I recently subscribed to a period box to see what it's like and was shocked by how much plastic was involved!

I've been using re-usable femcare products for well over a decade and had started to take it for granted till I bought these "run of the mill" products.

After months of cystitis and thrush, I gave up the contraceptive pill for good... I was about 19 at the time and I’d heard from a friend that it might be the cause, and they were right. So I started using my first ever hormone-free contraceptive (aside from condoms): the fertility awareness method (FAM).

I'd like to introduce you to this special lady. She makes the reusable cloth pads which I stock in the shop. Over to her. 

As a woman which has known the pangs of severe period pain, my heart skipped a beat when I heard that Italy is thinking about bringing in menstrual leave. Just a few weeks before this the news reported that doctors have finally recognised period pain is sometimes as bad as a heart attack. But, not everyone thinks menstrual leave is great. In fact, some of the biggest nay-sayers are women themselves.

Most people with endo and/or adeno will at some point wonder if the pain killers they take so frequently are OK to take so much. The trouble is, there isn't any natural pain killers available over the counter in a pharmacy in the UK. Many women will need something stronger than the pain relief herbs can provide safely.

Condoms have sadly seen a dramatic drop in popularity among 16-24 yr olds recently which is increasing the rates of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia again. This age group accounts for 55% of those STI's with 47% of them saying they have had sex with a new partner without a condom. When I was at school (not very long ago lets face it) condoms were promoted as practically a necessity when it comes to sex (1). 

In the USA, Planned Parenthood (the leading contraceptives provider there) saw a 900% spike in IUD fittings in the first few weeks of Trump’s presidency as women were terrified their right to contraceptives would be taken away from them.

When I was a hippy extremist...

I felt that everything in my life should be natural. My contraceptive choice was the last thing on that to-do list. If I'm honest, it didn't even occur to me. I always thought contraception either works or doesn't so taking the pill was the only option because it was the one that worked. At least, that's what I'd been told. 

Today is the first day of my cycle, I'm bleeding, and it's full moon. 

Although I don't find the moon makes me feel perceptibly different, I know some people do. The full moon has an erratic energy to it. It makes us feel energised, passionate, perhaps even hysterical.

PCOS can be a terrible condition. It can make you infertile, overweight, spotty, fatigued and hairy-er. For many women suffering with it they feel depressed and un-feminine. Here's an excerpt from my free guide to PCOS.

For some, their pain is reassuring. A physical sensation that reminds them of their strength as a woman. A reminder their bodies are powerful and trustworthy. It knows when to deliver itself of an endometrial lining which wasn't needed.

There is a seductive grace about Anoushka. She carries a beautiful essence which, unbeknownst to her, is the secret ingredient to the events she curates. I've been to a lot of women's circles in the past but none are quite like hers. 

Most will think that balancing blood sugar is just something diabetics do. Few realise that it's crucial for regulating female hormones as well. 

When our blood sugar dramatically rises and drops throughout the day we release insulin to try and compensate. But if we do this for a long time gradually we build up a tolerance to the insulin and this throws other hormones like oestrogen out of whack. This happens in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A woman with PCOS may experience male pattern hair growth (hirsutism), irregular periods and infertility. They often struggle to maintain a healthy weight too.  

Most of us know about the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. But a lot less of us know how important it is to have healthy vagina flora too. When it gets out of balance it can lead to some serious stuff like; a weakness to some sexual transmitted infections, HIV, pelvic inflammatory disease, urinary tract infections. 

A big part of my PMS course is learning how to keep track of your hormone cycle so you always know where you're at. When I learnt how to do this (using the fertility awareness method) years ago I used good old fashioned pen and paper. There are specially designed charts which you can print off for free from the internet. It's designed so that as you collect your signs and symptoms you can see quite clearly when you ovulated retrospectively and most women get signs of their period before its due so it's easy to predict.

I can't tell you how happy I was to see this is a trend for 2017. People like Lisa Lister, Alexandra Pope, Miranda Gray, Lara Briden and Holly Griggs-Spall are leading the way. But what do they mean by menstrual realness?

In 2017 I'll be launching a new course on the subject of PMS. It will look at how to deal with mild to moderate PMS symptoms using lifestyle changes, hormone charting, herbs, mindfulness and diet. As part of the course I'll be sending out a PMS-care-kit with a host of natural, hand made, products for creating a monthly relaxation routine. Here's why I've come to create it. 

I used to feel like I was vulnerable to becoming pregnant. As if my fertility was a weakness which would be exploited by sperm. I felt like it could happen at anytime, and my life would be forever changed. I needed to shut that part of me down. I needed to know it was all 'under control'. 

When I was a teenager I took "the pill" for contraception. But I found myself in a never-ending loop of Cystitis leading to antibiotics, leading to Thrush, leading to anti-candida drugs. This pattern would rinse and repeat itself every few months. It was awful. When I started working at Neal's Yard Remedies I told one of my colleagues and they suggested it was the pill upsetting my hormone levels. I was intrigued to say the least. The thought of ending the burning pain, the itching, scratching, horrible symptoms, was so tempting. I just had to find out. 

You may not know this about me but I can get terribly painful periods. I once turned green and nearly fainted whilst at work. In those days, pain killers didn’t make an ounce of difference so I didn’t even bother trying.

I’d like to think I’ve had some of the worst period pains going, surely it can’t get much worse?? I once turned green at work and had to sit down behind the shop counter. It’s not a good look. But that’s what period pain can do to us sometimes. 

Belle Benfield shares with us her deep rooted connection with Elecampane. She became a herbalist after years of studying on an apprenticeship with Karen and Fi from Sensory Solutions and now works side by side with them.

Amparo is a Spanish born Scotland based herbalist. She learnt Herbal Medicine in the UK and is currently training to become a doctor. She brings a fresh look at Marshmallow using her wonderfully in-depth and colourful knowledge of phytochemistry. 

Sarah Smith is an old friend of mine. She qualified from Lincoln University just a couple years after me. Since then she's gone on to qualify in massage, and as a doula. I have to say, Sarah gives the best deep tissue massage I've ever had! 

Vivienne is passionate about Rose. I'm sure drinking rose tincture whilst recording helped a little with that too. She's created an amazing online course in which she teaches herbal medicine which is linked to below. In this episode we talk about the medicinal value of Roses. We talk mostly about the wonderful uplifting properties it has for emotions. 

In this episode I talk to Alice Bettany about Catnip (Nepeta cataria) a herb which is often associated with children as it is so gentle. But gentle doesn't mean it isn't effective! We're so used to hitting things with a sledge hammer now a days we've lost respect for the gentle things in life. We also talked about she sheds and the comfort of a big bosom.. as you do. 

In this episode we talk about a lesser well-know herb, Sweet Violet, with Kate Scott. Kate has a rich history of female herbalists in her family dating as far back as the 16th century. It was especially nice to speak about herbs which grow readily in the UK but have become forgotten, native adaptogens and more.

Deanne Greenwood is a herbalist from Cornwall with a colourful background. She talks to us about reviving Rosemary in this episode. Rosemary is known by everyone because it is so commonly used for cooking. But did you know it's also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and energising?

Burdock is common around Europe and all the way into Asia. It's a bitter plant that is famous for its use as a detoxing herb because it helps the liver. However, there are many parts of the plant which have been nearly forgotten such as the seeds.

I've known Marcos Patchett for a long time. I knew him before I was even a herbalist. He has always inspired me with his blend of science and astrology in equal measure. There has recently been a voluntary ban taken by some, but not all, professional associations in the UK affecting a long list of herbs. Some of the herbs which many herbalists have chosen to stop using include Borage and Comfrey.

In this episode we're talking about Lady's Mantle with Marie Reilly. A fantastic herbalist who knows SO much when it comes to women's health. We talk about her training in western herbal medicine, endobiogenics and Ayurvedic medicine. Marie explains why Vitex agnus castus isn't always the answer to infertility problems or other hormonal imbalances and what herbs might be better. She helps me understand the causes of PMS as well as other problems like; thrush, fertility, leucorrhea, and cervical dysplasia. Tune in guys, this is a fact-packed episode on my favourite subject; women's health. 

In Episode 11 we talk about Cleavers with Katherine Bellchambers. She talks about how to store the fresh juice as ice cubes, save someone from anaphylactic shock and what it takes to make a wise herbalist. I also tell you about how I recovered from short-term adrenal fatigue in the last few weeks and all the amazing upcoming workshops I've got planned.

This month we look at Elderberry with Karen Lawton from Sensory Solutions. Elderberry is an amazing anti-viral herb used to battle colds and flus. We discuss the best syrup recipes, what the Elder would be like if it were human and more.

This month we're looking at Hawthorn with Alexis Cunningfolk. I followed Alexis for months over instagram before meeting her in person. I visit LA to see family frequently and we got on like a house on fire. It was a real pleasure to record this episode, and hard to keep it any shorter than an hour! 

In this episode we look at the medicinal value of Dandelion with Fiona Morris. Dandelion is the most disliked weed as it's so hard to get rid of. But it's one of the most diverse and useful medicine herbs in a herbalists dispensary.

In this episode we talk about the medicinal value and qualities of Lime Blossom (Tilia cordata) with Lucinda Warner. Lime blossom is well known as a relaxant in times of stress but we talk about some lesser known uses including how it can be used for rosacea.

In this episode we'll be looking at the medicinal value and qualities of Sage, Salvia officinalis. We all know Sage well from cooking with it but less of us know how to use it in medicine.

The second episode of Listen looks at the medicinal properties of Marigold (otherwise known as Calendula). This herb is famously used on the skin but it's also great medicine for internal problems such as healing the gut.

In the first episode of Listen we'll be looking at Chickweed (Stellaria media). A great herb for itchy inflamed problems like eczema and much much more.

I'm listening to a podcast about insanity and mental illness. The stories in it are making me smile. But as I smile, I look up and catch the eyes of a stranger, and they look at me as if to say, are you crazy?

Smiling without a perceptible cause to the observer is seen as a potential sign of madness in england.

I never was one for marching in the streets, strapping myself to poles or collecting signatures. But for most of my teen years I was obsessed with the injustices in the world and climate change seemed to be the biggest injustice going. The way we live as humans and the resources we require for life have become a burden too heavy for the earth to bare. But it wasn't always like this. We used to live symbiotically with the planet, and some tribal communities still do. 

2016 was really sh*t. Not just because of the politics but because of my mental state. It may come as a surprise but I had managed to become quite disillusioned with my business; Forage Botanicals.

What the f*ck is that? I hear you ask. it's a term my mentor Karen Lawton and Fiona Heckles coined when wanting to talk about how you can use your senses to discover plants. In fact, we could use our senses to discover foods as well. We have been taught, often from being babies, that our senses are not to be trusted. Recently I have witnessed a friend approach the question of how to wean her baby.

I have a confession to make. When I feel exhausted I use crystals and colour therapy to feel better. I don't really care much how they work, or even that it's been shown by science to be nothing more than placebo. All I care about is that I end up feeling better. If I was given the option between antibiotic and a placebo for a cold, I'd take the placebo anyday. In fact, I'd rather have a placebo than most medications and if I ever got a life-threatening sickness for which there is no known cure (god forbid); placebo please! Wanna know why?

I am a member of quite a few groups on Facebook which aim to help people find remedies for their illnesses; Herbal Medicine, Herbal and Alternitive Medicine (spelling intended), Advanced Herbal Science and herbHealtH to name a few. I love Facebook groups because they are a place I know I can talk about a particular subject with people who are interested in that particular thing, and we never come off that topic.

Sometimes I like to do a thought experiment in consultations. It helps me figure out the cause of a problem and why it exists. I ask myself; how does this illness benefit the patient? How does it change their lives in a way that is beneficial to them? I believe that in a weird (usually ironic) way, our illnesses are always an attempt by our body to help us somehow. A request from our subconscious perhaps. This may sound ridiculous or make you feel angry when you read it but just bear with me and see where I’m going here.

Being a herbalist is a multi-faceted job. We grow and harvest the plants we use, we process and make them into medicines, we see patients, we run workshops and talks and provide healthcare to our friends and families.

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year but for most of us it's arguably the most stressful. For weeks before hand we desperately cram our work in so we can buy ourselves time off. We rush about the shops..

Last winter I had a touch of depression. I didn't realise at the time though because it came out in the form of social anxiety attacks. The thought of going out and socialising, or even going busy places with lots of strangers (e.g.  London) was all a bit much for me. Life circumstances have changed and that has all passed now but not without a fair bit of fight. 

So you've had a stressful week. You had to do some extra long hours to stay on top of things and make sure you've got enough money at the end of the month. The stress has you sleeping rough all week and you've woken up groggy every morning with barely enough energy to get up let alone make breakfast. So you reached for the coffee and got on with the day on an empty stomach. By the end of the week you're exhausted, accidentally falling asleep in front of the TV, maybe you feel like you're catching a cold too. Next week you'll get back into your swing of things. 

Not everybody knows this but I sometimes struggle with anxiety attacks. They're not your typical attack as they go straight to my tummy instead. But the fear of having one can itself become such a problem that it has stopped me from going in to London, socialising or going to new places.

Adventure needs to be thrust upon us from time to time. Otherwise it is all too easy to become anxious and depressed at the monotony of life. We can become fearful of anything outside of that. Going from point a to b in a straight line is all I do. To do anything else felt illogical and a waste of my precious energy. That is until one day.

I have found the pace of January a little crazy. Yesterday I found the antidote... Making a den. The sort of thing you make when you're a kid but for an adult and obviously more sofisticated, with tea and books instead of toys.

I don't like to call myself an empath as I think it implies some kind of magical power. It often feels more like an affliction than a strength most of the time. But I guess, in my head, it's also a magical power. You see, for all the side effects it brings I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Turns out the absence of work is not equivalent to relaxation. I've had to learn how to relax and now I think of it as something I do. Not something that happens to me. 

Are you working too hard? I know I am. But not all of us show signs of stress in the same way. It's important to understand that we all have different signs from our bodies but here are some of the most common I see

I try not to think of myself as weak but I do need a nap before going out in the evening. Its hard when you are as sensitive as I am to not think, maybe I'm just weaker than everyone else? Although I have a robust immune system and hardly get sick in that way it's easy for me to get carried away in a fit of creative passion and work myself into a stupor.

Hans Selye (1907-1982) came up with a model for stress called general adaptation syndrome. This features 3 stages of stress each of which requires a different herbal treatment protocol. It's common for people to mis use herbs in self treatment because of this. Let's have a little look at the different stages and herbs for each.

Here in the UK it’s basically expected that you’re a depressed sod. Any outward expression of happiness or enthusiasm is mostly shunned. I think we’re pretty famous for it actually. I threw caution to the wind when I married an American, the antithesis of the British predisposition for grumpiness.