This summer I decided to finally learn about the most common wild herbs around me — how to spot them, what they’ve traditionally been used for, and how people have worked with them for generations. It started as a small idea and quickly became something I absolutely loved. My countryside walks, especially along the River Medway, became longer, slower and much more focused on noticing things I had ignored before.
With Concise Medicinal Plants Guide by Tiffany Francis-Baker in my hand and the help of modern technology, I would wander for hours, comparing leaves, checking stems and getting to know each plant properly. And it wasn’t just walking — I even ended up foraging from my paddleboard. I’d be out on the water and suddenly spot fresh common tansy or rosebay willowherb growing on the bank, and of course I had to paddle over and pick some. There wasn’t a single outing where I didn’t come back with herbs tucked safely on my board. It made my paddles feel like a mix of exercise, meditation and “river bathing”, and honestly some of the best moments of my summer.
A Few Herbs That Stood Out to Me
Yarrow quickly became one I could recognise straight away. It’s often called the warrior herb in old traditions, used for its soothing and protective qualities. A humble plant with a long history of supporting wound healing, easing digestion, calming inflammation, and even helping with menstrual discomfort. Once you learn its feathery leaves and flat white flower heads, you can spot it almost anywhere. And it comes in pink and a yellow version too!
St John’s wort was another lovely discovery — bright yellow flowers that almost look sunlit. Traditionally it was gathered around midsummer, and many people used it for protection and good luck. I dried bunches of it at home and used some to make simple herbal teas. St John’s wort quickly became one of my favourite discoveries — not just for its bright, sunny flowers, but for its well-known ability to lift low mood, ease tension, and support emotional balance.
But the plant that captured me the most was
mugwort. I think this comes from my Slavic background — mugwort appears so often in old pagan traditions across Eastern Europe. It was woven into protective wreaths, carried for guidance, and burnt to cleanse the energy of a home. Mugwort itself has a long history in herbal medicine — traditionally used to ease digestion, support menstrual cycles, calm the nerves, and gently stimulate circulation.
Bringing Herbs Home
Over the summer I found myself spending hours learning to properly identify the plants I was meeting — reading my books, comparing photos, joining social media groups, and studying every detail. And once I’d trained my eyes, everything became easier to recognise: the shape of a leaf, the texture of a stem, the way each plant grows in its own little pattern.
By late summer, my house looked like a tiny drying shed — bunches of herbs hanging from the ceiling everywhere. I made gentle herbal teas, including blends with St John’s wort. I infused olive oil with yarrow to use on my skin to soothe minor irritations, calm redness, and support gentle healing. And I created smudging wands with mugwort as the main ingredient. In traditional Slavic homes, mugwort was burned or hung to cleanse spaces, clear negative energy, and invite protection and positive vibes into daily life.
These small, simple rituals made me feel calmer and more connected to nature. They also helped me bring a bit of that outdoors feeling into my everyday life.
A Little Safety Note
One thing I’ve learned is how important correct identification is. Some plants look extremely similar, and certain herbs may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. I always double-check everything with several trusted sources before I use it. Nature is amazing — but it deserves respect too.