The Elder Tree Podcast

In today's episode I interview with Benjamin Turale from Temple of Mercury.  Benjamin lives on Wudawurung land in Victoria.  Benjamin is an award winning alchemist who lives live and breathes the Hermetic current.

Kerri is a naturopath, herbalist and menstrual health women's wisdom educator living and working on Darug and Guringai Country. She holds an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy from Nature Care College and completed post-graduate studies in Western Herbal Medicine at the University of New England in Armidale with commendation. Kerri is passionate about helping women heal and reconnect to their bodies and the rhythms of the natural world. She supports women by using a beautiful and unique combination of naturopathic medicine, western herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, flower essences, iridology, counselling and menstrual cycle awareness so that they can live their fullest, most vibrant lives. She can often be found bushwalking, foraging, making medicines or sitting in a cosy spot with a book and a cat or two.

During this chat we talk about how menstrual cycle awareness can be such a beautiful tool for encouraging us to pause and reflect. Helping us to assess what our needs are during different phases and stages. Kerri shares a powerful way of looking at the menstrual mandala to reflect on opposite sides of the cycle- helping us see for example that overgiving during or around ovulation can result in flaring of symptoms (like pain, insomnia, PMS) during our menstrual phase.

Kerri’s passionate about supporting women through Perimenopause and she shares so much wisdom about caring for ourselves during this transition. 

**SHOW NOTES**

When herbal trends meet capitalism, how does the practice of herbalism remain ethical? What does it mean for herbal businesses and herbal practitioners to be thinking about sustainability, social ethics and the lifespan of plants? In this interview with Superfeast's Mason Taylor, Stephanie Hazel opens a conversation around these thorny questions that might not have answers but rather an invitation to collective pondering.

Show Notes

Check out superfeast.com.au or follow them on Instagram @superfeast

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Liana is the Nursery Manager at ClimateForce and designer of organic and holistic food systems rooted in ecology, wellness and care. With a strong foundation in growing native and productive trees, she works at the intersection of ecosystem restoration, endangered plant conservation, and regenerative agriculture. Her work makes permaculture and agroforestry practical and inspiring, bridging grassroots initiatives with institutional change.

Join us for a journey into the heart of the Daintree, the oldest rainforest in the world.

Deeply connected to the healing power of plants, she also uses herbs to support mental health and emotional resilience, integrating personal wellbeing with the broader goals of land stewardship and sustainable food systems.

From the personal to the practical, Liana opens up about her favourite herbs, including Brahmi, which she relies on for mental clarity. She also weaves in stories from her great-grandmother's garden in Hungary and the Ambrosia weeds that sparked her apprenticeship with a traditional healer.

Tune in to learn about the vital role of permaculture and native plants in combating climate change, conserving endangered species like the blue tassel fern, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Delve into the significance of bush tucker in local diets and the cultural importance of trees in the Daintree region, offering a unique glimpse into the interconnectedness of people, plants, and place.

SHOW NOTES:

In todays episode, Tatiana interviews Kerrie Oakes who is a truly inspiration community herbalist, practitioner and educator, who lives on Waka Waka, Jinibara, and Yuggera Ugarapul country in Somerset.

Kerrie helped to establish the Southeast Queensland chapter of the international Herbalists Without Borders network, providing herbal medicine support to homeless services, refugees, and those affected by disaster. She established the Somerset Health Hub Community Cooperative; which is a community organisation focused on collaboratively improving community health. 

She has led and supported numerous community initiatives and has the hugest heart and a beautiful vision of supporting community led clinic spaces, which is what she is currently doing her PHD on. In this interview they discuss the importance of creating community led herbalism spaces, where education comes into the clinic and collective wisdom is shared to build resilient communities. Kerrie shares her wisdom and her goals with the PHD and beyond and we really think that we should get behind her on this!

She is really working toward making a significant positive impact in the herbal healthcare realms in Australia.

SHOWNOTES:Direct donation link to support Kerries research for her PHD: https://fundraise.scu.edu.au/event/ncnmgivingday/kerrie-oakes

During this episode I chat with Lou Hardwick, a single mother and folk herbalist based on Gumbayniggir country on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Lou’s herbal creations focus on whole-plant, hand made remedies. She orients her offerings, and by extension her business, to the process of making itself. It’s the presence and interaction with the plants and the process of creating that provides her with a powerful sense of self as well as the inspiration to share her love of this ever-evolving relationship with her community. She aims to empower others to lean into their plant curiosities by positioning themselves as the expert in their own senses and experiences while providing inspiration to take that first or next imperfect step towards working with plants in a way that savours both a sense of humour and reverence. In this podcast, Lou reflects on how even though small and consistent acts of self-care can be incredibly powerful, that in her experience its been the bigger yet fundamental decisions and life changes that have been her truest acts of self-care. In her story, it has been the hardest and most challenging turning points in her life that revealed the path to herbalism. 

Late last year Lou launched her first online education offering ‘Potent Herbal Oils’ to great success, quickly transforming herbal infused oil making practices and results across her community.

**SHOW NOTES**

Lou shares some of her favourite teachers, including: 

Can purity be toxic? The stories we tell ourselves and our clients about health and disease can both cause harm, and can help us to integrate our illnesses with grace, and maybe even to heal. A detox can support our health, or it can deepen our disconnection from the world around us as we relentlessly pursue purity and freedom from contamination. Come with Miriam Latif and Stephanie Hazel as they veer away from the strictly Sacred and more towards the ethics and philosophy of wellness culture. Let’s pick apart some of the assumptions we have about wellness together! Miriam Latif is a herbalist who is less concerned with plants and the body, and more curious about the personal and cultural stories that define our understanding and experience of what health is in the first place. 

She holds conflicting truths - wellness culture is broken, and it has much to offer us, if we can learn to be critical and curious.

Her mission is to radically change wellness culture by telling different stories about what it means to be well - stories rooted in equity, justice, relationship and the complexity of being humans, together.

Join Toni Perin from Millstream Meadows as she shares her journey from novice home gardener to regenerative farmer.

She is on a mission to reconnect North Queensland communities with their food, nurture the land, and cultivate a sustainable culture of stewardship and abundance. She's not just growing food, but cultivating a movement towards a future where food is fresh, local, and sustainable!

Toni discusses the power of collaboration for local food provenance and her inspiration to be the 'Joel Saletin' of FNQ.

She tackles some challenges new farmers face, the importance of community support, and the need for better marketing strategies for farmers to reach consumers.

Learn about the benefits of regenerative agriculture and how to build a sustainable food network that supports local farmers and consumers alike.

SHOW NOTES:

In this conversation, Taj Scicluna from 'Botanical Education' on Warundjuri Djadjung Wurung land in Riddles Creek, Victoria, shares insights on herbal education, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning, creativity, and fostering curiosity among students.

A lot of this conversation is really relevant for herbal educators and though there is certainly something in it for everyone.Taj and Tatiana discuss the role of educators in inspiring and empowering learners, the significance of community in education, and the intersection of science and sacred realms in understanding herbalism.

Taj highlights the need for a more holistic approach to teaching that values individual experiences and encourages critical thinking. In this conversation, Taj Scicluna and Tatiana explore the intricate relationship between herbalism and science, emphasizing the importance of connecting with plants and nature. They discuss the shift from traditional herbal practices to more clinical approaches, advocating for a bioregional perspective that fosters community and ecological awareness.

Shownotes:

Website:www.botanicaleducation.com.au/

Facebook:

Dalee Ella is an Artist exploring themes of interconnection, land based relating and relationship. She lives and works on Bandjalang country in Northern NSW, Australia.

Dalee was my first guest on this segment back in November 2022- a time when she felt hugely connected to the earth and her garden which was inspiring her creativity and her work. She was excited to be beginning a collaboration with Clarey from Gwyllem Clothing (now Storyline).

This conversation is a full circle moment where Dalee reflects on her journey over the past 2 years, from launching her clothing line with Clarey, taking their collections on the road, experiencing a period of huge growth which culminated in a time of emotional and physical burn out.

Dalee shares the shifts in their business, her personal life and her health that were necessary as they grappled with a frenzy of creativity alongside unrealistic deadlines and an inherently flawed system that doesn't make space for the holistic needs and wellbeing of any human.

We speak about Dalee's transition into perimenopause and the impact this transformation had on her work, her relationships and her health.

And we have the most beautiful conversation about two of my favourite adaptogens- Withania and Tulsi.

**SHOW  NOTES**

Join us as we explore the world of local food systems in Far North Queensland, where community farming, seasonal eating, and sustainable agriculture come together to create a more resilient food supply chain.

Our guest Angela Nasson from Tablelands to Tabletop is a passionate local food advocate, who shares her personal journey of building a local food network that prioritises community and sustainability.

We delve into the challenges faced by farmers, the importance of education about seasonal eating, and the need for systemic change to support fair pricing for local producers.

From the impact of climate on pricing to the role of consumers in shaping the food system, we discuss the complex issues surrounding local food security and the importance of community connections.

Our conversation highlights the benefits of fresh, locally sourced produce, and the power of consumer choice in supporting local farmers and sustaining the local economy.

Tune in to learn how you can become a local food champion and make a positive impact on your community's food system. 

SHOW NOTES:

Today's episode is an explorative conversation with Elliot Brinkley, a herbalist and teacher and the owner of the inspirational Dancing Willow Herbs apothecary in Durango Colorado, which is the land of the Yoot Mountain People.

Elliot has a beautiful way of joining the science with practical medicine making and an embodied connection with the plants.  She facilitates spaces that invite people in closer to a deeper relationship with herbs, and emphasises the importance of learning herbs directly, rather than solely online and in books.

Since we recorded the interview, Elliott had to cancel Blooming Rooted May, but the autumn session will be happening.  Also her upcoming podcast will now be called "The Dancing Willow", which was just launched this week and you can find the link to it in the shownotes.

I hope that you enjoy this episode, not only is Elliot the first international guest that I have invited onto the podcast, but she is also an inspiring woman on a mission doing wonderful things in her community. It was nice to tune in with the different education opportunities that are available in USA compared to Australia. 

As you would know if you have been listening to previous episodes on this segment, Australia has very limited education opportunities for herbal medicine and all of the current schools that offer any kind of herbal medicine training are all highly academic and scholar and there are no schools offering hands on herbal education on the Earth. But The Elder Tree is planning to change this!  Stay tuned...

Shownotes:

The Dancing Willow Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/18V7F6ffb0Lx1rs1a6k5Km?si=2091f3d4e0f7495c

During this episode, it was a real joy to dive into honouring the cycles of our bodies, mother earth and the phases of life we journey through. I chat with Earth Medicine Woman, Women's Health Advocate & Cyclical Guide Amanda Trieger about how these cycles can help us weave self care into daily rituals by being prepared and understanding what we need at different phases of our lives, our menstrual cycle and during each season. It was a bit of an epiphany for Amanda when she realised that tucking self care around the edges of her life wasn’t going to be sustainable. She noticed dramatic shifts when her understanding of her menstrual cycle began to drive her self-care- allowing her to plan out a month of self-care rhythms. 

As a naturopath, doula, and mentor, Amanda guides women reclaim feminine frameworks and integrate the healing power of plant medicine into their cyclical self-care rituals. Her work supports hormonal wellbeing, vaginal microbiome health, vulva care, and raising awareness of the sacred Rites of Passage that shape a woman’s journey. Through rituals, retreats, workshops, and women’s circles, she empowers women to cultivate cycle awareness—honoring the rhythms of their menstrual, lunar, seasonal, and life cycles as they transition through the menstruality timeline.

Amanda generously shares her knowledge on cyclical living during this episode and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

**SHOW  NOTES**

Our kinship with the natural world can offer a balm for the troubled modern soul, and counsellor, somatic therapist and folk herbalist Rachel Weitz works directly with strengthening this sense of relationships with plants, earth and spirit.

After quite an amazing journey of apprenticeships and study that span a counselling degree, a 4-year stint in the Peruvian amazon with the Shipibo peoples, and a 6-year apprenticeship with shamanic healer and herbalist Ann Drucker she has created a healing modality she calls “animistic healing arts” that weaves all these threads together. She works with her clients and to restore the lost sense of kinship with the greater intelligence that is within and round us - the plants, the ancestors, nature herself and guides. Her aim is the support folks in facilitating their own direct healing process in connection with these guides and more-than-human relationships. 

In this episode, Stephanie and Rachel explore how plants can be powerful allies in our healing journeys beyond the physical, the spirit properties of hawthorn for opening us to grief, what an old world apprenticeship really looks like, and the wonder of being in the circle of care of the plant world. 

SHOW NOTES

Join us as we dive into the world of sustainable aquaculture and resilience, where innovative practices meet community-driven solutions. In this inspiring conversation, Rodney Ingersoll, CEO and Farmer of Barron River Redclaw and founder of The Aquaponics Gardeners, shares his remarkable journey from working in Papua New Guinea to establishing a thriving aquaculture farm.

Rodney's story highlights the critical importance of resilience, creative problem-solving, and sustainable practices in building a successful and environmentally conscious business. Our discussion explores the interconnectedness of sustainable aquaculture, permaculture, and community development, and reveals the key role that community connection, mindset, and intentional daily actions play in achieving success.

Through Rodney's experiences and insights, we'll examine the essential elements of building a resilient business, including the need for accountability, radical thinking, and adaptability. Tune in to discover how sustainable business practices, personal growth, and the power of choice and intention can come together to create a thriving and regenerative future.

SHOW NOTES:

Cat Green from Everyday Empowered steps in as guest presenter on the Herbal Education segment in a perfect display of community herbalism and symbiotic support. Our founder Tatiana is in the process of relocating The Elder Tree project (and her family home) to Northern NSW and Cat offered to cover, and we are so glad she did!

In this episode, Cat discusses the importance of kitchen medicine and the versatile herb sage. She emphasizes the benefits of using common herbs found in the kitchen for health and wellness, particularly sage, which has a rich history of use. Cat presents about sage's applications for colds, flu, memory enhancement, and its culinary uses, encouraging listeners to explore herbalism in their daily lives.

*SHOWNOTES*

To find out more about Everyday Empowered:

https://everydayempowered.com.au/

IG:  @everyday.empoweredHerbal

Herbfest 15th June 2025:

https://everydayempowered.com.au/herbfest/

Growing, cooking and sharing food is an important source of connection and fulfillment for Janelle Coggan. From picking veggies with her grandmother as a child, to making tomato chutney for all her neighbours to sharing seeds with the postman, it’s a way of caring for herself and others. 

Nelle has 40 years of experience as an educator, instructor, and practitioner in Kinesiology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and also holds a master’s degree in special education.  Nelle’s own lived experience of childhood trauma and subsequent extensive studies in trauma informed practice has supported her to develop her empathic skill set to a highly tuned frequency enabling her clients to move through their issues lovingly supported through each tiny step.

During our chat, Nelle shares how self care has become non negotiable for her since suffering from burn out a few years ago. She explains how tuning in and responding to not only her physical needs but also her emotional and spiritual needs became paramount. 

We agree that in our busy lives, we've forgotten how to be still and the value of allowing our minds to have some space to be quiet. How long has it been since you’ve allowed yourself to daydream?

**CONNECT**

A powerful and intriguing tribute to Earth Poet, Animist and Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner, featuring the magnificent Skye Cielita Flor. In this episode, Stephanie and Skye discuss the potency of SHB’s works, their impact on their own lives and teaching styles, and break some of the key points he covers in his book ‘Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realms’. 

Skye is currently offering a transformative 10 week online study group focusing on the teachings of his book. The next group starts 17th January and sold out in one week after the release date in November - for good reason! The next round is being released alongside this podcast so you get a chance to sign up. See below.

https://events.humanitix.com/plant-intelligence-and-the-imaginal-realm-x10-week-online-and-in-person-study-group-h49rem6b

Stephen Harrod Buhner offers a unique approach to understanding the relationship between humans and the natural world, highlighting the importance of integrating rationalist perspectives with mystical animist practices. Stephanie and Skye discuss sensory gating, how we develop the ability to sense and feel the natural world without psychedelics, and the crucial bridge between science and mysticism that SHB offers us: Eco-Animism, or Bio-Animism. 

Show Notes & Links:

Books mentioned in the episode:

Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm

In this episode, Tonielle dives into the world of permaculture zoning, exploring how to design and manage your property to maximise efficiency, productivity, and biodiversity.

You'll learn about the zones of permaculture, from the intensive cultivation of Zone 1 to the wild, untouched areas of Zone 5, and tips on how to apply these principles in all climates.

She highlights various medicinal plants that thrive in each zone, sharing their benefits and uses, and emphasises the importance of responsible foraging and herbalism practices.

Tune in to learn how to create a holistic and regenerative garden that supports your health and wellbeing.

SHOW NOTES:

Today I interview the inspiring Val Iswaszko who set up the famous Mullum Herbals in 1996 with his wife Annette Morgan. Mullum Herbals has been incredibly influential in the herbal medicine community in Australia, and has been mentioned on many occasions in this podcast.

In this interview, Val gives insight into how Mullum Herbals was created and shares about the motivations behind this valuable business. He shares about the internship/clinic supervision opportunities that he generously offers to university students.

We discuss the power of Andrographis, patient compliance VS dealing with bitter/foul tasting brews, the downfall of the industry mindset VS the community mindset in information sharing in Australia.

Val shares about percolation tinctures and how naturopaths and herbalists can be running a more affordable dispensary by dispensing their own tinctures. We discuss the importance of sourcing local herbs and if importing herbs then ensuring they are high quality. Val reveals that is has been difficult to find local herbal medicine growers to supply his dispensary (get in touch if you are interested) although he would like to supply more local herbs than what he does currently.

Together we dream weave a future where plants are the people's medicine, and everyday people are educated and educate each other about the medicine growing all around them. We envision more grassroots herbal education spaces and Val shares his plans for creating a 'Mums and Bubs" group which meets regularly under the guidance of a naturopath and receives empowering information which creating a support network.

It was an honour to interview this herbal elder which I have heard affectionately referred to as the "grandfather of herbal medicine in Mullumbimby". He has created a wonderful legacy for future generations.

*SHOWNOTES*

Mullum Herbals & Bruns Herbals:

https://mullumherbals.com.au/

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/mullumherbals/?hl=en

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How can I create a life that puts my energy and my health at the forefront of every single question that I ask, every single decision that I make?  How am I caring for myself in every single moment? These are some of the questions Claire Murray and I ponder during this wide ranging and thoughtful chat. 

Claire knew from when she was 16 years old that she wanted to be a Naturopath.

After seeing a practitioner in her teens, she decided she wanted to be able to sit across from someone and know she could help them like she had been helped. 

Claire is now a naturopath, herbalist and medicine maker based on Gubbi Gubbi country/ the Sunshine Coast with over 15 years experience within the natural medicine industry. Combining this with her own lived experience with chronic illness, Claire now creates herbal medicines and educational offerings, and works with her patients, from a place of deep empathy & listening, consideration for the plants & Earth, and reverence for each person's path and health. Claire endeavours to bring both intuition and science to all she offers, where she aims to support people in alchemising what is painful, into healing, new insights & a deeper connection to self & Earth. 

Claire lives in a body that requires her to be very aware of the whispers that signal she needs to pay attention. She describes self care beautifully as a constant little tending. And has realised that caring for herself needs to be woven tightly into her everyday. 

Claire’s deeply connected with the natural world and shares how she feels a pull to be around plants-  to grow them, to hold them in her hand, to smell them, to taste them. She’s passionate about anchoring into her bio region and understanding more about the medicine that grows around her. 

This deep connection prompts questions like- where do I end and where does nature begin? How can I consider the concept of individual health without thinking about the collective health of the community in which I live and the ecosystem and bio region in which I reside?

This is a thought provoking conversation, which I think you’ll really enjoy!

**SHOW  NOTES**

Is herbalism important postpartum? YES!

Is the postpartum period sacred? YES!!

Herbs have supported our grandmothers and our grandmothers' grandmothers throughout the ages during the tender and sacred time of the postpartum period.

Herbs help the milk come, help the womb return, help the mother's heart stay steady and help the restoration of life force, blood and nutrients that a mother needs after growing a person inside her.

This episode is very personal as I'm due to give birth on the day it's released. This photo is me with my daughter 3 years ago - the day after giving birth to her.

This time out of time is precious, as it marks the return to the world for the mother who had to travel so far to give birth, and also the arrival in the world of the baby. It is a time when the mother needs epic amounts of support and nourishment, and who better to offer this than the plants who have walked beside us for aeons?

This episode covers herbs and strategies to support the four pillars of postpartum thriving: rest, nourishment, soothing and healing.

In this episode I give special mentions to Nettle, Motherwort, Lemon Balm and Ladies Mantle.

Show Notes

Heng Ou - The First Forty Days

This special feature episode is about The Elder Tree plant, so tune in to explore this revered ally's medicinal, ecological and cultural wisdom with Tonielle Christensen, aka Earth Mumma.

Discover its role in permaculture, the differences between Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis, and practical applications in herbalism. From growing elder trees to crafting immune-boosting elderberry syrup, soothing elderflower teas, and nutrient-packed jams, this episode shares recipes and tips for harnessing the full potential of this extraordinary plant.

We also delve into the cultural significance of the Elder Tree, sharing the timeless story of the Elder Mother—a spirit who reminds us of patience, reciprocity, and respect for nature.

Chapters:
00:00 | The Wisdom of the Elder Tree
08:24 | Exploring Elder Tree Varieties
16:33 | Growing Elder Trees in Permaculture
27:07 | Herbal Wisdom and Uses of Elder
29:57 | Harvesting and Freezing Elderberries
31:23 | Making Elderberry Syrup for Immunity
33:38 | Elderflower Tea and Its Benefits
35:25 | Refreshing Elderflower & Kaffir Lime Iced Tea
38:13 | Creating Elderflower Tincture
39:38 | Delicious Elderberry Jam Recipe
42:27 | Nutritional Benefits of Elderberries
46:00 | Cultural Significance of the Elder Tree
50:10 | The Story of the Elder Mother

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode of the Elder Tree podcast, Twiggy Dawn discusses the significant changes happening within the Elder Tree organisation, including its relocation to Northern New South Wales.

She shares her vision for creating a more accessible and community-oriented herbal education system in Australia, addressing the challenges faced by herbal practitioners, educators, medicine growers and medicine makers.

Tatiana emphasizes the importance of community involvement, resource sharing, and the establishment of a hub for herbalism that fosters collaboration and education.

Stay tuned because there are some exciting things coming!

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What happens when we nurture a connection with our inner child? When we treat the imagination as a source of inspiration and keep our eyes, ears and hearts open? 

Alyson Maier has had a deep connection with the plant world since early childhood when she would wait expectantly for the May bush in her garden to flower each year and then gather blooms to create a circle for her daily meditation.

Like many of us, through childhood, Alyson was told “it’s just your imagination”- as if it was false or unimportant- but like she says- what if the Wright brothers never imagined flying a plane? Luckily, Alyson continued to treasure her imagination and today has a deep connection with the spirit world. 

Alyson’s a Naturopathic Herbalist, children's author, Andean Medicine Carrier (Nusta Pampomasayoq Paqo), and award-winning herbal tea curator based on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. She’s passionate about helping people reconnect with their traditional origins to rediscover the medicine within.

During our chat, Aly shares her passion for the role of storytelling in preserving herbal knowledge and the transformative power of nature in our lives.

**CONNECT**

Connect with ALYSON and buy her beautiful books here:

What are the biggest challenges you face as a herbalist?

What are your favourite herbs for perimenopause? Birth? Depression?

Is it important to specialise in clinic?

What herb should everyone in the world take for 3 months for collective healing?

These are some of the questions that I answer from YOU - podcast listeners, students and social media followers.

@nourishingtides @fitzoii @janjapeschel @galinalugonja @meg.burry @el.freewoman @marjannehuising

Our trial episode of Ask Me Anything has been fun, so it will probably happen again. Feel free to message or email any of our 4 presenters with specific questions and when we get enough questions we can do another episode just like this one.

If you want more of these PLEASE let us know!

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Join Cerise Acacia as she delves into the transformative power of permaculture, sharing her journey from feeling adrift and having health issues to finding purpose in growing her subtropical food forest.

In this conversation, she highlights permaculture's role in addressing global challenges and stresses the importance of community, long-term stewardship, and the "seven generations" philosophy.

Cerise and her guest discuss the energetics of food, resilience in the face of natural disasters, and practical tips for growing perennial foods to boost food security and sustainability in a food forest, utilising some syntropic gardening principles.

Discover insights on building healthy soil, the healing potential of diet, and the joy of connecting with the land - no matter the size of your garden.

Her favourite plant is Aibika, and she shares its medicinal values and how to grow and prepare it!

Chapters:

00:00 The Importance of Permaculture

02:51 Personal Journey and Transformation through Permaculture

06:10Community and Land Stewardship

09:02 The Seven Generations Philosophy

11:55 Integrating Herbalism and Food Production

14:47 The Energetics of Food and Agriculture

18:09 Food Security and Community Resilience

21:03 Challenges in the Food System

23:48 Growing Perennial Foods for Sustainability

26:58 Practical Gardening Tips and Favorite Plants

36:49 The Value of Mucilaginous Foods

39:36 Preparing for Cyclones: Food Resilience

43:54 Perennial Foods: A Sustainable Approach

49:44 Building Healthy Soil Naturally

53:07 Healing Through Diet: A Personal Journey

01:00:38 The Importance of Starting Your Garden Journey

01:03:56 Sharing Knowledge and Community in Gardening

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, Tatiana interviews Dominique LivKamal from Medicine Room on Gubbi Gubbi country in Malaney on the Sunshine Coast, which is a space dedicated to herbal medicine making, free herbal treatment, education and community health for the past 25 years. 

Medicine Room dispenses 86 organic herbal preparations which are all made onsite and dispensesd in a free clinic instore and at Eumundi markets.  From this space Dominique runs a regular myriad of diverse herbal medicine workshops, courses, and events, plus runs a podcast and sells the 3 books that she has written.

In this interview they discuss stealth pathogens and and the need for effective parasite elimination protocols. Dominique shares the journey of Medicine Room and her experience of running free clinics for 20 years.  They talk about the importance of practitioners making their own medicine and knowing where their medicine comes from, and so much more! 

We hope you enjoy this chat with this well respected herbal teacher, clinician and mentor.

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During this episode, I chat with Shenel Engel,  a dedicated homoeopathic practitioner specialising in women's health, with a profound personal journey through Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis. Diagnosed at 21 with these conditions and told she might never conceive, Shenel embarked on a transformative journey of healing through diet, lifestyle changes, and homoeopathy. Her personal success story includes the joy of raising two children, inspiring her to help others facing similar challenges. 

Through her practice, ‘Your Homeopath’,  Shenel offers invaluable insights and practical solutions to manage and overcome these conditions, while also offering homeopathic kits to support common first aid situations as well as child birth and the postpartum.

During our chat, Shenel shares her emotional journey- from being told her reproductive conditions would likely prevent her from having children through to her introduction to homeopathy and the happy conception of two beautiful children (and a third on the way) and being inspired to study homeopathy formally. 

We hear of the in depth consultation process that precedes the selection of a homeopathic remedy and some of the common homeopathics that Shenel leans on both in clinic and to support her own health and that of her young family.

It’s interesting to hear of the parallels between one of my favourite herbs- Chamomile- the humble hero of gut and emotional health- and the corresponding homeopathic Chamomilla. 

Shenel has so much wisdom and lots of interesting insights to share from a homeopathic perspective and that of a pregnant mumma of a young family!

**CONNECT**

Connect with Shenel here:

Could Calendula really help us heal the inner wounded masculine? What does that even mean?

What if the medicine of the plants was slowly evolving and changing alongside us? Perhaps not only with human needs, but also with the changes in the ecosystems plants live in. How could they not? Plants are so chemically responsive, they change their makeup depending on the situation they find themselves growing in, and since we are part of the ecosystem to, it is no wonder that plants are offering stronger medicine for healing the inner wounds of broken mental & spiritual worlds.

Heidi Wedd and Stephanie Hazel wade in very similar pools in their own work as herbalists and teachers - learning how to listen to the earth and the plants directly, and how to work with the soul properties or spirit teachings of plants for deeper personal and collective healing. Here they discuss their different theories on why this matters, the lessons Heidi has learnt from Calendula and what 'Shamanic Herbalism' really is.

Heidi is a herbalist, homeopath, midwife and plant spirit communicator with 20 years experience, based in Main Arm, NSW. She has studied in Scotland, Siberia and Australia and offers a quiet wisdom to her students that is priceless.

In this episode, host Tonielle Christensen, aka Earth Mumma, dives into the rich world of tropical superfoods.

She highlights the crucial role that perennial plants play in sustainable gardening and food production. The discussion zeroes in on three nutrient-packed plants—Ceylon Spinach (Basella Alba/Rubra), Leaf Ginseng (Talinum Triangular), and Moringa Oliefera—unpacking their nutritional benefits and their place in food forest systems.

Gain practical knowledge about the importance of biodiversity in gardens and diets, and how sustainable eating can be initiated with locally grown, resilient crops.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Permaculture Herbalism
01:48 - Tropical Superfoods Overview
06:07 - The Importance of Perennial Plants
15:00 - Ceylon Spinach: A Versatile Green
24:53 - Leaf Ginseng: The Tropical Salad Green
30:51 - Moringa: The Miracle Tree
39:12 - Understanding Food Forest Layers
43:56 - Sustainable Eating and Local Food Systems

*BUY ME A CUPPA*

In todays episode, Tatiana interiews Dawn Whitten who is a naturopath, herbalist, researcher, teacher and mentor on Bundjalung country in Northern NSW. She is one of the co-owners of Gould's pharmacy for the past 18 years and has a well grounded approach to blending the academic realms with the traditional practices.

In this episode, Dawn shares some of her journey with Goulds, and what led her to want to become a lactation expert and assist families in pregnancy and postpartum. She shares her journey of writing her thesis on herb-drug interactions and also shares her perspective about science and tradition not being so different from one another.

We discuss hopes and dreams for the future of herbal education in Australia and also discuss the important of herbalists knowing where their medicine comes from. There is also a strong emphasis on using fresh vital herb material in herbal preparations and some of the potential pitfalls of commercially manufactured tablets and capsules.

Dawn really blends together the academic realms of herbal medicine with a down to Earth approach and a deep knowing of the plants. It is wonderful to have people on the show with such a balanced perspective and wisdom to offer.

Find out more about Dawn here:

https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/dawn-whitten

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

In this episode I’m lucky enough to chat again with the ever enthusiastic and entertaining Cat Green. We have lots of laughs as always!

Cat’s a folk herbalist and grassroots community herbal organiser and educator. She's passionate about making it easy -and normal - for people to make simple, effective herbal remedies at home. Through Everyday Empowered, she offers a wide range of practical ways for people to learn about herbs.

During this wide reaching conversation, we explore how we can deepen our understanding of self care to encompass both community care and earth care.  Because we know that health doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s a product of our interactions and interconnections with the world around us.

But, when we’re already overloaded and busy and distracted, it can quickly feel overwhelming to think about becoming activists to change the bigger structures around workplaces and the environment. 

Conceptually we might understand what’s required, but on a practical level, what do we do about that?

Cat and I agree, the first step is having conversations like these- in our community’s our families and our workplaces. Without these conversations as a starting point, it’s impossible to change the cultural expectations in our workplaces to begin creating new social norms.

Moving away from the idea of self worth being tied to productivity which can be a fast track to burn out.

We agree that feeling a part of and connected to the natural world encourages a sense of awe and a desire to protect and conserve and helps us understand how taking action can be a form self care.

Cat makes a really lovely point that we’re so quick to believe that the smallest thing can hurt us, one drink or one cigarette, but we're so quick to dismiss that small positive, consistent positive actions will have a cumulative benefit. 

We definitely don’t have all the answers, but together, we offer some gentle, practical suggestions for building community connection and to care for and build connection with the earth to begin to deepen our practice of self care.

So grab a cup of your favourite herbal cuppa, find a comfy nook in the sun and settle in to this inspiring episode…

*SHOW NOTES*

What would it be like to talk to the trees around us, and hear their whisperings in our hearts? What if we could discover their medicinal properties and their soul properties just by speaking with them? Marjanne Huising urges us to just sit down with trees, and trust what we receive. She reminds us that listening to the plants and trees is something that lives inside all of us, it only needs reawakening. Marjanne is a Dutch Herbalist, Author & Treewoman. In this episode of the Elder Tree, Marjanne shares the wisdom of 30 years’ herbal practice and plant communication. She shares stories from the Camphor Laurels growing here on my property, the wisdom of womb-comfort from the Lady’s Mantle, and how Angelica can help us digest the world.

Marjanne is a well-regarded herbalist in the Dutch speaking world, who has published four text books and a deck of Tree Wisdom Oracle Cards. She is currently exploring Australia and Australian herbalism and we are lucky enough to have her share with us here!

If you speak Dutch, check out her website: https://www.marjannehuising.nl/

Or follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marjanne.huising/

I’m trying to convince her to translate her books on Tree Wisdom and Tree Oracle Cards into English! If this ever happens I will share here.

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Melinda Norris, born and raised in the 70's in Melbourne (Narrn) suburbia, had a far from a typical suburban upbringing.

Both her parents, who were immigrants to Australia, kept their family traditions, such as homesteading and growing their food;  we now know these practices as permaculture.

One very important tradition that held strong to in the family was caring at home for the young, and the old, and the dying.  

Having lived with the dying and attended as many funerals as christenings and weddings, Melinda has been attuned to this part of life for as long as she can remember.  

And having had a number of near death experiences herself, Melinda has a familiarity and reverence for the terrain and the journey that we all must take someday.

With a curious nature, she was destined for adventure and has lived a full life, exploring, creating, and travelling.

Professionally, Melinda is best known as a Festival and Event Producer, Arts Worker, and, more recently, a Tiny House Builder.

Today, she’s here to discuss a deeply personal topic that resonates with many—our relationship with death and dying.

She is a death Doula, a term that means helper, who facilitates, guides, and emotionally supports families. Melinda is a bridge to allay fears, communicate expectations, and gently guide individuals towards grace and peace during the dying journey.

Through stories and wisdom from her ongoing reverence for this profound subject, Melinda offers a unique perspective on a conversation increasingly present in the global collective.

SHOW NOTES:

For care and support regarding end of (this) life care, feel free to call Melinda Norris 0400 798 425

Resources / practical - GOVERNMENT

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Jason Hawrelak who is a naturopath, herbalist, and nutritionist on Bundjalung country, and is one of the leading experts in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions with natural medicines. He has nearly 20 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for gastrointestinal health and the gastrointestinal microbiota.

I met Jason at the beginning of this year at Marleen Herbs in Tasmania, with some other incredible inspirational herb folk who have been interviewed on this podcast like Greg Whitten, Sue Evans, and Nena Alaschewski, as well as Jason's partner Dawn Whitten, who I will be interviewing soon. Marleen herbs is run by Ronald, Marleen and Emma van de Winckel, who welcomed us all into their home and showed us their amazing farm which grows and makes all of the fresh plant tinctures for PPC herbs which are the only commercial suppliers of fresh plant tinctures in Australia.

It really was a great way to start off 2024, and I felt humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to spend time with these incredible people who have all had a big influence and impact on the Australian herbal medicine community and natural health industry. Jason purchased Goulds in Tasmania 17 years ago with Dawn, Greg, and their friends Belinda and Daniel Robson. Jason shares how he was inspired by his time working at Mullum herbals, to create a clinic in Hobart which offered over the counter consultations for low income earners. In this interview Jason also shares his journey of becoming a practitioner and specializing in gastrointestinal health and the human microbiota, and how healing his own chronic health conditions with natural medicine spurred him to want to help others.

Jason shares some of his preferred herbs that he uses in his practice, particularly for gut health and microbiome issues. He highlights the selectivity of certain herbs, such as pomegranate, garlic, Nigella sativa, and Bical skullcap, in targeting pathogenic bacteria while leaving beneficial ones intact.

In this episode Jason shares some great practical advise on how our listeners can take better care of our microbiome and finishes with some great wisdom about custodianship of our bodies.

Shownotes:

Probiotic Advisor:

https://www.facebook.com/probioticadvisor/

The Hawrelak Gut and Microbiome Clinic:

https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/dr-jason-hawrelak-gut-and-bicrobiome-team

Morre about Jason here:

https://www.gouldsnaturalmedicine.com.au/dr-jason-hawrelak

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

In this interview, I have a wonderful chat with Jessyca Bosscha, a naturopath, herbalist and herbal educator on Bunjalung country. Jess has almost a decade of clinical experience and a deep lived experience of recovery from intense trauma and stress, and is passionate about helping others.

As you would likely know, Jess runs the 'Self-Care with Herbs' segment of The Elder Tree Podcast, and she really is the perfect person for the job. I love her wisdom and motivation for helping people work with herbs in a deeply restorative and nourishing way. Even just listening to her talk is so calming and grounding.

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of herbal education and the gaps that exist in modern education systems. Jess shares her journey as a teacher and naturopath, highlighting the need for practical skills and hands-on experience with herbs. We discuss the role of Estuary Learning, a supportive community for herbal pratitioners and herbal educators, in filling these gaps and providing mentorship.

The conversation touches on the importance of slowing down the learning process, developing a personal connection with plants, and the use of adaptogens for stress and burnout. I hope that you enjoy this interview with my beautiful coworker, a herbalist that I admire and respect very much.

SHOWNOTES:

Matthew Wood, who by his own admission is a ‘herbalist who did homeopathy because he couldn’t understand herbalism’ is one of the most influential herbalists in the English speaking world. He has brought vitalism and herbal specificity to a whole generation of herbalists, perhaps because of his unique experience of learning herbalism from Native Americans before pursuing any further herbal study. Here, Stephanie Hazel gets to fan-girl at one of her herbal heroes! They discuss Matthew’s new book, “A Shamanic Herbal”, spirit animals, the subtleties of intuition, empathy and imagination, Native American Herbalism, and so much more. It’s our longest interview yet, and we hope you enjoy every minute of it!

Matthew Wood’s new book is available here: 

Cassie Hower is a Clinical Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner and Plant Medicine Maker with a deep passion for the natural world. She is an Earth Medicine Practitioner and is passionate about keeping the earth and plant world at the forefront of her mind when working with clients.

Cassie believes we were born to live in alignment with nature and that connection to nature is foundational in living a vital, happy and healthy life. Alongside nature connection, she offers her clients food and dietary suggestions, lifestyle adjustments, individualised herbal medicine treatment and flower essence therapy along with a loving and supportive nature to help guide these changes to become a life long practice.

Food and nutrition has been a big part of Cassie’s plant medicine journey- after experiencing gut related health issues in her late teens and early twenties, she made many positive changes to her diet. These changes were heavily influenced by tuning in and listening to her body and what felt good.

Cassie shares how a breast cancer diagnosis when her youngest child was just 4 months old, was the trigger for her increasing interest in plant medicine- seeking some balance after experiencing cancer treatment.

During her herbal medicine studies, Cassie describes feeling quite disconnected from the herbs and shares that it wasn’t until COVID lockdowns when she found herself spending lots of time in nature in the bushland surrounding her house that a deep connection with the plants began to form.

For Cassie self care is all about increasing vitality and bringing in more pleasure and she shares how she’s much better now at hearing the whispers from her body when this is necessary.

Cassie shares how tapping into her feminine softness and the rhythms and cycles of her body helps to shape what self care looks like for her. She loves incorporating herbs into her daily routines using herbal infused oils and she shares some lovely recipes.

Cassie also shares her passion for flower essences and how creating and using these special medicines deepens her connection to the plants.

If you’re looking for ways to make self care a priority more consistently, you might like to join my supportive circle Restore your Nervous System beginning this Spring- be sure to listen to the end for a special discount.

**CONNECT**

What is more sacred than simple moments in the garden? Than walking with the wild thyme in the Pyrenees? Join Stephanie Hazel and Sally Kingsford-Smith as they dive into stories and specific indications for some of our most taken-for-granted herbs. Sally shares stories from her clinic, her own life and her journeys to paint the sweetest picture of a simple love of the world of plants and people. Sally is a Sydney-based herbalist, stepping into her crone years with wisdom and grace, whose passion is to teach Dorothy Hall's herbalism to current and future herbalists.

If you want to study with her, then simply email her at sally@sallykingsfordsmith.com.au and ask to be on the course announcement list.

You can also check out her website: SallyKingsfordSmith.com.au

**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Diana Condylas is a community connector, food lover, plant lover and plastic activist. Growing up in a multicultural family, she was used to herbs being used medicinally and in cooking. 

She practiced as a naturopath, herbalist, nutritionist and massage therapist for 12 years until having babies. Permaculture came into her life in Sydney in 2007 and transformed how she saw and processed the world. In 2010, Diana returned to Townsville after a few years away and founded the Food for Thought - Townsville community, with an intention of finding her tribe, successfully. 

With an active Facebook group and gatherings of people sharing meals and produce, as well as workshops, speakers and movie screenings, she loved the connections made between members of the community that have rippled out beyond Townsville. 

As of 2020, Diana has been the Project Coordinator for NFP Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free Places NQ (formerly known as Plastic Free Townsville), assisting local takeaway hospitality businesses, events and organisations to eliminate over 1.5 million pieces of single-use plastic cups, lids and other packaging. She wants her children to be healthy, enjoy and care for the world, and understand that we all need to minimise our impact to make it fair for everyone. 

She recently won People’s Choice in a vegan sausage roll bake off and loves picking fresh mint from her garden and making it into ‘aguita de menta’ tea as a pause and a tonic.

Takeaways:

• Permaculture is a versatile design system that can be applied to all aspects of life.
• Plants and herbalism can be integrated into daily life, even without a garden.
• Lemon balm is a versatile and nourishing herb that can be used for various health benefits.
• Plastic Free Places NQ helps businesses and events eliminate single-use plastics and transition to reusable solutions.
• Circularity and reusable solutions are vital in reducing plastic pollution. Plastic Free July is a global movement encouraging individuals and organisations to reduce plastic consumption.
• Consumer awareness and behaviour change are crucial to eliminating single-use plastics.
• The Plastic Free Places program is a resource for finding plastic-free businesses and events.
• Using renewable resources, such as banana leaves and papaya stems, can be an alternative to plastic plates and straws.
• Every small action contributes to a cleaner and healthier world.
• Transitioning to a Plastic-Free Lifestyle
• Permaculture is a great design system that's inclusive and collaborative and that whole repurposing and not wasting.
• "Share Waste" is a global program connecting people with scraps to share.
• It's that embedded energy for a single-use item is something that we don't think about in the same way as when we throw something away."
• "Plastic Free July is a worldwide movement - It's time to level up, people!"

Chapters:

00:00Introduction and Background

02:21 Integrating Plants and Herbalism

06:03 Working Towards Plastic-Free Solutions

27:22 Finding Plastic-Free Businesses and Events

34:05 Exploring Renewable Resources as Alternatives to Plastic

43:29 Every Small Action Counts

51:39 Conclusion

CONNECT:

In today's episode Tatiana Dawn interviews Sue Evans: a respected herbalist, teacher and herbal historian on Wurrundjeri country in Melbourne.

Sue has an incredible birds eye view on Australian herbalism over the past almost 50 years of her education and career, and when she did her PHD, she really dived into the herbal history of Australia since European settlement, and some of the challenges that herbalists have faced over this time.

Sue herself has a rich history of herbal education, starting with training at the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in the UK. In Australia, Sue taught teaching at the Southern School of Natural Therapies. Later, she moved to Southern Cross University in Lismore, where she was part of the first university course in naturopathy in Australia. After nearly 20 years there, she returned to Melbourne and continued teaching online with the University of Tasmania.

Throughout her career, Sue practiced herbal medicine for about 25 years, was part of the first integrative clinic in Melbourne, and was involved in the establishment of the Victorian Herbalists Association during a politically charged time when the Therapeutic Goods Act was introduced. Sue has been a huge advocate for herbalists rights, and also for the rights of the plants, promoting a more sustainable way of managing the industry that has emerged with the import of herbs for clinical practice.

In this interview we explore the repeating patterns through history, of herbalists being oppressed by the government and allopathic medical industry. We discuss what history has been lost or misplaced, and Sue shares her wisdom that we need only to look to the landscape and the plants to find the history written.

Sue also shares her story of being at the first ever meeting of the American Herbalist Guild, and how a previous conversation with Micheal Tierra catalyzed the AHG to form. We actually cover so much in this interview, and yet it feels like the tip of the iceberg. I really loved this chat with a herbal elder who I respect so much, and I hope that you enjoy.

Find Sue Evans on Facebook:

During this episode I chat and laugh with Cheryl Smith, a medicinal herb farmer and artisan distiller who balances a busy corporate role with a passion for regenerative agriculture and soil health. With a dedication to leaning into nature and country, Cheryl brings a unique perspective to the intersection of business and environmental holding.

Growing up in the city, Cheryl always noticed the Dandelions popping up in the cracks of the pavement, but it wasn’t until she moved onto the land and started observing herbs through the seasons that a deeper connection was formed. A spark was lit and Cheryl’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to begin studying herbal medicine, learning how to grow, harvest and make medicines. 

Cheryl and her husband Mike, an agronomist, are passionate about soil health and from very early on, Cheryl has been fascinated by the way the constituents of the herbs reflect the health of the soil. Cheryl and Mike hold the country at Solum on stunning Yaegl land, which provides ample opportunities for the profound lessons that Cheryl has discovered can be learnt through observation- watching, listening and absorbing is the medicine…an invitation to pause and reflect.

Like many of us, Cheryl has always prioritised others first, and it wasn’t until she experienced the illness that followed a tick bite that she was forced to slow down and listen to her body. It was at this time that herbs became hugely supportive and that self care became non negotiable. 

Our discussion of self care dives into the dynamics of how we’re raised and the patterns that form as a result of witnessing the way others look after themselves when we’re young- deep impressions that can be difficult to shift. 

Cheryl tells a beautiful story of Passionflower and her tendrils that reach out and envelop us during times of trauma and burn out.

Going deep with a single herb, forming strong relationships and a knowing and understanding of a herb on many levels is a great joy of Cheryl’s. She credits the work of Heidi Wedd for inspiring this way of working and interacting with plants. 

Towards the end of our chat, we hear Cheryl share her deep connection with Withania- a root medicine that is currently offering her an invitation to observe and a doorway to re-connecting with a lifelong passion for plant medicine. 

**CONNECT WITH CHERYL**

https://www.instagram.com/solumfarm/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/SolumFarm/

**CONNECT WITH JESS**

Steve Cran is a Permaculture Aid veteran, teacher, social activist, climate change resilience specialist and a very handy guy to have around after a natural disaster. With a 30-year career in Permaculture, Steve has developed effective, sustainable, recovery solutions for communities affected by natural disasters, war, or long-term poverty.

Steve takes on the challenge of assisting people living on the edge of survival, to rebuild their communities. He has developed projects in war zones, post-disaster zones, poverty zones and many difficult where most people would not dare go.

Steve says “There is a lot written about so-called community development but in the field, most of it doesn’t work or it doesn’t last. Permaculture Aid gets real results by helping people restore their own community using local resources. They grow their way out of poverty. Conventional aid creates aid dependency. Permaculture Aid creates self-sufficiency and earth-repair simultaneously”.

This is a discussion of the people, places and projects Steve has supported throughout his career, and what is coming.

SHOW NOTES:

What if reconnecting with traditional knowledge could revolutionize prenatal, birth and postpartum care? Join us as we sit down with Sarah from Bridging Worlds Midwifery, a dedicated holistic home birth midwife from Far North Queensland, Australia, who has built a career around blending traditional midwifery practices with modern healthcare.

From supporting home births to teaching traditional methods globally, Sarah shares her unique insights into the importance of preventative measures for ensuring a smooth birth and postpartum period. Together, we explore the intricate balance between the old and the new, stressing the significance of historical wisdom in today's medicalized world. We discuss the challenges and benefits of practicing alternative methods within the conventional hospital system and the profound impact of stepping outside it to offer personalized, relationship-based care. Our conversation underscores the indispensable role of nutrition and herbal practices in preventing pregnancy-related complications and supporting both mothers and birth workers. In our deep dive into postpartum healing, Sarah opens up about traditional practices from Mexico and Guatemala, that aid in recovery from birth. We talk about the power of intentional nutrition, herbal plant baths, yoni steaming, and bodywork techniques such as the temezcal steam bath and "closing the bone" ceremonies.

This episode provides a holistic perspective on pregnancy and postpartum care, blending emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects to ensure long-term health and well-being for mothers. Join us for an enlightening discussion that is sure to offer valuable insights and practical advice for anyone passionate about traditional midwifery, herbal medicine, and holistic support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Deanne Apostolou is a Medical Herbalist, Iridologist, educator and speaker, with over 28 years clinical experience.

She’s a founding member of Estuary Learning, a collaboration of practitioners and mentors dedicated to enriching and supporting the art of natural earth medicine.

Dee's also a mum of 3 adult children who have grown up with herbs and good nutrition. She  loves it when she  hears them spruiking the benefits of good food and a healthy lifestyle to their friends. Dee’s very passionate about her profession. It’s a lifestyle, not just a job, but that doesn’t mean she doesn't drink wine and eat chocolate. She loves helping people on their health journey and teaching students so they can spread the word even further. 

During our chat, we explore the idea that the concept of self care has become more ‘acceptable’ and we agree that there are many more conversations being had in this space now as compared to say 20 years ago. Dee and I look back at how the barriers to self care have shifted in this time and how our idea of self care and it’s necessity is a reflection of the society in which we find ourselves inhabiting. 

Dee is all about helping her clients to make small, manageable change to help support their health and we dive into the psychology around the motivation that accompanies the wins from these small changes and how this can be applied to our own consistency with self care. Dee shares a great tip that she uses for checking in with both her clients and herself to monitor progress and celebrate the small wins of being consist over an extended period.

Dee is an eloquent story teller and one of my favourite parts of this chat is her beautiful story of her morning walk through bushland with her pup, the kookaburras and rosella’s and the very special plant friends she greets along the way. 

We chat about the value of surrender and a good ol cry- Dee shares the science about why we feel so good after we fall in a heap.

One of Dee’s favourite allies in a crisis is the Bach Flower formula, Rescue Remedy- she shares the very special joy of her children reaching for this remedy of their own accord after years of having mumma help support them this way. And, she also shares a unique way that she incorporates Rescue Remedy with other allies…

Like most Herbalists, Dee found it impossible to share just one favourite herb, so we are lucky enough to have her share her wisdom on 3 of her favourites, including a lesser know ally- Rosehips.

**CONNECT WITH DEANNE**