Graduate, Jemima Rose, foraging with her family

My path to becoming a Healing Diets Practitioner and studying Naturopathy began many years ago. At the age of eight I made the decision to become a vegetarian, driven by my deep love for the animal kingdom – to me, they were not just animals – they were friends.

From an early age, I felt a quiet yet powerful pull towards the natural world. Growing up, I often sought solace in the company of my pets and the calming presence of nature, especially during difficult times at school when I experienced bullying.

I now know that it was through these experiences that I developed a deep empathy and compassion for both animals and people. I have always felt the emotions of those around me, and wanted to help ease their pain and offer them comfort.

Little did I know that this deep connection to nature and my desire to help others would become the foundation of my healing journey. 

Health Challenges and the Call to Yoga

Years later, after having children, I faced a period of utter exhaustion that triggered a flare-up of IBS and adult acne. I began to understand just how connected stress and health were and realised that my sleep deprivation triggered stress, which manifested in IBS and acne. And although I was immersed in motherhood, I knew there was something else waiting for me.

That’s when I had my “ah-ha” moment. I decided to train as a yoga teacher, after discovering how transformative yoga had been to me in helping my anxiety, worries and challenges of motherhood. It felt like the right path—a call to heal not only for myself but others as well.

Discovering the Power of Plants

Around this time, I visited a herbalist who introduced me to the word “nourish,” which has truly become a guiding principle in my life. She also recommended long-infused herbal teas, such as red clover and oat straw, to help soothe my nervous system, along with adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha.

Herbal infusions as tea have now become part of my daily ritual – I call them ‘tender loving teas’. These teas helped my skin, IBS and PMS. But their nourishing effect ran deeper, because they helped me to pause, to slow down and to take time to nourish myself as well as my children.

And alongside yoga and breathwork, these powerful herbal remedies opened my eyes to just how powerful nature’s offerings could be. 

A New Passion: Foraging and Natural Medicine

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, my family and I were fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful countryside. We spent much of our time walking in nature. It was my husband who first sparked our interest in foraging. His curiosity about wild plants led us all to dive deep into the world of wild plants as food and medicine. What started as simple curiosity soon blossomed into a passion for understanding the plants, fungi, and flora in the hedgerows, fields, and forests. And I felt a wild instinct that I needed to learn more about herbs and their healing potential.

This led me to discover the School of Natural Medicine, and I felt a pull to enroll in their Naturopathy course – I wanted to learn about the full spectrum of healing from diet to plant medicine and beyond.

Nature and Health: A Deep Connection

AS Satish Kumar said, “The health of people and the health of the planet are one and the same.”

The truth of this has never been more clear and I deeply believe that our health is deeply intertwined with our connection to the Earth. In our fast-paced modern lives, we have neglected the health and happiness of the planet—and in doing so, we have damaged ourselves. The health of Mother Nature mirrors the well-being of her inhabitants. When nature thrives, we thrive. If we can restore the vitality of the planet, surely, we can also restore our own health and harmony.

And so healing is within reach of us all. Whether through better access to green spaces, embracing traditional plant-based remedies, rewilding our gardens, and simply reconnecting with nature – we can heal both ourselves and this beautiful jewel of a planet. This belief in Nature’s healing power is what inspires and drives my work.

Expanding My Practice and Offerings

As I continue to study and deepen my understanding of holistic healing, I am excited to offer the experience and knowledge I’ve gained as a Healing Diets Practitioner. My two greatest passions—my family and nature—have naturally shaped the direction of my practice. My wish is to work alongside families, offering support through all stages of life, from pre-pregnancy to old age, offering healing packages rooted in nature. 

Bespoke Healing Packages and Courses

In the early stages of developing my practice, I have created a variety of bespoke packages to meet different needs. These include fertility support, pregnancy and new motherhood, whole-family health through healing diets and herbs, and brain and gut health for neurodiverse children with parental guidance. I also want to offer support for teen hormone and skin health, perimenopause and menopause care, and beyond. Each offering is crafted to address the unique health needs of children and families.

Embracing the Seasons and Deepening Our Connection to Nature

Nature remains at the heart of my work, and to further nurture this bond, I am developing a year-long “Connection to the Seasons” course, which my husband and I will co-facilitate. In this course, we will guide participants through seasonal nature connection sessions, meeting twice each season to explore the plants, birds, and natural cues that define each time of year.

This course will encourage participants to slow down, notice the subtle changes, and deepen their relationship with the natural world. We will explore wild food, local plants, and how the seasons influence our health and well-being. Between in-person meetings, I will provide guides, recipes, and other resources to help participants integrate seasonal practices into their lives. The plan is that this course will culminate in a mini-retreat, where we will walk, talk, forage, and cook together—celebrating the rhythms of nature in a tangible, hands-on way.

Future Projects: A Book and Eco-Poetry

I am also working on a book that will complement the course, offering further insights into nature connection and healing through the seasons. I have also been quietly working on a collection of eco-poems that reflect the beauty and wisdom of the natural world. Although these projects are still in their early stages, I hope that they will offer a deeper way for others to connect with the natural world as well as my offerings.

A Journey of Healing and Gratitude

Although I am still in the early stages of this journey, one thing I know for certain is that I am on my true path. 

As I continue to grow and evolve as a Healing Diets Practitioner, I feel honoured to support others in their healing journeys, embracing the wisdom of nature to create balance, well-being, and health.

My practice, Wild Hearts Belong, symbolises our inherent connection to nature—reminding us that we all have a place within the natural world, a place where we are nourished and supported. It also happens to be a tribute to my son, as the initials W.H.B. represent his name. For me, Wild Hearts Belong reflects not only our deep bond with the Earth but also the love and belonging we feel when we are fully in tune with the relationships we have with each other, and our relationship with the divine, with Mother Nature.

Becoming

A Poem by Jemima Rose

My Mother
Earth
Drink my feet
Deep into soil
Plunge my hands
Into dark, damp coils
Of worms and decay
Hold my bones
Hush my head
Heed my heart
For I cannot stay
In the dense cold clay
Of worms and decay
Limbs of Oak
Be my cloak of comfort
Song of Thrush
Lift me high
Into the breeze
Above the canopy of trees
Roll of hills
Welcome my bones
And glad my heart
Under Skylark

Ears delighting
In the melody inviting
Roots down
Shoots up
Emerging
Slowly turning to the bright
Growing ever greener
Becoming the Light. 

Get in touch with Jemima:

Website: www.wildheartsbelong.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_hearts_belong/