EP34: Prison Plants

In this episode of the Eatweeds Podcast, Robin Harford is joined by Dr Sarah Edwards, ethnobotanist at the University of Oxford. Together they explore the 400-year history of Oxford Botanic Garden — Britain’s oldest physic garden — and why ethnobotany is vital for preserving both cultural knowledge and biodiversity.Dr Edwards shares her remarkable journey from Kew Gardens to working alongside First Nations communities in Australia, documenting traditional plant use and wisdom.She reflects on the threats facing global plant diversity, the role of botanic gardens in conservation, and why re-establishing kinship with plants is essential for our future.About Dr Sarah Edwards Dr Sarah Edwards is the author of The Ethnobotanical (link) and co-author of Phytopharmacy (link). She teaches Ethnobiology and Biological Conservation at the University of Oxford and manages plant records at the Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum (link). Her work bridges science, culture, and art, from field collaborations with First Nations communities in Australia to recent projects with the Richmond Arts Service’s Cultural Reforesting programme.

Tom Baxter is the founder of Bristol Fungarium, the UK’s first organic-certified medicinal mushroom farm. A former organic vegetable grower and forest school leader, Tom has spent years foraging in the wild across the Pyrenees, Siberia, and the forests of Somerset. Today, he leads a pioneering operation that not only cultivates native strains of mushrooms but also funds neuroscience research and runs the only dedicated analytical lab for medicinal fungi in the UK.In this episode, Tom joins Robin Harford for a rich and far-reaching conversation about the power, mystery, and challenges of working with medicinal mushrooms. They explore the rise of lion’s mane, the pitfalls of the supplement industry, why most mushroom powders are misleading, and what makes a mushroom extract genuinely effective. It’s a frank and passionate look into one of nature’s oldest and most complex kingdoms.🎧 Listeners get 15% off at https://bristolfungarium.com/ — use the code WILDPOWER at checkout.

In this episode, herbalist and Ayurvedic practitioner Jo Webber joins Robin Harford to explore how Ayurveda — the world’s oldest system of natural health — can be rooted in the wild plants of Britain.Together, they unpack the Ayurvedic concepts of the five elements, the three doshas, and the six tastes — and how these ancient principles can guide your modern life, food choices, and foraging practice.Jo shares how local herbs like nettle, dandelion and wild garlic can be powerful food medicines, how foraging supports physical and emotional balance, and why bioindividuality is key to healing.This is a lively, grounded conversation blending Eastern philosophy with native plants, seasonal eating, and self-care rooted in the land.Links & Resources:Visit Jo’s course at: www.theayurvedaacademy.comFollow Jo and her work on Instagram: @theayurvedaacademyLearn more about Robin: www.eatweeds.co.ukMentioned books:Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker Quiet by Susan CainIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend — especially someone curious about the intersection of traditional medicine, foraging, and seasonal wellbeing.

In this episode of the Eatweeds Podcast, Robin Harford sits down with Vivien Rolfe, a herbalist and researcher with a fascinating background in both science and herbal medicine. Recorded outdoors in the serene gardens of Penny Brohn in Bristol, this conversation delves into the art and science of herbal teas, the power of plants, and the rich cultural history surrounding their use.SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODECuriosity ResearchFree Subscription: Robin Harford's Daily Plant PracticesBook: Self Sufficient Herbalism by Lucy JonesABOUT VIVIEN ROLFEViv is a keen herbal researcher, educator and tea blender (and drinker). She splits her time between the National Centre for Integrative Medicine in Bristol teaching on the diploma, and researching herbs as part of her own business Curiosity Research. She is keen that people have fun and learn more about herbs, so co-founded the Cotswold Herb Centre to provide workshops and herb walks in Gloucestershire where she lives.

In this episode of the Eatweeds podcast, Robin Harford is joined by filmmaker Nirman Choudhury to explore the deep connection between India’s indigenous communities and their traditional ecological knowledge of plants.Nirman shares insights from his project "Shifting Narratives," which highlights how tribal and Dalit communities use visual storytelling to document their relationship with their environment. The conversation delves into how these communities sustainably harvest forest produce, use plants for food and medicine, and maintain spiritual practices tied to the land. Through stories of resilience, they discuss the importance of preserving indigenous plant knowledge and the vital role it plays in environmental stewardship.SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODEShifting Narrativesnirmanchowdhury.inMadia Gond Tribe uses the camera for the first timeThe Dongria Kondh say plot of James Cameron's blockbuster reflects their plight as they struggle to stop company from opening bauxite mine on sacred mountainSarna ReligionIntroduction to India's TribesAdivasiActivists from Tribal IndiaPhotojournalist Sudharak OlweMinor Forest produceMadia Gond tribes leave ancestral land, to make way for tiger conservationImportant stories from Rural and Tribal IndiaHow one man fought a patent war over turmericABOUT NIRMAN CHOUDHURYNirman Choudhury is a film-maker and Visual Artist working in the intersection of storytelling and films for change, with a strong focus on human rights issues such as caste discrimination, hunger and inter sectional indigenous/tribal issues. Using lens based practices to engage with communities and foster growth and social change. He also runs a commercial video production studio based in Mumbai.

In this powerful episode, host Robin Harford welcomes Hannah-May Batley, founder of Hedge School, to discuss her groundbreaking work in plant-based healing and community regeneration.Hannah-May shares her journey from a post-mining community in South Yorkshire to creating a unique curriculum that addresses trauma, particularly sexual violence against women, through reconnection with nature.She explains how foraging, wild food, and traditional plant knowledge can be powerful tools for recovery and resilience.Highlights IncludeThe origins of Hedge School and its impact on post-mining communitiesHow plant-based practices can aid in sexual violence recoveryThe intersection of class, land rights, and healingPersonal insights into nature as an anchor during dark timesThis episode offers a sensitive yet hopeful exploration of how returning to our roots - literally and figuratively - can pave the way for profound healing and community restoration.Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the transformative power of our connection to plants and place.Rape Crisis ResourcesRape Crisis- England & WalesSurvivors NetworkRasacRecommended BooksWomen Who Run With The WolvesThe Sun & Her FlowersThe Body Keeps The ScoreGirlhoodCaliban & The WitchAbout Hannah-May BatleyHannah-May is an unruly educator & the founder of Hedge School, a school that seeks to recover, reconnect & restore our relationship with kith & kin through plant-work, traditional skills & unruly education. She would describe herself as a woman deeply interested in the human relationship with plants, minerals & mark-making. Hannah-may teaches foraging, community herbalism, wild food, how to forage & process wild pigments & botanical inks, preservation methods & folk medicine.She is a writer with work published in several UK journals & magazines & is currently working on her first book. Hannah-May is a member of the Society of Ethnobotanist & Pigments Revealed International. She specialises in working with community trauma, taking plant-work into marginalised communities.Connect With Hannah-May BatleyInstagram: Woman of the HedgeInstagram: Hannah-May BatleySubstack: Root and RockWebsite: HedgeSchool.co.ukBack MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Substack, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.If you're ready to uncover the secrets of Britain and Northern Europe's wild plants, grab a copy of my bestselling foraging book. Inside, you'll learn how to safely harvest and thrive on nature's bounty.Embark on a journey through 48 essential wild plants, all beautifully illustrated in full colour. Rediscover the forgotten wisdom of our ancestors and revive our ancestral heritage. Get your copy today and start your foraging journey!

Welcome to Episode 50 of the Eatweeds podcast, where host Robin Harford takes us on an auditory journey into the world of sound art and ecoacoustics with guest Jez riley French.In this episode, titled 'The Sound of Trees', we dive into the fascinating world of listening to plants and the hidden layers of sound that surround us.Jez, a leading British sound artist, shares the behind-the-scenes details of his latest exhibition in the Forest of Dean, revealing the actual internal sounds of plants and trees through his self-built microphones.The immersive live installation aims to change the way we engage with forests, moving beyond their traditional leisurely use.Highlights of the episode include Jez's discussion on the ethics of field recording, the importance of listening on nature's terms, and the significance of durational listening.He also sheds light on the often overlooked history of women in sound art and field recording, challenging the conventional narratives that have long dominated these fields.Listeners are encouraged to rethink their relationship with nature and sound, embracing the complexity and beauty of the world's acoustic environment. Whether you're a seasoned sound artist or new to the concept of ecoacoustics, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the art of listening and the power of sound to connect us more deeply with the natural world.Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the sounds that often go unnoticed.Show notes are below for a deeper dive into Jez riley French's work, and the transformative power of sound.Connect With Jez riley FrenchWebsiteLinktreeFacebookInstagramSoundwalk: The Secret Sounds of TreesCreditsMany thanks to Pheobe riley Law for permission to use her photo of Jez in the episode artwork.WebsiteInstagramBack MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

In this episode, #49 of the Eatweeds podcast, I sit down with Helen Kearney at the Betonica herb school on a lazy Summer day in the Devon countryside.We dive into the added value herbalists bring to the strained National Health Service (NHS) and discuss Helen's path from being inspired by her grandmother to becoming a medical herbalist and educator.We tackle the evolution of medicine since World War II, highlighting the crucial role of self-care and the struggle for herbal medicine's legal recognition.Helen shares the comprehensive training that goes into becoming a skilled herbalist and how Betonica equips students with necessary business skills to make the practice successful.Our discussion also spans the integration of herbal medicine into the NHS, social prescribing, and the need for herbalists to actively engage with their communities.I wrap up the conversation by exploring how herbalism is becoming more inclusive, the shift in gender dynamics in the field, and Betonica's community-focused principles.Helen details her vision for Betonica as more than just a school; it's a place that connects and builds community in response to healthcare challenges.Join me in this episode for a direct discussion on personal experiences and insights into the future of medical herbalism.Connect With Helen Kearney and the Betonica Herb SchoolBetonica on FacebookBetonica on InstagramBetonica School of Herbal Medicine websiteBack MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

In this episode of the Eatweeds podcast, Robin Harford invites the seasoned forager, Andy Hamilton, for a deep and meaningful conversation about the evolving world of foraging, wild food, and wildcrafting.They take listeners on a journey, reflecting on their first meeting years ago and exploring the transformation of the foraging community's online presence over the years.Connect With Andy HamiltonFacebookAndy's websiteAndy's Youtube channelBack MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

In this episode of Eatweeds, host Robin Harford interviews Matthew Pennington, co-owner of The Ethicurean restaurant. Matthew discusses the restaurant's philosophy of using 80-90% of its ingredients from its own Victorian walled garden and orchard, as well as from local suppliers. He also talks about the importance of foraging for wild food, and how it can help to connect us to the natural world.Other topics covered in the episode include:The challenges of running a sustainable restaurantThe importance of using seasonal ingredientsThe art of fermentationThe future of foodThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in food, sustainability, and the natural world.Connect With The EthicureanFacebookInstagramThe Ethicurean websiteBack MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.