Suburban Herbalist

20/08/2026

My governing Body for herbal medicine produce a fantastic Herbal magazine called the power of plants covering permaculture, going nearly alcohol free , sustainability,
Looking after marginalised communities and much more!!

The Summer edition of our Power of Plants magazine is out now! 🌸 📖

This edition includes:
🌿Going (Almost) Alcohol Free - Natasha Richardson
🌿Spagyrics by Hannah Charman
🌿A herbalist in every School by Elizabeth Fisher
🌿Sustainability in Herbal Practice by Alice Johnston
🌿The Permaculture Garden in the Summer by Holly Van Heffernan

PoP Magazine gives you a quarterly dose of articles, opinion, research and updates, showcasing all of the amazing ways that plants, practitioners and people interact. 🪴 😀

Full Members of the Institute receive a free copy of our magazine by opting in.
Not a member? You can buy an issue, or subscribe, on our website (link in bio)

Happy herbal reading!

16/08/2026

Calendula Lotion Bars!

Ingredients:
Equal parts calendula infused
Olive oil, shea butter, beeswax.
Put into a double boiler and melt and stir.
Once melted let cool to about 40 degrees then add 30 drops of essential oil in total.
I added lavender, cypress, geranium, rosemary and then stirred.
Sprinkle a mould with a little calendula then pour melted ingredients into it. Let it set for 20 mins on the side or in the fridge. Pop them out of the mould. Wrap in paper and store out of direct sunlight in a jar. Rub into skin to moisturise when needed.

13/05/2026

Herb of the month!

There are numerous lemon-flavored or lemon-scented plants in the herb world, but in my opinion, none rival the clean lemon fragrance and taste of lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora). I was first introduced to this plant when I was an intern in the National Herb Garden (NHG), and I’ve been partial to...

06/04/2026

Passiflora a true easter herb! A brilliant aid to sleep, menopausal palpations and a relaxing nervine!

This Herb is often associated with Easter as the crown of thorns and the nails are seen to be represented in the flower. There are various Passionflowers, with being used in for its calming properties.
It also relieves pain and is recommended for lung deficiency, inflammation and conditions such as asthma.
Our original medicine for All life on this planet, has been used for centuries, it is only in relatively recent years that it became disrespected by some and given other titles, such as Alternative, which it certainly is not.
Facts and evidence of herbs as medicine have been recorded around the globe.
Respect and evidence based, exceeds any trials that companies may pay for, that was known as commonsense, but apparently even that isn't common any more.
Herbs are our past, present and future, always have been and always will be and this educational charity has been saying that for nearly a century.
Will you join us and promote all aspects herbs as important today as they ever were.

02/04/2026

Do you know the difference between a liniment and a herbal tincture ?They are both herbs extracted in to alcohol however a liniment is not for internal consumption and is applied externally to the skin and muscles for pain and bruising!

Similar to tinctures, liniments are herbal preparations made by infusing herbs in alcohol.

The difference is that liniments are applied externally to the skin, where the alcohol evaporates quickly, allowing the herbs to pe*****te the skin rapidly.

Liniments are commonly used for addressing sore muscles, inflammation, bruises, and tension, due to their quick absorption and targeted action on the skin and muscles.

Here is a potent and medicinal recipe:
www.learningherbs.com/blog/jethro-kloss .tab=0

02/04/2026

Nettles are a wonderful spring tonic packed full of vitamin C, and are a free food, read about its healing prperties below!

From our poster that you can colour in or have the laminated version. Designed by a world renown Herbalist and once Chair of this educational charity.
Nettles are iron + vitamin C rich, a spring tonic with cleansing and clearing action on the body. They are natural diuretics, at their best NOW before flowering, when they need to be left alone.
Rich in other chlorophil and more, kitchen Medicine, that is free + plentiful.
As soon as stinging nettles come into contact with heat, they loose the sting, but not their health properties.
They appear as sensitive types suffer with hay fever, etc, as these are a natural antihistamine.
3-4 mugs are needed a day if you want the therapeutic value.
However if you have a dry constitution, as in constipated, dry eyes, flaky skin etc. They may not be right for you, a Herbalist takes all this into consideration before prescribing anything. Balance is needed, in all things, we choose what is right for the individual, who is unique and special, we are NOT all the same, function is different in each person.
Herbalist diagnose and it's not all about expensive testing, pulse, tongue eyes etc may determine the herbalists assessment of you. Skills are taught and evidence in practice builds years of knowledge.

14/03/2026

Time for a spring tonic to clear the sluggishness of winter away ! Why not try a cold infusion of cleavers?

✨ MONTHLY HERBAL SERIES ✨
March: A cooling, cleansing climber
aka Cleavers, goosegrass, sticky willie, sticky w**d (Galium aparine)

This long-legged ‘sticky’ plant is not sticky; rather, it is covered in tiny hooked hairs that help it clamber over hedges to reach the light. Although a source of frustration for gardeners, it has long been treasured by dairy farmers and herbalists alike.

Have you heard the folk saying that states ‘if you drink cleavers for nine weeks, you will be so beautiful everyone will fall in love with you’? This is because cleavers has a lymphatic action, which supports the body’s immune defense system with an action on cleaning and clearing the body’s tissues from waste products and infection. It is also high in nutrients such as silica, which is useful for maintaining skin health.

Herbalists use these actions for improving skin conditions such as acne and eczema, which is what the folk saying refers to: who wouldn’t love a glowing skin? ✨

🐮What about those dairy farmers? A thick, tangled ball of cleavers was once used as a milk strainer, the hooks effectively sieved out any impurities leaving the milk cow hair and straw-free.

To consult a herbalist about the conditions discussed, please use 'Find a Herbalist' https://nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist/ to locate one near you.

10/02/2026

The checklist for a sustainable foragers!

31/01/2026

Rose hips they are sustainable, rich in Vitamin C, great for your aches and pains and grow in abundance on native soil.

✨ MONTHLY HERBAL SERIES ✨
February: A vitamin-rich fruit that helps with aches and pains
Rosehip - Rosa canina and other species

This month in our Power of Plants Magazine (buy it here - https://nimh.org.uk/shop/8187/ ), National Institute of Medical Herbalists member and registered herbalist Forage Botanicals Ltd.discusses sustainable British healing herbs. One of these is the common dog rose (Rosa canina), a beautiful climbing shrub that produces gorgeous ruby red, oval fruit, known as ‘hips’ in Autumn. The hips can still be spotted in the hedgerows in January and February. Although they are no longer ideal for making herbal medicine at this point, they are an important source of winter food for birds.

Some people may remember being given doses of rosehip syrup as an immune-supporting source of vitamin C. Herbalists also harness its powers for aches, pains and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis. Clinical trials confirm that rosehip powder consistently reduces osteoarthritic pain and inflammation, outperforming placebo and without the digestive upset of a typical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Another study found that its galactolipid content offers targeted reductions in pain and rheumatic inflammation.

Many of the different types of British wild and cultivated roses have hips that can be used to make syrups. Have you made syrup before or do you remember being given a dose? What is your favourite rose to use? Tell us more in the comments 🌹🌿👇🏻

08/12/2025

Winter wellness see a herbalist 🌿

Winter Wellness: Herbs & Herbalists 🌿❄️

During the cold months, many people experience fatigue, lowered immunity, and seasonal illnesses, making winter wellness herbs an important natural support.

✨ Elderberry - prized for its antiviral properties and commonly used to reduce the severity of colds and flu.
🌿 Echinacea - helps stimulate the immune system, making it more resilient against infections.
✨ Ginger - warms the body, aids digestion, and reduces inflammation.
🌿 Turmeric - valued for its anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it supports joint health and strengthens immunity.

Herbs provide an integrative approach to staying strong and healthy through winter, offering both preventive and restorative benefits. While these herbs can offer powerful support, working with a qualified herbalist ensures they’re used safely and effectively, tailored to your unique needs.

Why see a Herbalist?
Professional training → Medical herbalists complete thousands of hours of study and clinical practice, ensuring safe and effective care.
Personalise support → Tailor herbs to your constitution, lifestyle, and health needs.
Navigate safety → Ensure herbs don’t interact with medications or conditions.
Deeper understanding → Herbalists are trained in pathophysiology, meaning they treat the root causes of illness, not just symptoms.
Expert Guidance → Learn to integrate herbs safely and effectively into daily life.
Holistic care → Herbalists look at the whole picture, diet, stress, sleep, and environment not just symptoms. 🌿

👉 Find a qualified herbalist near you using our tool: https://buff.ly/qJppP0R