026

It is Golden Rod season again. How this glorious and yet humble plant welcomed me when i moved here last year and how nice to be reminded it has been a full year since then. I will be making tinctures, tea and infused moringa oil over the coming weeks. This is my first small Golden Rod harvest for the year, there will be more!
Golden Rod is uplifting, soothing and, as i said last year, is of great benefit to kidney health, sinus and hayfever relief as well as being a great cold and flu tonic... it can help you sweat out a fever and clear inflammation and mucous. It will help with sinus and ear infections as well as Urinary Tract infections and i find the energy of this plant very peaceful and warmly uplifting. It's one of my favourites!

28/02/2026

Cacao is an amazing medicine... its known to improve cognitive function, enhance mood and support cardiovascular health. It's a powerful antioxidant and has superfood level nutrient content. Recently there was a study that highlighted cacao's benefits particularly for micro-vascular health. The tiny blood vessels that nourish the brain, eyes, kidneys and all vital organs are incredibly important for maintaining health and preventing degeneration.

Here is an article by Herbalist Kerry Bone about this study. Notice that high quality medicinal cacao extract was used. Also please see the link in comments about how terrible for you a lot of chocolate is. So make sure you are using pure good quality cacao / quality dark chocolate products!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/profkerrybone_post-1-of-2-one-of-the-core-components-of-activity-7428921079441641472-Ksyk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAACpMrUcBtKI5Y5fxuc3YVu8KX4R4kkFLa3Q&fbclid=Iwb21leAQPOpdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7fHvZCTQQOsISAiIKMf9DQCzjJaIWNXT5ynEug9tsAmxkHzJ7EEA3StHiKMA_aem_9Qd_YeRvWdLrFt4ggM7mEA

Post 1 of 2 One of the core components of my microcirculation phytonutrient diet is cocoa, usually as very dark chocolate (85 to 90%), chosen for its higher flavanol density and lower sugar load. A 2025 systematic review rigorously evaluated the clinical evidence to determine whether cocoa flavanols...

28/02/2026

Recently i met one of my herbal medicine mentors in person for the first time! Jimi wollumbin! He's a total master... he is moving to Greece to finish writing his book on greek medicine. I got some books and herbs and totems for my own clinic and also got to be immersed in his presence which felt like an initiation into knowing that will continue over time....