The Joy of Wild Medicine
Foraging for Health and Vitality
As the seasons turn and autumn paints the hedgerows in rich reds and golds, nature offers us a harvest of wild medicine right on our doorstep.
Foraging is not only about gathering food; it’s about reconnecting with the land, slowing down, and remembering the knowledge our ancestors once carried so naturally.
Why Forage for Wild Medicine?
Wild plants are powerful allies. They remind us that health is not something found only in bottles and shops — it grows freely around us, waiting to be noticed.
Walking through hedgerows and woods, we gather more than leaves and berries; we gather resilience, nourishment, and a deeper connection to the turning seasons.
Close-Up of Vibrant Red Rosehip on Twig
Wild plants are powerful allies.
Foraging also nurtures wellbeing in ways beyond the physical
Connection: Time outdoors reduces stress and deepens our relationship with nature.
Tradition: Many of these remedies were once staples in every household.
Vitality: Wild foods are often more nutrient-rich than cultivated ones.
What Can We Forage in Autumn?
Each plant has its own story, medicine, and way of reminding us that health can be simple and seasonal.
- Rosehips: bright red fruits rich in vitamin C, perfect for syrups and teas.
- Elderberries: dark clusters of berries that strengthen the immune system.
- Hawthorn berries: medicine for the heart, both physically and emotionally.
- Nettles & Cleavers: mineral-rich and cleansing, even late into the season.
- Chestnuts & Acorns: nourishing, grounding foods to carry us into winter.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
One of the most beloved autumn remedies is elderberry syrup.
A delicious immune tonic that families have made for generations. Perfect for warding off colds and flu, it’s simple to prepare at home.
Dosage: Take 1–2 teaspoons daily as a preventative, or every few hours if feeling under the weather.
Ingredients and Equipment:
- Sterilised glass jars
- Muslin or fine sieve
- 500 g fresh elderberries (or 250 g dried)
- 500 ml water
- 250 g local honey
Method:
- Remove elderberries from their stems (unripe green berries are toxic — only use ripe black/purple ones).
- Simmer berries in water for 20 minutes until soft.
- Strain through muslin or a fine sieve, pressing to extract the juice.
- Stir in honey while warm.
- Bottle in sterilised glass jars.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Want to Go Deeper?
This recipe is just the beginning. Inside my Wild Medicine & Wild Cosmetics Membership, you’ll discover:
- Step-by-step video tutorials on making tinctures, elixirs, oxymels, syrups, and wild skincare.
- Seasonal plant monographs so you can confidently identify and use wild herbs.
- A community of like-minded foragers and medicine makers.
- Live sessions where we explore the plants of the season together.
The Wild Medicine & Wild Cosmetics Course is going live inside the membership soon — if you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own apothecary or weaving seasonal rituals into your life, this is the place to begin.
Join the Membership Today and start your journey into the joy of foraging and wild medicine. Learn in Person Prefer to learn with hands-on experience? You can also come along to one of my group foraging courses or book a private foraging course with me.
Check out my events page or simply message me to arrange a date — I’d love to take you out into the wild and show you the plants of the season in person.
Sarah.
Upcoming Foraging Walks – Come Join Me!
I will often have foraging walks planned, and I’d love for you to join me. Whether you’re completely new to foraging or looking to deepen your connection with the wild, this is a gentle and supportive introduction to the plants of the season and their uses.
Check out the Events section here on my website to see all upcoming foraging walks, workshops, and courses — and to book your place.
