A voice for
herbal medicine

We share traditional, scientific and practical insights written by experienced herbalists and health experts from the world of herbal medicine and natural health

Sustainable herbalism: A guide for medical herbalists

Practicing herbalism sustainably involves different considerations. Jonas Brab offers guidance on sustainable herbalism.

Equitable farming for medicinal herbs

Jonas Brab explores trade issues in the herbal industry and what Fairtrade and FairWild certifications protect.

The relevance of traditional ecological knowledge for modern herbal medicine

Indigenous people hold valuable wisdom when it comes to managing their natural environment. We share fascinating insights on what we have to learn from them.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Safeguarding wildlife for a sustainable future

CITES is an international treaty that serves to protect endangered species. This article shares how it works and how it supports the sustainability of medicinal...

Herbalists and sustainability: Let’s work together

The Herbal Alliance has the aim of promoting and supporting herbal medicine and herbalists. Sebastian Pole shares a review of the Herbal Alliance's sustainability work.

Is using herbal medicine for health political?

We explore a harmonised approach to human, economic and ecological health. Find out here if herbal medicine for health is political.

The WildCheck Platform: In pursuit of responsibly sourced medicinal wild plants

Wild harvested plants are the ingredients to many different products across many different industries. This can put a strain on population sizes, but WildCheck are...

Crap food leads to crap health: Why do we put up with it?

We know that good quality, nutritious food optimises health and prevents disease but we don't eat enough of it. We find out why.

Nature Deficit Disorder: What is it and what can we do about it?

Humans are a part of nature. Unfortunately in modern life many of us are severed from it. We explain how a disconnection from the natural...

Can GP practices become hubs for transition?

This article written by a GP shows the beauty and potential community spaces and social prescribing.

Forest Schools and how they can help support the planet

Forest schools are not only wonderful for children’s wellbeing and learning, but they could also be fundamental for long term sustainability.

Forest School and children’s wellbeing

Forest school nurtures children and allows them to live in harmony with nature. It also helps with their learning and building relationships.

Should I self treat at home or consult a herbalist?

Herbal self-care is a life skill we believe everyone should have. However sometimes seeing a medically trained herbalist is the best healthcare option.

Essential oils and sustainability: Challenges, opportunities, solutions

Essential oils are brilliant medicines, but problems in industry mean that they are not sustainable. Aromatherapist Ellen Rowland explains the problems and potential solutions.

How climate change is affecting medicinal plants: A phenological, physiological and phytochemical analysis

Climate change is having a dramatic effect not only on plant harvesting times, but also on the phytochemicals in plants. Josef Brinckmann investigates how.

Herbal quality and safety: What to know before you buy

We explore what to look out for when buying good and safe herbal products.

Is there hope after Cop26?

Herbalist Sebastian Pole explores how we, as herbal organisations, suppliers and herbalists, can stand as genuine champions of Nature.

A brief history of herbal quality assessment: From ancient Rome to 21st century mitochondria

Quality control has been an issue for as long as humans have used herbs to heal. Herbal medicines can be adulterated for a variety...

Environmental sustainability of medicinal plants

Roy Upton explores how traditional healing systems have developed in developing countries compared to the West.

First do no harm: A call for sustainable herbalism in clinical practice

Josef Brinckmann explores what it takes to make a herbal medicine practice part of the sustainable herbal supply chain.

The relevance of complementary and integrative medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative review of the literature

In light of the adverse health risks faced both at the population and individual levels, Dr Vijay Murthy and his colleagues conducted a review of...

The Jade Screen Project

The Jade Screen Project (JSP) offers immune-enhancing and anti-viral herbal formulae for front line workers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Do you know where your herbs come from?

Do you know how herbs for herbal medicine are harvested and by whom? Paying attention to the conditions that fall under the word “sustainability” determines...

Healing the whole: How herbs can change the world through a holistic approach

How herbs are changing the face of the world through a holistic approach to health.

The story of life: People, plants and planet

However hard we might try not to be; we are all interconnected. Each living being interacts with its environment which includes, people, plants and the...

Plants: Love ’em or loathe ’em, we can’t live without ’em!

Plant foods, herbs and spices, are all about information. Our bodies use the information coded in the genes of plants to inform our own genes

Fair for plants as well as people

Pat Thomas discusses how we can meet the ever-increasing demand for herbal medicines in a sustainable and fair way. I consume therefore I am… as...

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