Set within the historic surroundings of Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanical garden and a place where medicinal plants have been grown for centuries, a perfect location to explore the enduring relationship between plants and women’s health.

Join Maya and Natasha as they gently unravel the complexities of perimenopause, exploring how plant medicine can offer meaningful support during this transformative stage of life.

With a focus on practical, evidence-informed herbal approaches, they’ll share how specific plants can help ease some of the most common symptoms such as brain fog, temperature fluctuations, fatigue, recurrent UTIs, skin changes and shifts in mood and mental wellbeing.

The session will also explore the role of phytoestrogens, highlighting how these plant compounds can provide valuable support in maintaining hormonal balance throughout the perimenopausal years.

What to expect at the talk:

• In-depth exploration of several herbs and their therapeutic properties
• Plant identification and growing tips
• Seasonal remedy and recipe tastings
• Interactive Q&A session with expert herbal advice
• Doors open at 6pm, offering time to explore the Garden to yourself. All talks begin promptly at 6.30pm
• All Forage Botanicals products will be available at a 20% discount: foragebotanicals.co.uk

Booking information:

• Concession tickets are limited to those aged 25 and under, individuals in receipt of Universal Credit, and those with refugee status.

About Maya and Natasha:

Maya Jayaweera Thomas

Maya Jayaweera Thomas is a herbologist, writer, workshop facilitator and creative consultant specialising in plant medicine, food and growing.

Maya’s background is in documentary filmmaking for Channel 4; ITV and the BBC, and script editing. Having left London a decade ago to pursue a life more closely connected to the land, she went on to gain a distinction from The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in Herbology. Maya then worked with growers, plant medicine practitioners and chefs across the UK. On returning to London Maya’s work has centred on finding innovative ways to connect people with their environments through the stories of plants.

Maya regularly collaborates with Chelsea Physic Garden and Toast, and has worked with the Garden Museum; Soho Farmhouse; Charleston Plant Festival; Rough Trade Books and Bloom Magazine.

Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson has a BSc (Hons) in herbal medicine from Lincoln University and a master’s in the history of women’s medicine from the University of Oxford. Having struggled with period pain, followed by an unsuccessful search for treatment, Natasha applied her scientific knowledge to create herbal remedies that finally resolved the problem.

Today, Forage Botanicals offers natural products expertly made by her, personalised 1:1 treatment plans and online courses for empowering menstrual education, menopause and more. Natasha ran a successful clinic for over 10 years helping with menstrual complaints from menarche to menopause before writing her book ‘Your Period Handbook’.

Now Natasha has a team that takes patients while she focuses on product development and community relationships.