EP44: A Year on Wild Food

EP44: A Year on Wild Food

Author: Robin Harford May 9, 2023 Duration: 59:00

My guest for this episode of the Eatweeds podcast is the remarkable Mo' Wilde. An author and experienced foraging teacher, Mo' has done something few could even contemplate: she lived for a full year completely sustained by wild food. Her fascinating journey and profound insights will have you rethinking your daily meals and your connection to the world around you.

Key topics for this episode include:

  • The incredible diversity of the microbiome and its importance for gut health.
  • The essential practice of foraging and how it connects us to our ancestors.
  • The astounding variety and nutritional richness of wild food.
  • An in-depth discussion on food choices, their impact on our bodies, and the environment.

Throughout the episode, Mo' shares the highs and lows of her year on wild food, detailing how it impacted her health, wellbeing, and particularly her microbiome. You'll hear about the changes she observed, the challenges she faced, and how the experience deepened her connection with nature.

Robin and Mo' also delve into thought-provoking discussions about our food choices and how they directly influence not only our personal health, but the health of our soil and the broader ecosystem. Mo's unique perspective brings a refreshing and much-needed critique of our contemporary food systems, inspiring listeners to consider their own role within these systems.

Join us for Episode 44 of Eatweeds, 'A Year on Wild Food', and take a step into the wild side of nutrition and ecological awareness. Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting your wild food journey, this episode is a trove of knowledge, inspiration, and food for thought.

Connect with Mo Wilde


Selected links from the show

About Mo Wilde

Mo is a forager, research herbalist and ethnobotanist. She lives in West Lothian in a self-built wooden house on 4 organic acres where she is encouraging medicinal and foraging species to make their home, creating a wild, teaching garden. She has a Masters degree in Herbal Medicine, and is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Member of the British Mycological Society and a Member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). She also teaches foraging and herbal medicine courses, with the aim of “Restoring Vital Connection”.

Back Matter

Follow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.



There's a quiet revolution happening just outside our doors, in the hedgerows, parks, and forgotten corners of the landscape. Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants is your guide to that green world, hosted by forager and ethnobotanist Robin Harford. This isn't just a list of what's edible; it's a deep, sensory dive into our relationship with the flora around us. Each episode feels like a walk with a knowledgeable friend, one who points out not just the names of plants, but their stories, their historical uses, and their place in both ancient traditions and modern kitchens. You'll hear conversations that weave together practical foraging tips with cultural anthropology, exploring how plants have sustained human life for millennia as food, medicine, and material. Robin brings on experts and practitioners who share their hands-on experiences, from turning acorns into flour to understanding the medicinal compounds in a common weed. The podcast moves seamlessly from the science of plant identification to the folklore buried in their old names, creating a rich tapestry that connects listeners directly to their environment. It’s for anyone who has ever looked at a plant and wondered, "What's your story?" This series provides those answers, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild, often overlooked bounty that grows all around us, making every walk an opportunity for discovery and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 58

Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants
Podcast Episodes
EP37: Sound Walks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Emma Welton, a musician who lives locally to me discusses listening as a nature connection practice. How active listening can develop a deep empathic relationship with the natural world. The section on using sound to ide…
EP36: Nettle Eater [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:05
Tom Hirons is a nature based poet and storyteller. In this interview we discuss his work and how as creative humans we can all express our inherent wildness through creative and magical acts. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk…
EP34: Prison Plants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
Nicole Rose runs Solidarity Apothecary which materially supports revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines to strengthen collective autonomy, self-defence and resilience to climate change, capitalism a…
EP33: Foraging, Rewilding and Nature Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
Lucy O'Hagan takes us on a journey exploring ancestral ways and rewilding, foraging and nature connection. Why do it and how relevant is it in a hyper connected digital world. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk
EP31: The Importance of Ethnobotany - An Interview with Mark Nesbitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
Ethnobotany is the study of the interrelationship between people and plants, historically and cross-culturally, particularly the role of plants in human culture and practices, how humans have used and modified plants, an…
EP30: Edible City - Urban Foraging During Lockdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:36
John Rensten (author of Edible City) discusses how to keep foraging in a city during the coronavirus lockdown. How to stay safe, keep your distance and why foraging is vitally important for mental and physical wellbeing.
EP29: Calm Ease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
A discussion on foraging, stillness and mindfulness as a way to work with difficult feelings during the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
EP28: Introducing Plant Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:13
Introducing Plant Talk, a new supplement to the regular Eatweeds podcast show that encourages and prompts you to deepen your relationship with plants.