Talks for 2026

Shóna Patterson, a vet with a deep interest in herbs, looks at how we can use plant medicine to maintain the health of our companion animals.

Caroline Gilmartin, fermentologist from Every Good Thing, returns with tips to support your gut microflora by making your own kombucha (fermented tea) and kefir (fermented milk).

Medical herbalist Ellen Rowland, of AmberLuna Apothecary in Bristol, is the author of ‘The Healing Power of Scent’. She explains how aromatherapy can promote well-being, and how aromatic molecules interact with our olfactory pathways to create hormonal, neurological and memory responses.

In a replacement for our original July talk, we are delighted to welcome herbalist Helen Gray of Bristol-based Malago Medicinals, who returns to look at plants that are at hand to support us when we are feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. With sales of salves, infused oils and teas.

Our President Sebastian Pole, who is trained in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and Western herbalism, tells us about Herbal Reality, a fantastic online resource for information about health and herbal medicine (with tastings and stories).*