On 12 April 2026, students, graduates, and guests gathered at the School of Herbal Medicine for our annual Guest Speaker Day, marking the conclusion of this year’s Easter School. The event brought together experienced practitioners and educators to explore current topics in herbal medicine, sustainability, and professional practice.
Anne Stobart on Medicinal Forests and Sustainable Herbal Medicine
We were delighted to welcome Anne Stobart, a respected medical herbalist, researcher, and author, as our keynote speaker.
Anne shared her work on developing a Medicinal Forest and the importance of sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants. Formerly the leader of a university degree programme in Herbal Medicine, Anne now focuses on the Holt Wood Herbs project in Devon, where a former conifer plantation has been transformed into a woodland rich in medicinal species.
Her research has resulted in several well-known publications, including The Medicinal Forest Garden Handbook (2020) and her latest book, Trees and Shrubs That Heal.
Following her presentation, attendees took part in an engaging workshop, discussing which plants would be most suitable for creating medicinal hedgerows to support common health concerns, including:
Respiratory health
Digestive and gastrointestinal conditions
Women’s health
Skin health
The session encouraged students to apply their knowledge while considering the importance of biodiversity and sustainable herbal practice.
Additional Presentations
The day also featured a series of informative presentations from members of the School community.
Ruth Mannion-Daniels gave an insightful talk on the treatment of jiggers, exploring the role of herbal medicine in supporting communities affected by this condition.
Our Vice-Principal shared exciting plans for the future of the School, highlighting ongoing developments in our professional herbal medicine training programme and student opportunities.
The day concluded with a presentation on the history of the School of Herbal Medicine and a discussion about what it means to become a professional medical herbalist in today’s healthcare landscape.
Continuing Professional Herbal Medicine Education
Guest Speaker Day is one of the many opportunities our students have to learn from experienced practitioners working across different areas of herbal medicine. Events such as these complement our classroom teaching and clinical herbal medicine training, helping students broaden their understanding while connecting with the wider herbal community.
