November Garden Notes – Listening, Learning & Liberation

Some of the most beautiful work happens in the dark.
A seed hidden in the soil begins to stir long before it breaks the surface.
A child grows unseen in the safety of the womb.
Even winter itself — stripped, still — holds within it the quiet preparation for spring.

It’s a reminder that not all growth is visible. Some of it happens beneath the surface — in the quiet conversations between faith, patience, and purpose.

For me, that faith is in God — in knowing that even when things seem uncertain or slow, He is working in the unseen, shaping and steadying what’s to come. For others, that quiet guidance may look different — nature, intuition, or trust in something greater than ourselves. But the message remains the same: be still and know.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

November arrives quietly — a month of bare branches, misty mornings, and that unmistakable scent of earth returning to itself. The garden looks still, yet beneath the soil there’s life reorganising, storing, and preparing. Nature never truly stops; she simply changes pace.

It’s a rhythm I’ve come to respect — one that mirrors how I feel about The Wild Remedy right now: gathering, reflecting, and grounding deeper roots before new growth begins.

What Nature Is Doing — and What We Can Do Too

This is the season of gratitude for what has been and gentle preparation for what will come. The leaves that fall aren’t mess; they’re mulch, shelter, and life for the unseen world beneath — worms, insects, fungi, and countless organisms that make soil fertile again.

So, resist the urge to tidy too much. Piles of leaves and hollow stems become winter refuge for hedgehogs, ladybirds, and solitary bees. Let your garden breathe its natural rhythm.

If you can, plant garlic or winter onions now — they’ll rest quietly through the cold months, ready to sprout when the light returns.

And on darker evenings, steep a cup of rosemary and orange peel tea — uplifting for mood, rich in antioxidants, and perfect for clearing that autumn heaviness. Add a slice of ginger if you’re feeling sluggish; it’ll warm the blood and the spirit.

Or, if you fancy something a little more indulgent, try adding peppermint chocolate leaves or fresh mint chocolate leaves to a mug of hot chocolate. It’s grounding, soothing, and perfectly seasonal — a delicious reminder that self-care can be simple and soul-nourishing. Scroll to the end for both recipes!

Listening to the Systems We Live In

Through my continuing studies in herbal medicine, I’m learning that every system — whether biological, ecological, or economic — mirrors the same truth: balance matters. When one element dominates, the rest suffers.

I’ve been reflecting deeply on what Dr Jason Hickel, the economic anthropologist and author of Less Is More, shares about the interconnection between the climate crisis, inequality, and poverty. His work reminds us that the ecological crisis is not a natural accident — it’s the result of systems designed around extraction, overproduction, and profit.

Yet, Hickel also reminds us that this is solvable. He speaks about how the same structures that create environmental collapse also perpetuate poverty — and how, with balance and redistribution, both can be healed together. By re-centering wellbeing, fairness, and regeneration over endless economic growth, we can rebuild societies that care for both people and planet.

This isn’t about politics — it’s about participation. About awareness. About asking, Who decides what enters my body, my home, my soil, my air?

Hickel’s vision of economic democracy — where communities have more control over production and distribution — feels deeply aligned with what we strive for at The Wild Remedy: conscious creation, local sourcing, and restoring connection to what truly sustains us.

When Choice Disappears — The Case of Folic Acid

Take, for example, the UK’s decision to mandate the addition of synthetic folic acid to all non-wholemeal flour, bread, and pasta from December 2026. The intention is well-meaning — to reduce neural tube defects in babies — but it raises difficult questions about consent, transparency, and trust.

Synthetic folic acid isn’t the same as natural folate, the form found in leafy greens and legumes. Some scientists suggest that unmetabolised folic acid may interfere with DNA methylation or cell health when taken in excess. Studies have explored potential links between synthetic forms and increased cancer risk in certain populations.

This isn’t alarmism — it’s awareness.
The deeper issue is that the public won’t have a genuine choice once this fortification becomes law. Bread and flour will carry an additive that many may not wish to consume, without a clear alternative.

It’s a quiet example of mass medicating without consent, and it mirrors a larger problem: decisions made about our health, food, and planet without our participation.

All the more reason, then, to know our ingredients, read the labels, grow what we can, and reconnect with food as medicine — not commodity.

For those who, like me, believe we should have the right to make informed choices about what goes into our food, you can read more and sign the petition here.

Awakening Without Overwhelm

I know this can feel heavy. The world seems full of noise and injustice, and it’s easy to feel powerless. But here’s the truth I keep learning from plants: we are never powerless when we pay attention.

Every herb that grows through concrete, every bird that nests in a quiet corner of the garden, every person who chooses to live consciously — they’re acts of quiet rebellion.

Being awake doesn’t mean being angry; it means being aware.
It means asking, What can I do within my sphere of influence? — and doing it with love, grace, and conviction.

Even something as simple as making your own herbal tea, buying from local growers, or supporting small, sustainable makers can shift the energy of production away from profit and back toward purpose.

A Season for Candles, Kindness, and Connection

As the evenings draw in, our eco friendly candles and herbal blends are finding their way into homes across the UK. Each one is hand-poured with the same intention — to bring warmth, calm, and reflection to whoever lights it.

They make thoughtful gifts, not just for others but for yourself — a moment of stillness in the glow of your own light.

Our Wild Circle community continues to grow too, and it’s becoming a space for deeper connection — for learning about plants, rituals, recipes, and ways of living that nourish body and soul. If you haven’t joined yet, you can sign up via thewildremedy.org to receive upcoming notes, seasonal workshops, and stories from this journey of herbal learning.

Gratitude and Growth

This month, as I continue my studies, I’m more convinced than ever that The Wild Remedy is not just a business — it’s a movement.
It’s about bringing consciousness back to the way we live, grow, eat, and heal.

To those of you following along — thank you.
To those who’ve offered to be willing participants as I learn my craft — I’m endlessly grateful for your trust and laughter along the way.

And a heartfelt thank you to the farmers and land owners and networks who continue to reach out about creating a home for The Wild Remedy on their land or spaces for our workshops. These conversations of possibility feel like seeds planted in good soil — nurtured by kindness and connection.

“The greatest change begins quietly— not in silence, but in awareness, in how we see, in what we question, in what we choose.”

With warmth and awareness,

Founder, The Wild Remedy

Footnotes – Seasonal Recipes

🌿 Rosemary & Orange Peel Tea
A refreshing, cleansing blend to support digestion, clarity, and winter mood.
Ingredients:

1 tsp dried or fresh rosemary leaves
Zest from half an orange (fresh or dried)
Optional: a thin slice of fresh ginger
250ml hot water

Method:

Add rosemary and orange peel to a teapot or cup.
Pour over hot (not boiling) water.
Cover and steep for 5–7 minutes.
Strain, sip slowly, and breathe deeply.

🍫 Peppermint Chocolate Leaf Hot Chocolate
A comforting winter treat that feels indulgent but can still be nourishing.
Ingredients:

200ml oat, almond, or organic whole milk
1 tbsp organic raw cacao powder (or 70%+ dark chocolate, shaved)
1 tsp raw honey or coconut sugar (optional)
A few fresh peppermint or mint chocolate leaves