Biophilia and Nature Connection
At the heart of my practice is the belief that our health is closely connected to the natural world. Biophilia, the innate human connection to nature, is a powerful influence on wellbeing, supporting physical, mental, and emotional health.
My work explores how engagement with plants, green and blue spaces, and natural environments can complement herbal medicine and enhance overall health and furthermore foster pro-environmental decision making.
Clinical Perspective
In Western Herbal Medicine, treatment is not only about herbs — it is about the whole person in context. Nature connection is an extension of this holistic approach. Time spent outdoors, observing and interacting with plants, and connecting with natural rhythms can reduce stress and inflammation, improve mental health and give a sense of connection. These benefits can complement the effects of herbal medicine and improve the experience of care.
Research and Teaching
In 2022 I co-led the NIMH baseline study Biophilia – Nature in Herbal Practice, which explored to what extent, and how, practising herbalists incorporated direct contact with nature as part of their clinical practices or self-care routine. The results showed that every respondent used nature‑based activities (N‑BA) as part of their own self‑care, and most also encouraged patients to undertake N-BA as part of their treatment plan. Practitioners appeared more inclined to recommend activities they already engaged in themselves, highlighting the value of broadening personal nature‑based practices. The survey found no correlation between prescribing N‑BA and factors such as practice setting, workload, or whether herbalists offer additional therapies.
We concluded that given the mounting supporting evidence that spending time in direct contact with outdoor nature has a positive and therapeutic effect upon our physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing it could be proposed that including nature-based activities as part of patient treatment plans will synergistically enhance therapeutic outcomes. And encouraging patients to engage with nature supports the move toward pro-environmental behaviour with the conservational ethos that those who feel they benefit from spending time in nature will be more likely to protect and care for the natural world.
https://nimh.org.uk/news-articles/biophilia-survey-results/
Anonymised data from the survey was used to inform the teaching of Heartwood’s Biophilia module, specifically regarding implications in clinical practice.
I am also a co-tutor for the Biophilia module at Heartwood Herbal Medicine College, where we explore human attraction, connection and relationship with nature and consider the implications of biophilia for human and non-human health and wellbeing.
In this nature-focused component, students explore some of the many ways of seeing, understanding and developing our attraction to plants and nature. Using concepts drawn from a wide range of disciplines, students will get 'up close and personal' with plants and nature in a variety of tasks, allowing opportunities to explore why they wish to work with nature and what this may look like.
Community Engagement
Beyond teaching and research, I regularly offer herb walks, community talks, and guided nature experiences. These activities aim to foster local engagement with medicinal plants and encourage a deeper connection to the natural world. Through walking and sharing stories together about folklore, recipes and medicinal uses of local plants, people connect to the plants and to each other.
Why It Matters
Biophilia is more than a concept — it is a practical, evidence-informed approach to wellbeing. Integrating nature into daily life, alongside herbal medicine, can help:
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Reduce stress and inflammation
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Improve attention, focus, and mental wellbeing
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Encourage healthier lifestyle choices
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Foster a sense of connection to the natural world and pro-environmental behaviour.
In my practice, I aim to support both individual health and ecological awareness and sustainability, recognising that human wellbeing and the health of the natural world are deeply intertwined.
Contact
Phone: 07485503958
Email: alice@medicalherbalist.scot