EP49: So You Want To Be A Herbalist

EP49: So You Want To Be A Herbalist

Author: Robin Harford November 7, 2023 Duration: 55:54

In this episode, #49 of the Eatweeds podcast, I sit down with Helen Kearney at the Betonica herb school on a lazy Summer day in the Devon countryside.

We dive into the added value herbalists bring to the strained National Health Service (NHS) and discuss Helen's path from being inspired by her grandmother to becoming a medical herbalist and educator.

We tackle the evolution of medicine since World War II, highlighting the crucial role of self-care and the struggle for herbal medicine's legal recognition.

Helen shares the comprehensive training that goes into becoming a skilled herbalist and how Betonica equips students with necessary business skills to make the practice successful.

Our discussion also spans the integration of herbal medicine into the NHS, social prescribing, and the need for herbalists to actively engage with their communities.

I wrap up the conversation by exploring how herbalism is becoming more inclusive, the shift in gender dynamics in the field, and Betonica's community-focused principles.

Helen details her vision for Betonica as more than just a school; it's a place that connects and builds community in response to healthcare challenges.

Join me in this episode for a direct discussion on personal experiences and insights into the future of medical herbalism.

Connect With Helen Kearney and the Betonica Herb School

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
EP46: Foraging In Italy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
This week on the Eatweeds podcast, we travel to the remote, idyllic region of Abruzzo, Italy, a haven for foragers, to meet our special guest, Marta Udalowa. Originally hailing from Poland, Marta has turned her passion f…
EP44: A Year on Wild Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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EP39: What's That Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss... The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pi…
EP38: Let's Talk Trespass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing. Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature…