Amanda Edmiston's guest appearances

Amanda Edmiston

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Some Other Sphere

101 George Street

Restorying the Earth

Jack Hunter

Becca Tarnas

David Ditchfield

Michael Holland

Niki Jabbour

Jessica Walliser

Shirley Jackson

William Blake

Sarah Wilson

Jeff Lowenfels

Dean Radin

Thomas Rainer

Kim Wilkie

Mark Bell

Benjamin Vogt

OwlTail

This week, I share my conversation with Botanica Fabula's Amanda Edmiston.   Amanda is an herbalist, folklorist and storyteller here in Scotland.  She has a particular passion for reconnecting people to plants, to the land, to traditional knowledge and to each other.  While she has a number of fabulous projects on the go the focus of our chat is on an intergenerational project she led called a Kist in Thyme. The Kist in Thyme pages are here: https://botanicafabula.co.uk/the-kist-in-thyme and here: https://botanicafabula.co.uk/kist-in-thyme-poppets-and-besoms-halloween-2020 The story of Chase the Devil is told here on the 'Tales of the Taibhsear'  album (with musician Debbie Armour, Burd Ellen)  https://talesofthetaibhsear.bandcamp.com/track/chase-the-devil  or on the podcast that accompanies Amanda's other project The Very Curious Herbal here: https://anchor.fm/amanda-edmiston/episodes/St-Johns-Wort--The-Very-Curious-Herbal-e10mdfh/a-a5hi8ol There's also a wee piece Amanda made as part of the first strand of the project with the children's art and a story on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/e1tPirWJDLU The Tobar an Dualchais archive is here: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/?l=en The Scottish School of Herbal Medicine is no more, the co-founder still operates courses under the same name but they are no longer the same degree and masters level National Institute of Medical Herbalists accredited courses.  There is only the archive offering links to research and methods left here; https://www.herbalmedicine.org.uk/ Glasgow's  Hidden Gardens are here: https://thehiddengardens.org.uk/ Amanda's website and social media links are www.botanicafabula.co.uk Tweet: @HerbalStorytell Instagram: Amanda.edmiston Facebook: Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula: herbal storyteller Photo credit: John Ritchie

This week, I share my conversation with Botanica Fabula's Amanda Edmiston.   Amanda is an herbalist, folklorist and storyteller here in Scotland.  She has a particular passion for reconnecting people to plants, to the land, to traditional knowledge and to each other.  While she has a number of fabulous projects on the go the focus of our chat is on an intergenerational project she led called a Kist in Thyme. The Kist in Thyme pages are here: <a href="https://botanicafabula.co.uk/the-kist-in-thyme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://botanicafabula.co.uk/the-kist-in-thyme</a> and here: <a href="https://botanicafabula.co.uk/kist-in-thyme-poppets-and-besoms-halloween-2020" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://botanicafabula.co.uk/kist-in-thyme-poppets-and-besoms-halloween-2020</a> The story of Chase the Devil is told here on the 'Tales of the Taibhsear'  album (with musician Debbie Armour, Burd Ellen)  <a href="https://talesofthetaibhsear.bandcamp.com/track/chase-the-devil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://talesofthetaibhsear.bandcamp.com/track/chase-the-devil </a> or on the podcast that accompanies Amanda's other project The Very Curious Herbal here: <a href="https://anchor.fm/amanda-edmiston/episodes/St-Johns-Wort--The-Very-Curious-Herbal-e10mdfh/a-a5hi8ol" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/amanda-edmiston/episodes/St-Johns-Wort--The-Very-Curious-Herbal-e10mdfh/a-a5hi8ol</a> There's also a wee piece Amanda made as part of the first strand of the project with the children's art and a story on Youtube here: <a href="https://youtu.be/e1tPirWJDLU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/e1tPirWJDLU</a> The Tobar an Dualchais archive is here: <a href="https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/?l=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/?l=en</a> The Scottish School of Herbal Medicine is no more, the co-founder still operates courses under the same name but they are no longer the same degree and masters level National Institute of Medical Herbalists accredited courses.  There is only the archive offering links to research and methods left here; <a href="https://www.herbalmedicine.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.herbalmedicine.org.uk/</a> Glasgow's  Hidden Gardens are here: <a href="https://thehiddengardens.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://thehiddengardens.org.uk/</a> Amanda's website and social media links are <a href="http://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.botanicafabula.co.uk</a> Tweet: <a href="https://twitter.com/HerbalStorytell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@HerbalStorytell</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Amanda.edmiston/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amanda.edmiston</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmandaEdmistonBotanicaFabulaHerbalStorytelling" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula: herbal storyteller</a> Photo credit: John Ritchie

A Kist in Thyme with Amanda Edmiston

This week I’m speaking to botanical storyteller Amanda Edmiston. Amanda trained in herbalism and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of historical plants and botanical figures but in this episode, we focus mainly on what Amanda does and her work around Elizabeth Blackwell’s book ‘A Curious Herbal’. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Conopid Flies About Amanda Edmiston: “Amanda takes people into the stories she tells and brings other worlds, redolent with layers of history into people's lives. Immersion into one of Amanda's stories involves all the senses and often reveals facts which are often threatening to drift from the everyday consciousness. Each session is a magical experience and often stays in participants memories for years. Her work weaves together plants, herbs and flowers with traditional tales, facts and her own stories.Amanda creates an enchanted world to take people into, one that is frequently funny and full of unexpected twists. Her work illustrates and is inspired by oral traditions, history, food, smells, places, objects and the audience themselves. Working with people in museums , botanical gardens, libraries, wherever they are, Amanda's work opens up different possibilities and can enhance a range of events and projects.” https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/about What we talk about: The art of botanical storytelling Elizabeth Blackwell’s ‘A Curious Herbal’ The lost connection with nature? Historical herbals Links: Amanda’s website: www.botanicafabula.co.uk The Botanica Fabula Facebook group 

This week I’m speaking to botanical storyteller Amanda Edmiston. Amanda trained in herbalism and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of historical plants and botanical figures but in this episode, we focus mainly on what Amanda does and her work around Elizabeth Blackwell’s book ‘A Curious Herbal’. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Conopid Flies About Amanda Edmiston: “Amanda takes people into the stories she tells and brings other worlds, redolent with layers of history into people's lives. Immersion into one of Amanda's stories involves all the senses and often reveals facts which are often threatening to drift from the everyday consciousness. Each session is a magical experience and often stays in participants memories for years. Her work weaves together plants, herbs and flowers with traditional tales, facts and her own stories.Amanda creates an enchanted world to take people into, one that is frequently funny and full of unexpected twists. Her work illustrates and is inspired by oral traditions, history, food, smells, places, objects and the audience themselves. Working with people in museums , botanical gardens, libraries, wherever they are, Amanda's work opens up different possibilities and can enhance a range of events and projects.” <a href="https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/about</a> What we talk about: The art of botanical storytelling Elizabeth Blackwell’s ‘A Curious Herbal’ The lost connection with nature? Historical herbals Links: Amanda’s website: <a href="http://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.botanicafabula.co.uk</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/botanicafabulousness/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Botanica Fabula Facebook group</a>

Podcast 75 - Botanical Storytelling with Amanda Edmiston

Recently, whilst out on a run, I went too near some stinging nettles and OUCH! – got stung. Luckily, I immediately knew what to do. I found a dock leaf of course,  and rubbed the affected area. Pain over and my run was saved! I feel like I’ve always known that cure and I’m sure it’s something that most of you will have been told as a child as well. It is a very old piece of knowledge that has lasted over countless generations, just one of many nuggets of wisdom about plants which has survived, along with things like carrots being good for your eyes, and mint aiding digestion, through story, song and at learned at the knee of a family elder. It comes from a time when it was vital to have an understanding of the botanical world around you..of those plants which were nice, and those that were not so nice. My guest for this episode is Amanda Edmiston. Amanda is a professional storyteller, with a background and ancestry steeped in knowledge of Herbal Medicine. Her stories involve a wide range of characters from myth and legend and their encounters with and uses of herbs, flowers, trees, weeds..and a whole lot more.  Plants and herbs have always been an important to her and it was fascinating to talk to about their folklore, and the wisdom contained there, not just about what they can be used for, but also how to treat them with respect, and work with them to a mutual advantage. In a time when modern society faces some of it’s greatest ever ecological challenges, these stories are more relevant than ever and offer a chance to connect with nature on a whole new level. In the interview, we also discussed the use of certain plants in sympathetic magic, as well as the current growing popularity of permaculture. It was excellent stuff all round. For more details on Amanda's work, her wonderful website can be found here.   Intro music: Music from https://www.purple-planet.com/ 'Hubbub' by Chris Martyn/Geoff Harvey.

Recently, whilst out on a run, I went too near some stinging nettles and OUCH! – got stung. Luckily, I immediately knew what to do. I found a dock leaf of course,  and rubbed the affected area. Pain over and my run was saved! I feel like I’ve always known that cure and I’m sure it’s something that most of you will have been told as a child as well. It is a very old piece of knowledge that has lasted over countless generations, just one of many nuggets of wisdom about plants which has survived, along with things like carrots being good for your eyes, and mint aiding digestion, through story, song and at learned at the knee of a family elder. It comes from a time when it was vital to have an understanding of the botanical world around you..of those plants which were nice, and those that were not so nice. My guest for this episode is Amanda Edmiston. Amanda is a professional storyteller, with a background and ancestry steeped in knowledge of Herbal Medicine. Her stories involve a wide range of characters from myth and legend and their encounters with and uses of herbs, flowers, trees, weeds..and a whole lot more.  Plants and herbs have always been an important to her and it was fascinating to talk to about their folklore, and the wisdom contained there, not just about what they can be used for, but also how to treat them with respect, and work with them to a mutual advantage. In a time when modern society faces some of it’s greatest ever ecological challenges, these stories are more relevant than ever and offer a chance to connect with nature on a whole new level. In the interview, we also discussed the use of certain plants in sympathetic magic, as well as the current growing popularity of permaculture. It was excellent stuff all round. For more details on Amanda's work, her wonderful website can be found <a href="https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Intro music: Music from <a href="https://www.purple-planet.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.purple-planet.com/</a> 'Hubbub' by Chris Martyn/Geoff Harvey.

Episode 18 - Amanda Edmiston - Botanica Fabula