Reflecting on my journey of development, I find it fascinating how my early experiences with healing were deeply rooted in the traditions of my Indian upbringing. As a child, my mother’s remedy for a tummy ache involved the comforting aromas of ajowan, fennel, and ginger. The ghee generously ladled onto dal and the assortment of achars accompanying our meals formed the foundation of my understanding of healing, inspired by the Ayurvedic principles woven into the different cuisines of India. In my teenage years, my curiosity expanded to crystals, dreams, and the spiritual realm. However, the d ..read more

by Quantum Botanicals Advanced student, Kylie Williams The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of it’s own, which has a heavy influence on overall health.  This article looks at the effects of phytochemical on gut health, based on a summary of scientific studies collated in 2022.  (See references below) The gut microbiota has a role in: Digestion Absorption Overall health Phytochemicals & Gut Microbiome Plants secrete phytochemicals which accumulate in the cell wall and cell sap compartments of the plant, to aid the plants development and survival.  Phytochemicals are n ..read more

Spring 2023 began with the Quantum Botanicals Immersion, followed by the Healing Diets Immersion at Nutley Edge in East Sussex, with students attending from the UK, Spain, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, the US and the Netherlands.  This is a photo of our wonderful Quantum Botanicals students after collecting buttercups for our buttercup flower essence. It was a very early start to the day but the sun came out with perfect timing! Bonny Casel’s happy face when out in nature! Another group photo of Quantum Botanicals students at Nutley Edge. Our wonderful Healing Diets students o ..read more

The Wild Path Of Foraging: A Journey Through The Seasons Following is an exert from an essay written by Natural Physician student, Jemima Rose, on foraging through the seasons. I’ve included her section on winter foraging and will post each of the seasons from her essay, with her beautiful photos, over the course of the coming year. Jemima and her family have a wonderful passion for foraging and are currently working on a children’s book…which I can’t wait to read! To one in sympathy with nature, each season, in turn, seems the loveliest. – Mark Twain The Four Seasons One of the many gifts tha ..read more

My first teacher of iridology and herbal medicine, Dr. John Christopher, had such a passion for the many benefits of cayenne pepper, that he wrote an entire book on it! One of his students, Dr Richard Schulze, often quote’s Dr. Christopher in saying “If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.” The following article was written by Naturopathy student, Sonal Varsani, in honour of this wonderful plant medicine. Enjoy! The Power of Cayenne Pepper Many regard cayenne pepper as a ‘miracle herb,’ and for good reason. In addition to being a ta ..read more

Healing Diets Coach graduate, Laura Gualtieri, shares her journey towards studying natural medicine and her experience with her Healing Diets studies as she launches her own practice, and continues her studies towards her Naturopathy diploma! Laura will also be graduating as a Healing Diet Nutritional Consultant in October. Enjoy! My journey to the School of Natural Medicine has been a long and slow one.  With a background in professional training, consultancy and then teaching, I have always been drawn to finding ways to help people love learning, like I do.  My mother-in-law and s ..read more

By Jonathan Hinde at Oshadhi Essential Oils, with exerts from Oshadhi founder Malte Hozzel Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle, Everlasting) is one of those oils that far too few people seem to know about. It’s not exactly a secret, but for reasons I don’t fully understand, it doesn’t seem to appear on many of the standard ‘lists’ for students. True, it is a little on the costly side, yet its uses are widespread, the benefits can be really dramatic, and it is safe and simple to use. Its sweet floral notes blend with many different oils, and it becomes even more effective when blended synergistic ..read more

by Healing Diets student, Amy Hiller While researching the 5 elements and their significance in Ayurveda, I felt particularly drawn to the earth element. Initially this was because I considered it to be one I was lacking and was interested to discover ways to bring more of it into my life. As I delved further into the depths of the earth element, it became clear that even when the body and mind feel balanced, our relationship with the earth is ever evolving and requires constant nurturing. Uncovering and imagining creative ways to connect to the earth element has been a very enjoyable and exp ..read more

by Quantum Botanicals Advanced student, Erin Shaw Known as Darwin’s “abominable mystery” and distinguished by their unique, usually obvious, rather beautiful and intriguing reproductive organs – their flower- angiosperms dominate the kingdom plantae. Or to put it simply, flowers rule the plant world. A huge ca. 90% of the plants we experience on land are angiosperms (Sauquet, et al. 2017) so it is difficult to imagine our world without the colour and diversity of these flowering plants whose history and beginning is filled with mystery and intrigue. With an estimated nearly 400,000 extant spe ..read more

Carol Mead QBT Owner of Elyse & Me, an essential oil company offering exquisite blends that provide support during periods of stress. Almost one year ago, I felt a “ping”, that said, look for a course that would expand the depth and breadth of my knowledge of essential oils. I let GOOGLE do the work, as I was unsure what I was really looking for. Halfway down the page it read, “School of Natural Medicine”, I clicked on the course page and my eyes got fixated on the title “Quantum Botanicals”, yes, I thought, this sounds interesting. I double clicked and read the course intro: “the Quantum ..read more