Kia ora! I’m Loran, a medical herbalist practitioner and educator.
I offer one-on-one consultations, organise workshops and make herbal products. On this website, you can also learn about local medicinal plants thanks to the plant stories I regularly publish.
About me
I grew up in France, and now live in Queensberry, Central Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand, where I grow and wild-craft the plants for the herbal remedies I make and prescribe.
As far back as I can remember, my family has always foraged. Our walks often involved harvesting mushrooms, wild fruits and berries, dandelion leaves for a spring salad or linden blossoms for a herbal tea. This is where my passion for foraging and herbs comes from.
When I moved to Aotearoa New Zealand, I learned about native plants and now grow many of them on our land.
I started my training in herbal medicine in 2017, initially with Heartwood Education (UK-based herbal medicine training) and then alongside New Zealand herbalists, Isla Burgess, Valmai Becker and Asti Renaut. In 2024, I qualified as a medical herbalist.
I love sharing knowledge through my regular workshops and ‘Plant Stories’. I grow many medicinal plants, aromatic herbs, as well as fruits and veges.
I am passionate about plants, natural healing, herbal medicine and supporting people on their healing path.
As a medical herbalist practitioner, I endeavour to help and support you on your path to better health.
The story of Herbal Culture NZ
Herbal Culture NZ was created in 2018 by Ashley and myself. Together, we grew and wild-crafted local herbs to make boutique batch of herbal teas, tonics, salts and topical products. We supplied local shops as well as herbalists and individuals throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
In 2024, Ashley decided to focus on her family and developing her new (non-herbal) business venture. This change was the opportunity to shift Herbal Culture’s focus and purpose. Having completed my herbal medicine studies at the end of 2024, I decided to make Herbal Culture my practice as a medical herbalist whilst continuing to grow and wild-craft medicinal herbs. My focus is on the role plants and people play within a community.
My values
Plants & people
As a passionate plant grower and gardener, I have a deep respect for all plants. I am also passionate about the plant-people relationship.
Awareness/education
Through my work and workshops, I bring awareness to the plants that surround us, their seasonality and the food and medicine they offer.
Sustainable
The plants used in the herbal remedies I make — and all the plants used in the topical products — are grown in my garden or wild-crafted locally. All are harvested respectfully and sustainably.
In my practice, I do not use medicinal plants that are being over-harvested or on the brink of extinction.
Locally hand-crafted
Herbal Culture is a small business. Everything I do is driven by the love and respect of plants and people.
