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The Jane Austen Flowers Growbar
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The Artists Flowers Growbar
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The Georgian Flowers Growbar
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The Biblical Herbs Growbar
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The William Morris Flowers Growbar
Price£10.99
The Roman Herbs Growbar
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The Medieval Herbs Growbar
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The Tudor Herbs Growbar
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Indoor Herb Growing Kit
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Shoots Tray | Plant | Grow | Garden
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Seedbed Essentials Kit | Plant | Grow | Garden
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Greenhouse Essentials Kit | Plant | Grow | Garden
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Allotment Essentials Kit | Plant | Grow | Garden
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What a gorgeous day and location for today's herbal tea blending workshop at @garsons_esher ☕🌱

It is (not) unfortunate that I ended up leaving with more herbs than I brought with me to be added to my herb garden 🤭

Don't worry if you haven't made it along to our workshops yet at any of our venues, more dates will be added soon! 👀 🎪 🌱

#herbaltea #TeaLovers #teadrinkers #herbologist #herbalmedicine

What a gorgeous day and location for today's herbal tea blending workshop at @garsons_esher ☕🌱

It is (not) unfortunate that I ended up leaving with more herbs than I brought with me to be added to my herb garden 🤭

Don't worry if you haven't made it along to our workshops yet at any of our venues, more dates will be added soon! 👀 🎪 🌱

#herbaltea #TeaLovers #teadrinkers #herbologist #herbalmedicine

Happy Earth Day 🌎🐝🌱

How lucky we are to share this space with such an incredible range of extraordinary plants and creatures!

One of my favourite things to photograph is insects, (especially bees and ladybirds) going about their daily business,there's just something very calming about watching them 💚 🐝 🐞 🌼

#EarthDay #nature #insect #beeslife herbologist

Happy Earth Day 🌎🐝🌱

How lucky we are to share this space with such an incredible range of extraordinary plants and creatures!

One of my favourite things to photograph is insects, (especially bees and ladybirds) going about their daily business,there's just something very calming about watching them 💚 🐝 🐞 🌼

#EarthDay #nature #insect #beeslife herbologist

Have you ever noticed that Forget-me-nots have different colour centres? This nifty little ombre effect is a result of pollinators! 💙 💛 🤍

The yellow centre indicates that pollen is still available to collect, whereas white shows that there's nothing left! An incredible way that pollinators will never "forget" where they've been! 🐝

#beesofinstagram #forgetmenot #floriography #flowershop #nature

Have you ever noticed that Forget-me-nots have different colour centres? This nifty little ombre effect is a result of pollinators! 💙 💛 🤍

The yellow centre indicates that pollen is still available to collect, whereas white shows that there's nothing left! An incredible way that pollinators will never "forget" where they've been! 🐝

#beesofinstagram #forgetmenot #floriography #flowershop #nature

What's in a name? 🌹 One of today's talks at @rhswisley was a repeat favourite, The Secret Language of Flowers or Floriography.

In the 1810's, French publishers began creating Flower Dictionaries, explaining the hidden meanings of beloved plants based on legend, folklore, and superstition (although symbolism and floral iconography goes back much further). The Victorians went crazy for the trend of floriography, allowing them to send encoded messages to lovers, enemies, friends, and family, bypassing the era's social etiquette...

Some of this symbolism has lasted into modern life; after all, who doesn't associate clovers with luck and good fortune, or roses with love, or, of course, the beautiful but aptly named forget-me-nots! 🍀

The books shown from my personal collection - "The Coloured Language of Flowers by Mrs L Burke 1890"
"The Language and Poetry of Flowers by Marcus Ward and Co. 1889"

#rhswisley #herbologist #studyofherbs #floriography #education

What's in a name? 🌹 One of today's talks at @rhswisley was a repeat favourite, The Secret Language of Flowers or Floriography.

In the 1810's, French publishers began creating Flower Dictionaries, explaining the hidden meanings of beloved plants based on legend, folklore, and superstition (although symbolism and floral iconography goes back much further). The Victorians went crazy for the trend of floriography, allowing them to send encoded messages to lovers, enemies, friends, and family, bypassing the era's social etiquette...

Some of this symbolism has lasted into modern life; after all, who doesn't associate clovers with luck and good fortune, or roses with love, or, of course, the beautiful but aptly named forget-me-nots! 🍀

The books shown from my personal collection - "The Coloured Language of Flowers by Mrs L Burke 1890"
"The Language and Poetry of Flowers by Marcus Ward and Co. 1889"

#rhswisley #herbologist #studyofherbs #floriography #education

If you haven't been to @rhswisley recently, you're missing out on the absolute spectacular display of tulips all across the garden!

What a wonderful and cheerful array of colour on a Monday morning! 🌈💙 💜 💚 💛 🧡 🩷 🤍

#tulips #apothecary #herbgarden #garden #rhswisley

If you haven't been to @rhswisley recently, you're missing out on the absolute spectacular display of tulips all across the garden!

What a wonderful and cheerful array of colour on a Monday morning! 🌈💙 💜 💚 💛 🧡 🩷 🤍

#tulips #apothecary #herbgarden #garden #rhswisley

A really lovely review has just come in from the last Botanical Pigment & Ink Workshop we held which has made my weekend! Any reviews, whether online or by word of mouth make the world of difference to a small business like ours!

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Our next Botanical Pigment Workshop with availabile space is June 13th but more dates will be released soon! Details can be found on our website or Eventbrite!

#natureworkshops #natureinspiredcrafts #herbs #apothecary #herbgarden

A really lovely review has just come in from the last Botanical Pigment & Ink Workshop we held which has made my weekend! Any reviews, whether online or by word of mouth make the world of difference to a small business like ours!

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Our next Botanical Pigment Workshop with availabile space is June 13th but more dates will be released soon! Details can be found on our website or Eventbrite!

#natureworkshops #natureinspiredcrafts #herbs #apothecary #herbgarden

Thank you so much to everyone to today's talks at @rhswisley! 🎉🙏

Don't worry if you didn't make it in time, I'm back next Sunday at 11.30am and 12.30pm, I haven't decided what I'm talking about yet but you can guarantee it'll be related to history and to herbs!! 😉🌱

Plus if there's a topic of herbs you're looking to learn more about at one of the Hilltop live talks, let me know! I'm always looking to expand my collection of offerings!
#herbalmedicine #herbalism #education historical #talk

What talks should I do next Sunday?

Thank you so much to everyone to today's talks at @rhswisley! 🎉🙏

Don't worry if you didn't make it in time, I'm back next Sunday at 11.30am and 12.30pm, I haven't decided what I'm talking about yet but you can guarantee it'll be related to history and to herbs!! 😉🌱

Plus if there's a topic of herbs you're looking to learn more about at one of the Hilltop live talks, let me know! I'm always looking to expand my collection of offerings!
#herbalmedicine #herbalism #education historical #talk

What talks should I do next Sunday?

Coming to RHS Garden Wisley on Easter Sunday? Why not head up to Hilltop and catch one of the free talks?💬 📣

Evolution of Herbal Medicine
Delve into the history of some commonly used medicinal plants from across the World and exploring how they’ve shaped our world for harm or for healing for over 49,000 years at 11.30am & 1.30pm⚕️ 🩺 🐊 ☠️

or

Floriography: The Secret Language of Flowers
Explore the hidden language of flowers popularised by the Victorians, allowing friends, enemies and lovers to send secret messages, bypassing the social etiquette of the era at 11.30am & 2.30pm! 🌸 🌹 🌻

I'll have a display of fascinating books dating all the way from the 1500's, and a selection of herbs for you to explore! 🔎 ✨ 📜

Either way, you'll never look at plants the same way afterwards....! 🌱😉

#apothecary #herbgarden #herbalmedicine #historical #education

Coming to RHS Garden Wisley on Easter Sunday? Why not head up to Hilltop and catch one of the free talks?💬 📣

Evolution of Herbal Medicine
Delve into the history of some commonly used medicinal plants from across the World and exploring how they’ve shaped our world for harm or for healing for over 49,000 years at 11.30am & 1.30pm⚕️ 🩺 🐊 ☠️

or

Floriography: The Secret Language of Flowers
Explore the hidden language of flowers popularised by the Victorians, allowing friends, enemies and lovers to send secret messages, bypassing the social etiquette of the era at 11.30am & 2.30pm! 🌸 🌹 🌻

I'll have a display of fascinating books dating all the way from the 1500's, and a selection of herbs for you to explore! 🔎 ✨ 📜

Either way, you'll never look at plants the same way afterwards....! 🌱😉

#apothecary #herbgarden #herbalmedicine #historical #education

Come and spend 30 seconds with me processing Asphodel seeds at @rhswisley!🌱

Asphodel or Asphodeline lutea was mentioned in Dioscorides "De Materia Medica" in 50AD!

The name is derived from a Greek word for "sceptre". Dioscorides recommends it for treating gout. The roots were to be cooked in ashes and eaten. He also recommends it for curing ulcers, infections, tuberculosis, ear infections, toothache, and as a purgative and diuretic to regulate menstruation.

In Greek mythology its also associated with death and the underworld leading to one of its nicknames "flower of the dead" 🌸 💀

I do love that the seeds look like tiny shark teeth!🦈

#seeds #gardening #nature #herbs #plants

Come and spend 30 seconds with me processing Asphodel seeds at @rhswisley!🌱

Asphodel or Asphodeline lutea was mentioned in Dioscorides "De Materia Medica" in 50AD!

The name is derived from a Greek word for "sceptre". Dioscorides recommends it for treating gout. The roots were to be cooked in ashes and eaten. He also recommends it for curing ulcers, infections, tuberculosis, ear infections, toothache, and as a purgative and diuretic to regulate menstruation.

In Greek mythology its also associated with death and the underworld leading to one of its nicknames "flower of the dead" 🌸 💀

I do love that the seeds look like tiny shark teeth!🦈

#seeds #gardening #nature #herbs #plants

So excited to be partnering with @garsons_esher to run our Herbal Tea Blending event in their fabulous Tipi on Friday 24th April 10am-12.30pm!

Join us in The Tipi to learn how to concoct your own herbal tea blends. During this hands-on sensory workshop, you'll have the chance to experiment with various ingredients and techniques to craft a brew perfectly suited to your taste.

You'll also explore the history, folklore, and superstitions surrounding herbal plants and spices, as well as their incredible hidden benefits. Whether you're a tea enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and relaxing morning out, this is an event for you, where you'll leave with new knowledge of herbal teas - no previous experience needed.

All materials are provided. This event workshop will take place at The Tipi, Garsons, Esher, Surrey.

£45 per person, which includes:
🌱Up to 2.5-hour workshop run by The Historical Herbologist, Kayleigh Sinclair
🌱Take home your own custom blends of tea
🌱A special The Historical Herbologist goodie bag
🌱Complimentary drink voucher for The Orangery restaurant at Garsons* - given at the end of the 🌱event
🌱20% off plants voucher for Garsons Garden Centre* - given at the end of the event

#apothecary #natureworkshops #natureinspiredcrafts #plantbasedworkshops #herbalmedicine

So excited to be partnering with @garsons_esher to run our Herbal Tea Blending event in their fabulous Tipi on Friday 24th April 10am-12.30pm!

Join us in The Tipi to learn how to concoct your own herbal tea blends. During this hands-on sensory workshop, you'll have the chance to experiment with various ingredients and techniques to craft a brew perfectly suited to your taste.

You'll also explore the history, folklore, and superstitions surrounding herbal plants and spices, as well as their incredible hidden benefits. Whether you're a tea enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and relaxing morning out, this is an event for you, where you'll leave with new knowledge of herbal teas - no previous experience needed.

All materials are provided. This event workshop will take place at The Tipi, Garsons, Esher, Surrey.

£45 per person, which includes:
🌱Up to 2.5-hour workshop run by The Historical Herbologist, Kayleigh Sinclair
🌱Take home your own custom blends of tea
🌱A special The Historical Herbologist goodie bag
🌱Complimentary drink voucher for The Orangery restaurant at Garsons* - given at the end of the 🌱event
🌱20% off plants voucher for Garsons Garden Centre* - given at the end of the event

#apothecary #natureworkshops #natureinspiredcrafts #plantbasedworkshops #herbalmedicine

Thank you to everyone (furry or not) who came along to see us at @packhousefarnham today!

Don't worry if you missed out, we'll be back tomorrow bright and early stocking our lovely range of handpicked UK brands including:

@earthsongseeds
@bobella.co
@willowandblossombotanicals
@silkpursesowsear
@seilich_botanicals
@stinginthetailltd
@growbaruk
and more! 🌱✨

Can't visit us in person? Our online apothecary is available 24/7 full of botanical inspiration!

#shopsmall #shoplocal #apothecary #herbgarden #smallbusiness

Thank you to everyone (furry or not) who came along to see us at @packhousefarnham today!

Don't worry if you missed out, we'll be back tomorrow bright and early stocking our lovely range of handpicked UK brands including:

@earthsongseeds
@bobella.co
@willowandblossombotanicals
@silkpursesowsear
@seilich_botanicals
@stinginthetailltd
@growbaruk
and more! 🌱✨

Can't visit us in person? Our online apothecary is available 24/7 full of botanical inspiration!

#shopsmall #shoplocal #apothecary #herbgarden #smallbusiness

The Celtic Druids are thought to have greatly revered the clover. It is said that St. Patrick explained the mystery of the holy trinity to Ethne & Fedein, the daughters of Loghaire, king of Ireland by using a shamrock or clover leaf. 🍀

Clovers became a symbol of the Irish St. Patrick, who killed a serpent wth a clover leaf-shaped staff.⚕️🐍
The shamrock is a national emblem of Ireland in equal importance of the Scottish thistle & the Enlgish rose. It’s celebrated on March 17th in memory of Saint Patrick arriving in Ireland in the fourth century!

What is a Shamrock?
The true identity of a shamrock remains a mystery, some people believe it’s a species of clover such as white clover (Trifolium repens), lesser yellow trefoil (Trifolium dubium Sibth), red clover (Trifolium pratense), the Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), wood sorrel (oxalis acetosella) or even watercress ( Nasturtium officinale)!

The Irish seamróg, purely translates just to “little clover” but the one the Irish guards wear on the St Patricks day parade is trefoil.

Whatever seamróg you celebrate with today...
Sláinte! 🍻

#nature #stpatricksday☘️ #herbology #herbalmedicine #gardening

The Celtic Druids are thought to have greatly revered the clover. It is said that St. Patrick explained the mystery of the holy trinity to Ethne & Fedein, the daughters of Loghaire, king of Ireland by using a shamrock or clover leaf. 🍀

Clovers became a symbol of the Irish St. Patrick, who killed a serpent wth a clover leaf-shaped staff.⚕️🐍
The shamrock is a national emblem of Ireland in equal importance of the Scottish thistle & the Enlgish rose. It’s celebrated on March 17th in memory of Saint Patrick arriving in Ireland in the fourth century!

What is a Shamrock?
The true identity of a shamrock remains a mystery, some people believe it’s a species of clover such as white clover (Trifolium repens), lesser yellow trefoil (Trifolium dubium Sibth), red clover (Trifolium pratense), the Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), wood sorrel (oxalis acetosella) or even watercress ( Nasturtium officinale)!

The Irish seamróg, purely translates just to “little clover” but the one the Irish guards wear on the St Patricks day parade is trefoil.

Whatever seamróg you celebrate with today...
Sláinte! 🍻

#nature #stpatricksday☘️ #herbology #herbalmedicine #gardening

A welcome friend of gardeners everywhere, ladybirds are steeped in symbolism much like herbs (and seen here gallivanting on cleavers!)

Associated with good luck and prosperity in almost every culture they're always a joy to see in the garden! 🐞✨

When a ladybird would land on me as a child, I would let it climb to the top of my finger and make a wish as it flew off!

#nature #wildlife #gardening #herbalism #plantsofinstagram

A welcome friend of gardeners everywhere, ladybirds are steeped in symbolism much like herbs (and seen here gallivanting on cleavers!)

Associated with good luck and prosperity in almost every culture they're always a joy to see in the garden! 🐞✨

When a ladybird would land on me as a child, I would let it climb to the top of my finger and make a wish as it flew off!

#nature #wildlife #gardening #herbalism #plantsofinstagram

Ti's the season... Wild garlic harvest time! 🌱💚

Now to wash, prep and make a wonderful array of deliciously pungent wild garlic delights!

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #herbalmedicine #foraging #herbologist

Ti's the season... Wild garlic harvest time! 🌱💚

Now to wash, prep and make a wonderful array of deliciously pungent wild garlic delights!

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #herbalmedicine #foraging #herbologist

It's so lovely to have the longer evenings creeping in to be able to spend more time outside in nature. 🌱🐝🌳

I'm trying to make a mindful effort to slow down more and eat more with the seasons including more foraged foods 🍄‍🟫🥬🌰 It's an interesting adjustment and definitely takes some deliberate unlearning especially when surrounded by and so used to convenience!

If anyone has any tips, tricks and ideas - let me know! 🤔💡

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #herbalmedicine #herbalism #food

It's so lovely to have the longer evenings creeping in to be able to spend more time outside in nature. 🌱🐝🌳

I'm trying to make a mindful effort to slow down more and eat more with the seasons including more foraged foods 🍄‍🟫🥬🌰 It's an interesting adjustment and definitely takes some deliberate unlearning especially when surrounded by and so used to convenience!

If anyone has any tips, tricks and ideas - let me know! 🤔💡

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #herbalmedicine #herbalism #food

Don't forget to pop down to @packhousefarnham to come and say hello to us! We're here until 4.30pm(ish) and full of beautiful botanical gifts and goodies!💐🌹🌻🌿

Stock is running low of @stinginthetailltd and @bobella.co so don't miss out!

Plus a free seed packet of your choice with every purchase! 🌱🙌

Don't worry if you miss us today, we'll be back for a whole weekend on the 21st & 22nd March! 🎉💚

#apothecary #herbgarden #gardening #gardeninspiration #herbology

Don't forget to pop down to @packhousefarnham to come and say hello to us! We're here until 4.30pm(ish) and full of beautiful botanical gifts and goodies!💐🌹🌻🌿

Stock is running low of @stinginthetailltd and @bobella.co so don't miss out!

Plus a free seed packet of your choice with every purchase! 🌱🙌

Don't worry if you miss us today, we'll be back for a whole weekend on the 21st & 22nd March! 🎉💚

#apothecary #herbgarden #gardening #gardeninspiration #herbology

Reuploaded as the picture was squiffy!🧐

I think there is no better smell to indicate that spring has arrived than the smell of wild garlic wafting through the air and being crushed underfoot. It's also a secret indicator of ancient woodland that once fed our ancestors, yet only 2.5% of ancient woodland remains today!🌲🌳🪾

I managed to stumble across a wonderful helping of wild garlic and turkey tail whilst out exploring at the weekend and made up a batch of this gorgeous spring greens soup!🍵🌿🌱

Recipe is available on my blog, link in bio! 🔗👆

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #wildherbs #herbalmedicine #Foraging

Reuploaded as the picture was squiffy!🧐

I think there is no better smell to indicate that spring has arrived than the smell of wild garlic wafting through the air and being crushed underfoot. It's also a secret indicator of ancient woodland that once fed our ancestors, yet only 2.5% of ancient woodland remains today!🌲🌳🪾

I managed to stumble across a wonderful helping of wild garlic and turkey tail whilst out exploring at the weekend and made up a batch of this gorgeous spring greens soup!🍵🌿🌱

Recipe is available on my blog, link in bio! 🔗👆

#foragedfood #foragingwalk #wildherbs #herbalmedicine #Foraging

We are very pleased here at The Historical Herbologist to be supporting Seilich towards reaching their goal of getting to the RHS Chelsea Show 🏆 💐

With all of our support, Seilich will demonstrate sustainable practices & Products to help nature recover at the worlds premier horticulture event!

Seilich has been offered a stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - the world's most influential gardening event. They need our help to raise £12,000 to take a clear message to Chelsea: that wildflower meadows, Wildlife Friendly Growing and nature-positive products are not a niche idea but the future of how we grow and care for nature!

Support will help cover stand and event fees, exhibit design and construction, educational materials and installation of the exhibition!

RHS Chelsea Flower Show shapes how people garden, grow and think about plants for years to come. By taking Seilich to Chelsea, it will:

Share practical ways people can help nature through everyday gardening🧑‍🌾 🪏

Demonstrate a reciprocal Wildlife Friendly way of working with nature🐝 🦋

Showcase wildflower meadows as beautiful, productive spaces 🐛 🐜 🌻 🌷

Share their beautiful, natural tea and skincare with the gardening community☕ 💆

Nature needs all the help we can give it, so for more information, to lean more and if you're able to spare anything to donate, please visit the link in bio! (There's some really fabulous rewards up for grabs too! 🏆)

Thank you! 🌱

#rhsflowershow #chelseaflowershow #wildflowers #herbalmedicine #nature

We are very pleased here at The Historical Herbologist to be supporting Seilich towards reaching their goal of getting to the RHS Chelsea Show 🏆 💐

With all of our support, Seilich will demonstrate sustainable practices & Products to help nature recover at the worlds premier horticulture event!

Seilich has been offered a stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - the world's most influential gardening event. They need our help to raise £12,000 to take a clear message to Chelsea: that wildflower meadows, Wildlife Friendly Growing and nature-positive products are not a niche idea but the future of how we grow and care for nature!

Support will help cover stand and event fees, exhibit design and construction, educational materials and installation of the exhibition!

RHS Chelsea Flower Show shapes how people garden, grow and think about plants for years to come. By taking Seilich to Chelsea, it will:

Share practical ways people can help nature through everyday gardening🧑‍🌾 🪏

Demonstrate a reciprocal Wildlife Friendly way of working with nature🐝 🦋

Showcase wildflower meadows as beautiful, productive spaces 🐛 🐜 🌻 🌷

Share their beautiful, natural tea and skincare with the gardening community☕ 💆

Nature needs all the help we can give it, so for more information, to lean more and if you're able to spare anything to donate, please visit the link in bio! (There's some really fabulous rewards up for grabs too! 🏆)

Thank you! 🌱

#rhsflowershow #chelseaflowershow #wildflowers #herbalmedicine #nature

Although supermarkets are filled to the brim with roses upon roses for Valentines day, the more true association is for the humble violet.

St. Valentine was the name of one or two legendary Christian martyrs who were killed by Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus around 270 CE. One was a priest and physician in Rome, and the other a bishop in Terni, Italy. Both are said to have been executed on 14th February 270 CE, although it’s possible they were the same person.

Our Valentine's traditions are tied to stories of Valentine’s life, both before and during his imprisonment.

Valentine was condemned to death for defying the emperor by secretly marrying couples to spare the husbands from conscription (going to war).

Valentine, whilst in prison, fell in love with his jailor’s daughter, whom he had miraculously cured of blindness. The night before his execution in his last moments, he found some violets growing outside his cell, and crushed them into ink to write a love letter to her. 💌

He signed it off his message with the now infamous “from your Valentine”.

Violet Ink Recipe:

Gather a handful of violet flowers, enough to fill a mug or heatproof jar.

Cover with boiling water and leave to infuse for several hours (ideally overnight)

Add 2-3 drops of vinegar and a pinch of salt to help “fix” the paint

Strain the liquid into a glass jar, add a clove for preservation, and it’s ready to use! 🎨 🖌️

#apothecary #history #valentines #valentinesday #violet

Although supermarkets are filled to the brim with roses upon roses for Valentines day, the more true association is for the humble violet.

St. Valentine was the name of one or two legendary Christian martyrs who were killed by Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus around 270 CE. One was a priest and physician in Rome, and the other a bishop in Terni, Italy. Both are said to have been executed on 14th February 270 CE, although it’s possible they were the same person.

Our Valentine's traditions are tied to stories of Valentine’s life, both before and during his imprisonment.

Valentine was condemned to death for defying the emperor by secretly marrying couples to spare the husbands from conscription (going to war).

Valentine, whilst in prison, fell in love with his jailor’s daughter, whom he had miraculously cured of blindness. The night before his execution in his last moments, he found some violets growing outside his cell, and crushed them into ink to write a love letter to her. 💌

He signed it off his message with the now infamous “from your Valentine”.

Violet Ink Recipe:

Gather a handful of violet flowers, enough to fill a mug or heatproof jar.

Cover with boiling water and leave to infuse for several hours (ideally overnight)

Add 2-3 drops of vinegar and a pinch of salt to help “fix” the paint

Strain the liquid into a glass jar, add a clove for preservation, and it’s ready to use! 🎨 🖌️

#apothecary #history #valentines #valentinesday #violet

Come & say hi to us today @packhousefarnham!

We're full of botanical inspiration and lovely gifts to inspire you to connect with nature!

We'll be here until 5pm!! 🌷🌻🌹🌿

#apothecary #herbgarden #shopping #gardening #seeds

@Bobella @earthsongseeds @stinginthetailltd @silkpursesowsear

Come & say hi to us today @packhousefarnham!

We're full of botanical inspiration and lovely gifts to inspire you to connect with nature!

We'll be here until 5pm!! 🌷🌻🌹🌿

#apothecary #herbgarden #shopping #gardening #seeds

@Bobella @earthsongseeds @stinginthetailltd @silkpursesowsear

Our first pop up shop at @rhswisley for The Great Seed Swap with a wonderful range of seeds from @earthsongseeds and @theplantgiftco, growing kits from @stinginthetailltd and seed cards from @bobella.co 🌿🌱💚

Missed us today? Come and visit us at @packhousefarnham on February 13th for botanical valentines inspiration! ❤️🌹

#apothecary #herbgarden #seeds #herbalmedicine #organic

Our first pop up shop at @rhswisley for The Great Seed Swap with a wonderful range of seeds from @earthsongseeds and @theplantgiftco, growing kits from @stinginthetailltd and seed cards from @bobella.co 🌿🌱💚

Missed us today? Come and visit us at @packhousefarnham on February 13th for botanical valentines inspiration! ❤️🌹

#apothecary #herbgarden #seeds #herbalmedicine #organic

An aspect of herbs I haven't really covered yet is their use in art, iconography, symbolism, and heraldry.

A hugely exploratory topic, I recently visited Hampton Court Palace to see which herbs I could spot as I walked round. Not only were herbs essential for both culinary and medicinal uses in Tudor times, for example:

"take chamomile flowers, mellilote flowers, rose leaves, honeysuckle leaves – in the same amount equally. Boil these in water of rose and honeysuckle flowers as much as shall suffice, then strain, and take thereof – 1 ounce. Then take hens suett well washed with rose water of province more than luke-warm – 2 ounces. Then take litharge of gold – 2 ounces. Tutie (a crude zinc oxide compound) preperated (rinsed to purify), red coral, - in the same amount - ½ ounce. Pearls – 2 ounces. Unicorn horn 1 ounce. All these finely powdered, mixed with the decoction (medical preparation made by boiling), and hence, boil them until it be an unguent (an ointment)"

'A Pusset Ointment devised by the King Majesty at Hampton Court to heal excoriations'

But the herbs, carved, embroidered, gilded, and painted around the Palace, show how much they were revered in Tudor times.

Of course, the most prolific imagery you'll see is that of the rose, more specifically the Tudor rose, the combination of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York. The red rose is still seen as a symbol of England today. Ironically, in one of the gardens hidden inside Hampton Court, I saw three white roses still in flower in the heart of January!

Some of the other herbs spotted include pomegranate, first brought to England by Catharine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, a symbol of prosperity and fertility.

How many herbs can you spot? 🔍👀

Let me know if you'd like to learn more about this!
#history #herbs #art #herbalmedicine #iconography

An aspect of herbs I haven't really covered yet is their use in art, iconography, symbolism, and heraldry.

A hugely exploratory topic, I recently visited Hampton Court Palace to see which herbs I could spot as I walked round. Not only were herbs essential for both culinary and medicinal uses in Tudor times, for example:

"take chamomile flowers, mellilote flowers, rose leaves, honeysuckle leaves – in the same amount equally. Boil these in water of rose and honeysuckle flowers as much as shall suffice, then strain, and take thereof – 1 ounce. Then take hens suett well washed with rose water of province more than luke-warm – 2 ounces. Then take litharge of gold – 2 ounces. Tutie (a crude zinc oxide compound) preperated (rinsed to purify), red coral, - in the same amount - ½ ounce. Pearls – 2 ounces. Unicorn horn 1 ounce. All these finely powdered, mixed with the decoction (medical preparation made by boiling), and hence, boil them until it be an unguent (an ointment)"

'A Pusset Ointment devised by the King Majesty at Hampton Court to heal excoriations'

But the herbs, carved, embroidered, gilded, and painted around the Palace, show how much they were revered in Tudor times.

Of course, the most prolific imagery you'll see is that of the rose, more specifically the Tudor rose, the combination of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York. The red rose is still seen as a symbol of England today. Ironically, in one of the gardens hidden inside Hampton Court, I saw three white roses still in flower in the heart of January!

Some of the other herbs spotted include pomegranate, first brought to England by Catharine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, a symbol of prosperity and fertility.

How many herbs can you spot? 🔍👀

Let me know if you'd like to learn more about this!
#history #herbs #art #herbalmedicine #iconography

🌿✨ January may be chilly in the UK, but it’s the perfect month to start preparing for a thriving herb garden this spring! 🌱 From planning your garden layout to winter sowing hardy herbs, we've got some great tips to help you get ahead. Check out ourlatest blog post for detailed tasks that will set you up for a beautiful herb garden in the coming months! 📅💚

Don’t forget to order your seeds and give your perennial herbs a little love, too. As the year starts slowly in the garden, take some time to enjoy the little changes and appreciate the unfurling and slow awakening of nature🌼🌸

Read the full guide. Link in Bio #herbgarden #gardentips #wintergardening #rosemary

🌿✨ January may be chilly in the UK, but it’s the perfect month to start preparing for a thriving herb garden this spring! 🌱 From planning your garden layout to winter sowing hardy herbs, we've got some great tips to help you get ahead. Check out ourlatest blog post for detailed tasks that will set you up for a beautiful herb garden in the coming months! 📅💚

Don’t forget to order your seeds and give your perennial herbs a little love, too. As the year starts slowly in the garden, take some time to enjoy the little changes and appreciate the unfurling and slow awakening of nature🌼🌸

Read the full guide. Link in Bio #herbgarden #gardentips #wintergardening #rosemary

What an absolutely incredible year 2025 was!

There's been a lot of learning curves and new experiences, some of which include (put definitely not limited to!) :

1 & 2. Speaking at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and being interviewed for the show guide! 🌸✨

3. As always, speaking at RHS Wisley at Hilltop Live and meeting all the lovely people that give up part of their day out to come and hear me get very excited about herbs for half an hour (apart from the way one time I got very carried away and it lasted an hour!🎙️🌿

4. Starting to explore the world of Herbology and the influence of herbs and their history in France, visiting Paris, Marseille and my personal favourite, Lyon Botanical Garden with the most beautiful gothic glasshouse!📜

5. Working on the RHS feature garden at Hampton Court Flower Show - Healers Hollow, which has opened up so many doors for me, to which I can't thank the incredibly talented @inspiredearthdesign enough!

6, 7 & 8. Teaching herbal workshops in some new beautiful locations like kokedama in the stunning glasshouse for @pop_herbs, Herbal Tea Blending at JCB Golf and Country Club, and Apothecary workshop in a magical ancient forest in Sevenoaks! 🌳🌲✨

9. Feeling like I had a pretend cooking show collaborating with @rhswisley for social media, highlighting some of the herbs Nicholas Culpeper documented and their uses today.

I'm so excited to see what this year will bring, and I'm so grateful for all your support! If you've interacted with social media, come to a workshop, purchased from our apothecary store or come to a talk, thank you so much!🙏☺️

#Herbology #apothecary #herbs

What an absolutely incredible year 2025 was!

There's been a lot of learning curves and new experiences, some of which include (put definitely not limited to!) :

1 & 2. Speaking at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and being interviewed for the show guide! 🌸✨

3. As always, speaking at RHS Wisley at Hilltop Live and meeting all the lovely people that give up part of their day out to come and hear me get very excited about herbs for half an hour (apart from the way one time I got very carried away and it lasted an hour!🎙️🌿

4. Starting to explore the world of Herbology and the influence of herbs and their history in France, visiting Paris, Marseille and my personal favourite, Lyon Botanical Garden with the most beautiful gothic glasshouse!📜

5. Working on the RHS feature garden at Hampton Court Flower Show - Healers Hollow, which has opened up so many doors for me, to which I can't thank the incredibly talented @inspiredearthdesign enough!

6, 7 & 8. Teaching herbal workshops in some new beautiful locations like kokedama in the stunning glasshouse for @pop_herbs, Herbal Tea Blending at JCB Golf and Country Club, and Apothecary workshop in a magical ancient forest in Sevenoaks! 🌳🌲✨

9. Feeling like I had a pretend cooking show collaborating with @rhswisley for social media, highlighting some of the herbs Nicholas Culpeper documented and their uses today.

I'm so excited to see what this year will bring, and I'm so grateful for all your support! If you've interacted with social media, come to a workshop, purchased from our apothecary store or come to a talk, thank you so much!🙏☺️

#Herbology #apothecary #herbs

Much like the world and their oyster, we also headed out on the standard Boxing day walk earlier.

What a fabulous fungi feast it was! You'll have to excuse me (and please correct me), but I believe we came across some beautiful blushing brackets which made a lovely tea perch☕, turkey tail🦃, red belted conk (which I briefly got very excited thinking it was reishi) and artists conk🎨

Don't forget to look down when you're walking, especially at what looks like dead wood... You never know what you'll find! 🍄🔍

#fungi #mushroom #Christmas

Much like the world and their oyster, we also headed out on the standard Boxing day walk earlier.

What a fabulous fungi feast it was! You'll have to excuse me (and please correct me), but I believe we came across some beautiful blushing brackets which made a lovely tea perch☕, turkey tail🦃, red belted conk (which I briefly got very excited thinking it was reishi) and artists conk🎨

Don't forget to look down when you're walking, especially at what looks like dead wood... You never know what you'll find! 🍄🔍

#fungi #mushroom #Christmas

It's the perfect winter day here to hunkerdown beneath the duvet with a cup of tea ☕🫖 (or mulled wine) and get stuck into this incredible book which I won by the brilliant @tabithastanmore (of the endlessly fascinating book Cunning Folk🧹 which I can't recommend enough!)!📚📖

#Christmas #herbology #magic

It's the perfect winter day here to hunkerdown beneath the duvet with a cup of tea ☕🫖 (or mulled wine) and get stuck into this incredible book which I won by the brilliant @tabithastanmore (of the endlessly fascinating book Cunning Folk🧹 which I can't recommend enough!)!📚📖

#Christmas #herbology #magic

That's a wrap! 💚👏

Today is the day that the Oak King 👑 defeats the Holly King 👑 and his reign takes back over until the summer solstice, and from now until then, the light gradually returns to our lives☀️ 🏵️🕯️

Our Winter Solstice retreat is complete, and so ends our workshops until the end of January. Thank you so much for all of you who joined us this year! The Historical Herbologist would not be possible without you! 🙏🙏🙏

A beautiful weekend spent tucked away in the Welsh countryside, relaxing, laughing, forest bathing and exploring the wonderful world of herbs that never fails to astound me and inspire others 🌱🌿

From creating vibrant botanical inks, herbal-infused oils, and rejuvenating skincare, to crafting gifts from the garden 🎁, nothing makes me happier and more grateful than being able to share the joy of nature with others 💚

Dates for our summer solstice retreat (Surrey) and Samhain retreat (Dorset) will be live in the new year!

Wishing you all a restful and reflective winter Solstice! 🌑❄️

The Historical Herbologist 💚

#herbology #retreat #nature

That's a wrap! 💚👏

Today is the day that the Oak King 👑 defeats the Holly King 👑 and his reign takes back over until the summer solstice, and from now until then, the light gradually returns to our lives☀️ 🏵️🕯️

Our Winter Solstice retreat is complete, and so ends our workshops until the end of January. Thank you so much for all of you who joined us this year! The Historical Herbologist would not be possible without you! 🙏🙏🙏

A beautiful weekend spent tucked away in the Welsh countryside, relaxing, laughing, forest bathing and exploring the wonderful world of herbs that never fails to astound me and inspire others 🌱🌿

From creating vibrant botanical inks, herbal-infused oils, and rejuvenating skincare, to crafting gifts from the garden 🎁, nothing makes me happier and more grateful than being able to share the joy of nature with others 💚

Dates for our summer solstice retreat (Surrey) and Samhain retreat (Dorset) will be live in the new year!

Wishing you all a restful and reflective winter Solstice! 🌑❄️

The Historical Herbologist 💚

#herbology #retreat #nature

Mistletoe is not just a holiday decor but is a captivating evergreen plant that grows as a semi-parasite, gracing leafless trees with its beautiful greenery long after the leaves have fallen 🍃🍂.

Its unique nature creates a magical, festive ambience closely linked to the holiday season 🎄. However, the intriguing history and folklore surrounding this seemingly unassuming plant, with roots dating back over 2,000 years, remain largely unknown to many 📜.

To learn more about it in my latest blog visit the link in bio!🔗

Mistletoe is not just a holiday decor but is a captivating evergreen plant that grows as a semi-parasite, gracing leafless trees with its beautiful greenery long after the leaves have fallen 🍃🍂.

Its unique nature creates a magical, festive ambience closely linked to the holiday season 🎄. However, the intriguing history and folklore surrounding this seemingly unassuming plant, with roots dating back over 2,000 years, remain largely unknown to many 📜.

To learn more about it in my latest blog visit the link in bio!🔗

Did you know?🤔

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), a beautiful mid-winter shrub that is slowly starting to unfurl its beautiful explosions of firework-shaped flowers 🎆🌼, has been a traditional remedy for many indigenous people in North America who used poultices soaked in bark to treat inflammations and tumours. By the mid-18th century, Europeans had seen the value of witch hazel for its astringency and this beautiful shrub was introduced to Europe and beyond 🌍

Witch hazel is rich in tannins, which have a drying and astringent effect. These tannins cause proteins in the skin to tighten and form a protective layer over abrasions, enhancing resistance to inflammation and facilitating the healing of damaged skin ⛑️

Additionally, witch hazel seems to benefit injured blood vessels beneath the surface, likely due to both flavonoids and tannins. When distilled, witch hazel maintains its astringent properties, indicating that there may be other astringent agents present as well 🌿💚

#plants #herbs #learning

Did you know?🤔

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), a beautiful mid-winter shrub that is slowly starting to unfurl its beautiful explosions of firework-shaped flowers 🎆🌼, has been a traditional remedy for many indigenous people in North America who used poultices soaked in bark to treat inflammations and tumours. By the mid-18th century, Europeans had seen the value of witch hazel for its astringency and this beautiful shrub was introduced to Europe and beyond 🌍

Witch hazel is rich in tannins, which have a drying and astringent effect. These tannins cause proteins in the skin to tighten and form a protective layer over abrasions, enhancing resistance to inflammation and facilitating the healing of damaged skin ⛑️

Additionally, witch hazel seems to benefit injured blood vessels beneath the surface, likely due to both flavonoids and tannins. When distilled, witch hazel maintains its astringent properties, indicating that there may be other astringent agents present as well 🌿💚

#plants #herbs #learning

Did you know we also run corporate workshops?

Last week, we ran three lovely wreath-making workshops. Participants all started with an identical wreath base before customising it with Eucalyptus populus and parvifolia, holly, ivy, dried citrus and apples, fir cones (and so much more), all before taking home their beautiful botanical creations! 🎄

Although popularised in Victorian times, bringing evergreens into the home, such as firs, holly and ivy, is a timeless tradition that symbolises eternal life, good luck, and renewal bringing light into the darkest of winter days. The ancient Greeks and Romans used wreaths to celebrate success, particularly in victories, including those in academics and Olympics.

People brought holly into the house for other reasons, too. Sometimes it was to protect the home from malevolent faeries. In Celtic mythology, the period of time between the summer solstice and the winter solstice is ruled by the Holly King. When the winter solstice arrives, the Oak King defeats the Holly King in battle to rule until the summer solstice. ☀️🌑

So many ways to include the wonderful world of herbs into your every day, sometimes without even realising! 😉

#Christmas #Christmas2025 #herbology

Did you know we also run corporate workshops?

Last week, we ran three lovely wreath-making workshops. Participants all started with an identical wreath base before customising it with Eucalyptus populus and parvifolia, holly, ivy, dried citrus and apples, fir cones (and so much more), all before taking home their beautiful botanical creations! 🎄

Although popularised in Victorian times, bringing evergreens into the home, such as firs, holly and ivy, is a timeless tradition that symbolises eternal life, good luck, and renewal bringing light into the darkest of winter days. The ancient Greeks and Romans used wreaths to celebrate success, particularly in victories, including those in academics and Olympics.

People brought holly into the house for other reasons, too. Sometimes it was to protect the home from malevolent faeries. In Celtic mythology, the period of time between the summer solstice and the winter solstice is ruled by the Holly King. When the winter solstice arrives, the Oak King defeats the Holly King in battle to rule until the summer solstice. ☀️🌑

So many ways to include the wonderful world of herbs into your every day, sometimes without even realising! 😉

#Christmas #Christmas2025 #herbology

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