Herbalism and Medicine Making Day with Elena Tornberg-Lennox

Come and explore nature in a new way at this Herbalism Walk and Medicine-Making Day led by Elena Tornberg-Lennox.

You will discover the history and medicinal uses of plants, deepening your appreciation and understanding of them and how humans have connected to them throughout time.

As we move into autumn, when the days are cooler and the nights are crisper, the abundance of the natural world invites us to explore her gifts. So many of the plants we walk past every day have medicinal properties, with some that might surprise you. Even bramble leaves and the humble nettle offer incredible health benefits, while haws can support the heart and joints and rosehips contain around 40 times more vitamin C than oranges.

Throughout the session, Elena will share her ecological and herbal knowledge as you explore a different way of connecting with nature. Together, you will walk the land, identifying medicinal plants, discussing their uses and learning how to forage for them respectfully. You'll then enjoy a tasting of wild herbal teas before making your own hedgerow syrup, created over the firepit, to take home.

Timings:

10am: Arrival and welcome

11.30am: Walk of site

1pm: Lunch (please bring own)

2pm: Medicine Making Session over the firepit

4pm: Session ends

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day

About your guide, Elena Tornberg-Lennox:

Elena is a herbalist, ecologist, storyteller and rewilder, and loves to help people find ways to connect with the land and nature. Elena believes deeply in finding practical ways to work with the land, and honouring the natural rhythms and processes of the natural world.

Elena says, “By learning to work with plants, we notice more and create a deep connection with the world around us. To be able to name and understand a plant creates a relationship that will last. What we know, we can protect. Rewilding also needs us to rewild ourselves, and understand ourselves as a part of nature”.

Clothing and other considerations

We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground and wellingtons if the weather has been very wet in the days leading up to the event. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat. To reduce the chance of ticks finding their way inside clothing, we recommend long trousers tucked into socks. We also recommend bringing a water bottle, preferably a reusable one. You will be able to top it up at the site.

Accessibility

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, or find out more, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk Assistance dogs are welcome. If you have any additional accessibility requirements or questions, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this tour and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast, low numbers or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children over 14 are welcome as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Any proceeds from your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal. You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

We can't offer accommodation outside of our camping season at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton some are listed here

Transport

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all event participants. We encourage list sharing where possible.