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 medicine...
May 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 54
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 EPISODE Curiosity Research Free Subscription: Robin Harford's Daily Plant Practices Book: ...
Nov 25, 2024•47 min•Ep. 53
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, us...
Oct 01, 2024•46 min•Ep. 52
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 ...
Jul 05, 2024•47 min•Ep. 51
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 ...
Jan 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 50
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 rec...
Nov 07, 2023•56 min•Ep. 49
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 Hamilton Facebook Andy's website Andy's Youtube channel Back Matter Follow me (Robin Harford), for the la...
Sep 29, 2023•33 min•Ep. 48
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 restaurant The ...
Sep 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 47
This week on the Eatweeds podcast , we travel to the remote, idyllic region of Abruzzo, Italy, a haven for foragers, to meet our special guest, Marta Udalowa. Originally hailing from Poland, Marta has turned her passion for wild foods into a lifestyle, immersed in the bounty of nature. Join host Robin Harford as he engages in a fascinating conversation with Marta, a master pickler, about life in the Italian countryside, the art of foraging, and the delightful practice of pickling and preserving....
Jul 12, 2023•35 min•Ep. 46
Join us for a breath of fresh air with episode 45 of 'Eatweeds,' a podcast dedicated to celebrating the joy and richness of wild food. Our host, Robin Harford, transports us away from the bustle of daily life, inviting us to pause, reflect, and savor the exquisite moments of being at one with nature. In this special episode, Robin trades his traditional role as host to become our storyteller, bringing to life his personal essay on the pure, simple beauty of gathering Hawthorn flowers for syrup. ...
May 19, 2023•3 min•Ep. 45
My guest for this episode of the Eatweeds podcast is the remarkable Mo' Wilde. An author and experienced foraging teacher, Mo' has done something few could even contemplate: she lived for a full year completely sustained by wild food. Her fascinating journey and profound insights will have you rethinking your daily meals and your connection to the world around you. Key topics for this episode include: The incredible diversity of the microbiome and its importance for gut health. The essential pra...
May 09, 2023•59 min•Ep. 44
In Episode 43, "Plants, Enchantment and Wild Words," Robin and Zoe delve into the enthralling world of plant lore and explore how enchantment and folklore have shaped our connection with the natural world. Zoe shares her unique insights into the role of plants in mythology and how anthropomorphism and gender have influenced our understanding and stories of the plant world. This episode also uncovers the magic of wordsmithing and the art of storytelling, revealing how the power of language can ev...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 43
Online: Course: Medicinal Trees and Their Healing Properties https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/medicinal-trees Website: Medicinal Forest Garden Trust https://medicinalforestgardentrust.org/ Twitter: @herbaid Instagram: @medicinalforest Facebook: @medicinalforest About Anne Stobart Anne Stobart is a medical herbalist, herb grower and historical researcher. Previously, she directed the professional programme for clinical herbal practitioners at Middlesex University, UK. Her research interests span domest...
Sep 16, 2022•42 min•Ep. 42
A short audio essay on sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting. Spoken by Robin Harford from Eatweeds. Receive more audio essays, articles and wild food recipes by email. Sign up at https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/subscribe Related articles Archive of shows of the Eatweeds Podcast Botanical Society Code of Conduct Sustainable foraging guidelines Foraging safety guidelines Careful with that plant ID app...
May 09, 2022•3 min•Ep. 41
Flora's website: Plants and Colour Find Flora on Instagram: @plants_and_colour About Flora Arbuthnott Flora Arbuthnott. Flora came to this practice through a desire to connect with the land. Working with plants such as camellia and buddleia flowers, oak galls, and dock roots, or growing dye plants in her garden such as madder, woad, and coreopsis. Creating drawings, paintings, and prints as one-off explorations of plant-based surface application bringing together natural dyeing, ink and paint ma...
Nov 05, 2021•39 min•Ep. 40
Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss... The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pillager? Which one are you? How to overcome your fear of botany and science jargon. Why learning plant families is important. Sustainability and commercial wild food harvesting. Is there a problem? How ecology can guide us to live harmoniously with the Earth. Full show notes at ea...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 39
Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing. Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature so they become better stewards of the planet. We discuss the concerns landowners have over littering and damage to their property including fences, gates, livestock etc. Also covered is the criminalising of trespass and its potential impact on already marginalised communities, a...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 38
Emma Welton, a musician who lives locally to me discusses listening as a nature connection practice. How active listening can develop a deep empathic relationship with the natural world. The section on using sound to identify trees is very revealing. As well as creating soundscapes of botanical gardens and different habitats where plants grow. If you have followed my work for any length of time, you will know that I teach sensory engagement with plants, yet the practices I teach can be applied t...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 37
Tom Hirons is a nature based poet and storyteller. In this interview we discuss his work and how as creative humans we can all express our inherent wildness through creative and magical acts. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk/podcast
Mar 18, 2021•46 min•Ep. 36
A quick plant talk on silver wattle, Darwin's barberry and catkins which I found a few hundred metres from my house.
Mar 08, 2021•7 min•Ep. 35
Nicole Rose runs Solidarity Apothecary which materially supports revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines to strengthen collective autonomy, self-defence and resilience to climate change, capitalism and state violence. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk/podcast
Feb 18, 2021•41 min•Ep. 34
Lucy O'Hagan takes us on a journey exploring ancestral ways and rewilding, foraging and nature connection. Why do it and how relevant is it in a hyper connected digital world. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk
Nov 12, 2020•41 min•Ep. 33
Fergus Drennan and Courtney Tyler discuss their pioneering work exploring the cutting-edge of food and medicine using the fly agaric mushroom ( Amanita muscaria ). Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk
Oct 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 32
Ethnobotany is the study of the interrelationship between people and plants, historically and cross-culturally, particularly the role of plants in human culture and practices, how humans have used and modified plants, and how they represent them in their systems of knowledge.
Aug 21, 2020•29 min•Ep. 31
John Rensten (author of Edible City) discusses how to keep foraging in a city during the coronavirus lockdown. How to stay safe, keep your distance and why foraging is vitally important for mental and physical wellbeing.
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 30
A discussion on foraging, stillness and mindfulness as a way to work with difficult feelings during the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar 20, 2020•11 min•Ep. 29
Introducing Plant Talk, a new supplement to the regular Eatweeds podcast show that encourages and prompts you to deepen your relationship with plants.
Mar 04, 2020•4 min•Ep. 28
Chris Holland (Talks With Tellers) interviews wild food author and forager Robin Harford. They discuss the importance of restoring vital connection to the ecosystem. Teaching plants through the power of story. Empowering self and community through sensory-based nature connection practices and more.
Dec 13, 2019•36 min•Ep. 27
It’s round two with the Seed Sistas. Britain’s most irreverent herbalists. For the past few years, they have been making waves in the plant community. Overthrowing the colonialism that has turned herbalism from something we all used to do, into a profession where you’d think you need a PhD just to touch a plant! Colourful, fun and full of vim (No, not the cleaning product), they discuss: why plant medicine is for the people. how they got threatened with jail time for selling a herbal balm. why e...
Dec 03, 2019•51 min•Ep. 26
Acorns are a massive, under-utilised and forgotten food source. Join Robin Harford (your host) and Marcie Mayer (Europe's foremost acorn food producer), as they explore the edible uses of acorns as a food and in cooking. How to properly process acorns to remove tannins. Long term food storage. Acorns nutritional content, as well as establishing community acorn festivals around the country, plus much more.
Sep 17, 2019•57 min•Ep. 25
