Kat Green MNIMH, Medical Herbalist

17/08/2026

Could what we eat influence how the brain functions…and so, our emotions?

Some really interesting new research from UCSF is exploring the potential role of a ketogenic diet in people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder with psychotic features.

The study found significant improvements in things like:
🧠 Metabolic health
🧠 Insulin resistance & blood sugar levels
🧠 Mood and psychiatric symptoms
🧠 Cognitive performance

It’s another fascinating piece of the puzzle when it comes to the connection between metabolic health and brain health.

Find the study here: https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article-abstract/52/4/sbag082/8725541?utm_source=chatgpt.com&login=false

25/07/2026

The blackberries are ripening beautifully after turning the sun’s energy into natural sugars.

Like all blue and purple plant foods, they contain anthocyanidins, the pigments that give them their deep colour and help protect our cells from oxidative stress.

That said, it’s just as important to reduce the things that drive oxidative stress in the first place. A handful of blackberries can’t undo the effects of foods or lifestyles that drive oxidative stress (biochemical stress on cells), but they can absolutely be part of a lifestyle that supports good health.

Eating with the seasons is something I think we’ve become a bit disconnected from. Our ancestors didn’t have access to sugar all year round like we do today. There were naturally times of plenty and times when food was scarcer, and our bodies are incredibly well adapted to switch over and use stored body fat for energy when needed.

If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract can add plenty of additional flavour.

Are the brambles fruiting near you yet?

16/07/2026

A few signs of unstable blood sugars or metabolic imbalance:

📈Mood swings or fluctuating energy
📈Feeling hungry every 2 hours
📈Intense food cravings (need to eat NOW!)
📈Weight gain that’s difficult to shift
📈Brain fog
📈Fatigue and low energy
📈Skin tags
📈Feeling nauseous if you go too long without eating

Here’s a simple experiment to try:

For the next 3–5 days, have a protein-rich breakfast. For example, a 2–4 egg omelette with full-fat Philadelphia cheese, chives, smoked salmon and/or avo slices. Skip the bread, cereal, pastries, and other carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods.

Then assess how you feel:

💡How are your energy levels throughout the morning?
💡Do you stay fuller for longer, or are you hungry again within an hour?
💡Have your cravings reduced?
💡Is your focus and mental clarity any better?

This isn’t a diagnostic test, but it can be a useful way to notice how your body responds to a higher-protein start to the day. Small changes can sometimes reveal important clues about your metabolism.

Chime in below to let me know your experience!

14/07/2026

Making up topical preparations for seborrhoeic dermatitis; a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause flaky, itchy, and inflamed skin.

Although the exact cause isn’t fully understood, it’s thought to result from a combination of factors, including:

• A naturally occurring skin yeast (Malassezia) that can trigger inflammation in some people.
• Oily skin, which creates an environment where the yeast can flourish.
• A skin barrier that’s more sensitive or easily irritated.
• Hormonal changes, stress, certain health conditions, and occasionally nutritional deficiencies.

09/07/2026

Delighted to share this wonderful exhibition from The RHS , launching on 18 July 2026 at Thackray Museum of Medicine and running through until January.

It makes for a great family day out exploring the fascinating world of plants, nature and discovery!

Check it out here: https://thackraymuseum.co.uk/event/where-magic-grows/

22/06/2026

Nourishing Bone Broth 🥣 🦴

This beautiful pot will simmer for hours to days, gently extracting and concentrating nutrients from bones and connective tissues.

The result is a deeply nourishing, mineral-rich broth containing electrolytes such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium, along with collagen, peptides, and gut-healing amino acids.

💡Tip: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar before simmering. The mild acidity helps draw more minerals from the bones into the broth.

Bone broth can be a wonderful homemade daily electrolyte drink, with the added benefits of protein and collagen support.

As the broth simmers, the liquid often becomes cloudy or milky. This is a sign that collagen, gelatin, minerals, and other beneficial compounds have been released into the water, creating a rich, nourishing broth.

Simple, traditional, and packed with goodness.

18/06/2026

Good health starts with the way we think.

Instead of waiting for motivation, start acting like the healthy person you want to become. The choices we make each day; what we eat, how we move, how we care for ourselves, shape our future health.

In a world filled with industrialised foods and constant convenience, choosing nourishing foods and healthy habits is an act of self-respect.

It often means choosing delayed gratification today for better health tomorrow.

05/06/2026

15/02/2026

A formal proposal has been submitted to the WHO, initiated by the and the , calling for food addiction to be officially recognised as a diagnosis, so that people can access the right treatment and support they deserve.

There is now a growing body of scientific evidence showing that sugar and ultra-processed foods can trigger addictive-like responses in the brain, similar to other substances. Research highlights their impact on dopamine pathways, intense cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences - key hallmarks of addiction.

Recognising food addiction would mean improved awareness, stronger research frameworks, and, most importantly, access to appropriate treatment for those affected.

Do you know someone who has struggled with sugar or ultra-processed foods?

Help make Food Addiction official and support the call for recognition here [Link in bio]

https://tr.ee/i72yz9gZ97

06/02/2026

Thoroughly enjoyed leading last night’s From Stressed to Rested workshop.

We explored the many factors that can disrupt sleep, how the nervous system works and shared ways to help rebalance the nervous system. We slowed things down with a sensory tea tasting of chamomile, a softly soothing herbal nervine.

Huge thanks to and NHS hospital teams for taking the time to pause, reflect, and consider how best to support their nervous systems in a modern world that continually asks more of us.

It sparked an important question: why do we so often feel guilty when we rest? And what might change if we reframed rest as just as essential as water, nourishment, and movement for the body?