The Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course offers a thoughtful and immersive introduction to the traditional use of native plants as natural remedies. Set within Woodland Ways’ expansive 250-acre woodland site, this day invites participants to slow down, observe closely, and rediscover the long-standing relationship between people and the healing plants growing quietly around them.
Guided by an experienced instructor, participants learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare a selection of wild medicinal plants commonly found in the British countryside. Emphasis is placed on accurate identification, ethical harvesting, and safe preparation, ensuring knowledge gained is both practical and responsible.
Alongside the practical skills, the course explores the history, folklore, and etymology of medicinal plants—examining old tales and traditional beliefs, and separating enduring wisdom from myth. This layered approach provides not only usable knowledge, but a deeper appreciation of how plant medicine has shaped human culture for centuries.
OPTION 1:
Buy this course as a gift voucher for someone else. Valid for 18 months.
BUY GIFT VOUCHER
OPTION 2:
Choose the number of places, pay a deposit now and the balance 8 weeks before the course starts or pay in full now.
Select from the dates below.
The Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course offers a thoughtful and immersive introduction to the traditional use of native plants as natural remedies. Set within Woodland Ways’ expansive 250-acre woodland site, this day invites participants to slow down, observe closely, and rediscover the long-standing relationship between people and the healing plants growing quietly around them.
Guided by an experienced instructor, participants learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare a selection of wild medicinal plants commonly found in the British countryside. Emphasis is placed on accurate identification, ethical harvesting, and safe preparation, ensuring knowledge gained is both practical and responsible.
Alongside the practical skills, the course explores the history, folklore, and etymology of medicinal plants—examining old tales and traditional beliefs, and separating enduring wisdom from myth. This layered approach provides not only usable knowledge, but a deeper appreciation of how plant medicine has shaped human culture for centuries.
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course
Morning – Identification, Harvesting, and Understanding
On arrival, participants are welcomed by the instructional team and introduced to the structure of the day. The morning is then spent exploring the woodland and hedgerows, identifying a wide range of native medicinal plants in their natural habitats.
For each plant encountered, the instructor covers:
- Key identifying features and lookalikes
- Medicinal properties and traditional uses
- Which parts of the plant are used and when
- Safe, sustainable harvesting methods
- Basic preparation techniques
Participants are encouraged to handle plants, examine leaf shape, scent, texture, and growth habit, developing confidence in real-world identification rather than reliance on books alone. Discussion naturally weaves together practical medicine, folklore, and modern understanding, creating a rich and engaging learning experience.
Afternoon – Preparing Natural Remedies
By late morning, the group returns to the woodland camp area. Participants take time to enjoy their self-catered packed lunch, relax, and discuss the plants collected so far. Hot and cold water are available for drinks, and a base-camp style toilet is on site.
The afternoon then focuses on turning harvested plants into practical, take-home remedies. Participants work step by step to create a small wilderness first aid kit, learning preparation techniques that can be safely replicated at home.
Depending on seasonal availability, participants may produce:
- Creams and ointments
- Tinctures and liniments
- Dried herbs and blended infusions
These preparations are tailored to address common everyday ailments such as cuts, bites and stings, burns, bruises, coughs, colds, and minor infections. Throughout the process, instructors explain why specific preparation methods are used, how remedies should be stored, and when professional medical advice should always be sought.
Participants leave with a selection of remedies they have made themselves, along with the knowledge to continue working with medicinal plants responsibly.
In Summary
The Hedgerow Medicine and Medicinal Wild Plants Course offers a grounded and empowering introduction to traditional plant medicine. Participants leave with practical identification skills, a collection of handmade herbal remedies, and a deeper understanding of the healing potential of the British landscape.
This course is ideal for those interested in wild food and foraging, bushcraft, herbalism, or sustainable living, and for anyone wishing to reconnect with the natural remedies growing just beyond the garden gate.
