Belle Benfield

In September, there are elderberries in the hedgerow that have escaped the birds. Umbrellas of berries dripping from the trees. Elderberry is one of our potent antiviral medicines. A fantastic herb to store at this time of year to have on hand if you feel run down or can sense the start of a cold…

This summer, I worked at 3 festivals in 6 weeks – and while that is fresh in my mind, I thought it would be useful to share with you the herbs I had with me that came in handy over a full weekend of camping, walking and of course dancing, in all the elements. HERBS…

One of the abundant medicinal plants to harvest in spring is ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea). You know you have found this plant when you rub it between your fingers and it has a really strong aromatic smell. It’s in the mint family and has tiny purple flowers that look a lot like the flowers on…

From mid-summer onwards our native superfood, the stinging nettle offers us their plump green seeds. They hang like jewels in strings beneath the leaves and if you’re very careful, you can just about pick the seeds without stinging yourself on the stems or leaves that surround them, but I recommend gloves for gathering nettle seeds.…

Infusing herbs in vegetable glycerine to make a glycerite is a great way to make medicine that is both alcohol-free and, despite its sweet flavour, sugar-free. I make the majority of my glycerites in midsummer as I love the way the odorless, slightly sweet qualities of glycerine brings out the delicate sweet flavours and fragrances…