I'm happy to say the most frequent question I get off the back of my podcast is how do I study as a herbalist? This podcast, and final episode, aims to answer that question for anyone in the UK and gives some online options too.

The information in this podcast was true in 2018. Please check the course websites below to ensure nothing has changed since then. You'll see from the list I've placed below how incredibly varied the courses are now but generally last 3 years. Although this is aimed at people wanting to practice as a herbalist you'll find that almost every institution offers courses which suit those of you with a casual interest in herbal medicine for home use too.

Visit our website for the full list of courses.

http://foragebotanicals.co.uk/forage-botanicals/how-to-become-a-herbalist

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.

Elecampane is a root which is harvested in Autumn. I have grown this herb and candied it in the past for coughs but Belle raised other uses with me. Such as, it's amazing ability to kill MRSA! She also spoke about its associations with Helen of Troy and...

• Amparo's website: www.bellebenfield.com
• Seed Sista's (formerly Sensory Solutions') website: www.seedsistas.co.uk
• Belle's seed pilgrimmage: https://seedpilgrimage.wordpress.com/

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.

Marshmallow gave it's name to the sweet. It's wonderfully softening and soothing properties most commonly used for digestion. Amaro explains how she likes to prepare and use it. It's a herb I have a lot of but don't use much.

I'd like to apologise for the late publishing of this podcast. I had to take my sweet time on the sound levels in post-production and well, it was a right FAFF!

• Amparo's website: https://mediciplant.com