As part of our seasonal programme at Chelsea Physic Garden, we invite you to this gentle herbal medicine workshop exploring the subtle shifts that occur within us at Imbolc. Set within one of Britain’s oldest botanic gardens dedicated to the study of healing plants, this session draws on centuries of plant knowledge to reflect on the transitions that shape our bodies and our inner landscapes.

Imbolc marks the moment when change begins beneath the soil before it can be seen. In the same way, our bodies and emotions move through quiet transformations with every seasonal, physical or personal transition. Together, we will explore the herbs emerging at this time of year and the traditional ways they support us during periods of change.

During this workshop, you will be guided on a herb walk through the Garden to meet winter and early-spring plants and learn about their medicinal qualities. We will then taste selected herbs blindly to experience their effects on the body and to understand how they can strengthen and nourish us from within.

The session concludes with the making of a herbal balm using plants connected to Imbolc, offering a practical way to support and soothe our tissues topically.

About Odhran

Odhran (they/them) is a medical herbalist based in London. Their practice centres on the practical application of herbalism within local communities, with a particular interest in seasonal transitions and the shifting relationships between bodies, plants, and place. They encourage participants to explore herbal medicine through all the senses and to engage with the stories that help us understand ourselves and the world around us.

Instagram: @mordicaherbs