Exploring the smorgasbord of variety on offer
George Hepburn
Crop Health Consultant, East
Exploring the smorgasbord of variety on offer
The two sessions that resonated with me the most were quite different, one from a GP and one from a charcoal maker.
The GP was Dr David Unwin who runs a practice north of Liverpool. He has transformed lives of patients with type 2 diabetes through his pioneering use of low-carbohydrate dietary therapy. For three decades, Dr. Unwin has offered a low-carb protocol as a first-line alternative to medications, and in that time has got over 150 patients to reverse their type 2 diabetes through diet alone.
His figures were stark – highlighting the percentage of the audience likely to succumb to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. His talk showed that the food we eat is a direct medicine against these illnesses. Unsurprisingly, his advice included eating more fibre, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and choosing high fat dairy and quality proteins. In short: less potatoes, more leafy veg!
Dr. Unwin’s work focuses on empowering patients with clear, accessible education—such as his “teaspoons of sugar” glycemic load graphics—and providing collaborative support to safely reduce medications when improvements occur. His model demonstrates that dietary choices can place type 2 diabetes into lasting remission, restore metabolic health, and reduce NHS costs.
I heard about Dr. Unwin last year from one of my farmers who attended his talk after experiencing health issues. By changing his diet alone, he reversed those issues, lost two stone, and is now fitter and healthier than he has been in years. He returned to Groundswell this year determined to spread the word about this amazing doctor.
The second session was on Wood Vinegar. I have been aware of it for a while – Tim Parton, of Tim Parton Farming, and Mike Harrington discuss it regularly – and other than a general cure all, I wanted to learn more about it.
Wood vinegar, or pyroligneous acid, could be a powerful natural input in regenerative agriculture. Produced during slow pyrolysis—the burning of wood or biomass in a low-oxygen environment to make charcoal—its vapours are condensed into a dark, acidic liquid rich in organic compounds. This includes acetic acid, phenols, ketones, and karrikins—smoke-derived molecules known to trigger seed germination, particularly after wildfires.
When diluted, wood vinegar can be used as a soil starter, stimulating microbial activity, enhancing nutrient cycling, and improving seedling vigour. Its natural acids help release bound nutrients in the soil, making them more accessible to young roots.
As a fungicide, wood vinegar is effective against common pathogens like powdery mildew and root rot. Its antimicrobial compounds inhibit fungal growth without harming beneficial microbes, making it a safer alternative to synthetic chemicals.
When used as an insecticide, wood vinegar acts mainly as a repellent. The sharp aroma and bitter taste deter pests such as aphids, mites, and leafhoppers. It does not kill directly but disrupts feeding and egg-laying, preserving pollinators and predator species essential to ecological balance.
This fits with Aiva’s philosophy: leveraging nature’s own chemistry to enhance soil health, plant resilience, and biodiversity. From encouraging seed germination to defending against pests and disease, it offers a multifunctional, biodegradable alternative to chemical inputs. With proper dilution and integration into farming systems, it becomes a low-cost, high-impact tool for farmers so watch this space for more information.
https://www.oxfordcharcoal.co.uk/product/natural-wood-vinegar-250ml
About the Author
George Hepburn
Crop Health Consultant, East
Hi, I’m George. I’m a Crop Health Consultant at AIVA. For my whole career, I’ve been working on promoting Crop Health through more natural methods, trying to renew and preserve fertility. Working on benefiting mainly arable systems, I also have expertise in root crops, focusing on building better nutrition and natural crop health.
Got a question? Contact Me.
