The Very Curious Herbal

Herbal storyteller, Amanda Edmiston (Botanica Fabula) takes a look at the Willow tree and shares a traditional story about the tree's gifts, inspired by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell.

After a break, I'm finally returning to The Very Curious Herbal project podcast! It's been a tricky time for everyone over the past few years, but we need stories and plants more than ever, so I've finally got back to the project and would like to share a bit of a personal chat for my lovely regular listeners who have maybe been missing the podcast and a special look at one of the stories of the Larch tree, adapted from one given to me by fellow storyteller and activist Virginia Bjertnes.

Herbal storyteller: Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula shares folklore, uses and stories associated with the Oak tree inspired by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell, as part of her project The Very Curious Herbal.

Herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston Botanica Fabula, shares a look at Mugwort as part of her project The Very Curious Herbal.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, shares stories about Barley as part of The Very Curious Herbal.

Herbal storyteller: Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, shares some thoughts and stories about honeysuckle or Woodbind, as part of her Very Curious Herbal project, a look at the stories and uses of plants inspired by the work of eighteenth centre pioneering Scotswoman; Elizabeth Blackwell.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula shares a Scottish story about the 'witches brooms' found in Birch trees for The Very Curious Herbal project.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula looks at some of the stories and legends surrounding Violets for The Very Curious Herbal project, inspired by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell in the C18th

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, herbal storyteller shares the story of Goosegrass for The Very Curious Herbal

The story of Chocolate for The Very Curious Herbal project told by herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston, with acknowledgement to V P Cano from Mexico for sharing the original version on her blog

Herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston shares the story of Hazel for The Very Curious Herbal project, a series of stories, historical and herbal insights inspired by the work of C18th plantswoman Elizabeth Blackwell,

Amanda Edmiston, herbal storyteller, Botanica Fabula, looks at the uses of Elder inspired by a page from Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal of 1737 and shares the story of the Elder Mother as told by Hans Christian Anderson.

Described by Elizabeth Blackwell as good for cheering the spirits and dispelling melancholy this is a story about a rather magical apple tree for The Very Curious Herbal project. Now all there is to do is go to your nearest orchard or your favourite fruit tree, sing, clamour and make a lot of noise and give the roots a drink of the good stuff...alternatively if you don't have an apple tree handy you could sit back take a sip and listen to this tale, collected by Ruth Tongue and published in the 1960's

Herbal storyteller: Amanda Edmiston takes a look at coffee, shares it's stories and elements of it's history and effects, inspired by A Curious Herbal 1737 created by Elizabeth Blackwell

A pine tree story as a Christmas gift for all of you who have been listening in to The Very Curious Herbal!

A Phoenix story, with herbs and spices for the darkest time of the year. Part of The Very Curious Herbal project.

A short episode in The Very Curious Herbal project looking at the uses, mythology and folklore surrounding Ivy.

The legend of the Holly tree's tussle for control of the season, retold with reference to Elizabeth Blackwell's 'A Curious Herbal', as part of herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston's 'Very Curious Herbal' project an exploration of plants, their traditional tales, uses and folklore.

A look at Turmeric or Turmeric as Elizabeth Blackwell called it in 1737, for The Very Curious Herbal project, by Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, herbal storyteller

The story of the Tattie Bogle a Turnep's tale for The Very Curious Herbal, told by herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston.

A look at Lavender and a story of how it may have healed the hands of Aberdeenshire witches. Part of The Very Curious Herbal project a collection of stories, tastes and words created by herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston, inspired by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell in the C18th.

A traditional story from Poland about a magical fig tree with incredible properties, told by Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula as part of the Very Curious Herbal project

For the most part: mistrusted, misunderstood and reviled in Elizabeth Blackwell's day. The humble tomato or 'Love Apple' as she calls it, makes an appearance nonetheless in A Curious Herbal with the advice that is used externally for its cooling purposes... This story, my own blend of folklore and traditional herbal uses, looks at the belief held during the 17th and 18th centuries that tomato could be used by witches to turn their enemies into werewolves, whilst considering tomatine's potential, like it's atropine relatives to heighten premenstrual inflammation, this is The Wolf Peach.

This week the Very #CuriousHerbal isn't going to suggest you cook up the plant whose story I am about to share, this week I'm revealing the story of Mandrake...

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula presents the story of Hippens, a Wild Rose story of love.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula relates the tale of St John's Wort, wound healer, lifter of melancholy, Chase the Devil!

A stroll through the stories surrounding Cucumber, the plant featured in plate 4 of Elizabeth Blackwell's 'A Curious Herbal' with Botanica Fabula: Amanda Edmiston. A plant coveted by kings, cooling and so in demand it changed dynasties, becomes commonplace!

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, shares the second part of her look at Yarrow for The Very Curious Herbal project.

A look at Achillea, Yarrow, Nosebleed, a herb associated with divining in both Scotland and China. Healer on the battlefield, stopper of blood, curer of colds. A story told by Amanda Edmiston for The Very Curious Herbal project.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, relates the Nettle's tale for The Very Curious Herbal project

Part three of The Very Curious Herbal, Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula leads us through a plate of Elizabeth Blackwell's book of 1737 and into an ancient corn field...

A tale or two about the Dandelion. Taraxacum features in plate one of Elizabeth Blackwell's 'Curious Herbal', so here I share some stories and thoughts about this much maligned weed. A plant with the power to help us keep going even when everything is working against us. The fairy clock, telling the time and reseeding itself on a puff of wind. A short Nasrudin tale from the Sufi tradition and a traditional Scottish fairy legend, reveal aspects of the often overlooked first plant of Spring.

The Very Curious Herbal is a multidimensional herbal storytelling project with nearly as many elements as the book it was inspired by! Inspired by Elizabeth Blackwell's book: 'A Curious Herbal'; the first herbal created by a woman to be published. Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula, introduces the project and builds a picture of Blackwell...this is the first episode in what will become a magical garden of herbal stories with accompanying interactions and artwork available in the facebook group and on the Botanica Fabula website.