Amelia South
Herbalist, Foraging Instructor, Subconscious Reprogramming Specialist
Foraging Workshop with Amelia 6
Read my Press Release HERE
Images (let me know if you need different sized versions)
Bio
Amelia South overcame candida and rosacea naturally, healing herself without the need for conventional medicine. A lifelong forager since 2006 and Certified Herbalist since 2018, she blends deep plant knowledge with lived experience to guide others back to vibrant health. Known for her earthy, no-nonsense approach, Amelia still teaches hands-on foraging classes, crafts small-batch herbal remedies, and recently released her book Think Like an Herbalist. Whether in the kitchen, on the trail, or through her writing, she empowers others to reclaim their health and discover the abundance of food and medicine growing just beyond their back door.
Or:
Amelia South is a foraging instructor, practicing herbalist, and long-time wild-food cook who has spent 18 years working with the plants of New England. After healing her own gut and skin through real food and wild medicine, she began teaching others how to understand their bodies and the plants around them with clarity and confidence. She’s the creator of Think Like an Herbalist, a practical, no-BS approach to working with herbs that empowers people to become their own healers. Amelia teaches immersive, hands-on classes that invite students to taste, touch, and experience the plants they’re learning about.
Testimonials
“Amelia had so much to share about black birch, and I left the conversation wishing I could be out in the woods smelling and tasting it right then.”
~ Rosalee de la Foret, Herbs with Rosalee Podcast
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“Having Amelia South on my podcast was an absolute delight. Not only did I learn so much from her, but her knowledge and passion will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on everyone who listens.”
~ Dr. Peggy Gleason, Professional Women's Podcast
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“Thank you again, Amelia; you made recording with you easy, fun, and a special experience!!“
~ Ruby and Susan, Feeling Lit Alcohol Free Podcast
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"Amelia is an herbalist of the old school - she puts in the work and devotion that is a hallmark of an herbalist worthy of the name. "
~ Sarah Klinkowitz, Neo Apothecary
Blurbs / Quotes
“In any chronic case, you want to be helping the PERSON, not just covering up their symptoms with herbs.”
“Imagine your intestines are one of those long skinny balloons, like the kind a clown makes balloon animals from. When the outside of the balloon is made of rubber, your digestive system is working properly and absorbing all the nutrition from your food. If the outside of that balloon turns into something more like cheesecloth, little microscopic particles of food escape into your body cavity. Your immune system says “Oh crap! Ham sandwich is supposed to stay inside the digestive tract! It’s not supposed to be out here touching all of our organs! So your immune system attacks those food particles to protect you. Over time, this leads to an autoimmune condition.”
“If you don’t have a favorite tree to hug, you’re missing out on one of the greatest natural pleasures in life.”
“I work with plants, I don’t just “use” them. I wouldn’t “use” calendula or birch for their medicine any more than I would “use” Sally or John for their talents. If we build a relationship with and respect plants, they’re more inclined to help you in return.”
“Communicating with a pine tree is like petting a golden retriever. They’re wagging their tail and just SO happy you’re talking with them!”
Some Potential Interview Questions
1. How can we forage in a way that supports the ecosystem rather than harming it?
2. What are some simple ways beginners can tell if a plant is safe—or dangerous—to eat?
3. What’s the deeper value of foraging beyond just free food?
4. What’s a common health issue people might be surprised they can treat with plants in their backyard?
5. How does eating wild food help heal the gut—and how quickly can someone feel a difference?
6. Do the plants we need sometimes show up when we need them? Can nature really be that intuitive?
Q&A
How can we forage plants without harming nature?
A: Plants (for the most part) know that we need them. They want to take care of us. That’s why practicing reciprocity and the Honorable Harvest is so important. Harvest only what you need and always leave some for others and for the plant to propagate itself. Say thank you to the plant or perhaps leave an offering. Treat them with the same courtesy you would another person and they will repay you a hundredfold with their food and medicine.
How do I know if a plant is safe to eat?
A: Learning which plants are safe or unsafe is a matter of improving your plant identification skills. Having a reliable regional field guide is critical in this aspect! An app on your phone may be helpful, but you should always seek to positively identify something at least three different times before you try consuming it. Doing your research with reliable sources is critical. Make sure you find a book that was written by a human, not just AI.
What’s the deeper value of foraging beyond just free food?
A: Foraging is fun, exciting, and brings you back to your ancestral roots. Some people, like myself, pick up a knack for it. It’s our responsibility to teach others. Food is your medicine, and the quality of the food that you put into your body is critical. How much fresher can you get than a plant you harvested yourself? Wild plants are notorious for being more nutritious than the cultivated fruits and vegetables we are used to eating from the grocery store.
Can you share a common ailment that people can treat with plants they are likely to find in their backyard?
A: Of course! Have you ever gotten stung by a bee? If you get stung by any insect, look around the area for a low growing plant with wide, green, ribbed leaves.This is Plantain (Plantago major), one of the most common weeds in North America. Pick a leaf off, chew it up in your mouth, then spit it out into your hand and apply the mash to the sting area. The pain and swelling will subside in a matter of a few minutes.
What does foraging have to do with healing your gut?
A: Curating a healthy and balanced gut microbiome includes eating a widely varied diet. Wild edible plants are often very high in fiber, including some prebiotic fiber, which is the essential food for the probiotics that populate your gut. Introducing wild plants, along with the wild yeasts that are often found on some of them, is a great way to help increase the population of healthy gut bacteria that will provide your body with a healthy immune system, beautiful skin, and a calm mind.
Do the plants we need sometimes show up when we need them? Can nature really be that intuitive?
A: Yes! This is a commonly-held belief among many herbalists. You will be living someplace for 6 months, maybe a year, and suddenly you start to notice a new weed in your yard that you don’t remember seeing there before. By next year, it’s spreading even more. You finally decide to look it up and it turns out it’s something whose medicinal value addresses the exact medical problem you’ve been dealing with!
Foraging Workshop with Amelia
What is it like to go Foraging with Amelia? It’s an experience you won’t forget! She will travel to your location and show you all the wild edible and medicinal plants growing on your property. You will also have the option to watch and participate in a demonstration where you will pick some plants to make a small meal with as well as others to make a medicinal remedy with. Each event is tailored to your group’s location, needs, and skill level. Sign up for a personal walk here: https://blacksunfarmct.com/foraging/
Forest Bathing with Amelia
Forest Bathing, also known as Sylvotherapy, is a way to reduce your body’s reactions to stress and lower your cortisol levels naturally by reconnecting with nature over a period of time. A typical forest bathing session lasts 1-2 hours and involves a slow, deliberate walk through nature without any electronic devices. You will find a tree that calls to you (certain trees even have certain affinities for healing different parts of your mental state) and meditate for a time, rediscovering yourself and detoxifying from the fast pace of modern life. Each session ends with a short tea ceremony after hand-picking wild edible plants on our walk through the woods.
Contact Info
Email: amelia@blacksunfarmct.com
Website: https://blacksunfarmct.com/ OR https://www.herbalremediesbyamelia.com/
Calendar Link: https://tidycal.com/ameliasouth2023
Social Media:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoriginalmealchan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacksunfarmctBackup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksunfarm/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theoriginalmealchan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-south-ct/
Forage and Heal Book: https://amzn.to/45teLDm
Think Like an Herbalist book: https://amzn.to/46qHVm9