Herbcast

Have you ever stopped to appreciate the simple act of breathing? Each inhale brings life-giving oxygen into our bodies, but what happens when this effortless process becomes a struggle? In this episode Ramana Zahn reminds us that healing is a holistic journey that requires us to look at the body as an interconnected system.About Rumana: A Clinic Director and Consultant Naturopath, ND, BSc (Hons), DipCK, DipA, DipM, CEd, FAMH, MGNC. Rumana began her career as a microbiologist specialising in food and water analysis before transitioning to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. She eventually redirected her focus towards holistic health, blending scientific principles with traditional medicines. Trained in naturopathy, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, acupuncture, kinesiology, iridology, and yoga, she offers comprehensive health programs that incorporate these disciplines alongside body assessments. Passionate about helping others, Rumana teaches at universities, runs clinics, and conducts research, including collaborations with the University of Newcastle. She also engages in Argentine tango, philosophy, yoga, and meditation. As a respected member of various professional associations and a prolific writer and lecturer, she actively contributes to advancing holistic healthcare practices.Ramana takes us through the intricacies of respiratory health, a topic that has gained immense importance in the wake of global health challenges. She shares her insights on how the lungs are not just organs of breath but are deeply connected to our joy and life force. When they function well, we feel alive and vibrant; when they don't, our entire being suffers. Rumana emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to health, combining herbal remedies with breathwork and lifestyle changes. She discusses how the health of your gut can have a profound impact on your respiratory system and delves into the herbal toolbox, sharing specific formulas that have worked wonders for her patients. From the anti-inflammatory properties of sweet wormwood to the soothing effects of liquorice root.Explore a world of plant-powered knowledge at herbalreality.com or connect with us on Instagram @herbal.reality.Herbcast is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Revealing the secrets of botanical medicine in treating urinary and kidney health, Dr. Sally Moorcroft discusses the vital link between the gut microbiome and urinary function. Hear real-life success stories of patients finding relief from chronic conditions through herbal interventions.About Sally: Integrative and function doctor. MBChB, BSc(Hons), MCPP, MFHom(Med). Clinical Lead Dr. Moorcroft has 20 years of clinical experience and is one of the most highly trained Integrative and Functional Medicine doctors in the UK. She is also a Core Tutor at the National Centre of Integrated Medicine in Bristol (NCIM).Combining functional and nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, bio-identical hormone and natural desiccated thyroid therapy in her clinic. She has a special interest in women's health, menopause, gut health and psychology.Her qualifications include a BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine, Medical Homeopathy (MFHom) through the National Centre for Integrative Medicine, Bristol. She is also trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical Acupuncture and Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy and Natural Desiccated Thyroid therapy.This episode delves into the often overlooked area of urinary and kidney health which affects a significant portion of the population. Dr. Moorcroft sheds light on the intricate ways in which our gut microbiome, hormonal balance, and even our stress levels can impact these vital organs.Also, Sally explores estrogen dominance and its ramifications on women's well-being, especially throughout the menopausal phase. Dr. Moorcroft elucidates her method of addressing these hormonal fluctuations through a blend of herbal remedies and dietary adjustments.Explore a world of plant-powered knowledge at herbalreality.com or connect with us on Instagram @herbal.reality.Herbcast is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Graeme Tobyn, an experienced herbalist, educator, and author from the University of Lancashire, dives deep into the world of alterative herbs. He explores the detoxification powers of herbs like Burdock and Echinacea, emphasizing their therapeutic benefits. The conversation touches on the important role of adaptogens in managing stress and their implications for sports performance. Graeme also discusses the integration of herbal medicine with conventional healthcare, shedding light on the historical context and modern relevance of these practices.

Join Herbal Reality’s Simon Mills Embark on a journey through the delicate intricacies of women's health with expert herbalist Ginny Kemp. With a medical science background, Ginny discovered her calling in the world of herbs back in 2007. Since then, she has cultivated a thriving practice with a particular emphasis on women's health.Ginny delves deep into a case study that epitomises the power of herbal treatments in addressing fertility issues. She shares the tale of ‘Alice’, a 36-year-old woman trying to conceive, battling with fatigue, anxiety, and a host of other interconnected health concerns. Ginny's approach is a testament to the holistic nature of herbalism, where a bespoke treatment plan not only paved the way to a successful pregnancy but also improved Alice's overall well-being.Ginny and Simon discuss the nuances of supporting women through the different phases of their lives, from the onset of menstruation, through the challenges of perimenopause, to the empowerment of post-menopausal vitality. This episode is a treasure trove of herbal knowledge, spotlighting adaptogens, hormone modulators, and the importance of sleep and stress management in women's health.About Ginny Kemp MCPP, MNIMH Ginny has a Bachelor of Medical Science from The University of Birmingham (2003) and qualified as a Medical Herbalist through the College of Phytotherapy/UEL degree course in 2007. She has been in practise ever since.Initially she consulted full time at Hydes Herbal Clinic in Leicester for 7 years before setting up her own busy practices in Stamford (Lincs) and Leicestershire.Whilst studying Herbal Medicine Ginny worked in the areas of sales and production at Rutland Biodynamics and experienced the processes required for Herbal Medicine manufacturers to meet Good Manufacturing Practice. Ginny’s phytochemistry research dissertation looked at the Stability Of The Flavonilignan Complex Silymarin In Commercial Tinctures Of Silybum marianum, the results of which went on to be published.Ginny is currently Co-Vice President of the CPP and  also a member of the EHTPA council Ginny regularly gives talks on herbal medicine, works with a corporate health and well-being company to bring well-being into the work place and has run various workshops on making herbal medicines.Connect with Ginny:Ginny.kemp@theherbclinic.co.ukwww.theherbclinic.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/theherbclinic

Welcome to series 3 of Herbcast!In this episode, Sebastian Pole is joined by Marion Mackonochie, a seasoned herbalist, senior advisor at Pukka, and editor of the Journal of Herbal Medicine. In this liver-focused episode of Herbcast, Marion and Sebastian navigate the complexities of hepatics – the category of herbs that support the liver, our body's metabolic maestro. They discuss signs of liver imbalance, the power of bitters, and the wide-reaching impact of hepatics on conditions ranging from skin ailments to hormonal imbalances.Marion shares her insights on the relationship between mood and liver health, the nuances of bitter taste receptors throughout the body, and the intriguing connection between bitters and immune function. The conversation also explores the role of culinary herbs and spices in supporting liver function and overall health, offering practical tips for integrating these potent plants into daily diets.About Marion MackonochieMarion Mackonochie is a medical herbalist and member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy. She initially studied a degree in pharmacology and worked in publishing on drug discovery journals. Feeling disillusioned by what she could see of the pharmaceutical industry and being a lover of plants, Marion retrained with a degree in herbal medicine followed by a masters in phytochemistry and medicinal natural products.Everything Marion does, from seeing patients to planning research projects as Senior Herbal Specialist at Pukka Herbs, is aimed at figuring out what works best for every individual. She is passionate about helping people gain control of their own health through diet, lifestyle and herbal medicine. Every consultation allows her to learn from the narratives of others, but she is also interested in the wider narrative of the history of medicine and how we have got to where we are with herbal medicine and health.Marion lives and practises by the sea in Brighton, growing herbs in her garden, making skincare products and spending as much time in nature as she can.For more herbal insights from Marion, visit her website at fieldremedies.com.Explore a world of plant-powered knowledge at herbalreality.com or connect with us on Instagram @herbal.reality.Herbcast is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

“That coming together, gathering foods and gathering medicines is deeply healing and satisfying and an enjoyable way to experience life. And it’s simple and it’s free.”Robin Harford established his wild food foraging school in 2008, and his foraging courses are listed at the top of BBC Countryfile’s ‘Best foraging courses in the UK’. He is the creator of eatweeds.co.uk. Michelin chef Richard Corrigen recommended the site for inclusion in The Times' Top 50 Websites For Food and Drink. Robin refers to himself as an ethnobotanical researcher who is interested in the relationship between plans and people which has resulted in his extensive travel around the world to document and record wild food plants’ traditional and local uses in indigenous cultures. His work has taken him to Africa, India, SE Asia, Europe and the USA. His work has been recommended in BBC Good Food magazine, Sainsbury’s magazine, The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, etc. He is a member of the Society for Ethnobotany and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland.Robin talks on:Best practice gathering guidance- abundance and sustainability principlesThe relationship of plants and people in different culturesHis foraging courses which focus on the sensory method of plant identificationThe media's coverage of foraging and lack of ecological understandingThe Special Client Project - plant ambassadors and community-based teaching.His personal transformation through foraging and gathering plants for mental health and addiction recovery.Find out more about what Robin does at eatweeds.co.ukFind out more about Herbal Reality on Instagram @herbal.reality or visit www.herbalreality.com Herbcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com  

“If something is irreparably defective, either because it's adulterated intentionally or accidentally contaminated, then it should be removed from the supply chain. ”With 50 years of diverse experience as an herbal advocate, consultant, educator, researcher, writer, and advisor, Mark Blumenthal has an extensive comprehensive background in herbs and medicinal plants. Mark is the Founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC). An independent, nonprofit organisation, ABC is dedicated to disseminating accurate, reliable, and responsible information on herbs and medicinal plants. Mark is the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of HerbalGram, an international peer-reviewed quarterly journal, the contents of which reflect the educational goals of ABC. He is also Founder and Director of the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program, a consortium of nonprofit organisations that researches and educates industry members and other stakeholders on the adulteration of botanical raw materials, extracts, and essential oils in the global supply network. His commitment to rigorous research and evidence-based information has helped bridge the gap between traditional herbal knowledge and modern science. In addition to his advocacy and educational efforts, Mark Blumenthal has been championing quality control and standardisation in the herbal industry. Mark talks on:The beginnings of HerbalGram and the American Botanical Council (ABC)The role of the ABC in setting quality standards in the herbal industry.The impact of the US dietary supplement legislationThe sector-led initiative to combat adulterants and destroy irretrievably damaged goods from the supply chain. Exploration of changes and opportunities in the herbal community.The Sustainable Herbs Program and the importance of sustainable and regenerative practices in herb production.Find out more about the American Botanical Council and its journal HerbalGram at https://www.herbalgram.org/Find out more about Herbal Reality on Instagram @herbal.reality or visit www.herbalreality.com Herbcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 50” Phil’s route to herbal practice has encompassed work as a doctor in hospitals, primary care and unscheduled care settings. Although he now identifies as a herbalist, his experiences in conventional healthcare have equipped him to reference a number of perspectives when supporting people with their health and wellbeing as a herbal practitioner. Phil has presented guidance and created resources for herbalists and students on possible approaches to men's health issues - both in terms of physiological wellbeing and through the lens of perceived masculinities and their impacts on men's mental health and help-seeking behaviours. More recently, his career development has focussed on some work around equality, diversity, and inclusion, emphasising LGBTQ+ issues. Currently, Phil works in Sheffield where he lives with his husband and a small white mischievous cat. In this episode, Phil chats with Simon about why he transitioned from a GP to a herbalist and how herbalism is the best environment to tackle men’s health issues.Phil talks on:The pandemic - why were men more affected?How masculinity affects men’s health and help-seeking behaviours.Vulnerabilities in men’s health.Herbalism on mental and spiritual wellbeing.The dangers of purchasing herbal products without guidance.How to frame and discuss men’s health in herbal consultations.Strategies and tools to empower the patient.Top-tier men's health issues that can identify red flags.You can reach Phil via email at herbdoctorphil@gmail.comFind out more about Herbal Reality on Instagram @herbal.reality or visit www.herbalreality.com Herbcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“Keeping our blood sugar within limits and eating slow-releasing food is absolutely fundamental to inflammatory disease”Alex is a practising medical herbalist and phytotherapist with more than 20 years of experience. She runs the UK's first herbal clinic in hospital dermatology at Whipps Cross University Hospital, where she is tutor-practitioner to BSc herbal students. She also practises at Breast Cancer Haven and privately. She is a council member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP), and formerly of the Aromatherapy Organisations Council. She has published clinical research and is a visiting lecturer to universities including Westminster, East London, Hertfordshire and the Royal Free Medical School. She is a founding director of the charity, Living Medicine, which teaches people how to use food and herbs in self-care, exchanging and updating knowledge from all cultures to feed into public health. Originally a TV producer, she then worked as an aromatherapist for staff at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, with drug users and those with HIV while training as a medical herbalist.Alex’s driving passion is discovering how life is designed at all levels – reconnecting to each other, our rhythms, food and nature to follow our design are key to resilience.Alex has built impressive research around the powerful impact of herbalism in dermatology. Whilst supporting community and cultural sensitivities at Whipps Cross, Alex has shown that a personalised approach can really make a difference even with the most complex of skin conditions. In her chat with Simon, we learn about several lightbulb moments that have taken Alex on a journey of discovery and why she is so passionate about the role of nutrition when it comes to improving our health.Alex talks on:Herbal approaches to complement cultural beliefs within communities.Making herbal medicine accessible.Documenting treatment results & wellbeing using Westminster University’s Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP.) Looking beyond the diagnosed condition to treat all issues and internal factors. Educating patients and reconnecting them with food. Her commonly used herbs for treating skin conditions.The story of Living Medicine - education support for communities, delivered by herbalistsHer mission as an educator in reminding people of their own resilience.Blowing the research trumpet.Find out more about Living Medicine on their website, www.livingmedicine.org or contact Alex on alex.laird@livingmedicine.orgGrab a copy of Alex’s book Root to Stem: a seasonal guide to natural remedies and recipes for everyday life (Penguin 2019) at https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/311757/root-to-stem-by-laird-alex/9780241371213Find out more about Herbal Reality on Instagram @herbal.reality or visit www.herbalreality.com Herbcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

Chanchal is a medical herbalist and has been in clinical practice for 35 years  with a specialty in holistic oncology. She is the author of Fibromyalgia: A Journey towards Healing and her latest book Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence, which launches in April 2023. She held the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster 2004-2016. She serves on the board of advisors of Dominion Herbal College in Burnaby, on the editorial board of Medical Herbalism clinical newsletter and she publishes widely in professional journals and lectures internationally on medical herbalism, nutrition and health.Chanchal is also a certified Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) practitioner, a certified Master Gardener and a certified Horticulture Therapist. Chanchal lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia where she and her husband manage Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, a 7 acre internationally registered botanic garden specializing in food and medicine plants, and where they host apprenticeships in sustainable food production and herbal medicine. The farm also hosts Gardens without Borders, a federally registered not-for-profit society established to run the botanic garden and provide horticulture therapy.In this discussion, Chanchal offers a glimpse into some of the strategies she adopts when treating patients in clinic, using herb-based and horticulture therapies in conjunction with conventional treatments. Drawing from decades of clinical experience helping patients recover from cancer, Chanchal offers insight into her processes and what she recommends to other practitioners in her mentor role.Chanchal talks on:Empowering people with herbalism to make it accessible.Her processes model for managing care - the pyramid prescribing principle and triune model.Plausability testing to validate reasoning and guide treatment.Person-centred treatment and customising plans for paitients.Engaging patients with herbal rituals to give a semblance of control.The importance of educating patients to be proactive and take responsibility.Her favourite foundation, antigen and dietary herbs,Balancing biochemistry with energetic systems.You can order Chanchal’s book Holistic Cancer Care: A Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive During Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence from her website: https://chanchalcabrera.com/product/holistic-cancer-care/Find out more about Herbal Reality on Instagram @herbal.reality or visit www.herbalreality.com Herbcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com