“Of course if you’re going to head out to the fields for a forage, it’s imperative to avoid the fumes and mess of the roadside; walk well away from polluted areas and chose a patch of field that hasn’t been sprayed. You’ll often find wild mustard in wheat fields,” she continues. “It has beautiful yellow flowers which are a wonderful garnish, delivering a dry, peppery taste; the young shoots can be eaten as a vegetable, and the young leaves can be added to salad. It’s an incredibly nourishing plant, high in iron, and other minerals including vitamin C.

“When you nourish your body you boost the immune system,” she adds. “And the overall healing effect of any one plant is far greater than the sum of its components: it’s the synergy of the entire plant which creates the effect. Mallow, for instance, is everywhere at this time of year, and there’s no better remedy for gastritis and inflammation. When cooked correctly, it releases a mucilage that’s medicinal in its properties, creating a protective film on the stomach lining, as well as aiding dry coughs and healing and soothing any inflammation.”