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Explore every episode of the podcast The Elder Tree Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Elder Tree Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
98. Death Douling, Dying Well & Plant Perfumes: Melinda Norris on Permaculture Herbalism10 Sep 202401:14:30

Melinda Norris, born and raised in the 70's in Melbourne (Narrn) suburbia, had a far from a typical suburban upbringing. Both her parents, who were immigrants to Australia, kept their family traditions, such as homesteading and growing their food;  we now know these practices as permaculture.

One very important tradition that held strong in the family was caring at home for the young, the old, and the dying. And having had a number of near-death experiences herself, Melinda has a familiarity and reverence for the terrain and the journey that we all must take someday. With a curious nature, she was destined for adventure and has lived a full life, exploring, creating, and travelling.

Professionally, Melinda is best known as a Festival and Event Producer, Arts Worker, and, more recently, a Tiny House Builder. Today, she’s here to discuss a deeply personal topic that resonates with many—our relationship with death and dying.

She is a death Doula, a term that means helper, who facilitates, guides, and emotionally supports families. Melinda is a bridge to allay fears, communicate expectations, and gently guide individuals towards grace and peace during the dying journey. Through stories and wisdom from her ongoing reverence for this profound subject, Melinda offers a unique perspective on a conversation increasingly present in the global collective.

SHOW NOTES:

For care and support regarding end of (this) life care, feel free to call Melinda Norris 0400 798 425

Resources / practical - GOVERNMENT

Resources / practical  - NON GOVERNMENT

Local meet up: Gentle ConversationsCommunity Conversations  about living and dying at Limberlost Nursery Stratford 1.30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month Leanne B: 0428 160 863  Leanne: 0407 277 385

Books & Films:


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

*BUY ME A CUPPA*

If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time. Each episode is produced by our volunteer team of presenters and given for free! So please send us some love by leaving a comment and a few dollars via the link in the podcast description for ⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree⁠⁠. Thank you!

97. Caring for the Inner Ecology with Herbs: Dr. Jason Hawrelak on Herbal Education05 Sep 202401:12:54

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Jason Hawrelak who is a naturopath, herbalist, and nutritionist on Bundjalung country, and is one of the leading experts in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions with natural medicines. He has nearly 20 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for gastrointestinal health and the gastrointestinal microbiota.


I met Jason at the beginning of this year at Marleen Herbs in Tasmania, with some other incredible inspirational herb folk who have been interviewed on this podcast like Greg Whitten, Sue Evans, and Nena Alaschewski, as well as Jason's partner Dawn Whitten, who I will be interviewing soon. Marleen herbs is run by Ronald, Marleen and Emma van de Winckel, who welcomed us all into their home and showed us their amazing farm which grows and makes all of the fresh plant tinctures for PPC herbs which are the only commercial suppliers of fresh plant tinctures in Australia.


It really was a great way to start off 2024, and I felt humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to spend time with these incredible people who have all had a big influence and impact on the Australian herbal medicine community and natural health industry. Jason purchased Goulds in Tasmania 17 years ago with Dawn, Greg, and their friends Belinda and Daniel Robson. Jason shares how he was inspired by his time working at Mullum herbals, to create a clinic in Hobart which offered over the counter consultations for low income earners. In this interview Jason also shares his journey of becoming a practitioner and specializing in gastrointestinal health and the human microbiota, and how healing his own chronic health conditions with natural medicine spurred him to want to help others.


Jason shares some of his preferred herbs that he uses in his practice, particularly for gut health and microbiome issues. He highlights the selectivity of certain herbs, such as pomegranate, garlic, Nigella sativa, and Bical skullcap, in targeting pathogenic bacteria while leaving beneficial ones intact.


In this episode Jason shares some great practical advise on how our listeners can take better care of our microbiome and finishes with some great wisdom about custodianship of our bodies.


Shownotes:

Probiotic Advisor:

https://www.facebook.com/probioticadvisor/


The Hawrelak Gut and Microbiome Clinic:

https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/dr-jason-hawrelak-gut-and-bicrobiome-team


Morre about Jason here:

https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/dr-jason-hawrelak




**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



88. Plant Connection Through Observation: Cheryl Smith on Self Care with Herbs28 Jun 202400:54:24

During this episode I chat and laugh with Cheryl Smith, a medicinal herb farmer and artisan distiller who balances a busy corporate role with a passion for regenerative agriculture and soil health. With a dedication to leaning into nature and country, Cheryl brings a unique perspective to the intersection of business and environmental holding.

Growing up in the city, Cheryl always noticed the Dandelions popping up in the cracks of the pavement, but it wasn’t until she moved onto the land and started observing herbs through the seasons that a deeper connection was formed. A spark was lit and Cheryl’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to begin studying herbal medicine, learning how to grow, harvest and make medicines. 

Cheryl and her husband Mike, an agronomist, are passionate about soil health and from very early on, Cheryl has been fascinated by the way the constituents of the herbs reflect the health of the soil. Cheryl and Mike hold the country at Solum on stunning Yaegl land, which provides ample opportunities for the profound lessons that Cheryl has discovered can be learnt through observation- watching, listening and absorbing is the medicine…an invitation to pause and reflect.

Like many of us, Cheryl has always prioritised others first, and it wasn’t until she experienced the illness that followed a tick bite that she was forced to slow down and listen to her body. It was at this time that herbs became hugely supportive and that self care became non negotiable. 

Our discussion of self care dives into the dynamics of how we’re raised and the patterns that form as a result of witnessing the way others look after themselves when we’re young- deep impressions that can be difficult to shift. 

Cheryl tells a beautiful story of Passionflower and her tendrils that reach out and envelop us during times of trauma and burn out.

Going deep with a single herb, forming strong relationships and a knowing and understanding of a herb on many levels is a great joy of Cheryl’s. She credits the work of Heidi Wedd for inspiring this way of working and interacting with plants. 

Towards the end of our chat, we hear Cheryl share her deep connection with Withania- a root medicine that is currently offering her an invitation to observe and a doorway to re-connecting with a lifelong passion for plant medicine. 


**CONNECT WITH CHERYL**

https://www.instagram.com/solumfarm/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/SolumFarm/


**CONNECT WITH JESS**

Book an appointment: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17239954

Buy handmade herbal products: https://jessbosscha-naturopath.square.site/

Join the waitlist for upcoming workshops and courses: https://linktr.ee/jessbosscha_naturopath


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

87. Belonging ourselves to the earth: Taj Scicluna on Sacred Herbalism22 Jun 202400:49:17

Join Taj Scicluna (Botanical Education) and Stephanie Hazel as they discuss bioregional herbalism and the way that working with plants through attention, ritual and gardening support us to belong ourselves back to the earth.


Taj shares touching personal stories of plant connection, family, life and death and you can find out all about her recent creative project: Ritual Herbalism.


For our Patreon members (and soon-to-be members), you are in for a special treat! Taj is gifting our members a free online workshop "Herbalism for the Darker Months.


Follow Taj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/botanical_education/


Join Ritual Herbalism: https://botanicaleducation.thrivecart.com/ritual-herbalism/


86. Green Warriors, Permaculture Aid and Guava: Steve Cran on Permaculture Herbalism15 Jun 202401:09:12

Steve Cran is a Permaculture Aid veteran, teacher, social activist, climate change resilience specialist and a very handy guy to have around after a natural disaster. With a 30-year career in Permaculture, Steve has developed effective, sustainable, recovery solutions for communities affected by natural disasters, war, or long-term poverty.

Steve takes on the challenge of assisting people living on the edge of survival, to rebuild their communities. He has developed projects in war zones, post-disaster zones, poverty zones and many difficult where most people would not dare go.

Steve says “There is a lot written about so-called community development but in the field, most of it doesn’t work or it doesn’t last. Permaculture Aid gets real results by helping people restore their own community using local resources. They grow their way out of poverty. Conventional aid creates aid dependency. Permaculture Aid creates self-sufficiency and earth-repair simultaneously”.

This is a discussion of the people, places and projects Steve has supported throughout his career, and what is coming.


SHOW NOTES:


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠. You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com. ⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

85. Herbal Medicine in the Birth Realm: Sarah Smits on Herbal Education 05 Jun 202401:00:07

What if reconnecting with traditional knowledge could revolutionize prenatal, birth and postpartum care? Join us as we sit down with Sarah from Bridging Worlds Midwifery, a dedicated holistic home birth midwife from Far North Queensland, Australia, who has built a career around blending traditional midwifery practices with modern healthcare.


From supporting home births to teaching traditional methods globally, Sarah shares her unique insights into the importance of preventative measures for ensuring a smooth birth and postpartum period. Together, we explore the intricate balance between the old and the new, stressing the significance of historical wisdom in today's medicalized world. We discuss the challenges and benefits of practicing alternative methods within the conventional hospital system and the profound impact of stepping outside it to offer personalized, relationship-based care. Our conversation underscores the indispensable role of nutrition and herbal practices in preventing pregnancy-related complications and supporting both mothers and birth workers. In our deep dive into postpartum healing, Sarah opens up about traditional practices from Mexico and Guatemala, that aid in recovery from birth. We talk about the power of intentional nutrition, herbal plant baths, yoni steaming, and bodywork techniques such as the temezcal steam bath and "closing the bone" ceremonies.


This episode provides a holistic perspective on pregnancy and postpartum care, blending emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects to ensure long-term health and well-being for mothers. Join us for an enlightening discussion that is sure to offer valuable insights and practical advice for anyone passionate about traditional midwifery, herbal medicine, and holistic support during pregnancy and postpartum.


Sarah's links:
https://bwmidwife.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bridging_worlds_midwifery/
Upcoming Events:
https://bwmidwife.com/mentoring-for-birth-workers/
https://events.humanitix.com/host/bridging-worlds-midwifery



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



84. The Value of Letting Ourselves Surrender: Deanne Apostolou on Self Care with Herbs30 May 202400:55:28

Deanne Apostolou is a Medical Herbalist, Iridologist, educator and speaker, with over 28 years clinical experience.

She’s a founding member of Estuary Learning, a collaboration of practitioners and mentors dedicated to enriching and supporting the art of natural earth medicine.

Dee's also a mum of 3 adult children who have grown up with herbs and good nutrition. She  loves it when she  hears them spruiking the benefits of good food and a healthy lifestyle to their friends. Dee’s very passionate about her profession. It’s a lifestyle, not just a job, but that doesn’t mean she doesn't drink wine and eat chocolate. She loves helping people on their health journey and teaching students so they can spread the word even further. 

During our chat, we explore the idea that the concept of self care has become more ‘acceptable’ and we agree that there are many more conversations being had in this space now as compared to say 20 years ago. Dee and I look back at how the barriers to self care have shifted in this time and how our idea of self care and it’s necessity is a reflection of the society in which we find ourselves inhabiting. 

Dee is all about helping her clients to make small, manageable change to help support their health and we dive into the psychology around the motivation that accompanies the wins from these small changes and how this can be applied to our own consistency with self care. Dee shares a great tip that she uses for checking in with both her clients and herself to monitor progress and celebrate the small wins of being consist over an extended period.

Dee is an eloquent story teller and one of my favourite parts of this chat is her beautiful story of her morning walk through bushland with her pup, the kookaburras and rosella’s and the very special plant friends she greets along the way. 

We chat about the value of surrender and a good ol cry- Dee shares the science about why we feel so good after we fall in a heap.

One of Dee’s favourite allies in a crisis is the Bach Flower formula, Rescue Remedy- she shares the very special joy of her children reaching for this remedy of their own accord after years of having mumma help support them this way. And, she also shares a unique way that she incorporates Rescue Remedy with other allies…

Like most Herbalists, Dee found it impossible to share just one favourite herb, so we are lucky enough to have her share her wisdom on 3 of her favourites, including a lesser know ally- Rosehips.

**CONNECT WITH DEANNE**

The Nature of Health www.natureofhealth.com.au

Estuary Learning: https://www.estuarylearning.org.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofhealth/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nature_of_health/

Email: deanne@natureofhealth.com.au

**CONNECT WITH JESS**

Book an appointment: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17239954

Buy handmade herbal products: https://jessbosscha-naturopath.square.site/

Join the waitlist for upcoming workshops and courses: https://linktr.ee/jessbosscha_naturopath

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

83. Herbs in Spellcraft: Nila Chandra on Sacred Herbalism28 May 202401:05:43

This month, we do a special double episode with Nila Chandra, getting in to the specifics of how Nila uses herbs in ritual, magic and spell craft. She shares with Stephanie Hazel how to think of a spell as a sentence, using each herb you include in a ritual incense, tea, or potion as a different word of the sentence you are calling into being. They talk about magical properties of Blue Lily, Cacao, Chaparral, and even the humble pumpkin vine.

Follow Nila on https://www.instagram.com/wolfboneemporium/

Here you can buy her soon-to-be-released Witch-Fires and magical incenses. She is also available for consultation to help you create potent rituals and spells for particular purposes in your life, calling in change in the outer and inner worlds.

82. Ceremonial Plants, Comfrey & Tea Gardens: Annaliese Hordern on Permaculture Herbalism14 May 202400:51:37

Annaliese is here to be part of the Regeneration - People and Planet and is the creative director of the Change Makers Permaculture Design Course (an empowering two-week immersion connecting people back into the living systems of life). She draws upon two decades of local-to-global exploration of our world, learning from plant people, eco-communities, and Permaculture pioneers about regenerative practices for land and people.

Annaliese calls people to be in greater service to Mumma Earth, supporting and refining their life purpose, hosting women’s circles, and DJ’s Ecstatic Dance sets; in so many ways, she shares her heartbeat amongst the community. 

In this conversation, Annaliese shares her experiences using plants in ceremonial spaces and the importance of reconnecting with nature and offering gratitude and prayer to the living systems around us - to learn and thrive.

She discusses in detail the many uses and benefits of comfrey, a versatile plant that can be used as a barrier function, bee fodder, and healing plant.

Some of her collaborations Include : 

  • The Happy Herb Company, in community herbal education for 15 years
  • Green Harvest Organic Gardening (Sunshine Coast) for 4 years, in horticulture, ethnobotany & propagation 
  • Symbiosis Symposium with Dennis Mckenna, presenting and curating the event program. 
  • Joining the editorial team for the Permaculture Design Notes book


CONNECT & SHOW NOTES:

81. Subtropical Herbalism and Herbfest: Cat Green on Herbal Education07 May 202401:05:00

Today's interview is a great discussion with Cat Green from Everyday Empowered. Cat is a home herbalist and grassroots community herbal organiser and educator. She's passionate about making it easy -and normal - for people to make simple, effective herbal remedies at home.

She believes home herbalism is all about reclaiming our capacity to care for ourselves and our families, as well as reconnecting more deeply with the earth. Through Everyday Empowered, she offers a wide range of practical ways for people to learn about herbs - HerbFest, monthly workshops through the Herb Folk group, DIY Herbal Remedy Kits and online courses in collaboration with Heidi Merika (for more about Heidi Merika check out interview #9).


In this episode, Cat Green and Tatiana Dawn discuss subtropical herbalism. They explore the challenges and considerations of growing and harvesting plants in subtropical climates, as well as the importance of sourcing medicine locally. They also touch on the topics of ancestral connections to plants, the impact of colonization on herbal medicine, and the need for responsible and ethical practices in working with native plants.


The conversation emphasizes the importance of building relationships with plants and working with what grows abundantly in each specific region. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies of growing herbs in subtropical climates. The speakers discuss the need for trial and error to determine which plants grow best in different seasons and microclimates. They also touch on the importance of understanding tropical conditions and the specific issues that arise in these climates. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper connection with plants and the land, as well as the importance of community and knowledge sharing in herbal medicine.


Cat and Tatiana also discuss the upcoming Herb Fest, a community gathering focused on herbs and herbal medicine.



*SHOW NOTES*

Herbfest 18th June 2023:

https://everydayempowered.com.au/herbfest/


You can learn more about Cat, her upcoming offerings, HERBFEST, check out her blog posts and buy her herbal starter kits ⁠here⁠.

Or follow Cat on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠ to keep up to date with all of her offerings.


Check out a previous episode of the Elder Tree, where Cat was interviewed by Tatiana Dawn, founder of the Elder Tree:

⁠Episode 33: Building a Culture of Collaboration in the Herbal Community


She was also more recently interviewed by Jessyca Bosscha on the self-care with herbs segment:

Episode 48: Self care as a dynamic, seasonal, everyday practice



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

80. Rhythm and Time- A Sustainable Approach to Self Care: Genna Pyewacket on Self Care with Herbs30 Apr 202401:18:44

Genna Pyewacket is a naturopath and herbalist with a special interest in functional medicine. Training in Canada as a teen under the guidance of a traditional herbalist, she continued her studies formally in Australia studying at Nature Care College in Sydney, where she graduated in 2004 with an Advance Diploma of Naturopathy and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (UNE), followed by an Advance Diploma of Homeopathy in 2011 (Endeavour College).

Her naturopathic practice has shifted focus from the clinic to the kitchen over the last six years with her business, Pyewackets Traditional. Her focus there is on fermented fruit and herb preserves known as shrubs, apple cider vinegar tinctures and tonics, as well as bitters. With her drinks, she hopes to help improve the health and nutrition of her customers, as well as their relationship to every day kitchen medicine and plants . She lives in Lismore New South Wales with her family. 

During our chat, Genna shares how as part of her environmental activism in her early teens, she found herself on a herb walk, immersed in the medicine of the old growth forests. This was such a lightbulb moment that from then on, she was determined to learn more and started studying herbal medicine at only 17 years old,  with a local herbal elder- which led to an apprenticeship when she finished school and further learning with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

Genna shares her journey from Canada to Australia to further her studies in herbal medicine and the evolution of her connection with the plants. 

She shares her passion for shrubs and their historical significance as a preservation method for fruit and herbs. Being lucky enough to live in the Northern Rivers with an abundance of local produce at her fingertips, Genna paints a picture of her adventures across the countryside picking up surplus citrus, herbs hanging out the windows of her little car…

We chat about what’s growing in Genna’s garden and she shares a little known use for that common sub-tropical fruit tree, the paw paw…(hint, it’s not the fruit!)

Genna shares some of the ways women can tune into their self care needs by observing changes to their cycle and we agree that this can be a really tangible way to see the impact of self care practices. Entering the season of peri-menopause has shifted her nervous system in different ways and Genna shares a herb that she has found to be a wonderful ally at this time…

We talk about different constitutional types and how having an awareness of our own constitution can influence the how, when and why of our self care.

Genna describes what she sees as the two most important ingredients for seeing the long term benefits of self care by telling a beautiful story about the lasting impact of the waves or moving water on a stone or rock…

We finish our chat with a gorgeous image of Genna in the lavender fields of the south of France with the fragrance of one of her favourite herbs wafting over her…


**CONNECT**

Pyewackets Traditional https://pyewacketstraditional.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pyewacketstraditional/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/PyewacketsTraditional/


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

79: The Witches' Way: Nila Chandra on Sacred Herbalism22 Apr 202401:03:26

What does it mean to be witch? Why is this word so terrifying? And does being a herbalist automatically make you a witch? Join Stephanie Hazel and Nila Chandra as they discuss all things witchy.


If witchcraft calls you, you should definitely work 1:1 with Nila, who can provide private teaching, tarot readings and also consult with you to co-create a powerfully effective ritual for a specific purpose, from rites of passage, clearing curses and other magical strains, to entering into relationship with land. Contact her on readingsritesremedies@gmail.com 


You can follow Nila on instagram here.


We mentioned a BBC miniseries 'Witch'. Listen here.


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Do you want to support us as a valued Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to help our podcast and healing sanctuary grow? For only $2 per week, you'll have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


96. Medicinal Mushrooms and Self Compassion: Cath Lilburn on Self Care with Herbs26 Aug 202401:15:19

This episode, I chat with Cath Lilburn, a Herbalist with over 25 years of experience supporting her client’s physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Her work is grounded in a best of both worlds approach, combining traditional methods of healing with evidence-based medicine (EBM).  During our chat we learn about Cath’s journey from studying an Economics degree to jumping ship to study herbal medicine under Dorothy Hall to completing further study in Medicine Management where she dived into the use of medicinal mushrooms during breast cancer treatment. We dive into the barriers to self care, and agree we can often see patterns arising. We find it can be common to see women who prioritise the care of others above themselves- they might stuck in that squeeze point of caring for both teenage children and aging parents, where prioritising self care can be really difficult. Cath shares lots of wisdom around her work supporting women undergoing the transition through perimenopause as well as those navigating a breast cancer diagnosis.  Cath’s infectious passion for the Fungi kingdom shines through in this chat, from her mouth watering mushroom ragu, to her deep knowledge of Reishi as a medicinal mushroom- leaving us feeling like we could all do with a little more fungi in our lives! If you’re looking for ways to make self care a priority more consistently, you might like to join my supportive circle Restore your Nervous System beginning this Spring- I share a special discount for listeners during the episode. **SHOW NOTES** Cath speaks about the work of Naturopathic Doctor Lara Briden, you can explore Lara’s work ⁠here⁠. **CONNECT** You can connect with Cath via her website ⁠here⁠ and on instagram ⁠here⁠ You can connect with Jess via instagram and facebook ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠,  and join her newsletter community ⁠here⁠ During this episode, Jess shares details on the upcoming release of her online offering Restore your Nervous System, released Spring 2024- if you’d like to learn how to nurture and nourish yourself using herbs, flower essences and food as medicine, you can join ⁠here⁠ and enjoy a 10% discount with code SELFCARE. **THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY** You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!  To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠ The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.


78. Sustainable Table and Soil Health: Sally Fields on Permaculture Herbalism14 Apr 202400:39:31

Sally Fields is a fifth-generation farmer from a long line of farmers, gardeners, and animal keepers. She cut her teeth in the Brigalow Belah scrub of Southwest Queensland on the family property “Mirri Mirri” in Barunggam country. On her pony Dolly and a big red quad, Sally learnt to hunt, muster sheep and cattle, and roam the land. It was here, in her parents' footsteps, that she cultivated a deep love of the country and its critters.

Studying a Rural Science degree, Sally tracked into a career in agronomy. Consulting and farming in many countries and enterprises.  The past five years have seen her project managing Healthy Farming Futures, where she empowered farmers through workshops, conferences, field days and mentoring for improved land outcomes. 

Sally now heads up the Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration (ATIC)  as project director for Sustainable Table and the Office of the Great Barrier Reef (OGBR). 

We discuss soil health and cover cropping, the Mulungu herb for better sleep and how she is bridging permaculture and traditional land-based enterprises towards regenerative farming by showcasing farmers on their journey with peer-to-peer knowledge transfer.

Connect and Show note links below!


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Do you want to support us as a valued Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to help our podcast and healing sanctuary grow? For only $2 per week, you'll have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


CONNECT:

SHOW NOTES:

77. Majik, Maidens and Wise Women: Hollie Wildethorn on Herbal Education09 Apr 202401:00:25

In today's episode I interview Hollie Wildethorn, a Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor, Coach and womens mysteries facilitator, who resides on Walbunja Yuin land in Braidwood, NSW.


Hollie provides many inspirational offerings through her business, the Institute for Self Crafting, and her mission is to support people who know life can be so much more; to craft the best self-version so far. Hollie is the first person that I have interviewed that isnt a herbal educator, but she hold a special space for herbal education. She runs the incredible Wise Womens Gathering near Wise Mans Ferry, which is being held in just over 5 weeks, on the 16th-19th May.


The Wise Women's Gathering is an educational conference that focuses on herbalism, holistic living, women's mysteries, and cultivating community. It provides a space for practitioners and non-practitioners alike to deepen their knowledge and connection with the earth. The gathering emphasizes inclusivity and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.


The presence of herbs is a central theme, as it is a space for traditional wisdom to be shared and passed down. Mentorship and collaboration are also important aspects, with experienced practitioners partnering with younger or less experienced practitioners to co-create workshops. The gathering fosters a sense of community through shared meals, check-ins, and an open mic night where attendees can showcase their talents and be witnessed by their community.


For anyone that hasn't heard of this unique gathering, I highly recommend jumping online and checking it out- there are links in the shownotes. Stephanie Hazel and I are both going down to Sydney for the gathering this year and we are running a 3 hour preconference presentation together. I am also running a 90 minute presentation about Motherwort and I also have the honour of being on a discussion panel at the gathering. I have attended this gathering once before, about 6 years ago and I highly reccomend it.


In this interview, Hollie discusses her role in the Wise Women's Gathering and the various offerings she presents at the event. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging for all attendees. Holly also shares her work as a therapist, counselor, and coach, specializing in trauma and anxiety. She offers retreats, circles, and online courses focused on women's empowerment and connection to the land. Additionally, Holly provides professional supervision for health practitioners and women's mysteries facilitators, promoting trauma-informed care and collaboration. She encourages practitioners to share their knowledge and wisdom beyond their individual practices.


Hollie's website:

https://www.instituteforselfcrafting.com/hollie


Find Hollie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/hollie.wildethorn/



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

76. Knowing our Self Worth: Emma Caller on Self Care with Herbs01 Apr 202400:55:15

Today I chat with Emma Caller, a naturopath and nutritionist who can thank her Italian heritage for teaching her how food can nourish us. She loves treating itchy babies and nervous kids as well as any skin condition. Emma has a clinic near Coffs Harbour NSW, where she is never not accompanied by her black and white cat Cookie Custard

Some of Emma’s earliest memories as a child are steeped in plant medicine- instinctively reaching for plants to heal during games of ‘Doctors and Nurses’.

She knew she wanted to be a Naturopath from when she was 5 years old, after having a flower essence prescribed for nightmares and witnessing their magic.

For Emma, plant medicine is also really based on food. Her Sicilian heritage is steeped in food- culinary herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme and garlic regularly making their way into meals.

In her naturopathic practice today where she loves working with families of young children, Emma helps her clients to make nourishing food choices by providing delicious and healthy tips and recipes.

Flower essences also form a big part of Emma’s practice and she talks about how sItting down and having good conversations to help connect people with the right flower essence helps to effect deep change. 

We talk about the relationship that we encourage clients to develop with the plants to help encourage lasting change when working with plant medicines.

During our chat, Emma talks about the importance of knowing our own self worth, when it’s often instinctual to prioritise everyone else's well being first.

We chat about the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic self care and the benefits of investing in a balance of the two.

Emma shares a special weekly ritual she enjoys with her family-  shopping at her local farmers market, connecting with the food and the growers and using the produce she gathers to create nourishing meals for the week ahead. Her green frittata recipe sounds divine, be sure to listen in so you don’t miss it!


**CONNECT**

You can connect with Emma here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmacallernaturopathy

(scroll down her page to find her Green Frittata recipe)


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

75. Ritual Herbalism: Stephanie Hazel on Sacred Herbalism25 Mar 202400:54:00
This is a special edition episode - a deep exploration of all things ritual and herbal by Stephanie Hazel. In this episode, Stephanie delves into what ritual is, why it's important for us as healers and herbalists, and how to start creating and practicing rituals that make sense for your ancestry, life and culture. She discusses the myth of the world tree, the importance of the imaginal realms to human wholeness and how ritual is a crucial part of entheogenic plant culture. **Please note: This was an emergency episode. There is quite a bit of background noise and we apologise profusely for this!
74. Growing More Medicine and Alchemilla: Tatiana Dawn on Permaculture Herbalism16 Mar 202400:52:58

Tatiana Lustre Dawn, also known as Twiggy, the multifaceted force behind Alchemilla Herbals and founder of The Elder Tree and this podcast. As a Mother, Herbalist, Teacher, Journalist, and Permaculturalist, she wears many hats with passion and purpose.

Driven by a deep connection to plant medicine, Twiggy is dedicated to growing, harvesting, and crafting remedies, focusing on wild and naturalised plants.

Tatiana's reverence for plants is evident in her ceremonial work, where she collaborates closely with traditional medicine keepers across various lineages. She is strongly called to learn, carry and teach sacred devotional medicine songs from different cultures. She has been initiated as a Sahumadora and works with fire, smoke and ash for healing, purification and protection.

Twiggy uses social media and other online platforms to share her wisdom. She hosts regular workshops, classes, apprenticeships, and an online Meandering Medicine program.

She is a sought-after speaker at community events and herbal gatherings nationwide. Twiggy is currently writing a book about how to grow, harvest/wild harvest and manufacture plant medicine to extract and retain the potency of the herbal constituents.

Takeaways:

  • Permaculture is not just a gardening technique but a mindset that can be applied to various aspects of life.
  • Inheriting a permaculture property and running a community garden can be rewarding experiences that allow for the continuation of sustainable practices.
  • Integrating herbalism in permaculture gardens provides additional benefits and self-sufficiency in terms of health and well-being.
  • Plantain is a versatile and valuable herb that serves as a medicine chest in one plant and can be used for various purposes.

Chapters:

00:44 Permaculture as a Mindset

03:30 Integrating Herbalism in Permaculture

09:31 The Importance of Herbal Medicine

12:39 Specific Herbal Plants in the Garden

23:05 Personal Experience with Plant Medicine

28:02 The Birth of Alchemilla Herbals

34:43 What's Alive and Thriving

36:59 Upcoming Events and Online Course

46:57 The Importance of Medicinal Plants in the Garden

49:35 Parting Message: Grow Medicine

CONNECT:

Website: https://www.alchemillaherbals.com.au/ Meandering Medicine Program: https://www.alchemillaherbals.com.au/meanderingmedicine Instagram: @alchemillaherbals Facebook: AlchemillaHerbals


SHOW NOTES:


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

73. Flower Codes, Spagyrics and Ancestral Herbalism: Heidi Wedd on Herbal Education09 Mar 202401:08:50

Heidi Wedd is a herbal educator and the author of "Wild Flower Walker: A Pilgrimage to Nature on the Bibbulmun Track." She is passionate about reawakening and deepening our innate connection with Nature, and facilitates circles in nature connection, herbal alchemy & plant spirit communication. Her history is deeply embedded with plants, herbalism, homeopathy and midwifery.


In this interview Heidi shares her experiences of studying herbal medicine with Kim Dudley and Homeopathy with Isaac Goulden and her story of going to Findhorn and learn directly from Dorothy Mclean who is one of the founders of Findhorn. She shares her experience of being a midwife for 10 years within the hospital system, which lead her to working with midwives in Alice Springs on indigenous communities where shee met a teacher who immersed her in shamanic practices with plants.


Heidi and I discuss the significance of connecting with ancestors and the relevance of ancestral knowledge in herbal medicine. We explore the ancestral lineage of plants and the interplay between plants and human ancestry. We have a great chat about spagirics and alchemy in herbal medicine, highlighting the transformative and evolutionary process involved in creating potent plant medicines. In this conversation, Heidi shares her practical and simple approach to alchemy and shares how the three parts of spagyrical tincture (spirit, soul, and body) are essential in alchemical processes.


Heidi emphasizes the importance of experiencing alchemy in person and the healing exchange between humans and plants. We also explore the power of myth and storytelling in herbal education. Heidi shares her beautiful upcoming offerings and courses and shares her visions a future where herbal education is integrated and people feel comfortable and confident working with plants.


Heidi's Website:https://wildflowerwalker.com/

Heidi's IG:https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerwalker

Heidi's Link Tree:https://linktr.ee/wildflowerwalker

Substack:https://substack.com/@mythicliving

Purchase Heidi's book as an Ebook:https://www.booktopia.com.au/wild-flower-walker-heidi-wedd/ebook/9780463675861.html




To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠⁠⁠⁠


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

72. A Food as Medicine Approach to Herbalism: Nena Aleschewski on Self Care with Herbs03 Mar 202400:51:39
Nena Aleschewski BNat IBCLC is a naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist and International Board Certified Lactation consultant. She has been in clinical practice at Goulds Natural Medicine in nipaluna, Hobart, Tasmania for over 14 years and has a passion for optimising the health and wellbeing of women, babies and children. She particularly loves to weave the magic of herbal remedies and food-as-medicine into all the lives she comes across, and strives to bring simplicity and connection into everyday healthy living. Nena grew up with natural medicine- as a child her mum would use homeopathic remedies to support the family’s health. She has a strong early memory of family friends growing Echinacea in their garden. Her family grew food and Nena remembers ‘food herbs’ like garlic being used regularly.  After experiencing ill health in a foreign country and feeling particularly helpless, Nena had a strong desire to be able to help herself and support her own health, which inspired her to study a Bachelor of Naturopathy at Southern Cross University. She credits some wonderful herbal elders she encountered during her studies, for encouraging her passion for herbal medicine. Following university, Nena was lucky enough to gain an internship at Gould’s, which included growing and manufacturing herbal medicines and cemented her passion for using plant medicines.  Nena shares one of the biggest barriers to regularly prioritizing herself is the need to hold everything- and the guilt of letting something go in order to be able to carve out time for herself. Which ball will she let fall? It’s a feeling many of us would be familiar with… We chat about the vicious cycle of hearing the screams from our bodies and minds for the need for self care, but the lack of motivation that sometimes accompanies this time. Nena speaks about her garden and how spending even a couple of moments here connecting with the plants, can help to lift vitality.  And finally, Nena offers some really clever and practical tips for helping us to weave herbs into our days using a food as medicine approach… **CONNECT** You can connect with Nena here: Gould’s Apothecary: https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/nena-aleschewski Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturopath_nena/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturopath.nena **THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY** You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!  To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here. You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.
71. Daoism and Ageing with Soul: Mason Taylor on Sacred Herbalism24 Feb 202401:01:04

Daoist Tonic Herbalism is an ancient tradition from China that works with adaptogenic and tonic herbs to extend life, and support soulful ageing. In this episode, Stephanie Hazel interviews Mason Taylor, one of Australia's major proponents of this tradition through his business Superfeast. They ponder the often ignored question: What does it take to age well? And what's the point of ageing well?


Show Notes:

* You can find Mason Taylor's business 'Superfeast' and their range of Di-Dao (grown in traditional ways) tonic herbs here.

* We discuss Stephen Harrod Buhner's book 'Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realms' briefly. (It's amazing!)


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

70. Five Elements Theory, Urban Gardening and Body Relating: Dan Winter on Permaculture Herbalism16 Feb 202400:43:54

Dan Winter is a multi-disciplinary bodyworker and Epigenetic Health Coach who supports his community to understand their body better so they can live empowered and meaningful lives. Dan believes that when we understand the fundamental laws of nature and apply them in our lives, we unlock our capacity to heal. Ever since he can remember, he has been curious about human potential. The challenges he's met in his health journey have fuelled his interest to look deeper, listen and learn to optimise his own function across many areas of health to live a life in harmony.
In this conversation, Dan and I discussed the importance of permaculture and how it serves as a lens for viewing life, particularly his bodywork. He shares his understanding of the Chinese Five Elements theory, Ayurveda, Zenthai Shiatsu, and Permaculture principles as useful modalities to integrate nature into health and well-being.

Takeaways:

  • Permaculture is a lens for viewing life and understanding nature's underlying principles and threads.
  • Integrating plants in an urban environment is possible through creative solutions like neighbourhood gardens and potted plants.
  • The sweet leaf is a versatile and resilient plant that can thrive in tropical climates and provide a continuous source of nutrition.
  • Plants can be utilised for health and healing, supporting the body's natural processes and addressing specific imbalances.
  • The five elements theory, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, provides a framework for understanding the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of body and environment.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Permaculture

02:09 Studying Permaculture and Applying Principles

05:13 Applying Permaculture Principles to Body Work

07:58 The Pattern to Detail and Integration Principle

09:21 Integrating Plants in an Urban Environment

12:47 Favourite Plants and Medicinal Diet

16:14 Must-Have Plant: Sweet Leaf

19:11 Utilising Plants for Health and Healing

25:23 Understanding the Five Elements

31:28 What's Alive and Thriving: Personal and Professional Life

CONNECT:

Website: www.bodyrelate.com.au
Facebook: Body Relate 
Instagram: @bodyrelate
Work with me: https://brelate.simplybook.me/v2/
Radio show FB page: https://www.facebook.com/CairnsFM891?mibextid=kFxxJD

SHOW NOTES:


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

69. Healing and Education Combined: Pat Collins on Herbal Education09 Feb 202400:56:29

In this episode of the Elder Tree Podcast, Twiggy Dawn interviews herbal elder Pat Collins who resides on  Wanaruah land down in Musswellbrook. Pat has been a herbal teacher and herbal clinician for 32 years and opened the Total Health and Education Centre down in 1997 which is an inspirational place incorporating learning and healing for her community.


Pat really advocates home herbalism and loves to see people feeling confident to identify medicine, make their own medicine and use that medicine for their health and their family's health.Pat has written a whopping 8 books and I have been stocking her book "Wondrous World of Weeds" for over a year now.  Pat was a cub leader for around 20 years, which inspired her book "Bush Wise", the founder of the Pat Collins Total Health and Education Centre. Pat shares her journey of becoming a herbalist and opening the centre in Musswellbrook, in NSW.


She discusses the herbal products she makes and sells, including creams, syrups, and cleansers. Pat also talks about her involvement with the Indigenous Plants for Health Association and the importance of preserving and researching native plants. She offers regular workshops and a correspondence course to teach people how to make their own herbal remedies.


Pat emphasizes the importance of incorporating health and education and connecting with nature through bush camps. In this conversation, the guest discusses the importance of connecting with nature and the need for more education in this area.


  • Connecting with nature is essential in a fast-paced society and can help overcome fear and disconnection.
  • Community and support are crucial in herbal learning and can be found through events like the Wise Women Gathering.
  • Continual learning is important in the field of herbalism, and teaching what you learn can be fulfilling.
93. The Gaps in Herbal Education: Jessyca Bosscha on Herbal Education22 Aug 202401:05:16

In this interview, I have a wonderful chat with Jessyca Bosscha, a naturopath, herbalist and herbal educator on Bunjalung country. Jess has almost a decade of clinical experience and a deep lived experience of recovery from intense trauma and stress, and is passionate about helping others.


As you would likely know, Jess runs the 'Self-Care with Herbs' segment of The Elder Tree Podcast, and she really is the perfect person for the job. I love her wisdom and motivation for helping people work with herbs in a deeply restorative and nourishing way. Even just listening to her talk is so calming and grounding.


In this conversation, we discuss the importance of herbal education and the gaps that exist in modern education systems. Jess shares her journey as a teacher and naturopath, highlighting the need for practical skills and hands-on experience with herbs. We discuss the role of Estuary Learning, a supportive community for herbal pratitioners and herbal educators, in filling these gaps and providing mentorship.


The conversation touches on the importance of slowing down the learning process, developing a personal connection with plants, and the use of adaptogens for stress and burnout. I hope that you enjoy this interview with my beautiful coworker, a herbalist that I admire and respect very much.


SHOWNOTES:

Find Jessyca on IG:www.instagram.com/jessbosscha_naturopath/

FB:www.facebook.com/JessBosschaNaturopath

Jess's online apothecary: https://jessbosscha-naturopath.square.site

Access Jess's new course here:https://subscribepage.io/rhHEmA

The Elder Tree podcast listeners can use the code SELFCARE for a 10% discount off the total price (code expires Monday 26th August)


Estuary Learning:https://www.estuarylearning.org.au/





**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



68. A Vision for Plant Connection, Healing and Learning: Elder Tree founder Twiggy Dawn on Self Care with Herbs02 Feb 202400:39:10
Twiggy Dawn is a Mother, Herbalist, Permaculturalist, Educator and founder of the Elder Tree.  Folks if you want to hear all about the vision for the Elder Tree from our founder, this episode is for you! Twiggy is passionate about growing, harvesting and making medicines and also has a keen interest in wil & naturalised medicines. She loves connecting people to the plants and also to their own ancestral roots.  She has been entranced by plant medicine for as long as she can remember, forming an early interest in witchcraft and fairy lore and making potions from plant material as a child. She honours the plants as teachers with deep reverence and respect. During our chat, Twiggy shares how her experiences working with suboptimal herbal materials and feeling frustrated with offering only surface level herbal symptom relief to customers,  inspired her to birth her business Alchemilla Herbals where she has really stepped into a teaching role through her many workshops which help to activate the home herbalist in participants. During a transformative experience at Pindara farm in Tasmania after the birth of her daughter where she helped grow, harvest and make herbal medicines, Twiggy shares how her dream for a space for healing and learning with plant medicine began to solidify into her vision for the Elder Tree. It’s really lovely to hear Twiggy speak passionately of her vision for the Elder Tree and as this episode was recorded towards the beginning of our podcast journey, this vision is now beginning to become a reality… Chatting about self care, Twiggy shares the pillars of health that encapsulate what self care means to her and how it’s really important for her to start her day mindfully, rather than jumping straight in… She speaks about balancing her time and allowing herself enough time in the outdoors amongst nature and her plant friends, engaging all her senses- smelling, tasting and listening to the plants. Twiggy takes us on a little journey amongst her plant friends, sharing how when she connects with a long term ally, Motherwort, all her senses are awakened… Towards the end of our chat, Twiggy shares some beautifully accessible ways for us to invite herbs into our daily rituals, using simple techniques and ingredients and finding ways to connect with the plant allies that grow around us… **CONNECT** Alchemilla Herbalshttps://www.alchemillaherbals.com.au/ ** Find out about Twiggy's new online course 'Meandering Medicine' to learn about herbs in a deep, gentle, explorative way here https://www.alchemillaherbals.com.au/meanderingmedicine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alchemillaherbals/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/AlchemillaHerbals/ **SHOW NOTES** How do I use herbs in my daily life? Isabell Shippard **THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY** You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!  To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠. You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠ The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.
67: The Body Cries the Tears: Sacred Work in Clinic with Jimi Wollumbin on Sacred Herbalism25 Jan 202401:00:41

"The body cries the tears the soul cannot shed."

What is healing? How do we bring ‘the Sacred’ into a natural medicine clinic? Is this necessary for true healing to happen? These are the tricky questions untangled by Jimi Wollumbin and Stephanie Hazel in this episode of Sacred Herbalism. 


(TLDR: Jimi’s take is that Healing is not the absence of disease, but rather the roaring presence of soul.)


We mentioned the following people, books and opportunities:

The Wild Edge of Herbalism - a 4 month initiation into plant relationships and sacred stories with Stephanie Hazel. Book a virtual coffee date here and we can chat about if this is right for you, and how you can start deepening into plant relationships right now.

Or email me and I’ll send you a course outline. 


Jimi Wollumbin’s Apprentice Lounge is available here.


Francis Wellar’s Wild Edge of Sorrow (Yes he inspired my course name!!) available here.


We discussed the idea of The Meaning Crisis - articulated by the excellent John Vervacke and available here as a free audio course.


May be you enriched by these teachers and these ideas.


Finally, about the Elder Tree:

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

66. Sociocracy Basics Explained and Dynamic Decision-making Tools: Tonielle Christensen on Permaculture Herbalism25 Jan 202401:41:46

In this illuminating episode, join Tonielle as she unveils the transformative world of Sociocracy as a way to collaborate within groups and how dynamic decision-making tools can ensure facilitation can be fun and effective. She explains Sociocracy as a governance and meeting process and who it's most useful for. Drawing from her experience and training, Tonielle provides insights into the diverse applications of Sociocracy across different contexts. Delving into the core values and principles, including equivalence, effectiveness, and transparency, she navigates through the intricacies of consent versus consensus decision-making. The episode culminates in an exploration of the Sociocratic Circle Method process, the principles and practices of this methodology and how it relates to a new pattern of organisation structure. The dialogue covers an array of Sociocracy aspects, including roles and responsibilities, double links, facilitation, rounds, and meeting protocols. Additionally, it sheds light on integrating dynamic decision-making tools, offering her 'behind the scenes' session plan as inspiration for application in The Elder Tree context. Wrapping up with a thoughtful discussion on the significance of group agreements and feedback, the episode underscores their pivotal role in fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. Tune in for a captivating exploration of Sociocracy's transformative potential! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:30 What is Sociocracy? 18:20 Values and Principles of Sociocracy 26:21 Dynamic Decision Making 35:30 Applying Sociocracy in Different Contexts 46:40 Consent vs Consensus Decision Making 59:32 Process of Sociocracy 01:10:25 Roles and Responsibilities 01:12:11 Double Links 01:16:02 Facilitator and Secretary 01:18:31 Rounds and Decision Making 01:24:34 Different Approaches to Rounds 01:27:45 Additional Resources 01:37:01 Introduction and Icebreaker 01:37:30 Check-in and Overview 01:38:38 Group Agreements 01:39:07 Check-out and Feedback 01:40:32 Dynamic Decision-Making Tools 01:50:11 Appreciative Challenge 01:51:36 Dotocracy 01:55:02 Additional Resources

RESOURCES & BOOKS:


65. The Goulds Paradigm: Greg Whitten on Herbal Education12 Jan 202400:52:51

Greetings everyone from Lutriwita AKA Tasmania.  I am down here on an incredible herbal adventure-  of which one of the main goals and pivitol points of the trip was to go to Goulds farm and meet Greg Whitten. 

I have wanted to meet Greg ever since I purchased his massive book "Herbal Harvest" 13 years ago (it was released 25 years ago).  I have never come across anything like this book and it really inspired, motivated and educated me.  It came at a time when I was running an essential oil company, preparing to enroll in uni, was feeling disgruntled at the lack of herbal medicine education opportunities, and was hungry for a herbal teacher to teach me in person. 

Since that day I first opened the book I have vowed to go and meet him.  So here I am on this beautiful island which seems to be the perfect land for propagating temperate climate herbs and therefore propagating wise herbal elders such as Greg.Greg has had over 35 years of experience in growing high quality herbs and has been operating his current farm since 1995 where he grows around 80 species of medicinal plants. 

Greg co-owns Goulds which is a business that has been around Hobart since 1880 and it first started out as a pharmacy-  back when pharmacies were mostly herbs anyway.   Greg purchased Goulds 17 years ago with his daughter Dawn Whitten, her partner Jason Hawrelack and their friends Belinda and Daniel Robson, with Greg managing the farm and medicine making facilities, and the others managing the clinic and apothecary in Hobart.Goulds is the only example in Australia of multi practitioner clinic and apothecary, which grows and makes a large portion of its medicines.  The Goulds farm is organic and biodynamic and one of the things which makes it really special is that they still do everything on the farm by hand without machinery. 

Greg has quite an inventor streak and loves to create or re-invent innovative tools for weeding, growing, harvesting and making herbal medicine.  If you look on my Alchemilla Herbals facebook page you will find photos of my tour of his farm and medicine making area.Greg is such a humble and wise elder and one of the many things that I really appreciate about him is that he is so forthcoming with his knowledge-  he doesn't have any of that edgy industry mindset, doesn't harbor any trade secrets and also recognises that as he prepares for retirement, the knowledge must be in the hands of the next generation.  I hope that you enjoy this interview where we discuss his book herbal harvest which took 5 years to write on a typewriter.

We also discuss the internship program which used to run at Goulds.  This is a topic that I am particularly interested because The Elder Tree will run internship programs.  On this trip so far I met about 6 people who completed this program and it was great to hear about it from Greg and also hear a bit about what he calls the "Goulds Paradigm" , and his journey at Goulds and Green Pharm.  There are some areas of the interview where we geek out a bit on ratios medicine making, and botanical names.

Found out more about Goulds here:https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/Follow them on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/GouldsNaturalMedicine/Follow them on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/goulds_natural_medicine


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.


You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠⁠


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠.

64. Sustainable skin care, the benefits of tree hugging and living in harmony with nature: Kaja Skraskova on Self Care with Herbs 03 Jan 202401:04:56

Kaja Skraskova is a scientist and plant lover. When she was 11 years old, Kaja dreamt of opening an old style apothecary- a place sought after by people who needed to reconnect with herbs to heal. Kaja’s roots are in the Czech Republic and after embarking on a pharmacy degree in Prague and being lured down the research path, it was a research trip to Tasmania that set in stone her path towards creating a bush apothecary. 

Kaja is passionate about sustainable skin care and her Herbae Thylacini skin care range aims to raise awareness of the interrelationship between humans and the plant world, with a focus on re-discovering traditional medicines, and finding better ways to live in harmony with nature.

It’s fascinating to hear of Kaja’s study of the constituents of native Australian plants and the crossover between their European counterparts which are used by herbalists across Australia…we ponder how and if it might be possible for non indigenous Australians to use native Australian plants medicinally, in a way that does not misappropriate the knowledge of the traditional custodians of the land on which they grow. 

Kaja’s living far from home and support networks, while running a small business and raising 2 small children - and the theme of ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ threads through our conversation- we mourn the model of existing in immediate family silo’s where it’s difficult to find the time and space for self care.

Kaja is a big picture thinker and questions the idea of self care as only individual care- pondering is it more pertinent to ask- what does my community need, my neighbour, my work colleague- and watching the ripples of good will and connection flow from helping one another.

Along with being a passionate plant lover, Kaja’s a skilled herbal medicine maker and I loved picking her brains about different herbs and manufacturing techniques.

Towards the end of our interview, Kaja shares the most unique and nourishing herbal recipe that she uses to sneak extra herbal goodies into her two young daughters- I can’t wait to try it and I’m sure you’ll love it too! 



https://herbaethylacini.com.au/


Connect with Kaja here:

https://www.instagram.com/herbae_thylacini/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/herbaethylacini/


**SHOW NOTES**

Goulds Apothecary https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/apothecary

Penelope Ody's Complete Medicinal Herbal

https://www.amazon.com.au/Complete-Medicinal-Herbal-Penelope-Ody/dp/156458187X


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

63. The Complexity of Knowledge: Prof. John Bradley on Sacred Herbalism26 Dec 202300:58:19

Can knowledge belong to a place? Can knowledge belong to a people? And what happens when we force other cultures to prove that their ways of knowledge also have a place at the table? What is lost when we lose the ability to hold many perspectives at once, and what happens when languages that knowledge emerges from disappears? In this more-academic-than-usual (but hopefully still relevant and mind-bending) Stephanie Hazel interviews her university Anthropology lecturer, John Bradley. John taught Stephanie at UQ in 2006 on the topic of Indigenous Ethnoecology.

This conversation explores epistemic violence and the exclusion of non-western ways of knowing, and does this through stories about cycad palms, about university arrogance, and about Snow Lions disappearing with glaciers melting. John shares the real lived experience of the Yanyuwa people of Arnhem Land - what living 'in relationship' with the rest of ecology actually looks like through kin-centric ecologies.The conversation also highlights the loss of indigenous languages and knowledge and the role of language in preserving plant medicine knowledge.


If you want to read more about Yanyuwa kinships systems, here is a free pdf book about Yanyuwa Law, co-authored by John Bradley.

And here is another one a bit less about Law, and more about Kinship. Warning: both of these are heavy, but fascinating!


You can check John out on LinkedIn.



Key Points:

  • Unlearning is essential to include other ways of knowing and challenge Western-centric perspectives.
  • Cultural appropriation and epistemic violence occur when knowledge is taken without acknowledgment or understanding of its cultural context.
  • The loss of indigenous languages and knowledge poses a threat to the preservation of plant medicine knowledge. Traditional plant knowledge is complex and diverse, and it should be respected and embraced in herbal medicine practices.
  • There is a need to acknowledge and value the authority and complexity of Indigenous knowledge in herbal medicine.
  • Curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to embrace complexity are essential in understanding plants and their relationships.


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

62. Gardening Resources, Pip Mag and Balance: Robyn Rosenfeldt on Permaculture Herbalism21 Dec 202300:44:42

Join us on this episode as we delve into the world of permaculture with Robyn Rosenfeldt, the visionary behind Permaculture Pip magazine. Robyn wears many hats – from being the founding publisher and editor to an art director, photographer, writer, bookkeeper, and the tea lady.

Amidst the hustle, she finds solace in surfing, balancing a life that revolves around her haven in Pambula, NSW, with her partner and three children, as they tend to a lively household that includes three sheep, four chickens, a rooster, and five ducks.

In this conversation, Robyn speaks to the insights she gained in her Permaculture Design Course, which sparked her passions beyond the garden, weaving together her roles as a creator and nurturer to birth the vibrant Pip mag, and she shares the meaning behind the name.

Venture into Robyn's world as she advocates for using edible plants to enhance well-being, unveiling her favourite botanical berry allies and her ways of cultivating and using Garlic.

We discuss the environmental impact of purchasing herbs and the transformative journey of growing your own. From the feathered friends in her backyard to the allure of bushtucker foods, Robyn imparts the wisdom of balance in life, drawn from her love for surfing and the grounding sanctuary of her garden.

As a special treat for our Trove Patreon Members, Robyn extends a generous gift – her "Sow, Know, Grow" ebook, a testament to her dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering a community of mindful living. Tune in for a captivating conversation that delves deep into the heart of permaculture, sustainable living, and the vibrant tapestry of Robyn's creative life.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Permaculture is an important aspect of sustainable living and connects individuals to the earth and their community.
  • Growing and consuming fresh, nutrient-rich food is beneficial for health and well-being.
  • Garlic is a versatile and easy-to-grow plant that offers both culinary and medicinal benefits.
  • Berries are a valuable addition to any garden, providing antioxidants and delicious flavours.
  • Finding balance in life is essential for overall happiness and productivity.
  • PIP magazine offers a range of ebooks and resources for those interested in permaculture and sustainable living. Growing your own herbs reduces your carbon footprint and eliminates the need for plastic packaging.
  • Some herbs are perennial and can be grown indefinitely, while others need to be replanted each year.
  • Pip Magazine offers valuable resources on topics such as chickens and bush tucker.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 The Importance of Permaculture

02:00 The Creation of PIP Magazine

04:17 Integrating Plants into Life

07:17 Must-Have Plants in the Garden

10:47 Growing Garlic

13:24 Utilising Plants for Health

19:10 Growing Berries

24:19 Finding Balance in Life

28:37 Thriving in Life

33:42 Ebooks and Resources

37:18 Christmas Presents and Farewell

39:01 Benefits of Growing Your Own Herbs

40:09 Appreciation for Pip Magazine

CONNECT:

PIP Mag: https://pipmagazine.com.au/www.pipmagazine.com.au
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube

How to Grow Garlic: https://pipmagazine.com.au/grow/how-to-plant-garlic-2/

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

61. Following the Mystery of Medicine: Lily Aagren on Herbal Education13 Dec 202300:58:53

This episode is a thought provoking discussion with Lily Aagren aka Lily of the Herbs, who is a herbalist, permaculturalist and ZenThai Shiatsu practitioner on Warrandjuri country in Warrandite, Victoria.
In this conversation, Twiggy and Lily discuss their journeys in herbal medicine and the need for a more nuanced approach to herbalism education in Australia. Lily shares her experiences learning herbal medicine through volunteering and skill sharing, as well as her motivation to become an educator.


They also discuss the challenges and limitations of herbalism education in Australia, and the importance of reclaiming and celebrating different aspects of herbalism. They both express their excitement for the future of herbalism in Australia and the potential for more diverse and accessible education options.


In this conversation, Twiggy and Lily discuss the accessibility of herbs, the power of inspiration and manifestation, the importance of land accessibility and community living, the integration of herbalism into daily life, the empowerment and sovereignty that comes with herbalism, the impact of connections and planting seeds of inspiration, the availability of herbs in supermarkets, current herbal allies, upcoming offerings and trainings, and closing thoughts on trust and gratitude takeaways.


🌳Volunteering and skill sharing are valuable ways to learn herbal medicine
🌳There is a need for more nuanced terminology and recognition of different aspects of herbalism
🌳Herbalism education should be accessible and cater to different learning styles and interests
🌳The landscape of herbalism in Australia is changing, with more diverse education options emerging Herbs can be made more accessible by supporting herb growers and organic farmers
🌳Inspiration and manifestation play a key role in creating the future we want to see
🌳Land accessibility and community living can enhance the practice of herbalism
🌳Herbalism empowers individuals to take control of their health and make informed choices
🌳Connections and sharing inspiration can have a ripple effect and create positive change
🌳Exploring different herbal allies can provide unique benefits and support
🌳There are various offerings and trainings available to deepen knowledge and practice of herbalism
🌳Trusting the journey and expressing gratitude are important aspects of the herbalism journey.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Background
02:01Journey in Thailand
04:12Working with Fresh Herbal Medicine
06:29Connection with Plants in Traditional Cultures
07:44Relaxed Attitude towards Healing
08:30Journey of Learning Herbal Medicine
11:10Learning through Volunteering and Skill Sharing
14:00Becoming an Educator
19:11The Way of the Herbalist Course
24:00The Need for Nuanced Terminology in Herbalism
29:51The Changing Landscape of Herbalism in Australia
38:00The Future of Herbalism Education
43:27Making Herbs More Accessible
44:07Inspiration and Manifestation
45:05Land Accessibility and Community Living
46:03Daily Integrated Practice and Health Sovereignty
47:12Empowerment and Sovereignty
47:48Creating Connections and Planting Seeds of Inspiration
48:06Herbs in Supermarkets and Unexpected Discoveries
49:15Current Herbal Allies
53:14Upcoming Offerings and Trainings
55:37Closing Thoughts and Gratitude


Show Notes:


Lily's website:

https://www.lilyoftheherbs.com/


Find her on IG:

@lilyoftheherbs


The book mentioned:

Herbal Harvest by Greg Whitten



To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.


You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠.

60. Finding the Sacred in our Everyday: Brenda Rogers on Self Care with Herbs04 Dec 202300:59:26

During this episode, I chat with Brenda Rogers a clinical naturopath and life coach specialising in hormonal transitions, particularly menopause. She’s passionate about working with a new generation of strong and empowered women who have something wonderful to offer the world and who know that age does not matter.

Brenda gently guides women to reclaim their health and vitality, eliminating discomfort and finding self-worth so they can take care of others without compromising on their own dreams and ambitions. 

During our chat, Brenda candidly shares her experience with diet culture during her teens and the unhappy, self critical spiral this triggered. 

We chat about how studying naturopathy in her early 20’s took her down a different path and opened up a deep and continuing connection to nature, providing a source of healing and allowing her to recognise that witnessing and noticing the cycles of the natural world is a form of medicine. 

Brenda is currently studying End of Life Coaching, and explains how becoming comfortable with death and the process of dying has emphasised to her, the importance of finding a way to be more present and developing an appreciation of the sacred in the everyday. 

Don’t ask her to slow down- we agree this can be condescending- but finding a way to engage the senses and be present while enjoying everyday moments is essential.

Brenda has a lovely way of describing how she tunes into the whispers that sometimes beset us when self care hasn’t been a priority…she talks of a process of ‘sifting’ and honest reflection- and how it’s the witnessing of the whispers and what they might be telling her that can be most valuable. 

I love the wisdom of perspective that Brenda shares when speaking about the barriers to self care, how youth and ignorance can sometimes be real impediments to investing in ourselves. When we treat symptoms like fatigue, period pain or skin conditions as mere inconveniences, it’s often because we don’t have the understanding of these symptoms as signs of a deeper wrong.

Brenda’s passion for nourishing food shines through during our chat, her connection with the folks who grow her food and her joy at creating wholesome basics like beautiful gelatinous broths. This is food as medicine at it’s best and we’re lucky to have Brenda share a very special recipe which showcases and preserves what’s in season in your garden! 


**SPECIAL OFFERS**

Brenda is offering the Elder Tree Podcast listeners a special complimentary 30 day trial of her popular Well- Nourished Woman program. This program provides a monthly membership to nourish and heal your amazing body, based on the Wise Traditions Diet and other proven methods. Access more information on the program here:

https://qwomen.com.au/well_nourished/.


Brenda has also shared a beautifully nourishing Skin Beauty Serum recipe, which will be available to The Elder Tree Trove Patreon Community.

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 


**CONNECT**

You can connect with Brenda here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qwomenshealth/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-rogers-quintessence/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qwomenshealth/

Website: www.qwomen.com.au

Email: brenda@qwomen.com.au 



To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

55. Indigenous Plant Wisdom of Time and Place: Tyson Yunkaporta on Sacred Herbalism28 Nov 202301:20:52

Tyson Yungaporta is a professor of Indigenous Wisdom at Deakin University and in my opinion one of the most exciting minds in Australia today. He blends ecological systems thinking, global indigenous mythological framing and Indigenous Australian wisdom into a compelling and rich reframe for human consciousness. In this interview, Stephanie and Tyson yarn about plants, how to pay attention to what plants tell us about the time, place and season of country, how plants change in response to humans and how to avoid the trap of flights of fantasy in plant communication.


SHOWNOTES:

Read Tyson's book 'Sand Talk: How Indigenous Wisdom can Save the World' here.

Check out his interview on the Emerald here (great content about conspiracy theories that really helped me make sense of this thorny issue).

Join Stephanie's next Plant Listening short courses here.

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.


You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠ www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠


The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here

95. Shamanic Herbalism: Matthew Wood on Sacred Herbalism18 Aug 202401:54:24

Matthew Wood, who by his own admission is a ‘herbalist who did homeopathy because he couldn’t understand herbalism’ is one of the most influential herbalists in the English speaking world. He has brought vitalism and herbal specificity to a whole generation of herbalists, perhaps because of his unique experience of learning herbalism from Native Americans before pursuing any further herbal study. Here, Stephanie Hazel gets to fan-girl at one of her herbal heroes! They discuss Matthew’s new book, “A Shamanic Herbal”, spirit animals, the subtleties of intuition, empathy and imagination, Native American Herbalism, and so much more. It’s our longest interview yet, and we hope you enjoy every minute of it!


Matthew Wood’s new book is available here: 

https://www.thenile.com.au/books/matthew-wood/a-shamanic-herbal/9798888500200


The Earthwise Herbal (New World and Old World volumes) are some of the best herbal books around, so if you haven’t discovered Matthew Wood’s work yet, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy!


We highly recommend signing up to the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism mailing list, where you will hear about plenty of high quality free classes, as well as their paid offerings. 

Sign up here. https://matthewwoodinstituteofherbalism.com/course/tongue-evaluation


SHOWNOTES:


Link to free tongue diagnosis class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wN4gMYYHmM

We also mentioned:

 ‘Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine’ by Giovanni Maciocia.


 ‘The Structure of Scientific Revolutions’, by Thomas Kuhn in 1970 (download a free pdf here):

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/tract/projects/complexity-theory/kuhn-the-structure-of-scien.pdf

See less

59. The Stories Underneath our Systems: Miriam Latif on Sacred Herbalism28 Nov 202300:56:37

Miriam Latif - a curious and cunning herbalist from a medical family - is also a storyteller, cultural explorer and systems thinker. She is interviewed here by Stephanie Hazel, and together they chart the important but often-ignored terrain of invisible narratives that shape the way we think about health and healing. How often do you think about the stories you tell yourself unconsciously? Do these stories actually support an experience of life that is connected, interrelated and inclusive, or do these stories support an obsession with individuality and productivity? What about the stories you tell your clients or your friends and family about health and herbal medicine? These are powerful parts of the healing that can happen with plants, but something we often do entirely unconsciously.


You can find Miriam via instagram https://www.instagram.com/___understory/


You can also delve into mythopoetic relationships to plants through Stephanie's 6-week Plant Allies course, coming up in March.

https://www.stephaniehazel.com.au/courses/find-your-plant-allies/


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠


The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here


58. Seed Saving, Food as Medicine & Nature Healing with Maria Gilles on Permaculture Herbalism20 Nov 202300:59:46

Embark on a journey into the verdant world of Seed Saving with Maria Gillies. Living a simple yet profoundly enriching life, she is a devoted member of the Mareeba Seed Savers coordinator's team in Far North Queensland and volunteers with the National Seed Savers Organisation to connect all Australian groups and provide seed-saving knowledge and skills.

Maria left her life in the laboratory to take off her shoes and follow her curiosity for "food as medicine" and the insightful world of seeds after experiencing a deep connection with Papaya and the lessons learnt from being present with seeds and healing with nature.

It wasn't until Maria visited France during a two-year sojourn that she had her hands in the soil, discovering the abundant joys of cultivating fruits and vegetables.

The turning point in her journey came when she engaged in a transformative woofing experience with Isabel Shipard, a renowned herbalist and author on the Sunshine Coast. Under Isabel's expert guidance, Maria realised the significance of preserving seeds from one's garden.

Join Maria as she shares her insights, experiences, and the rich tapestry of lessons learned in the world of nurturing and preserving life through seeds.

SHOW NOTES:

CONNECT:

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon here and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!

To learn more about The Elder Tree, visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

57. Herbal Shamanism and Kisses from Mel Gibson: Linda Bates on Herbal Education17 Nov 202301:43:27


Linda Bates is a fourth generation herbalist who trained in 19 schools around England and the Mediterranean. She has been in clinical practice for 4 decades and is a truly inspirational herbal elder in Australia. I met Linda about a decade ago, at Pindari farm in Tasmania at a week-long medicine making intensive which was taught by her and Sandra Parker (who I interviewed in episode 17).


In this episode we discuss the importance of herbalists doing the ongoing self work- the spiritual work is important to be able to hold space as a practitioner to create a space of love and compassion for the patient.
Linda shares about how the word herbalist back in ancient Greece meant doctor, and the role of the doctor was teacher. We discuss the importance of clinic being educational. The teacher should be opening minds and expanding hearts.We share the importance of attuning with and talking to the plants and listening to what they have to say.

Linda shares her passion and belief that herbalists should have 10 years of clinical practice before being able to give clinical training to herbal students. She shares her dissapointment at the lack of experience many lecturers at university have these days and the necessity of being truly ready before entering into clinical practice. She offers wonderful mentorship for university graduates to assist them in coming into their own clinics- this is a wonderful bridge!


Linda shares wisdom around Angelica, Lavender and Basil. She shares her way of integrating herbs into a hospital setting and also addresses the issue of mass produced heavily processed medicines on the market lacking the fresh vitality and wholeness.Linda shares some wonderful stories fro her time in the London theatre working for Lindsay Kemp. It was here that she assisted famous opera singers with her herbs. She dispensed herbs to David Bowie and was even kissed by Mel Gibson!!!


It was such an honour to interview Linda, she is a herbal elder who I respect immensely and am grateful that I had the opportunity learn from her face-to-face. I am sure you will all enjoy this episode!


Learn more about Linda here:
https://www.lindabatesherbalmedicine.com/about
Follow Linda Bates Herbal Medicine on FB.


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.


You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree


You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com


The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here

56. The Alchemy of People and Plants: Jess Allan on Self Care with Herbs04 Nov 202301:05:53

During this episode I have a deeply nourishing chat with Jess Allan- a conversation filled with imagery and story telling.

Jess is a herbalist, Bowen therapist and the owner of Skindoona Apothecary in Newcastle NSW, where she manufactures a range of herbal and vibrational skin care.

Having a deep love and connection to the natural world and an affinity for sensing and communicating emotional profiles, Jess followed her path into herbs and healing and has enjoyed experiencing the alchemy of people and plants for almost 20 years. 

During this episode, Jess shares how after feeling quite disconnected from the natural world during her early childhood, it was the school camps she experienced later in her youth, where she spent time in the bush, hands in the earth and felt her eyes open and her soul start to connect with the plants. 

Jess is a beautiful story teller and during our chat takes us on a special journey, sharing how she connects with individual plants on a deep level to create potent flower essences. 

She describes feeling disconnected and even skeptical after completing some introductory courses on Bush Flower essences…but being immersed in a Nature Philosophy course and meditating in the bush amongst the wildflowers helped facilitate a profound connection and a deeper knowing of flowers and plants.  

Jess’s connection with herbs was deepened even further, during a transformative experience on a medicinal herb farm in Tasmania. It was here that she really started to connect strongly with the herbs, understanding their vibrations, and feeling a whole new world opening up, a sense of safety and belonging. 

Jess has been deep in motherhood over the past ten years and shares how it’s really easy to lose sight of self care and that daily investment in ourselves. She describes the feeling many of us experience- that there is a bigger dream than just surviving each day.


**CONNECT**

Skin Doona Apothecary

https://skindoona.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/skindoona/

https://m.facebook.com/p/SkinDoona-100063083926324/


**SHOW NOTES**

Find out more about the Nature Philosphy Course Jess references here

Learn more about Australian Bush Flower essences here

Connect with the Lighthouse Health Hub where Jess manufactures her beautiful skin care range here


**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon here and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

54. Backdoor Medicines, Being Gardened and Education with Hope: Morag Gamble: Permaculture Herbalism25 Oct 202301:18:01

Morag Gamble is a global award-winning permaculture educator, speaker,  gardener,  ⁠podcaster⁠⁠humanitarian⁠, the founder of the ⁠Permaculture Education Institute⁠ and the creator of ⁠Our Permaculture Life blog⁠ and ⁠Youtube Channel⁠ (viewed over 6 million times). She teaches permaculture teachers on six continents through her in-depth online course, the ⁠Permaculture Educators Program⁠, and permaculture gardeners in another course, The Incredible Edible Garden.

You can join her monthly for free Permaculture Film screenings and permaculture masterclasses. Join her ⁠newsletter⁠ to get updates of all her latest events, films, podcasts and offerings. 

Morag lives with her family amidst her permaculture garden in Gubbi Gubbi country near Maleny, where she homeschools her two boys. In this conversation, she talks us through the medicines growing at her back door and her role as a teacher of teachers, where she supports a worldwide network of educators and explains it in terms of mycelium. With her podcast "Sense-making in a Changing World", she shines the light on people, solutions and the thinking we need to navigate a positive and regenerative way forward for a thriving one-planet way of life.


CONNECT:


SHOW NOTES:


THE ELDERTREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY: Join here!

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities - plus support The Elder Tree at the same time! ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theeldertree⁠⁠


To learn more about The Elder Tree, visit the website at ⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at: ⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠ ⁠The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

53. A Whole Sun Cycle of Wisdom and Collaboration: Tatiana Dawn on Herbal Education 20 Oct 202300:27:51

Springtime blessings to all of you tuning in to this episode. We recently celebrated the podcast's first birthday on the Spring Equinox, and I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support on this journey so far.

If you have been tuning in recently, you would have noticed that over this past moon cycle, we have each been giving a deeper insight into our individual segment's journeys over the past year.  Here in this episode, I am going to share with you the past year’s deeply explorative journey in the Herbal Education segment. 

After that, I will share with you all a bit about where we are at with The Elder Tree project and where this podcast fits in with the vision of The Elder Tree

Thank you for your support, encouragement and assistance during this time. The future ancestors also thank you.

5. Reciprocity with Herbs: Alyson Maier on Herbal Education

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/5-reciprocity-with-herbs-alyson-maier-on-herbal-education/id1646328719?i=1000583733494

9. Paradigm Shifts in Herbal Education: Heidi Merika on Herbal Education

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/9-paradigm-shifts-in-herbal-education-heidi-merika/id1646328719?i=1000587310877

 

13. Informal Education and the Dream for Inherited Learning: Sam Marsh on Herbal Education

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/13-informal-education-and-the-dream-for/id1646328719?i=1000591026765

 

17. Creating Your Own Homegrown Dispensary: Sandra Parker https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/17-creating-your-own-homegrown-dispensary-sandra-parker/id1646328719?i=1000594854900

21. An Elder's Perspective on Being a Student and Teacher: Dipaunka Macrides https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/21-an-elders-perspective-on-being-a-student/id1646328719?i=1000600433187

25. Preserving Endangered Herbs- Christopher Smith https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/25-preserving-endangered-herbs-christopher-smith-on/id1646328719?i=1000605227690

29. From Farm to Apothecary & Community Herbalism: Monica Francia https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/29-from-farm-to-apothecary-community-herbalism-monica/id1646328719?i=1000609700198

33. Building a Culture of Collaboration in the Herbal Community: Cat Green https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/33-building-a-culture-of-collaboration-in/id1646328719?i=1000613917180

37. Nature as a Co-facilitator and the Need for Deep Listening: Jacqui Bushell https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/37-nature-as-a-co-facilitator-and-the-need/id1646328719?i=1000617390233

41. Attuning Ourselves to Herbs: Stephanie Hazel https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/41-attuning-ourselves-to-herbs-stephanie-hazel-on-herbal/id1646328719?i=1000621435020

45. Grassroots Herbal Educators Sprouting up from the Ground: Rosie Cooper https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/45-grassroots-herbal-educators-sprouting-up-from-the/id1646328719?i=1000624580880

49. Herbal Medicine is the People's Medicine: Sharn Harper https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/49-herbal-medicine-is-the-peoples-medicine-sharn/id1646328719?i=1000627935033


To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!
www.patreon.com/theeldertree


You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com


The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here

42. Songs, Microbiome and Music as a Tool for Education: Charlie Mgee on Permaculture Herbalism17 Oct 202300:58:29

Charlie Mgee is a songwriter, ukulele player, permaculturist and founder of the world-renowned ecological funk/swing band, Formidable Vegetable. Growing up in a tin shed with a veggie garden, rainwater tank and one 100W solar panel for power in the south-west of Western Australia, Charlie lived the low-impact lifestyle from a young age, using a 'Dunny' that didn't flush and hanging out with his chickens for entertainment, which made him realise early on that you don’t need a lot in life to be happy.
Later on, Charlie went off to study permaculture and, soon after, formed Formidable Vegetable – a band based entirely around principles of sustainable living and being good to the planet, with the hope of inspiring people everywhere to grow regenerative gardens/lives/communities and generally make the world a better place.

In this episode, Charlie shares his earlier childhood years living in Arnhem land and how this time influenced his perspective of music as a pattern language, and the powerful experiences he had listening to the traditional songs as a way of knowing and remembering, to propagate culture.

Our conversation explores his career as a musician, how he came to use it as a tool for education and why he believes that real change is going to happen at a community level with local and bioregional scale solutions. We touch on topics such as; diversity in our landscapes and gut microbiome, the soil food web, and staying healthy on tour with some special medicinal plants.
Charlie's music has since made it into the United Nations (who praised Formidable Vegetable for writing about the 'important issues of our time'), onto the stages at Glastonbury Festival alongside such acts as Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry and The Rolling Stones and has inspired the creation of many a backyard and community garden.
Fresh from a sold-out national tour, Formidable Vegetable is back with some all-new Spoonbill-boosted electro-funk and positive climate action that the whole neighbourhood can get down to as they launch their brand new album 'Micro Biome' - an organic harvest of family-flavoured beets to inspire young and old to connect to the beyond-human World.

SHOW NOTES:

  • Dr Christine Jones, The Soil Food Web
  • Weed Forager's Handbook: A Guide to Edible and Medicinal Weeds in Australia, and Let's Eat Weeds!: A Kids' Guide to Foraging by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb 
  • Book: Songlines: The Power and Promise, by Margo Neale and Lynne Kelly
  • Book: The Memory Code, by Lynne Kelly
  • Book: Finding The Heart Of The Nation, by Thomas Mayor
  • Sociocracy - Community Governance and Decision Making
  • Nature Kids Permaculture Program For Families

CONTACT:

Website: ⁠www.formidablevegetable.com.au⁠ and ⁠http://growdoit.com.au⁠

Facebook: ⁠http://facebook.com/formidablevegetable⁠ (and Grow Do It Permaculture Education group on FB)

Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/formidableveg⁠

Other/s: ⁠www.patreon.com/growdoit⁠

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

52. Do We Need to Reframe Self Care?: Reflecting on a year of nourishing conversations with Jess Bosscha06 Oct 202300:26:25

During this first birthday edition of the Self Care with Herbs segment, I reflect on the many and varied nourishing conversations I’ve had with guests over the past 12 months. 

I pull out common themes, from the benefits of weaving our self care around the cycles and rhythms within ourselves and the world around us to the way our self care may change depending on the stage of life we find ourselves in. 

I reflect on the value of nature connection, and the way that growing herbs can deepen our relationship with the plants.

I share how my little herb patch has grown as a direct result of the conversations had during the podcast.

I examine the way that existing in our world and the pressures placed on us by our society can be a huge barrier to prioritising ourselves and how even the common definition of self care (as spa treatment or expensive getaway) can make it difficult for many of us.

I rejoice in reviewing the many deliciously nourishing self care recipes and rituals shared by guests and share stories of the connections that have been made as a result of the podcast.

I hope you enjoy reflecting on the past 12 months of conversations as much as I have. My heartfelt thanks to all of my beautiful guests who have shared this journey with me. 

You can revisit any of the episodes from the Self Care with Herbs segment by visiting the links below…

8. Connection to our Cycles and the Natural World: Artist Dalee Ella 

12. A life changing accident inspires a passion for herbal medicine: Jen Campbell 

16. Foraging, kitchen medicine and herbal tea- bringing the herbs into our everyday: Caroline Parker

20. Continuing the legacy of Dorothy Hall- Bringing the plants and the people together: Sally Kingsford Smith

24. Motherhood meets small business- the importance of getting back to basics: Norfolk Naturopath Zoe King

28. Mothercare, prioritising the basics and avoiding overwhelm: Emma Jacques

32. Nourishing skin care rituals, finding balance and forming a deeper relationship with herbs: Sue Daly

36. Listening to the whispers of our heart and being held by the herbs during times of transformation: Kristin Zanotti

40. Flowers, essential oils and knowing ourselves constitutionally: Tara Luca

44. Applying permaculture principles to Self Care: Hanna Navara

48. Self care as a dynamic, seasonal, everyday practice: Cat Green

During this episode, I refer to Dalee Ella’s stunning new ‘Art to Wear’ collection which you can access here.

I also refer to Caroline Parker’s new book baby ‘The Medicinal Garden: An Intro to Medicinal Herbs and How to Grow them and Use them in the Kitchen’ which will be out in Winter 2024. Stay tuned here.

You can connect with me, Jess Bosscha, host of the Self Care with Herbs segment of the Elder Tree podcast by following along on Instagram and Facebook, by signing up to my newsletter here , visiting my online store here or making an appointment for a consultation here.

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

51. What is Sacred Herbalism Anyway? A year of conversations with Stephanie Hazel.28 Sep 202300:40:42

It's been a year of amazing conversations with insightful humans, meandering through the forest of plant relationships and numinous experiences. In this episode I explore: Why does 'sacred' matter to us as herbalists anyway? What is sacred herbalism? And how can we begin to cultivate this in our own lives?

I highlight some snippets of conversations with Jacqui Bushell (episode 11), Jimi Wollumbin (episode 15), John Seed (episode 27), and Skye Cielita Flor (episode 41). A big shout out to all my other fabulous podcast guests: Tatiana Dawn, Lis Conlon, Katelyn Jones, Benjamin Haynes, Lily of the Herbs, Jessyca Bosscha and the anonymous therapist. You were all incredible - weaving each of these conversations into one was quite simply beyond me.


To find out more about The Elder Tree, head to TheElderTree.org
You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram.
The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.

50. Spring Equinox, Launching the Trove and Celebrating Ostara with Earth Mumma on Permaculture Herbalism22 Sep 202301:11:02

Happy 1st bEarthday to The Elder Tree Podcast with an entire sun cycle into Spring Equinox! We have successfully published an episode every moon phase, which has been forty-eight inspiring interviews covering our favourite topics of herbal educators, permaculture herbalism, sacred herbalism and self-care with herbs!

In this celebratory episode, I start with an Ostara blessing and delve deeper into the two worlds of permaculture and herbalism and how they merge to support human and earth healing. I speak to what is happening in my tropical garden and offer ways to celebrate this season within the wheel of the year and honour this equinox and all that it means in our external and internal landscapes.

With the energy of spring and fertility, we, too, are growing with fresh sound in our 'intro and outro' and the exciting launch of The Elder Tree Trove ~ Patreon Community! Yes, we now have more ways to engage with Herbalists, Healers and Permaculturalists to access their exclusive content, special offers, ongoing wisdom, and conversations to harvest ~ all from our Trove.

This was also a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon my segment and all of the insightful people I interviewed, acknowledging the magic of diverse topics that emerged in these conversations with some updates and generous gifts for our Patreon community. As promised, see the show notes below for direct links to each of this season's permaculture herbalism segments!

SHOW NOTES:

TROVE ~ PATREON COMMUNITY GIFTS: Join here! https://www.patreon.com/TheElderTree


To learn more about The Elder Tree, visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠. You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at: ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠ The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

94. Grief & Grace: Special Mini Episode12 Aug 202400:17:08

How do we show up for ourselves when the river of grief threatens to sweep us away? Do you allow space in your life to touch the tender places that pain us? To truly grief for those we have lost? To make peace with death? This is a mini episode on Grief and Grace, as Stephanie Hazel steps in to support Tonielle Christensen, our regular Permaculture Segment host, during her own time of grief. Stephanie explores different cultural practices for working with grief when a loved one dies, and discusses three powerful herbs to support us in times of grief.


Stephanie recommends the book 'Die Wise' by Stephen Jenkinson. It's also available as an audio book narrated by the author, which is pretty lovely.


*THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY** You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here. You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at: asktheeldertree@gmail.com The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.

49. Herbal Medicine is the People's Medicine: Sharn Harper on Herbal Education15 Sep 202301:05:54

Sharn Harper is a traditional herbalist with over two decades in the field of natural health and herbal medicine. Armed with a Bachelor of Health Science, and Diploma of Herbal Medicine, Sharn's journey as a herbalist has taken her through various roles and experiences.


She worked for over 8 years at Mullumbimby Herbals, and over 8 years and Koda Phytorium as a practitioner and herbal manufacturing educator and managed Koda Phytorium for 5 years.


Sharn's commitment to education has played an important role in nurturing some of the next generation of herbalists and naturopaths.Over the past two decades, she has actively produced herbal medicines and mastered the art of herbal percolation, contributing significantly to the field's practical knowledge.


Sharn founded Byron Botanicals 20 years ago and less than 2 months ago sold this beautiful business. She has now established The Urban Apothecary in Port Noarlunga South, South Australia, where she continues to provide the community with natural remedies and herbal solutions and invites students of herbal medicine to learn from her. She also currently works for Switched on Health, marking students assignments.


In Sharn's current herbal dispensary, she makes around 99% of her own tinctures and other medicines that she dispenses, and this is one of the stand out things in what she offers.


In this interview Sharn shares her journey from romance starting at a compost heap to meeting Paul Stamets.  We talk about the importance of staying away from competitive mindset and industry mindset, instead fostering an inter-connected community of mutually supportive herbalists.We talk about ways that herbal medicine can be re-integrated back into the hospitals and doctors clinics.


Sharn shares her dreams for more affordable and hands on education opportunities in Australia. Her dreams for herbal education being less corporate and and more heart-based. I love her unending passion, dedication, humility and inclusive nature. I hope that you all enjoy this chat as much as I did.


Shownotes:

The Urban Apothecary FB:https://www.facebook.com/Sharnsherbaldispensary


Sharn's new book "Preparing Herbal Extracts using Cold Percolation":https://byronbotanicals.com.au/product/preparing-herbal-extracts-using-cold-percolation-by-sharn-harper


Byron Botanicals:https://byronbotanicals.com.au/


Koda Phytorium:https://www.webstore.kodaphytorium.com.au/


Mullum Herbals:https://mullumherbals.com.au/



To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay$2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support The Elder Tree at the same time!
www.patreon.com/theeldertree


You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.


Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com


The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.


48. Self care as a dynamic, seasonal, everyday practice: Cat Green on Self Care with Herbs06 Sep 202301:13:29

During this episode, I chat with Cat Green from Everyday Empowered. Cat’s a folk herbalist and grassroots community herbal organiser and educator. She's passionate about making it easy -and normal - for people to make simple, effective herbal remedies at home. Through Everyday Empowered, she offers a wide range of practical ways for people to learn about herbs.

Cat’s journey down the plant path began during recovery from an extended illness. After seeking the guidance of a naturopath, she began to delve deeper, reading all the books and going down rabbit holes. Which left her wondering…why are there 20 herbs recommended for this one condition, how do I know which one to choose? 

These questions continue to inform her relationship with herbs today…during her recovery, Cat came to realise that she was responsible for her own health and the only one living in her own body every day. That having a toolkit of herbs and other supportive practices is wonderful, but it’s tuning in to what our body’s need every day that helps shape how we care for ourselves.

I love Cat’s seasonal approach and how her herbal practice, shifts and changes as she listens in to what her body needs as the world around her changes. We chat about moving from immune supportive herbs like Astralgalus through winter, to more nutritive and liver supportive herbs like Nettle, Red Clover and bitter salad greens as we move into Spring…

During our chat, we talk about building habits (even boring ones like flossing our teeth) and how starting small and celebrating the tiniest wins can be really helpful at strengthening our neural pathways.

One of Cat’s passion is home herbalism and we chat a lot about how getting to know ourselves and our own health issues and becoming familiar with the herbs is a way of reclaiming some of the power that has been lost. By relearning some of these lost skills we can regain confidence in home healthcare traditions.

Cat shares how in her early days of delving into herbalism, she often found the sheer volume of information available overwhelming, when all she really wanted was the best remedy for nappy rash! This experience underlies her passion of making home herbalism as accessible as possible for everybody.

So grab a cup of your favourite herbal cuppa, find a comfy nook in the sun and settle in to this inspiring and nourishing episode…

*SHOW NOTES*

You can learn more about Cat, her upcoming offerings, check out her blog posts and buy her herbal starter kits here.

Or follow Cat on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with all of her offerings.

Cat refers to her training with Non Violent Communication Certified Trainer Kate Raffin, you can connect with Kate and learn more about Non Violent Communication here.

I mention Sally Kingsford Smith’s beautiful course The Art and Heart of Herbal Medicine which you can learn more about here

During our chat we refer to a previous episode of the Elder Tree, where Cat was interviewed by Twiggy Dawn, founder of the Elder Tree. You can listen in to that episode here: 

Episode 33: Building a Culture of Collaboration in the Herbal Community- Cat Green on Herbal Education

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

47. Wildflowers Weave Us Home: Katelyn Jones on Sacred Herbalism30 Aug 202300:46:22

Katelyn speaks to Stephanie Hazel about the potency of wildflower essences as a way to reconnect us into the land we live on. She shares her journey of maturing into stewardship of the land, and her personal belief that nature is a mirror of our own true selves. Katelyn Jones lives in Koa, FNQ. She makes flower essences and delightful natural skincare products infused with local wild botanicals. She also teaches others how to make flower essences for their own healing.


Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quint_._essence/

You can find her products here: https://quintessencewellness.com.au/shop

And her upcoming flower essence workshop: https://quintessencewellness.com.au/shop/p/flower-essence-workshop

46. Eight Forms of Capital, Economic & Social Regeneration in Eco-village Design with Andrew McLean: Permaculture Herbalism23 Aug 202301:16:08

Andrew has been a community development worker, mechanic, small business owner, and now co-founder of Eco Villages Australia - an organisation that helps people live collaboratively. Co-founder and resident of the Maleny Eco Village, he strives to live a life of economic, cultural, social and ecological regeneration. 

"Social disconnection has hit epidemic proportions. Now is the time to find a way to connect with self, each other and the earth."

In this episode, Andrew speaks to the importance of valuing native plants and medicines and the wisdom of first nations people to learn about relationships and reciprocal living. From sacred economics to his perspective of the eight forms of capital/wealth, Andrew shares how he financially co-seeded an eco-village with 0% interest to remodel housing loans and trust. He gives some insight into life in the village and how they consider individual capacity, the gift economy and how 'working together' is their superpower.

Andrew now travels to offer free forums to anyone interested in learning how to start or be part of a small-scale village that cares for the earth, people and economic equality in the face of the current housing crisis. He calls himself 'a busker of ideas' and discusses his unique perspective of 'social healing' as a form of medicine and advocates for confronting trauma collectively within the support of a village, rather than in isolation."

Claire (also co-founder) from Maleny Eco-village offers free Intentional Healing Therapy and invites bookings via text to 0439 532 299.


CONNECT:

Website: https://www.ecovillages.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecovillagesaustralia

Youtube: @ecovillagesaustralia8549


SHOW NOTES:


To learn more about The Elder Tree, visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠here⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠Sing for the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

© My Podcast Data