Bristol Herbalist Lily Canetty-Clarke, MNIMH, explores how a better understanding of seasonal herbs and their medicinal properties could help so many of us. 

Herbal and plant-based medicine has been around for much of human history, and originally its wisdom was held and passed down through generations within families, who used this knowledge to create their own home pharmacy and treat ills. Despite a growing commercial interest in using medicinal plants for scientific discovery and pharmaceutical drugs, our knowledge of how the plants around us help heal and nourish our bodies is fading. Plants aren’t solely for beauty products or food – they are also full of phytochemicals that have a medicinal effect on the human body. 

Here are 12 medicinal plant stories from Lily, one for each month – to help inspire a new generation of “home herbalists” and to start to reclaim the knowledge we would once have all known. 

You can also follow Lily on Instagram for more amazing herbal knowledge

Each month we’ll post the herb for that month; make sure you follow us on our socials (links at the top of the page) to get reminded when they appear!