Suzi Richer

I am really privileged to work both theoretically and practically with the relationship between people and plants. I do this in a number of ways: through my practices as a medical herbalist and environmental archaeologist, as a writer and researcher, and as a grower and maker of herbal medicines and organic food.

My journey with plants and people started with archaeology over 20 years ago. I have a PhD in Environmental Archaeology looking at the relationship between plants and people in the southern French Alps. In 2018, I set-up Richer Environmental where I focus on analysing pollen grains preserved on archaeological sites around the world to understand the plants people were eating and growing in the past, and how the environment has changed over time. 

In 2021 I trained as a medical herbalist, as I wanted to be working more directly with plants and with people who were still alive. I continue to work as both a herbalist and archaeologist. I have particular interests in how herbs were used historically and how non-industrialised ways of living can both be relevant to health today.

I balance my time between my work, allotment and kitchen in Kendal, Cumbria; as well as time spent outside foraging.