Delving into the plant-powered world of herbalism.
A podcast for budding herbalist and botanical beginners alike, subscribe to the Herbcast and explore how herbs can be integrated in our every day lives.
Meet some of the world’s most renowned herbalists, here to inspire you to use herbs safely, effectively and sustainably.
Herbcast is a Decibelle Creative original podcast
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Données mises à jour le 26/09/2026
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The Pros vs the Products: Do supplements work or should you just see a herbalist with Dr Robert Verkerk
Saison 5 · Épisode 55
vendredi 25 septembre 2026 • Durée 57:14
The Pros vs the Products: Do supplements work or should you just see a herbalist?
Sebastian speaks with Dr. Rob Verkerk, the founder and scientific director of the Alliance for Natural Health International. They explore the relationship between herbal supplements and traditional herbalism, discussing the efficacy of supplements and the importance of consulting with herbal practitioners.
Dr. Verkerk shares his extensive background in ecology and health, highlighting the need for better integration of herbal knowledge within modern healthcare.
This episode also covers the historical context of supplements, the potential gaps in modern diets, and the challenges surrounding the regulation and quality of herbal products.
In this episode:
- The definition and purpose of dietary supplements in contemporary health.
- Challenges in the regulation and quality control of herbal products.
- The importance of phytonutrients and dietary diversity in preventing chronic diseases.
- How traditional wisdom can inform modern healthcare practices.
- The critical role of herbal practitioners in supporting individual health journeys.
About Dr. Rob Verkerk:
Robert Verkerk is a leading scientist in the healthcare field and is the founder of the Alliance for Natural Health.
Robert is an internationally acclaimed scientist with over 25 years experience in the field of agricultural and healthcare sustainability, having worked in academia, industry and the not-for-profit sector. He has worked extensively in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas as well as Europe. After leaving Imperial College London in 2002, he founded the Alliance for Natural Health, which he has headed since.
Follow & Connect
Explore more about the Alliance for Natural Health: https://anhinternational.org/
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
Foraging for the truth: How is research changing the face of herbal medicine with Dr Merlin Willcox
Saison 5 · Épisode 54
vendredi 11 septembre 2026 • Durée 59:55
Foraging for the truth: How is research changing the face of herbal medicine?
Sebastian Pole welcomes Dr. Merlin Wilcox, a primary research fellow at the Primary Care Research Centre at Southampton University, to discuss the intersection of herbal medicine and modern healthcare. With a rich background in medicine and a passion for herbal research, Merlin shares his journey from growing up with herbal remedies in his mother's garden to conducting pivotal research on traditional medicines in various countries.
The conversation delves into Merlin's experiences in Uganda and Madagascar, where he explored the efficacy of herbal treatments for malaria, and highlights the challenges faced in conducting clinical trials of herbal medicines in the UK due to stringent regulations.
Sebastian and Merline discuss the potential of herbs like Andrographis and Pelargonium in treating upper respiratory infections and the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance.
Merlin emphasises the importance of bridging the gap between traditional herbal practices and modern medical research, advocating for a collaborative approach that acknowledges the value of both systems.
As they explore the future of herbal medicine research, they touch on the need for patient advocacy and the role of the community in demanding more research and acceptance of herbal treatments.
In this episode:
The significance of traditional herbal knowledge and its integration with modern medicine.
Merlin's experiences in herbal medicine research across Africa.
The challenges and potential of conducting herbal clinical trials in the UK.
The role of herbal remedies in addressing antibiotic resistance.
How patient advocacy can drive future research and acceptance of herbal medicine.
About Dr. Merlin Wilcox:
Dr. Merlin Wilcox is a primary research fellow at the Primary Care Research Centre at Southampton University, where he focuses on the intersection of herbal medicine and conventional healthcare. With a rich background in both clinical practice and research, he has dedicated his career to exploring the efficacy of herbal treatments and advocating for their integration into modern medical practices.
The cure in your kitchen cupboard: The top 10 healing spices everyone needs to know
Saison 5 · Épisode 53
vendredi 28 août 2026 • Durée 51:51
The cure in your kitchen cupboard: The top 10 healing spices everyone needs to know with Dr Rupy Aujla
Simon Mills welcomes Dr. Rupy Aujla, founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen to discuss the profound connection between food, herbs, and health. With an extensive background in conventional medicine, Dr. Rupy shares how his own experience with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation led him to explore the transformative power of nutrition and discover a passion for food as medicine.
This conversation explores the importance of a plant-forward diet, with a particular focus on protein, herbs and spices, discussing their roles in traditional cuisines and their health benefits.
In this episode:
The impact of dietary choices on chronic health conditions.
How traditional wisdom informs modern nutritional practices.
The significance of cooking methods and ingredient combinations for optimal health (and a gift to pass down through generations)
The role of the microbiome in processing nutrients and supporting overall wellness.
Practical tips for incorporating more plants into your daily meals.
About Dr Rupy Aujla
Dr Rupy, MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, MSc is a London-based doctor, specialising in General
Practice and Emergency Medicine, a nutritionist and founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen.
He hosts The Doctor’s Kitchen podcast with over 20m downloads, YouTube channel
and Doctor’s Kitchen recipe app that helps over 10,000 people each week use
evidence-based food and lifestyle medicine to live healthier happier lives.
Dr Rupy’s life was changed after suffering a significant heart condition in 2009. After learning about nutritional medicine he was able to reverse his condition using a food and lifestyle approach. Influenced by the teachings of both ancient and modern medicine, underpinned by his own clinical experience, Dr Rupy creates recipes that optimise health. He is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has 5 cookbooks to his name as well as a Masters in Nutritional Medicine.
Power to the people with community based health
Saison 5 · Épisode 52
vendredi 14 août 2026 • Durée 56:36
Power to the people with community based health
In this episode of Herbcast, Simon Mills welcomes herbalist and educator 7Song for a chat about the intricacies of herbal medicine and the personal journey that shaped his path. From his early experiments with plants to his rich experiences in diverse ecosystems across North America, 7Song shares the lessons he has learned throughout his extensive career in herbalism.
The conversation delves into 7Song’s initial fascination with nature, the various herbal schools that influenced his practice, and the importance of community engagement in herbal medicine. Listen for insights into the practical applications of herbs in clinical settings, the significance of social justice in healthcare, and the evolving role of herbalists in society today.
In this episode:
The pivotal moments that led 7Song to embrace herbalism as a lifelong vocation.
Reflections on the differences in plant materia medica across various regions, including the deserts of New Mexico and the Appalachian Mountains.
The importance of integrating herbal medicine with conventional healthcare and collaborating with other medical practitioners
Insights into the Ithaca Free Clinic and the role of herbalists in providing accessible healthcare.
7Song’s vision for the future of herbal education and the development of an online herbal database.
About 7Song
7Song is a clinical herbalist, teacher, and naturalist. In 1981 he began studying plants and herbal medicine and has been engaged and fascinated by them ever since. He started the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in 1992 where he has been the director and primary teacher. He is one of the founders and a clinical herbalist at the Ithaca Free Clinic, which is an integrated free clinic offering both conventional and holistic modalities.
7Song is a Russian Jew, originally from Long Island, NY, but has been in Ithaca, NY for over 30 years. Along with teaching and clinical work, he enjoys identifying and photographing plants and other critters.
From Poison to Panacea: Exploring Herban Myths and Truths
Saison 5 · Épisode 51
vendredi 31 juillet 2026 • Durée 53:41
From Poison to Panacea: Exploring Herban Myths and Truths
In this episode of Herbcast, Sebastian Pole is joined by Dr. Dilis Clare, a GP and medical herbalist, who runs an apothecary in Galway and hosts her own podcast, The Herb Doctor Podcast.
This conversation takes a look at the myths surrounding herbal medicine, addressing misconceptions about safety, efficacy, placebo, and the role of herbs in modern healthcare.
Dr. Clare shares her insights on the disconnect between modern medicine and patient care, exploring how the medical system often prioritises disease over holistic health. She discusses the challenges herbal medicine faces in the current healthcare landscape, including overregulation and the marginalisation of herbal practitioners.
The episode also highlights the importance of integrating herbal medicine into primary care, the need for better education among medical professionals about herbs, and how herbalists can effectively communicate with GPs.
In this episode:
Exploring the myths that all herbs are safe or merely placebos.
The disconnect in modern medicine and how it affects patient care.
Understanding the historical context of herbal medicine and its current challenges.
Strategies for herbalists to engage with conventional healthcare systems.
The potential for herbal medicine to play a central role in managing chronic diseases.
About Dr Dilis Clare
Dr Dílis Clare, BSc, MB, BCh, DRCOG, BSc(Herbal Medicine) trained in medicine at University College Medical School Dublin (ROI), and in Herbal Medicine at Middlesex University UK.
She is a leading authority on Herbal Medicine and has worked in Collaborative Medical Care since 1999, integrating the best of both pharmaceutical
and herbal medicine. She is an Honorary Clinical Fellow at the University College Medical School, Galway, Ireland.
She has published a herbal clinical case history and an article on the biphasic effects of Curcuminoids.
The Culture of Plants with Wade Davis
Saison 5 · Épisode 50
vendredi 17 juillet 2026 • Durée 58:53
Sebastian welcomes renowned ethnographer, writer, and filmmaker Wade Davis to discuss the profound relationship between plants and cultures around the globe. With a wealth of experience as an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and a Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Wade shares his unique insights into how traditional knowledge and modern herbal science can harmoniously coexist.
Wade takes us on a journey through his early experiences in anthropology, revealing how his fascination with plants evolved into a deep appreciation for the wisdom embedded within various cultures. He reflects on his adventures in the Amazon, where he learned that plants are not merely resources but vital gateways to understanding human existence and cultural identity.
Throughout the conversation, Wade emphasises the importance of viewing every culture as a unique answer to the question of what it means to be human.
In this episode:
The significance of cultural relativism and the wisdom to be found in diverse traditions.
Wade's transformative experiences in the Amazon and how they shaped his understanding of botany and culture.
The vital role of herbalists in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary health practices.
The impact of colonial attitudes on the perception of herbal medicine and the demonisation of plants like coca.
How embracing a deeper relationship with plants can foster respect for the natural world and promote sustainability.
About Wade Davis:
Wade Davis is a writer, photographer, and filmmaker whose work has taken him from the Amazon to Tibet, Africa to Australia, Polynesia to the Arctic. Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society from 2000 to 2013, he was Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia until retiring in 2024. Davis holds degrees in anthropology and biology and received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany, all from Harvard University. His 23 books, published in 26 languages, include The Serpent and the Rainbow, One River, The Wayfinders and Into the Silence, winner of the 2012 Samuel Johnson prize, the top award for nonfiction in the English language. His many film credits include Light at the Edge of the World, an eight-hour documentary series written and produced for the NGS. One of 20 Honorary Members of the Explorers Club, Davis is the recipient of 12 honorary degrees, as well as the 2009 Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the 2011 Explorers Medal, the 2012 David Fairchild Medal for botanical exploration, the 2015 Centennial Medal of Harvard University, the 2017 Roy Chapman Andrews Society’s Distinguished Explorer Award, the 2017 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration, and the 2018 Mungo Park Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. In 2016, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2018 he became an Honorary Citizen of Colombia. His recent books include Magdalena: River of Dreams (2020) and Beneath the Surface of Things (2024).
Herbcast Season 5 - Coming soon!
Saison 5 · Épisode 49
mercredi 27 mai 2026 • Durée 04:16
Introducing Herbcast Series 5!
Welcome back to Herbcast from Herbal Reality. We’re delighted to bring you our fifth series, this time with a focus on exploring the intersection of Herbalism and Modern Healthcare.
Join Simon Mills & Sebastian Pole as they return to hosting duties to delve into the rich tapestry of herbal medicine and its relationship with contemporary healthcare. This series is all about exploring the meeting point between clinical herbalism and modern medical practices, featuring as always a diverse array of guests: medical doctors who incorporate herbal remedies, ethnobotanists who explore the cultural significance of plants, and clinical researchers dedicated to validating herbal efficacy.
In this short trailer Sebastian gives us a preview of episodes to come, considering the pressing health challenges faced by society today, from diminishing healthy life expectancy to the impact of environmental degradation on our well-being. This series aims to unpack how the principles of herbalism, such as individualised care, ecological respect, and the fostering of community, can provide valuable insights and support for navigating these challenges.
Whether you are a practitioner, student, or simply curious about medicinal plants, this series is bound to inspire you on your own health journey and beyond.
We are fundraising to continue our work! These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications.
We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Revelations on Women's Health - Reflections on Season 4 with Marion Mackonochie and Sebastian Pole
Saison 5 · Épisode 48
jeudi 23 avril 2026 • Durée 48:41
Women's Health Revelations from Season 4 with Sebastian & Marion
Welcome back to a brand new series of Herbcast.
We’re beginning series 5 with a look back at series 4, as Sebastian welcomes back herbalist and researcher Marion Mackonochie back to discuss the insights gained from her series on women's health.
Sebastian and Marion delve into the rich conversations Marion had with various expert herbalists, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in treating women's health issues through herbal medicine. With a focus on personal experiences and the importance of holistic care, they explore recurring themes of diet, stress management, and the significance of individualised treatment.
Marion shares key insights from her discussions, highlighting the wealth of knowledge among herbalists, the urgent need for more research and funding in women's health, and how herbalists can offer support through tailored approaches.
The conversation also emphasises the value of community and shared experiences in empowering women to take control of their health.
In this episode:
The importance of personalised care and the time herbalists can dedicate to understanding their clients.
Recurring themes in women's health: lifestyle, stress, and dietary influences.
Challenges in treating conditions like endometriosis and perimenopause.
The need for more robust research to demonstrate the effectiveness of herbal practices.
Empowering young women through education about healthy cycles and nutrition.
About Marion
Marion Mackonochie is a herbalist and researcher, recently appointed president of the College of Phytotherapeutic Practitioners in the UK. With a passion for women's health, she has conducted insightful interviews with expert herbalists, sharing their experiences and knowledge to enhance understanding and practice in the field.
Herbal support during pregnancy: Guidance on safety with herbalists Eve Brazil and Simon Mills
Saison 4 · Épisode 47
jeudi 11 décembre 2025 • Durée 53:19
Herbal support during pregnancy: Guidance on safety with herbalists Eve Brazil and Simon Mills.
In this episode of Herbcast, editor and first-time host Eve sits down with veteran herbal practitioner, educator, and author Simon Mills to explore one of the most sensitive and deeply important topics in herbal care: using herbs safely during pregnancy.
With over four decades of clinical experience and co-authorship of The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety, Simon brings clarity to a subject often clouded by caution, conflicting advice, and limited research. Together, Eve and Simon discuss why safety is such a critical consideration in pregnancy, how herbs are assessed for risk, which plants are truly well-supported, and where professional judgement is essential. The episode also covers supportive herbs for nausea, digestion, nourishment, and late-pregnancy preparation, plus key considerations for herbal use while breastfeeding.
In this episode
Why the precautionary principle is so important in pregnancy and why most herbs are best avoided in the first trimester.
How herbs are assessed for safety (including the A–X categories) and why hard data in pregnancy is still very limited.
Herbs with supportive safety data (e.g. ginger, chamomile, echinacea, raspberry leaf, nettle) and those historically used to bring on a period that are best avoided.
Practical herbal support for morning sickness, digestion, and nourishment, including ginger, chamomile, dandelion root, nettle and food-based strategies.
Late-pregnancy and postpartum considerations: raspberry leaf, caution with licorice, and how certain herbs may support breastfeeding or colic through the mother.
About Eve
Eve is the editor of written content at Herbal Reality and the host of this Herbcast episode. With a deep love of language and plants, she helps translate complex herbal knowledge into clear, accessible articles, features, and resources for the Herbal Reality community. This episode marks her Herbcast debut, where she brings her editorial curiosity and grounding in herbal philosophy into conversation with experienced practitioners.
We are fundraising to continue our work!
A Healthy Power Portal: Taking Control of Your Vaginal Health with herbalist Kathie Bishop
Saison 4 · Épisode 46
jeudi 27 novembre 2025 • Durée 41:13
In this episode of Herbcast, Marion Mackonochie talks with medical herbalist Kathie Bishop about vaginal health, why it’s so often overlooked, how the vaginal microbiome really works, and the herbal and holistic strategies that can make a difference. Kathie shares her personal story of recurrent thrush from childhood into her 30s, what finally helped, and why every person’s microbiome and needs are unique.
In this episode:
The vaginal microbiome 101 - lactobacilli, glycogen, and the powerful role of oestrogen across the cycle and life stages.
Thrush vs. bacterial vaginitis (and aerobic vaginitis), why thrush often flares around ovulation/post-ovulation, why BV is more common post-menopause, and practical symptom clues (itch, discharge, odour) to tell them apart.
Testing without the anxiety - when microbiome tests help (and when they don’t), plus why symptom-led care with a practitioner can be enough.
Herbal care & applications
Everyday choices that matter - hygiene (only water internally), breathable underwear (cotton/bamboo), managing heat and moisture, toilet paper swaps (bamboo to avoid dusty pulp irritation), and exploring personal diet triggers (e.g., sugar, alcohol, wheat) and iron status.
About Kathie
Kathie Bishop is a Medical Herbalist specialising in vaginal health and author of It’s Your Power Portal: Take Control of Your Vaginal Health with Herbal and Holistic Care (2022). She received the Innovation in Practice Award from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (2021) and was a finalist in the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards for her contributions to women’s health. Kathie also founded Into the Wild, an award-winning natural, organic, vegan intimate lubricant brand, and continues to support women in clinical practice.
Follow & Connect
Book:It’s Your Power Portal: Take Control of Your Vaginal Health with Herbal and Holistic Care (2022)
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
Dr Rupy founded Europe’s first non-profit Culinary Medicine programme for medical schools in 2017 that teaches undergraduates the foundations of nutritional medicine and how to cook.
Known for his BBC shows “Cooking in the Doctor’s Kitchen” as well as Channel 4’s Secrets of the Glucose Goddess with Jessie Inchauspé and Cook Clever Waste Less with Dame Prue Leith, Dr Rupy inspires audiences with easy, budget-friendly recipes that promote wellbeing. Regularly appearing on programs like This Morning and Saturday Kitchen, Dr. Rupy is on a mission to make healthy cooking accessible and enjoyable for all.
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
She has served on the accreditation board of the National Institute of Herbal Medicine (NIMH, UK).
Teaching integrated clinical skills for the Heartwood Professional Herbal Medicine course is a strong element of her current commitments.
She teaches herbal medicine students from a wide range of herbal medicine schools at her clinic in Galway.
She has a herbal clinic and apothecary that makes herbal medicines accessible to the public. She has developed a range of herbal food supplements and topical creams to regulatory specifications.
In late 2025 she coauthored a book titled Uprooted Medicine with researcher Dr Tim Morrissey, this is a Revealing History of Medicine that Restores Herbs to Patient-lead Care.
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
We are fundraising to continue our work!
These funds will allow us to produce our next season of the Herbcast and commission our 2026 publications. We are asking for a contribution of £3 or whatever you feel able to offer, to sustain our website and content creation in the years ahead.
Donate: https://www.herbalreality.com/donate/
