Herb Appeal

Health & Wealth

Health

There are numerous ways herbs can help to improve your health, whether you simply sit amongst them to enjoy their fragrance and presence or whether you actively utilise them as medicine or food.   Create a herb chair or bench to sit on; use the crushed leaf of the Greater Plantain to relieve stings and bites and collect leaves, seeds, berries and even bark to make a delicious salad or tea tonic. 

Animals also self medicate with herbs and wild plants if allowed  - dogs and cats chew couch grass for upset stomachs and cats adore rolling in catnip to stimulate or even sedate themselves as preferred.  Even if you have no garden at all, your pet cat will appreciate  sprigs of catnip placed in a tray in the house to roll in, crushing the leaves in the same way as they would in the wild.  Dogs often choose to drink from muddy puddles as they need the algae.  Wild flowers and herbs not only benefit human beings but also our four-legged friends.  Oh and birds too – chickens for example love chickweed which, not surprisingly, is also extremely good for them.

Wealth

"Take care of yourself. Good health is everyone's major source of wealth. Without it, happiness is almost impossible."

What else can I say …?

Indoors & Outdoors

Indoors

We are probably all familiar with the benefits of having herbs and aromatic plants on the kitchen window for culinary use but don't forget the bathroom windowsill too; use a couple of leaves from potted pplants like lemon balm, lavender, thyme and rosemary, for example to add to a running bath to release their natural fragrant oils.  Having plants on windowsills next to sinks also means they are more likely to get watered regularly! Also, having a lavender plant (or two) in the house will help repel houseflies and the subtle relaxing fragrance of a lavender plant  kept on a bedroom windowsill will also help you sleep.
 
Outdoors

There are also numerous ways in which to enjoy herbs outdoors as well as the more conventional  herb bed.  Although whilst we're on that subject, remember that when creating a herb bed outdoors make sure its close to the house to make it more accessible and don't just restrict herbs to their own bed; the beautiful feathery foliage of fennel for example will provide interest at the back of a border and Nasturtiums can be used to brighten up an old tree stump or transform a waste piece of ground.  Whilst not classed as a herb, you can use both flowers and the leaves of Nasturtiums in salads.   Planting chamomile and low growing thymes in the lawn or even in between the cracks of paving on a path will allow you to enjoy the aromatic fragrance which is released as you walk over the herbs or cut the grass.

Talks & Walks

Talks

As well as being an avid 'outdoorist' and more of a 'human do-er' than human being, I admitedly love talking about my passions too.  Having established and managed my own in Landscape Gardening and Design business for over 25 years, I am able to draw on a wide range of real life experiences and acquired knowledge.  I respectfully embrace Nature as Teacher, and adore sharing my own learnings and observations in a  down to Earth  and no nonsense manner.   Encouraging lots of interaction from the audience, talks will motivate and amuse all manner of groups and committees with humerous anecdotes and inspiration.

Hedgerow Walks

Join me on a hedgerow Walk for an informal and informative 'hands on' experience where you will learn to recognise the many leaves, berries and even bark that can be used in simple salads or tea tonics.  More importantly, learn to identify the plants that are poisonous and should be avoided.

 These half day Hedgerow Walks begin at 10 am with a  cup of coffee and introduction, followed by a gentle meander along the hedgerows, learning to recognise individual plants and their benefits.  We return to the Hotel for a light lunch around midday where you can sample what you have harvested as a tasty salad or tea tonic.  We'll have a bit of a Q and A session and a quick look through the handbooks provided; these will contain lots of hints and tips on foraging and herbal remedies as well as some simple tasty  recipes.  We aim to finish around 3 pm to allow you enough time to return home at your leisure or explore a few of the many delights in the locality.

Please note that whilst all forthcoming Walks are fully booked, if you simply take a moment to register your interest I will be happy to arrange a Walk for you as soon as I can.  Thank you.