The Frontline Herbalism Podcast

This is an interview with Rasheeqa Ahmad (she/her) a herbalist based in Walthamstow, east London. In this episode we explore what community herbalism can mean in practice, drawing on Rasheeqa’s decade of organising as a herbalist in her local area. We learn about the Community Apothecary project, as well as other current and previous herbal projects she’s been involved with and learned from. We ta...

This episode is an interview with Layla K. Feghali (she/her), an ethnobotanist and cultural worker living between Lebanon and California.    We talk about the current iteration of genocide in Gaza, and the need for resistance, rage and action. Layla shares her experiences within herbalism and how folks can support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement that is highligh...

Content warning – prison, racism, suicide, self-harm, medical neglect, chronic illness, trauma This is part four of a workshop that explores herbalism, incarceration and abolition. This particular section introduces abolition (very briefly!) as well as the roles of herbalists in abolitionist movements. About the workshop: This workshop explores the role of herbalism in supporting prisoners, famili...

Content warning – prison, racism, suicide, self-harm, medical neglect, chronic illness, trauma This is part four of a workshop that explores herbalism, incarceration and abolition. This particular section introduces healing from prison and herbal support for trauma. About the workshop: This workshop explores the role of herbalism in supporting prisoners, families and communities affected by incarc...

Content warning – prison, racism, suicide, self-harm, medical neglect, chronic illness, trauma This is part three of a workshop that explores herbalism, incarceration and abolition. This particular section introduces practicing herbalism in prison based on Nicole’s (she/her) experiences inside with testimonies from people inside that have worked with the Prisoner’s Herbal Book. About the workshop:...

Content warning - prison, racism, suicide, self-harm, medical neglect, chronic illness, trauma This is part two of a workshop that explores herbalism, incarceration and abolition. This particular section introduces the health impacts of incarceration, looking at medical neglect in prison, as well as what makes incarceration so traumatic. About the workshop: This workshop explores the role of herba...

Content warning - prison, racism, suicide, self-harm, medical neglect, chronic illness, trauma This is part one of a workshop that explores herbalism, incarceration and abolition. This particular section introduces incarceration and the prison industrial complex, with a focus on the so-called UK and US. About the workshop: This workshop explores the role of herbalism in supporting prisoners, famil...

In this episode, Nicole (she/her) shares the 2023 Solidarity Apothecary Review and plans for 2024! The episode signposts to all sorts of resources from free workshops, to upcoming courses, podcast episodes, crowdfunders and more. Content warning – some references to prison, suicide, border violence, pregnancy Links & resources from this episode 2023 Review Post (with all the links mentioned) H...

Content warning - explicit references to state violence, murder, torture, raids, imprisonment This episode is an interview with Boris (he/him) from Anarchist Black Cross Belarus (ABC) about life under dictatorship, solidarity and resistance. We talk about what the reality of dictatorship means and how even under dictatorship, collective solidarity is impossible to destroy. Boris shares how ‘violen...

In this episode, Nicole (she/her) shares five reasons to join the Herbalism, PTSD and Traumatic Stress course which is closing for enrolment on Thursday 2nd November 10pm BST! She shares more about the course, why it matters and why it can be transformational for folks working through it. Links & resources from this episode Herbalism, PTSD and Traumatic Stress Course Find them all at solidarit...

In this episode, Nicole (she/her) talks about herbal support for panic attacks. We explore what is a panic attack and why they happen, how to reduce activation in the sympathetic nervous system and how plant medicines can support this. We look at herbs that can be taken acutely during a panic attack, as well as those that can help prevent panic attacks by nourishing the nervous system ongoingly. L...

In this episode, Nicole (she/her) introduces nervines - herbs with an affinity for the nervous system. We explore the differences between five kinds of nervines - Relaxant nervines, Hypnotic nervines, Nerve Tonics, Cardiac nervines and Stimulating nervines. Learn what these herbal actions mean and why they are so important to herbalists and anyone experiencing PTSD or ongoing traumatic stress...

This episode is an interview with Cyree Jarelle Johnson (he/him) from the organisation Sins Invalid that is a disability justice based performance project that incubates and celebrates artists with disabilities, centralising artists of colour and LGBTQ / gender-variant artists as communities who have been historically marginalised. Cyree also describes Sins Invalid as a think tank. In this episode...

Episode 46 of the Frontline Herbalism Podcast is an interview with Dr. Ghassan Hamdan of Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). PMRS is a grassroots NGO that's provided a much needed response to the medical crises caused by the occupation. PMRS' workers, like other Palestinian medical workers, are constantly targeted by the occupation forces. On top of providing medical care. PMRS has trained...

This super brief episode is just to announce that the Herbalism, PTSD & Traumatic Stress course is open for enrolment!!! Links & resources from this episode Herbalism, PTSD & Traumatic Stress Course Previous podcast episode all about the course (episode 14) Find them all at solidarityapothecary.org/podcast/ Support the show Music from Sole & DJ Pain – Battle of Humans | Plant illus...

This episode is an interview with Amani (she/her) all about trauma and chronic illness. We talk about her experiences with chronic illness, connections to childhood trauma, medical neglect and the effects of repeated hospitalisations. We talk about medical gaslighting, prejudice around chronic illness and what meaningful support and solidarity can look like. Plus so much more! Links & resource...

This episode is an interview with Aiyana Goodfellow (he/she/they) about age trauma, youth oppression and youth liberation. Aiyana is an abolitionist, writer, liberator and delinquent. We discuss their new book - INNOCENCE & CORRUPTION: An abolitionist understanding of youth oppression.  We explore how children are some of the most at risk, coerced, and oppressed people on the planet. Grou...

This episode is an interview with Rob (he/him) about trauma and addiction. We explore what is active addiction, how it relates to trauma, how addiction affects people, families and communities, and so much more. We talk about how people in active addiction are dehumanised and criminalised, support structures for recovery and everything in between! Links & resources from this episode UK Narcoti...

This brief episode introduces the plans for Season 3 of the Frontline Herbalism Podcast. Links & resources from this episode Herbalism, PTSD & Traumatic Stress Course Find them all at solidarityapothecary.org/podcast/ Support the show Music from Sole & DJ Pain – Battle of Humans | Plant illustrations by @amani_writes | In solidarity, please subscribe, rate & review this podcast whe...

This episode is an interview with Victor (he/him) from the Mobile Herbal Clinic Calais, a dedicated monthly clinic serving refugees in Northern France. We talk about the situation in Calais and Dunkirk, what the clinic does, the medicines the project produces and uses, relationships to other medical services and so much more. Links & resources from this episode MSDN website – https://msdnetwor...

This episode is an interview with Matilda (she/her) living in North East Syria (NES). We talk about the revolutionary situation in the region, medicine and other healthcare work, the collective honouring of fallen comrades and how collective life helps prevent PTSD. Matilda shares the importance of seeing medical work in a revolutionary context and many more things! Links & resources from this...

This episode builds on interview one which was an episode with Alexis (he/him) about street medic work at demonstrations, actions and riots in France. Part two is the audio version of the resource ' From France with Gloves: A story of healing in social struggles '. It introduces the various weapons used by the French police, how to protect yourself from them the best you can, how to treat people w...

This episode is an interview with Alexis (he/him) about street medic work at demonstrations, actions and riots in France. We talk about the escalation in police and war weapons used against people, the role of street medics, training, and the broader context of of riot medicine in people's self defense. Content warning - references to police violence, injuries and death Links & resources from...

This episode shares a report from a medic working at the frontline in Ukraine. It talks about areas of work, the risk and danger involved, profiles of injuries, the needs and necessities of the coming time, challenges of organising and more. Content warning - graphic references to death and injuries. Links & resources from this episode MSDN website – https://msdnetwork.org/ MSDN Twitter – @msd...

This episode is an interview with Outis (he/him) in Poland talking about manufacturing for medical self-defense! We discuss his projects including developing 3D printed tourniquets for MSDN projects while having broader conversations about resisting capitalism and the state through creating autonomous manufacturing infrastructure. Links & resources from this episode MSDN website - https://msdn...