The Elder Tree Podcast
192. At-Risk Medicinal Herbs: Monica Francia on Permaculture Herbalism
What does it mean to love medicinal plants while participating in an industry that can also place them under threat? In this episode, I sit down with herbalist, naturopath, medicine maker and herb farmer Monica Francia of Hop Valley Herb Farm to explore a conversation I believe we need to be having much more often in herbalism: the conservation of at-risk and endangered medicinal plants. Herbal medicine is often assumed to be inherently sustainable because it is “natural”, but our medicines exist within complex global supply chains. Increasing demand, wild harvesting, habitat loss, slow-growing species and a lack of transparency around sourcing can place enormous pressure on the very plants we claim to love. Rather than simply creating another list of herbs we should or shouldn't use, Mon and I explore how we might build a more thoughtful, relational and non-extractive practice around them. We talk about Mon's experience growing plants such as rhodiola, arnica, ginseng and bloodroot, and what happens when you actually witness the years of growth, difficult germination, careful propagation and tending required to produce a small amount of medicine. Growing these plants changes our understanding of their value. Suddenly, a root isn't simply something that arrives dried in a bag—it is a living being that may have taken four years or more before it was ready to harvest. We also explore bioregional herbalism and medicinal sovereignty : using the abundant medicines around us, supporting local herb farmers, growing what we can ourselves, and developing networks where growers in different climates can exchange medicines rather than expecting every herb to grow everywhere. Sometimes the humble, abundant plants—lemon balm, nettle, chamomile or blue vervain—can be incredibly potent medicines, without the ecological pressures attached to rarer species. Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to bring reverence back into herbalism . If we are going to call ourselves plant people, then our relationship with herbs must include not only what they can do for us, but how we can tend to them in return. Monica Francia Hop Valley Herb Farm https://www.hopvalleyherbs.com.au/ Books Mentioned in this Episode The Business of Botanicals Ann Armbrecht Growing At Risk Medicinal Herbs Richo Cech RITUAL HERBALISM COURSE - Botanical Education Commencing September 2026 https://www.botanicaleducation.com.au/ritual-herbalism A Seasonal Exploration of Ancestry, Ecology & Ritual through a Botanical Lens. **BUY ME A CUPPA** If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels mywork and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree **THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY** You can join our Patreon hereand gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to haveaccess to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus supportthe Elder tree at the same time! To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.organd donate to the crowdfunding campaign https://www.theeldertree.org/makeadonation . You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebookand Instagram and signup to the newsletter. Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here.Get in touch with The Elder Tree at: asktheeldertree@gmail.com The intro and outro song is "Singfor the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins. You can find Chad's music hereand here. ** TAJ SCICLUNA / BOTANICAL EDUCATION OFFERINGS** Taj Scicluna is a Botanical Educator, Bioregional Herbalistand Awe Seeker. Rekindling Herbal Enchantment whilst Honouring the Science. Discover her offerings here: http://www.botanicaleducation.com.au www.instagram.com/botanical_eduation http://www.facebook.com/botanicaleducation http://www.tiktok.com/botanicaleducation
