Snowdonia Botanical Medicine

08/06/2025

Are all Comfrey plants equal in herbal medicine? No. And here's why. One of the most common varieties of comfrey seen in British gardens is a hybrid, and it is more dangerous than the medicinal variety. Learn about the differences with me in this completely off the cuff video!


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKpHzB7qzEA/?igsh=dm92a3FkaTJsdG1q

20/04/2025

The magnificence of wild violet - or dog violet - growing on the woodland floor. These shade loving shrinking violets are really useful nervine herbs - they're gentle sedatives and important plant allies as a psycho spiritual key. They are also important herbs in supportive treatment of cancer. One of my core 'essential' herbs in the dispensary. I'll be talking about these important herbs soon! Watch this space!

11/04/2025

Some thoughts - and news - from a sunset walk along the river!

03/05/2024

An Orangutan has been observed using plants as medicine to heal a wound in the wild for the first time. It seems that using herbs/plants in this way is something that is very deep in our evolution and is an almost innate part of us.

Have you ever noticed your animals favouring certain herbs or grasses? Comment below and let me know!

It is the first time a creature in the wild has been seen using a medicinal plant to treat a wound.

01/05/2024

Today's herbal sharing is the mighty Apple - fully in blossom today, and what a beautiful connection to the day for today is Beltane.

The apple blossom speaks to us of gentleness - of fertility and promises for the season ahead. It is quite simply lovely. In herbal medicine, we use the apple leaf as a great herb for sour stomachs - it can really help with acid reflux, and indigestion. The fruit is a lovely and delicious source of vitamins and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.

But for now, I enjoy the blossoms and the abundance of this Beltane! Happy Beltane everyone!

17/04/2024

Here's one from last night. What is a herbalist doing up at midnight on the night before clinic? Joining a webinar from the USA for CPD purposes. Pen at the ready and a late night.

Never stop learning!

17/04/2024

An expert in his field... Quite literally. Who am I? I'm a medical herbalist - but what does that mean? On one hand I'm a forager, a medicine maker, and a gardener. A plant's man. But I'm also a clinician - a herbal medic. These two sides of my work unite to bring safe, effective natural medicines to my clinical work, and to great clinical outcomes for people. Put simply, if you want results, don't chance it - see an expert in natural health.

Want to see me about your health? Link is in the bio!

15/04/2024

Newly home from a foraging walk round Dorothea quarry... A kilogram of Turkey tail fungus (the last of this season till next winter!) and some wild violets - but not many as it's a bad year for them.

This is the flip side to my clinical work - growing and foraging, processing and dispensing. It's a side people who may come to see me in clinic don't see... But it is a beautiful side to my work and it feeds my soul.

12/04/2024

Do you want to learn more about using herbs to treat your family's minor ailments? Interested in foraging for medicinal plants? Would you like to learn how to make your own natural, simple cosmetics? Want to add an extra element to your gareden by growing interesting medicinal plants? This course is a must for you! DM me to book your place on Year of Herbs near Nefyn!