What happens when a health scientist is let loose in a garden…..
Our story
We moved to Breinton in 2015 and live on the banks of the River Wye, where we fish, swim, kayak and generally enjoy the nature around us. We have a south facing garden, which, although on clay soils, lends itself well to growing those plants that prefer a hotter climate.
So, in 2020, when COVID was in full swing, I decided to give up work and my husband built me a ‘lab’. I bought a new still, got better at beekeeping, grew some more lavender, and it all got out of hand!
I am a health scientist and have worked for many years in nursing, academic fields as a senior lecturer (mental health) and a research fellow in complementary and integrative medicine. Having spent most of my life with an interest in herbal medicine, and reading thousands of articles, finally I was in a position to grow and make my own herbal products.
Over the last few years, lots of kind and interested people have supported me, trying out my products and asking me to make things to address their issues. This is the part I love most. Loads of research and deep thinking to come up with a formula that actually helps someone.
My team
My husband has been very tolerant of the experiements, stuff everywhere at times, and the sometimes manic nature of keeping a still going whilst sorting out some bees, or harvesting some plants. He helps me plan and build new beds in the garden, and occassionally comes along to a produce market as my helper.
My neighbours, friends and family have all been very encouraging, and interested. They give me plants to test, allow me to harvest the good ones from their gardens, often help me to harvest, try stuff out for me and help me to improve it, and even they come and help me at a market occassionally. Paid in mostly lavender, homemade botanics and the odd big dinner. I am most grateful to them all.
My sister! The artwork for this website is from my sister, Benny Ronan, who is an excellent artist. I had no idea how to put the site together until she started drawing for me. She kindly sent me her artwork and helped me refine it for the site. She also tries my creams and loves them all.
My new beekeeping friends have been enormously supportive, as has everyone at Hellen’s Manor, and countless others around the beautiful county of Herefordshire. I am very lucky!
The Elephant Jokes
Humour is a big part of life in gardening, beekeeping and science. So, Benny drew a picture of one of our favourite jokes from childhood:
Q. Why do elephants paint their toe nails red?
A. To hide in cherry trees.
Q. Have you ever seen an elephant hiding in a cherry tree? No?
A. See, it works!
Q. What’s the loudest noise in the jungle?
A. Tarzan eating cherries!
“These creams are like having a spa every day”
Sarah, on using Cloudy Day Cream
“My mole is almost gone!”
- Fiona, bespoke cream customer
“I have to tell you that the Yum Tum Tea was really helpful for my IBS. I was quite surprised.”
- Customer, Hellen’s Produce Market
“I need another pot of whatever that cream was you gave me last time -my rosacea is almost gone from using it.”
- Man with very bad rosacea who tried some Sunny Day Cream and some Night Cream