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.

“Look to the nervous system as the key to maximum health.” — Galen, physician and herbalist, 3rd century

Anxiety and low mood often sit alongside common hormonal imbalances, including PCOS, endometriosis, PMDD, thyroid disorders, and monthly PMS. In this session, Maya and Natasha explore how supporting the nervous system can be a foundational step in restoring balance.

Drawing on clinical herbal practice, they’ll share how medicinal herbalists approach nervous system care, alongside practical ways to grow and use everyday kitchen garden herbs to gently regulate stress, support emotional wellbeing, and bring the body back into a more resilient, balanced state.

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.