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Hello Lovely CommuniTEA,
Here we are, further into the “ber” months! November has a magic all of its own. The last leaves will be falling, the mornings crisp and misty, and nature is quietly letting go of everything it no longer needs before resting through winter. There’s real wisdom in that, and it’s got me thinking about freedom: the freedom to let go of what doesn’t serve us, to ask questions, to explore our options, and to decide what happens to our bodies and our personal information. Because as you know, I truly believe the doctor of your future is you!
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"Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice."
Thich Nhat Hanh |
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To keep us company, our herb of the month is a root that comes into its own as the frosts arrive: horseradish. If you’ve ever taken a generous spoonful with your Sunday roast and felt it shoot straight up your nose, you’ll know exactly what I mean! It’s fiery, bold and clears the way, so it’s the perfect partner for a month about finding our voice. |
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Horseradish is a hardy, no-nonsense perennial from the same family as mustard, cabbage and wasabi. Its big glossy leaves look a bit like dock, but the real treasure is underground: a thick, pale root with a serious kick. November is the perfect time to dig it up, because the first frosts make it sweeter and stronger. I peel and blitz in my vitamix with nothing more than some salt and a drop of water if needed. I store 2-3 portions in small jars in a freezer. Once defrosted I fold through mash, or served with smoked fish and roasted beetroot. It’s also wonderful in my red cabbage at Christmas and always in my Sunday gravy with a splash of orange juice. |
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Did you know?
Much of the “wasabi” served in sushi restaurants outside Japan is actually horseradish dyed green, because real wasabi is so hard and expensive to grow. And the “horse” in its name is thought to mean strong or coarse not to mention its remarkable resemblance of a horse's penis!
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The Healing Properties of Horseradish
Here’s something I love: a whole horseradish root barely smells of anything. It’s only when you cut or grate it that its cells break open and natural compounds called glucosinolates turn into mustard oils. That’s where the eye-watering heat comes from! These compounds are thought to be behind horseradish’s traditional use for clearing blocked sinuses and easing winter colds. It has long been used to warm the body, get the circulation going and wake up a sluggish digestion, which may be why our grandparents always served it with rich, heavy foods. In folk medicine, grated root was also used in poultices for aching joints and chilblains. Be careful with that, though, because it can easily burn the skin.
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Grower's Tip
Horseradish loves its freedom a little too much! Any tiny piece of root left in the ground will grow into a whole new plant, so it can quickly take over your veg patch. Grow it in a big pot, or in a bottomless bucket sunk into the soil, to keep it in check.
Safety note: Horseradish is powerful stuff, so enjoy it as a food rather than in large medicinal amounts. Avoid it if you have stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel conditions, kidney problems or an underactive thyroid, and don’t use it medicinally during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or for young children. Prepare it somewhere well ventilated and keep it away from your eyes. Fresh poultices can blister the skin, so always test a small patch first. Only use roots from a trusted source, as other plants can be mistaken for horseradish, and check with a practitioner if you’re on medication or have a health condition.
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Freedom might sound like an unusual choice for a modality, but for me it sits underneath everything we do together. Herbs, sleep, good food and movement all work best when we’re in charge of our own wellbeing, rather than simply having things done to us. As many of you know, my own journey back from a near-death medical procedure taught me this the hard way. I learned that nobody knows your body like you do, and that there is almost always more than one path to healing. |
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Did you know?
Your breath is a direct line to your nervous system. Making your out-breath longer than your in-breath, for example breathing in for four and out for six, tells your body you’re safe and helps switch on “rest and digest.” It’s a little piece of freedom you carry with you everywhere.
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The Healing Power of Freedom
Freedom isn’t just an idea. Our bodies feel it too. Our nervous system has two main modes. “Fight or flight” floods us with stress hormones to deal with danger, and “rest and digest” is where repair, digestion and deep healing happen. One of the things that keeps us stuck in fight or flight is feeling powerless: rushed, unheard, or told there’s only one way forward. When we feel we have choices and a say in our own care, the body gets the message that it’s safe, and it can finally shift into healing mode.
That’s why I’m so passionate about exploring nutrition, herbs, breathwork, EFT, naturopathy, movement and community which all have something to offer, and finding what works for YOUR body is part of the healing. It’s exactly why we created our Health Hubs, so you can meet practitioners face to face, ask questions and discover approaches you might never have come across. Our next one is at the College of Naturopathic Medicine on March 11th 2027, we hope to see you there.
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My podcast with Alan Miller
If you didn't catch it and would like to understand more about what’s at stake, listen to my podcast episode with Alan Miller, co-founder of the Together Declaration, where we talk about digital ID and why it’s so important to stand up for our freedom.
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Freedom also means knowing who holds your personal information. So many of you have been asking me about digital ID since my podcast episode with Alan Miller. Over 1.6 million of us have signed a petition against it, and in January 2026 the government backed down: its new digital ID will no longer be the only way to prove your right to work. That’s what happens when people stand up and speak out! But it isn’t over. Right-to-work checks are still due to become mandatory and digital from 2029, so stay informed, read the small print, ask what data is being collected and where it’s stored, and remember that your information belongs to you.
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Tuesday 3rd Nov @ 7:30pm
Use the link above to join the zoom or add it to your calendar as a reminder.
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As a CommuniTEA Member, you can gift your friend their first month free, and as a thank-you when they join, you’ll also get a free month’s membership from me!
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With Love 'n Above
Philly x
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