Who we are
Herbalists Without Borders, Bristol, is a collaboration between clinical herbalists, community herbalists, herb growers, and local migrant support projects. We are a branch of Herbalists Without Borders UK and affiliated with international Herbalists Without Borders.
Where we came from
Setting up the clinic is a deeply rooted act of resistance against the injustice inherent in a global political system that has created such unjust, discriminatory borders, as well as the government’s introduction of the Immigration Act 2016, which exacerbates the already extreme difficulties refugees and asylum seekers face.
Homelessness, unstable housing, poverty, loneliness and social isolation, whilst living in a constant state of uncertainty regarding their future and asylum status, are just some of the challenges that people who have fled their homes face daily. Living in such stressful conditions greatly impacts their health and well-being, by creating high levels of anxiety and trauma. We often see this as chronic insomnia, chest infections, digestive issues and low immunity, as well as other more complex conditions.
We believe that herbal medicine is an important part of any healthcare system and can have profound effects individually, as a community, and in wider society. We hope that this project can be accessed at various different points like growing, local herb walks or self care workshops and all of these can play a vital part in improving health and well-being.
What we do
We currently organise:
- A mobile dispensary treating common ailments, such as: insomnia, anxiety, coughs and low immunity. This dispensary is taken to existing support projects in the city.
- A free herbal clinic where people needing more in-depth support can access one-on-one consultations with trained herbalists.
- Harvesting of herbs from local growing projects grown by/with migrants
- Volunteer medicine making events where we pool the resources from growers and voluteers make the medicines for the mobile clinics.
Where we want to be
- We want to expand to include asylum seekers and refugees in the organising group of the project
- Organise more access for migrants to the growing & harvesting of the herbs, and making of the medicine
- Run self-care workshops that aim to improve general health and wellbeing, and teach basic herbal medicine.
How to be involved
- Medicine making
- Growing & harvesting the herbs
- General support with visiting projects
- Trained/qualified/medical herbalists in the clinic
Have a look at out website for news and upcoming dates - www.bristolhwb.org
Or connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bristolhwb/
Rewards on offer
Many people from Bristol and beyond have donated their wonderful products and services to support the mission of Herbalists Without Borders Bristol. You can support our work too by treating yourself or your friends to the gifts below. Buy your christmas presents with us this year, and they'll count towards justice as well as cheer.
There's only a few days left but great rewards still to claim. SO.....we have reduced the pledge amount on many of our top rewards. Have a look and grab yourself a bargain!
£5 - Herbal Healing Calendula Soap made by Wild Sage and Co.
£7 - Delicious Coffee for two Cafe Ronak (Gloucester road, Bristol)
£8 - Tincture of your choice from organic herb farm in somerset
£8 - Beautiful handmade Christmas Wreath
£10- Screen printed tote bag - Showcase our project and your support with a Herbalists without borders canvas bag. ** This will only be available in the new year. Thank you for your patience**
£15 - Guided meditation with Alice Guthrie. One hour group session encompassing a chanting and meditation practice (to be held on Saturday 6th January in Bristol)
£15 - Voucher for Indigo Herbs, Glastonbury. Choose for their wide selection of healing health food and good quality herbs.
£15 - Art therapy experiential taster session. Suitable for those interested in doing art therapy training themselves or maybe attending therapy.
£18 - Aromatherapy for Emotional Well-being - Sunday 14th January 2018 at 2 pm (to 4 pm).
This workshop will focus on 10 oil's with an opportunity to create a 10 ml pulse point roulette and a jar of bath salts. You'll cover the basics of what essential oils are, their common usage and dilution rates. There will be notes to take home on the 10 oils, along with a dilution rate table along with everything you make.
£20 - Pair of Gold plated Lotus Earings from designer Haruka.
£20 - Breakfast or lunch for two at St Werburghs City Farm, all drinks included. Valid until 1st April.
£20 - Voucher to be spent at Rhizome Herbal Clinic. This voucher can put towards a Rhizome Course or can be used for one herbal appointment.
£22- A Creative Interlude - Fun workshop making cards, folders or decorative ornaments (materials included).
£23 - Original Ink Paintings from Artist Mary Naylor
£25- Natural skincare making workshop with Claire Dormand. Learn how to make natural skincare products and take home three three of you’re made products. This workshop is happening on Sat 3rd February.
£35 - An hour long Kinesiology session with Janja Martin. Janja is an experienced Homeopath and Kinesiologist.
£35 - Make herbal medicine for your own home first aid kit in a herbal first aid workshop with Seed SistA Belle Benfield at Windmill Hill City Farm ( Sat March 10th 2018 ).
£35 - £50 VOUCHER to use on one of the renowned foraging expert Robin Harford’s walks or courses. Check out his website www.eatweeds.co.uk
£35 - 5 Yoga classes at the well renowned Bristol City Yoga. Choose from a wide selection of styles and teachers.
£35 - Beautiful one off hand panted, hand sewn silk scarf by Jan Blake.
£38 - Beautiful Handmade Woven Basket by Kirsty Philbrick.
£40 - Shitasu Tratement with Caroline Kenmore - an amazing practitioner with over 25years experience (Based in Glastonbury)
£50 - Herbal Consultation from experienced herbalist Helen Ridout and a month's worth of herbs. (Usual cost £50 for consultation and £30 for medicine)
£50 - Tarot Reading with Elizabeth Brooke. The reading can be done face to face in London by phone or Skype and will last 60 minutes. (Valid for 6 months)
£95 - Astrology Reading with Elizabeth Brooke. The reading can be done on the phone, on Skype or face to face in London and will last 60-90 minutes. (Valid for 6 months)
£105- Farm Stay holiday at the beautiful Wildthings farm just south of Bristol. Stay in their cosy camper all set up for countryside getaway.
£400 - Fully accredited Doula training with Conscious Birthing - worth £600! Non-residential foundation course guide you into this fascinating vocation.