Columbia Hillen is a herbalist whose journey bridges the ancient herbal traditions of Romania and the wild rich landscapes of Ireland. She's the founder of Anamcara Healing Herbs Garden in Donegal.
She grew up in Transylvania where herbs and spices are traditionally important in both food and medicine, and is now on a mission in Ireland to help people rediscover and trust all that is around them, and teach them that medicine starts with food.
We hope to inspire you too with this tasty conversation.
About how Columbia's grandmother never used medicine, only herbal teas.
About how moving to Ireland and getting to know Nikki Darrell opened a new world for her. (Nikki was a guest on episode 12)
About getting people to trust herbs again and how medicine starts with food.
About Romanian folk traditions and herbal remedies vs modern medicine, and how that is opposite to Belgium and Ireland.
About plants growing where they are needed.
About challenges and opportunities for herbalism in Europe.
About how also being a photographer influences how she looks at plants.
And lots more.
You can find out more about Columbia and her work on these websites:
Her herbalist website: https://www.anamcarahealingherbs.com/
Her writing retreat website: https://www.irelandwritingretreat.com/
Her photography website: https://www.columbiahillenphotography.com/
Or follow her on Instagram @anamcaraherbalgarden or Facebook.
She grew up in Transylvania where herbs and spices are traditionally important in both food and medicine, and is now on a mission in Ireland to help people rediscover and trust all that is around them, and teach them that medicine starts with food.
We hope to inspire you too with this tasty conversation.
About how Columbia's grandmother never used medicine, only herbal teas.
About how moving to Ireland and getting to know Nikki Darrell opened a new world for her. (Nikki was a guest on episode 12)
About getting people to trust herbs again and how medicine starts with food.
About Romanian folk traditions and herbal remedies vs modern medicine, and how that is opposite to Belgium and Ireland.
About plants growing where they are needed.
About challenges and opportunities for herbalism in Europe.
About how also being a photographer influences how she looks at plants.
And lots more.
You can find out more about Columbia and her work on these websites:
Her herbalist website: https://www.anamcarahealingherbs.com/
Her writing retreat website: https://www.irelandwritingretreat.com/
Her photography website: https://www.columbiahillenphotography.com/
Or follow her on Instagram @anamcaraherbalgarden or Facebook.
🌿 I'm looking for more interesting guests to talk about European herbalism and foraging in Europe. If you know anyone that would be perfect for this podcast, please let me know.
If you want to reach out, you can find me on Instagram @wildplantforager, and on Facebook.
You can also find more about me or contact me through my website www.wildplantforager.com
But please don't hang around online for too long. Go outside, and follow your wild heart 💚
🎼 music by Eva LaRuna
Disclaimer:
The information in the WYLDE podcast has been compiled with the utmost care. We try to keep it as current, complete and accurate as possible, yet no rights can be derived from this podcast episode.
We accept no liability for: direct or indirect damages resulting from possible errors and omissions, the content of linked websites, or the opinions of interviewed guests.
Please take into account that transcripts were automatically created by A.I. and may contain mistakes.
The content of this podcast in no way replaces personal medical advice or treatment by doctors and other medical professionals.
[00:00:33]
Unknown:
Welcome to Wild, the podcast for wildlings just like you. Wildlings who want to transform transform the prevalent plant blindness to collective plant wisdom. My name is Liebe Gollle. I've been working as a herbalist and wild plant forager in Belgium since 02/2002. In those years, I've seen a lot of changes. Working with plants has become more popular, but I've also seen time is running out for our planet. As foragers and herbalists in Europe, sometimes we're dealing with different plant species and different cultural approaches towards plants. In some countries, working with plants is licensed, and in others, it's almost illegal.
I believe that together, we can learn from one another and be stronger. There is nothing more empowering than connecting wild souls. Together, we can have a greater impact on restoring the ancient link between people and plants. And that's why for this podcast series, I'm talking to fellow herbalists and foragers in Europe. So if you're ready to find out what you've never been told, but what your soul already knows, welcome to Wild.
[00:02:12] Unknown:
Hello, Wildy. Welcome to the Wild podcast. And today on Wild, I'm honored to welcome Columbia Helen, a herbalist whose journey bridges the ancient herbal traditions of Romania and the wild rich landscapes of Ireland. She's a founder of Anam Cara Healing Herbs and carries a unique voice in European herbalism. Born in Romania, a country steeped in folk medicine and botanical lore, and now rooted in Ireland, she weaves together history, spirit, and the healing work of plants. Well, welcome, Columbia. Nice to have you here.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
Thank you very much, Liva. It's it's an honor to be here. It's a fantastic podcast. I've listened to some very well known and and highly highly regarded voices. So, very interesting podcast.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
Well, thank you so much. So, Columbia, how did your law for plants get started? And how did you eventually become a herbalist?
[00:03:20] Unknown:
It's it's interesting because I, I grew up in in Transylvania. And, I'm lucky from this point of view because Transylvania is part of Romania, but especially is is an area rich still in a lot of the old traditions. And we we use a lot of herbs and plants and and food. And it's an interesting Romania has a place in Europe, at the crossroads at three major cultures. So we're talking about the Austro Hungarian influence in Transylvania, and then the the Islamic world from the South, and then we have from the East, the the Slav culture.
So if you look at at Romania and we are a Latin nation, but with Celtic roots. So you have an amazing mix of all this. And in all this, herbs in food and and and spices in food, they matter a lot. So I grew up with this. And also herbal medicine, it's, it's even nowadays, it's a it's a practice that is very, often found in in homes. But how I started, my my grandmother was a herbalist and not in a, what we would call nowadays, recognized way in a very, old fashion in terms of she never had a medication in her house and she never took medication. So all the, treatments that we got, myself and my my sister, were this bitter teas.
But they fixed absolutely everything. And we knew that's, you know, whatever the mix is she was doing, she would fix a headache or a tummy ache or any kind of issue. And later, I I noticed that I think she pretty much had three main friends, was the Saint John's wort, the the wormwood, and the arrow. And pretty much they fixed most most things. So I I grew up with Herb's being part of my life. Unfortunately, looking back now, I should have learned more from her because I took a a different road. I I went to study journalism and communication at the University of Bucharest. I I was part of a team starting a a business, an English language business newspaper in Romania with events, and and I ran a a team of 30 people. So I went to a completely different road.
But during that time, of course, herbs were part of my life because I was used to that. If I had an issue, I would go first to to to get a tea. And then I started I moved to Ireland about twenty years ago, and I started writing retreats here in Ireland because I live in a in this magical place of Northwest Donegal and Ireland, literally on the wild Atlantic Way. And, during one of the retreats, one of the participants, she was she's an author, but she's also a herbalist. So we were chatting, and I started to become very interested. I mean, really? So how do you practice, and what did you have to do to practice? And, and I should thank her. Sue Bristow, she's from UK and a wonderful, writer.
And, she encouraged me. She said, well, if you want, of course, you can you can still become a herbalist. I said, really? You don't have to go through the University of Medicine and spend all this many, many years? And said, no. Not at all. So I said, can you help suggest any schools? And she suggested that I should talk to Nikki, Daryl. And that was the beginning of literally, my life completely changed. I really discovered this new, new world. I mean, Nikki runs this wonderful school. It's so open minded, so holistic. So, it's beautiful, the the approach to to learning, herbal medicine. So that was it. That was five years ago. I started the studies, and I it's literally changed the way I look at the world.
It's and sort of brought me back into my skin. So I know better now who I am.
[00:07:40] Unknown:
Yes. And it I think that resonates with a lot of our listeners that the herbs bring you back to yourself. And I also also think it's very intriguing how you're saying that, you grew up with the herbs. And what I'm wondering is, like, in the Transylvanian context, was it was it, like, the norm? Or all most people you you knew back then, were were they living, with herbal medicine as the normal thing to do rather than taking modern medicine? Or was it already like an alternative, more lifestyle?
[00:08:21] Unknown:
No. I think it was more the norm. And, just to put put you back a little bit in time, bring you back in time, it's I grew up and I was, 18 when the communism fell. So during communism, there was actually if you wanna look at it, one of the the good side effects would have been that there wasn't so many medication, not so many sophisticated medications. So people still kept relying on herbs. So it would have been more the norm, and it would have been easily available. And the knowledge would have been passed on from, generation to generation about, okay, if you, want to, you know, sort out your your tummy, you get a little bit of elderflower tea or a little bit of chamomile, and we would find that Romania is so such a variety of landscapes that we would find most of that. And again, I grew up in in Transylvania, which is this area of deep forest and and high mountains, and it's I grew up in nature because my parents were geologists, so our summers were up in the mountains, picking wild berries and blueberries and wild strawberries and all that. It was, it was lucky, to have that kind of background in which you can see that this is what everyone does. You know, in the summer, you pick the wild strawberries. In the autumn, then you pick the blueberries, and you make your own jams. And then along the way, you have the, you know, the other herbs that you pick and you dry so you can have them to use.
But even nowadays, after the communism and after the modern medicine, let's say, came stronger to Romania, you still have a lot of what we call, which is a a shop specifically for herbs. So now you would have the teas and the dry herbs there, but you would have also the health supplements, but you still have that. And now even the pharmacies are always stuck up with herbs and teas because they know people would tend to go still to that approach first. So it is it I I feel lucky that I come from that culture in which it was this was the norm.
[00:10:37] Unknown:
Yes. Very fascinating. Yes. And I also like
[00:10:40] Unknown:
how you talk about how the landscape
[00:10:44] Unknown:
shapes your relationship with the plants, you know, and and because everybody was doing it, everybody was picking the berries, and it was just a normal way of life. Yes.
[00:10:53] Unknown:
It is indeed. I I remember, again, with my parents in the spring picking the the buds of the the fir trees to to make our our syrup for coughs and colds and everything. And it was just a fun family thing that you do. It wasn't something that's because we decided to live an alternative life, it was like everyone was doing that. So but it's fun. And now, of course, when when I have the scent of pine, it's always sends me back to those moments of childhood.
[00:11:25] Unknown:
Wow. I, I, I am trying to imagine what that will be like for me to grow up, to have, have been growing up in a, in a context like that where it was normal and where it was just just a thing that the average person did. And, so so I guess this is I I'm I'm not sure, but how does it relate to the basic botanical knowledge that you see nowadays in Ireland? So I'm guessing, like, in Romania, it was it was very common to know a lot about plants and knowing where you could pick them and when you could pick them for optimum health, and and how is that in Ireland today?
[00:12:10] Unknown:
I did notice the the difference that there are a few people that still have the knowledge, of course, but people don't trust that as much. And and I think one one aspect here and what I've been so interested in in trying to do more is bring people back to the importance of food, and, actually, the medicine starts with the food. Absolutely. And because I have this background, in in Romania, if we make a dish in which there are not at least two, three herbs, no one would eat it because you feel like it's it's missing. I mean, it's it's not right. So when I noticed here, there's very few use of, very few herbs you being used. I mean, you have parsley sometimes and a little bit of thyme. But beyond that, people feel a bit reluctant because their their taste are not used with that, abundance of herbs. And and, again, like, in in Romania, it was absolutely normal. We would know that in the spring, we would get our nettles and dock leaves and foods. That was food. It wasn't for medicine. It was just that was the food.
Mhmm. But then here, people are like, really? You can actually eat them? So it is a little bit maybe sad to see that that's what we would call the Western, advances have actually cut the links so much with with nature. So people feel a little bit more disconnected and have to relearn and rediscover all this plentiful that is is around them. So there is a little bit of this. I was I was last week, I was, well, actually, no, earlier this week. I was at an event, just here, in Donegal, and it was fascinating because there were people from different, countries, from South Africa, from from Holland, from Germany, I think, and, of course, from Ireland. And it was nice to for us to talk about it and to see how their stories, come in.
Again, in a similar way, the the the Western world losing a little bit this connection with nature and rediscovering and really, you know, very shyly saying, are you sure I can take a bite of this dandelion leaf? I said, I guarantee you're safe. And then when they do, it's like, wow. It's actually nice. And and then to get the feedback later, look, I tried the pesto that you that you talked about and we tasted there in the workshops, and it's like, this is lovely. So it's so fulfilling to see that people remember in a way to trust the herbs.
[00:14:52] Unknown:
Yes. And and I'm wondering how important because you mentioned connection, connection, and restoring that connection. How important that is in your work because you are the founder of Anamkara Healing Herbs, and Anamkara is like a soulmate, which is also about connection. Can you elaborate a little bit about that?
[00:15:15] Unknown:
Yes. I I'm a I'm a foodie. So, it's it's also I come from a culture in which food is important. And as I mentioned, it's it's rich in in herbs. But, also, I believe that based on the the simple fact that we have to eat every day, it's good to use that ritual to try to encourage people to integrate herbs into their food because it doesn't feel like you're adding another task on their day. Everyone is so busy. They don't have time. And many times, you know, when he talks and be like, but I don't have time to make tea, you know, and and take all this every day. I say, fine. Let's then go with food. You do eat. So let's incorporate that in in food. So I'm fascinated by finding ways to, encourage people to explore that. First, their relation to food, and it's not just something that you have to do, but you can enjoy it, and how to actually make it as as nutritious as possible.
And then how herbs, once they come in, they will do more of the work than you think, more of adding some, chemical constituents to to your body that will help your body and will bring in the energies. And suddenly, you will actually start to crave other things, and you will start to want other kind of foods and be interested in other kind of foods. So I find that approach, more interesting.
[00:16:46] Unknown:
Yes. And I I I totally agree with what you say. The body learns and learns to crave new things and learns like, oh, yes, this is a plant that gives me magnesium and this is a plant that gives me, phosphorus or potassium and it just learns and you start to crave the better things.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:17:11] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. And it's interesting how you how you talk about that it's a very common thing in Romania to add, like, herbs to the food and how you also take this approach in Ireland. And I was I was wondering, are there, like, any other folk traditions or, remedies from your Romanian heritage that you still use today?
[00:17:38] Unknown:
Yes. I was just, thinking back, and I think it's similar maybe to the Irish history in terms of the oldest knowledge was part of the monastic settlements. And it's it's very similar in Romania. The all the the knowledge of, of making herbal medicine and and drying teas and that, it was done in the in the monasteries. And nowadays, which is which is nice in Romania, you can still go. There are still monasteries in which you can go and you can actually talk to the the nuns and the people that are actually still doing it. So there's an example, for example, it's very close to where my parents live. It's at the the bottom of the Carpathian Mountains and it's this monastery called Polovrage. And the name, it's a 500 year old monastery. It's small, but it's it's fascinating because it's still full of, all this knowledge. And it's in an area that was known that, a a sort of an old wizard, Zal Zalmoxi, used to live in caves and people can visit the caves. And the story is that he would keep there the secrets of the herbal medicine.
And and he would make all these, potions and and heal people. And as I said, people can still go now and and stay in that monastery. And the name of the place, it's Polovrage, which comes from Polovrage, which is the name in Romanian of comfrey. Oh. Was considered so strong and such an important medicine. So it's fascinating to see that it's wonderful to see that actually it has been preserved. And and you can go and you can buy tinctures from them, you can buy teas, you can buy salves from made at the monastery, from the plants that they grow there, and, and you can chat with them or you can stay for a few days if you want to just see what they're doing.
I see that, as a great way. I and I don't know, to be honest, if it was intentional, but I do believe that it is it's still there because people are still interested. Mhmm. People still value that, and it's important for them to to have it in their life. I haven't found a similar situation in Ireland in which this has been this tradition, but I'm sure it was because that's where the all the knowledge was was was kept and, imparted from in the monastic, places. So that would be, a difference that I see in which the fact that the people are still interested and they use herbs, then the need is there so that these places are still continuing to do it.
[00:20:30] Unknown:
Yes. I'm I'm trying to compare it a little bit to the situation in Belgium here. And I think because we are so densely populated, we have a lot of of, hospitals and pharmacists and just everywhere, basically. Like, every village has several pharmacists, not just one, even the smaller villages. And so I think modern medicine is just everywhere and, yes, sort of has, you know, taken in more space that used to belong to the herbal medicine. And I can see that there's obviously growing interest in herbal medicine. But, yes, for me, it's very interesting to see what, like, folk herbal medicines are still alive in areas that are more isolated because of mountains or because of, you know, political circumstances.
And and it's very interesting to see how how that really is an aspect of keeping herbalism alive or not. So I'm wondering how how how present is modern medicine in Romania at the moment?
[00:21:48] Unknown:
It is. I mean, absolutely. It it's present, and it's taking over more and more. In a good way. Meaning that, of course, we need also the the scientific approach and Yes. Absolutely. Have help for people. So, absolutely, I believe in a world in which herbal medicine, it's working hand in hand with the the scientific, medicine. I don't wanna call it traditional medicine because, actually, herbal medicine is more traditional medicine than than the the new medicine. But let's say, it is, it is available. It's not a great system, though. People have still a lot of difficulty.
There is not a lot of funding into modernizing hospitals. It's still a lack of of equipment. And so I think, in a cruel way, that might also force people into still relying on herbs first before they get to the hospital. It's mainly for the costs and not so much the cost in terms of this is the bill you have to pay, but it's more that it's supposed to be free, but no one will help you unless you pay something. There's still a little bit of that old, mentality of giving something to someone in order just to treat you. So, unfortunately, the system still has to get itself together and and improve in order to create a more, decent, health system.
In a weird way, that might still keep people interested in passing on the knowledge of, look, make sure you you get some herbal medicine. And if that doesn't work, then you you go to the hospital. So you you are right. It's it's an interesting, you know, how almost like they are forced to rely on that. But that's in a in a way, it has a good side that their their diet does include much more herbs. Now, again, of course, processed foods have absolutely inundated the market. And, of course, Romania is is full of it. And and soon, I'm sure we might see also high levels of diabetes and and heart problems and and so forth.
But maybe it still helps at the moment. There are still a few herbs there that people do because they they they become it become it's still routine for them.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
Yes. And I I could not agree more when you said we need both modern medicine and herbal medicine. Absolutely. But I think it's very interesting how you say that people turn to herbal medicine first. Because in Belgium, I can see the opposite. Most most people are open to herbs after everything else failed. It's like the last straw that they are, that they are trying to to hang on to. And I think it's very interesting because very often, I think, herbal medicine works really good as a first thing to go to, because it usually has less side effects and and all of that. It works in a milder way.
And I think it's very interesting here that people generally I mean, of course, this is a generalization. Well, people generally don't are really so open to using herbal medicine, but only if everything else has failed, then they are, yes, then they are open to it, which is interesting, I I think.
[00:25:48] Unknown:
It's fascinating because it's similar in Ireland. Exactly. Going first to medications, to painkillers, to first, and then do a lot of that exploration. And then finally, say, well, nothing worked. Let me see if, herbal medicine works. And you are right because many times when I talk to people people and I I listen to this journey they have, I feel it would be wonderful to start the other way. And not only because it might work, because you start early once you have a few symptoms, then you take a few teas, and that might actually, not only slow down, but actually maybe sort out the issue before months and months of waiting on a waiting list to be seen by someone and even the medication. And then by that time, the issue has escalated. So I totally agree with you. It is the the opposite, here.
Now, again, in in Romania, because I remember as a child and as the way we we would go on holiday in in the mountains with my parents, we'd we're working. They were they were actually walking the mountains to pick up samples of rocks and see what the minerals are so then they can actually make maps of that where the minerals can be exploited. I mean, there were people living up on the mountains with no roads. Actually, you couldn't get there by car, and it would take them pretty much almost whole day to get down to the village. So those people absolutely grew their own vegetables, their own food. They have their sheep or cows there. That's where they lived. And, of course, their medicine was the word or the herbs.
Because by the time they would have gone to the town, they would have maybe walked to the town, I don't know, maybe once or twice a month Mhmm. Or more than that. So in Transylvania, you would still I mean, I'm talking about thirty years ago, you would have still have this kind of situations. And it was fascinating to see because many of them, there were people in their sixties and seventies that they would walk that for the whole day, coming down and staying with someone overnight and then going back to their homes the next day. So they had that vitality.
And they the models for us to look up to and say, well, this is how we want to remember how to live.
[00:28:18] Unknown:
Yes. I I also like what you said about, you know, trying in Ireland to also make people to turn to herbal medicine first because there are long waiting lists. And I think we see this throughout Europe that, you know, if we look at medical help that we can get, the waiting lists are getting longer and longer. And I think, yes, indeed, it would be a great way for people to to learn more about herbal medicine and about how what they can already do for themselves, you know, supporting themselves with herbs while they are on the waiting list to get medical care.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
Exactly. That's a very good point. It's very true. And and definitely, I see people that I know around and, they they've been for months even on a waiting list for for conditions that they're in pain. Mhmm. They are still they don't trust the fact that what do you mean, like, just having some turmeric and my to make a turmeric latte, that wouldn't necessarily be a painkiller. Come on. It's just food. And I said, absolutely. That food can help alleviate this this pain. And look at the meadow sweet. It's just growing all around here. There's a reason why it's here. And because I I do believe that's, plants do grow where they they know there is a need for them.
[00:29:57] Unknown:
Nice. So, let's let's go back to, like, the the diversity and the differences, the unique things of herbalism in Romania and in Ireland. Like, what I've heard from you is that the the herbal education is more informal in Romania. Is that right? And then in Ireland, there are, like, there's more herbal education. There are herbal schools that you can attend. Am I getting that right?
[00:30:30] Unknown:
It's, there is still, of course, this, let's say, knowledge that at home, people would use these. But in the same time, there is a strong trend of several schools of herbal medicine in which people can go and and study, which is good because, that will soon, continue help to continue this tradition. But the problem is that, even if you study in these schools, you cannot for example, there are several schools that you can you can study herbal medicine, but you cannot open a clinic. You can't cannot be a practitioner unless you also have studies of medicine or, pharmacy.
Then you can practice. But if you study, you can, have a shop or you can have almost like a a herbal shop to suggest some things, but not practice as a practitioner. Mhmm. So it's halfway there. Meaning that it's good at least that, the schools are there to help people continue to study and and modernize the profession, but unfortunately, they haven't gone all the way. So there is an advantage in Ireland, of course, that we can practice. And with with schools like the the plant medicine school, Nikki's school, and and and other schools in Ireland, people like me that are interested, they can actually get fulfillment from practicing.
Whereas in Romania, you cannot do it yet. You can assist for example, you can, let's say, work with the pharmacy and sort of assist them in prescribing or with the with the medical cabinet. But I don't remember seeing many situations like that. So people that would be studying, they would be actually either opening a shop for herbal, medicine or doing workshops Mhmm. Or retreats. So, it's a it's a mix. It haven't it hasn't yet, it's it's still good it's happening. You know? I see it as a positive thing because there are several several schools that are are teaching, herbal medicine as part of a natural party, thing.
[00:32:56] Unknown:
Yes. It I think it's interesting because it's probably more similar to the situation in Belgium than the situation in Ireland. So, yeah, I can I can relate? So most herbalists here just, yeah, they open a store or they give workshops or anything like that, but they cannot really open, like, a clinic. So it's pretty much the same. Yes. Yes. What is interesting about you is that you have this this Romanian background. You are practicing. You have been living in Ireland for twenty years, you you told me. So and and now you're practicing as a herbalist, in Ireland.
So you've seen different sides of herbalism in Europe. And if you take the broader picture, if you take a look at the broader picture, what challenges do you see for herbalists in the European context, context, and what opportunities do you see?
[00:33:58] Unknown:
I think the opportunities are are immense. I I look at the the positive side first, and I I feel that the opportunities are immense because more and more people, are becoming more interested in learning about all this heritage and and getting back to nature. And again, in a sad way, but, again, I'm looking at the bright picture. COVID had a lot to do with it. It was that shock that many people got in which to reevaluate their lives. And in that context, their resources and whom they can rely on and what they can rely on. And maybe that desire to empower themselves a little bit more. And almost by in a in a in a strange way, again, being forced to walk in nature almost like because they couldn't go and socialize. They rediscovered how good it feels and how actually, you should do it because it makes you feel so good. So I think that opportunity, should be considered, a a great, advantage by herbalists.
And I do see that more and more people are interested even to to study, maybe not to become a practitioner, a herbal practitioner, but still to study to know how to make their medicine at home, herbal medicine at home, to empower themselves and to learn about what grows around them. So I think there is a, I I look more and I think there is more opportunity. I remember listening to a discussion. There was a lot of there were there was a group of of specialists in in Europe, and they had looked at a situation of the increasing numbers of antibiotics that are are sort of resistant.
People do not react anymore, so the number is growing in a scary way. So, again, I think it's a crisis that can be the opportunity because people will be looking at people like us, you and I, to support them and saying, yes. Actually, this is in your lawn. If you stop spraying it and stop cutting the grass, look at the plenty. So it's I think it's an opportunity. I see it more as an opportunity that we can do. And and it's not always because, of course, it's very important to have, clinics of of herbal practitioners to provide the system and to provide the the the protocol.
But I think it might fall on people that have decided to go on the, let's say, educational part in which, like, community herbalists in which, okay, let's just try to make this together. Let's go and pick and let's see, okay, what do you have in your in your yard here? Plantain is here. Why don't you use it for your cough and or your sinus or whatever? So I think it it falls onto the shoulders of of people that, can educate and can get involved into sharing their knowledge. Mhmm. I think it's an opportunity.
[00:37:29] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. And when I when I think about my own students, like, last year, I I had a chef, and he was very interested in the wild plants as the flavors in the in his kitchen. And every time he came to my classes, he was like, oh, it's so interesting. Oh, and he was nibbling on things, and he said, wonderful. It's very nice. And then he came home, and then he he would tell me afterwards, he said, I found it in my own garden. It was already there, but I've never seen it. And this is exactly what happens to people. It's like a wall of plants, and then suddenly, they start to recognize individual plants and plants that they can taste and that they can use and maybe as a poultice or as a as a chi or as a, yes. Which is also so, one thing I wanted to ask you, when it comes to Romania, in what form do people use herbal medicine? Like, is it mostly, as a tea or as a tincture or as how how do people use, medicinal herbs?
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Mainly, it would be in teas, but I would say even in in larger scale in food. The herbs like thyme and and, rosemary and sage, and they are used in food. We we like to have that. And even oregano and things like that. We we need to have some herbs in our our food, and then there would be teas. But then there would be other tasty ways, like, for example, sea buckthorn.
[00:39:15] Unknown:
Sea buckthorn Oh, I love that.
[00:39:18] Unknown:
But it's so I mean, I think I don't think there is one person in Romania that maybe hasn't used sea buckthorn and doesn't really swear by it because it's like the miracle herb for us. And but it now you go to, a cafeteria and they serve freshly squeezed sea buckthorn juice, which is Oh. Yes. Because, it's so, widely available. And, of course, there are also some companies that picked up, and now you can actually buy it to have it at home. And so it's lovely to see that it's integrated again in food. And where you have the the fur bud syrup.
Mhmm. Again, it's something that people would they would have in the house and they would buy because they that's what they take first. They would take that when they have a little bit of a cough or a little bit of a a sore throat. And there are people, for example, when you travel through Transylvania, you see by the side of the road, people that have made that at home and they sell it. So it's something that you can just sort of buy homemade.
[00:40:26] Unknown:
Okay. And that is that is like a legal thing? You can just make these things at home and and sell them legally, or is that kind of a gray zone?
[00:40:36] Unknown:
Yes. That no one would sort of go into the home of someone that makes two liters of the syrup and sells it by the side of the road as a as a craft on that side. On the sea buckthorn, that is legal. Absolutely. And they don't sell it as a medicine. They sell it in cafeteria as a nice juice that you can have. But we know I mean, it's it's really so rich in vitamin c and and, you know, omegas and everything. So it's so good for you. But they don't see it as medicine. They just say it as something because it's very tasty. So, again, I think there's a lot in the in the food that, the the herbal medicine is is imparted.
[00:41:22] Unknown:
I'm I'm thinking about a word that comes up in my head now. Would you say that, like, the countries like like, maybe Ireland, where you live now, and and when I think about Belgium, where I live as well, could we coin the term herb deficiency?
[00:41:45] Unknown:
I mean That's interesting.
[00:41:48] Unknown:
Yes. It's it's an interesting thing to think about. We always think about, oh, okay. We need fruits and vegetables and when we need whole foods and everything. But, you know, the herbs, we also really, really need the herbs, and too few people talk about that, really.
[00:42:08] Unknown:
That's a very good I think it's a very interesting, point of view, herb deficiency, because, when I think of much of the the Irish food and in the restaurants, in the cafes that you see around, except maybe some parsley, there wouldn't be much else. Unless we're talking about some sophisticated chefs that decided to experience a little bit with sorrel, for example, and and a little bit of seaweed, but they wouldn't go beyond that very much. Maybe, I don't know, maybe thyme again. Yeah. Thyme and rosemary a little bit. But you're right. In terms of everyday, foods, no. There would be it would be right to talk about a herb deficiency.
Yes. Even I mean, we're talking about food, but also and even in in drinks. Just to give you an example, for example, a very, popular drink in Romania is something called, which is the name from warm for wormwood. But what it is, it's warm and diffused wine, which is sold in in shops as a drink, very good to take as a as a digestive. So, again, it's it's also in in drinks that it's, promoted, because we know it's very good for us and but also people like it. So they still like that kind of bitter taste. Yes. And when it comes back to a a sort of a a big culprit in our culture. You know? Mhmm. Sugar that has taken over everything, and then people if if it's not sweet, then people are reluctant to taste it.
Mhmm. So almost like reeducating our taste
[00:43:54] Unknown:
buds. Yes. You have to learn how to eat bitter, and and people don't learn that anymore. And I'm also super fascinated by, the wormwood thing that you just told me because in Belgium, wormwood is illegal to use.
[00:44:10] Unknown:
So Really? Yeah. Yes. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. Well, there was a there was a campaign against it, I think, even in France, because they they considered that it causes blindness, I think. Well, it mixed with all the the other herbs that make the pastis. No. I think it wasn't the pastis. It was the other drink, the absinthe. The absinthe. Yes. Yeah. But they I think they legalized it again now. But in comparison, for example, you know, in in France, you would be, you would see I think it's a culture much closer to the Romanian one. And I don't know if it has to do with the Latin, roots of that because if you go to Italy or Spain or, you know, or France, you see herbs being used in food.
I mean, we didn't have food without a variety of herbs and more greens and that. So it might have something to do with also the Latin roots of of the culture. But you're right. I like this term, herb deficiency. It's very interesting. Yeah.
[00:45:13] Unknown:
Yes. I'm thinking about my my own childhood and my children now that are teenagers. And it's it's very funny because when I grow up, it was pretty much the way you describe, like like, I remember my parents, they had, like, one little a really tiny jar of of thyme in their kitchen cupboard and then, maybe some pepper and some cinnamon. That will be it. And then we had some fresh parsley from the garden, and, that was really it. That was really it. And that was the norm. And seeing my my children grow up now, well, of course, they are the children of a herbalist.
[00:45:59] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:46:01] Unknown:
You know, when they when they prepare something for themselves in the kitchen, it has to has herbs or it's not a complete meal. And Wonderful. So it's really nice to see how just in one generation, you can really change this, and it really has to do a lot with how how used you are to herbs and how you reeducate yourself or how you pass it on on your children.
[00:46:24] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. You're you're very right. And it's it comes back to what where we give our attention to, it will grow and it will respond. So, as you were talking about the the chef that was at your, workshop, It's wonderful. I think it's great to have some chefs because they're, like, influencers for us. Yes. I wanna say because I absolutely, as a chef, you would be fascinated. Once you've discovered herbs, you you want to keep going and explore. I remember being several years back, I mean, twenty years or so to South Africa and being so fascinated by the scents of the herbs. I didn't know much, but even then, I wanted to know what all those scents were that you could you could smell.
It was it was just amazing. And then being at a restaurant in which the chef unfortunately, I can't remember where, but the chef was really experiencing with local herbs. So the foods Mhmm. Had different local herbs, which unfortunately, I can't remember. But I remember thinking that this is what I would like restaurants to do. Educate us about, you know, how you can integrate this in food. It's it's a wonderful way to, bring nature into our souls in a way. Mhmm.
[00:47:46] Unknown:
Mhmm. Yes. And one thing I also wanted to ask you is, because I've talked with, I've talked with people from Bulgaria before, and what I noticed there was that the magic surrounding the herbs was still very important there. How is that in Romania, and also how is that in Ireland?
[00:48:09] Unknown:
Well, definitely in Ireland, it's it's strong, because many of the legends, of course, include herbs. And and we have, I think, the seven seven sacred herbs of the Celts that, even though Celts didn't leave any writings, but there are a lot of stories around that. And, in in Romania, of course, we like stories, and there's always gonna be, some association with with with herbal medicine. I haven't looked very much into the the mythological part of the, herbal medicine in Romania to actually be able to give you an example about that, except what, I mentioned to you about this very well known, wizard that sort of lived in these caves.
And people still revered that place as being very powerful in terms of the herbs that you pick there. They would have that extra energy and extra potency. But, definitely, we like stories. I mean, there is a a very common thread that I I've noticed between Romania and Ireland. When the Romanian and a and a Irish meet, you'll not maybe get to build anything, but you'll have a great fun, a great day. I mean, worries in the crack, there's no problem. They don't need too much introduction. You might not serve if you plan to build a house or something, it might not happen soon because the fun, comes first.
So there is a lot in common from that point of view in terms of stories and and songs and that. And, and and again, there's still, you know, in in songs, you have herbs that that pop in. Really? Yeah. Yeah. And and, unfortunately, I'm not a singer, but I do remember, several times now because, of course, now I look at the world in completely different eyes and everything, you know, where a herb or a plant pops in, I I noticed that. So I definitely remember being last year in the in the summer to see my parents back in Romania. They still live there, so I go there every every year. And listening to some songs, I said, wow. I don't remember paying attention in this song, there is this her. But unfortunately, I can't give you this number because I can't remember what it is.
But definitely, in the in the songs or in poetry, you would see them, come in and very, very important. What if, for example, I can give you the example of Saint John's Wort, which I was so surprised, pleasantly surprised to discover when I moved to Donegal. There is one celebration that I remember. It happens only in the Transva and North Of Transylvania around the the June 23. And that is the bonfires on the mountains and the picking of meadow sweet, and the stories that you have to be careful because that night, all the fairies are out and they're dancing.
And if you if they catch you that you see them, you're in trouble. Mhmm. So I came to Donegal, and I've discovered that actually the stories are similar, but they've definitely, the bonfires are happening. And this is the, you know, the the the time when the best time to pick Saint John's Wort. And it's the same in Transylvania. This is when you pick the Saint John's Wort because it's at its utmost, power. So here's two places in in Europe, very different. They have exactly the same tradition.
[00:51:57] Unknown:
That's giving me goosebumps, actually. That's so lovely.
[00:52:02] Unknown:
This this is what happened to me. I said, I can't believe it. Are you serious? And it absolutely happens every year. And in Romania, I don't know another place where this happens, except in North North Transylvania, Maramures, where I grew up. And in Donegal I don't I know in Donegal, this happens. I don't know if in different other parts of Ireland, that might be. But definitely here, it's very strong and they still it still happens.
[00:52:26] Unknown:
Wow. Amazing. So, Columbia, you're you're also a photographer? Yes. I love to do. I was wondering how does that influence your work with the herbs? Like, I think if you have, like, the photographic eye or the photographic viewpoints, you may see a lot of more details in the plants or or yes. Do you look from a different angle? That really fascinates me.
[00:52:58] Unknown:
It's it is. It has helped me to, get even closer to to plants indeed. I'm not a good, artist in terms of drawing, and I've tried, but it it wasn't the the method for me to relate. Whereas when I look through the camera, it's it's that moment in which everything else disappears, and it's just me and that plant. And most of the times, it's not something that is rational, and that's the beauty of it. It's more a kind of conversation that is is just happening there. And I think it's like a meditation. It's sort of maybe my way of meditating with that plant because, I I love to to explore and go back and and look at it not so much for the beauty of the photo, but for the, when you look through the camera, there's a certain personality that some some sometimes pops up, you know, in the flower, in the leaf, or the texture that before, even if you look very closely, somehow it just doesn't happen.
But when you look through the the camera lens, you see, wow. Now I understand a little bit. You know, when you look, for example, and you have the leaf of the of comfrey, and you look through the camera and the light shines through it. Woah. It's such an amazing world that's it's almost, it feels that it it brings you a little bit closer and almost the the plant it feels like the the plant is like, here I am. Mhmm. You can look at me. I'm fine. I'm happy for you to look at me. So, yes, it has helped a lot.
[00:54:47] Unknown:
Wow. That's very nice. Very nice. Is is there a plant that recently really surprised you or a plant that you feel like a very special connection to?
[00:55:00] Unknown:
I'm I'm still like a child in a toy shop re literally. For me I can relate to. Everyday, I feel like I'm so lucky to live in a world that has plants, literally. And, it's it's, I'm I'm easily amazed. But a recent experience and I have to confess, not necessarily because I had a strong connection or well, I've been growing the plant for five years now because I got a a leaf from, Nikki five years ago when I started. It's the miracle plant, kalankoy Mhmm. Hinata. And it's wonderful to have in the house, and it's I love the I love the the miracle that it gives you, you know, from a little leaf, little plants pop.
But I had to be away this year for a long trip. I I did a long trip through Europe, and I wanted to make sure that, I adopt the plants that I have in the house to very good homes that will care for them. So she had to go. So she went to someone, and I came back after two months of travels. And on a bookshelf where the plant had had been, there was a leaf with seven little plants popping out of it. I'm talking about Wow. I've been there for two months on a book, and the little plants were alive. Literally, my heart almost stopped with the miracle. I mean, to live on hope and love and light and that's it, and and give life to these little plants, I just thought this is literally a miracle leaf.
So, of course, she hasn't had the the the pot of soil to grow for the babies and everything, but I just could not believe it that life can be so strong. And somehow, almost like, I want to be in this house. Yes. It's still important for you to have me. So I I have to admit that I was in awe of of this little miracle. And, before, I was just nibbling at its leaves and sort of try to tea here and there. And, of course, telling people about the the actual just the, healing energy when you see life coming out of a a leaf. It's so such a beautiful thing. But now I I'll start to have a deeper relationship, I have to say.
Wow. That's a very moving story. Yes. I thought it was fascinating to see that. I could not believe it.
[00:57:47] Unknown:
Yeah. It's very inspiring how plants can just inspire us by by doing what they do and being there and and doing their thing. And yes. So apart from the plants, where do you get inspiration or or new knowledge or new insights? Like, is there, a book that you recently read or, I don't know, a YouTube channel you discovered? Or what what gives you inspiration apart from the plants themselves?
[00:58:22] Unknown:
Definitely, I love reading, and there's several books that are there on my shelf. And the I the the the the truth is that it's a lot in my garden that is happening. And when the weather is good, there's a lot of lessons there, and I love to explore that. It's I still feel that I haven't actually explored my garden even though it's not that big. It's not even an acre maybe. But there's so much going on, that I always feel like I'm missing out a lesson or I'm missing out a message. So, so nature would definitely be my my first, go to, but definitely, of course, there's a a lot of I I will feel like this responsibility that, I can say now I graduated, so I I have a bigger responsibility.
So there's even more learning to do. I could before maybe say, well, I'm I'm a student, I'm still learning. But now, I definitely should say I'm a student. I'm I'm still learning. So books, podcasts, like like yours, talking to people and and listening to other people, definitely, sort of online workshops. I mean, there is a good side of technology. Mhmm. Because it has opened the world, so I can listen to your workshop even though you're in Belgium and I'm in in Ireland. So I definitely, I attend some of these online workshops because they're they're more interesting because you get a chance also to to to ask questions. But again, in person, like, for example, the upcoming festival, there's a a festival coming up in in Ireland at Herb Feast.
And, and then workshops that, the plant medicine school are organizing, you know, they're gonna have, interesting guests in person. So Mhmm. In person events are, like, absolutely priceless. The chance to to be there with someone that has this experience of years and years of of working with with Herbst and seeing what they do and and and having a chance to ask questions, I think that's invaluable. So as much as I can, I I like to do that? And then literally, every day, making sure that I cook something or I try something different with with herbs and and learn from the mistakes and keep tasting it.
[01:00:56] Unknown:
Yes. And that's just, just the thing about herbalism. No matter how long you have been doing it for, like I've been doing it for more than twenty years, you are a lifelong student. It never stops. You always continue to learn new things and have new insights. And I think that's actually a very nice part about herbalism because it never gets boring. It never you never have the feeling, okay, I'll master it all. I know everything. It's it's never you know, there is always new insights, new surprises, new challenges, and,
[01:01:34] Unknown:
yeah, that's one of the aspects I really like about herbalism. Yes. I love that too. I love that too. Mhmm. Mhmm. I remember there was a Romanian, philosopher, Choran, who said that, you know, it's it's being a constant student that will keep someone on the right track. And and I definitely agree with that, you know, with, having the awareness that, if you ever get to the point of saying I know it, that means something is wrong. You're on the wrong road.
[01:02:09] Unknown:
Yes. That is so right. That is so right. So, what what final message would you give to the to our listeners, many of whom are herbalists themselves? Is there, like, a special message or some kind of advice that you would like to give them?
[01:02:29] Unknown:
I wouldn't dare giving any advice. It's just, because as I said, I'm I'm literally I feel like a child in the field and start starting, my my my love of plants and my working with plants, and it it feels like it would take hundreds of years to be able to give an advice. But definitely, I feel from my experience, so far is the fact that I think plants and and herbs in general understand us so much more than we think, and more definitely than we understand them. And I remember, reading about this old sort of they say it's a Celtic saying that a medicinal herb that you need is never further than a day's walk from you.
And there have been so many examples that's that I've seen around and from my small experience here. So I think it's to try to give them the chance to teach us and to respect them from what they are. I think it would be a good start, and and I think it would we would be and also to actually let ourselves be amazed by what we find out, allowing ourselves to believe that actually this is it. It is so amazing.
[01:03:49] Unknown:
Wow. I love that. And I also love how you said plants understand us so much more than we understand them.
[01:03:58] Unknown:
That's deep. That's how I feel. That's how I feel. I'm I'm I really feel that's, they have this knowledge and, just like with this small example, this this, they knows that I need her. And all her she she wanted to make sure that I don't, put her out of my life for certain reason that I still don't know. And there are other examples of of plants popping into my garden that I never thought of. But then it comes a time when actually that's exactly what I need. Mhmm. So there is this knowledge that, we have lost, but it's there, and the plants are there to help us if we allow them.
[01:04:48] Unknown:
Yes. Totally. Totally. Thank you so much for your time and the many interesting things you said, Columbia. Wow. It's I'm really amazed. There are so many levels when it comes to this conversation. I really loved it. So Thank you so much. You're a wonderful,
[01:05:08] Unknown:
interviewer. So
[01:05:09] Unknown:
Oh, thank you. Thank you. So if people want to find out more about your work, where can they find more info information?
[01:05:18] Unknown:
The easiest would be on my sites, which is anamkarahealingherbs.com. So that would be on my site, and that would be I've tried to, and they can find me easily, I think, on on social media, but, or through the for example, I'm a member of the, the Irish Register of Herbalists in in Ireland or and also the Association of Master Herbalists. So my contacts should also be there. So absolutely. If you are in Ireland or especially in Donegal, absolutely, give me a sign, come and say hello, and we'll say hello together to the herbs that grow here. Would be a pleasure to show you around.
[01:05:58] Unknown:
Lovely. Lovely. Thank you so much, Columbia. And to the wild souls that are listening, thank you so much for tuning in again. I hope to see you for the next time. And in the meantime, keep powdering your nose with dandelion pollen.
[01:06:15] Unknown:
Bye
[01:06:16] Unknown:
bye. A warm thank you for listening, Wildy. Are you feeling a wild itch after this episode? Well, just head over to wildplantforager.com and feel free to connect with me on social media. I'm looking forward to the next episode. I hope you'll be there. But for now, just go outside and follow your wild heart.
Welcome to Wild, the podcast for wildlings just like you. Wildlings who want to transform transform the prevalent plant blindness to collective plant wisdom. My name is Liebe Gollle. I've been working as a herbalist and wild plant forager in Belgium since 02/2002. In those years, I've seen a lot of changes. Working with plants has become more popular, but I've also seen time is running out for our planet. As foragers and herbalists in Europe, sometimes we're dealing with different plant species and different cultural approaches towards plants. In some countries, working with plants is licensed, and in others, it's almost illegal.
I believe that together, we can learn from one another and be stronger. There is nothing more empowering than connecting wild souls. Together, we can have a greater impact on restoring the ancient link between people and plants. And that's why for this podcast series, I'm talking to fellow herbalists and foragers in Europe. So if you're ready to find out what you've never been told, but what your soul already knows, welcome to Wild.
[00:02:12] Unknown:
Hello, Wildy. Welcome to the Wild podcast. And today on Wild, I'm honored to welcome Columbia Helen, a herbalist whose journey bridges the ancient herbal traditions of Romania and the wild rich landscapes of Ireland. She's a founder of Anam Cara Healing Herbs and carries a unique voice in European herbalism. Born in Romania, a country steeped in folk medicine and botanical lore, and now rooted in Ireland, she weaves together history, spirit, and the healing work of plants. Well, welcome, Columbia. Nice to have you here.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
Thank you very much, Liva. It's it's an honor to be here. It's a fantastic podcast. I've listened to some very well known and and highly highly regarded voices. So, very interesting podcast.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
Well, thank you so much. So, Columbia, how did your law for plants get started? And how did you eventually become a herbalist?
[00:03:20] Unknown:
It's it's interesting because I, I grew up in in Transylvania. And, I'm lucky from this point of view because Transylvania is part of Romania, but especially is is an area rich still in a lot of the old traditions. And we we use a lot of herbs and plants and and food. And it's an interesting Romania has a place in Europe, at the crossroads at three major cultures. So we're talking about the Austro Hungarian influence in Transylvania, and then the the Islamic world from the South, and then we have from the East, the the Slav culture.
So if you look at at Romania and we are a Latin nation, but with Celtic roots. So you have an amazing mix of all this. And in all this, herbs in food and and and spices in food, they matter a lot. So I grew up with this. And also herbal medicine, it's, it's even nowadays, it's a it's a practice that is very, often found in in homes. But how I started, my my grandmother was a herbalist and not in a, what we would call nowadays, recognized way in a very, old fashion in terms of she never had a medication in her house and she never took medication. So all the, treatments that we got, myself and my my sister, were this bitter teas.
But they fixed absolutely everything. And we knew that's, you know, whatever the mix is she was doing, she would fix a headache or a tummy ache or any kind of issue. And later, I I noticed that I think she pretty much had three main friends, was the Saint John's wort, the the wormwood, and the arrow. And pretty much they fixed most most things. So I I grew up with Herb's being part of my life. Unfortunately, looking back now, I should have learned more from her because I took a a different road. I I went to study journalism and communication at the University of Bucharest. I I was part of a team starting a a business, an English language business newspaper in Romania with events, and and I ran a a team of 30 people. So I went to a completely different road.
But during that time, of course, herbs were part of my life because I was used to that. If I had an issue, I would go first to to to get a tea. And then I started I moved to Ireland about twenty years ago, and I started writing retreats here in Ireland because I live in a in this magical place of Northwest Donegal and Ireland, literally on the wild Atlantic Way. And, during one of the retreats, one of the participants, she was she's an author, but she's also a herbalist. So we were chatting, and I started to become very interested. I mean, really? So how do you practice, and what did you have to do to practice? And, and I should thank her. Sue Bristow, she's from UK and a wonderful, writer.
And, she encouraged me. She said, well, if you want, of course, you can you can still become a herbalist. I said, really? You don't have to go through the University of Medicine and spend all this many, many years? And said, no. Not at all. So I said, can you help suggest any schools? And she suggested that I should talk to Nikki, Daryl. And that was the beginning of literally, my life completely changed. I really discovered this new, new world. I mean, Nikki runs this wonderful school. It's so open minded, so holistic. So, it's beautiful, the the approach to to learning, herbal medicine. So that was it. That was five years ago. I started the studies, and I it's literally changed the way I look at the world.
It's and sort of brought me back into my skin. So I know better now who I am.
[00:07:40] Unknown:
Yes. And it I think that resonates with a lot of our listeners that the herbs bring you back to yourself. And I also also think it's very intriguing how you're saying that, you grew up with the herbs. And what I'm wondering is, like, in the Transylvanian context, was it was it, like, the norm? Or all most people you you knew back then, were were they living, with herbal medicine as the normal thing to do rather than taking modern medicine? Or was it already like an alternative, more lifestyle?
[00:08:21] Unknown:
No. I think it was more the norm. And, just to put put you back a little bit in time, bring you back in time, it's I grew up and I was, 18 when the communism fell. So during communism, there was actually if you wanna look at it, one of the the good side effects would have been that there wasn't so many medication, not so many sophisticated medications. So people still kept relying on herbs. So it would have been more the norm, and it would have been easily available. And the knowledge would have been passed on from, generation to generation about, okay, if you, want to, you know, sort out your your tummy, you get a little bit of elderflower tea or a little bit of chamomile, and we would find that Romania is so such a variety of landscapes that we would find most of that. And again, I grew up in in Transylvania, which is this area of deep forest and and high mountains, and it's I grew up in nature because my parents were geologists, so our summers were up in the mountains, picking wild berries and blueberries and wild strawberries and all that. It was, it was lucky, to have that kind of background in which you can see that this is what everyone does. You know, in the summer, you pick the wild strawberries. In the autumn, then you pick the blueberries, and you make your own jams. And then along the way, you have the, you know, the other herbs that you pick and you dry so you can have them to use.
But even nowadays, after the communism and after the modern medicine, let's say, came stronger to Romania, you still have a lot of what we call, which is a a shop specifically for herbs. So now you would have the teas and the dry herbs there, but you would have also the health supplements, but you still have that. And now even the pharmacies are always stuck up with herbs and teas because they know people would tend to go still to that approach first. So it is it I I feel lucky that I come from that culture in which it was this was the norm.
[00:10:37] Unknown:
Yes. Very fascinating. Yes. And I also like
[00:10:40] Unknown:
how you talk about how the landscape
[00:10:44] Unknown:
shapes your relationship with the plants, you know, and and because everybody was doing it, everybody was picking the berries, and it was just a normal way of life. Yes.
[00:10:53] Unknown:
It is indeed. I I remember, again, with my parents in the spring picking the the buds of the the fir trees to to make our our syrup for coughs and colds and everything. And it was just a fun family thing that you do. It wasn't something that's because we decided to live an alternative life, it was like everyone was doing that. So but it's fun. And now, of course, when when I have the scent of pine, it's always sends me back to those moments of childhood.
[00:11:25] Unknown:
Wow. I, I, I am trying to imagine what that will be like for me to grow up, to have, have been growing up in a, in a context like that where it was normal and where it was just just a thing that the average person did. And, so so I guess this is I I'm I'm not sure, but how does it relate to the basic botanical knowledge that you see nowadays in Ireland? So I'm guessing, like, in Romania, it was it was very common to know a lot about plants and knowing where you could pick them and when you could pick them for optimum health, and and how is that in Ireland today?
[00:12:10] Unknown:
I did notice the the difference that there are a few people that still have the knowledge, of course, but people don't trust that as much. And and I think one one aspect here and what I've been so interested in in trying to do more is bring people back to the importance of food, and, actually, the medicine starts with the food. Absolutely. And because I have this background, in in Romania, if we make a dish in which there are not at least two, three herbs, no one would eat it because you feel like it's it's missing. I mean, it's it's not right. So when I noticed here, there's very few use of, very few herbs you being used. I mean, you have parsley sometimes and a little bit of thyme. But beyond that, people feel a bit reluctant because their their taste are not used with that, abundance of herbs. And and, again, like, in in Romania, it was absolutely normal. We would know that in the spring, we would get our nettles and dock leaves and foods. That was food. It wasn't for medicine. It was just that was the food.
Mhmm. But then here, people are like, really? You can actually eat them? So it is a little bit maybe sad to see that that's what we would call the Western, advances have actually cut the links so much with with nature. So people feel a little bit more disconnected and have to relearn and rediscover all this plentiful that is is around them. So there is a little bit of this. I was I was last week, I was, well, actually, no, earlier this week. I was at an event, just here, in Donegal, and it was fascinating because there were people from different, countries, from South Africa, from from Holland, from Germany, I think, and, of course, from Ireland. And it was nice to for us to talk about it and to see how their stories, come in.
Again, in a similar way, the the the Western world losing a little bit this connection with nature and rediscovering and really, you know, very shyly saying, are you sure I can take a bite of this dandelion leaf? I said, I guarantee you're safe. And then when they do, it's like, wow. It's actually nice. And and then to get the feedback later, look, I tried the pesto that you that you talked about and we tasted there in the workshops, and it's like, this is lovely. So it's so fulfilling to see that people remember in a way to trust the herbs.
[00:14:52] Unknown:
Yes. And and I'm wondering how important because you mentioned connection, connection, and restoring that connection. How important that is in your work because you are the founder of Anamkara Healing Herbs, and Anamkara is like a soulmate, which is also about connection. Can you elaborate a little bit about that?
[00:15:15] Unknown:
Yes. I I'm a I'm a foodie. So, it's it's also I come from a culture in which food is important. And as I mentioned, it's it's rich in in herbs. But, also, I believe that based on the the simple fact that we have to eat every day, it's good to use that ritual to try to encourage people to integrate herbs into their food because it doesn't feel like you're adding another task on their day. Everyone is so busy. They don't have time. And many times, you know, when he talks and be like, but I don't have time to make tea, you know, and and take all this every day. I say, fine. Let's then go with food. You do eat. So let's incorporate that in in food. So I'm fascinated by finding ways to, encourage people to explore that. First, their relation to food, and it's not just something that you have to do, but you can enjoy it, and how to actually make it as as nutritious as possible.
And then how herbs, once they come in, they will do more of the work than you think, more of adding some, chemical constituents to to your body that will help your body and will bring in the energies. And suddenly, you will actually start to crave other things, and you will start to want other kind of foods and be interested in other kind of foods. So I find that approach, more interesting.
[00:16:46] Unknown:
Yes. And I I I totally agree with what you say. The body learns and learns to crave new things and learns like, oh, yes, this is a plant that gives me magnesium and this is a plant that gives me, phosphorus or potassium and it just learns and you start to crave the better things.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:17:11] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. And it's interesting how you how you talk about that it's a very common thing in Romania to add, like, herbs to the food and how you also take this approach in Ireland. And I was I was wondering, are there, like, any other folk traditions or, remedies from your Romanian heritage that you still use today?
[00:17:38] Unknown:
Yes. I was just, thinking back, and I think it's similar maybe to the Irish history in terms of the oldest knowledge was part of the monastic settlements. And it's it's very similar in Romania. The all the the knowledge of, of making herbal medicine and and drying teas and that, it was done in the in the monasteries. And nowadays, which is which is nice in Romania, you can still go. There are still monasteries in which you can go and you can actually talk to the the nuns and the people that are actually still doing it. So there's an example, for example, it's very close to where my parents live. It's at the the bottom of the Carpathian Mountains and it's this monastery called Polovrage. And the name, it's a 500 year old monastery. It's small, but it's it's fascinating because it's still full of, all this knowledge. And it's in an area that was known that, a a sort of an old wizard, Zal Zalmoxi, used to live in caves and people can visit the caves. And the story is that he would keep there the secrets of the herbal medicine.
And and he would make all these, potions and and heal people. And as I said, people can still go now and and stay in that monastery. And the name of the place, it's Polovrage, which comes from Polovrage, which is the name in Romanian of comfrey. Oh. Was considered so strong and such an important medicine. So it's fascinating to see that it's wonderful to see that actually it has been preserved. And and you can go and you can buy tinctures from them, you can buy teas, you can buy salves from made at the monastery, from the plants that they grow there, and, and you can chat with them or you can stay for a few days if you want to just see what they're doing.
I see that, as a great way. I and I don't know, to be honest, if it was intentional, but I do believe that it is it's still there because people are still interested. Mhmm. People still value that, and it's important for them to to have it in their life. I haven't found a similar situation in Ireland in which this has been this tradition, but I'm sure it was because that's where the all the knowledge was was was kept and, imparted from in the monastic, places. So that would be, a difference that I see in which the fact that the people are still interested and they use herbs, then the need is there so that these places are still continuing to do it.
[00:20:30] Unknown:
Yes. I'm I'm trying to compare it a little bit to the situation in Belgium here. And I think because we are so densely populated, we have a lot of of, hospitals and pharmacists and just everywhere, basically. Like, every village has several pharmacists, not just one, even the smaller villages. And so I think modern medicine is just everywhere and, yes, sort of has, you know, taken in more space that used to belong to the herbal medicine. And I can see that there's obviously growing interest in herbal medicine. But, yes, for me, it's very interesting to see what, like, folk herbal medicines are still alive in areas that are more isolated because of mountains or because of, you know, political circumstances.
And and it's very interesting to see how how that really is an aspect of keeping herbalism alive or not. So I'm wondering how how how present is modern medicine in Romania at the moment?
[00:21:48] Unknown:
It is. I mean, absolutely. It it's present, and it's taking over more and more. In a good way. Meaning that, of course, we need also the the scientific approach and Yes. Absolutely. Have help for people. So, absolutely, I believe in a world in which herbal medicine, it's working hand in hand with the the scientific, medicine. I don't wanna call it traditional medicine because, actually, herbal medicine is more traditional medicine than than the the new medicine. But let's say, it is, it is available. It's not a great system, though. People have still a lot of difficulty.
There is not a lot of funding into modernizing hospitals. It's still a lack of of equipment. And so I think, in a cruel way, that might also force people into still relying on herbs first before they get to the hospital. It's mainly for the costs and not so much the cost in terms of this is the bill you have to pay, but it's more that it's supposed to be free, but no one will help you unless you pay something. There's still a little bit of that old, mentality of giving something to someone in order just to treat you. So, unfortunately, the system still has to get itself together and and improve in order to create a more, decent, health system.
In a weird way, that might still keep people interested in passing on the knowledge of, look, make sure you you get some herbal medicine. And if that doesn't work, then you you go to the hospital. So you you are right. It's it's an interesting, you know, how almost like they are forced to rely on that. But that's in a in a way, it has a good side that their their diet does include much more herbs. Now, again, of course, processed foods have absolutely inundated the market. And, of course, Romania is is full of it. And and soon, I'm sure we might see also high levels of diabetes and and heart problems and and so forth.
But maybe it still helps at the moment. There are still a few herbs there that people do because they they they become it become it's still routine for them.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
Yes. And I I could not agree more when you said we need both modern medicine and herbal medicine. Absolutely. But I think it's very interesting how you say that people turn to herbal medicine first. Because in Belgium, I can see the opposite. Most most people are open to herbs after everything else failed. It's like the last straw that they are, that they are trying to to hang on to. And I think it's very interesting because very often, I think, herbal medicine works really good as a first thing to go to, because it usually has less side effects and and all of that. It works in a milder way.
And I think it's very interesting here that people generally I mean, of course, this is a generalization. Well, people generally don't are really so open to using herbal medicine, but only if everything else has failed, then they are, yes, then they are open to it, which is interesting, I I think.
[00:25:48] Unknown:
It's fascinating because it's similar in Ireland. Exactly. Going first to medications, to painkillers, to first, and then do a lot of that exploration. And then finally, say, well, nothing worked. Let me see if, herbal medicine works. And you are right because many times when I talk to people people and I I listen to this journey they have, I feel it would be wonderful to start the other way. And not only because it might work, because you start early once you have a few symptoms, then you take a few teas, and that might actually, not only slow down, but actually maybe sort out the issue before months and months of waiting on a waiting list to be seen by someone and even the medication. And then by that time, the issue has escalated. So I totally agree with you. It is the the opposite, here.
Now, again, in in Romania, because I remember as a child and as the way we we would go on holiday in in the mountains with my parents, we'd we're working. They were they were actually walking the mountains to pick up samples of rocks and see what the minerals are so then they can actually make maps of that where the minerals can be exploited. I mean, there were people living up on the mountains with no roads. Actually, you couldn't get there by car, and it would take them pretty much almost whole day to get down to the village. So those people absolutely grew their own vegetables, their own food. They have their sheep or cows there. That's where they lived. And, of course, their medicine was the word or the herbs.
Because by the time they would have gone to the town, they would have maybe walked to the town, I don't know, maybe once or twice a month Mhmm. Or more than that. So in Transylvania, you would still I mean, I'm talking about thirty years ago, you would have still have this kind of situations. And it was fascinating to see because many of them, there were people in their sixties and seventies that they would walk that for the whole day, coming down and staying with someone overnight and then going back to their homes the next day. So they had that vitality.
And they the models for us to look up to and say, well, this is how we want to remember how to live.
[00:28:18] Unknown:
Yes. I I also like what you said about, you know, trying in Ireland to also make people to turn to herbal medicine first because there are long waiting lists. And I think we see this throughout Europe that, you know, if we look at medical help that we can get, the waiting lists are getting longer and longer. And I think, yes, indeed, it would be a great way for people to to learn more about herbal medicine and about how what they can already do for themselves, you know, supporting themselves with herbs while they are on the waiting list to get medical care.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
Exactly. That's a very good point. It's very true. And and definitely, I see people that I know around and, they they've been for months even on a waiting list for for conditions that they're in pain. Mhmm. They are still they don't trust the fact that what do you mean, like, just having some turmeric and my to make a turmeric latte, that wouldn't necessarily be a painkiller. Come on. It's just food. And I said, absolutely. That food can help alleviate this this pain. And look at the meadow sweet. It's just growing all around here. There's a reason why it's here. And because I I do believe that's, plants do grow where they they know there is a need for them.
[00:29:57] Unknown:
Nice. So, let's let's go back to, like, the the diversity and the differences, the unique things of herbalism in Romania and in Ireland. Like, what I've heard from you is that the the herbal education is more informal in Romania. Is that right? And then in Ireland, there are, like, there's more herbal education. There are herbal schools that you can attend. Am I getting that right?
[00:30:30] Unknown:
It's, there is still, of course, this, let's say, knowledge that at home, people would use these. But in the same time, there is a strong trend of several schools of herbal medicine in which people can go and and study, which is good because, that will soon, continue help to continue this tradition. But the problem is that, even if you study in these schools, you cannot for example, there are several schools that you can you can study herbal medicine, but you cannot open a clinic. You can't cannot be a practitioner unless you also have studies of medicine or, pharmacy.
Then you can practice. But if you study, you can, have a shop or you can have almost like a a herbal shop to suggest some things, but not practice as a practitioner. Mhmm. So it's halfway there. Meaning that it's good at least that, the schools are there to help people continue to study and and modernize the profession, but unfortunately, they haven't gone all the way. So there is an advantage in Ireland, of course, that we can practice. And with with schools like the the plant medicine school, Nikki's school, and and and other schools in Ireland, people like me that are interested, they can actually get fulfillment from practicing.
Whereas in Romania, you cannot do it yet. You can assist for example, you can, let's say, work with the pharmacy and sort of assist them in prescribing or with the with the medical cabinet. But I don't remember seeing many situations like that. So people that would be studying, they would be actually either opening a shop for herbal, medicine or doing workshops Mhmm. Or retreats. So, it's a it's a mix. It haven't it hasn't yet, it's it's still good it's happening. You know? I see it as a positive thing because there are several several schools that are are teaching, herbal medicine as part of a natural party, thing.
[00:32:56] Unknown:
Yes. It I think it's interesting because it's probably more similar to the situation in Belgium than the situation in Ireland. So, yeah, I can I can relate? So most herbalists here just, yeah, they open a store or they give workshops or anything like that, but they cannot really open, like, a clinic. So it's pretty much the same. Yes. Yes. What is interesting about you is that you have this this Romanian background. You are practicing. You have been living in Ireland for twenty years, you you told me. So and and now you're practicing as a herbalist, in Ireland.
So you've seen different sides of herbalism in Europe. And if you take the broader picture, if you take a look at the broader picture, what challenges do you see for herbalists in the European context, context, and what opportunities do you see?
[00:33:58] Unknown:
I think the opportunities are are immense. I I look at the the positive side first, and I I feel that the opportunities are immense because more and more people, are becoming more interested in learning about all this heritage and and getting back to nature. And again, in a sad way, but, again, I'm looking at the bright picture. COVID had a lot to do with it. It was that shock that many people got in which to reevaluate their lives. And in that context, their resources and whom they can rely on and what they can rely on. And maybe that desire to empower themselves a little bit more. And almost by in a in a in a strange way, again, being forced to walk in nature almost like because they couldn't go and socialize. They rediscovered how good it feels and how actually, you should do it because it makes you feel so good. So I think that opportunity, should be considered, a a great, advantage by herbalists.
And I do see that more and more people are interested even to to study, maybe not to become a practitioner, a herbal practitioner, but still to study to know how to make their medicine at home, herbal medicine at home, to empower themselves and to learn about what grows around them. So I think there is a, I I look more and I think there is more opportunity. I remember listening to a discussion. There was a lot of there were there was a group of of specialists in in Europe, and they had looked at a situation of the increasing numbers of antibiotics that are are sort of resistant.
People do not react anymore, so the number is growing in a scary way. So, again, I think it's a crisis that can be the opportunity because people will be looking at people like us, you and I, to support them and saying, yes. Actually, this is in your lawn. If you stop spraying it and stop cutting the grass, look at the plenty. So it's I think it's an opportunity. I see it more as an opportunity that we can do. And and it's not always because, of course, it's very important to have, clinics of of herbal practitioners to provide the system and to provide the the the protocol.
But I think it might fall on people that have decided to go on the, let's say, educational part in which, like, community herbalists in which, okay, let's just try to make this together. Let's go and pick and let's see, okay, what do you have in your in your yard here? Plantain is here. Why don't you use it for your cough and or your sinus or whatever? So I think it it falls onto the shoulders of of people that, can educate and can get involved into sharing their knowledge. Mhmm. I think it's an opportunity.
[00:37:29] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. And when I when I think about my own students, like, last year, I I had a chef, and he was very interested in the wild plants as the flavors in the in his kitchen. And every time he came to my classes, he was like, oh, it's so interesting. Oh, and he was nibbling on things, and he said, wonderful. It's very nice. And then he came home, and then he he would tell me afterwards, he said, I found it in my own garden. It was already there, but I've never seen it. And this is exactly what happens to people. It's like a wall of plants, and then suddenly, they start to recognize individual plants and plants that they can taste and that they can use and maybe as a poultice or as a as a chi or as a, yes. Which is also so, one thing I wanted to ask you, when it comes to Romania, in what form do people use herbal medicine? Like, is it mostly, as a tea or as a tincture or as how how do people use, medicinal herbs?
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Mainly, it would be in teas, but I would say even in in larger scale in food. The herbs like thyme and and, rosemary and sage, and they are used in food. We we like to have that. And even oregano and things like that. We we need to have some herbs in our our food, and then there would be teas. But then there would be other tasty ways, like, for example, sea buckthorn.
[00:39:15] Unknown:
Sea buckthorn Oh, I love that.
[00:39:18] Unknown:
But it's so I mean, I think I don't think there is one person in Romania that maybe hasn't used sea buckthorn and doesn't really swear by it because it's like the miracle herb for us. And but it now you go to, a cafeteria and they serve freshly squeezed sea buckthorn juice, which is Oh. Yes. Because, it's so, widely available. And, of course, there are also some companies that picked up, and now you can actually buy it to have it at home. And so it's lovely to see that it's integrated again in food. And where you have the the fur bud syrup.
Mhmm. Again, it's something that people would they would have in the house and they would buy because they that's what they take first. They would take that when they have a little bit of a cough or a little bit of a a sore throat. And there are people, for example, when you travel through Transylvania, you see by the side of the road, people that have made that at home and they sell it. So it's something that you can just sort of buy homemade.
[00:40:26] Unknown:
Okay. And that is that is like a legal thing? You can just make these things at home and and sell them legally, or is that kind of a gray zone?
[00:40:36] Unknown:
Yes. That no one would sort of go into the home of someone that makes two liters of the syrup and sells it by the side of the road as a as a craft on that side. On the sea buckthorn, that is legal. Absolutely. And they don't sell it as a medicine. They sell it in cafeteria as a nice juice that you can have. But we know I mean, it's it's really so rich in vitamin c and and, you know, omegas and everything. So it's so good for you. But they don't see it as medicine. They just say it as something because it's very tasty. So, again, I think there's a lot in the in the food that, the the herbal medicine is is imparted.
[00:41:22] Unknown:
I'm I'm thinking about a word that comes up in my head now. Would you say that, like, the countries like like, maybe Ireland, where you live now, and and when I think about Belgium, where I live as well, could we coin the term herb deficiency?
[00:41:45] Unknown:
I mean That's interesting.
[00:41:48] Unknown:
Yes. It's it's an interesting thing to think about. We always think about, oh, okay. We need fruits and vegetables and when we need whole foods and everything. But, you know, the herbs, we also really, really need the herbs, and too few people talk about that, really.
[00:42:08] Unknown:
That's a very good I think it's a very interesting, point of view, herb deficiency, because, when I think of much of the the Irish food and in the restaurants, in the cafes that you see around, except maybe some parsley, there wouldn't be much else. Unless we're talking about some sophisticated chefs that decided to experience a little bit with sorrel, for example, and and a little bit of seaweed, but they wouldn't go beyond that very much. Maybe, I don't know, maybe thyme again. Yeah. Thyme and rosemary a little bit. But you're right. In terms of everyday, foods, no. There would be it would be right to talk about a herb deficiency.
Yes. Even I mean, we're talking about food, but also and even in in drinks. Just to give you an example, for example, a very, popular drink in Romania is something called, which is the name from warm for wormwood. But what it is, it's warm and diffused wine, which is sold in in shops as a drink, very good to take as a as a digestive. So, again, it's it's also in in drinks that it's, promoted, because we know it's very good for us and but also people like it. So they still like that kind of bitter taste. Yes. And when it comes back to a a sort of a a big culprit in our culture. You know? Mhmm. Sugar that has taken over everything, and then people if if it's not sweet, then people are reluctant to taste it.
Mhmm. So almost like reeducating our taste
[00:43:54] Unknown:
buds. Yes. You have to learn how to eat bitter, and and people don't learn that anymore. And I'm also super fascinated by, the wormwood thing that you just told me because in Belgium, wormwood is illegal to use.
[00:44:10] Unknown:
So Really? Yeah. Yes. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. Well, there was a there was a campaign against it, I think, even in France, because they they considered that it causes blindness, I think. Well, it mixed with all the the other herbs that make the pastis. No. I think it wasn't the pastis. It was the other drink, the absinthe. The absinthe. Yes. Yeah. But they I think they legalized it again now. But in comparison, for example, you know, in in France, you would be, you would see I think it's a culture much closer to the Romanian one. And I don't know if it has to do with the Latin, roots of that because if you go to Italy or Spain or, you know, or France, you see herbs being used in food.
I mean, we didn't have food without a variety of herbs and more greens and that. So it might have something to do with also the Latin roots of of the culture. But you're right. I like this term, herb deficiency. It's very interesting. Yeah.
[00:45:13] Unknown:
Yes. I'm thinking about my my own childhood and my children now that are teenagers. And it's it's very funny because when I grow up, it was pretty much the way you describe, like like, I remember my parents, they had, like, one little a really tiny jar of of thyme in their kitchen cupboard and then, maybe some pepper and some cinnamon. That will be it. And then we had some fresh parsley from the garden, and, that was really it. That was really it. And that was the norm. And seeing my my children grow up now, well, of course, they are the children of a herbalist.
[00:45:59] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:46:01] Unknown:
You know, when they when they prepare something for themselves in the kitchen, it has to has herbs or it's not a complete meal. And Wonderful. So it's really nice to see how just in one generation, you can really change this, and it really has to do a lot with how how used you are to herbs and how you reeducate yourself or how you pass it on on your children.
[00:46:24] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. You're you're very right. And it's it comes back to what where we give our attention to, it will grow and it will respond. So, as you were talking about the the chef that was at your, workshop, It's wonderful. I think it's great to have some chefs because they're, like, influencers for us. Yes. I wanna say because I absolutely, as a chef, you would be fascinated. Once you've discovered herbs, you you want to keep going and explore. I remember being several years back, I mean, twenty years or so to South Africa and being so fascinated by the scents of the herbs. I didn't know much, but even then, I wanted to know what all those scents were that you could you could smell.
It was it was just amazing. And then being at a restaurant in which the chef unfortunately, I can't remember where, but the chef was really experiencing with local herbs. So the foods Mhmm. Had different local herbs, which unfortunately, I can't remember. But I remember thinking that this is what I would like restaurants to do. Educate us about, you know, how you can integrate this in food. It's it's a wonderful way to, bring nature into our souls in a way. Mhmm.
[00:47:46] Unknown:
Mhmm. Yes. And one thing I also wanted to ask you is, because I've talked with, I've talked with people from Bulgaria before, and what I noticed there was that the magic surrounding the herbs was still very important there. How is that in Romania, and also how is that in Ireland?
[00:48:09] Unknown:
Well, definitely in Ireland, it's it's strong, because many of the legends, of course, include herbs. And and we have, I think, the seven seven sacred herbs of the Celts that, even though Celts didn't leave any writings, but there are a lot of stories around that. And, in in Romania, of course, we like stories, and there's always gonna be, some association with with with herbal medicine. I haven't looked very much into the the mythological part of the, herbal medicine in Romania to actually be able to give you an example about that, except what, I mentioned to you about this very well known, wizard that sort of lived in these caves.
And people still revered that place as being very powerful in terms of the herbs that you pick there. They would have that extra energy and extra potency. But, definitely, we like stories. I mean, there is a a very common thread that I I've noticed between Romania and Ireland. When the Romanian and a and a Irish meet, you'll not maybe get to build anything, but you'll have a great fun, a great day. I mean, worries in the crack, there's no problem. They don't need too much introduction. You might not serve if you plan to build a house or something, it might not happen soon because the fun, comes first.
So there is a lot in common from that point of view in terms of stories and and songs and that. And, and and again, there's still, you know, in in songs, you have herbs that that pop in. Really? Yeah. Yeah. And and, unfortunately, I'm not a singer, but I do remember, several times now because, of course, now I look at the world in completely different eyes and everything, you know, where a herb or a plant pops in, I I noticed that. So I definitely remember being last year in the in the summer to see my parents back in Romania. They still live there, so I go there every every year. And listening to some songs, I said, wow. I don't remember paying attention in this song, there is this her. But unfortunately, I can't give you this number because I can't remember what it is.
But definitely, in the in the songs or in poetry, you would see them, come in and very, very important. What if, for example, I can give you the example of Saint John's Wort, which I was so surprised, pleasantly surprised to discover when I moved to Donegal. There is one celebration that I remember. It happens only in the Transva and North Of Transylvania around the the June 23. And that is the bonfires on the mountains and the picking of meadow sweet, and the stories that you have to be careful because that night, all the fairies are out and they're dancing.
And if you if they catch you that you see them, you're in trouble. Mhmm. So I came to Donegal, and I've discovered that actually the stories are similar, but they've definitely, the bonfires are happening. And this is the, you know, the the the time when the best time to pick Saint John's Wort. And it's the same in Transylvania. This is when you pick the Saint John's Wort because it's at its utmost, power. So here's two places in in Europe, very different. They have exactly the same tradition.
[00:51:57] Unknown:
That's giving me goosebumps, actually. That's so lovely.
[00:52:02] Unknown:
This this is what happened to me. I said, I can't believe it. Are you serious? And it absolutely happens every year. And in Romania, I don't know another place where this happens, except in North North Transylvania, Maramures, where I grew up. And in Donegal I don't I know in Donegal, this happens. I don't know if in different other parts of Ireland, that might be. But definitely here, it's very strong and they still it still happens.
[00:52:26] Unknown:
Wow. Amazing. So, Columbia, you're you're also a photographer? Yes. I love to do. I was wondering how does that influence your work with the herbs? Like, I think if you have, like, the photographic eye or the photographic viewpoints, you may see a lot of more details in the plants or or yes. Do you look from a different angle? That really fascinates me.
[00:52:58] Unknown:
It's it is. It has helped me to, get even closer to to plants indeed. I'm not a good, artist in terms of drawing, and I've tried, but it it wasn't the the method for me to relate. Whereas when I look through the camera, it's it's that moment in which everything else disappears, and it's just me and that plant. And most of the times, it's not something that is rational, and that's the beauty of it. It's more a kind of conversation that is is just happening there. And I think it's like a meditation. It's sort of maybe my way of meditating with that plant because, I I love to to explore and go back and and look at it not so much for the beauty of the photo, but for the, when you look through the camera, there's a certain personality that some some sometimes pops up, you know, in the flower, in the leaf, or the texture that before, even if you look very closely, somehow it just doesn't happen.
But when you look through the the camera lens, you see, wow. Now I understand a little bit. You know, when you look, for example, and you have the leaf of the of comfrey, and you look through the camera and the light shines through it. Woah. It's such an amazing world that's it's almost, it feels that it it brings you a little bit closer and almost the the plant it feels like the the plant is like, here I am. Mhmm. You can look at me. I'm fine. I'm happy for you to look at me. So, yes, it has helped a lot.
[00:54:47] Unknown:
Wow. That's very nice. Very nice. Is is there a plant that recently really surprised you or a plant that you feel like a very special connection to?
[00:55:00] Unknown:
I'm I'm still like a child in a toy shop re literally. For me I can relate to. Everyday, I feel like I'm so lucky to live in a world that has plants, literally. And, it's it's, I'm I'm easily amazed. But a recent experience and I have to confess, not necessarily because I had a strong connection or well, I've been growing the plant for five years now because I got a a leaf from, Nikki five years ago when I started. It's the miracle plant, kalankoy Mhmm. Hinata. And it's wonderful to have in the house, and it's I love the I love the the miracle that it gives you, you know, from a little leaf, little plants pop.
But I had to be away this year for a long trip. I I did a long trip through Europe, and I wanted to make sure that, I adopt the plants that I have in the house to very good homes that will care for them. So she had to go. So she went to someone, and I came back after two months of travels. And on a bookshelf where the plant had had been, there was a leaf with seven little plants popping out of it. I'm talking about Wow. I've been there for two months on a book, and the little plants were alive. Literally, my heart almost stopped with the miracle. I mean, to live on hope and love and light and that's it, and and give life to these little plants, I just thought this is literally a miracle leaf.
So, of course, she hasn't had the the the pot of soil to grow for the babies and everything, but I just could not believe it that life can be so strong. And somehow, almost like, I want to be in this house. Yes. It's still important for you to have me. So I I have to admit that I was in awe of of this little miracle. And, before, I was just nibbling at its leaves and sort of try to tea here and there. And, of course, telling people about the the actual just the, healing energy when you see life coming out of a a leaf. It's so such a beautiful thing. But now I I'll start to have a deeper relationship, I have to say.
Wow. That's a very moving story. Yes. I thought it was fascinating to see that. I could not believe it.
[00:57:47] Unknown:
Yeah. It's very inspiring how plants can just inspire us by by doing what they do and being there and and doing their thing. And yes. So apart from the plants, where do you get inspiration or or new knowledge or new insights? Like, is there, a book that you recently read or, I don't know, a YouTube channel you discovered? Or what what gives you inspiration apart from the plants themselves?
[00:58:22] Unknown:
Definitely, I love reading, and there's several books that are there on my shelf. And the I the the the the truth is that it's a lot in my garden that is happening. And when the weather is good, there's a lot of lessons there, and I love to explore that. It's I still feel that I haven't actually explored my garden even though it's not that big. It's not even an acre maybe. But there's so much going on, that I always feel like I'm missing out a lesson or I'm missing out a message. So, so nature would definitely be my my first, go to, but definitely, of course, there's a a lot of I I will feel like this responsibility that, I can say now I graduated, so I I have a bigger responsibility.
So there's even more learning to do. I could before maybe say, well, I'm I'm a student, I'm still learning. But now, I definitely should say I'm a student. I'm I'm still learning. So books, podcasts, like like yours, talking to people and and listening to other people, definitely, sort of online workshops. I mean, there is a good side of technology. Mhmm. Because it has opened the world, so I can listen to your workshop even though you're in Belgium and I'm in in Ireland. So I definitely, I attend some of these online workshops because they're they're more interesting because you get a chance also to to to ask questions. But again, in person, like, for example, the upcoming festival, there's a a festival coming up in in Ireland at Herb Feast.
And, and then workshops that, the plant medicine school are organizing, you know, they're gonna have, interesting guests in person. So Mhmm. In person events are, like, absolutely priceless. The chance to to be there with someone that has this experience of years and years of of working with with Herbst and seeing what they do and and and having a chance to ask questions, I think that's invaluable. So as much as I can, I I like to do that? And then literally, every day, making sure that I cook something or I try something different with with herbs and and learn from the mistakes and keep tasting it.
[01:00:56] Unknown:
Yes. And that's just, just the thing about herbalism. No matter how long you have been doing it for, like I've been doing it for more than twenty years, you are a lifelong student. It never stops. You always continue to learn new things and have new insights. And I think that's actually a very nice part about herbalism because it never gets boring. It never you never have the feeling, okay, I'll master it all. I know everything. It's it's never you know, there is always new insights, new surprises, new challenges, and,
[01:01:34] Unknown:
yeah, that's one of the aspects I really like about herbalism. Yes. I love that too. I love that too. Mhmm. Mhmm. I remember there was a Romanian, philosopher, Choran, who said that, you know, it's it's being a constant student that will keep someone on the right track. And and I definitely agree with that, you know, with, having the awareness that, if you ever get to the point of saying I know it, that means something is wrong. You're on the wrong road.
[01:02:09] Unknown:
Yes. That is so right. That is so right. So, what what final message would you give to the to our listeners, many of whom are herbalists themselves? Is there, like, a special message or some kind of advice that you would like to give them?
[01:02:29] Unknown:
I wouldn't dare giving any advice. It's just, because as I said, I'm I'm literally I feel like a child in the field and start starting, my my my love of plants and my working with plants, and it it feels like it would take hundreds of years to be able to give an advice. But definitely, I feel from my experience, so far is the fact that I think plants and and herbs in general understand us so much more than we think, and more definitely than we understand them. And I remember, reading about this old sort of they say it's a Celtic saying that a medicinal herb that you need is never further than a day's walk from you.
And there have been so many examples that's that I've seen around and from my small experience here. So I think it's to try to give them the chance to teach us and to respect them from what they are. I think it would be a good start, and and I think it would we would be and also to actually let ourselves be amazed by what we find out, allowing ourselves to believe that actually this is it. It is so amazing.
[01:03:49] Unknown:
Wow. I love that. And I also love how you said plants understand us so much more than we understand them.
[01:03:58] Unknown:
That's deep. That's how I feel. That's how I feel. I'm I'm I really feel that's, they have this knowledge and, just like with this small example, this this, they knows that I need her. And all her she she wanted to make sure that I don't, put her out of my life for certain reason that I still don't know. And there are other examples of of plants popping into my garden that I never thought of. But then it comes a time when actually that's exactly what I need. Mhmm. So there is this knowledge that, we have lost, but it's there, and the plants are there to help us if we allow them.
[01:04:48] Unknown:
Yes. Totally. Totally. Thank you so much for your time and the many interesting things you said, Columbia. Wow. It's I'm really amazed. There are so many levels when it comes to this conversation. I really loved it. So Thank you so much. You're a wonderful,
[01:05:08] Unknown:
interviewer. So
[01:05:09] Unknown:
Oh, thank you. Thank you. So if people want to find out more about your work, where can they find more info information?
[01:05:18] Unknown:
The easiest would be on my sites, which is anamkarahealingherbs.com. So that would be on my site, and that would be I've tried to, and they can find me easily, I think, on on social media, but, or through the for example, I'm a member of the, the Irish Register of Herbalists in in Ireland or and also the Association of Master Herbalists. So my contacts should also be there. So absolutely. If you are in Ireland or especially in Donegal, absolutely, give me a sign, come and say hello, and we'll say hello together to the herbs that grow here. Would be a pleasure to show you around.
[01:05:58] Unknown:
Lovely. Lovely. Thank you so much, Columbia. And to the wild souls that are listening, thank you so much for tuning in again. I hope to see you for the next time. And in the meantime, keep powdering your nose with dandelion pollen.
[01:06:15] Unknown:
Bye
[01:06:16] Unknown:
bye. A warm thank you for listening, Wildy. Are you feeling a wild itch after this episode? Well, just head over to wildplantforager.com and feel free to connect with me on social media. I'm looking forward to the next episode. I hope you'll be there. But for now, just go outside and follow your wild heart.
Welcome to Wild: mission to end plant blindness
Connecting European herbalists and foragers
Introducing guest Columbia Helen and her roots
Growing up in Transylvania: cultures, herbs, and food
Grandmother’s remedies: three steadfast herbal friends
From journalism in Romania to Ireland’s wild Atlantic Way
Training with Nikki Darrell and finding a new path
Do herbs remain the norm? Romania vs. Ireland
Shops, pharmacies, and everyday herbal use in Romania
Family foraging memories: buds, berries, and syrups
Comparing botanical literacy: Romania and Ireland
Food as medicine: bringing herbs back to the table
Anam Cara Healing Herbs: connection through food
Monasteries and medicine: Romanian lore and places
Modern medicine’s rise and gaps in Romania
First line or last resort? Cultural choices with herbs
Mountain lives: self-reliance and herbal vitality
Waiting lists and self-care: herbs while you wait
Local plants with purpose: meadowsweet and more
Education and regulation: Romania, Ireland, Belgium
Europe-wide outlook: challenges and opportunities
Seeing the plants again: chefs, gardens, and taste
How Romanians take herbs: teas, foods, sea buckthorn
Street syrups and legality: home crafts and cafés
Herb deficiency: reeducating our taste for bitters
Wormwood, absinthe, and cultural differences
Changing a generation: raising herb-savvy kids
Myth and magic: Celtic and Romanian threads
St. John’s Wort and midsummer bonfires in two lands
Photography as plant meditation and insight
A miracle leaf: Kalanchoë’s quiet lesson
Learning sources: gardens, books, workshops, community
Lifelong students: the never-ending herbal path
Final reflections: let plants teach and amaze
Where to find Columbia and closing wishes
