Talking Plants and Nature with Herbalist Erin Lovell Verinder

TEST

Luna Neshama

September 18, 2023

I walk the plant path as a herbalist, nutritionist, energetic healer, mentor, teacher and author. Much of my mission is to assist and educate people on the generous healing nature can offer us, in combination with honouring and listening to our bodies. I have been in the healing realm for 21 years now, with a strong focus on my clinical practice with clients, bridging the gaps between naturopathic and nutritional medicine, grass roots herbalism and intuition. I am honoured to do this work, to assist people to shift their health stories and thrive with the assistance of plant medicine as a gateway to radically awesome health.

This year my first book Plants for the People (a modern guide to plant medicine) is being released with my dream publishing house, Thames and Hudson. I live up in the Byron hinterland in a big old converted church, with my husband and two very sweet fur babies.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE OR INTERACTION WITH NATURAL MEDICINE

There are so many facets to this! Learning that plants heal was a truly monumental understanding I came to when I was very little, in a bunch of different ways. I experienced ill health as a chronic asthmatic when I was young and my sweet mamma took me to a local herbalist where I got to try some gnarly tasting herbal tinctures and experience the profound impact they had on my immune system and lung health. I was deeply inspired by this act of alchemy, witnessing the herbalist blend up a customised brew felt a little otherworldly and alluring.

I grew up in the suburbs of Sydney, and there was a field that had a sea of dandelions growing abundantly. I learned that you could not only make flower crowns with them, but eat them and experience positive health impacts as a result. I realised the plants were medicine and I believe that was the defining moment where young me decided to walk the plant path!

HOW CAN WE BE MORE CONNECTED TO PLANTS AND NATURE

Disconnect to the digital landscape. Carve out time to be with nature, it's as simple as stepping outside, feet on the ground and eyes to the sky. Nature is simply everywhere, even in the depths of a cityscape. Plant medicine is such a beautiful medium of which to connect with nature. Drinking more loose leaf herbal teas is such a potent way to bring in herbalism into your everyday and craft a relationship to where those leaves, barks, berries and flowers come from.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DAILY OR WEEKLY RITUAL

Slow mornings, every day are non-negotiable in my home! Breakfast is always hearty, alongside cups of herbal teas and conversation with my husband on the couch. It is my most favourite calming ritual to anchor in and direct the energy of the day ahead.