Cath Couzens, Medical Herbalist

22/10/2025

20/10/2025

Calling potion-dabbling children 🧙🏼‍♀️

🍂 Join me on Tuesday 28th October for a 2 hour stand alone autumn taster session of Junior Herbalist Club at Prestbury Village Hall from 10am-12noon.

🍂 Children will make potions/herb gifts to take home, learning about plant ID and we'll create a discovery table of our finds from a mini herb walk (heading outside will be weather dependent, if the weather is terrible the herbs will be provided).

🍂 We'll make a herbal infusion to try (everything is optional for those sensitive to new flavours!), create leaf rubbings, as well as make a syrup for winter wellbeing and a Oxymel both to take home.

🍂 Children under 8 will need a parent/guardian to stay with them for the duration of the class, please note the class is suitable for 6 years and above (keen nature loving/foraging 5 year olds will love it too!).

🍂 Please bring two clean sterilised jam jars for the remedies the children will be making,

Tickets are £36 per child to include all the tuition, winter syrup and Oxymels to take home, plant ID, herb walk, herbal teas and leaf rubbings.

To book click here or DM me,

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/woodsideapothecary1

I hope to see you there!

Cath
Medical Herbalist
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

Junior Herbalist Club was originally established in 2014 and is supported by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. It's the only nationally recognised herbal medicine course for children. It is delivered by Medical Herbalists who have undergone specific training in order to deliver the course. Due to the popularity Level Two and Three can also be enjoyed once Level One/Two has been completed.

Cath Couzens is an award winning Medical Herbalist, based in Macclesfield and runs a private online health clinic. Cath also runs Herb School for Magical Grown Ups and monthly Junior Herbalist Clubs for children. She was named Best Wellbeing Specialist at the Muddy Stilettos Awards Cheshire 2025.

19/10/2025

Autumn harvest 🍂

A lovely trip to the allotment yesterday (after three Junior Herbalist sessions!) to decompress and gather some food.

The colours are beautiful right now and these are destined for cooking this week.

There's still lots of beetroot, squash and marrows too and loads of herbs to harvest another day ✨

I'm having a rest and catch up day today, much needed after a busy week with patients and two menopause events.

What are you up to today?

Cath
Medical Herbalist

18/10/2025

Join me from the comfort of your own kitchen on Tuesday 18th November to ready yourself for autumn and winter when you'll make a traditional 'Fire Cider' (non alcoholic!).

Fire Cider is a traditional remedy full of herbs to help support your health during the winter months. 

During the workshop I’ll talk you through the steps and we’ll make the Fire Cider together, you’ll learn about all the herbs we work with - the science and the folklore. You'll also be given details on what to do next after the workshop as your Fire Cider needs to mature for a few weeks You'll also pick up tips on other easy kitchen remedies for the winter including Onion Syrup and herbal teas.

The herbs we will cover include Thyme, Rosemary, Garlic, Chilli, Ginger, Turmeric, Citrus, Onions and more.
This is a fun workshop and you’ll takeaway lots of new knowledge about winter wellness and your jar of Fire Cider to enjoy over the winter months. 

Tickets are £49 per person to include postage and must be booked in advance.  This includes all the organic herbs, organic apple cider your jar and label which will all be delivered to you, as well as the online workshop. All you need to do is grab your apron, knife and chopping board and be ready to go for the workshop.

I look forward to meeting you!

Cath
Medical Herbalist

14/10/2025

Thank you to everyone at Manchester Menopause Hive for such a warm welcome on Sunday. It was great to meet so many other practitioners and share out knowledge on working with women during perimenopause/post menopause.

If you'd like to find out how herbal medicine can support you during this transitional time feel free to message me to book a free 15 minute Zoom chat to say hello in person.

Cath
Medical Herbalist
https://woodsideapothecary.com

13/10/2025

A request! 🌿

The lovely algorithm is playing up again...if you'd like to keep reading about my herbal medicine practice, how I support people with herbal medicine and all the gorgeous plants please click the three dots on the top right hand corner and 'favourite'.

I've seen likes and engagement really drop in the last two weeks and want to share what I'm up to and keep reaching the right people.

Here are a few pics from my recent trip to Menorca, I discovered an Agave 🌵 and learnt a wee bit about cacti. There were so many Aloe growing but it was also good to have a few days of rest and sunshine after a busy few months.

Thanks for reading!

Cath
Medical Herbalist

10/10/2025

Rosemary has been more than a kitchen herb for thousands of years — it’s a plant steeped in myth, memory, and medicine.

From the Mediterranean, Rosemary’s name comes from the Latin ros marinus, meaning “dew of the sea,” a nod to its fondness for coastal climates and the shimmering blue of its flowers, said to resemble sea sprays.

In ancient Greece and Rome, Rosemary was a sacred symbol of remembrance and fidelity. Students wore garlands of Rosemary while studying, believing it would sharpen the mind and improve memory. In medieval Europe, Rosemary was woven into bridal wreaths as a sign of loyalty and everlasting love, and it was burned as incense in homes and temples for purification.

In Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” preserving its legacy as a plant of memory and mourning.

In modern day practice it's known for stimulating and tonic qualities.

Traditionally Rosemary was eaten with fatty meats to relieve bloating, gas, and sluggish digestion, it acts as a gentle carminative — helping to stimulate bile flow and ease the digestive process.

Rich in compounds like Rosmarinic acid and Carnosol, Rosemary has antibacterial and antioxidant effects, supporting overall vitality and immune resilience.

Applied topically, Rosemary-infused oil can help improve circulation, ease muscle tension, and support scalp health.

But it's also not for everyone, so always check in with your healthcare practitioner that herbs are going to suit you, especially if you're taking prescribed medication or have an existing health diagnosis.

I offer a free 15 minute discovery call to find out more about herbal medicine before you book a consultation, you can DM me for details.

Cath 🌿
Medical Herbalist

09/10/2025

Some great info here on fungi!