How to begin learning about natural medicines

I've lived in London my whole life with not as much connection to nature as I wish. I'm trying to learn how to be more sustainable and connected to the earth and going through PEP is helping a lot. I've been improving my cooking and trying to use more seasonal ingredients, but my next step is to open the door to natural medicine.

I only know the basics like having ginger tea when I'm congested, but I don't even know if that's true or just what my grandma told me. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to start learning about natural medicines, specifically from UK based plants? I'm definitely willing to buy books to learn more.

If there's one resource i would recommend to just about anyone, its "The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival by Katrina Blair"

It has medicinal uses (and edible uses) for weeds found worldwide. It is simple, clearly written and the author embraces permaculture. I used to live in the UK, all these plants are widespread there (and for the uk specifically, I would suggest reading up on medicinal uses for Nettles, those things are everywhere).

I cannot recommend this book enough, it really helped me get my mindset away from exotic, expensive herbs imported from accross the world and instead looking right in my own neighbourhood and garden for healing herbs.

Thanks for the recommendation, Daniel! I'll add it my books-to-buy list.

There definitely are a tonne of stinging nettles here and I know of a nearby patch. Time to do some researching and looking into a sting-proof gloves!

I used books by Stephen H Buhner, I have his "Herbal Antibiotics" and here is another:

https://permies.com/wiki/138006/Herbal-Antivirals-Natural-Remedies-Emerging

Sharon Tilgner is a member of the forum:

https://permies.com/wiki/158032/Herbal-Medicine-Herbs-Dr-Sharol

I have learned a lot just reading the forums and the PEP threads.

I'm in the US so these recommendations may not be helpful. Some of my favorites are Kami McBride, Stephen H Buhner, Rosalee de la Foret, and Rosemary Gladstar. I just started reading Robin Rose Bennett and am enjoying her, too. The jump into natural medicine is a deep hole but a fun one!

Addy Fletcher wrote:I've lived in London my whole life with not as much connection to nature as I wish. I'm trying to learn how to be more sustainable and connected to the earth and going through PEP is helping a lot. I've been improving my cooking and trying to use more seasonal ingredients, but my next step is to open the door to natural medicine.

I only know the basics like having ginger tea when I'm congested, but I don't even know if that's true or just what my grandma told me. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to start learning about natural medicines, specifically from UK based plants? I'm definitely willing to buy books to learn more.

Sarah Donaghue is in Cornwall.  She has an excellent newsletter on substack, called the Herbalist's diary.  Shhe is a friend and I fully endorse her work!

Another one of our members who is an author is in the UK so her book might be very helpful.

https://permies.com/u/273646/Anne-Stobart

Anne Stobart is an experienced consultant medical herbalist, herb grower and researcher in the UK. She co-founded Holt Wood Herbs, a permaculture project transforming a redundant conifer plantation into a medicinal forest garden. Anne has led a professional programme for training clinical herbal practitioners at Middlesex University in London, UK.

https://permies.com/wiki/132211/Medicinal-Forest-Garden-Handbook-Anne

There is this option too:

https://veganherbal.com/

Thank you everyone for your lovely replies! I'll start looking into these