I am Suzi Richer. I work with the relationship between people and the natural world through my practices as: a herbalist, environmental archaeologist, a writer, a researcher; as a grower and maker of herbal medicines and organic food and a beekeeper.
I offer herbal consultataions, I also run events, give talks and sell a range of herbal teas at local events. The herbal teas are blended to support the seasons and cycles of life and, where possible, I grow the herbs for them.
I balance my time between writing, events, the herb garden, seeing clients, learning from the bees and my kitchen in Kendal, Cumbria. I am also secretary of the Herbal History Research Network.
My journey with plants and people started with archaeology over 20 years ago. I have a PhD in Environmental Archaeology from the University of York, looking at the relationship between plants and people in the southern French Alps. After working academically and commerically in archaeology, and particualary pollen analysis, I set-up Richer Environmental in 2018. This focuses on analysing pollen grains preserved on archaeological sites around the world to understand the plants
people were eating and growing in the past, and how the environment has changed over time.
In 2021 I trained as a herbalist because I wanted to be working more directly with plants, and, with people who were still alive! I continue to work as both a herbalist and archaeologist – with plants and people weaving between them. I have particular interests in herbal history, especially relating to Cumbria, and how past ways of living can be relevant to health today.
Suzi Richer 