EP12: Passion potions

Many moons ago I met two awesome ‘herbalistas’ called Karen and Fiona at the first Radical Herbalism Gathering (RHG).

RHG is definitely a weekend I recommend you get to, if you like earthy herbalists who talk about real issues rather than just how to make your face look pretty with plants!

Back then Karen and Fiona where known as the Witch Doctors, but recently they have been joined by the wonderful Belle and re-invented themselves as The Seed SistAs.

Collectively they run Sensory Solutions Herbal Evolution which is an arts and health-education community interest company.

These plant funksters promote empowerment, autonomy, freedom, health and diversity through teaching plant medicine.

Personally I like rooty, earthy, practical and radical plant folk.

I suppose it’s because “punk rock” still sings in my heart, even if these days the fury, rage and self-destruction has been tempered and replaced with kindness, compassion, equanimity and appreciation.

Punk was always about taking back our own power from the usurpers and cultural manipulators.

To “be your own authority” was a clarion call to freedom at a time when the government was mouthing hot air, making promises to get your vote, and delivering nothing once in power.

That was back in the 1970s and 1980s (before some of you reading this where even born!)… and oh my… not a lot seems to have changed. If anything its got worse!

Fear not however… for hope has a funny way to overcome despair, and the Seed SistAs are at hand to help put a little spring in your step, and lightness back in your heart.

It’s always a blessing to hang out with them, and I was lucky enough to spend time one afternoon to get their puck-like, free-spirited approach to herbal medicine and plants recorded for posterity.

So without much ado, I’d like to introduce you to the wonderful Seed SistAs chin-wagging about Passion Potions and Wild Herbalism as well as all things plants.

About The Seeds Sistas

Seed Sistas Sensory Solutions

Sensory Solutions Herbal Evolution is an arts and health-education, Community Interest Company run by the Seed SistAs, Fiona, Karen and Belle. We promote empowerment, autonomy, freedom, health, and diversity through teaching about plant medicine. All our courses, publications, talks and tours promote the aims of the CIC: to educate about and promote the growing and use of herbal medicine. We combine medical training and years of clinical experience with our love of creativity and plants to put herbal medicine back where it belongs: in your hands.

Like so much in this fast paced materialistic society, it is easy to ignore the connections between a bottle on the shelf in a health food shop and a living, growing plant out in our local surroundings. Many of the herbs contained in bottles in shops come from other continents. We use local plants and aim to demystify complicated medical jargon with something accessible to all.

We believe that a positive shift occurs in each person that is educated about the harvesting and utilisation of herbal medicine. A reconnection with our beautiful plants and planet ensues. That’s how we will be able to build a whole new system of healing relevant to today. A system that takes the pressure off the NHS by empowering people to treat their minor ailments with abundantly growing herbs and a system that builds healthy communities by connecting people to their local plants, to each other, good health and our beautiful Earth.

Comment

  1. As a holistic aromatherapist, botanical perfumer, plant grower, distiller and country person I really resonate with this Podcast. I have met briefly over the years with the Sistas in festivals and I live now in Slaughterford so have a little connection. It’s great to hear herbalists working with energy of the plants deeply beyond their physical effects. I’ve been working with essential oils in this way and the aromas as well of the taste also lead into the secret of the gifts the plants give us. Much of what you talked abut has inspired my passion today. Like the powders so much. Thank you!

    • Hello Lindsay,

      Thank you for your kind comments, glad you like the powders…
      Try and get back out into the festival fields this summer would be ace to reconnect we shall be at Glasto, Druid camp, Boom Town n Soul Circus…come find us and we’ll share a cuppa herbage!

      love love love
      Seed SistAs
      Kare, Fi n Belle

  2. Awesome talk by awesome people! You can’t listen to this and not want to get on some Passion Potion!
    Such a great way of looking at plant medicine by listening to the plants and what they’re telling you rather than reading dry souless textbooks.
    Love you guys xxx

  3. Inspiring and thought-provoking, thank you for putting this into the world! Loved the stories of Daisy and the Dragon’s Breath/ Passion Potion – I was feeling fired up just hearing about it! Also loved hearing of Belle’s seed pilgrimage. Can’t wait to join you all for more herb magic in September! K x

  4. SO so so FABULOUS to hear the gorgeous Seed Sist(A)s talking about their history and connection, and their Passion Potion, to the plants as herbalists.
    Just amazing to hear about their mission and teaching. It’s really made me feel totally inspired to run out and explore what medicines are on offer in my locale here in Australia!
    I loved hearing about Karen and Fi’s experience with the joyous Daisy, and Belle’s pilgrimage of the seeds! Just wow!
    Love, Love, Love it all!

  5. Tuning in from Vietnam.
    Great to hear such passion for the plants.
    Over here,plant medicine is still an integral part of day-to-day life. Healing/healthy plants are consumed with almost every meal – i’ve got a lot to learn, but fascinated.
    So good to hear all of your voices
    keep up the good work
    love from over here
    xxx

  6. Fab chat! Particularly inspired by the talk of reconnection with the plants and medicines of our grandmothers, reconnection with our spirit and with our local land and plants. Passion Potion sounds amazing, I am also passionate about freedom and the reawakening of people. I loved the story of the seed pilgrimage, I feel that loss of habitat means that bringing seed home and wilding our gardens is vital. I have been inspired by Mary Reynolds ‘The Garden Awakening’ and now Belle to get out and rewild the garden. Thank you for sharing your passion, experience and spirit with us. Xxx

  7. So lush to hear you speak n recall the good ol daisy days. Brings alot up 4 me. In admiration of your neverending inspiration always at the wild edge whilst with deep rapport and rootyness. Love you always. Look forward to the seed stressing xxx

  8. Love this podcast! Especially the anecdotes about pickin fairies and passion potion! I really want to try some now! This goes way beyond herbalism that’s for sure. This is magick! ??????

  9. Fabulous insight into the work and inspiration of the seed sistas. So beautiful to hear your connection to the pure communication of plants and the invitation to engage with their subtle energies. It speaks to my understanding of plant medicine from my perspective as a homeopath but in a way that simplifies our access to their power. I love your offerings so deeply.

  10. Wow , thanks for this podcast ! So interesting to hear about the herbs in their different aspects and how they can be used in different ways.
    For me too the connection to the herbs not only physically but also emotionally is such an important aspect and not something i had really thought about much before. Just Fab !!!

  11. Wow, you ladies are so inspiring! I met these ladies recently and got all sorts of fantastic advice to help my ailments naturally.

    I love how passionate and knowledgeable you all about which natural herbs can be used to help with aches and pains that I had just come to accept as normal.

    Keep up the good work girls, can’t wait to hear you again soon x

  12. How wonderful podcast! I love how you guys can share the deep knowledge you got and having loads of fun doing it, it’s beautifully contagious 🙂 and inspiring! It’s a pleasure to listen about your views and ways. Thank you!!!

  13. Thank you for this podcast. What a treat to hear such entertaining and interesting, informative women discussing a different approach to herbal medicine. I liked how they encourage connection, both to plants in their natural growing environment and also to one another in our disconnected world. Their grounded, rootsy approach, and fantastic humour is really encouraging me to go out and take a bigger look at the plants growing around my home, to see how I can create my own deeper connections with them. I look forward to discovering more. Thank you Seed SistAs, for your passion and hope you keep being the first ones on the dance floor, igniting us all with your warmth and full open-heartedness. Xx

  14. I love this! Thank you so much for sharing your story and knowledge. I love the Passion Potion- I share it with friends before we go out. It’s a powerful and fun medicine. See you in a field over the summer! XxX

  15. Absolutely LOVED this!!! The way they speak and how the words come across is simply beautiful with life and laughter added in. I could listen to them talking all day! So much passion and an infinite amount of knowledge about herbs, the importance of connections, spirit, life and nature. LOVE IT. Feel totally inspired and curious to explore anything herb related and to take myself back to nature.

  16. Lovely to hear you all, see you at Druid camp xxxx Im having a lovely time with Jack by the hedge and ground ivy at the moment, rock on xxxxstill think of you when i eat daisies.

  17. A fun broadcast. Good to hear how allis connected and brought so jolly by the seed sistas. So much to learn each time but with such enthusiasm as we experience I want just more of it! Fun education with tasters and realistic connection to the herb/plant. A unique approach by three most talented and entertaining wild woman hahaha 🙂 <3

  18. Many thanks for this talk! The power of seeds, the power of plants, it’s so a captivating “field” (;-)), as a curative and preventive medicine. You’re a part of the guardians of Mother Earth’s secretes, you spread your knowledges with love for Nature and give hope and power for the people. Thanks a lot, take care of you and see you surrounded by plants.

  19. Loved this podcast ladies. one of my first experiences of taking my healing into my own hands was through you introducing me to herbs and their healings. I can certainly say that my knowledge and passion for herbs started with you guys…and those daisies and our herb walks. So refreshing to hear you talk about the spirit of the herb and it’s fundamental role in healing. Come to Cyprus and spread your passions here!

  20. Loved this podcast, true education (to draw from within) inspiring and enlightening. Lovely to know connection between people and things exists and is alive and thriving … slowly, quietly, kindly: a balm for the distraction, separation and disintegration that appears so dominant at the moment.
    Thank you.

  21. What a good listen! Informative, accessible, an excellent snapshot of fine practical realistic holistic supportive herbalism! Keep up the good work SeedSistAs

  22. What a brilliant podcast and completely resonate with your way of working with the plants. Love it thanks so much for bringing you all into my lounge – together with the energy of Daisy and Valerian! Fantastic!!! Loads of love and hoping to cross paths in real time sometime soon

  23. How inspiring ladies! I’d never thought about daisy in that light and I love the idea of making a syrup. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to hearing more from you all. Its always good to learn more about the plants that are so local and accessible. Flower power to the maximum!

  24. Hello familly?! Thank you for sharing this awesome podcast. I totally agree with your ideas..we also live with many kinds of herbs in Morocco which is good and very healthy and very important for sickness, also give you power and energy. Thank you for your lovely decision to let and help people to know more and more. Hope to see you next time inchalah?

  25. Intriguing and beguiling as always! Sensory solutions seem to always connect me to something mysterious and deep in nature. The world feels more alive after hearing your words. Thank you

  26. A wonderful podcast that give me insight into what it means to communicate with plants and how they show their properties, all told with such fun and passion. I found myself dancing in the kitchen, infected by the spirit of the passion potion 🙂

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