Old River Farm Herbs & Healing, King's Lynn (2025)

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween to all! 🎃👻🧟‍♀️

And Samhain greetings too! 🔥🕯✨🧙‍♀️🧙‍♂️

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrated from October 31 to November 1, it was believed to be a time when the veil between the world of the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to pass through. Modern traditions of Halloween have roots in Samhain, including dressing in costumes to avoid evil spirits and the practice of trick-or-treating.

There are herbs associated with Samhain rituals:

- Mugwort: Used for divination and dreamwork, to help connect to the spirit world, and can be burned as incense or put into dream pillows.

- Rosemary: Associated with remembrance, often used in rituals to honour ancestors and to protect and cleanse a space.

- Sage: Used for purification and cleansing of spaces, as well as for wisdom and protection.

- Cinnamon: Used for releasing rituals and can be used in incense or other ritual blends.

- Bay Laurel: Has traditional uses for protection and wisdom.

- Yarrow: Believed to enhance psychic powers and is associated with divination and spirit communication.

- Hawthorn: Seen as a gateway between the human and spirit worlds and is used for protection.

25/10/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes over 260 species worldwide, many of which are parasitic. Variants of cordyceps have been used in Chinese medicine for over 1,500 years to support energy, stamina, and immune function. The name Cordyceps is derived from the ancient Greek word for 'club', and the Latin -ceps, meaning 'head'.

Cordyceps is a very unusual medicinal mushroom. It does not look like most other mushrooms we are used to seeing, and being parasitic, it has a rather famous notoriety. Many of you may have seen the TV Show 'The Last of Us' where a mutated Cordyceps variant begins infecting humans and turns them into zombies. But don't let that put you off being curious about this useful medicinal mushroom.

While the wild Cordyceps (C. sinensis) is very rare (and very expensive), there are now cultivated species like C. militaris that can be grown on non-insect, grain-based substrates. These are now widely available as popular dietary supplements and culinary ingredients.

Cordyceps contains many bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans (which all fungi produce), as well as a large number of bioactive nucelosides like cordyceptin and adenosine. These nucleosides are able to participate in biochemical reactions such as DNA/RNA synthesis, which have led to its use in the treatment of cancer and viral infections (including HIV and hepatitis), and the development of pharmaceutical drugs such as AZT (Retrovir), Videx, and Epivir.

Other health benefits include:

- Anti-ageing
- Improves athletic performance
- Increases fertility
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antidiabetic
- Hepatoprotective (protects the liver)
- Supports the respiratory system
- Improves energy

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

18/10/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a genus of shiny-capped, polypore fungi that includes about 80 species. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Asian medicine. Ganoderma means 'shiny skin' due to its lustrous orange, yellow, red, or black cap.

The most well-known and widely used mushroom of this genus is Ganoderma lucidum. Its name in Japanese is Reishi or Mannetake, also called the mushroom of immortality or 10,000 year mushroom. In Chinese it is called Ling Zhi, the spirit mushroom or mushroom of spiritual potency.

G. lucidum is one of the most famous of all medicinal mushrooms, with annual global sales of US$4-5 billion. It has wide-ranging health benefits due its high polysaccharide (beta-glucan) content and triterpenoid compounds belonging primarily to two families: ganodermic and lucidenic acids.

These compounds contribute to a long list of health benefits:

- Anti-inflammatory
- Immune modulation
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Hepatoprotective (protects the liver)
- Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
- Inhibits cholesterol synthesis
- Inhibits tumour growth (induces apoptosis)
- Inhibits viral growth
- Improves cognitive function
- Improves energy
- Relieves symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression

With a list that long.......no wonder this amazing medicinal mushroom is known as the mushroom of immortality!!

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

12/10/2025

Medicinal Mushrooms

October is the season for mushrooms! The fruiting bodies of many species (the part you see above ground) flourish in autumn with the return of the cooler, wetter weather.

Mushrooms contain simple sugar chains called polysaccharides that are the building blocks of their cell walls. The beta-glucan polysaccharides in particular are very important medicinally, as they help to modulate our immune system.

All mushrooms contain these (even the humble button mushroom that you can buy in the supermarket). Therefore all edible mushrooms are good for you to a certain extent but some are extra powerful. These tend to be the saprotrophs (hard, woody mushrooms that break down and recycle wood cellulose or, in the case of cordyceps, insect exoskeletons). These fungi are the highest in beta-glucans content.

In the UK we can find growing in the wild:

- Artist’s bracket (Ganoderma applanatum) - a relative of Reishi (Gandoderma lucidum).

- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)

- Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

- Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)

- Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)

- Scarlet caterpillarclub (Cordyceps militaris)

I will examine each of these mushrooms individually in future posts.

***PLEASE NOTE: Not all mushrooms are edible, and some are highly poisonous. Always use a reliable identification guide or consult an expert before foraging for wild mushrooms.

21/09/2025

Happy Autumn Equinox!! 🍂🍁

And also a partial solar eclipse! 🌞

This is a time of powerful transformational energy!! ✨⚡️

The solar eclipse symbolises transformation, deep introspection, and the start of new beginnings. It's a potent time to confront inner 'shadows', release what no longer serves you, and set intentions for profound personal growth.

The autumnal equinox marks the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in nearly equal hours of day and night. Symbolically, it represents the end of the harvest, a time for reflection, gratitude for past abundance, and preparation for winter. Culturally, it is celebrated with harvest festivals and remembrance of ancestors.

13/09/2025

Sadness.

An emotional expression of grief, loss, hopelessness, helplessness, unhappiness, sorrow, or when the world just feels heavy.

Given our societal pressures today, it can be difficult to deal with sadness. Mental health professionals usually tell us to take a step back, acknowledge our feelings without judgment, try to reduce overwhelming inputs, and practice self-care through activities we enjoy.

Mother Nature can also help too by very generously offering us plants and trees to help lift our spirits. Just walking out in nature and using our senses to see, smell, hear and feel what is around us can be very soothing.

Trees release beneficial airborne chemicals called phytoncides which can improve human immune and nervous systems, and exposure to trees also boosts dopamine, the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter.

There are many herbs that can help improve mood also. Currently, rose is abundantly offering us her hips (fruits), after also offering us her delicate but beautiful flowers earlier in the spring.

Rose has long been associated with the emotional heart and feelings of love. As a herb that works on the emotional heart, rosehip is also understood to bring healing in grief, loss and depressive states.

The photos are from my dog rose plants (Rosa canina) - a native species on the British Isles.

06/09/2025

Goldenrod (Solidago spp): the Herald of Autumn! 🍁🍂

As the nights draw in and the temperatures start to cool, most herbaceous plants begin to die back and prepare for their winter slumbers. But not Goldenrod! Its bright beautiful golden flowers pop up just when we need them as we start to enter the autumn season.

As pollen counts can increase as we move into autumn, goldenrod is there to help alleviate our allergy symptoms and many other symptoms related to the seasonal transition.

Traditionally, Goldenrod has a long history of being used as a wound healer. Its name 'solidago' is actually from the Latin word for 'to make whole.' It has been used topically to not only heal wounds but also infections, burns, and aches/pains. Internally it has been used primarily as a diuretic, which is beneficial for many urinary issues. It has also been used for respiratory and digestive issues.

In more modern times the use of Goldenrod tends to focus on its powerful decongestant abilities. It is therefore very helpful for clearing sinus congestion, allergies, and flu symptoms, and if combined with sage in a strong tea it is a very effective gargle for sore throats and laryngitis. Just in time for flu season! 🤒🤧🤕

01/09/2025

I have recently been awarded a 5-star rating by the Foods Standards Agency (UK) for selling my herbal teas.

23/08/2025

Tis the season of the berries!! 🫐

They have come earlier than usual this year, and there are so many of them!!

Mother Nature is being quite generous with her bounty this year. I have been picking blackberries almost daily for nearly a month now, the hawthorn trees have exploded in a sea of red and the dark purple elderberries have appeared almost overnight.

It is a busy time for herbalists and anyone who enjoys cooking with berries or preserving them. Please always remember to forage responsibly if the plants are not on your property, ensure they haven't been sprayed with pesticides or too close to roads (exhaust fumes), and always ask the landowner's permission before foraging anything.

And please leave some for the wildlife too!! ☺️🐦🐇🐿

09/08/2025

Seaweed (also called macroalgae) - refers to thousands of species of multicellular marine algae that can be grouped into red, brown and green species.

Seaweed offers a range of potential medicinal benefits due to its rich nutritional profile, including potential roles in supporting thyroid function, heart health, gut health, and immune function, as well as helping to regulate blood sugar levels. It is a good source of iodine, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

On a recent trip to the West Coast of Ireland, I was able to experience a seaweed bath for the first time. It was a unique opportunity to relax in a steaming hot bath, where the hot water extracted the oils and minerals in the seaweed and thus soaked into my skin and body. Although it felt slimy at the time, my skin felt amazingly soft afterwards!!

The particular seaweed used in the bath appears to be Fucus serratus (also known as toothed wrack, serrated wrack or saw wrack), a common seaweed of the North Atlantic that is olive-brown in colour and has distinctive serrated edges on the fronds.

Please note: if adding seaweed to your diet for its medicinal benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation and be mindful of the iodine levels in different types of seaweed.

26/07/2025

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

I frequently walk past this large wild patch of horseradish and can smell that strong spicy scent from quite a distance when downwind of it.

Love it or hate it but believe it or not horseradish has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In fact, it was considered a medicine long before it was used as a culinary dish.

Horseradish was used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians for various ailments including back pain and as an aphrodisiac. In the Middle Ages, both the leaves and roots were used as herbal remedies for treating respiratory issues, rheumatism, and digestive problems.

It also became a popular culinary herb in Europe, particularly in Germany, Scandinavia, and Britain, as a condiment for meat and oysters.

In modern times, it is the root that is used medicinally. When the root is cut into, a strong mustard-like volatile oil is created and released (resulting in that strong smell). It is this oil that is said to help clear congested mucus from the nasal passages, sinuses, and respiratory tract - potentially relieving symptoms of sinusitis and bronchitis.

It also contains other phytochemicals that are antimicrobial, increase circulation, stimulate the digestion, and support the immune system.

Horseradish can be made into a syrup or vinegar to be taken medicinally. I mainly use it in making Fire Cider, a spicy tonic that contains various herbs and is taken on a daily basis to support immunity and digestion.

There are many recipes for Fire Cider online but the one I use was made famous by Rosemary Gladstar (the well-known American herbalist).

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/fire-cider

24/07/2025

Headaches 🤕

We all get them now and then, and my head is throbbing currently as I write this. Therefore it seemed a timely subject to write about.

There are many different types of headaches, broadly categorised into two groups: primary and secondary (based on the cause of the headache).

Primary headaches include:

-Tension-type headaches: These are the most common type, characterized by a dull, aching pain, often described as a tight band around the head.

- Migraines: these can cause severe, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

- Cluster headaches: These are severe, piercing headaches that occur in clusters, often around one eye, and can be accompanied by other symptoms like a runny nose or drooping eyelid.

Secondary headaches include:

- Sinus headaches: These are caused by inflammation or infection in the sinuses.

- Medication overuse headaches: These are caused by excessive use of pain medication.

- Hormone headaches: These can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstruation.

- Hypertension headaches: These can be a symptom of high blood pressure.

- Caffeine headaches: These can occur due to caffeine withdrawal.

There are many herbal medicine plant allies we can call upon to help with headaches but it depends on what the underlying cause of the headache is. For example, if the headache was a result of stress/tension then there are plenty of herbs that can help us to relax. If the headache is caused by inflamed sinuses, then we have many herbs to help reduce inflammation.

Migraines are an often-debilitating type of headache. They can result in a complete withdrawal from one's usual life activities until the pain and other symptoms subside.

There is one herb known to help alleviate migraines, but it must be noted that it works prophylactically (as opposed to pharmaceutical drugs that act more quickly but do not address the underlying causes).

This herb is Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium).

It contains a sesquiterpene lactone called 'parthenolide' that can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by inhibiting several known mediators of migraine: COX-2, TNF-alpha, Interleuken-1, and serotonin. It must be taken prophylactically for several weeks though as it does not work as an immediate pain-reliever.

It is also a very strong anti-inflammatory and may help with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

*Please note: this is a strong herb with many possible side effects, so it is advisable to seek the advice of a qualified medical herbalist or medical professional for help with migraines. Avoid eating the fresh herb as mouth ulceration and a sore tongue have been reported.

Old River Farm Herbs & Healing

31/10/2025

25/10/2025

18/10/2025

12/10/2025

21/09/2025

13/09/2025

06/09/2025

01/09/2025

23/08/2025

09/08/2025

26/07/2025

24/07/2025

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