The Elder Tree is a not-for profit organisation, empowering people through grassroots herbal education. This podcast showcases a myriad of amazing plant medicine folk from around Australia doing inspiring things.
There are four segments to the podcast:
- Herbal Education: Presented by Twiggy Dawn
- Permaculture Herbalism: Presented by Tonielle Christensen
- Sacred Herbalism: Presented by Stephanie Hazel
• Self Care With Herbs: Presented by Jessyca Bosscha
Buy us a cuppa so we can continue our work:
https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 04/07/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Discover shows related to The Elder Tree Podcast, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
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!
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.
169. Lutruwita Herb Farm Tour: Taj Scicluna on Herb Farming
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 • Duration 55:25
This episode is a love letter to medicinal resilience.
After attending the Elder Tree Herb Farm Tour in Lutruwita, I found myself reignited — not just in my devotion to herbalism, but in my commitment to bioregional practice, to growing medicine where we stand.
We have carefully selected audio from the tour, from some of the original Elders Herb Farming in Australia, as well as farmers of the younger generation who are holding the torch, responding with our own thoughts and insights.
In this conversation, we explore what happens when we look beyond the brown bottle and begin asking deeper questions about traceability, ethics, soil, community, and the quality of care that flows from seed to patient.
Through stories from Gould’s, Hop Valley, and Marlene Herbs, we unpack why medicinal security matters just as much as food security, why compost and tools and local economies are all part of herbal medicine, and how supporting local growers strengthens not only our dispensaries but our ecosystems. Herbalism, in this episode, is not reduced to symptom management — it becomes a practice of reciprocity, regeneration, and reverence for the living systems that make healing possible
Gould's Apothecary & Herb Farm
https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/
https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/farm
Hop Valley Herb Farm
https://www.hopvalleyherbs.com.au/
Marleen Herbs
http://www.tincturesandgemmos.com/
**BUY ME A CUPPA**
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here:
168. Alchemy in the Temple of Mercury: Benjamin Turale on Herbal Education- Episode Re-release
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Duration 01:33:52
This is a re-release of an interview with Benjamin Turale from Temple of Mercury. Benjamin lives on Wudawurung land in Victoria. Benjamin is an award winning alchemist who lives live and breathes the Hermetic current.
He is Director of Education in the International Alchemy Guild and is very active in the alchemy community internationally, and works to help preserve and pass on the Albertian Alchemical lineage.
In this interview, Benjamin and I explore intricate world of alchemy and its historical significance. Benjamin shares the definitions of key terms like alchemy and spagyrics, and hermeticism. Benjamin shares his personal journey into the field, and the rich lineage of alchemical practices. The discussion delves into the origins of alchemy in ancient Egypt, its evolution through various cultures, and the impact of the Royal College of Physicians on the transition to modern chemistry.
The episode culminates in an exploration of the Philosopher's Stone, its symbolic meanings, and its relevance in both historical and contemporary contexts. We explore Alchemy's historical roots, the significance of spagyrics, and the transformative processes involved in creating spagyrical medicine.
We discuss the importance of fire in alchemical practices, the relationship between alchemy and hermeticism, and Benjamin shares about the potent teachings offered at the Temple of Mercury. Benjamin has a highly intelligent and spiritualy deep connection to the path of alchemy and I know you are going to really love this one.
167. Self sufficiency as Self Care: Pat Collins on Self Care with Herbs
Friday, February 13, 2026 • Duration 56:27
In this episode, herbal legend Pat Collins shares her journey into the world of herbs, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and natural remedies. Pat's an experienced teacher, a herbalist, a published author and founder of the Total Health and Education Centre. I loved chatting with her about her early experiences with plants growing up on a farm, how she was introduced to the power of home remedies when her babies were young, and how passionate she is about using weeds and indigenous plants for health. Pat highlights the barriers people face in embracing herbalism, particularly fear and lack of knowledge, and offers practical advice on incorporating herbs into daily life. Pat shares many practical home remedies you can take with you, using a few simple ingredients you will have in your pantry and kitchen- I'm looking at you potatoes and onions!
CONNECT**
You can connect with PAT via her website Total Health and Education where you can sign up to her weekly newsletter, buy her many books or sign up to her workshops.
You can connect with JESS via instagram and facebook here and here, join her newsletter community here, buy her handmade herbal products here or book an appointment here.
**BUY ME A CUPPA**
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**
166. The Interbeing of Plants and Culture: Rachel Maree on Sacred Herbalism.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 58:53
Rachel Maree is a wise, wild herbal elder in the making. Her herbalism is informed by indigenous medicine the world over, initiations into entheogenic plant traditions and her own deep, slow listening to the plant world.
This interview really highlights the intricate connections between herbalism, cultural practices and ecological belonging, Rachel unwinds the ways that healing at the depths of our beings requires relationships to plants, not just their constituents. We explore how plants connect to ceremony and to land, as well as our shared emergent understanding of how each plant has a unique emotional terrain, linked to the ecological terrain it thrives in… as within so without.
I particularly love her take on what herbalism might look like in 500 years, and her experiences of indigenous Australian herbal practice. .
Listen to the Tyson Yunkaporta podcast episode we mentioned (it's a rare interview style episode on the Emerald podcast) here
**BUY ME A CUPPA**
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**
165. Re-Release: Sustainable Funerals, Sociocracy, and Balancing our Nervous Systems: Erin Young on Permaculture Herbalism
Friday, January 30, 2026 • Duration 53:49
To Celebrate The Elder Tree's Foundations of Sociocracy In Person Training with Erin Young, we bring you this Re-Release!
Erin Young is a mover and shaker in the realm of socialpermaculture and tunes in with us from Kabi Kabi country near Eumundi on theSunshine Coast. As a certified Human Potential Coach and Sociocracy trainer,she shares insight into how she brings nature-informed frameworks and aholistic toolkit to help individuals and forward-thinking organisations balancenervous systems to establish safety and avoid distraction and dysfunction tomake real traction in creating a positive impact. She speaks to living anenchanted life and ecological patterns brought into social settings toencourage a diversity of perspectives and governance hierarchies to makedecisions with a "power with, rather than power over".
We discuss her garden and what is growing, her favouriteplant, Lemon Grass (Cymbopogoncitratus)and its many functions and her healthy journey using Ayurvedic practices,intuitively going to certain plants when she needs them, and the underestimatedbalm of a cup of herbal tea.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering anddiscusses how her first Permaculture Design Course in Portugal unlocked herunderstanding of how life works and led her on this path, whereby she nowteaches Social Permaculture weekend courses alongside pioneer Robin Clayfield(who will be joining us in an interview soon!), speaks at Festivals and teacheselements of her toolkit at courses such as the Change-makers PDC on theSunshine Coast.
Currently, she is partnered with Earth Funerals, anorganisation establishing sustainable funerals and natural burial groundsaround Australia. With developmental coaching, consulting and training incollaborative decision-making and governance (aka sociocracy), socialpermaculture, and artfully facilitating group processes, she is modelling howgroups can be healthy human ecosystems and a regenerative force beyondmonoculture thinking!
164. Lutruwita Herb Farm Tour: Tatiana Dawn on Herbal Education
Sunday, January 18, 2026 • Duration 15:21
We made this episode to fill you all in on how the recent herb farm tour went. In December I took a beautiful group of existing and emerging herb farmers down to Lutruwita aka Tasmania, to visit three different scale organic herb farms. It was such an incredible adventure that I am still integrating and digesting.
We visited a small, medium and large scale herb farm on the tour, having the honour of being welcomed to Gould’s farm, Hop Valley Farm, and Marleen Herbs. My intention was/is to see more potent organic herb production in Australia. This is such an important thing to be putting our energy into, considering that over 90% of the herbs in commercial circulation are grown overseas. Its estimated that 90% of what you see at most retail outlets, in herbal preparations and herbal/naturopathic dispensaries is imported.
Ann Armbrecht in her book The Business of Botanicals, states that herbs can change hands as many as 10 to 15 times on their journey from the original source (farmer or wildcrafter) to the final product on a store shelf. Even with strict regulations in Australia, the herbs that we import are often adulterated, fumigated, irradiated, misidentified and stored in poor conditions resulting in poor quality.
Often the growers/foragers/manufacturers/companies don’t actually even like their job, let alone care about the ‘consumer’ of the herb. So imagine what energy is being transferred into the herb!
I would like to extend boundless gratitude to our wonderful farm hosts, Greg Whitten, Kala, Monica Francia, Cara, Ronald, Marleen and Emma Van de Winckel. It really was such an honour to be welcomed into the homes and farms of these inspiring, powerful and humble farmers. To be in the energy of their down to earth, salt of the land lifestyles. All of them were so forthcoming and would love to see more herb farmers emerging around Australia.
Thanks also to the beautiful souls who came on this adventure and for being so flexible and adaptable with all the twists and turns.
163. Deliciously Weaving the Plants Into Our Everyday: Genna Pyewacket on Self Care with Herbs
Saturday, January 10, 2026 • Duration 01:14:34
Today we're heading back to episode 80 with one of our favourite herbalists, Genna Pyewacket. From studying and wild harvesting in the woods of Canada during her teens to preserving the fruit bowl of the Northern Rivers with her fermented shrubs and tonics, Genna has been walking the plant path for more than 25 years.
Genna's herbal shrubs and tonics capture the flavour and health benefits of herbs and fruits, many of which are grown in her garden or foraged locally.
During this episode, Genna shares her dreams of releasing many new tonics and bitters which at this point were still imagined, but are now out in the world, igniting taste buds and reaping myriad health benefits.
Genna's a born storyteller and paints many vivid word pictures- from the lavender fields of France, to trundling around the back roads of the Northern Rivers, car stuffed to overloading with foraged fruits and herbs.
**CONNECT**
You can connect with GENNA and get your hands on some of her delicious herbal shrubs, tonics and bittersvia her website Pyewackets Traditional or stay in touch via instagram here.
You can connect with JESS via instagram and facebook here and here, join her newsletter community here, buy her handmade herbal products here or book an appointment here.
162. Re-release. Animism, Ayuahasca and Lost Context: Skye Cielita Flor on Sacred Herbalism
Sunday, January 4, 2026 • Duration 01:14:32
My favourite episode ever is getting a re-release! Let this discussion on the importance of animism as the lost context of psychedelic and medicinal plant practice open new and ancient doorways in your own relationships with the plant world.
Leave comments so I know whether this one is a magic one for you too. What does animism look like in your life and herbal practice?
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**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!
161. Medicinal Resilience & Essential Permaculture with Taj Scicluna
Monday, December 29, 2025 • Duration 01:09:51
In this episode of The Elder Tree Podcast, our new co-host reflects on the deep relationship between herbalism, permaculture, and medicinal resilience. Drawing from personal experience, ecological ethics, and hands-on growing knowledge, the conversation explores why herbalism must extend beyond clinical practice into land stewardship, ecosystem care, and community resilience.
The episode unpacks the fragility of global medicinal plant supply chains, the importance of local herb growing, and how non-extractive, permaculture-informed herbalism supports both human and ecological health. Listeners are also offered practical insights into garden design, soil care, and resilient medicinal plants suited to temperate climates.
This is an invitation to re-imagine herbalism as a practice of healing people and landscapes together, ensuring medicinal plants remain accessible for generations to come.
**BUY ME A CUPPA**
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**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!
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!
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels our work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
Aside from founding and managing The Elder Tree, Tatiana runs Alchemilla Herbals, and is a herbal educator and medicine maker. Find her 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!
To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.
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.
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!
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.
Herbal HarvestEmail me if you would like to purchase a PDF for $40: info@alchemillaherbals. com.au
2026 Lutruwita Herb Farm Tour expression of interest:https://forms.gle/RLqNUHSdbwHCbpQW6
*BUY ME A CUPPA*
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels our work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**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!
Aside from founding and managing The Elder Tree, Tatiana runs Alchemilla Herbals, and is a herbal educator and medicine maker. Find her here:
If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree
**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.
