Today, we journey downward—into the soil, into the marrow of our being. We meet Comfrey, Symphytum officinale: a plant shaped by the steady power of Earth, the element of form and foundation. It carries the signature of Saturn, guardian of bones, ligaments, joints, and skeleton. The architecture of the body. Long surrounded by debate over its internal use, Comfrey stands nonetheless as an ancient teacher of structure, resilience, and repair. As we draw near, we listen—not to opinions, but to what the plant itself may reveal.

We also have the pleasure of interviewing Fernando Derk, Peruvian-Dutch Artist, Musician and Ethnobotanist of Andean-Amazonian medicine and ritual traditions. 

https://www.instagram.com/fernando_derks/

https://soundcloud.com/ferdinand-bustaderks

Get Info for the Visionary Journey

https://mailchi.mp/ed8546f7fc7b/visionary-journey-2026

Tash

https://www.avantgardenlife.com/

Phil

https://www.hp-phildius.de/

Find us @ Mommsenstraße 55, 10629 Berlin

In this episode, we turn our gaze skyward—to the Rowan tree (mountain ash), a guardian of lore and light. With its slender grace and clusters of flaming berries, the Rowan has long stood at the crossroads between the earthly and the divine. Its roots cling to rocky soils where few others thrive, whispering of resilience and quiet strength.

Known to the ancients as a tree of protection, Rowan was once planted by doorways and paths to ward off misfortune, weaving safety into the fabric of everyday life. Its presence carries the scent of guidance and courage—branches said to bridge the realms of spirit and soil, mystery and understanding.

Joining us beneath its watchful branches is Elisabeth Brooke—herbalist, astrologer, author, teacher, and counsellor. Through her work, Elisabeth invites us to rediscover the healing pulse of plants and the cosmic patterns that guide their growth. Together, we’ll explore the Rowan’s folklore and medicine, tracing how its symbolism of guardianship and renewal continues to root itself in modern herbal wisdom.

So, pour a warm infusion and step into the sacred stillness of the forest—where Herby at Heart meets the enduring spirit of the Rowan and the timeless wisdom of those who listen closely.

Elisabeth Brooke:
https://elisabethbrooke.com/
https://www.instagram.com/elisabeth.cl.brooke/?hl=de

Music by:

Tash⁠⁠ ⁠
https://www.avantgardenlife.com/
https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life/

Phil
https://www.hp-phildius.de
https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin/

Praxis
Mommsenstraße 55, 10629 Berlin

Today, we sink deeper into the forest’s mysteries—guided by the ancient wisdom of the woods and the healing secrets of mushrooms.

In this episode, we journey into the world of the shiitake—a mushroom treasured not only for its deep, earthy flavor, but for its remarkable healing powers. Revered in the tales of old as an elixir of vitality and longevity, shiitake weaves together nourishment and resilience, lending strength to body and spirit. It stands as a guardian in the woodland shade, transforming decay into renewal and offering its gifts of immunity, balance, and vibrant life.

Joining us among moss and morning dew is Moritz Schmid, better known as “Into the Woods.” As a mushroom expert, certified forest bathing guide, and woodland artist, Moritz has spent his life listening to the forest’s stories and sharing its quiet magic with others. Together, we’ll trace the path of shiitake through myth and medicine, discovering how this mushroom, shaped by earth and time, can be an ally for healing and wonder.

So, bring a cup of tea and let your senses open—we invite you to walk with us, as Herby at Heart steps into the shade-dappled world of mushrooms and the hands that know them best.

Moritz Schmid:

https://www.intothewoods-mushrooms.com/

https://www.instagram.com/intothewoods_mushrooms/

Music By:

GuruGuru, Mickey Hart, Belle & Sebastian

Tash⁠⁠ ⁠

https://www.avantgardenlife.com/

https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life/

Phil

https://www.hp-phildius.de

https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin/

Praxis

Mommsenstraße 55, 10629 Berlin

Today Herb has qualities of an activist and warrior fighting for justice; she marches with a firm, steady stride—neither soaring nor earthbound, but centred deep in her power. She helps you put on your battle armour, a cool intellect guiding your heart. With wry humour and no-nonsense energy, she stands using both head and heart. We would like to welcome Yarrow, Achillea millefolium.

We also have the pleasure of interviewing Florencea, aka Flo, a woman who also stands tall using her head and her heart

Florencia (she/her) is a plant-based culinary designer from Chile, living in Berlin since 2016. She has led food-centred workshops since 2019 and, since 2024, has been part of the Nourished collective with her project OHNE (2016).

Through this platform, she creates multi-sensory workshops, events, and rituals — spaces for exploration and shared encounters where living foods, nature’s rhythms, astrology, ancestral medicine, tarot, and herbalism converge in connection with community.

She approaches food as art, medicine, and ritual — a medium for translating symbolic languages into edible forms that invite us to embody ancient-looking perspectives and experience eating as a way to reconnect with nature from within.

Her work is an ever-evolving process, guided by curiosity and intuition, shaped by a dialogue among the visible and the invisible, where food becomes a bridge between the personal, the collective, and the cosmic.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ohneberlin/

Website:

⁠⁠https://www.ohneberlin.com/⁠⁠

Songs:

1. Beyoncé - Girls

2. Laboratorium Pie´sni - Sztojpa moru

3.Violeta Parra - Volver a los 17

Tash⁠ 

https://www.avantgardenlife.com/

https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life/

Phil

https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin/?hl=de

https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin/

Praxis

Mommsenstraße 55, 10629 Berlin

Book Recommendations

Traditional Western Herbal Medicine, 2019 - Aeon Books - by Elisabeth Brooke - "quoted piece"

The Sensory Herbal Handbook - Seed Sisters - quoted

Today, plants will soothe your senses and mellow us out. Known to some as blue mallow, to others as common mallow and to a few as cheese-cake. Malva spp. as well as the more famous cousin, Marshmallow.

This month, we have the absolute pleasure of chatting with the wondrous Mo Wilde. Who decided to eat wild food for a year and see what it did to her biome? So sit back, relax and let this episode soothe your soul.

On Herby at Heart, we're all about exploring the power of plants, and today's topic, mallow with a sprinkle of marshmallow, has a deep connection to Monica Wilde's work. Her Wildbiome Project, where she delved into the world of wild food, likely brought her up close and personal with these mucilage-rich plants. We're curious to hear her perspective on how these herbs can benefit our digestive systems and contribute to a balanced gut microbiome. Given her focus on integrative medicine, we'll also explore how the sometimes forgotten common mallow can fit into a broader approach to health and well-being. Plus, knowing Mo's passion for accessible herbalism, we're betting she has some top tips for incorporating these readily available plants into our everyday lives. So, stick with us as we delve into the world of mallows with the brilliant Mo Wilde!

Instagram:

@avant.garden.life

@power.plants.berlin

@monicawilde

https://linktr.ee/mowilde

https://monicawilde.com/

find her latest book here:

https://eatwild.app/products/free-food

This episode we're basking in the golden glow of St. John's Wort, a vibrant herb with a rich history of medicinal use. Known scientifically as *Hypericum perforatum*, this flowering plant has been treasured for centuries for its potential mood-boosting properties.

St. John's Wort is most commonly associated with easing symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Research suggests it may be as effective as some standard antidepressants, possibly by influencing neurotransmitter activity in the brain, similar to how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work.

Beyond its potential antidepressant effects, St. John's Wort has traditionally been used for a variety of other ailments. We‘re diving in the signature of St. John’s Blood - the use in traditional and modern Herbal Medicine.

Some studies suggest it may help alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, while others explore its potential for wound healing, anxiety relief, and improved sleep quality.

Join us as we continue to explore the world of St. John's Wort, delving deeper into its fascinating properties and potential benefits.

Our Guest today:

Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk

https://www.instagram.com/dr_rusk

https://www.ilenenaomirusk.com

Tash:

https://www.avantgardenlife.com

https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life

Phil:https://www.hp-phildius.dehttps://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin

Find us in our Praxis @ Mommsenstraße 55 - Charlottenburg

Mmm, the air still vibrates with the gentle magic of Hawthorn, doesn't it?  A plant that whispers of resilience, protection, and nourishment for the heart.  Here on Herby at Heart, we're drawn to these whispers, to the ways nature supports us through life's tenderest moments, especially those surrounding grief, loss, and transition.  

Who better to guide us through these landscapes than two extraordinary women who've dedicated their lives to holding space for others during these profound experiences?

We'll be speaking with @Charlottenwiedemann and @diewildermathilderoesch. Both women who guide us in the experience of death with unique perspectives on supporting the heart through grief.  

We'll touch on their journeys, their work, and how they weave the wisdom of nature into their practices. So, stay with us as we explore the intertwining paths of Hawthorn, the heart, and the compassionate work of these extraordinary women.

@Charlottewiedemann is a writer and death doula focusing on funeral rites and death care. She considers herself a death awareness journalist and activist, fostering a more open societal discourse on death and dying through media formats, workshops, and art collaborations.

Her mission is to provide people with the information they need in order to act in a self-determined and empowered manner around the end of life.

She is the lady behind @dertot_undwir and co-founder of @ahorn 

Mathilde is a wild and medicinal herbal pedagogue, trained in end-of-life and grief support, as well as a professional actress.

Recently, she has been integrating her three passions into a project called Death, Nature, and Creation, which explores themes of grief and mortality through the connection with plants, mythology and the smudging rituals of ancient animistic cultures.

Through theatre, she aims to create spaces and retreat in nature for free expression, where people can openly share and process their emotions.

ABOUT US:

Philipp Phildius

Heilpraktiker für Homöopathie, Pflanzenheilkunde, Familiensaufstellungen

Instagram: @power.plants.berlin

www.hp-phildius.de

Praxis @ Mommsenstraße 55 Berlin-Charlottenburg

_______

Tash English:

Heilpraktikerin für Pflanzenheilunde, TCM & Familienaufstellung

Instagram:

@avant.garden.life

www.avantgardenlife.com

Praxis @ Mommsenstraße 55, Berlin Charlottenburg

This episode, we dive into the lush, aromatic world of wild garlic, known as bear’s leek or Allium ursinum. We will also look at its notruously famous cousin, that people tend to mistake as wild garlic here in Berlin, the wildly famous Few-flowered leek aka “wunderlauch” (allium paradoxum)

We have the pleasure of interviewing Olga Graf for this episode. She has the spirit of a siberian bear and the energy of wild garlic.

When spring whispers through the forest floor, and a strong garlicky scent fills the air, it’s a sign: the bear’s plant has returned.

Growing in rich green carpets beneath trees, wild garlic is among the first plants to awaken in early spring – and the forest answers with a vibrant, living aroma. Its star-shaped, white flowers light up the woods like little constellations, attracting bees, flies, and humble pollinators alike.

But wild garlic is more than a seasonal green – it carries stories, healing power, and even the echo of old gods and forest spirits. From the way ants help spread its seeds, to the belief that bears eat it to regain their strength after hibernation – this is a plant rooted in both nature and myth.

Let’s explore its name, its uses, and the deep, ancient wisdom it brings with every leaf.

Find Olga:

https://www.instagram.com/olga___graf/

https://markthalleneun.de/

https://www.kornlabor.de/

Find Philipp:

https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin/

https://www.hp-phildius.de

Praxis @ Mommsenstraße 55 , 10629 Berlin

Find Tash:

https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life/

https://www.avantgardenlife.com/

Praxis @ Mommsenstraße 55 , 10629 Berlin

In this enchanting episode, we invite you to embark on a journey through the lush world of the birch tree, celebrated for its ethereal beauty and profound healing properties. Join your favorite herbalists, Tash (@avantgardenlife) and Philipp (@powerplantsberlin), as we delve into the symbolism and significance of this remarkable tree—a true light-bringer and harbinger of new beginnings.

This month, we are thrilled to introduce the lovely birch (Betula alba and Betula pendula), a tree that has woven itself into the fabric of herbal medicine and culinary delights. We’ll explore its characteristics, uses, and the rich historical tapestry that surrounds it.

Our special guest this episode is the delightful Rupert Waites, a passionate chef and forager from the wilds of Scotland. Rupert, whom Tash met at an annual foragers meet-up, brings a wealth of knowledge about birch sap and its transformative role in the culinary world. Together, we’ll uncover the magic of birch and how it has inspired Rupert's innovative creations with his award-winning brand, Buck and Birch.

As we navigate the delicate threads connecting us to this magnificent tree, we’ll share personal anecdotes, practical tips, and fascinating insights into the birch’s role in traditional and modern herbalism.

So, grab a cup of birch tea and settle in as we celebrate the spirit of the birch tree—a symbol of renewal, resilience, and the vibrant connection between nature and our daily lives. Let’s explore, learn, and grow together on this herbal journey!

https://www.instagram.com/buckandbirch/

https://buckandbirch.com/

This month's plant is special, a plant everybody knows walks by and often notices especially while blooming.  A scent and taste we all have tried and easily recognise. It is a medicine that is usually forgotten, yet so common that it’s a part of everyday life. In Turkish delight or as a tea - as jam inside our “Berliners” or as a childish trick to make you feel itchy. Full of vitamins and rich in flavonoids - today's plant is nobody else than the wild rose or dog rose. And we’re gonna talk about its fruits - rose hips.

We had the pleasure of interviewing a talented medical herbalist Clare Holohan practicing in the highlands of Scotland. When we decided to work with Rosehip Clare came straight to mind. With her rosy cheeks, strong vibrant nature and nourishing vibes.

https://www.westhighlandherbal.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/power.plants.berlin

https://www.instagram.com/avant.garden.life/