OUR STORY

ABOUT ME

I am originally from Westminster, UK but have been living in Canada for the past thirty-two years. The last twenty-five of those years, I have lived in Sooke where I was fortunate to grow up with old growth forests. The abundance of Nature and that West Coast magic. I come from a line of Cyprian-Greek farmers, whom for many generations tended to the ancient lands in Cyprus.I have always enjoyed gardening, tending to plants, and especially tea! I really do enjoy a good cup of tea. Alongside this, I began studying Astrology in my youth. I have continued to study astrology to this day, experiencing the connection between the cosmos and the earth, plant kin, energy transference, and constitutions.

In the past five years, these innate interests led me down a path towards Herbalism, Medical Astrology, and Biodynamics. I began to study the writings and lectures of Rudolph Steiner, Anthroposophy Biodynamics. Eileen Ingham with her plethora of knowledge in microbiology and biochemistry, specifically soil microbiology. Judith Hill, Medical Astrologer who has published excellent books for research and study. Then I started to apply the information in my own urban garden.

In 2020, I began the Community Herbalist online program at the Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism. This course was taught by two incredible teachers and Clinical Herbalists Katja Swift and Ryn Midura. As I worked my way through this excellent course, I started to realize more and more that I was receiving the most information from the plants themselves. Tending to these medicinal plants. These amazing allies. From seed to harvest, really invigorated an organoleptic response. Watching how they grew, who they grew well with, the scent of certain flowers and leaves, and the textures. The relationships between the plants, as well as human-plant connection. I experimented with intercropping and companion planting. I focused on soil health and plant vitality. Ultimately finding it was here with hands in the soil and long days in the garden; I felt where I most belonged.
The following year of 2021, I decided to start a medicinal plant nursery from my urban garden space. I grew close to thirty varieties of medicinal plants and some native species. I wrote little monographs for each plant and then started to attend the Esquimalt Farmers Market and The Sooke Night Market on a regular basis. I really enjoyed chatting about plants, how they grew, and how we can build relationships with them. Remembering and revisiting this knowledge and deeply rooted understanding, we can once again see them as food and medicine allies. Perhaps then, the reciprocity that needs to exist to save our home from further harm and enhance our own well-being could come to fruition. This led me to an opportunity to teach a workshop for the City of Victoria Food sustainability program. The workshop I taught was called Culinary Herbs as Food and Medicine, which we hosted in the lovely James Bay community garden. We spent a couple of hours not only learning about common culinary herbs, but also plants that were not commonly recognized as food. Students were delighted in experiencing that organoleptic response by tasting, smelling, feeling the herbs, and how we can create relationships with them.
I am a farmer at heart, with a passion for Herbal Medicine. I am passionate about accessible, affordable herbs, community connections, sustainability, and the exchange of knowledge and information. As my farm grows, I am elated to provide for local practitioners, Apothecaries, and small based businesses. My Specialty is with potent organic fresh and dried herbs. They are grown and cultivated with love and intention.

THE MEDICINAL HERB FARM

Our farming community is nestled on three and a half acres in a historic hay field where agriculture has been present for over eighty years. Everything on my farm follows a no dig and no till system with a huge emphasis on regenerative and restorative agriculture. Building upon the earth, with no disturbance to the soil life. I work with regenerative practices, organic amendments, biodynamic preparations, intercropping, and permaculture. I incorporate traditional Cyprian farm practices, particularly all hand harvesting. The slow practice of connecting and gentle reciprocity.
I have started to lay focus on specific herbs that are called upon more often in holistic cancer care ranging from TCM herbs such as Ku-Shen. There have been some interesting studies published on PubMed including a specific interest in the plant’s constituents such as Oxymatrine. Interesting plants such as Maral Root for adaptogen support. Gotu Kola to offer support through chemotherapy, red clover (phytoestrogens), and more. Though, I think it's fair to say every plant plays a role in preventative approaches. With each season, my goal is to continue to build diversity on my farm.

Resources and References

Through all of this, there is one special person who was my biggest support. My motivation in times of uncertainty and the creative force behind the creation of Wildcraft Infusions. Her story has become one of my biggest inspirations in becoming a medicinal herb farmer:

My dearest friend Celeste Joy Rambaran.

CELESTE'S STORY

Celeste could light up a room with her presence. A pillar of inspiration within the local community, incredibly artistic and creative, kind, loving, intelligent and adventurous. She always wanted to see the truth in a situation, questioning constructs and deep diving into experiencing all this world had to offer. Her big inquisitive eyes with a smile that poured happiness and laughter that always brought joy to your heart.
In October of 2022, Celeste sought medical attention when she noticed the presence of what felt like a hard growth in her pelvic region. It was discovered that Celeste had a large tumor growing on her left ovary. If it were cancerous, medical experts were reluctant to biopsy with the concern of potential metastasis. The only option available was a full hysterectomy. Celeste battled with the decision for some time; unsure if she wanted to go through such an extensive surgery. The possibility of this growth just being a fibroid. Celeste had a history of endometriosis, and this was also a possibility. Celeste sought out alternative options and worked hard to enhance her already healthy lifestyle. But over the course of the next year, it would become apparent that something was seriously wrong.
In June of 2023, a biopsy was performed as she began experiencing swollen lymph nodes in her neck, chest, and her body was creating blood clots. Celeste was diagnosed with stage three Serous Adenocarcinoma. The cancer had been there all along and it had metastasized to her lymphatic system.
Celeste had returned to the hospital in early August as she was now experiencing a heavy release of blood clots. The tumor had grown immensely in size and was putting pressure on her kidneys and ureters. After two weeks in the hospital, Celeste went into renal failure. Each day leading up to this moment, Celeste declined immensely with no understanding why from the specialists. Celeste’s partner Travis, Celeste’s oldest friend Sarah, and I were with Celeste throughout this whole experience. Nobody could understand why she was clotting. Well, this is what cancer does. The creation of certain cells that make the blood tacky and thick. Nobody could understand why she kept getting worse.
On that last day, I still remember the absolute disbelief when the internal medicine doctor entered Celeste’s’ hospital room. With his head hung low, he explained to everyone present in the room, that mistakes made on the hospitals end had led to Celeste’s renal failure. They had performed over the recommended number of CT scans of her kidneys, too much contrast had compromised their function. They also discovered on the last day, that Celeste was severely allergic to the Heparin, anti-coagulant medication, they had her on through intravenous for the past two weeks. A last-minute antibody test revealed this devastation. We took Celeste home for palliative care. For two weeks, Celeste was coherent, strong, stoic, but stuck in limbo. She was surrounded with so much love from her friends, family, and community. Hundreds of people reached out. She had touched so many lives in her forty-one years on this earth. It was incredible to see how inspirational she had been to each individual soul. Celeste is dearly missed.

In August of 2023, we lost Celeste, and a bright light went out in this world.

Approximately two months after Celeste’s passing, my dearest friend of Twenty-five years, Estelle received a similar devastating cancer diagnosis. We were fortunate to connect Estelle with Alina Baker. An incredible Clinical Herbalist at Chanchal Cabrera’s Holistic Cancer Clinic, here on Vancouver Island. Estelle has been making wonderful progress under the care of Alina and Chanchal, as well as her Oncologist at the BC Cancer Clinic.Our modern medicinal system is quite amazing with all the tools available for diagnostics, surgical intervention, and so forth. But there are fundamental elements missing. The sense of individualism, treating people uniquely, listening, collaborating, keeping an open mind, and intuition.I honestly feel that plant medicine, horticultural therapy, the study of individual constitutions, energetics, individualism, and looking below the surface so to speak, are vital fundamental components of health and well-being. My hope is that we get to see a more integrated collaborative approach between the two worlds, so that we can work together to support people on their health journeys. As a medicinal her farmer, my goal is to offer support by tending to this land with care. So that I may have the opportunity to, provide our communities with potent herbs and alternative options.

CELESTE'S POLLINATOR GARDEN

The first project I started was a pollinator garden in honor of Celeste. The central hub of the farm is home to all the mother plants from my previous urban garden. Home to over twenty species of medicinal and native plants. Plants that Celeste tended to herself with such Joy. Celeste is the heart of the farm, creating a space for healing and connection and future generations of medicinal plants.