Recently, whilst out on a run, I went too near some stinging nettles and OUCH! – got stung. Luckily, I immediately knew what to do.
I found a dock leaf of course, and rubbed the affected area. Pain over and my run was saved!
I feel like I’ve always known that cure and I’m sure it’s something that most of you will have been told as a child as well.
It is a very old piece of knowledge that has lasted over countless generations, just one of many nuggets of wisdom about plants which has survived, along with things like carrots being good for your eyes, and mint aiding digestion, through story, song and at learned at the knee of a family elder. It comes from a time when it was vital to have an understanding of the botanical world around you..of those plants which were nice, and those that were not so nice.
My guest for this episode is Amanda Edmiston. Amanda is a professional storyteller, with a background and ancestry steeped in knowledge of Herbal Medicine. Her stories involve a wide range of characters from myth and legend and their encounters with and uses of herbs, flowers, trees, weeds..and a whole lot more. Plants and herbs have always been an important to her and it was fascinating to talk to about their folklore, and the wisdom contained there, not just about what they can be used for, but also how to treat them with respect, and work with them to a mutual advantage. In a time when modern society faces some of it’s greatest ever ecological challenges, these stories are more relevant than ever and offer a chance to connect with nature on a whole new level.
In the interview, we also discussed the use of certain plants in sympathetic magic, as well as the current growing popularity of permaculture. It was excellent stuff all round.
For more details on Amanda's work, her wonderful website can be found here.
Intro music:
Music from https://www.purple-planet.com/
'Hubbub' by Chris Martyn/Geoff Harvey.
Episode 38 - Lilith Dorsey - Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens
Episode 37 - Dr Thomas Waters - Cursed Britain
Episode 36 - Mike Clelland - Owls, Synchronicity and the UFO Abductee
Episode 35 - Dr Becca Tarnas - Journeying to the Imaginal Realm
Episode 34 - James Franklin - Manx Notes and Queries
Episode 33 - Corjan Mol - The Mystery of Rennes-le- Chateau
Episode 32 - Dan Shaw - Vortexes and Earth Energies
Episode 31 - Amanda Woomer - The Spook Eats Blog
Episode 30 - Christopher Josiffe - The mystery of Gef the Mongoose
Episode 29 - Sara Schick - Mother Joseph and the Hidden bricks
Episode 28 - Dick Khan - DMT and My Occult Mind
Episode 27 - Matt Hopewell - Gorillas and ghostly gloves
Episode 26 - Dr Amy Hale - The Magical Life of Ithell Colquhoun
Episode 25 - Kiki Dombrowski - A Curious Future
Episode 24 - Listener Stories - Steve Mills
Episode 23 - Dr Kate Laity - Leonora Carrington and The Hearing Trumpet
Episode 22 - Andy Burnham - The Old Stones
Episode 21 - Ailish Jane - What is a sense of place?
Episode 20 - Matthew Meyer - Yokai and Japanese Folklore
Episode 19 - Garrett Kelly & Jeremy Puma - The Liminal Earth project
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL