Marina and Ross were brought together by their shared love of growing unusual medicinal plants. That connection sparked a lifelong partnership working with plants and land, and sharing their knowledge and appreciation of herbal medicine and health with others.
They have been growing medicinal plants, harvesting, drying, and preparing herbal medicines for over 15 years. They began by producing remedies for themselves and their own clinical practice, with the understanding that the care and intention invested in nurturing plants is reflected in the quality of medicines produced.
From there, they expanded into growing and producing on a commercial scale to support other herbalists in establishing their own gardens and more sustainable clinical practices.
For ten years Marina and Ross taught the public, students, and other herbal practitioners from their farm in Co. Sligo. Educating others about the benefits of herbal medicine has always been a core part of their work. During this time, they hosted horticulture students and herbal medicine students from colleges across Ireland for work experience and specialist training in growing unusual medicinal plants.
They established Irish Herb Dispensary at the Sligo farm, the first herbal tincturing company in Ireland. From there, they grew and processed over 80 species of medicinal plants into tinctures, vinegars, oils, and glycerites, supplying herbalists around the country with Irish-grown herbs and working toward a more sustainable herbal medicine supply in Ireland.
Ross also trained farmers and landowners to grow and harvest specific medicinal crops, which were then supplied back to the dispensary to expand the tincture range.
Courses, Workshops & Teaching Style
Marina and Ross have created a range of courses and workshops at Ivywood designed to encourage and empower people to support their own health needs. As clinicians, they see how illness can arise when there is a lack of understanding of one’s own physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual needs.
Their teaching style is practical and hands-on, encouraging participants to fully engage with the plants and medicines being made. The aim is for people to leave feeling confident to use what they have learned in everyday life, with a deeper connection to themselves and to the plants.
To learn more or to book a place on an upcoming course, visit the events shop page.
Medicinal Mushrooms & MycoNutri
Through their clinical experience, Marina and Ross have found medicinal mushrooms invaluable alongside herbal medicine and nutritional therapy. They now supply other healthcare professionals and the public with the MycoNutri range of medicinal mushrooms.
They are currently developing a project to grow these medicinal mushrooms in the Ivywood woodland, with the intention of encouraging others to grow and integrate mushrooms into everyday life.
About Marina
Marina’s deep understanding of food and nutrition comes from years of running a smallholding where she grew vegetables, kept hens, ducks, pigs, bees for honey, and goats for milk and cheesemaking.
Her expertise as a herbalist and herb grower has led to appearances on RTÉ, BBC Northern Ireland, and TG4, as well as features in magazines and newspapers. She is returning to teaching herbal medicine and nutrition courses from Ivywood and seeing patients in clinical practice.
Bookings for courses and workshops are available via the events shop page.
About Ross
Ross continues his work in herbal medicine product development with companies in Ireland and abroad, combining his lifelong passion for growing functional plants with his herbal qualification and experience founding Ireland’s first tincture company.
He has extensive experience with start-up businesses in the natural products and herbal extract sectors. With skills in horticulture, GACP, GMP and HACCP, Ross offers consultation services for farmers, wild-craft collectors, and product developers.
Marina and Ross have now relocated their plants and young family of three children to Co. Clare, where they are re-establishing their learning centre, clinical practice, and nursery. Ivywood is a 40-acre site with ancient woodland, a river, a small lake, and abundant wildlife. They are carefully developing this space by hand to support the woodland and create areas where others can experience the magic of the plants and landscape.
If you would like to follow the progress at Ivywood, visit the Our Venue page.
