Blue Ginkgo - Herbs and Bodywork

PRACTICAL HERBALISM: Build your own herbal medicine cabinet to treat any minor ailment

Proud to announce that the Practical Herbalism online course will be available on Udemy on the 13th on October
The course is a one-off 2.5h long experience where you will learn:
🌿 How to make simple herbal preparations
🌿 The basic principles of Western Herbalism
🌿 How to identify and use 35 medicinal herbs to stock in your natural medicine cabinet
🌿The Western Herbalist approach to understand 25 minor ailments and how to treat them with your herbal preparations
🌿How to pick, process, source and store medicinal herbs

The course provides plenty of video resources, downloadable PDFs and PowerPoints.
Additionally, you will have my ongoing support on your herbal medicine journey

There is a 20% course launch promo until late November, so to grab your code, sign up to the mailing list here:

https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/761266/134260262529140358/share

It will be a honour for me to share my knowledge with you!

PRACTICAL HERBALISM:
Build your own herbal medicine cabinet to treat any minor ailment

Proud to announce that the Practical Herbalism online course will be available on Udemy on the 13th on October

The course is a one-off 2.5h long experience where you will learn:

🌿 How to make simple herbal preparations
🌿 The basic principles of Western Herbalism
🌿 How to identify and use 35 medicinal herbs to stock in your natural medicine cabinet
🌿The Western Herbalist approach to understand 25 minor ailments and how to treat them with your herbal preparations
🌿How to pick, process, source and store medicinal herbs

The course has plenty of video resources, downloadable PDFs and PowerPoints. Additionally, you will have my ongoing support on your herbal medicine journey

There will be a 20% course launch promo until late November, so to grab your code, sign up to the mailing list here:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/761266/134260262529140358/share

It will be a honour for me to share my knowledge with you!

MUSHROOM FORAGE AT EQUINOX FESTIVAL

What a great mushroom forage experience ! I definitely wasn’t expecting to find on the side of Equinox/Medicine festival so many delicious mushrooms.

Me and the team found a large basket full of parasols, birch boletes, larch boletes and beef steak mushrooms!, alongside the usual young nettle leaves and the last bramble berries.

Thanks to and .leaf.catering for having us again to collaborate with the festival Cafe 🙏

This is such a memorable moment in my life!!

has been such an inspiration in my journey with medicinal and culinary mushrooms.

Thanks to for the amazing opportunity!

NEW REVIEW

client came to see me at the beginning of the summer, complaining off bloating, lack of appetite, indigestion, insomnia and low mood.

The treatment plan included bitter, nervine and adaptogenic herbs, an increase in consumption in animal proteins and fats, removal of all lectin containing foods plus regular exercise and sauna.

After three months into the programme, the client start experiencing more energy, better mood, more regular periods, increased appetite and improved sleep.

She kindly left me the following review :
‘’Giacomo at Blue Ginkgo uses a huge depth of knowledge to give holistic insight into the patterns of disharmony in the body. His plan was easy to follow, and the medicinal herbs he had prescribed me made a substantial shift in my long-term health issue. I have more energy, more ease and less pain in discomfort.’’

NEW BUSINESS LAUNCHING SOON

I am delighted to share that on October 1st I will be launching a new business to support individuals struggling with chronic fatigue called Vitalise.

🌺 I will be offering 6 month long therapeutic coaching programmes in which I will blend functional nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine and western herbalism to help clients regain the lost vitality.
🌺 The program will focus on making changes and improvements in diet, lifestyle and psycho-emotional health
🌺 the result will be achieved by combining medicinal herbs, nutritional supplements, daily rituals, and exercises and monthly coaching calls.

More info to be revealed soon!

The Realignment programme

💆‍♂️ FROM ASIMMETRY TO ALIGNMENT: The Realignment programme aims to support and guide you out of pain and restriction and into a refreshed sense of balance, ease and flexibility in your body.

😀 LOOK, FEEL AND MOVE BETTER: Easing restrictions, lengthening shortened tissues and strengthening weak muscles while decreasing inflammation and deeply nourishing your body can lead to long lasting transformations.

🌿 HOLISTIC APPROACH: As both a bodyworker and medical herbalist, I include in the programme remedial massages, coaching on strength, stretch and self release and guidance on supplements, herbs and diet.

🌺 PROOF OF RESULTS: After the 5 sessions, the combination of hands-on massage with regular exercises and lifestyle upgrades are both tangible and observable.

📞 Curious to know how the Realignment programme can support you? Book your free 15min discovery call today to have a feel if we can work well together

https://www.blueginkgotherapies.com/posturecorrection

With love

Giacomo

WHY CHOOSING HERBAL MEDICINE

🌿 Herbalists approach illness holistically, treating the pattern rather than the condition.

🌿 Herbs are mostly safe, side effect free and provide a sustained health transformation.

🌿 Herbalists are trained in nutrition, meaning that alongside the medicinal herbs you will receive guidance about food and lifestyle

🌿 At Blue Ginkgo, I mostly specialise in treating successfully chronic fatigue and lack of vitality.
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BOTANICAL EXPLORATION

What I love about my job and passions is that being in the fields, surrounded by plants is a continuous and never ending learning experience.

every park has its own unique configuration of flora and by observing the relationships between plants, trees and flowers, you can see that no being exists in isolation, but it’s all part of a greater network.

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SUMMER FORAGE

What’s in this month’s foraging basket?
Lime flowers, Ground ivy and Red clover!

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ELDERFLOWERS

🌿 I can’t describe how joyous picking elderflowers in late May makes me feel! Make an elderflower cordial has been always a tradition in my family and it going through the same process now making me feel very connected to the practices of my ancestors and keeps my inner child alive!

🌿 Elderflowers are a potent medicine, being powerfully, anti-viral, immunostimulating, and are very useful for dispelling heat from the body such as in cases of fever.

FIRST ITALIAN FORAGE

It has been approximately 8 years since I came back to Italy in Spring. I definitely forgot how abundant this land is during this season.

During my stroll in the woods I found a lot of wild asparagus, Hawthorne flowers and Solomon’s seal.

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APRIL 2024 HERBAL MEDICINE WORKSHOPS

🌺 INTRODUCTION TO HERBAL MEDICINE FOR BODYWORKERS
08/04/24
Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork
This workshop is aimed at introducing the core concepts of Western herbal medicine to bodyworkers and manual therapists. It is a great opportunity to upgrade your aftercare skills and obtain a new prospective on common musculoskeletal conditions
Reserve your seat: https://bristolmassage.co.uk/massage-cpd-bristol-worcester/advanced-workshops/

🌻MEDICINAL HERB WALK
14/04/24
Join us on an educational adventure through the parks, woodlands and glades of Bristol to meet some of the most powerful medicinal herbs growing on British soil. You will learn:
Basic knowledge of Western herbalism
How to identify certain species of medicinal herbs and fungi
How to pick, process and use the herbs encountered
Folklore and myths
Reserve your seat: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/medicinal-herb-walk-spring-medicines-foraging-tickets-794332017447?aff=oddtdtcreator

MEDICINAL HERB WALK. SPRING MEDICINES FORAGING Discover and tap into the vast abundance of medicinal herbs that grow in the green areas of Bristol!

LIME TREE LEAVES

Foraging for young lime tree leaves is something that I haven’t yet done, but it is on my bucket list for this Spring. They are not as medicinal as the flowers of the lime tree but they can be consumed in salads as the flavour is very mild and neutral and the texture is tender and juicy.

DANDELION LEAF FORAGING.

dandelion leaf is a very undervalued spring green . The younger leaves are tender and somewhat bitter. They are rich in electrolytes, especially potassium and have a powerful cleansing effect on the urinary tract.

In the past, I have dried them and use them as a tea today I am going to chop them finely and mix them with some organic venison to make proper energy balls.

BIRCH SAP COLLECTION

After the initial tap, it always follows the collection day. This year we managed to collect 7 L of sap! This is the largest tap I’ve witnessed so far!

As mentioned before birch sap is probably the best quality water you can find in the wild as it can be considered the equivalent to the tree’s blood. It is really high in electrolytes and can be a very good cleanser for the lymphatic and urinary system.

are you keen to discover more about your local herbal medicines? Then join us on a herbal medicine walk on Sunday, the 14th of April in Hanham, Bristol. Tickets available on the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/medicinal-herb-walk-spring-medicines-foraging-tickets-794332017447

FROM FIELD TO FRIDGE

foraging is one of my hobbies that makes me the happiest. It remind me that there is always a source is infinite abundance just right next to where I live.

Yesterday I have been on a quest to collect wild garlic, nettles, and Hawthorne young leaves. After washing them, I have blitzed them with organic olive oil and stored the resulting creation in both in my fridge and my freezer.

The forage in season has officially started ! For the Bristol-based ones who are interested in learning more about medicinal herbs to forage around the city, I will be running a herb on Sunday, the 14th of April.

Tickets available at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/medicinal-herb-walk-spring-medicines-foraging-tickets-794332017447

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BLUE GINKGO THERAPIES

💆Here’s a quick peak into my therapy space in Bishopston, Bristol. Since I have been using the space, my therapeutic tools have grown exponentially so I can offer a broad range of solutions to my patients.

🍀 During your treatment with me, you can expect me to use wooden tools for myofascia release, cupping therapy, moxa, healing balms, essential oils and taping.

💪 after your treatment, I often prescribe herbs, strengthening and stretching exercises, foam rolling exercises and more!

🙏Are you curious to explore how you can find relief from your chronic conditions with herbs, nutrition and bodywork? Visit my website or DM me and I will be more than happy to support you in your journey.

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SENSORIAL HERBALISM WORKSHOP.

🌾A heartfelt thank you to all the participantd of yesterday's workshop. It was a truly amazing sensorial journey through a world of tastes, feelings and smells induced by our connection with medicinal herbs.

🌺Thanks also to and for the great opportunity.

Next workshop at the end of March. Watch this space
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FIRST HERBAL MEDICINE WORKSHOP OF THE YEAR

🌹 So blessed to be able to spread the word of herbal medicine. In yesterday's workshop we explored the basis for safely practicing home-based herbalism.

🌿 We tasted, smelled and discussed a few medicinal herbal extracts; it is such a delight to witness how different people connect in their own unique way with medicinal herbs

Next workshop:
SENSORIAL HERBALISM 04/08/24 at Bath Natural Remedies (Ex Neal's Yard).

INTRODUCTION TO HERBAL MEDICINE WORKSHOP

🌸Come and join us this Sunday on a herbal journey.
During this three hours workshop you will learn:

-The basic principles of herbal medicine
-The qualities and energetics of certain local herbs
-How to treat, conditions with medicinal herbs

🌿You will also receive 50 mL of a herbal extract

Tickets available at:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-western-herbal-medicine-tickets-774785162277?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

CHRISTMAS HERBS

Christmas is a time of indulgence and celebration. During this time we tend to stay predominantly indoor and to over eat often foods that may not resonate too well with our digestive system.

My favourite way to tackle Christmas Holidays is to have a arsenal of supplements and herbs to Support the digestive system and the liver.

To promote digestive and liver function:
-Gentian root
-Dandelion root
-Artichoke leaf

To reieve bloating:
-Cardamon
-Ginger
-Fennel

To support liver detox:
-Milk thistle seeds

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CLEANSING REMEDIES FOR GOUT

Gout is generally seen as a hot/damp condition. The deposits of uric acid around the body cause swelling, pain and inflammation. Inorder to clear the signs and symptoms of gout, cooling and drying remedies with affinity for the kidneys and lymphatic system are needed.

My favourite herbs with such qualities include:
-Nettle leaf
-Cleavers
-Burdock root
-Meadowsweet
-Devil's claw
-Celery seeds
-Dandelion leaf
-Goldenrod

WILD NUTRITION

I love to roam the field this time of the year. The hostile brambles are gifting us with juicy berries and many medicinal herbs and flowers are at their peak.

During this foraging session, I picked some fireweed, bramble berries, garlic mustard, wood avens root, wild water mint and dandelion leaves.

NOURISHING REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is often classified as a dry and hot disorder of the joints.
The lack of moistening synovial fluid in combination with the progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage causes heat and pain, signs of inflammation.

To prevent degeneration and support the recovery of the joint, moistening and cooling herbs/foods are required.
My favourite remedies to counteract osteoarthritis include:
-Burdock seeds
-Solomon's seal
-Rubber tree extract
-Plantain leaf
-Borage seed oil
-High grade fish oil
-Bone broth