Spring Cleanse
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
Join me on a seasonal herbal journey...
It's back! Spring is finally arriving; we are ready to cast off the winter layers and embrace the rising light.The winter feasting is over and it's time to get rid of those unwanted accumulations, bring some fresh green into our lives and cleanse our bodies. Did you start the year with good health intentions only to find yourself slipping at the first hurdle? I think January is a terrible time to start trying to make health changes. It's the middle of winter, there's not much to do other than sleep, work and eat. There are still all kinds of lurking leftover snacks, sweets and extravagances around the house to tempt you from the festive season. In winter I mostly want to hibernate next to my fire with warm drinks and a good book, or leave the country in search of sunnier climes and vitamin D from real sunshine. It does not feel like the time to make life changes. By March we are beginning to re-gain some of our energy, the sun starts to warm the earth again and our fabulous spring cleansing herbs begin to make an appearance. To me, it feels like the right time to blow out those cobwebs and give your body the boost it needs to move forwards into this season, as nature intends. So, as in previous years, for a limited time I am offering a 2-week Spring Cleanse package carefully formulated from the herbs of the Highlands to encourage your amazing body in its natural ability to eliminate waste products and leave you feeling refreshed, cleansed, and energised to face the coming season. It's safe for everyone, but if you have any questions or concerns just contact me to discuss these first. The pack is posted directly to you* from the week beginning 16th March and includes:
A 2-week supply of my carefully formulated tincture blend which includes herbs
gathered, grown and tinctured here in the gorgeous West Highlands
Full instructions of how to use the blend and dosages.
A detailed handout including food and lifestyle tips for you to get the most out of your Spring clean, and set you right on your path to better health
Postage and packaging
I'll also be doing the spring clean alongside you, beginning the week following the Spring equinox and will be posting updates on my Facebook page, Instagram feed and in my stories. All this for just £32. Just use the button below if you are interested in sharing a herbal spring clean together.
*Spring cleanse is available for postage to UK addresses only.
Scotland's Wild Medicine
Have you noticed the weeds and wild medicine popping up? Spring is the perfect time to get your hands on a copy of our beautiful and informative book. Available from independent bookshops or on my website.
Foraging courses
The first nettles and wild garlic are tentatively appearing and I'm back teaching foraging and herbal medicine workshops from March. I still have some availability on public courses this year (details below), and a few dates left for autumn events. If you want to make a provisional booking...
Upcoming Events
There's plenty to get stuck into this Spring and Summer, here are some of the public foraging and herbal events I have coming up
Scottish Wild Food Festival
Have you got your ticket for the Scottish Wild Food festival yet? It's back for Autumn 2026 for it's FINAL year and I will be there running a stall and leading a workshop. Set in the spectacular surroundings of Tir na nOg, the Scottish Wild Food Festival provides a feast of wild food. The festival encourages people of all ages to step outdoors and learn about local wild food. With dining experiences, foraging walks, wild cocktail making, bushcraft, talks and demos, workshops, live music and a marketplace there really is something for everyone to get their teeth into!
Scotland's Wild medicine at Lynbreck Croft
Join me, Clare Holohan with Lynne and Sandra at Lynbreck Croft for a fun day learning about wild plants. You will learn how to identify and use local plants for all round health, which will include a walk around the grounds of the croft in the morning with some foraging and discussion on food and medicinal uses of the plants we find.
You’ll then gather for a feast lunch, which will include some croft grown produce, supplemented with anything edible we find in the morning.
In the afternoon, you’ll head back out with Clare to do some more practical learning, either making remedies or foods with whatever we have found. Throughout the day, Lynne and Sandra will talk a little about how they work with nature and their team of animals to build biodiversity across Lynbreck, a place that can provide for all of us.
The course will run from 9.30 to 4.30 on Saturday 25th July. The same course will run on Sunday 26th July.
Herbal Medicine making workshops at Kilmallie.
Save the dates!
After a fantastic seasonal foraging series in 2025/26 I'll be back at Kilmallie Community Fridge and Garden teaching herbal medicine making workshops this year in Summer and Autumn.
Summer: Make your own creams, balms, and ointments Saturday 27th June.
Booking information will be announced on social media and subsequent newsletters. Keep an eye out!
This year we will be running a stall and workshop at Solas Festival, Scotland's Midsummer Music, Arts and Wellbeing Festival. Check it out and get your tickets here: https://www.solasfestival.co.uk/
Upcoming Clinics
Face to face herbal medicine appointments are available weekly in Lochaline.
Monthly clinics at Lochaber Complementary Health Clinic in Fort William on the following dates:
Monday 23rd March
Monday 27th April
Monday 1st June
Monday 29th June
Online video appointments available weekly. Massage and Aromatherapy appointments available weekly in Lochaline only.
Bookings for Lochaline or remote appointments here.
To book in Fort William call 01397 702257 or email: info@lochaberclinic.co.uk
Herbal Helpers
As ever there has been a lot of interest in Herbal Helpers for 2026. All weeks are now full with a waiting list. I'll be sharing some pictures from our volunteer weeks on social media and newsletters through the year.
You can still apply below, or consider coming along next year.
Seasonal helper
Amy will be continuing her apprenticeship with me and spending the season as a live-in helper here at West Highland Herbal. Amy will be looking after the garden and helping with herbal medicine making, courses and the running of things as well as learning about herbs. Amy is training to be a community herbalist and/or foraging teacher and is excited to be here for another year.