A look at Lavender and a story of how it may have healed the hands of Aberdeenshire witches. Part of The Very Curious Herbal project a collection of stories, tastes and words created by herbal storyteller Amanda Edmiston, inspired by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell in the C18th.

A traditional story from Poland about a magical fig tree with incredible properties, told by Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula as part of the Very Curious Herbal project

For the most part: mistrusted, misunderstood and reviled in Elizabeth Blackwell's day. The humble tomato or 'Love Apple' as she calls it, makes an appearance nonetheless in A Curious Herbal with the advice that is used externally for its cooling purposes...

This story, my own blend of folklore and traditional herbal uses, looks at the belief held during the 17th and 18th centuries that tomato could be used by witches to turn their enemies into werewolves, whilst considering tomatine's potential, like it's atropine relatives to heighten premenstrual inflammation, this is The Wolf Peach.

This week the Very #CuriousHerbal isn't going to suggest you cook up the plant whose story I am about to share, this week I'm revealing the story of Mandrake...

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula presents the story of Hippens, a Wild Rose story of love.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula relates the tale of St John's Wort, wound healer, lifter of melancholy, Chase the Devil!

A stroll through the stories surrounding Cucumber, the plant featured in plate 4 of Elizabeth Blackwell's 'A Curious Herbal' with Botanica Fabula: Amanda Edmiston. A plant coveted by kings, cooling and so in demand it changed dynasties, becomes commonplace!

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, shares the second part of her look at Yarrow for The Very Curious Herbal project.

A look at Achillea, Yarrow, Nosebleed, a herb associated with divining in both Scotland and China. Healer on the battlefield, stopper of blood, curer of colds. A story told by Amanda Edmiston for The Very Curious Herbal project.

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula, relates the Nettle's tale for The Very Curious Herbal project